tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-159319772024-03-07T18:05:07.800-07:00Odd Man Rush<strong>Hockey, Hockey, Hockey... and more Hockey</strong>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.comBlogger464125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-38089829386048591182008-04-30T11:29:00.004-06:002008-04-30T14:52:19.603-06:00Pucks of FireThe hell with glowing pucks like Fox Sports used on their Hockey telecasts awhile back. Let's use flaming hockey pucks like they do in Mexico. <br /><br /> <center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mu3kL8W-lM4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mu3kL8W-lM4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><br />That ought to make it easy for the fans out there that are always complaining how hard it is to see the puck.<br /><br />However, it could give a whole new meaning to the phrase... "He's so hot, he's on fire."<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-34312163328693542422008-01-18T18:42:00.000-07:002008-01-19T09:14:15.872-07:00Holy Moley!<strong>Rick Nash's Goal of the Year...</strong><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d8B4SvyV4C4&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d8B4SvyV4C4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><a href="http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g6hJRciI9waxV5NfzlzkJKBWdUcQ"><strong>He doesn't even know how he did it.</strong></a> <blockquote>Rick Nash's phone was filled with text messages and voicemails when he woke up Friday. He also had half a dozen interview requests.<br /><br />That's what happens when you score the goal of the year in the NHL. "Yeah I know, it's been crazy," Nash told The Canadian Press after practice in Dallas.<br /><br />By now surely, most hockey fans have seen it TV or on the Internet. "Wow," is the most commonly heard response after seeing The Goal.<br /><br />Nash took a pass from Columbus Blue Jackets teammate Michael Peca just outside the Phoenix blue-line Thursday night, deftly stickhandled his way around both Coyotes defencemen Keith Ballard and Derek Morris before finally deking out goalie Mikael Tellqvist and firing into the open left side of the net.<br /><br />Oh, and it was a game-winner with 21.5 seconds left in the third period.<br /><br />"I don't even really know how I really did it," said Nash, whose Jackets play Saturday afternoon in Dallas. "You know, the one replay I've seen, it looked like the puck was on a string almost. It just happened so fast I don't even remember what I was thinking or what I was trying to do."</blockquote>Insane, simply insane.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-75277213097421298262008-01-18T18:26:00.000-07:002008-01-18T18:27:36.867-07:00Puck Rock<strong>Megadeth style...</strong><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HRBO0oSV0sI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HRBO0oSV0sI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Rock on.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-24531834837430330252007-12-31T09:51:00.000-07:002007-12-31T15:00:38.481-07:00Puckstock<center><a href="http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/289836"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Chilly Winter Classic is a hot commodity</span></strong></a></center><br /><center><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cJAzyp8f6uE&rel=" width="400" height="330" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></center><br /><br /><blockquote>...<strong>the Winter Classic outdoor game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh on New Year's Day could become a marquee event on the NHL calendar</strong>.<br /><br />Those that promote the NHL have never been so busy, producing daily commentary on NHL.com, updates on rink flooding and painted lines and time-lapse videos on arena construction.<br /><br /><strong>When 73,000 seats are sold out in a manner of hours, filling a football stadium for a hockey game, you know they are on to something</strong>. When NBC decides to broadcast the game – Bowl games be damned – you have the buzz. [...]<br /><br />No less a voice than that of Penguins star Sidney Crosby believes one of these events a year would be good for the game.<br /><br />"I think one (game) is good. I mean, it doesn't always have to be the same teams, but I think one's good," Crosby said Friday. "It's something for everyone to look forward to. I think it's going to bring attention."<br /><br /><strong>The Red Wings are hoping to host one of these at Ford Field, perhaps with the Maple Leafs as the opponent. Already there is talk about Penn State hosting a Flyers-Penguins game</strong>.