... The hat trick. Tonight I had the pleasure of witnessing le petit Briere's second hat trick of the season in person and I love watching those hats pour onto the ice. I love that fans in the 300s throw the hats to the 200s and the fans in the 200s throw them down to the 100s where fans toss them over the glass. I love that fans behind the netting toss their hats to fans on the corners who then toss them over the glass. I love the game coming to a halt while players shove hats off to the sides of the ice with their sticks and people come out and collect them and skate back off the ice with an armful. Love it. It's one of the best traditions in professional sports and it's such a cool, unique way for fans to acknowledge the accomplishment of one of their players.
Margee, this is for you.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Reason 19 Why Hockey Is the Greatest Sport in the World...
Surprises and Disappointments
(I know, you're loving the creativity of the title, right? What can I say...when the genius strikes, you go with it.)
I'm going with a tie for the player who has surprised me most - one you've all probably heard of by now and one you may not have...
- Alexander Semin (That's Seh-min, ladies - no gutterminds!): I think the word is out that we now have two guys named Alex here in the District that can light the lamp.
When the Caps first drafted him, the word was that he had some of the best hands in the league. So why is he a surprise? Because when he finally arrived in DC back in 2003-04, he was nothing less than a complete disappointment. He racked up just 10 goals and 12 assists in 52 games that first year, and was rumored to be moody and standoffish in the locker room.
2 years and 180 degrees later, we have a different Alex altogether. He's noticeably happier here than he was a few years ago and is slowly but surely learning English (I think...). It can't hurt that he has struck up a friendship with Ovechkin, one of the happiest guys you will meet, and the two are constantly together. More importantly, he's proving to be a true scoring threat, scoring 29 goals and 22 assists through only 46 games. In January alone he already has 5 multi-goal games...and we've still got one match left. Anyone who has seen him at all knows he has some sick moves and an absolutely wicked shot, and honestly I never get tired of watching him...even when he's diving. :)
Check out the skillz...and against Atlanta, too.
That makes it a million times better :)
- Boyd Gordon: I'm going out on a limb here and am going to assume that very few people have actually heard of Gordon. He's not a flashy goal-scorer or a big hitter - he's a quiet defensive forward who has developed into a great penalty killer and second or third line center. When the official roster came out to start the season, I'll admit I was surprised to see Gordo's name on the list. He'd played parts of a few seasons with the Caps over the past few years but had never stood out. This year, however, he's really turned himself into someone worth watching, if only for the little things he does every night. He's always in great position and can create the odd-man shorthanded rush better than anyone I've seen in a while. Gordo may not be exciting in the truest sense of the word, but he's yet to have a bad night and that in itself is rare.
I have a few disappointments this year, but I don't want to trade anyone - at least not yet. For the first time in a very long time, or possibly the first time ever, I genuinely love every single one of my guys. It's not a puck bunny thing, I don't just think they're cute - I love the chemistry in the room and the work ethic that each and every one of them brings to the ice. It's a young group of guys and I'd like to see them grow for another year before we start shipping them out, playoffs or no playoffs.
That being said, I have found myself disappointed in my Benny - Ben Clymer to the rest of you. Last year Clymer had a career year and was rewarded with a contract extension in the offseason. However, at the beginning of the year the coaching staff tried an experiment putting Clymer back on the blue line. He was originally drafted as a defenseman but was moved up to forward when he arrived in Tampa. The experiment, needless to say, was unsuccessful and he was returned to the wing; but Clymer has yet to regain his form from last year with only 6 goals, and has the worst +/- on the team. He tends to follow up a good play with a horrific one and vice versa (like so many others on my team).
Still, I'm not giving up on Clymer just yet. He's great at standing up for his teammates and plays much bigger than he actually is, and he's clearly a great locker room guy. Let's just say he's got 30+ games to make me change my mind...after that, we'll see what happens.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Miller Robs Him Blind!
The Sabres starting goalie is Ryan Miller, he of the (now slightly less) long flowing locks. As those of you who watched any of Versus' playoff coverage know, he's 26 years old (he had a b-day since then), went to Michigan State, and is so thin his leg pads have to be specially fitted for him. After a very good college career which included a Hobey Baker Award (outstanding men's hockey player), Ryan struggled some in adapting to the professional game. He's very philosophical and in his own head and that really worked against him. If he gave up a goal it seemed to completely derail him which is a problem since most goalies do tend to give up the occasional goal. He would get fixated on his mistakes and had a difficult time putting them behind him. Many Sabres fans remember him getting beat in Detroit (in front of many friends and family members) and then breaking down and crying through all his post-game interviews. The boy, he was fragile.
Something happened though and he managed to find some mental toughness. Sometimes it's hard to remember that last season was his first as the starter. Unlike the days of yesteryear, poor performances seem to spur him on. If he has a bad game, he's almost sure to follow it up with a great game. When he wasn't selected for the Olympic team last year, he went on a hot streak, seeming to play especially well against teams whose coaches or GMs had something to do with the selection process. His style is a bit of a mish-mash. He's very athletic, but he rarely has to make highlight reel saves because he's almost always reading the play and in position for the shot. He's a perfect goalie for the Sabres style of play. Because the offense is so agressive and the defense is often joining in on the rush or pinching in, we give up a pretty decent amount of odd man rushes and good scoring opportunities. Ryan never seems to panic in those situations and he rarely bites on a deke or a fake. He always lets the shooter make the first move. Despite the fact that he didn't look great in the shootout portion of the skills competition the other night (perhaps he was trying to sucker the Western Conference into thinking he has a glaring weak spot?), I think he has to be one of the best breakaway goalies in the league. I'm always a little shocked when someone scores on him in that kind of situation.
A rare highlight reel save from just a few weeks ago against Boston:
I love watching Ryan during the national anthems. He stands in his crease and turns toward the Canadian flag, looking up at it during O, Canada. Then when The Star Spangled Banner starts, he turns toward the U.S. flag. Him staring up at that flag with the flag super-imposed on the ice around him is an awesome image. Before every game he stands at the bench, chin resting on his stick, in a few long moments of meditation. (See Paige's post for a great photo of this.) The only superstition I know of is the Miller spin. At intermissions, he's the last Sabre off the ice. He skates to the doorway, stops, and spins around before exiting. If you ever see him play live, watch for it. It's kind of cute.
I totally adore Marty Biron so it took me a while to warm up to Ryan but the kid's growing on me. He's so laid back it's hard to not like him. He's kind of a quiet, go with the flow guy. He's a funny interview because he almost comes across as indifferent. I'm sure he enjoys parts of his growing stardom, but he seems like someone who just can't really be bothered with it all. He seems amused more than anything. I personally don't get the appeal (give me Gaustad!), but Ryan is super popular with the puck bunnies and preteens of the world - you could tell he had stopped to sign autographs at the team scrimmage in the preseason by the rising shrieeeeeeeeeks coming from all the 12-year-olds. He's also one of the most popular with kids. Ryan is very, very sweet with fans as far as I've seen however and has a smile for everyone. GM Dary Reiger has been very upfront about the fact that the organization feels the team should be build around the goalie position and if he has anything to do with it, Ryan will be standing in the crease for Buffalo for a very a long time.
