Blackhawks vs Wild

	vs
BLACKHAWKS		WILD
2-6		5-0

The Aesthetics
More times than I'd like to admit I've explained the problems inherent with the Blackhawks logo. And all the reasons I love the Wild logo. But all you really have to do is look at the two of them right next to each other to know who deserves this point. Creativity gets the Wild this point.
Wild

The Nickname
You're nuts if you don't think Chief Blackhawk knows his way around the Wild.
Blackhawks

The Analysis
What you see is what you get when it comes to these teams' names. The logos are appropriate symbols for the names but one clearly does it better than the other. Simplify the Indian head, already! You can do it, Chicago! I believe in you. Meanwhile, like I said yesterday, the Wild logo more than goes out of its way to fit in so many little bits that you can look at it a million times and see something new every time. That's what a logo really should be.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Canucks vs Wild

	vs
CANUCKS		WILD
3-4		4-0

The Aesthetics
This is a really difficult decision because I really like both of these logos. They're both attractive and use a unique color scheme. I also think its cool how they seem to be facing one another. Even though I'm a huge fan of the Canucks logo, the way the Wild logo works in a bear, a forest, a star, a river, mountains and a sunset all in one little graphic just floors me.
Wild

The Nickname
Right or wrong, we've been going on the idea that a Canuck is a woodsman of some sort. He therefore should be familiar with the Wild and know his way around.
Canucks

The Analysis
Even if the Canucks logo actually symbolized the team name — as opposed to being a whale — the Wild would still get this point. The star as the bear's eye conjures Minnesota's hockey history and the Minnesota North Stars. Subtlety works and I'm a big fan.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Canucks

	vs
RED WINGS		CANUCKS
1-5		2-4

The Aesthetics
Both logos are a little heavy on the detail but with the Canucks, it doesn't seem to detract. The extra colors make it look a little busier than the Red Wings logo, but color never hurt anyone.
Canucks

The Nickname
If he was a woodsman, a Canuck would perhaps hunt a Red-Winged bird.
Canucks

The Analysis
This has been the downfall of the Canucks logo throughout this tournament. The team will be getting a new one this summer but not for another three weeks. For those of you who haven't been following along, it's the misplaced whale that's giving me a problem here. A Canuck is not a whale. Anyway, we get a red wing in the Red Wings logo, which is topped off with an old-time wheel to symbolize the Motor City.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Flames

	vs
PREDATORS		FLAMES
6-2		6-0

The Aesthetics
It's interesting to see the stronger logos going up against each other in this tournament. The tough part is for me in figuring out which deserves points. Here, the Predators logo outweighs by a very slight margin the Flames for the use of color and sleek design. The Flames have a great logo but I feel like it could be updated somewhat. The Flames on the left side seem unbalanced.
Predators

The Nickname
Funny thing about Flames. They burn everything, even Predators.
Flames

The Analysis
What I do like about the Flames logo is the prominent use of the "C" for Calgary. The Predators logo doesn't really have any elements that represent Music City. While their colors are great and their design is spectacular, it's really the Flames that deserve this point.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Kings vs Flames

	vs
KINGS		FLAMES
2-4		5-0

The Aesthetics
Solid color schemes and unique outlines are what we have here. The Kings logo is a little complicated but I like the subtle hockey sticks at the top of the crown. As for the Flames, simplicity can sometimes not work out. The flames on the left side of the logo seem unbalanced (which in some cases can be good), but I like the symmetry in the Kings emblem.
Kings

The Nickname
Flames could completely burn down everything the King's land and there isn't a whole lot he can do to stop it.
Flames

The Analysis
Nothing says Kings like a crown but the Flames logo actually has flames — and a "C" to symbolize Calgary. I also like the subtle suns on the sides of the crown to remind us the Kings live in California. It's a tough choice, but ultimately, the Flames get the point.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Flames vs Coyotes

	vs
FLAMES		COYOTES
4-0		2-1

The Aesthetics
In an odd twist, both of these logos feel animate to me. I can almost see the flames flickering and hear the coyote howling. That's what you call strong logos. The reason that the Coyotes are getting this point over the Flames is that it feels a little more polished. That's understandable though, when you consider the 25 years difference in the age of the logos.
Coyotes