<br /><br />Costas believes the NHL can build on events like this because it has the ability to attract casual fans and channel surfers.<br /><br />"<strong>It will feel special because it is special</strong>," said Costas. <strong>"It's unique</strong>. Sidney Crosby and Ryan Miller are extremely well known. You have players that people want to see and in an atmosphere that's intriguing, plus those 70,000 people in Buffalo on New Year's Day.<br /><br />"There is certainly going to be a great atmosphere."<br /><br />(my emphasis)</blockquote>Yeah, you bet there will be.<br /><br />I also think one or two (one in the US, one in Ca.) of these games a year would be great for the sport. <p></p><br /><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-31668015218009565522007-12-26T21:44:00.000-07:002007-12-27T10:15:01.083-07:00Hockey Gone Wild #18<strong>....in a continuing series.</strong><br /><br />I have no clue what set off these two Danish teams 35 seconds into this clip, but off they go into a pretty wild and crazy donnybrook I bet even Don Cherry would appreciate from his hockey friends in europe. And just when you think it's over with... off it's goes again. <br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l30R6l6foh0&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l30R6l6foh0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></center><br /><br />More >>> <a href="http://oddmanrush.blogspot.com/search?q=%22hockey+gone+wild%22"><strong>Hockey Gone Wild</strong>.</a><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-1696420266268954712007-12-24T09:31:00.000-07:002007-12-25T21:09:00.772-07:00All They Want for Christmas Is...<center><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gP1qYkmDXOQ&rel=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.hockey.com/blog/478-Santa-hands-out-early-gifts-to-NHL.aspx"><strong>Here's some other gifts Santa should consider for NHLer's.</strong></a><br /><br /><blockquote>For the Philadelphia Flyers, Santa has a little something special. Day parole.<br /><br />For the Phoenix Coyotes, a few people out in the desert who actually give a damn.<br /><br />For Marc Crawford, a new hobby. You know, for when he gets his ass canned.<br /><br />For Rick Tocchet, an all-expense paid trip to Vegas.<br /><br />For Sean Avery, a mute button.</blockquote>Brillant, what a wonderful gift for Sean Avery... and it's something that we all could enjoy. A twofer.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><center><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Merry Christmas!</span></em></strong></center><p></p></br><br /><p></p></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-19438647632646202582007-12-20T22:05:00.000-07:002007-12-21T08:20:43.961-07:00Hockey Bloggers<strong>Changing the way hockey is covered.</strong><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wrkx-IQsihk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wrkx-IQsihk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></center> <br /><br /><strong><a href="http://melroserocks.blogspot.com/2007/08/handy-guide-for-beginners-hockey.html">A Handy Guide for Beginners: Hockey Blogging</a></strong><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Do not make fun of James Mirtle and/or Eric McErlain</strong>. They are the overlords of the hockey blogosphere/world/box/thing. Thus, if you wanted to call one of them a Bat Shit Crazy Son of a Bitch whose blog is vile trash, it's not a good idea. If said event were to occur, you would have huge, muscular guys with cool sunglasses show up at your house in a matter of minutes whose only agenda would be to "take you down" a la Dog the Bounty Hunter. That is, of course, if you were to do such a dastardly thing.*<br /><br /><strong>Always post lots of random pictures of hot chicks</strong>, specifically ice girls. This may not guarantee that your blog gets tons of cheap hits, but it will give you a lot of street cred. You're the cool blogger who doesn't play by the rules! You're not like those MSM sons of bitches who bend to the man. You embrace your true self as a manly blogger who enjoys a tight ass or two or twenty. That being said, if you are of the female hockey blogging persuasion, well, I have no idea what you should do. Post a picture of Mike Modano's chest? I have no clue.<br /><br /><strong>Do name your blog in a fashion that tricks readers who don't look hard enough into thinking you are someone famous and enormously egotistical</strong>. You shouldn't take more than two minutes to come up with a snappy, irreverent name either. Names like John Buccigross Rocks and I Am Sean Avery and I Am All That is Man should suffice. See how easy that was? You too can have an awesome blog title.