A few words about Marty Biron, one of the league's best back-ups. Many of you love Marty so I won't go on about his charming personality, his beautiful eyes, his friendly, talkative nature, or his team-first mentality. Marty is a great back-up and will probably be a solid starter if not a star. He makes a lot of great saves but usually lets in one softie a game. He plays with spirit and never hesitates to leave the crease to charge a skater or poke a stick at a guy and he's totally willing to mix it up when necessary. When Scott Nichols sucker-punched Jaroslav Spacek, (which Spacek admittedly kind of earned) the first guy on Nichols was Marty. Many a team has been torn asunder by a goalie controversy but the Sabres have thrived (mostly - let's ignore the last month or so please) under the two goalie system and it's largely because of Marty. He's been very honest about the fact that he'd like to get more starts (and he should be starting more in my opinion) but he's never let it dim his awesome personality. Lindy is on the record as saying that he believes part of the reason Ryan had such a great season last year is because he had Marty behind him offering support and encouragement whenever he needed it. Because we have a little group of players who have come up through the system together (Pominville, Roy, Miller, Vanek, Mair etc.) chemistry is one thing we don't really have to worry about in Buffalo, but I know the lockerroom will seem a little bit darker once Marty moves on. If he ends up on your team, I want your solemn promise that you'll love him and enjoy him as much as Buffalo has. Got it?!
Creative Challenge, Jan. 29 - Feb. 11: Theme Park
Okay, it's been a while since we've had a truly silly creative challenge. Imagine: The NHL comes to you for help - they are giving you an unlimited budget to create a hockey-adventure theme park. Yes, a theme park. They are hoping that fans will go crazy with the chance to go on rides and spend money on popcorn balls in the shape of hockey sticks and want you to design it. Where would your park be? Would it have different areas like Northwest Division Land or It's a Small League After All? What kinds of rides and attractions would there be? Have fun with it, be crazy! If you are handy with such things as Photoshop, give us pictures.
Read More......Weekly Topic: Jan. 29 - Feb. 4: Surprises and Disappointments, v.2
Now that the second half of the season is upon us, let's revisit an earlier topic: Surprises and Disappointments. Is there someone on your team who isn't getting enough credit from the media, fans or other players? Has this player surprised you with his play since the beginning of the season, ie. Who knew that blank had moves like that? It could even be your coach who has surprised you. Does someone infuriate you every game? If you could trade someone, who would that be?
Read More......I claim this land in the name of all goalies
I guess this is a bit of a mish mash goalie post. Being a goalie myself (Big Ups to Fellow Goalie clans!) I can tell you we have some serious superstitions and weird habits (I cross myself and tap the post left then right using my stick before every period). We also have this great advantage of being able to do some seriously freaky stuff with the ways our body bends and stretches (full splits in goalie gear Respect the position!). Add in with that some way fast reflexes and a willingness to put yourself on the line in front of some of the hardest flying objects you can face and It’s a pretty unique position.
But before I ramble on for too much longer about the position I absolutely adore let me get back to the mission at hand! The Bruins goalies! And a few side notes on Nabby, Pumpkin and RayRay.
Hannu Pekka Toivenen is the youngest of the Bruins goaltending group (including those in Providence) and hails from Finland. He’s 6 foot 2 , 200 pounds and has dark hair that he keeps dying blonde and wearing in such a way that BOTH of my parents have asked me (on separate occasions) When did a girl make the Boston bruins? (Dead serious question too). Thankfully as of late it seems he has opted back to the short, less feminine style.
Onto hockey, Hannu has the slightly dubious record of being the goalie that Sidney Crosby scored his first goal on. This happened in the 2005-6 season opener when he started for the injured Andrew Raycroft. Through out much of last season, due to the injury of Raycroft, Hannu came to be relied upon as the team’s starting goalie until injury ended his season in January.
This season he was expected to challenge Tim Thomas for the starting job but found himself back in Providence in what has become an almost up and down yo yo between the big team and the farm team for the goalie. Currently he’s back with Boston!
Tim Thomas is one of two American born goalies in the Bruins system and hails from Michigan. He went to the University of Vermont where he played with other Nhl’ers Marty St Louis and Eric Perrin (TB Lightening, yo). After leaving there Tim bounced around Finland, the IHL, ECHL and AHL before ending up back in Providence, the season after claiming the MVP award for Finland’s top league the SM-Liiga.
Tim is perpetually smiling. Seriously I’ve seen this guy in videos smiling after devastating losses and managing in some ay to try and find a bright side out of it all. I think in a locker room like Boston’s at the moment, that is something that is of infinite value, and while as a number 1 NHL goal tender he is definitely as not up to par as we wish, what he provides the team ith as a person, seems so beneficial.
Other Random Goalie Notes.
Pumpkin (or Toskala as you might know him) says the best Christmas present he ever got was a man’s purse (his own words) and that for all star he would be taking his wife to a spa because HE needed a facial.
Andy Ray - I adore Andy and he’s a great goalie IMHO but someday’s it’s not shown. The bruins did a great job of hanging him out to dry last season in some situations and resulted in him practically giving up (I know you’re not mean to but hey goalie’s are only human well unless you’re… brodeur..)
That is all my notes for now!
ooh and a cute goalie graphic I found lying around.
Read More......
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sharks Goalie Duo: Nabby and Vesa
I have two goalies to write about for this assignment: Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala, who are co- number one goalies for Los Tiburones (why does “sharks” sound so much cooler in Spanish?).
Much has been made of Ron Wilson’s goalie rotation. There are the articles asking if the two resent each other, speculation about possible trades of one or the other, the question of which has played against the tougher teams. A recent article addressed the first. Apparently, though they both would like to be the sole number one, they accept the situation with grace and recognize that it has been working so far. I, for one, like Ron Wilson’s theory about his experiment: no Pacific Division team has won a Stanley Cup. He suggests that perhaps that one starting goalie gets too tired from all the travel by the time the playoffs roll around. Makes sense to me! And Sharks fans everywhere are hoping that the experiment helps to bring that big shiny thing to San Jose.
As for their personalities and if they are crazy, well, I have not really paid much attention to these two, even though I adore goalies: I may be still in mourning (even though it is not really logical) from the trade that sent away my two favorite Sharks for one Mr. Teemu Selanne (really, both of them at the same time...OUCH). I think I know a bit more about Toskala, so let’s go with him.
Vesa Toskala is from Finland and his best friend is Ville Nieminen, also of the Sharks. Apparently, you can’t talk about one without mentioning the other. When they were young they played on different teams but would travel to games together in Nieminen’s car. They would sleep in it, too, and they say it would get to stinking badly. On a recent episode of Shark Byte they introduced Jamie Baker to the joys of cooking sausages in a sauna. It was rather amusing and yes, there they were, all shirtless and wearing towels.
Unlike many goalies, Toskala has no superstitions, just routines. To get pumped up for games he listens to 80’s dance music, and I completely just looked up old Sharks live chats to get this last paragraph!
Three of five, because Boston has a whole set of goalies.
