tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-353297862024-03-13T10:15:47.582-05:00hlog {Hockey's Ladies of Greatness}A general NHL blog uniting the perspectives of female hockey fans from different teams. The blog aims to create a stronger (and possibly more positive) voice of female hockey fans and what makes them tick for the game. This blog is open to newcomers and fans in hopes to maybe collect them all like monopoly estates.Jordihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150308503869826414noreply@blogger.comBlogger1328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-35510879516921248962011-10-07T16:45:00.001-05:002011-10-07T16:46:44.790-05:00HLOG has MOVED!Hey Gentle Readers! Cat here announcing that HLOG has moved to another location! Some of the familiar faces you know and love are back to write about the sport we all adore!<br /><br />So head on over to <a href="http://hockeyladies.squarespace.com">http://hockeyladies.squarespace.com</a> and check it out!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753679963630935951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-83229003112447051002011-05-31T15:27:00.002-05:002011-05-31T15:31:52.926-05:00WTF Exactly Happened In Atlanta?<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well it’s official. My beloved team is gone. Words can’t express how destroyed I am. I posted this on my own blog, but thought some that might be familiar with the whole cluster might enjoy reading.<br /><br /><strong>How did the Thrashers come to be in Atlanta.<br /></strong>On June 25, 1997 the NHL awarded the City of Atlanta an expansion franchise to begin play in 1999-2000. On February 16, 1998 "Atlanta Thrashers" was announced as official team name. The team was named after the State Bird of Georgia, the Brown Thrasher. On October. 2, 1999 the Thrashers opened their 1999-2000 Inaugural Season before a sold-out crowd of 18, 545 at Philips Arena with a 4-1 loss to New Jersey.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Who owned Atlanta?<br /></strong>Former AOL Time Warner Vice Chairman and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., founder, "Ted" Turner, owned the team. Who wouldn't want to get your product going with Ted Turner in one of the largest media markets in the country? On March 31, 2004 announcement of the sale of the Thrashers, along with the NBA’s Hawks and operating rights to Philips Arena, to Atlanta Spirit, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LLC</span> from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. The eight partners who comprise the group are Steve <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Belkin</span>, Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Gearon</span>, Jr., Bruce <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Levenson</span>, Ed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Peskowitz</span>, J. Rutherford <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Seydel</span>, Todd Foreman, J. Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Gearon</span>, Sr., Bud <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Seretean</span>, and Beau Turner.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Spirit,_LLC#cite_note-0"> </a>These nine businessmen are divided into three groups, each headquartered in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Boston, and each group shares equal voting power within the group.<br /><a name="cite_ref-3"></a><a name="cite_ref-4"></a>Although Ted Turner is not a part of this group, there are many connections to him: Beau Turner is the youngest son of Ted Turner. J. Rutherford <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Seydel</span> is a son-in-law of Ted Turner. Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gearon</span> Sr. was the general manager 1977–79), president (1977–1986) and chairman of the board (1986–2004) of the Atlanta Hawks under Turner's ownership. Bud <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Seretean</span> is also a former president and general manager of the Hawks (1975–77) and a former board member of Turner Broadcasting System.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Yn9-y3NpuE/TeUPiXHGzzI/AAAAAAAASTk/wzmKibRyTxY/s1600/254974_10150261684064610_535084609_8889500_114395_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612909593580982066" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Yn9-y3NpuE/TeUPiXHGzzI/AAAAAAAASTk/wzmKibRyTxY/s400/254974_10150261684064610_535084609_8889500_114395_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>How did they run them?<br /></strong>Almost immediately they began bickering and fighting amongst themselves. Come on, 9 people can't order pizza, let alone run a company. This is the biggest bunch of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">whiney</span>, entitled, litigious bunch of assholes around. The first big fight started with on the Hawks side of things. In the summer of 2005, the Atlanta Hawks traded with the Phoenix Suns to obtain shooting guard Joe Johnson for Boris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Diaw</span> and two protected future first-round picks. While this trade met with the approval of the majority of the ownership group, Steve <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Belkin</span>, who held a controlling vote as the Hawks Governor within the group, rejected it. So they tried to kick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Belkin</span> out which resulted in a multi-year court battle. The Spirit has always been accused of caring more about basketball than hockey. While the owners were busy fighting over toys like toddlers, they were also lying to fans. We were assured that the owners did not want to sell the Thrashers. We were told the Thrashers were staying put. It was only revealed to fans through legal documents that the Spirit wanted to sell. After five years of legal battles, on December 23, 2010, the group led by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Gearon</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Levenson</span> announced they had bought out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Belkin's</span> ownership share in Atlanta Spirit. Two months later Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Gearon</span> held the infamous interview were he spoke of a “sense of urgency” regarding investors for the Thrashers.<br />Once that lawsuit was done, the Spirit decided they really missed being in litigation and decided to sue their attorneys for malpractice to the tune of $200M. They claimed that the contract written by King & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Spalding</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">LLP</span>, was flawed and prevented the sale" of the Thrashers for six years. Atlanta Spirit contends the contract drafted in August '05 for the buyout of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Belkin</span>, made the ownership group "unable to sell or otherwise dispose of" the Thrashers, which it first aimed to do after the '04-05 NHL lockout. The lawsuit claims that King & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Spalding's</span> contract "caused the buyout process to 'quickly break down into chaos,<br />So basically, these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">douchebags</span> got the team from Papa Ted in 2004, planned to sell it a year later, then started fighting and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">couldn</span>’t. They lied to the fans the whole time. They ran a bare bones ship and not investing any money in the team, yet want to blame the fans.<br />Some descriptions of the Spirit:</div><br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">AJC</span> Blogger Bill Tiller</strong>:<br /><em>" Atlanta fans should not be "terribly shocked to learn that one of … if not THE … most dysfunctional collection of businessmen ever to own a sports franchise actually dared to speak untruths to their paying population."</em><br /><br /><em><br /></em><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">AJC</span> writer Jeff Schultz:<br /></strong><em>They told you they cared. They lied. ... They told you not to pay attention to any of those rumors of the Thrashers being for sale, although they eventually admitted begrudgingly that, yes, they were looking for 'investors.' They lied." Now the owners "can't figure out how they’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">ve</span> burned so many bridges in this town why fans still feel too angry or worn down to show up for a pretty decent team." Schultz: "If Atlanta loses its second NHL franchise, it won’t be because the sport failed here. It will be because ownership and management failed"<br /></em><br /><br /><strong>If there isn't enough fan support in Atlanta, why should a team stay there?<br /></strong>Atlanta as a sports town sucks. We are a transplant city, nobody is “from” here. We also have a ton of choices on where to spend our disposable income. You have your hard core hockey fans, like me, but most are fair weather fans. To get those fair weather fans in, you have to win. It’s been established that the Spirit did nothing to put a winning team on the ice. They did no marketing. They did nothing to bring in new fans and did all they could to burn bridges and piss off old fans. We’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">ve</span> averaged roughly between 13K and 15K. With the shit that the Spirit put on the ice, I’m surprised we had THAT many people show up. If you are going to have 13K hard core people show up through thick and thin, imagine what we could get there if we had an ownership that cared about us as much as they did the basketball team…an ownership that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">wasn</span>’t trying to cut corners. I don’t have to imagine, I was at the playoff games. I remember. I remember the fans, the noise, the support. It was awesome. It could have been again.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWd9LNV8wdM/TeUPi8rLdfI/AAAAAAAASTs/Z8oSprAXnFE/s1600/Atlanta-Thrashers-Playoff-2-7EBZWX3KHA-1280x1024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612909603664393714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWd9LNV8wdM/TeUPi8rLdfI/AAAAAAAASTs/Z8oSprAXnFE/s400/Atlanta-Thrashers-Playoff-2-7EBZWX3KHA-1280x1024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>The Spirit have been trying to sell the team for years.<br /></strong>Because of the litigation, that is impossible. They might have WANTED to sell the team, but in reality it was a legal impossibility for them to be trying to sell. So, that means they were looking for buyers for a whopping 3 months.<br /><br /><br /><strong>They Spirit is trying to find local investors, but nobody wants to buy the Thrashers.<br /></strong>Bullshit. Nobody wants to deal with the Spirit. We have had our share of kooks and rumors. The Balkan, Lil John, Stephen Rollins all turned out to be disappointments. There were several buyers who were legit. Unfortunately they wanted to purchase all three (Hawks, Thrashers and Phillips Arena). The Spirit were not interested. The Atlanta Spirit does not want hockey in the arena. They were not interested in selling just the Thrasher to a local buyer. Even if they were, who wants to deal with the Spirit when it comes to leases?<br /><br /><br /><strong>Why isn't Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Bettman</span> and the League fighting as hard for Atlanta as they did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Pheonix</span>?<br /></strong><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRA5VW7grAs/TeUPjGd7cKI/AAAAAAAAST0/JNPJkUdoH4M/s1600/Bettman%252520sign%252520%2528Kevin%252520C%252520Cox%2529.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612909606293172386" style="WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRA5VW7grAs/TeUPjGd7cKI/AAAAAAAAST0/JNPJkUdoH4M/s400/Bettman%252520sign%252520%2528Kevin%252520C%252520Cox%2529.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>That’s the magic question. Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Bettman</span> has been asked by the media as well as fans on his call-in radio show on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">XM</span> “Are we going to see the same aggressive fight to keep hockey in Atlanta that we saw in Phoenix.” Gary dances around the issue by talking about how it’s different in Phoenix because they own them. They have a bigger presence because they own the team and need to be in on the day to day running of the team. No shit, Gary. We get that. What we want to know is whether or not you would go to the extremes for us that you did for Phoenix. We have our answer. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Bettman</span> didn't "fight hard" to stay in Atlanta, that is HORSE SHIT.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Who is the True north and why do they want the team?