**<br /><br /><strong>Do flame Eklund</strong>. That's the 'in' thing to do isn't it? In fact, if you have a sneaking suspicion that he creates rumors simply from the banter on your message board, go ahead and prove it by baiting him into it. It's fun. Promise.</blockquote>Damn. I keep forgeting that rule about posting hot pics of hockey chicks. I just knew this blog has been missing something lately. Man, I better get with the program and fast.<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aYvuoEAV5DI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aYvuoEAV5DI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></center><br /><br />...OK, that's much better.<br /><br /><p></p><br /><strong>The hockey revolution will be blogged.</strong><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-80953920988377979152007-12-18T21:42:00.000-07:002007-12-19T13:41:44.021-07:00Tis the Season<strong>Peace on earth, goodwill towards men.</strong><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hypdmF1leFc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hypdmF1leFc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Well, unless apparently, your a Ranger's fan surrounded by a mob of Islander loving Santa Clauses on their home hockey rink. Goodwill has it's limits.<br /><br />I pity the fool.<br /><br /><center><em>Merry Freakin Christmas</center></em><p></p><br /></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-61872903280349789122007-12-16T10:11:00.000-07:002007-12-16T20:10:26.553-07:00A Rival Hockey League?Be still my beating heart.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=6c1d5e75-cb7c-4e3b-ae26-39a6fb690ba9"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Russian tycoon eyes league to rival NHL</span></strong></a><br /><br /><blockquote>Another professional hockey league could be on the horizon.<br /><br />And it could be a league that would give the world's top hockey players an alternative to the National Hockey League.<br /><br />A media report on Saturday said that Russian energy tycoon Alex Medvedev is planning to develop a rival league based in Europe.<br /><br />The Toronto Star indicates Medvedev has hired former NHL Players Association director Bob Goodenow and Stanley Cup winner Igor Larionov to work towards developing the league.<br /><br />The story also suggests the operators would like to have the new league up and running by fall of 2008. As well, according to the report, Medvedev has already contacted prospective broadcasters and sponsors.<br /><br />The start-up of a new league would not be surprising, considering the continued exodus of Europe's best hockey players to the North America and the NHL.<br /><br />Friction between Russia's ice hockey federation and the NHL has been growing.</blockquote>I'm skeptical, but hey, stranger things have happened. If (big IF)a European league does manage to get off the ground it could create profound changes in how hockey is played, marketed and viewed globally. We're looking at changes possibly much more profound than those of the last great NHL rival league insurrection...<br /><br /><center><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KNjWce0MpSc&rel=" width="400" height="330" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></center><br /><br />I wish this rival league, actually, I wish any rival league all the best in their efforts to challenge the NHL. The competition, I think, would do the sport tremendous good. <p></p><br /><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-43572149373478183422007-12-13T21:26:00.000-07:002007-12-14T08:30:55.253-07:00Puck Tech<strong>Thermablades...</strong><br /><br />They're suppose to help hockey players glide across ice like a hot knife cuts through butter. In other words... easily.<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HYPDVJ_FaT0&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HYPDVJ_FaT0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Cool.<br /><br />So cool that <a href="http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwBeOmuy_jKaK9eW-RNDObauDRRA"><strong>four NHLer's are secretly testing them out this season.</strong></a> <blockquote>The four teams they play for asked that their names be kept secret so the Thermablades on their feet didn't draw media attention and their use become a distraction, says Kris King, the NHL's Toronto-based senior manager of hockey operations. [...]<br /><br />Thermablades use a rechargeable battery and microprocessor to maintain a blade temperature of 5 C. The slight heat is enough to increase the thickness of the water layer between the blade and the ice surface, and the company says its tests have shown this reduces gliding friction and starting resistance for skaters.