The Boston Bruins have five goaltenders currently in their system, because like me, GM Peter Chiarelli wants to collect the whole set and thensome. I'll let Sasky type to you about the two on Boston's roster, and I will tell you today about the three that are in Providence- Boston's minor league affiliate. And I will tell you about them alphabetically, because that is the most fair.
Brian Finley signed with Boston over the summer as an unrestricted free agent. Canadian-born, he was a first-round draft pick by the Nashville Predators, and he will be 25 on his next birthday, making him the youngest goaltender in Providence. He has been recalled to Boston a couple of times this season, and currently sits on the IR list with a groin strain, first acquired this season in November on recall to Boston, and re-aggravated in December with the pBruins on their end-of-2006 roadtrip through Pennsylvania. Wearing number 34, Brian seems to be a pretty quiet guy and very private, which probably makes him the most odd of the trio.
In November 2006, about the same time that Brian went down with his groin injury, Boston traded away forward prospect Tyler Redenbach to the Phoenix Coyotes for Phil Sauve. Trading for Phil upped the panic level around here (my apartment loooooves it some goaltenders) to Code Red: Constant Alert, because see, no sane organization needs five goaltenders between the big club and the minors. Things have relaxed around here somewhat, to maybe a Code Maroon: Ever-Vigilant, But Relaxed. The only thing I knew about Phil coming into the organization was that his dad had been Jonathan Girard's agent, back when Jon was playing hockey. I was immediately at conflict, because here I was, convinced that Phil was someone's ticket out of the Boston organization and therefore representative of heartbreak and misery, but he represented a link to one of the players I'd absolutely adored earlier in my hockey fandom. For a long time, I wasn't sure what to make of him. Phil is personable, and the only married goaltender in Providence (though, who knows what Brian is hiding), as well as the only American-born (Buffalo!) goaltender on Providence's roster. He will be 27 on his next birthday, making him the eldest of the goaltending trio. He wears number 31.
Jordan Sigalet is the other goaltender in the trifecta. When he plays, people who don't follow Providence/Boston as religiously as I do are often confused because his younger brother Jonathan is a defenseman with Providence, and they wear the numbers 56 & 57. Jordan and Jonathan have played together professionally for two seasons on top of the few seasons spent together in their amateur careers in college, and deities above help the GM that breaks them up, because I'll be on the warpath. As far as I am concerned, the Sigalets are a package deal, which is why telling you about Jordan is going to be difficult to do without mentioning his brother, and it will also be difficult to talk about him unbiasedly, because he and his brother are two of my favorite people in Providence.
Jordan hails from British Columbia, and will be 26 on his next birthday. In college, Jordan collected awards and honors like some people collect stamps, culminating in a nomination for an ESPY (Best Comeback- more on that in a minute) the summer before he turned pro. Jordan's first NHL game came just over a year ago, when Hannu went down with an ankle injury with less then a minute remaining in a game against Tampa Bay. Jordan and my roommate are probably the only two goaltenders to never allow a goal on TD Banknorth Garden ice. I have no desire to research and check if that fact is accurate. With the addition of Brian and Phil to the organization, Jordan has yet to get the opportunity to build into a full minute played in his NHL career, but he'll get there. Of the three goaltenders in Providence, Jordan gets the most media attention fixated on him because he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in March 2004, after a tough divisional weekend in college where his entire body went numb and the boy still went out and started both games for his team. If ever you wanted an underscore on the statement that goaltenders are maybe slightly crazy, there it is. There rarely goes by a story about Jordan without the writer needing to mention that he has MS, because everyone is amazed that he's able to keep his disease under control and continue to play hockey at such a high level. If he wore a cape and a giant S on his chest (for Sigalet; duh) while he did it, I would be more impressed. Otherwise, his ability to manage his disease and perform so well on the ice is just a testament to the kind of person he is. He is very active as a spokesperson for MS, moreso during the offseason. Off the ice, Jordan is friendly and never afraid to go the extra mile to help make someone's day. He and his brother both have endeared themselves to many a fan because they are so personable. Bastards!
If you want to read more on Jordan's battle with MS, you can start here with his website, Shut Out MS. If you still want more, do a Google search.
If Sasky passes on telling you about Boston's goaltending duo of Hannu Toivonen and Tim Thomas; I'll come back and type at you about them.
Okay, I need to stop getting seats behind the net!
Goalies. I think all the stereotypes are true.
I have been searching for quotes about goalies that I have read over the past year, but can’t find them of course. Hopefully someone else’s post will be chock full of quotes.
I love watching the goalie come out at the start of the period and make the crease his own. They seem to have a million little tics and superstitions and things they do to prepare for the game. I love how they sweep their stick across the crease after being scored on, as though they are sweeping away the bad energy. I hate when another player comes over and taps the goalie on the knee after a great save...I worry that they are jinxing him.
I love when goalies do eye exercises. I watched one visiting goaltender look left/look right/look left throughout the entire national anthem. Very strange birds indeed.
I also love during warmups when the other players crowd around the goalie and totally mess with him. My favorite part of the entire game! (I know that is not entirely goalie related, but I thought you needed to know that I love that!)
My favorite goalie, Scott Munroe (don’t worry, he will be in the NHL next year, I promise) has a very zen approach to the whole thing. He takes his job very seriously, and appears to be meditating before the game. He also appears to be emotionally scarred after any puck gets by him.
Although I have not been the victim of a goalie crush (yet), I can definitely see the appeal. As my friend said (red faced) at her first hockey game while watching the goalie warm up right in front of us, “I bet goalies get all the girls…”
edit: Okay, so now all my favorite players are goalies: Leighton, Lehtonen, Biron! Help!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
So... ah... Aebischer, you know what Swiss Cheese is?
(Sorry for not posting much - really. Your overlord is so sorry, will you accept her peace offering? Just lotsa work on the block recently.)
Before I go on any further, Huet's last name has always become a topic of debate to fans. Is it the Huet that all those darn yanks keep including? Or is it the elegant Ew-ay? Huet doesn't give a damn. You could call him Hewitt if you wanted to and he'll smile back with his great French charm.
Back onto the goalies. As Huet was already covered, I shall move onto Aebischer whom I assure you is every bit as interesting as that guy. This season, he unveiled his new mask with the feature of a Quebec license plate with the words "ABBY". I mean boys are getting Nickelback and stuff but aint this stylish?
Many people first think of Huet first before this young boy. Acquired in the blockbuster trade with Colorado where we offered an expensive bag of pucks and got this guy in exchange, Avs fans were patting themselves on the back for their recent acquisition. After all, players like Roy continued to sizzle after they left the Habs and Theodore was not by any means an old washed up goalie.
Leaving the issue of Theodore just at that, I have no wish to analyse why Habs fans did not enjoy Theodore or whether they are justified because of their reasons. The real topic is Aebischer. When this season started, people were still unsure on who was to be the starter. Ultimately it seems that we have created a goalie situation that some teams would envy. Huet could make stellar saves but what Aebischer lacked in flash, he made up for in what was consistency most of the time.