<br /></strong>True North Sports and Entertainment own the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">AHL</span>’s Manitoba Moose and operate the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">MTS</span> Centre. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">MTS</span> Centre is where the Manitoba Moose play and where our Thrashers, with their new name, will play next season. Why do they want the team? Because they are fucking Canada! I don’t blame them for wanting it one bit. Winnipeg has been NHL hungry for years since the league took the Jets. Not only will investing in an NHL team be a sound financial decision for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">TNSE</span>, but they will be heroes! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">TSNE</span> were originally circling around Phoenix, but when the city of Glendale voted to give the NHL $25M to secure the Coyotes for another in which to find owners, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">TSNE</span> turned it’s attention to us.<br /><br /><br />Congratulations to Winnipeg, I know you’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">ve</span> been dying for an NHL team since the Jets left. I know you will take good care of my boys. I don’t fault the city or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">TNSE</span> at all. I lay the blame squarely where it belongs, at the feet of the Atlanta Spirit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">LLC</span> and Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Bettman</span>. Taking a team (for the second time) from the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">th</span> largest media market and putting it in Winnipeg does not GROW the sport. People in the Peg already know how awesome hockey is. The sport was growing here. More rinks were going up, more kids were playing hockey. I honestly don’t know how that will continue with the Thrashers gone.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>I also don't know how my blog will continue. I have a photoblog, therefore need to take pictures. I might convert it to a Predators blog as I will be trying to attend as many of those games as possible.</div></div></div></div>Sunshine36616http://www.blogger.com/profile/16203591836407117240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-42100723715014004022011-03-06T22:20:00.002-05:002011-03-06T22:23:23.199-05:00Sunday Seven!I was on a roll for a while there... so kind of like interest, I have to write more questions for every day I'm late.<br />1.) How are you feeling about your team of choice lately?<br />2.) What is one thing you ALWAYS have in the fridge?<br />3.) Do you do any kind of big spring clean?<br />4.) Did you play computer games as a kid (or as an adult?)<br />5.) Have you ever done yoga?<br />6.) Can you name the 8 planets (NO CHEATING!!)<br />7.) How many keys are on your keyring?<br /><span id="fullpost"></span>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08031186865983731569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-49088860082873626082011-02-25T03:00:00.000-05:002011-02-25T03:00:02.537-05:00Friday Five1.) Do you read the newspaper?<br />2.) If you're a coffee/tea drinker, do you you use your own mug? How about reusable water bottles?<br />3.) What is your favorite kind of sandwich?<br />4.) Where would you go/what would you do this weekend if you had unlimited money and nothing you had to do?<br />5.) What is the one recent fad you wish would fall off the face of the Earth?<br /><span id="fullpost"></span>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08031186865983731569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-83238465339884464432011-02-18T03:00:00.000-05:002011-02-18T03:00:08.218-05:00Friday Five1.) What would your absolute dream job be?<br />2.) Of all the delicious desserts in the world, which do you like best?<br />3.) Any baseball fans out there? (Pitchers and catchers!!)<br />4.) Last book you read? (Bonus: would you recommend it?)<br />5.) Do you keep your desk clean?<br /><span id="fullpost"></span>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08031186865983731569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-22002752900723616052011-02-04T03:00:00.000-05:002011-02-04T03:00:01.126-05:00Friday Five returns!So I seriously fail...I promised that I'd post this like two (or was it three?) weeks ago, but school kind of took over. Sorry!<br />Since we're getting HLOG going again, I thought I'd continue with the time hono(u)red tradition of the Friday Five!<br /><br />1.) Best holiday gift?<br />2.) Any New Year's resolutions?<br />3.) Did you watch the Winter Classic?<br />4.) What are your thoughts on snow?<br />5.) Do you Twitter?<br /><br />Bonus question: did you enjoy the All-Star Game this year?<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"></span>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08031186865983731569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-89793192327986694282010-12-31T08:00:00.001-05:002010-12-31T08:00:01.581-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with McPhizzleToday's Q&A update is with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/McPhizzle">McPhizzle</a>. Her original Q&A can be found <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/05/introducitons-and-salutations.html">here</a>.<br />
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<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging (provide your blog name and link)? Why or why not?</b><br />
When I first filled this out, I was 23, working at a funeral home in the town I grew up in and had just retired from pageants. I am now job hunting in a new town, where I live with my boyfriend and have started coaching girls for pageants. I still blog from time to time on "<a href="http://rikkasuave.blogspot.com/">Musings</a>". Now it's mostly about my own life and every-day revelations instead of hockey. I tweet, so I guess I micro-blog, but that's mostly word vomit, frustrations and stuff I want to say, but don't post on my facebook so my Mr and my mom don't see. <br />
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<i>(Ed note: you can follow McP on twitter @<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mcphizzle">mcphizzle</a>)</i><br />
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<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
I'm still a shark fan! In fact, my partner introduced me to his Wing-loving co-worker as, "This is McP. The shark fan." He shook my hand and said, "Go Wings." My answer was, "I'll pray for you." <br />
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<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
I'm not a fair-weather fan. They don't have the best record, but 4th in the West doesn't suck and I still support them!<br />
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<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
Still love me some Jumbo Joe Thornton! (However, it is now a professional love. The lust is gone haha)<br />
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<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
Are you kidding me? I know women who still squee about the Beatles. Now I tend to use the term more for things than people... <br />
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<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
I don't think the role of female fans has changed, but I do think the NHL and lower leagues have finally started to actually LISTEN to the female fans and include their opinions and suggestions in merchandise and marketing. Like I said in my very first HLOG Q&A, Merchandice, Marketing and Manmeat. We fill the seats, we bring our friends, we introduce our kids/bfs/husbands to the game. I'm also convinced that hockey moms make the world go 'round.<br />
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<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> Jeremy Roenick dancing on the ice. <br />
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<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
Finny calling me after the Ducks took the Sharks out of the 2009 playoffs. My mom had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and the phone call (even though it was to gloat) made me feel like I wasn't alone when I needed it the most. I also QUITE enjoy the HLOG Christmas/Holiday card exchanges!<br />
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<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
Honestly, I'm so far removed from it, that I couldn't answer this question properly. I guess the introduction of twitter and that whole micro-blogging bit is a big change... Most of my tweets lately have been about.... well, read number 10<br />
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<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
We are planning a wedding late next summer! My days are kept quite busy with planning that and taking care of our fur babies - Max (5 year-old boxer), Minnie (8 month-old lab/shepherd mix) and Edouard (2 year-old kitteh).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-28908041464847537552010-12-30T08:00:00.001-05:002010-12-30T08:00:00.775-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with LeanneToday's Q&A update is with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/leanne">Leanne</a>, the HLOG <a href="http://flames.nhl.com/">Calgary Flames</a> blogger. Her original Q&A is <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/02/first-times-always-awkward.html">here</a>. <br />
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<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
I seem to have (despite having started my HLOG days as a computer professional) become a career student. Ooops! <a href="http://openicehits.blogspot.com/">Open Ice Hits</a> has largely been inactive but Dave (my co-blogger) and I are occasionally still active at <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/openicehits">@openicehits</a> on Twitter. We've found the 140 character limit and quick posting times are ideal for the kind of ranting we do nowadays.<br />
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I haven't been blogging as much lately for a couple of reasons. The main one is I just spend too much time writing, now that I'm a grad student. The last thing I want to do when I have a break or once I get home is to crack open my computer and crank out more words, and it's hard to change my writing voice from the dry technical stuff I do through the day to being more passionate or emotional. I'm also finding I'm incapable of doing any technical analysis of the Flames' various statistics (and the trends aren't exactly cheerful either).<br />
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The second thing is that now that I'm back in Calgary, I'm much more connected to the Flames than I was when I was living in Ontario. I can watch Flames games on TV a couple of times a week rather than just a couple of times a month. My co-blogger Dave has also recently moved back from Ontario, so he also isn't feeling that disconnect which led us to band together and start ranting to begin with.<br />
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<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
I'm not particularly in love with the Flames given the season we've had...but I am still loyal to them. I've also purchased season tickets for the <a href="http://www.hitmenhockey.com/">WHL Calgary Hitmen</a>...and that hasn't been so good a season either. But still fun.<br />
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<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
I've been holding my breath and waiting for the rebuild since the middle of last season. I'm not optimistic.<br />
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<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
Still <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1453">Iginla</a>. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3614">Mark Giordano</a> has been a revelation this season as well. Besides that... my favourite player is whichever guy has just netted me a huge night in fantasy hockey.<br />
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<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
Gosh, no. If I'm not too old to be back in school...then... <br />
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<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
I think I have a different view of it being one of the Canadian members of HLOG. Hockey is so engrained into everyday life here that naturally women are going to have a huge role in the game. I have been bemused by the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xf5yvOVldk&feature=youtu.be">Hayley Wickenheiser commercials for The Brick</a>...that is not usually how you get females to advertise washer/dryer combos! <br />