</blockquote>Sounds good to me. But then again, I'm a better hockey through high technology kind of guy to begin with.<p></p><br /></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-33761637984809792822007-12-13T07:45:00.000-07:002007-12-13T15:41:48.749-07:00Contenders and Pretenders<em>Ted Montgomery</em>, writing for <strong>USA TODAY </strong>gives us a rundown on the good, the bad and the ugly teams so far in this NHL season. At the moment, my guys appear in what you might say is the bad (bubble) category. <blockquote><strong>Colorado Avalanche</strong>: This is a tough team to figure. The offensive firepower is there, and the goaltending has been adequate for the most part, but the defense teeters back and forth between being stingy and leaky. They'll have to correct that if they are to entertain any ideas of surviving even one round in the tough Western Conference playoffs.</blockquote>I couldn't agree more. Well, actually on second thought, I think I'd drop them down to pretender status at this point.<br /><br />Find where Ted thinks your team stands >>> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/montgomery/2007-12-11-contenders-pretenders_N.htm"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">here</span></strong>.</a> <p></p></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-58625563173695282392007-12-08T08:38:00.000-07:002007-12-12T07:12:33.739-07:00Hockeydad Rap<center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hGt-Rd9ow50&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hGt-Rd9ow50&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><br />I'm big and I'm bad... I'm a hockey dad.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-87346492069789937832007-12-08T08:26:00.000-07:002007-12-09T09:09:31.938-07:00ESPN or Bust<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/columnist/allen/2007-12-06-nhlonespn_N.htm"><strong>Can hockey be a sport if it isn't on ESPN?</strong></a><br /><br /><blockquote>One of the most powerful forces in the NHL today is an organization that owns no standing in the NHL. And therein lies the problem.<br /><br />ESPN has become the big elephant sitting in our room, only in this case everyone is talking about it.<br /><br />The lack of a television deal with ESPN is now the No. 1 gripe in hockey today. Players complain about it. General managers complain about it. Coaches complain about it, and fans truly complain about it in most vulgar terms.<br /><br />With 2008 almost upon us, the return of the NHL to ESPN should be the top priority for Commissioner Gary Bettman. It's that simple. No one cares about network television anymore. We care about ESPN. This is more important than figuring out how the NHL is going to score more goals. I don't want expanded nets. I want expanded visibility for the sport of hockey. To achieve that, we must return to ESPN.</blockquote>I couldn't agree more.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-62370275482640680372007-11-30T21:17:00.000-07:002007-12-01T07:08:50.089-07:00Me Like HockeyYes I do.<br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0eghkLY12U8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0eghkLY12U8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Me work Hard five days a week,<br />sweeping garbage from the street.<br />Come home not one book to read,<br />not 'nuff pictures for me see.<br />Sit right down in favorite chair,<br />wearing only underwear.<br />Favorite night is Saturday night,<br />'cause me can watch hockey fights.<br /><br />Me like hockey<br /><br />Me not like pro basketball,<br />'cause me short and they all tall.<br />Baseball slow like Forrest Gump,<br />'cept when Robbie spits on ump.<br />Wrestlemania not so great,<br />Me like to see Hulk Hogan Skate.<br />TV socccer not that hot,<br />you play bad and you get shot.<br /><br />Me like hockey<br /><br />Swedish players must be geeks, haha<br />'cause they still got own real teeth. hahaha<br />Not like Finnish players names,<br />what's a Teemu anyway? hahaha<br />Russians worst in history,<br />got stupid names like Valeri. hahaha<br /><br />Me like Sergi Federov,<br />Me like him more if head were off. hahaha<br /><br />Me like hockey<br /><br />Please Mr. Linesman let the players fight<br /><br />Friends come over, put game on,<br />argue then we lay bets down.<br />Got bag of chips and case of Bud,<br />should last 'til end of first period.<br />But Yankees they win The World Cup,<br />me think they cheat use glowing puck.<br />Maybe if we want to winder,<br />maybe we should play in winter.