Recently, there were surveys of who Habs fans felt was ready to leave the team. Aebischer was one of the popular choices. But I have to ask you all, are you ready to give up a player who has once stopped 50 shots in a single game and bring it to overtime? Sure it's not always a quality shot - but eventually goals trickle in. Aebischer can handle the load of an intense game. And he doesn't need a lot of starts to be able to catch fire and go on a hot streak. For 1.9 million, he can be quite a steal.
With the Avs Aebischer has actually won a Stanley Cup, his name engraved in 2000-2001. What else can I say about this Swiss goalie apart from his accomplishments? I am not really one to explain whether he is insane or not, but he does have a great personality to match. However Swiss players are winners, Roger Federer knows.
Friday, January 26, 2007
It's Miller Time
"The best chance Buffalo has to change it's sports history comes down to the space between Ryan Miller's ears. --- The good news: He seems ready." -The Buffalo News
The quote above says it all. Miller is the heart of Buffalo's sucess, saving us time and time again. I'm so very glad I finally have a chance to blab about my dear Millsy (as his teamates call him).
Millsy is perhaps the just plain weirdest dude I've heard of. Anyone who describes him usually mentions "intense." The Buffalo News showed an article on him, where his father describes Miller as "A baby who you would poke in the ribs, and instead of giggling he would look at you with a look on his face saying "What was that for?"." He is so serious about what he does that he has a sports psychiatrist who sometimes even travels on the road with him. Of course, Miller is royalty in Buffalo. Listen to this, which I found in the same article in the Buffalo News:
"Amanda Shultz, a waitress at Pearl Street Grill where Miller ate that late autumn lunch, took one look and called her mother, Patricia. "Mom, guess who is here," she said on the phone. "God is here." "
^I LOVE this picture, but I'm not sure if I should be insulted by it.^
Also, Miller has a distinct pregame ritual that he does before every game. He is so into the routine that he doesn't seem to notice cameras or even screaming fans. I have a funny habit of mimicking him when I'm concentrating really hard. Especially the way he stretches his neck. You can see his weird tactics on you tube.
So, that's my grub on the one, the only, "MILLLERRR...!" as Rick Jeanneret might say. He is just so amazing at what he does, and so exciting to watch. He was the All-Star starter goalie too.
Just to throw this in: Have you ever noticed that most goalies tend to be number 30, or a number in the 30's? Either that, or their are a few that are number 1, Emery and I think Luongo. Just something to think about.
Speaking of All-Star game, let me take the chance to praise my Danny Boy. It turns out he is more "petit" than Heather B. might think. It turns out he is admittingly 2 inches shorter than his statistics say, making him a mere 5 ft. 8 inches. He was often told that it was too bad he wasn't 6 foot 1 inch, or he could be a great hockey player and make the NHL. Then, after the Pheonix Cyotes dropped him, he thought of traveling to Europe to play. Luckily, the Sabres got hold of him (in exchange for a better draft pick). Good thing they did, because we now have the MVP in the NHL. Danny is leading us on our quest for the cup! (I just hope we can keep him since he's a free agent after this season.)
Bring on the Straitjackets!
I am a firm believer that anyone who voluntarily becomes a goaltender is completely nuts. If someone said to you, "put on this plastic mask and a few pillows - I'm going to fire a piece of frozen rubber at your head (or worse, your groin)" the first response would probably be to run away. At least, that's what the normal, sane response would be. Goalies are another breed, though. They have to be. You can't go through what they go through and not be some sort of mutant human.
Olie shows off his wicked left hook
(by the way, this is my favorite Olie picture EVER!)
Johnny says "Hello" to Dan Boyle
Too darn cute for words, right?
Of course, they may be spending too much time together lately. Olie has long been known for having a quick temper that he's had to learn to control over the years, and many a goalie stick has met it's violent death after a bad goal. So imagine my surprise when the normally mild-mannered Johnny did a perfect imitation of his mentor during the most recent Buffalo game:
Olie? Is that you?
They have great personalities and together are hilarious, but most of all I love what these guys do every night on the ice. They've given this team more chances to win this season than they probably deserved and have been a big reason for the team's relative success to this point. It's comforting to know, then, that both should be around for at least a little while longer. Olie has made it clear that he wants to finish out his career here in DC, hopefully with a Cup run, while Johnny has recently been signed to a two-year contract extension. Yay!
Friday Five, Jan. 26
No case of the Mondays here! And yeah! Hockey's back tonight!- What's the worst pick up line you've ever heard?
- What's one thing you've always wanted to do, but never have?
- If you could have a secret camera in any room in the world, what room would you put it in?
- If you could, in retrospect, thank one person for what they taught you, who would it be, and what would you thank them for?
- If you could possess one supernatural ability, what would it be?
Hmmm... I think I've used my daily allowance of exclamation marks... One more? Okay! Read More......
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Hip Hip... HUET
Dude, the Montreal Canadiens have always been known for three things.
- Insane Fans
- Insane Quebecois Press
- GOALIES
It doesn't MATTER if Jose Thedore slips and falls on the ice after having a craptastic season and breaks his heel or whatever the heck he broke.
The Montreal Canadiens have DEPTH in net.Right now, the Habs are one of several teams in the NHL that are working the two goalie system. You really can't call Cristobal Huet the "starter" over David Abischer. That said. I'm all about Huet.
Not that Abby's not great. He is.But Huet came in when the Habs needed him the most. When Theodore was sucking a nut. When we needed a strong presence in net to make the playoffs. Huet was there.
Now, as we all know, I normally have a thing for the Hottie McHotties in this league, as long as they're great players. I'm also big on guys with BIG personalities.
Huet isn't exactly either of those things. He's good - but he hasn't been great.
He's not Jose Theodore HOT, but he's not Patrick Roy dirty hockey ugly.
But for the Habs, he plays good, solid hockey and has helped the team have one of the best PK units in the league this year.
Abby's been there too, helping out along the way, but I for one, will forever remember the first time that I cheered, hip, hip... HUET.
Read More......Holy Roli, what a goalie!
All goalies are crazy, and who can blame them? They're all wound up so tightly, they're bound to snap sooner or later. There are many different levels of craziness among goalies, however, and Edmonton's goalie might find himself somewhere in the middle.
He certainly doesn't come from the Patrick Roy school of talking to the goal posts, but Dwayne Roloson has a temper (although not even close to that of Giguere on a bad day). He continues to get little or no help from the Edmonton's embarassing squad of defensemen, and Roli's frustration can rear its ugly head. My favourite Roli-losing-it moment, was the time that he stuck his stick between (I think it was) Rick Nash's legs and pulled him down. I'm glad he doesn't have to play against Ryan "Ass-in-your-face" Smyth. For the time being, anyhow.
Roloson likes to combine sports. He's my hero.
His name is Raaaaaaaay: Part a Million
Seriously, who doesn't know all about super-fly-ghetto fabulous Ray Emery by now?
Mr. Emery, otherwise known as Em, otherwise known as Sugar Ray, otherwise known as Rayzor [the REAL Rayzor! That thief in Toronto is unworthy] is the newly minted number one in Ottawa after out-playing and generally out-cooling the free agent albatross known as Martin Gerber.Emery played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL and was named Top Goaltender of the entire CHL in 2001-2002. He moved on to the Binghamton Senators in 2002-2003 where he made the All-Rookie team in 2003 and had a couple of stints with the big club.