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<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without </b>Minus-forty temperatures.<br />
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<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
Probably from before I joined HLOG! I first met (our long-gone, well-missed) <a href="http://doubledion.blogspot.com/">HG</a> at an AHL game. She leaned over and handed me a piece of paper with the URLs for both HLOG and her own blog... and I had to admit... gosh, I was already reading them both!<br />
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<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
This has been reflected in larger online trends, but the blog community has largely become much more professional in tone. From slick meta-sits like SB Nation, the success of guys like <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mirtle">James Mirtle</a>, and the focus of many blogs on detailed statistics... it's harder to be all goofy and dorky on your blog these days.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
I just got my Masters' degree in Computer Science. Also staring the 3-0 in the face. It'll be coming for me in a couple months. Wish me luck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-16801718717897726592010-12-28T08:00:00.002-05:002010-12-28T08:00:10.291-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with EliseToday's Q&A Update is with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Elise">Elise</a>, the other HLOG <a href="http://wild.nhl.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> fan. Her original Q&A is <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-heart-hockey_28.html">here</a> and her update is below. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
I’m still blogging, but have changed sites. I kept my blog up until about a year ago when I discontinued <a href="http://18568reasonswhy.blogspot.com/">18,568 Reasons Why</a> to join the team over at <a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Hockey Wilderness</a> of SBNation. I don’t write as frequently as I used to because of school and other commitments but I’m still blogging because I love the community and haven’t run out of things to say yet.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
I’m still in love with the Wild. My Chicago Blackhawks fandom has grown significantly since moving down to Chicagoland for school but Minnesota will always come first.<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
The team is struggling this year, showing flashes of greatness within its sometimes incompetence. It’s the second year of the great re-build since the front office change over and while the team still isn’t very successful, there’s at least some promise in the system and some hope for improvement in the coming years.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
My favorite player doesn’t actually play for the Wild – it’s <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3981">Jonathan Toews</a>. I usually don’t go for the big name, superstar players but Toews amazes me. His work ethic, competitiveness, skills and leadership make me love to watch him play. I also find his weird relationship with <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4240">Patrick Kane</a> to be very amusing.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
I’m only 19 so I get to say no on this one.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
I think the role of the female fan has only continued to expand. While there are still issues regarding women in sports, a lot of strides have been taken and, from my experience, female fans are mostly respected. There are always going to be puck bunnies and disgruntled, dragged-along girlfriends at hockey games but I think less people are making assumptions about the sex as a whole.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> Joe Sakic. Even though I’m a Wild fan, I respect Sakic immensely. Playing the Avalanche just isn’t the same without Sakic, even if he did manage to singlehandedly beat Minnesota on numerous occasions.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
The best part of HLOG is the ladies involved with it. Through this site, I’ve met so many smart, amazing and creative hockey-loving women. I text, e-mail, tweet and Facebook many of them and I still text with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Kirsten">Kirsten</a> almost daily and see her every now and then when we’re both in Minnesota. I feel honored to have been part of something with so many successful hockey ladies.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
I could write pages on this question, but I’ll keep it limited to a few things I think are significant. 1) The blog world has really expanded the past few years, growing from smaller blogging communities to a few giants surrounded by countless blogs for every facet of the hockey world. 2) Blogs are gaining more access and attention from the MSM. Whether they’re in the press box or breaking stories, the issue of bloggers vs. MSM is never-ending. 3) Like many of the ladies have already mentioned, Twitter has become a big part of the blogging world. I personally love Twitter (you can find me <a href="http://twitter.com/elisebutler">@elisebutler</a>). It’s great for interaction with people and a good way to keep up with what’s going on.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
When I joined HLOG, I had just turned 17 and was a junior in high school. Now, I turn 20 in a few months and am a sophomore in college. As far as milestones, I was published on the Wild’s website and in the game program two years in a row for winning their High School Media Day contest and interned with the pro soccer team in Minnesota two summers ago. But one of my biggest achievements so far was getting accepted into Northwestern University, where I’m now studying Journalism with a concentration in Marketing Communications. I have no idea what’s ahead of me, but hopefully it only keeps getting better.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-86024193269195906902010-12-27T08:00:00.002-05:002010-12-27T08:00:00.170-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with ChristinaToday's Q&A update is with Christina, aka <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Lucky13">Lucky 13</a>, one of HLOG's two <a href="http://rangers.nhl.com/">NY Rangers</a> bloggers. You can read her original Q&A <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/09/hockey-confidential-hello-from-nyc.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
I’ve been in the workforce for a while, so here I still sit. Moved offices a couple of times, and now I’m nice and close to home. I’m still blogging, but it’s more like co-blogging. Originally, the blog (<a href="http://somelikeitblue.blogspot.com/">NYR Devotion - Some Like It Blue</a>) started out with Kerri (the other HLOGger for the NYR), and over the last year or so two more women have joined us.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
The Rangers are still my guys – true blue all the way. That’s not to say I haven’t followed other teams – see #4 below.<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
The jury is still out on this one. I mean I will always love them, but my feelings about how far they will go this year fluctuate. They are not consistent enough either way: they either have flashes of brilliance, or they don’t bother showing up for the game. As a long-time Ranger fan, I know it’s best to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
I still love <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3398">Jed Ortmeyer</a> – hence my following other teams. I kept tabs on Nashville for 2 years, and San Jose last year, but for a while for this season, it was looking grim for my Orts. Luckily, thanks to Don Maloney (my other all-time favorite Ranger), Jed is playing for the Coyotes AHL affiliate, along with <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3756">Petr Prucha</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3250">Ryan Hollweg</a>. I’m still hopeful that he will make a return to New York (please oh please oh please).<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
Ack…it wasn’t really in my vocabulary anyway (in fact, never heard of it until I joined HLOG!), but I get the idea. I don’t think you ever get too old to use a term for that…situation. We just get less cryptic with the terms as we get older.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
For me personally, it has. I see a lot more women’s hockey teams forming, more women latching onto the sport. But I don’t think we’re doing women’s advancement in sports any favors by continuing to have ice girls and cheerleaders (ugghh…so 1950s). That’s not my idea of building a female fan base. I love shocking guys by talking hockey bench trash with them. They never see it coming (cuz I'm just a girl!).<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same with<strike>out</strike></b> That stupid trapezoid!!! Dammit if the goalie’s going to leave the crease, he’s FAIR GAME!!! Man they are such divas: <i>“You can’t touch me ‘cause I’m in my TRAPEZOID!”</i> They have more padding than anyone else out there - let them get hit!<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
The online summit in July 2008.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
I think many people have switched to Facebook, Twitter and the like. But I’m old school and don’t care much for “social networks”. Hopefully, those will simply be an alternative to blogs, and not replacements for them.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
Already married with kids, but I did finish my first ( and likely my last ) triathlon over the summer. Got three new kittens this summer, too. Didn’t lose my job (yet) – that’s an accomplishment these days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-3401561815902122062010-12-26T07:00:00.000-05:002010-12-26T07:00:03.160-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with KirstenToday's Q&A update is with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Kirsten">Kirsten</a>. You can relive the past couple seasons of the Minnesota Wild on her blog <a href="http://landoflakesandhockey.blogspot.com/">Land of Lakes and Hockey</a>. Kirsten's original Q&A is <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/08/greetings-from-minnesota.html">here</a>. You can also follow <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/kirstenbarta">Kirsten on Twitter</a><br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
I am not still blogging, college in Oregon and nerve damage in my hands overwhelmed me...I just haven't been able to snap back into it. I do try to keep up with the blogosphere thanks to Google reader and Twitter, which I find very useful in keeping my fantasy hockey team up to date.<br />
<br />
Now I'm working on a few credits I need for consideration as a grad student (B.A. does not equal a M.S.), and will probably get a job at some point depending on school. I've changed career trajectories, so I'm kind of at a crossroad in my life.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
I have not changed team alliances, I'm still a <a href="http://wild.nhl.com/">Wild</a> fan. What can I say? I'm Minnesotan, we're practically genetically programmed to cheer loyally for the home team, even when they stink. <br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
As a season ticket holder I am very unhappy with the Wild. They continue to botch things and it's driving me nuts. The team is underperforming, not enough to get draft picks, and they're waaaay out of the reach of the playoffs at the moment. It was an unpleasant shock when I returned to MN. I find that I've really become more of a <a href="http://www.gophersports.com/">Gophers</a> fan as time goes on and I get angrier with the Wild. Having a great personal disdain for the owner doesn't really help. I'm just hoping they can pull something together and stop being a typical Minnesota team... I can't quite put my finger on what's broken, but they don't seem to play together as a cohesive unit, and there seems to be a disconnect somewhere. I think the Wild are so used to having bunches of fans that they forgot what it's like to try hard. I just miss the good old days of yore where every game was magic. Maybe I'm just getting old? I've been told that's what marriage is like.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
Hmmm, that's tough. Toews, Gagner, Thornton, Brodziak and Koivu all hold special places in my heart.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
I'm 22, so probably not, though maybe now that I'm out of undergrad.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
