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Community => JD Sports Forum! => Topic started by: DSJ™ on September 25, 2009, 09:18 AM

Title: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on September 25, 2009, 09:18 AM
Walter Gretzky says Wayne is finished with the NHL (http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/09/25/11106911-sun.html)

Cherry thinks NHL will return to Winnipeg (http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/hockey/2009/09/25/11106981-sun.html)

Living a dream.  :-\
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on September 29, 2009, 01:25 PM
Fleury retires a Flame (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-fleury-retires&prov=ap&type=lgns)

It was pretty cool seeing him attempt a comeback and be fairly successful in the preseason, scoring 4 pts.  He seems to have conquered his demons, so I hope he's able to continue on top.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 2, 2009, 01:58 AM
Pens are raising the third banner, in the last year at Mellon (Civic) Arena...  I could almost cry.  :'(  They're showing the raising on the big screen outside for people who couldn't get tickets for the game too.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 3, 2009, 03:23 AM
And a win to open it, a fight with Godard and Brashear, a goal from Malkin and Crosby (a nice start to the season), and a generally entertaining game from both teams to boot.  Game 2, tomorrow night.  No rest right off the bat.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Ryan on October 3, 2009, 03:57 AM
It was tough to watch Sakic's Jersey retirement the other night. It was a really special ceremony. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed any tears. We were very fortunate to be able to have a man and player of his caliber as captain for so long. Super Joe will be missed.

It was good to see the team win last night for Joe. Hopefully they can continue to bring the fire they had last night all season. At this point I don't really expect the Avs to make the playoffs. I'd just like to e able to play hard, competitive, and exciting hockey night in and night out (and avoid another last place finish.) I'm glad hockey is back. :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 14, 2009, 09:36 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-9-year-old-scores-greatest-goal-in-Boston?urn=nhl,195876

It's very difficult for an adult to have hands capable of that kind of stuff, but for a 9 year old it's really impressive.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on October 14, 2009, 09:46 PM
Hire that kid!   8)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on October 14, 2009, 10:00 PM
If you listen close, you can hear the goalie: W... T... F...?  ;)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on October 14, 2009, 10:19 PM
Yeah, the kid's good until he starts playing with 14 year olds and they allow hitting.  He pulls that crap in a game and some six two, 200 pound fourteen year old will have him saying WTF when he comes to on the stretcher ;)


It's pretty cool though.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 14, 2009, 10:29 PM
Actually the article said he plays up with older players...  didn't specify but I'd assume 12-ish.  Probably not middle-school aged beyond that though.

That was a between-periods thing in Boston I think, so I doubt he'd give that a go in a game or he'd eat ice or the crossbar.  ;D

I never had good hands, so I must admit I'm jealous...  of a 9 year old.  ::)

I was more of a bruiser, and junk goal scorer, if I scored, haha.  Life's a bitch I guess.  I didn't bring my f'n toys on road trips though!
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on October 14, 2009, 10:47 PM
I was a goalie, which may explain a lot. 

Anyway, yeah, article said he plays with 12 year olds (or audio did) so the kid's got talent, no question.  Goalie should have been way out of his crease instead of standing there stiff legged.  Not to take away from the kid's ability, but I gotta wonder if the goalie wasn't set up as a patsie. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 14, 2009, 10:50 PM
They do these in Pittsburgh and it's usually one team's skater vs. the another's goalie...  No clue if it's the same up in beantown though.

I goaltended once when both ours didn't show for a game...  I never goaltended again.

BTW,

Penguins win after a lengthy shootout.  Chris Kunitz (of all people) with the winning tally...  That's how far down the depth chart they wound up going.  We had 2 d-men go ahead of Malkin tonight.  Not what I'd go with personally, though Letang's got magic hands with the SO so I dig him up there.  Malkin though looked poopy on his try.  Very slow.  Fun once again pissing in the Cane's cornflakes.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on October 15, 2009, 02:53 AM
I saw the highlights of that Pens/Canes shootout - very exciting to watch going 5 (or was it 6?) rounds.


Anyone have plans to go to a game yet?  I've always been a Bruins fan but now live in the Canucks' region (it's still 4 hours away though) -- I thought it would be cool to see them play in person, but Boston isn't coming to Vancouver this season. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 15, 2009, 03:21 AM
I think six...

It went Letang, Crosby, Guerrin, Gologoski, Malkin, and then finally Kunitz won it.  I think that was the order anyway... Only Crosby and Kunitz scored so it was a lot of stops till Kunitz snuck one through the 5-hole.  Ward was playing phenomenally tonight...  Robbed Malkin, and Guerrin, both with highlight reel saves in the game.  The shoot-out saves were nice, but his saves in the game were spectacular.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on October 15, 2009, 10:48 AM
Anyone have plans to go to a game yet? 