Our boy is a boxing fan as he's been known to be quite the fighter. During his stint in the OHL he had 4-on ice fights in 2000-2001 and during his time in the AHL he was suspended twice. In 2003-2004 he was again suspended, this time for 5 games for swinging his stick at Michel Ouellet.
His antics didn't stop as he drew the ire of the rather conservative Senators front office with tales of cockroach eating, inviting the press along while he got inked up, bleached hair and masks with Mike Tyson on them. When Old Man Hasek's duct tape and paper clips fell out of his groin, Emery let his play do all the talking by setting a record for wins in the 2005-2006 season. He won his first 9 games and tied Bernie Parent's record of most wins in a month with 12 Ws in March. He helped the Senators through the first round in the playoffs although his inexperience was certainly evident against a stronger Buffalo team.
After the Senators were bounced from the playoffs, people were still tentative about whether or not this guy was indeed the answer to the Senators' perpetual goaltending woes. Cue Gerber, the large contract and what was supposed to be goaltending security. However, Gerber proved the theory that sometimes numbers don't lie as he struggled greatly throughout the season. Emery was called in and stole the show as he solidified his position as the go-to guy. He's a key component in the Senators' success despite being out Mike Fisher and Jason Spezza.
I have no doubt in my mind that Emery should be number one. I'm on record in saying that I thought bringing in Gerber was a good idea simply because it was a logical move to make. Hasek certainly wasn't going to be brought back and Gerber was the best goaltender available. Sure, he stunk during the playoffs but you could rationalize and say that was because he was ill and his psyche was effected as a result of having to play even though he wasn't 100%. He may have put the Senators in a bit of a situation financially, but if anything, his presence helped push Emery to work harder and develop his own skills. He's a competitive guy by nature and to have that sort of motivation must have done wonders for him. Emery is characterized as an athletic goalie with great lateral movement. He's a rare breed in goaltenders in that he's a big ball of weird. While he's curbed some of his bad boy wild antics in the past little while [well, I don't know if he's curbed them, we just hear less about them] you can still see him show up in some interesting suits and hear stories of him asking his parents for 3-foot ball pythons for Christmas. And I love that he's a freak of nature and that yes, he probably could kick your arse.
The Ideal Game
In no specific order:
1) The right arena music: Nothing kills the mood more than a poor choice of an accompanying soundtrack.
2) Big Hits - The kind that make you go "MAN, IF I WAS SITTING CLOSER I COULD HAVE DIED!"
3) A Tight Game - I'm one of those people that get nervous and stressed easily. But heck, if your team is running away with it, then it just isn't as interesting, is it?
4) A Hat Trick - Because I'm really curious as to whether or not you get your hats back. I will pretend to throw one but secretly put it back in my seat.
5) FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! - One where the players on the bench bang their sticks on the boards, you're up on the edge of your seat and one that just sparks something in the crowd.
6) Break! Away! - Preferrably one where the guy just stepped out of the penalty box. If it's against my team, the one where the goalie just makes a save that you know won the game for you.
7) A Backstory - Whether it be an old teammate visiting, or an old coach, like Primetime television, it's just not the same without a little bit of drama.
8) Somebody Mic'd Up - Throwing out gems like singing "Mr. Brightside" horribly [or adorably].
9) The Three Stars come out on the ice - And give their sticks to the kids in the crowd.
10) The High-Fives - For both teams, even the visitors to acknowledge the kids hanging over the railing, just looking for some acknowledgement because it's the fans that make it.
Read More......
Miikka on parhaiten maali! Noodles - not so much
Flames' goalie, Miikka Kiprusoff, is one cool cat. Maybe not as cool as Raaaaaaaaay but he's a different kind of cool. Miikka hails from Turku, Finland and has played for Team Finland in the 1996 WJC, 1998 and 2001 World Championships, and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Kipper, as he's known, started his NHL career with San Jose in 2000, playing 5 games that season. Luckily for Flames fans everywhere, he was traded to Calgary in 2003 and led the team to the Stanely Cup finals. Alas, they lost in game 7 to the Lightning (forgive me, it's still painful). Kipper was nominated for the Vezina but didn't win until he was nominated again in 2006 and he won, also taking home the Jennings trophy.
Last year, it seemed like every single game I listened to, the commentators just had to talk about how flexible Kipper is - Did you know he stretches FOR THREE HOURS A DAY? Crazy, I know. Ninety minutes before and after the game. Is that even possible? Anyways. It's old news now.
Kipper may be the most unflappable goalie in the league. He never seems to show any emotion, negative or positive. If he lets in a goal, he just pops up the helmet and takes a drink like nothing happened.
Usually, he's scruffy like a puppy which is why I was shocked to see his makeover for the All-Star game. I know the Flames are having a sideburns growing contest, so I was expecting those on Kipper but the hair-do? The suit? Clean-shaven? He's a new man.
Miikka's backup goalie is Jamie "Noodles" McLennan. Noodles doesn't play much but he's always got things to say about everyone. I would like him a little more if he didn't have such a lame mask.
James Joseph's hair used to bug me too, but he recently got it cut into something much more current and stylish. McLennan has been around for a quite a while, starting with the New York Islanders in the 1993/1994 season. From there, he played with the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers and Florida Panthers before coming back to the Flames this past summer.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Q&A with Deirdre Martin!
The moment of truth!
HLOG recently corresponded with the lovely and talented Miss Deirdre Martin and fired off some questions about love, hockey, and writing. After probing the USA Today bestselling author, we asked her to mouth off on some hockey hot topics. Enjoy reading the interview. Be sure to stop by her website and sneak a peek at her novels.
1) Who is your favorite NHL team and why?
The New York Rangers. My husband is a lifelong Ranger fan and it was his interest (obsession) with them that first got me interested in hockey. Once I started paying attention, I was hooked. And as every Ranger fan knows, once a Ranger fan, always a Ranger fan.
2) Who is your favorite NHL player of all time and your favorite player-of-the-moment? Explain why.
Mark Messier is my favorite NHL player of all time. I think he was the greatest leader in team sports. For me the clincher was his guaranteeing a Rangers win in Game 6 of the semifinals against the Devils and then putting the team on his back and winning it with a hat trick. And of course, then lifting the 54 year curse.
My favorite player of the moment Jarome Iginla, because he’s a throwback to old fashioned hockey players.
3) HLOGgers are asked to complete a questionnaire to help readers get to know them a little better. If you don't mind answering some of the ones we answer, here is a short list to satisfy our curiosity.
3a) If you had to punch one hockey player or member of the NHL organization, who and why?
Gary Bettman. The rules changes are great, but they haven't been enough to overcome the damage from missing an entire season.
3b) What role do female fans play in keeping the game alive?
I’m not really sure I have an answer to that.
3c) What role do female fans play in picking heroes for the community?