I think it has changed in that teams market to women more than they did before, but I think fundamentally their role remains the same. We cheer for players for different reasons than men, and since it has a lot to do with psychological factors, that's unlikely to change. Hockey moms are just as important if not more so now, because in this time of recession, studies have shown that the role of women has become very important in the household, even more so than before.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> Joe Sakic! It was a terrible day when he retired.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
It's hard to choose, but definitely getting to meet several of you were highlights.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days</b>?<br />
It has expanded certainly, and it has gotten more attention and access than ever. Some bloggers who are very high profile get almost as much information as the mainstream media it seems. I'm not sure how I feel about that, to be honest. It's starting to remind me of the political blog scene. It's no longer just someone with a computer, the blogs have advanced greatly in fanciness and time commitment.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal?</b><br />
<b>etc?)</b><br />
No baby, husband, or book deal in sight, but I did graduate from college. Does that count?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-87891934861312990612010-12-24T07:00:00.002-05:002010-12-24T07:00:07.969-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with Cat<div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's update comes from Cat. She represented the <a href="http://stars.nhl.com/">Dallas Stars</a> on HLOG and ran her own blog over at <a href="http://untypicalgirls.wordpress.com/">Untypical Girls</a>. To read her original Q&A, click <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/10/hockey-will-always-be-my-first-love.html">here</a>.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging (provide your blog name and link)? Why or why not?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lately, most of my time has been spent working. I'm unfortunately no longer blogging (although <a href="http://untypicalgirls.wordpress.com/">Untypical Girls</a> still exists on the internet, just...You know, update-less), because I can't even watch all of the games. I work strange hours (4am-1pm most days), and having to go to bed at 7 or 8pm doesn't really lend itself to watching night games. I've made it out to about two of the games this season so far, though, and my devotion stands strong.<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't see myself ever changing team allegiances, not even when our franchise player leaves (or gets booted out, depending on how you look at it) and starts playing for the Detroit Red Wings. That said, I've spent time becoming familiar with other teams, and I enjoy watching them play, but my heart still belongs to the Dallas Stars.<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm very optimistic, actually! The Stars have won a good amount of games, and not always based purely on luck. The young players have become better, and I really do think, as much as it breaks my heart, that the departure of some veterans has allowed the "new" locker room leadership to shine and truly make it their team. I think that the addition of Adam Burish was a good move, even if it didn't look it at the time. I think that perhaps he brings something to the locker room that raises spirits and just makes them play better.<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I still adore little Matt Niskanen, but Adam Burish and Steve Ott hold places in my heart as well. As for other teams, I of course love Alex Ovechkin and his total ridiculousness, and Zach Parise never fails to make me really, really happy, particularly his game-tying goal at the Olympics.<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">NO! We are never too old to squee!<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I think that female fans are still really important to the game, and not always given their fair due, but on the whole, positive changes have occurred in the past few years. Teams are catering more to everyone, rather than just male fans (although there are still pink jerseys out there, and Hooters ads in every game program). There's obviously more that could happen, but it's heading in a positive direction. And I just realized that doesn't really answer the question, but it's sort of similar at least.<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without _________.</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As corny as it sounds, my HLOG girls. There's little fun to be had in watching an exciting game if you have no one to talk to about it!<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a tie between meeting fellow HLOGgers and hanging out with them, and becoming really close to a couple of them, and the "I'm Not A Puckbunny" podcast. I was listening to some old episodes on my iPod the other day, and I missed those little debates and conversations and in-jokes between us all!<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This may just be because I'm not blogging anymore and therefore not paying as much attention, but it seems as the "average person" blog has given way to sponsorships and more professional blogs. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do miss the average blog.<br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, I'm in my longest relationship I've ever been in, and we've been living together for almost two years. I haven't killed him yet, so I consider that a pretty big milestone. I'll be opening my own business soon, which is exciting, and I'm helping my dad open HIS own business. Past that, it's pretty much just work, video games, and writing music!<span id="goog_1688503004"></span><span id="goog_1688503005"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></span></div>Charityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09566759577738477884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-68551028732457480452010-12-23T07:00:00.001-05:002010-12-23T07:00:04.800-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with TracyToday's Q&A Update is with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Tracy">Tracy</a>, who blogged about the Phoenix Coyotes at <a href="http://truecoyotelove.blogspot.com/">True Coyote Love</a>. You can read Tracy's original Q&A <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/06/good-morning-star-shine.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
I still blog on occasion on my personal blog. Realistically, I am spending far too much time on school to do anything really pleasurable (just ask all the friends that never get to see me, they'll tell you all about it!) If you truly miss me, we can catch up on <a href="http://atouchofdestiny.blogspot.com/">Here</a> or <a href="http://beanadventure.tumblr.com/">Here</a><br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
I have absolutely not changed allegiances. My loyalty still lies with the Coyotes and as far as I'm concerned, it always will... at least as long as we keep our team here. Which, by the way, we will be doing for a while thanks to the new owner. :) <br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
I love my team. I think they are doing beautifully even though they've had the threat of sale looming over their heads for so long. I couldn't ask for a more determined team to call my own.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
I'm completely unoriginal... <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1354">Doan</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1645">Morris</a> are still my favorites and they have been for quite a few years. However, as far as new loves go, I adore Kyle <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4242">Turris</a> (and I think he's doing a brilliant job so far this season) and because he keeps me extremely entertained on a regular basis - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3545">Paul Bissonnette</a>. His twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/BizNasty2point0">@BizNasty2point0</a> makes me happy.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, I was watching The Tourist in the theatre the other night and when Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie kiss for the first time (they are my all time favorites), I had the urge to squee and it was physically painful to have to keep it in.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
Not even slightly. Females still play a huge role. As hockey moms they chauffeur their little minions to and from practices, buy their gear, and cheer their lungs out for that minion from the very first game all the way up. As hockey fans, they do the same thing. We drive to and from practices, games, you name it all because we love it. Say what you will but no one is as passionate as a woman for something she loves.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> _________.<br />
Is it cliche to say HLOG? Haha. Seriously, we filled a niche that was and probably still is needed. A large group of sports fans that were able to get past the rivalries and work together to share their love of the game.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
Fly On the Wall. :D Realistically, my favorite memories are just us. A group of females that were there for each other... whether that was for simple moral support or for a good old-fashioned debate over whose team was better. I miss my girls because we are girls first and that gave us a bond... add to the mix that we are FANgirls and that pretty much made us unstoppable.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
To be perfectly honest, I don't keep up much with the bloggy world anymore. I do know, however, that a ton more Coyotes blogs have popped up (none compared to mine, of course! Haha!! I kid, I kid... I don't read them) so it makes me proud to say that I was part of a successful group of female hockey bloggers before the hockey blogger world (and female, to be exact) truly took off.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
I am pretty much the lamest 20-something ever. All I can say for myself is that I am finally about to transfer to university (yes, I am late but you know... I do what I can) with a 4.0 gpa and as a member of the International Honor Society. All things aside, I couldn't really wish for a better or brighter future for myself. (Not to toot my own horn, of course.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-60316289004616701952010-12-22T07:00:00.003-05:002010-12-22T07:00:00.679-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with EllieToday's Q&A update is with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Ellie">Ellie</a>, one of HLOG's Pens fan. You can read Ellie's original Q&A <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2007/02/good-things-come-in-twos-or-is-it.html">here</a>. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging (provide your blog name and link)? Why or why not?</b><br />
No longer blogging. I never wanted my own hockey blog since I knew I'd never keep up with it. But HLOG was a nice way to share of my thoughts/views on Pens hockey.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
Wow no way!! Pens fan for life!!<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
Good. There were some bumps in the beginning, but things are really starting to come together especially after the win streak and Crosby's point streak. Lots of Winter Classic excitement lately, not to mention the HBO series (<a href="http://www.hbo.com/sports/24-7-penguins-capitals-road-to-the-nhl-winter-classic/index.html">24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the Winter Classic</a>) It will be interesting to see if we can keep the momentum going into the spring and playoffs.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Crosby</a>'s point streak has been amazing. Say what you want about Sid, but he's always raising the bar. In fact, if you still think Sid is still a whiny crybaby, try to come around. This guy is playing some of the best hockey you'll ever see in your life. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> has really come into his own this year and is leading the NHL All Star defensemen votes - all write in votes btw! As for other teams, how bout Philly's new goalie <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4901">Bobrovsky</a>? Flash in the pan maybe, but he's been fun to watch for sure.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
Umm no!!<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
There was such a collective sigh of relief in Pittsburgh after the Pens won the Cup two years ago. I'd say between the Cup win and the new arena (Consol Energy Center), the public has become even more infatuated with their local hockey heroes. The challenge will be to rinse and repeat before the cap era takes it's toll and someone gets traded.<br />
<br />