<br /><br />Me Like Hockey<br /></center><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-75213074902550898362007-11-28T10:58:00.000-07:002007-11-28T13:29:06.780-07:00Hockey's Next Great Frontier...<center><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071128.HOCKEYCHINA28/TPStory/Sports"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">China?</span></strong></a></center><br />Huh, well that definitely wouldn't have been my first guess. The US market would've been my first. <blockquote>"We feel the future in China is extremely bright," said Chris Collins, a former NHL scout and broadcaster from California who has been appointed the general manager of the China Sharks.<br /><br />"Is it going to be easy? Certainly not. But we're helping them to build from the ground floor up. If we do this right, it will be a path for the rest of the NHL to come to China."<br /><br />The NHL has visions of glory in the lucrative Chinese market, which Collins says is "breathtaking" in its size. The NBA is already reaping $50-million (U.S.) in annual revenue from China, primarily from the sale of NBA merchandise at 50,000 outlets across the country, making it the NBA's biggest market outside the United States.<br /><br />The NHL, by contrast, doesn't even have a single souvenir hawker at the China Sharks' games. "Our entire business plan only started a few weeks ago," Collins said. "But the marketplace is wide open. The game has nowhere to go but up."</blockquote>Yeah, we'll just have to wait and see about that. I have serious doubts. Personally, I think the powers that be should concentrate their efforts on reviving the professional game in this country before worrying about introducing and growing it in another. <p></p></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-64442678178884944012007-11-27T10:12:00.000-07:002007-11-27T14:42:48.775-07:00Tick... Tick...<center><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>BOOM!!!</strong><br /></span><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X4zY6T3Puts&rel=" width="400" height="330" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br /><em>You know I’ve done it before<br />And I can do it some more<br />I’ve got my eye on the score...<br /><br />Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick … <strong>Boom!!</strong></em><br /></center><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-68491814322463864272007-11-21T21:55:00.000-07:002007-11-27T10:15:49.039-07:00More Puck Rock<strong>Darude "My Game" </strong><br /><br /><center><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FVVbPtlfxqc&rel=" width="400" height="330" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></center><br /><br />What can I say? Not exactly primo stuff. However, I'll always be a sucker for anything that pays homage to the greatest movie ever made... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slap_Shot_(film)">Slap Shot.</a><br /><br />More >>> <a href="http://oddmanrush.blogspot.com/search?q=%22puck+rock%22"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Puck Rock</span>.</strong></a><br /><br /><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-62935916391923935382007-11-15T13:05:00.000-07:002007-12-16T10:41:22.440-07:00Polar Bear HockeyI thought it'd be pretty tough to go up against these guys...<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RliqUaDlik&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RliqUaDlik&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></center><br /><br />..I guess I was wrong.<br /><br />They might not be much as hockey players but I still wouldn't want to go into the corners and fight these guys for the puck.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-72791509795175200532007-11-15T09:45:00.000-07:002007-11-15T12:59:27.881-07:00Scoring down again in the NHL this season<a href="http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gODScJLFxKpFRiCTQ2JqSRwEgXmw"><strong>...but what's the answer?</strong></a><blockquote>The league was averaging 5.5 total goals per game through Monday night (not counting shootout tiebreakers), down from 5.9 through the same number of games last season and markedly down from 6.2 at the same point in the first season coming out of the lockout when a number of rule changes opened up the game.<br /><br />That's 100 fewer goals from last season through 251 total games and 175 fewer goals from 2005-06 at the same point.<br /><br />Is the league alarmed?<br /><br />"Not yet," commissioner Gary Bettman told The Canadian Press. "It's something we're going to keep an eye on. It's something we're going to continue to monitor. The game is still entertaining. We've had some high-scoring games, the Dallas-LA game Saturday night (6-5) is another good example. But we are keeping an eye on it."