Not really sure I can answer that, either. Clearly female fans are as vocal as male fans, but they obviously play a larger role in humanizing the players, because they see behind mere stats and are interested in these guys as people—and men—in a way male hockey fans aren’t. I do sometimes wonder if it’s the interest of female fans that results in some of these guys being profiled in non sports magazines and such, but no one has proved that, and I’m not sure you can.
3d) [Fill in the blank] Hockey just isn't the same without _________.
Patrick Roy. [Martin] Brodeur will probably break all his records, but Roy was amazing, and was a great character. Besides telling off Montreal management in the middle of a game, Roy's comment to [Jeremy] Roenick that he couldn't hear Jeremy's trash talk because Patrick's two Stanley Cup rings were stuck in his ears was a classic.
4) Predict who will win the 2007 Stanley Cup and why.
Buffalo Sabres. They've come back down to earth recently, but I just have a feeling about them. I also have a special fondness for them, since I went to college in Buffalo.
5) Your hockey romances appeal to a wide audience: romance fans, comedy fans, hockey fans, and so on. How have hockey fans, in particular, responded to your books?
Extremely well. Female fans obviously like the combination of romance and hockey, and I’ve even got letters from male hockey fans to say they enjoy the books, especially the on ice action. In fact, a lot of these guys said they found out about the books from their wives or girlfriends!When BODY CHECK came out, I wanted to make sure hockey fans, and not just romance fans, knew about it. I printed up bookmarks, and passed them out at AHL games all over New York State, as well at Madison Square Garden in New York, and Nassau Coliseum down on Long Island. I think that helped generate interest in both female and male fans.
6) Your descriptions of the game have a "real" feel to them. Do you draw your knowledge of hockey players, their superstitions, and the reality of game situations from personal experience, or do you rely upon research and interviews?
All of the above. For the creation of Ty Gallagher in BODY CHECK, I read a lot about [Mark] Messier and Scott Stevens, because I was interested in creating a driven, charismatic character who was passionate about winning. I also interviewed the head of PR for Rangers for that book, since doing PR for an NHL team was something I knew nothing about. He was great; he took me to Ranger practices, showed me around the Garden, and let me watch him work. Other people have been instrumental inhelping me make the hockey scenes in my book real as well: I live in Ithaca, home of Cornell hockey. Watching them play has helped me create some of the on ice scenes in the book. For THE PENALTY BOX, I went to a lot of youth hockey games here in Ithaca, and was able to see firsthand how crazy some of these parents can get. I think research is really, really important when it comes to creating authenticity in books.
7) When you were first creating the NY Blades, did you intend to write a series of books centered on this particular team?
Nope. I wrote BODY CHECK, and my editor liked it so much she asked me to write another hockey romance. This was a big gamble, since I started writing the second book before BODY CHECK was even published, and we had no idea whether readers would like BODY CHECK. My editor wanted the books to be connected, so centering a story around Janna’s roommate, Theresa, seemed a natural choice, as did pairing her with Michael Dante, who invites her to have a drink with him the first time they meet in BODY CHECK, and she rejects him.Thankfully, both books did well, but after two books set in the hockey world, I was worried about about the subject matter getting stale, so I wrote about a firefighter in TOTAL RUSH, and decided to write PENALTY BOX about an ex hockey player. But I found I missed writing about the Blades, so I pitched another hockey romance to my editor, who was thrilled with the idea. The result is CHASING STANLEY.
8)Please explain what inspired you to write hockey romances.
Well, I knew I wanted to write romances, and hockey player heroes just seemed a natural choice for me since they’re so damn sexy. I think hockey players are the perfect romantic heroes, because they're warriors on a quest: the quest for the Cup. Such figures, from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on down, have always been attractive; they're fearless. They're willing to sacrifice, whether it's physical, mental, or spiritually, to achieve their goal. They're not afraid of physical pain; that blood running down a hockey player's face is real. And let's face it: a lot of athletes, no matter what the sport, are hot. They have great bodies. One of the things I find particularly attractive about hockey players is that they are down to earth, too. They're approachable in a way some of these mega athletes in football and baseball are not. And the sport alone is so exciting, so fast and often rough. (We'll try to ignore the sexual subtext there). It seemed the perfect world to set a romance in.
9)What obstacles did you have to overcome on the road to becoming a published author? Were any unique to writing a sports-related romance?
My first obstacle was overcoming my own fear. Despite being a freelance magazine for many years, I was very unsure of whether I could break into commercial fiction. But one of my mottos has always been “Feel the fear and do it anyway,” so I decided I has to least TRY. I did not want to be old one day, look back on my life, and regret not even trying, even if I “failed.” So that spurred me on.
I have to confess, though, that I had no idea what I was doing! Despite reading romance all my life, the first romance I wrote was a disaster! (It is now stashed in the garage, and I doubt it will ever see the light of day. In fact, I should burn it). No chemistry, no sexual tension, no subplot...luckily, a friend of mine who had published a successful romance read it, and gave me lots of constructive criticism. I then wrote BODY CHECK.
The second obstacle was trying to find an agent. It’s kind of a Catch 22 in publishing: it’s hard to sell anything without an agent, but it’s hard to get an agent if you don’t have already have some kind of a track record, so that was tough. Alot of agents turned me because BODY CHECK was a sports romance. The prevailing belief at the time was “that sports heroes don’t sell.” Finally, one agent was willing to take a chance on me; ditto my editor at Berkley.
Which brings us to my third obstacle: trying to sell a sports romance to a publisher. Over and over my agent and I were told sports heroes don’t sell. (Despite the success of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s Chicago Stars series, and Rachel Gibson’s hockey books). And what we kept saying was: all it takes is one good sports romance to break through, and that won’t be true anymore. And I think that’s definitely been the case: Pamela Britton has had tremendous success with her NASCAR books, and there’s another writer whose name escapes me at the moment who was written a few successful books centered around a baseball player. Obviously, readers do enjoy sports based romances.
10) Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to become an author?
Don’t give up. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible. Yes, competition can be fierce, but if you’re determined enough, you can get published. Talent counts, but so does tenacity. The writers I know who are successful are the ones who hang in there, day in, day out, year in, year out. They have faith in their talent and they don’t let anything else sway them. I also think that if you want to become an author, you need to read. Lots. Not just romance, but all different types of writing: literary fiction, essays, non fiction, etc. Study how other writers do what they do. It can be a big help.
11) Finally, talk about your latest novel Chasing Stanley, due out in February.
Well, I’m really excited about CHASING STANLEY, because it combines two of my favorite things: hockey and Newfies. It’s the story of a shy dog walker/trainer, Delilah, and a brash hockey player for the New York Blades, Jason, who is new to the team. Jason has an unruly dog, Stanley, a headstrong Newf in desperate need of obedience training. Jason seeks out Delilah, and—well, you’ll just have to read it. It was a blast to write, not only because I love the two main characters, butbecause I was able to include characters from my past books whom I adore, including Ty and Janna from BODY CHECK, Michael and Theresa from FAIR PLAY, and Gemma from TOTAL RUSH. I even managed to get former Blades player PAUL van Dorn from THE PENALTY BOX in there!