7<b>. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> Mario?! There is going to be an "Old Timers" game here before the Winter Classic. It's amazing how much the Pittsburgh fan base is looking forward to it. Anything to see<a href="http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/10/mario-lemieux-and-ron-francis-headline-penguins-roster-for-2011-winter-classic-alumni-game/"> Le Magnifique make another return to the ice!</a><br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
Gotta go with the Christmas cards :)<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
Lots of hockey tweeting since the HLOG days! Which has been a very fun way to watch games and get reactions from fans instantly. Blogging is still very relevant however - I'm still reading all of my favs.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
Three years out of college and still working - which I guess is somewhat of an accomplishment in this economy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-46680135749782397282010-12-21T07:00:00.001-05:002010-12-21T07:00:08.874-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with SaskyToday's Q&A update comes from <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Sasky">Sasky</a>. Despite being from Australia she was HLOG's general hockey correspondent. You can read her original Q&A <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2006/12/captain-save-ho.html">here</a>. She included the following note to inform readers of how now she's all grown up ;) <br />
<br />
<blockquote>I was 17 when I first filled out this Q &A, just graduated High School (by mere days) and living in a small country town in central Queensland, Australia. A hell of a lot has changed since then. I'm now 21, the proud holder of a LLB (law degree) and ready to move to Sydney to take up work with Octagon. Something's haven't changed. My life still revolves around the game.</blockquote><br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
These days I spend most of my days studying (recently graduated though!) or working! I was never the most consistent of bloggers but I still write on occasion at a variety of blogs (personal, hockey, fashion) when I get the chance. I spend a lot of time now working with the <a href="http://www.theaihl.com/leagues/homeAIHL.cfm?leagueID=11464&clientID=3856&link=AIHL">Australian Ice Hockey League</a> as a Commissioner of the game here in Australia and helping grow and develop the sport and increase stability and profitability of our franchises.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
I was never listed with a team on HLOG more General hockey and I still am that way! I've always been a fan of great play and captivating players more than anything and my allegiance is to the sport itself. I binge on teams really, going between the Sharks, to the Leafs, to the Hawks back to the Sharks over to the Pens or Bruins. Recently I've been watching a lot of Avalanche but it's always changing.<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
Well see above!<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
When I first started here I was all about <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3383">Patrice Bergeron</a>. One nearly career ending injury later, I'm still all about the Patrice Bergeron but as I've spent more time watching the game my interests have expanded. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3985">Joe Pavelski</a> is a player who's definitely one of my favourites and I love watching for his great playmaking, sniping and two way play. Recently, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4683">Matt Duchene</a>'s been another l love to watch. Not only does he have incredible<br />
hands and skills but he plays the game with such passion for it, and such a sense of unbridled enthusiasm that is infectious and makes me want to keep on watching.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
I'm not that old in the first place! I'm just 21 but I admit "Squee" is no longer really my style. I still do the same thing pretty much I just wouldn't tag that label onto it. Fangirl Flail maybe ;-)<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or </b><b>picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
I think it's changed a heap in the last few years. Since I started around here 4 years ago the female voice in hockey has become louder and louder and the wider community and the NHL itself are starting to sit up and take note. We've got women going into the hall now and with the recent backlash against the female clothing options for fans it's clear that we're in a changing times and people are starting to listen to the calls of these fans. Female fans (and players) are starting to get more respect for their role within the game and that can only be a good thing.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn¹t the same without</b> the old guard. (Stevie Y, Joe Sakic, JR).<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
When I was in Washington I got to catch up with <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Teka">Teka</a> several times. I was having a horribly rough time one day (some family stuff had been going on back home in Australia) and Teka turned up to Kettler Ice with chocolate cake to cheer me up. It was one of those days when you're so incredibly appreciative of the friends hockey's helped you make that always have your back when you need it most.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
Most of the people I now know from the hockey blogging community I made the initial connection via Twitter. It allows you to make much greater and lasting connections between people, to converse in real time in a way that establishes greater friendship and connection. A lot of people's blogs have benefited enormously from that and the community as a whole has grown.<br />
<br />
You can find me at <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/saskystewart">@saskystewart</a><br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that </b><b>you're willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in </b><b>the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
Woah where do I start? When I first filled this out I was 17 and just finished HS. I've just completed Law School, got my first big girl job as a Graduate in Athlete and Personality Representation with Octagon (basically a Jr Agent and YES that Octagon of Allan Walsh and the like) in their Australian Office helping manage a range of talent including F1 drivers, pro surfers, soccer stars and more.<br />
<br />
Hockey wise I interned with the Washington Capitals for an amazing month in Feb 2009, spent my last Australian summer as an intern with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL (Dec March 2010) and spend a lot of my time running around for AIHL, AWIHL or IIHF work here in Australia! Those are all pretty big achievements milestones to me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-2992422502716061822010-12-20T10:00:00.000-05:002010-12-20T10:00:04.118-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with kms2The second Q&A update comes from kms2. Her original Q&A is <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/kms2">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging? Why or why not?</b><br />
The blog <a href="http://purplecrushedvelvet.blogspot.com/">Purple Crushed Velvet</a> is still alive, but I've been blogging very sporadically. I don't think I did a single post during the recent off season and despite my excitement for this season I just can't seem to blog on a consistent basis. Before the start of the '10-'11 season I considered completely shutting down the blog, either deleting it entirely or making it private, but surprisingly my brother (or hermano as I call him, you know, from '<a href="http://youtu.be/eo1pkHKHuts">Arrested Development</a>') contacted me and asked if he could do guests posts. <br />
<br />
There are several reasons why my interest in blogging has waned over the past year. One is that I'm much busier at work. Another is that the Kings are finally doing well and, quite frankly, it's easier for me to write about things that piss me off and rant about Marc Crawford than it is to find new ways to say that I heart Drew Doughty or that I want <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2468">Justin Williams</a>'s babies. Yes, it's easier for me to make fun of someone than it is to make a compliment....apparently I'm a horrible person. Also, there are so many more LA Kings blogs out there now than there was when I started and it's becoming more difficult to come up with unique points of view. I've thought about ways to find a niche for my blog, but it's proving more difficult than I had anticipated and I'm not quite sure I want to put in that much effort.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
H-No! I've only loved the <a href="http://www.lakings.com/">LA Kings</a> and I will never betray them!<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
I've never felt better about them. We're finally contenders, well, maybe not for the Cup, but at least for a playoff berth and possibly a trip past the first round. It's an exciting year that is definitely stressing me out because the teams in the West are so darn close!<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
Luc Robitaille is still my favorite player. However, I still do not have a favorite active player. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4472">Drew Doughty</a> is probably leading the list of hopefuls, but I feel like he's such an easy pick and way too many people love Drew. And then I feel stoopid for thinking that I have to have a not so popular player be my favorite. I really liked <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2578">Frolov</a>, but now he's a Ranger, blue-balling Torts, making him think he'll easily be a 30-goal scorer and then trail off. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3788">Anze Kopitar</a> is another easy pick....I don't know...it's probably Drew, but without the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/The-top-10-greatest-NHL-Movember-mustaches-for-2?urn=nhl-290412">awful mustache</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
I hope not! Although I do feel a little silly whenever I use it. I was talking to Finny the other day and she mentioned Penner and I immediately said "PENNERSQUEE!!!!" and then giggled uncontrollably.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG?</b><br />
Ehh, I don't know. I think it's about the same. Although, I think the hockey ice cheer/crew girls are bringing us down a couple notches, but whatever. One Kings personnel mentioned that it's cheaper for the Kings to have these girl shoveling snow because they're sponsored by one or more companies. Whether it's really a cost savings measure or a way to bring some sex appeal to the game really doesn't change my opinion that they're a superfluous addition to the in-game experience.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> bench clearing brawls. Ok, so I'm sorta joking, but I love watching old videos of bench clearing brawls because they're so awesome and hilarious.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
The holiday card swap was a great idea although I'm too lazy to participate in this year. It was really fun to receive cards from a bunch of HLOGgers.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
It's grown so much and it's kinda overwhelming. There are some things that I'm glad have been created and some others that I dislike. I think Twitter is a great place to follow some hockey analysts and read their opinions and almost feel like you're interacting with them. (You can follow me at <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/marie_stiles">Marie_Stiles</a> but I'm usually only active during games). I think <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy">Puck Daddy on Yahoo!</a> is also a good addition because it's like a one stop shop for a lot of good hockey stories throughout the day. I really dislike SB Nation and it's whole format. I completely agree with <a href="http://www.fromtherink.com/2010/12/6/1858092/hockey-ranting-with-retired-blogger-jes-golbez">Jes Golbez</a> who recently complained about SB Nation. It feels more like a forum than a blogging community. I still read some blogs that moved over there but I don't feel like the content is the same. I also really enjoy listening to a lot of hockey podcasts. When I have a tough time focusing at work the hockey podcasts usually save the day. <br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
The 'boyfriend' that is mentioned in my HLOG 'About Me' section is now my husband :) And he's becoming a big Kings fan too! I wish had some sort of book deal...that would be pretty cool. Or be able to work for myself...that's probably the ultimate dream.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-19012011143894531812010-12-18T18:10:00.000-05:002010-12-18T18:10:23.615-05:00HLOG Q&A Update with RachelWe've decided to do an update Q&A with HLOG members to refresh our readers (and ourselves) on who we are and what we've been up to lately since most of us have been MIA the past year. We offered the ladies 10 questions and left it up to them if they wanted to answer all of them. First up is <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/search/label/Rachel">Rachel</a>. Her original Q&A is <a href="http://hlog.blogspot.com/2008/04/ive-never-been-good-at-small-talk.html">here</a> and below is her updated Q&A. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<b>1. What are you up to these days? Still blogging (provide your blog name and link)? Why or why not?</b><br />