<br /><br />The numbers are still up from the 5.1 total goals per game the league was averaging through the same number of games in 2003-04, but it's trending back the wrong way. [...]<br /><br />So what now? Bigger nets? Even more reduced goalie equipment? Four-on-four play for the whole game?</blockquote>Bigger nets and further reductions of goalie equipment sounds good to me.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-76616786293538317812007-11-09T19:03:00.000-07:002007-11-10T11:21:22.958-07:00Hockey Gone Wild<strong>...#17 in a continuing series.</strong><br /><br />The videotape they didn't want you to see...<br /><br /><center><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lkyR9TAYgjk&rel=" width="400" height="335" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071031/hockey_brawl_071031/20071031?hub=CTVNewsAt11"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hockey GM denies trying to cover up brawl</span></strong></a> <blockquote>Halifax Wolverines player Kirk Forrest dropped his gloves just 43 seconds into a game Tuesday night, and chased down Josh McKinnon of the Summerside Western Capitals.<br /><br />Forrest told CTV Atlantic he was seeking revenge for a previous incident and had no regrets.<br /><br />"He hurt my teammate," said Forrest. "I stuck up for my teammate."<br /><br />He pursued MacKinnon to the visiting team's bench and landed several punches. Another Wolverines player then dove right into the bench and the brawl escalated. [...]<br /><br />The brawl was captured on tape by students Greg Sewart and Joey Johnson from Halifax's Atlantic Media Institute.<br /><br />After the fight, the general manager of the Wolverines, Jack Finlay, approached the students and allegedly suggested they should tell others the tape had been lost.<br /><br />"He suggested, 'Tell them we destroyed the tapes,'" said Sewart, 31.<br /><br />"We were asked to lose the footage. It just seems so strange and unethical that we should be told that."<br /><br />CTV News contacted Finlay, who denied making the suggestion. He said he only asked for a copy of the tape and then hung up the phone.<br /><br />In an interview with the Halifax Chronicle Herald, Finlay had a different answer. He said he was only joking, and had made his comments in reference to a previous game between the two teams that Summerside failed to record. </blockquote>More >>> <a href="http://oddmanrush.blogspot.com/search?q=%22hockey+gone+wild%22"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Hockey Gone Wild</strong>.</span></a> <p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-9974845256985801032007-11-09T18:40:00.000-07:002007-11-09T18:44:16.570-07:00Poll Numbers<strong>NHL Power Rankings...</strong><br /><br /><blockquote>1) [1] Ottawa Senators (13-1-0, 26 points) <br />The Ottawa Senators just broke the NHL record for hottest start to a season. Their starting goaltender played just TWO of those games, due to injury. Chris Phillips, D, is +15 just 14 games into the season. Still has a ways to go before he reaches Bobby Orr's all-time record of +124--one of the few records Gretzky doesn't own. <br /><br />2) [2] Detroit Red Wings (12-2-1, 25 points) <br />It was Wings' record that the Senators just broke. But with the league's top scorer in Zetterberg, and Lidstrom and Chelios playing like it's five years ago, I doubt the Wings have anything to complain about. Well, other than how Chris Osgood (goalie) has more assists than three of their forwards (in half the games!). <br /><br />3) [4] Colorado Avalanche (10-5-0, 20 points) <br />Stastny has cooled off, as was inevitable. But this team has not, winning six of their last seven games. And the open door is now the shut door as Theodore is now this team's best goalie. <br /><br />4) [3] Montreal Canadiens (8-3-3, 19 points) <br />Yes, they lost to Toronto. But it's not like anyone below them on this list has fared any better these past few weeks. And they sure don't seem to be missing Souray any. Only in Montreal can you have a .930 save percentage and fans question whether you should be starting or not. <br /><br />5) [7] Carolina Hurricanes (9-3-3, 21 points) <br />Brind'Amour. Staal. Stillman. Cole. Whitney! You have to think that these Canes might be better than the team that won the Cup two years ago. What would Ronny Franchise have given for this? <br /><br />6) [8] Philadelphia Flyers (9-5-0, 18 points) <br />The Flyers are currently 3-4 on their 8-game road trip. You do have to feel a little sorry for them. Can't quite look the Devils in the eye yet, but getting there. High priced acquisition Briere is one of five Flyers who is minus. Biron is goaltending better than the guy who made him