I got to do some really fun research for the book: I shadowed a Manhattan dog walker for days, and even went to the Westminster Kennel Dog Club Show at Madison Square Garden, where I got a behind the scenes peek. I didn’t have to do any research on Newfs, since I own two, Rocky and Winston! The book has plenty of humor mixed in with romance, and lots of on ice action.
12) If there's anything you'd like to add, please do so!
I just want to thank you for your interest in my books! I love knowing that there are female hockey fans out there who are as passionate about the game as I am, who also enjoy reading a good romance. I’m sorry, but no one can convince me that there’s anything sexier than a hockey player. Period.
HOT HOCKEY TOPICS...
- Rory Fitzpatrick and the All-Star voting controversy (did you vote for Rory? Did you think he should have been allowed to play?)
At first I thought it was demeaning to the game. But then I realized that it’s the fan's game. Besides, I sort of looked at it like the fan's tribute to the average hard working hockey player who just goes out, game in and game out and does his job.
- The role of fighting in the game (acceptable or not, appropriate or not, should it be ruled out or allowed to continue?)
Fighting is vital to hockey's ability to self police. I think that without fighting, cheap shots and resulting injuries would increase.
- Wayne Gretzky's ability to coach a team?
Great skill players rarely make great coaches in any sport, because they seem not to understand that the average player can't do what they did. That being said, I think Gretzky should get more time.
- Should the NHL consider altering their schedule so all teams have the opportunity to host every other team in the NHL at least once/twice a year?
No. I think encouraging rivalries does more for the game.
- Any tips on how the NHL can promote the game to increase popularity in the United States or make it more "interesting" for fans and/or increase their own revenue?
They haven't changed the way they broadcast hockey on TV since the 1960s. I hated the Fox "glow puck," but the NHL could really use some of the techniques brought to the NFL broadcasts. Do that, and then when HDTV becomes more widespread, hockey will be a great TV sport. I think that's really the key.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Blogging the YoungStars Game
...oh forget it, not even I can type that fast.
Quote of the Game goes to Jim Hughson:"Is there a rule that three people have to touch the puck before anybody can shoot?"
Is anybody else embarrassed by the lack of people in Dallas? I mean everybody knows the game means nothing but it's really too bad.
I amend the Quote of the Game and give it to Ryan Getzlaf:"We're in trouble boys! We sold the farm!"
At least that's what it sounded like to me.
NHL schedule won't change
The NHL Board of Governors met today and the current schedule is going to last for another season at least.
Last time the BOG met, the proposal to revert back to the pre-lockout schedule was just short of approval (you need a two-thirds majority vote) by one vote. Today, 19 of 30 members voted for a change in the schedule. The proposal needed 20 votes.
So in a span of just under a month and a half, not a single person changed their mind (or if they did, it didn't affect the total votes for or against the proposal). I don't understand how the media and fans can complain so much about the schedule over the past month and nothing changes.
Ugh. I hate the current schedule. Hate it. I hate playing every one in our division 8 times. Even if they were all fantastic teams, you don't need to play any team that much. For more on my opinion on the topic, you can read a paper I wrote for my English class last semester here.
What are your guys' thoughts on this decision?
Reminder... Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday!!!
TOMORROW, Deirdre Martin busts in and fires off some answers for us here at HLOG about life, love, and hockey.
Well, sort of. She talks hockey, anyway.
Read up!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Because sometimes the news doesn't make me want to cry.
From the Associated Press:
STOWE, Vt. --Here's Kayla Colang's idea of a perfect afternoon: careen around an ice rink with stick in hand, passing the puck to teammates or drilling slap shots at a goal.Colang, 17, of Fairbanks, Alaska, started playing hockey at age 5 and never stopped. She competed against boys before they outgrew her, joined a girls' team at 12, and then as a teenager, followed her dream all the way across the country, to the North American Hockey Academy.
Here, she and 39 other teenage girls study and skate from October to March, honing their skills at what its founder says is the nation's only all-girls' hockey high school.
The school, which charges $23,000 a year, has no trouble finding applicants. About 100 girls are turned away annually.
... read more >> Read More......
I'd like to thank the Academy...
I really wanted to title this "hellz yeah" but at the risk of alienating everyone I thought I'd try to class it up a bit.
Hi, my name is Kristin and I am a hockey addict...
I am fairly certain that my addiction to hockey will someday cost me my job, but what the heck it's worth it.
So, without further ado, here are my answers to the questions:
1. Where you're from, what you do - basic things.
I am a Philly girl...not by birth thank god because that would mean I like the Eagles and said “wuhder” when I wanted water. I am a cheese-monger, which means I am a cheesecutter/retail slave but cheese-monger is more sinister and makes it sound like I have skillz.
2. Your team and why you like them.
My team is the Philadelphia Flyers, and I would like to take credit for their worst season ever...whatever team I choose seems to suck! I like them because they are the parent team of my real favorite team...the Philadelphia Phantoms. This year, with all the transactions, it’s like they are one and the same. It seems like the only players I haven’t seen on the Phantoms are Forsberg and Gagne. And with the way Forsberg has been playing, I figure it’s only a matter of time before I see him as a Phantom!
3. Your least favourite team and why?
I will watch any team, any game, any time. I should hate Buffalo for the humiliation they pile upon the Flyers, but they are just so amazing to watch. I guess I would have to say the Devils because they keep beating us in the shootout.
4. Your favourite player of all time & now?
Since I have only been a hockey addict/fan for a year now, my all time and now are pretty much one and the same: Ben Eager. Who? Yeah I know, no big names here and not even that great a player, but he stirs things up and gets that crazy look in his eyes after a fight. Love it!
5. If you had to punch one hockey player or member of the NHL
organisation, who and why?
Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers...mostly because he scares me with that big forehead of his, but also because he had the game winning goal on October 20th, which I believe sent the Flyers on their downward spiral this season. The Flyers beat the Panthers at home the last 10 times they played, and this blow to their ego shattered their self image. Also, his forehead.
6 What you'll be looking forward in this group blog.
I look forward to the challenge of keeping up with the rest of ladies. Everyone here is so passionate about hockey and writes so intelligently that I hope my passion and intelligence will be able to keep up.
7. What you don't like in general?
I hate when people sneeze. I hate stupid people. I am not a fan of children. Really, there is so much more I could write about what I don’t like, but I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot here.
8. What role do female fans play in keeping the game alive?
Female hockey fans, with their passion for the sport, are the ones spreading the word. Telling someone you are a hockey fan can open up new lines of communication. There is nothing better than finding another hockey fan or creating a new one. This season alone I have converted two people already. I am working on turning a basketball fan into a hockey fan. All he needs is one game on the ice with a good hit right in front of him...
9. What role do female fans play in picking heroes for the community?
I have tried and tried to answer this question but I just don’t have an answer. I don’t know that heroes are chosen, they just “become” so I don’t see female or male fans having a part of that. Maybe I am just naive..
10. Hockey just isn't the same without…
Fighting!
11. If you were on a deserted island, which player would you pick to
stay with you?
I am having trouble choosing one player and writing a PG rated answer.
12. Crosby, Ovechkin or Phaneuf (hey he tried!)?
Phaneuf because Crosby and Ovechkin kill me when they play the Flyers.