The answer to this question these days is pretty much always "working". Since work has kind of taken over my life here lately, I had to make the tough decision a few weeks ago to take a bigger step back when it came to blogging. Big, fat single tear. When I do find a chance to steal some precious, lovely, wonderful moments to REALLY pay attention to hockey, I write at <a href="http://www.whatthepuckpreds.com/">What The Puck</a>, which I started a few months after I joined the HLOG community. My plan is to get back to posting regularly once work settles down a bit. I just wish I knew what that time frame looks like exactly.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Have you changed team allegiances, or are you still in love with the team you represented on HLOG?</b><br />
Absolutely, positively still 100% in love with the Nashville Predators. The good, the bad, the ugly, the exasperation, frustration, elation and most importantly, the resiliency of the pesky Preds will never be lost on me. I'm in for the long haul.<br />
<br />
<b>3. How do you feel about your team this year?</b><br />
At the beginning of the season, it seemed as though Nashville was getting its act together. October was a good month but then November wasn't. However, December is treating the boys well so far. The guys have been plagued with a slew of injuries and that has thrown a wrench into any hope of consistency. My thoughts on the team this year are pretty much the same as any other year: they remain the underdogs of the NHL and will, as always, find a way to silence the critics. They will work hard, stay positive and make the most with what they have.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Who is your favorite player now?</b><br />
Not to be all homer-ish but I really do love me some Colin Wilson. Though, to be fair, I followed him before the Predators ever drafted him. I was more than excited to see him play his first NHL game last season and have been really happy to watch him grow and mature as a player over the past season and a half. He always has a smile on his face and that smile is infectious. I love that he loves the game just as much now as he did when he was a little kid. That excitement is endearing. Also, I pretty much always want to pinch his cheeks.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Are we too old to use the term SQUEE?</b><br />
Eh, you know what? I've never used that word anyway. But no matter how old we get, there will always be some equivalent of this word in our vocabulary. <br />
<br />
<b>6. Do you feel that the role of the female fan in keeping the game alive or picking heroes in the community has changed any since you were on HLOG</b>?<br />
I can definitely sense a difference in the female community of fans in Nashville for sure. Within the last year or so, girls have become more vocal in the fan base and they are not being ignored. In a lot of ways, I attribute this to the welcoming community of hockey fans in Nashville. I think we as women have it a little better off here than other places. The hockey community here is very accommodating and embraces the diversity.<br />
<br />
<b>7. Hockey just isn’t the same without</b> Paul Kariya. There, I said it. I miss him a lot.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Favorite HLOG memory?</b><br />
Hmmm, this is kind of difficult. I don't really think HLOG itself created any specific memories for me but it has been great cultivating relationships with some of the girls over the years.<br />
<br />
<b>9. How do you feel the blog community has changed since our HLOG days?</b><br />
One word: Twitter. And while blogs are still very much a part of the way information is disseminated, Twitter is so rapid-fire and instantaneous that it takes away from what blogs set out to do. Twitter is word-vomit 24/7. You can start a thought on Twitter and have full-on conversations with the world in real time, without the need to type out more than 140 characters. I find myself not saying things on my blog at times because sometimes I am just repeating whatever I've already said on Twitter.<br />
<br />
<i>(Ed Note...Rachel didn't provide her Twitter name, but you can follow her at <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/whatthepuck">whatthepuck</a>)</i><br />
<br />
<b>10. Have you reached any milestones in the last few years, personally, that you’re willing to share with us all? Do you have any upcoming milestones in the foreseeable future? (ahem, wedding? baby? book deal? etc?)</b><br />
I recently got a big promotion at work, hence the lack of time to do anything else. As far as milestones in the foreseeable future, not so much. :)<br />
<span id="fullpost"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-59786128320048646372010-02-14T21:50:00.000-05:002010-02-14T21:50:18.482-05:00Olympic Break - What Will Kopitar Do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bAEnWdyXtew/S3i2TJIJstI/AAAAAAAAAmg/plhrkVpS6vk/s1600-h/anze-kopitar-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bAEnWdyXtew/S3i2TJIJstI/AAAAAAAAAmg/plhrkVpS6vk/s320/anze-kopitar-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Poor Kopitar</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Can't he just <a href="http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/citizenship-flexibility-at-the-olympics-is-a-good-thing/">get his American citizenship</a> and play for the US of A?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We'd welcome him with open arms.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(x-posted to </span><a href="http://purplecrushedvelvet.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Purple Crushed Velvet</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-58269761668216643142010-02-04T21:52:00.005-05:002010-02-04T22:47:05.693-05:00Ilya Kovalchuk Is A Devil!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S-6RkogBLCs/S2uIBDuR2ZI/AAAAAAAAJy8/6CiiWZT0OBc/s1600-h/DSC_0758.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_S-6RkogBLCs/S2uIBDuR2ZI/AAAAAAAAJy8/6CiiWZT0OBc/s400/DSC_0758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434586927113296274" border="0" /></a><br /><span id="fullpost">At least for a little while. Thrashers GM, Don <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Waddell</span>, has said that the Thrashers would definitely be buyers when the deadline came around. So maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kovy</span> will be coming back! But, at the moment, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kovy</span> is a New Jersey Devil!<br /><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kovalchuk's</span> impending contract re-signing/trade has been the buzz in Atlanta for weeks. At first, we were reasonably certain that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ilya</span> would re-sign. This has been his home for 8 years. He and his wife recently built a large beautiful house. Both of his children were born here and his wife is very pregnant with their third child. Plus, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ilya</span> said he wanted to stay. He said Atlanta was his home. Okay <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ilya</span>, we believe you.<br /><br /><br />Time went on and no contract. Don <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Waddell</span> said he hoped to have something done by Christmas. The fans were excited.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_S-6RkogBLCs/S2uQjYEa0rI/AAAAAAAAJzE/052rAYOPtgY/s1600-h/Kovy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_S-6RkogBLCs/S2uQjYEa0rI/AAAAAAAAJzE/052rAYOPtgY/s400/Kovy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434596312783442610" border="0" /></a><br />Christmas as well as the new year came and went. We started thinking that it must be the damned owners, the much criticized, and rightly so, Atlanta Spirit. They own the Atlanta Thrashers as well as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">NBA's</span> Atlanta Hawks. They also own our venue, Phillips Arena. They are notoriously cheap and have been lamented as being horrible owners. That must be it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kovy</span> wants to stay, but the cheap bastards aren't willing to pay him.<br /><br /><br />More time passed and eventually Don stopped talking about it. Trade Rumors were running wild. One rumor was that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Ilya</span> wanted an obscene amount of money, like cap max money. This divided <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Blueland</span> (Thrashers fans) into 3 categories:<br />1. Pay the man, he's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ilya</span>-freaking-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Kovalchuk</span>.<br />2. Cap Max for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Kovy</span>?? Yeah, he's a scoring leader, but he can't back check for shit, he's defensibly irresponsible and he's not been that great lately. He's the face of our franchise, but we've been losing just fine with him for years. How are we supposed to pay other players to play with him if all our money is tied up with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ilya</span>?<br />3. The typical douche bags that are just at the game to be seen or because they got some free tickets at work.<br /><br /><br />In the last few days we have found out that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Ilya</span> was indeed offered 2 very lucrative contracts, including one that was $101 million for 12 years, one of the highest in the league. He turned it down. Apparently all of that " I want to stay in Atlanta" stuff was an act. I think maybe he didn't want to look like an ass by wanting to leave, so he asked for ridiculous money thinking the Spirit would say no. Then they called his bluff and he had to answer.<br /><br /><br />So <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Ilya</span> is now a Devil, I'm fine with that. The Devils are actually my 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">nd</span> favorite team. In return for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Ilya</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">defenseman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Anssi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Salmela</span>, we got Johnny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Oduya</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Niclas</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Bergfros</span>, prospect Patrice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Cormier</span> (made famous by his seizure inducing hit in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">QMJHL</span>) and a first round draft pick. I'm a huge Oduya fan, so I'm excited. Even if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Ilya</span> does not come back to the Thrashers and his career takes him else where, I'll be a fan ( as long as he doesn't sand bag Atlanta fans or something). Good luck <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Ilya</span>!Sunshine36616http://www.blogger.com/profile/16203591836407117240noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-40543120053621806742010-01-05T01:45:00.004-05:002010-01-05T01:56:31.854-05:00First Half Report Card from the DesertDamn its been awhile... thought I'd better stop by and update on my boys...<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />We’re 40+ games into the season but looking as fresh and productive as we did at 30. GMDM has given a mini state of the Coyotes interview to Dave Vest. So I guess its time to take a good hard look… not completely at where we’ve been (although our rearview window shows a trail of teams looking for a few easy points and getting turned into road kill instead), nope, instead we’re gonna look at where we need to go and how we need to get there. We can start from the net out, which is how I like my teams built.<br /><br />GOAL TENDING - A+<br /><br />In Bryz we trust is not just a slogan on one of my posters. It is the base for our pack mentality. The boys trust Breezy to give them a chance to win every single night. He’s become a 29 team wrecking ball and like that iron ball, shows no signs of wear. He has to continue that stellar play for this team to get where we need to be. Smart practice schedule to preserve his mental acuity while giving him just enough of a workout to keep sharp is paying off handsomely. The Olympic appearance shouldn’t do much harm since you can expect Nabokov to be the real workhorse for the Russian squad.