expendable in Buffalo. And there are plenty on this team capable of becoming the fourth suspended Flyer this season. <br /><br />7) [11] Columbus Blue Jackets (8-4-2, 18 points) <br />Ken Hitchcock has this team playing defense, and now they're the third-best defense in the league. The Jackets remain the Nash and Leclaire show, as Leclaire has 5 shutouts in 9 starts. (That is NOT a misprint!) <br /><br />8) [13] New York Islanders (8-4-0, 16 points) <br />The Islanders grudgingly get this spot, as the team is -1 despite their .667 win pct. This team has remarkably balanced scoring and solid, if not spectacular goaltending. Which is good, because he's signed for the next 14 seasons! <br /><br />9) [9] Pittsburgh Penguins (7-7-1, 15 points) <br />Fleury has lost his starting goaltending spot to Dany Sabourin, who will play in his 23rd career NHL game this week. In those games, he is 5-10 for his career. That said, he's still been better than Fleury (at the moment), which leads one to wonder--will Fleury ever reach the potential he showed just a few seasons ago? <br /><br />10) [5] San Jose Sharks (7-7-1, 15 points) <br />A little upstaged by the Modano road tour last night, Jeremy Roenick is only 55 points behind him. JR's best statistical season came in 1993, and he is now one goal short of 500 for his career. These two actually played together for the US Hockey junior team in '89. Which American great would you have rather had? </blockquote>Rest of the rankings can be found >>> <a href="http://www.protrade.com/content/DisplayArticle.html?sp=S3f797af9-8e61-11dc-a62e-d5f846abec2c"><strong>here</strong>.</a><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-56014341308259375192007-11-07T11:36:00.000-07:002007-11-07T11:40:54.722-07:00How to Drive a Hockey Fan Insane<center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sZXe0ua5ZUI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sZXe0ua5ZUI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-65788592640175097172007-11-05T08:17:00.000-07:002007-11-05T11:38:19.822-07:0030 days, 30 Arenas, 30 Hockey Games<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/sports/hockey/05travels.html?_r=1&ref=hockey&oref=slogin"target="_blank"><strong>My new hero, Steve Williamson, is living the dream.</strong></a> <blockquote>He began a journey last month that will take him to a game at each of the league’s 30 arenas in 30 consecutive days.<br /><br />“Putting the whole thing together was kind of Rubik’s Cube-ish,” Williamson, 49, said last Monday from his seat at Madison Square Garden, where he watched the Rangers defeat the Lightning in the fourth game of his whirlwind tour. “But this is one of those rare N.H.L. seasons where everything on the schedule lined up perfectly for me.” [...]<br /><br />“A lot of people have the ability and resources to do something like this over a longer period of time,” said Williamson, talking as he snapped photos of the Garden scoreboard with his iPhone. “But I wanted to take that challenge one step further by doing 30 arenas in 30 days.”<br /><br />By the end of the tour, Williamson will have traveled about 30,000 miles and spent about $10,000 on airfare, car rentals and hotels. (He said he would cut costs by staying with relatives and friends along the way). That estimate includes the price of his authentic No. 30 Lightning jersey, with a message sewn on the back: 30 games in 30 nights. He wears the jersey to every game, washing it by hand whenever his schedule allows.<br /><br />“Steve is a master at logistical organization,” said Pete Williamson, 37, who met up with brother Steve at the Garden. “When he first told me about this trip I was like, Huh? But then it kind of sunk in. I know that if anyone can do this, Steve can.”<br /><br />Williamson, a divorced father of two teenage boys, is chronicling his experiences on his Web site . <br /><br />He spoke last Monday about “meeting knowledgeable hockey fans in an old-school hockey atmosphere at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit,” and enjoying Cheli’s Chili, which is owned by Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios.<br /><br />“It’s nice to know that when Chelios is not busy slashing opposing forwards, he’s whipping up a nice pot of chili for the fans,” Williamson said with a chuckle.<br /><br />He also said, referring to the game he saw in Los Angeles, that he “admired all the glitz of the Staples Center, and all the pretty girls that go to games there.” He got around to talking about the fish tacos at Honda Center in Anaheim — “I won’t do that again,” he said, chasing that remark with a gulp of beer — and about Rangers fans being “among the smartest and most loyal in hockey.”