13. The player you'd like to take for a grand night out/a movie/a boring event?
Boring event: Robert Esche because I could talk to him about getting some glasses so he can stop some shots.
A movie: I hate going to the movies...I guess I’d take Ben Eager so when people are talking and making too much noise, he can set them straight
grand night out: Peter Forsberg because he cleans up nice and cmon, he’s Peter Forsberg
14. If you could make your own team, regardless of whatever players,
what would it be called and where will it be/how would it be like?
The players would have to meet a strict age limit...between the ages of 19-24 and would all have to be a minimum of 6 foot 2. For some reason, I want to call them the Ice Hogs, or something equally goofy like the River Rats. I just love stupid team names like that! 3 good scrums per game would be required, with at least one fight taking place near my seats.
So yeah, that's it for now...
Darn it, is it that stupid All-Star week?
There you have it, my opinion on the whole spectacle in less than 10 words. I look forward to weekday games as a chance to switch off my brain from more urgent matters, but it's hard for me to pay attention if the game doesn't count for anything. I want to watch some real hockey.
Anyway, congratulations to Alex Steen, for making the kiddie All-Star team. For months he suffered media comparisions made regarding the number of children he had and his goal production (for a while back there, the tally for both stood at one), and I'm sure he's getting the last laugh now...and to Kaberle too, although I have less to say about him. He's a great player but he doesn't really register with me as a big name. Good luck to the both of them.
As for who SHOULD have gone (from the Leafs) to the kiddie All-Star game...well, White and Wellwood could have been contenders, but they're both injured...so Steen is really the only choice right now, not to say he doesn't deserve it. Besides, we couldn't just suck up 3 spots on the roster.
Weekly Topic: Jan. 22 - 28: Goalies
We've covered quite a bit about our teams but have not yet talked about those guys who are the last line of defense, those guys who have weird rituals that no one understands, those guys who are the goalies. What's your goalie like? What's the back-up like? Should they switch roles? Any strange rituals or quirks? Share!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
How to make me happy
Listen here, MLSE/Leaf team...
10. Very very important: Game cannot be on Leafs TV, so I can actually watch it.
9. Someone to watch with.
8. No pressing academic demands (otherwise, I have to study while I watch)
7. High scoring game (when I mentioned this to a friend, he told me to watch basketball instead).
6. Related to the point above, a goalie pull from the other end.
5. A home game, so they're cheering for the right side.
4. One of those group pile ups where someone gets shoved and the entire team erupts from the bench to help.
3. At least one goal by Stajan.
2. Ideally against a rival, but doesn't have to be.
1. Obviously, a win. Not much of an issue if 6 and 7 are fulfilled.
My Three Sons
Happy All-Star break, everyone! No reason for this post except to share these photos of le petit Briere and his sons Caelan, Cameron, and Carson.
The cuteness is almost unbearable, no?
Youngstars...
Since the Ducks are composed of a lot of youngsters, I have a lot to choose from.
I would send the following:
1. Ryan Getzlaf - (he was actually chosen to play) for not only his great abilities on the ice, but the way he pumps up the team & comments throughout the game.
2. Corey Perry - He may not have had a lot of goals, but he always puts out 120% in each game.
3. Shane O'Brien - I will leave this one to Finny
4. Dustin Penner - is not only the "Large Human" but can find the back of the net and is great laying on the body.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
My top ten prerequisites for a great game.
I am pretty simple:
1. ice.
2. players.
3. a camera-friendly arena policy.
4. friends who aren't afraid to cheer loudly or start the cheering.
5. a crowd that's into it.
6. excellent goaltending.
7. excellent scoring attempts.
8. unbiased refereeing.
9. hot chocolate.
10. a win.
Wherein the NHL Does My Job For Me
Dear NHL,
I know that you and I have had some disagreements over the years. I will never understand the flawed algorithm you use for your scheduling and sometimes your commissioner's head is just so darn large I can't help but want to squish it.
But I must say, bravo to your selection of Patrick Eaves and Andrej Meszaros to this year's YoungGuns team. Boy wonder Eaves has brought a great element to the team with his penchant for planting himself in front of the net and causing the goaltender grief. The commentators have said that perhaps he just doesn't know any better and that can be a pretty dangerous place to be. Still, stubborn as a mule he plants his ass in front of the net, causing the occasional slash and shove from disgruntled goalies. Good on you Eaves-y! Last year in just 58 games, he got 20 goals and 9 assists. This season, he got off to a slow start but has managed to get 10 goals and 14 assists in just 49 games.
Andrej Meszaros, he of the curly locks and hard to pronounce name is in his sophomore year in the NHL and may be going through a bit of a slump. Perhaps he's missing his fellow Slovak Zdeno Chara. He played all 82 games with the Senators last season and amassed 39 points. He was also second in plus/minus that season, finishing off with a +34.
So really, I have no complaints about the selection and feel that my team was nowhere in the least slighted. Last season, the team was the second youngest in the league, even with Old Man Hasek skewing the average. Really, everybody else on the team is over 25 so it's not like any of them would qualify.
Well Antoine Vermette, Anton Volchenkov and Ray Emery are all turning 25 this year. And Jason Spezza was born in '83. Come to think of it why didn't you choose them? I know they're not on entry level contracts anymore [thanks Heather B.!] but still! Vermette has a penchant for scoring highlight reel goals and Volchenkov is leading the league in blocked shots right now. And Emery has his own rap song for crying out loud!
That's the second time you've denied Spezza's the YoungGuns game as he could have gone in 2004 as well. Or MAYBE, just MAYBE, you understand that my boys need to be well rested to have a good second half and make a legitimate playoff run. Wouldn't want another repeat of Hasek and his Pop-o-Groin. Is this all part of your great and grand conspiracy? If so, thanks! If not...thanks!
Love always,
Sherry
P.S. Speaking of Hasek, when are you betting on? Mid-February? Late March?
Friday, January 19, 2007
A perfect game...
A perfect game, for me, would have the following...
1. A fantastic national anthem singer & a crowd that really gets into it (ie. the Oilers' fans in the 2006 playoffs).
2. A fight with intensity and meaning (ie. Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon or Darren McCarty vs. Claude Lemieux- yes, I'm reliving those glory days).
3. A Steve Yzerman jersey retirement ceremony. Okay, since they can only happen once in a lifetime- anytime Yzerman is at the Joe Louis Arena for a game...
4. Great seats. Last year for my birthday, I sat in the first row behind the next right next to the zamboni pit. Those were fantastic seats.
5. High scoring game, okay but not too high, with the Red Wings winning in the end. A good example would be when the Wings beat the Oilers in 2OT in the playoffs last year. Unfortunately, that series went downhill quickly for Wings fans...
6. Catching a puck that flicked over the netting or into the crowd.
7. A loud and jumping JLA circa 1997.
8. Playing against a good team and not one that the Wings have owned a lot lately.
9. Solid refereeing. Lots of penalties and/or questionable calls ruin the fun (in my mind).
10. An amazing save by a goalie that makes your jaw just drop in amazement.