<br /><br />Back up Jason Labarbera is doing well (he’d do better if he remembers he’s a huge guy and doesn’t need such big dramatic movements to get the job done). He’s currently 3 and 3 for starts which isn’t going to set the world on fire but won’t hurt us much if Bryz needs a little more rest down the stretch and for that horrendous road schedule in March. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think there may be better solutions out there but I don’t want to give up anything to get one of them, so its, continue dancing with the one who brought you at this point.<br /><br />Defense - A<br /><br />Bryzzie isn’t doing all this by himself. The offseason acquisitions of Aucoin and Vandemeer cured one of our biggest issues, which was defensive depth and grit. Last season our season turned ugly on the lynchpin of a broken foot. Kurt Sauer’s injury sent us into a tailspin of epic fail. There were other injuries that didn’t help but the loss of Sweets shuffled our line up too much and made us too dependent on players who weren’t quite ready for prime time like Hale and Yandle. When Sweets comes back we need to avoid the usual acclimation period that most teams have when a long term IR guy gets back in the lineup.<br /><br />This season tells the tale. We lost Kurt after one game but didn’t miss a step in the rise. Keith Yandle became a man almost overnight and when we lost Z and Jovo, the young rookie manned up and could be counted on like a veteran. Young Sami Lepisto and noobie David Schlemko proved to be admirable fill-ins for the lighter work and the blue line remained stable. That same blue line has to continue to progress. They have meshed well and can be shuffled without worrying too much about specific pairings (this season there is no real ’shut down’ pairing, everyone has to play defense AND take care of their ancillary scoring chances).<br /><br />It is wonderful to see that the neutral zone has become a battlefield. With the forwards actually doing their job and harrying the opposition, the Dmen can hold the line better and limit who gets to go see Bryz for a slap down. This also has to be stepped up. The nights that we battle way harder than we need to, are the nights when the forwards forget about the pack mentality and their ‘other’ responsibilities in the pack.<br /><br />Offense - B+<br /><br />It only takes 1 more goal than your opponent. Under Dave Tippet’s system it is a rare night when the opposing team gets the chance to score much. Thank the hockey gods for Tip and staff’s defensive teachings, because the pack has not gotten up to speed in scoring yet.<br /><br />The Czech Federation of Hanzal, Prucha and Vrbata have been leading the way too often. They are not supposed to be the top line, yet they have been pulling our chestnuts out of the fire more often than not. Marty has continued to contain every top center in the NHL. He’s also becoming the King of flukey goals (I don’t care how he gets them, I just love to see him get on the board). Vrbie has been shooting his ass off. He’s in the top of the NHL for attempts. (He’s starting to get hot again and we all know what that kid can do on a streak.) Prucha has been the imp of this group. His amazing puck handling and seemingly crazy romps through the opponent’s slot have been bringing the crowds to their feet as much as the exciting Upshall. (We need to see Pruuu!!! in the shoot out more. He used to save NYR’s butts on a regular basis)<br /><br />Apparently Doan’s quick offensive starts of the past 2 seasons were an aberration and we’re only just now seeing the Captain getting back into a point grabbing groove. We have found our top line again. The Lombo combo of Doan, Lombardi and Upshall have clicked finally. They have to remain solid and finish their excellent chances more often as the season goes forward. There will be even more close games as other teams start eyeing us like the threats we are. These guys will undoubtedly be the make or break difference for the team going forward.<br /><br />Our 3rd and 4th lines have been deliciously interchangeable. Winnick and Pyatt have been simply fantastic for grit and determination. (It seems like our Winnie plays better when given specific tasks and a set role… apparently TGO couldn’t fathom that little gem but thankfully Tip is playing that card for all its worth.) Anyone who thought Fiddler was just a grunt has had their eyes opened through his face offs and the occasional goalie robbery. Robert Lang may not be as good as he once was but often enough, he is as good once, as he ever was. We may have to give the elderstatesman a break in TOI when we play tough back to back 65 -70 minute games (sometimes Lang seems to have issues with endurance… I could be wrong but resting the guy now and then on ugly scheduling can’t hurt). Mueller is slowly finding his confidence. PM is going to have to start giving that uncanny release of his a few more outings per game. (He’s going to have to ‘want’ the puck and take those shots with confidence rather than continue to dish the passes.)<br /><br />As every team digs down to find that extra gear, to find ways to win at all costs, we may be ahead of the curve, since our entire game plan is predicated and planned and practiced for exactly that. We will probably not become some offensive juggernaut but we will need to find a way to get all 4 lines to finish their chances more often and preferably in some of the same games as each other.<br /><br />We all take peeks at the players who are looking available before March 3rd and I am sure GMDM is looking the hardest. I doubt he falls for the rental player trap (the man cares too much about long term value for that). We all admit that a successful scoring forward would be the ideal grab. We also all remember how well Jokinen worked out for us. I do see Don kicking the tires on a few players to add to our firepower. I don’t see him bringing in a rental and possibly jeopardizing our pack’s pecking order and chemistry. GMDM will be looking for a player he already knows, a player who has at least a year left on his contract and a player whose personality and attitude will mesh with the boys and whose skillset will compliment Tippett’s system. We’ve got quite a few bargaining chips to play with for a good acquisition. We still won’t sell the farm (our youthful potential) but there are some 1st and 2nd round extra picks laying about that would be good starting points for discussions and bargaining. (We’ll talk more about that soon.)<br /><br />Special teams - B<br /><br />The PK is carrying the PP at this point and has since last season, otherwise this woulda been a C at best. This has to stop. Maintaining discipline will remain a crucial and pivotal part of our success. We can’t wear our best defensive players out while continually staving off the opposition’s PP crews. Our Pkers are in the top 10 in the league which is a beautiful thing. We need to stop giving them so much work. (How many ways must I say this?) Z as usual has been phenomenal in this respect but the other components have done well too. We need to continue doing the little things to keep our kill ratios high going forward… so let it be written, so let it be done.<br /><br />The PP HAS to arrive. Bottom 10 of the league is pathetic with the skill we have on the ice. This is not optional. We will need the calvary when facing playoff experienced teams. The games will get tighter and tighter and without a fairly solid power play, Bryz will be fighting for his life every game and we can’t do that to the big guy. Relying on 5 on 5 scoring is fine for the first part of the regular season. The second half of the season is a brutal war that can leave you up or down a man continuously. We have to be ready to capitalize on those oppotunties when they come. Aucoin and Jovo have to step up here. Yandle has been relatively solid in getting the most out of his PP opportunities, its time for the big guns to follow suit. Pucks to the net, pucks with eyes, pucks that can be put away on 2nd and 3rd tries are severely needed going forward.<br /><br />Coaching - A<br /><br />So far the coaching staff has been stellar. Not to say they can’t improve with a little judicious tweaking of TOI for some players and a continued cattle prod for others. But they are all on the same page with 1 lead dawg and their skills complimenting each other very well. They think outside the box a lot and seem to be bringing solutions to whatever ails us on a daily basis.<br /><br />We succeed as a pack, through grit and determination. The coaching staff need to continue to find ways to motivate the boys. We’re battling on our own tempo most nights but games like the New Year’s tilt against the Sharks can really hurt us. We came out all hungry and energized but let them lull us to match their low energy and when push came to shove, we just couldn’t get our rhthym back. (like frogs in a pot of warm water, when the Sharks turned the heat back up we didn’t realize it until too late and we got cooked) We need to be able to control the tempo and the tenor of the games better going forward.<br /><br />They can’t let up on the guys about the distractions even as those distractions change from the BK and ownership issues to too much praise and media attention as we pull closer to a playoff chance. They have been phenomenal! From Ulf during the preseason ramp up to Tip and crew now. This has to continue, we appeared to be easily distracted over the last couple of years and we certainly can’t afford that again this year.<br /><br />Believe it or not the Olympic break scheduling may help us. We’ll play 3/4 of the 82 games before taking a break. This means that a strong January performance will actually be the hump we need to get over. After the break it will be all about maintnence of our spot. So I guess we’ll just have to kick ass all of January then find a road game system to maintain through March. (Our road record is just this side of respectable… barely) A strong January will help negate any damage a barely .500 road record can do through March.<br /><br />Operations - A<br /><br />Don Maloney aka GMDM aka We Salute You, Mr. Super Bargain Hunting General Manager Guy (sorry that commercial just slipped into my head) has worked miracles. We haven’t given up a damn thing this year but we got some of the best pieces available. The only reason GMDM didn’t get a plus is that Craig Andersen was still available when we grabbed AZBarbie. (Can you imagine a goalie tandem of Andersen and Bryzgalov!) But no matter… the Don still done real good.<br /><br />Shoring up our face off figures, repairing our blueline and grabbing us a real-honest-to-god-coach with chops in Dave Tippett, are all in and of themselves monumental A’s for the guy and we are all thankful for those. Now going forward, if Don can just grab us a scoring forward with playoff experience and grit, he’ll get that plus sign and my undying gratitude. We already know he is patient and value minded so we needn’t worry that he’ll give up anything we’re gonna need to keep this team in future hunts for the cup. (well, not without a plan in place to upgrade that give away)<br /><br />Since the BK was finished, we’ve seen the Coyotes organization step up the advertising. There are billboards all over town, there are commercials on primetime TV (even CSI, NCIS and the Biggest Loser had Yotes ads in them!) We’ve seen partnerships like Pepsi/Circle K (buy Pepsi and get Yotes tickets) We’ve seen guerilla marketing (Ambassadors club discounts so the STH’s can pimp the team). These are fantastic ways to get Arizona aware of the team and get butts for our seats. This needs to continue going forward, its working. We will be pimping the Coyotes Carnival alongside the organization because there is nothing like meeting our boys to give potential STHs a sense of the wonderful people they are and help the potentials become invested in the guys.<br /><br />The other thing that needs to happen sooner rather than later is the ownership question getting solved. The NHL and the CoG needs to get this done! Remove that potential distraction before it starts nagging at the team and the fanbase that is slowly starting to come back to the fold. I know the NHL keeps trying to keep it out of sight by saying they have til the end of the season to comlete a deal but seriously? This needs to be worked out way before that so that the fence sitters can committ and the haterz can go find other teams to harrass.<br /><br />So where does that leave us? We’re sitting pretty in the standings. We’re finding ways to win. We have an experienced coaching staff that shows no signs of weakness. We need a scorer to get us over the hump but don’t need to spend unwisely to get him nor take just any old cancer from someone else’s locker room. We’ve got a system that works and our fanbase is trickling back every game. We’ve got new ownership on the horizon. I’d say that we look pretty damn good at 40+ and have plenty of spring in our step for the next leg of the journey.