<br /><br />“In Tampa Bay, it took our fans a while to learn the game,” Williamson said. “I remember back in 1992, our first season, when Chris Kontos scored four goals in one game. When he got the hat trick, some fans who threw their hats on the ice were escorted out of the arena.”<br /><br />Williamson said he got the idea for this trip in 2001, when he flew 11,000 miles round trip from Osaka, Japan, where he was working at the time, to California, to see the Lightning play in San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim.<br /><br />“Since then, I have wanted to climb a bigger mountain,” he said. “I know that bad weather and late arrivals and departures are going to be my main obstacles here, but I’m going to do this.”</blockquote>You can see how Steve is doing with his ultimate puck trip through the NHL on his >>> <a href="http://www.30gamesin30nights.com/"target="_blank"><strong>website</strong>.</a><p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-29534996438177747272007-10-27T08:58:00.000-06:002007-10-27T20:30:55.363-06:00Living and Dying by the SwordThere's been a 56 percent increase in fighting majors so far this season, and a 78 percent increase in games that have more than one fight. It's not just the usual suspects that have been dropping the gloves this season, even the stars have been getting into it. A lot of this has to do with the perception that the Ducks scrapped their way to the Cup last year so naturally there's going to be a copycat factor at play this year. <a href="http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/sports/story.html?id=51d5bf1f-4a2d-4438-aee9-10be7ae44b0c&p=1"target="_blank"><strong>However, there's a big down side to this approach as teams are discovering. Important players are being taken out.</strong></a> <blockquote>Yes, fighting is way up in the NHL this season. And often it's big-name, big-money players dropping the gloves.<br /><br />Wade Redden set the trend opening night, getting in touch with his inner-McGrattan, scrapping twice. He's been followed by the likes of Lecavalier (twice this week!), Staal (first ever), Ilya Kovalchuk, Nathan Horton (twice already), and Zdeno Chara, who Thursday broke both an 18-month fighting abstinence, and David Koci's face.<br /><br /><strong>Welcome to the NHL's hot new reality show: Punching With The Stars</strong>.<br /><br />Judge: "I thought the choreography was brilliant! Especially when you lifted up his sweater and smacked him in the ear. And the spewing of blood was a wonderful touch. Just try to smile more."<br /><br /><strong>Oh, but there's a nasty twist to this show. Scrappers are going down faster than Marie Osmond.</strong><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OGGC5NPH514&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OGGC5NPH514&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="330"></embed></object></center><br /><br />At least seven players have been injured in fights this season, most notably, Edmonton Oiler Sheldon Souray, who separated his shoulder in a fight with Byron Ritchie of the Vancouver Canucks.</blockquote><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/04LKMrAiCJI&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/04LKMrAiCJI&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><blockquote>And hence we have a dilemma -- or at least NHL coaches do.<br /><br />Do you really want your $5-million-a-year stud defenceman risking his season fighting ... Byron Ritchie?<br /><br />"Probably not," admits a downcast Souray, who is likely out at least a month.<br /><br />"It's crazy," says one NHL coach, who preferred his name not be used (speaking out against any kind of fighting is never popular). "The league is too close now. You lose a key player like that for four weeks, that could be your season."</blockquote>Well, there's a large group of people that passionately believes in this stuff (me included), and the Ducks have created a new sense that by using these tactics a club can be successful. Just like the Flyers did in the 1970s. <br /><br />So, it's back to the future for the NHL. For better or worse.<p></p><br></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15931977.post-54738555418308339852007-10-17T14:49:00.000-06:002007-11-10T00:21:43.332-07:00Mic'd UpHave you ever wondered what hockey really sounds like or what players and coaches talk about on the ice?<br /><center><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/87E8kwr6ues"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/87E8kwr6ues" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Well, now you know.<p></p><br /></br>Photomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02704013178264076468noreply@blogger.com0