The Nickname
Fire pretty much burns up everything and if the Coyote couldn't escape the Flames, well, he'd be... toast.
Flames

The Analysis
Here's where we determine the winner of this match. The Coyotes logo is great but on looking at it, you don't really get a feel for where its from. And while you could make the case that the obvious desert colors point us to the southwestern U.S., I'd make the case that the flaming "C" will always stand for Calgary (despite anything I might have previously said that could indicate the contrary). Find me a Calgarian who doesn't recognize it. Or any hockey fan.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Coyotes vs Avalanche

	vs
COYOTES		AVALANCHE
2-0		5-0

The Aesthetics
Brick red and burgundy. Not your common logo colors, but they make for some strong, cool-looking logos. And both logos represent the team name well. You've got a howling Coyote on one side and an avalanche falling down a mountain shaped like an "A" on the other. Who to choose? So I'm going to look at it from a classic perspective. I see the Avs with the same logo in 50 years. The Coyotes? Not so much.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't think Coyotes live in the mountains or even cold climates, but if one found himself amidst an Avalanche, it would surely do him in.
Avalanche

The Analysis
Neither logo goes out of its way to represent the home town. The Avalanche logo comes closest with the snow-capped mountain but that just means the team was named well. The Coyotes take care of Phoenix with a reference on the shoulder patch but this competition doesn't take that into account. So as you can see, this also is a very difficult point to award. For the subtle puck and clever use of the team's initial, this point goes the way of the Avs.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Sharks

	vs
AVALANCHE		SHARKS
4-0		3-2

The Aesthetics
I truly believe the West has some of the best logos in the league. The colors are even just cool to look at. But only one can take the point. I like the incorporation of the "A" in the Avs logo while at the same time being annoyed at the lack of color used in the Sharks. The graphic is misleading as the only teal in the logo itself is in a thin outline of the triangle.
Avalanche

The Nickname
This is another tricky one. What business would a Shark have on a mountainside during an Avalanche? Unless you make the case that by avoiding the mountain altogether, he's got the upper hand on the snowy slide.
Sharks

The Analysis
Okay, let's dig deep now. You can pretty much guess the team name from both logos though I wish they would've both done more to represent their city, but I'll live. However! There's nothing I hate more than the blatant use of something like a hockey stick (see Sharks) — despite it being eaten by a shark — and nothing I admire more than the subtle use of something like a puck (see Avs). And so as you can see the choice is rather clear.
Avalanche

WINNER

2-1

 

Oilers vs Wild

	vs
OILERS		WILD
1-7		3-0

The Aesthetics
This one so easy it's practically screaming in my ear. Need I really explain it?
Wild

The Nickname
What would an Oiler do if he found himself out in the Wild? Probably get eaten by a bear, I imagine.
Wild

The Analysis
When it comes to a logo that portrays a team name without actually being blunt about it, I think we all know who wins here too. The only thing missing from the Wild logo that you find in the wild of Minnesota are the lakes. But that would probably be difficult to work in. As for the Oilers, I've said it before. There's a shoulder patch and a third jersey crest that would make me much happier. Consider yourself swept, Oilers.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Coyotes

	vs
CANUCKS		COYOTES
2-3		1-0

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos made their debut within the last ten years and have a few similar elements. The Canucks color scheme is a little more dynamic but the Coyotes logo looks a little more animated. This is a really difficult decision since both logos are just so cool. I would flip a coin, but that doesn't seem fair. If it came down to which logo I'd rather have on my jersey, I'd have to go with the Coyotes.
Coyotes

The Nickname
Canucks may go hunting for Coyotes. It's possible.
Canucks

The Analysis
This is usually the Canucks logo's downfall. Aside from the "C" the logo forms, I can't quite figure out what an Indian-designed orca whale leaping out of ice has to do with Canucks. At least coyotes are common in the deserts of Arizona. But that's not even the point. It's the logo that has to match the name, not the name that has to match the city, necessarily. Now that is a coyote!
Coyotes

WINNER

2-1