<br /><br />So just keep the faith, come out and enjoy the second half of the season. It will be worth every penny, worth every emotional coin spent too. The Phoenix is rising, make sure you are part of it. The Year of the Yoties is happening now Arizona! GAME ON!<br /><br />As always… GO COYOTES<br /><a href="http://www.coyoteshipcheck.com/">XPosted from</a> <br /><br /></span>Z4Dfensehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00542996196463663549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-63415326672059678302009-10-25T12:16:00.002-05:002009-10-25T12:36:34.885-05:00Welcome To Atlanta!Where the players play (sing along to the rest of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ludacris</span> song in your head). I am super excited to be a part of this great collection of lady hockey fans. When I found the blog and saw that my beloved Thrashers had no coverage, I knew I had to represent! I am originally from Mobile, Alabama which oddly enough, is where I found hockey. I started following the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ECHL</span> Team, The Mobile Mystics. I moved to Atlanta (so did they incidentally, now the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gwinnett</span> Gladiators), met my husband who was a hockey nut and the love for the game (and him) bloomed. Now I am also obsessed with taking pictures at hockey games, that's why I started my blog: <a href="http://gettingpucksdeep.blogspot.com/">http://gettingpucksdeep.blogspot.com/</a><span id="fullpost"><br /><br /></span><div class="im"><b>1. Where you're from, what you do - basic things.</b><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">I am originally from Mobile, Alabama but currently live in Atlanta, Georgia. I am an administrative assistant who has been unemployed since June. </span><br /><br /><br /><div class="im"><b>2. Your team and why you like them.</b><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">I am an Atlanta Thrashers fan because I live in Atlanta. I love being a southern hockey fan because hockey fans in more traditional markets think they are as likely to see a rabid southern hockey fan as they are a magical unicorn.</span><div class="im"><br /><br /><b>3. Your least favourite team and why?</b><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">I have a few least favorites. I hate Montreal because I don't like the hockey attitude of most of their fans towards non-traditional hockey markets. And I find it hard to cheer for anyone who would boo their own goalie. I also hate Carolina because they are division rivals and dealt me a sports heartbreak last season that took me months to heal from when the destroyed the Devils in the last few seconds of game 7.</span><div class="im"><br /><br /><b>4. Your favourite player of all time & now?</b><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">My favorite player of all time is former Thrashers goalie, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pasi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nurminen</span>. He was my first goalie love and started my goalie obsession. Current favorite is Johan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hedberg</span>.</span><div class="im"><br /><br /><b>5. Which hockey player is your least favourite and why?</b><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">My least favorite player is Cam Ward because he's so damn good and usually is at the heart of some crushing defeat for a team I love.</span><div class="im"><br /><br /><b>6 What do you hope to gain from joining <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">HLOG</span>?</b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);"><br />I want to meet other hockey loving women from around the league. I also want to show that there are many passionate and knowledgeable hockey fans, especially women, in Atlanta.</span><p></p> <div class="im"><br /><br /><b>7. What role do female fans contribute to the game of hockey? What does female fan support do for the league/team/player she supports?<br /></b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">I think that female fans contribute the same thing to the game as males do, we just look better while doing it. I think that good female fans help erase the stereotype of women who just go to the games to look at hot players or to be seen. People kind of expect guys to be into sports, but when you have a woman who is in to hockey, that helps show what a fantastic sport it is and would possibly attract other fans. As a female fan in Atlanta, I feel like I'm an ambassador of sorts for the Thrashers and as many fans as I can get into the game, the better.</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="im"> <b>8. Hockey just isn't the same without __________!<br /></b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">Goalies. I'm a complete goalie nut. I love everything about them. I love that everything about them is different from the other players on the ice. Different equipment, different rules, different training, I love that "last line of defense" aspect of the position. I'm the only person I know who enjoys more shots on goal and less scoring.</span> <div class="im"><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>9. 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?</b></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">I would return the Winnipeg Jets to Manitoba and it would be owned by Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Balsillie</span>. Canada needs another team and Jim would finally stop sniffing around my teams. Maybe some of the "Atlanta is going to move/be sold" crap would stop. It probably wouldn't stop, but a girl can dream.</span><b><br /></b><p></p><div class="im"><p><br /></p><b>10. Who gets your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">squee</span> and why? (keep it short & sweet, y'all!)<br /></b></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 191);">Goalies in general get a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">squee</span>, but there is no better <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">squee</span> than Johan "Moose" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Hedberg</span>. I mean just look at him. He's beautiful. He's my #1. Non-goalie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">squee</span> is Boris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Valabik</span>.</span><br /></div></div></div>Sunshine36616http://www.blogger.com/profile/16203591836407117240noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-67619257075630121832009-10-24T17:44:00.004-05:002009-10-24T17:47:36.039-05:00New Topic: ExpectationsNew season means that we've got to get the blog-ball rolling again and our first topic will be....expectations. Yes, we all have them of our team. Sometimes we set them too high and we experience the crushing emotions of failure and sometimes we set them perhaps embarrassingly low and end up getting pleasantly surprised. Really, out of the two alternatives, I don't know why we don't choose the latter more often. Or maybe it's just years of being a disappointed Senators fan has turned me into a cynic like that.<br /><br />Regardless, now that the season is a few weeks old my question to you is: has your team met or exceeded your expectations? Or do you think your team hasn't exactly come back from vacation yet and needs to kick it into high gear like um, yesterday? Discuss.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-78200234346432708792009-10-05T14:25:00.003-05:002009-10-05T14:29:51.711-05:00TOE-PICK!Um... long time, no post. <br /><br />Just want to let those of our loyal readers Stateside know that my tax dollars are being used to fund the most ridiculous (and awesome) reality show ever: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/battle/">The Battle of the Blades</a>. (<i>Sorry, vids restricted by geography - you'll, uh, have to resort to creative means to find them...</i>)<br /><br />Take an ex-NHL player. Add an ex-pairs/ice dance figure skater. Make them do their thing Dancing with the Stars style. <br /><br />What could possibly go wrong?leannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04302562575472335411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-10018710929867315252009-10-04T15:57:00.003-05:002009-10-04T19:50:12.870-05:00Game 1, Love it!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Finally, hockey season is underway. <br /><br />The Columbus Blue Jackets opened their season against the Minnesota Wild. It was an amazing game. The Jackets were tentative at first, but eventually got their act together and got the win.<br /><br />This season, I've decided to do something a bit different with my post game thoughts. Let me know what you think.<br /></span></span><span id="fullpost"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />The Hot:</span></span></span><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Umberger getting the short-handed goal. Not to mention the first goal of the season for the Blue Jackets.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Steve Mason picking right up where he left off.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hitchcock is still getting great cheers from the fans, I love that man.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rusty Klesla getting a goal on the day he signed an extension. (More on this later)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Voracek is huge. It was my first time seeing this kid since last season, wow.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Roy looked good as a replacement for an injured Commie...let's hope he's back tomorrow though.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The music at Nationwide has improved. A lot. </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I like the drummers...the Boom Jackets or whatever they're called.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pahlsson in a Blue Jackets sweater...I love it.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Niklas Backstrom had a great game...I personally think he deserved to be a star of the game.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Cold:</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Filatov had flashes of brilliance, and then flashes of...well just not so good. He was in the box when the Wild scored on the power play.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The power play. I made the mistake of saying it couldn't get much worse...we had a few chances last night, but I think we were trying to be too fancy.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tyutin looked nervous, and made some mistakes last night.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The cannon and the music needs to be louder, I need a bigger boom for my cannon.</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Also, Coach Richards for the Wild had a few thoughts on his <a href="http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2009/10/game_no_1.shtml">first NHL game experience</a>:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“It was a good crowd but to be honest with you, it felt like I was coaching in Albany, and in Albany there are not a lot of people there. For me it was just another game.”</span></span></blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Really? I could have gone my entire life without knowing what he thinks about our atmosphere. The fans were loud, we were standing, and we supported OUR team. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At the end of the night we got the two points and that is what matters most. But, tomorrow night we have an angry Vancouver Canucks team who has lost two games to start the season. It's not going to be an easy game but I think the Jackets are up for the challenge.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">x-posted to <a href="www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/bhr/">Bethany's Hockey Rants on KK</a></span></div></span></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140457218249428212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35329786.post-45345907921495236882009-09-28T00:49:00.001-05:002009-09-28T00:52:07.446-05:00Frozen Fury XII: Kopitar's Game Winning Goal<div align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xBD3TJwrHaU&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xBD3TJwrHaU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><br /><br />would you expect anything less from Kopitar?<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(x-posted to </span><a href="http://purplecrushedvelvet.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Purple Crushed Velvet</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">)</span><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0