The only defininte tickets I have so far this year are Wild v. Blackhawks in January.  My sister/brother-in-law have season tickets though, so I always manage to sneak in a few unscheduled games thanks to them not being able to go due to working late or getting sick or what ever.  :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on October 15, 2009, 01:07 PM
I don't know if I'll be able to end up swinging my Vikings weekend this fall.  If not, it's likely I'll try and make a Timberwolves/Wild weekend up after the New Year instead. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 15, 2009, 03:50 PM
Getting Penguin tickets is rough, and expensive.  They will hold sometimes 1000 or so for the "Student Rush" because students supported the Pens in the lean times through that program (Talbot, Fleury, and some others still take them Pizza as they wait in line).  So I'm not hopeful to get tickets, basically.

They're available if you buy well ahead but it's not always easy for me to plan it that far ahead.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Mikey D on October 15, 2009, 05:22 PM

That was a between-periods thing in Boston I think, so I doubt he'd give that a go in a game or he'd eat ice or the crossbar.  ;D


Damn, if it was in between periods, the lines to grab a beer or take a piss must have sucked, considering there was not one person in the stands.  :P

Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 15, 2009, 05:57 PM
Hah, yeah I think that's usually the case.  I'm really hoping the new Arena here has some kind of superior pissing method that's able to cut down on the lines.  I usually go during the game if I have to, just to avoid standing there.

Which brings me to something else...  I spoke too soon about not going to a game!  My gf won two company box tickets to a game on 12/5!  :)  My last year with the Civic (Mellon, blah) Arena as the home of the Pens, so I'm taking a camera and photos.  Last time I sat up here I actually saw Lemieux as it's near his private owner's box...  I know the guard that takes you up to your seats in the elevator, so I'll see if maybe he can sneak me into the Arena early so I can get a pic down near the glass and stuff.  I love the Igloo, so I'm sad to see it go in a way and want some memories to keep.

This is gonna be fun though. :)  And just when I said I figured no game for me, too...  She wins a work lotto.  Very cool.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 21, 2009, 03:59 PM
The Pens really schooled St. Louis last night in how to pepper a net with shots...  The 1st was so lopsided it was funny as I recall.

My gf won tickets through her company, so I actually get to check out a game this year.  I'm giddy.  They're in the company box too, which is down just a short ways from Lemieux's box.  I know the guy who runs security up there, so I'm excited.  Maybe he can let me bump into Lemieux while I'm there, hehe.

Our game is a Pens/Blackhawks game the first weekend of December.  Should be fun, and my last time in "The Igloo".  I'll be sad.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 28, 2009, 11:39 PM
Crosby with a hat trick tonight.  A very enjoyable game if you're a Pen's fan.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on October 29, 2009, 12:17 AM
Crosby with a hat trick tonight.  A very enjoyable game if you're a Pen's fan.

I am.  When Gonchar's playing.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 29, 2009, 01:03 AM
Yeah thanks for that.  Your nothern brother JV says you're to blame.  >:(

Did anybody take Tyler Kennedy because he's out now too and there wasn't any word on that as of game time.  Sucks because he's a beast on  the ice and not a bad scorer.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 30, 2009, 12:57 AM
Add Malkin to the list too now.  Who had Malkin?  Brent?
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on October 30, 2009, 01:15 AM
Thankfully no, the love is spreading. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 30, 2009, 01:44 AM
Suckin' to be us now though.    At least his is a shorter term than GOnchar's.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on October 30, 2009, 02:11 AM
Suckin' to be us now though.   

No sympathy.  I can't feel bad for you not having Malkin when you still have Sid.  ::)

All those Gaborik groin injuries would have been tolerable if we'd actually had a second superstar to carry the load...  :P
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on October 30, 2009, 02:28 AM
Hey, they're all still a team...  We lose Malkin that means our 2nd line's all outta whack...  I can't help it we just happen to have 3 world class centers is all.   :P

Keeping them has been the trick.

I knew when Malkin went down late in the game last night that he hurt his shoulder.  You could just tell the way he hit the boards he wasn't going to feel good getting up, and it wasn't even a hard hit.  Just awkward.  It sucks, but 2 to 3 weeks is tolerable...  Gonchar last season was a real cluster-f, as that hosed our power play all year.

A lot of people still say to this day had Gonchar been health in 2008/2009, Michelle Therrien would still be head coach.  I don't think I'm willing to go on that limb, but it's got some folks thinking.  I like Bylsma though, he's been healthy for the team so far.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on November 13, 2009, 01:41 AM
Brooks Orpik out 2 weeks, but that's good compared to what early speculation was...

But still the Pens are in a bad, bad place right now...  Top players are out.  It's a mess now, and a 4-game skid.

10-minute closed-door chewing out meeting after tonight's loss to NJ.  They deserved it.  Malkin and Talbot are practicing with contact now though.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on November 13, 2009, 01:39 PM
Gonchar should be cleared for contact soon as well.  He's probably still two weeks out (like most of the rest of my roster). 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on November 14, 2009, 12:57 AM
Yeah, Malkin's due back soon, maybe tomorrow...  Talbot's further out.  Gonchar soon would be huge though as our blue-line is as f'd up as possible at the moment, though Lovejoy's not a bad fill-in guy.

Losing LeTang hurt though with Gonchar already out...  Basically we went from 3 offensive forces on the blue line to one who is shakey because of his youth.  That stings, plus Gonchar's the PP QB.  Just a mess.  And Orpik's easily our best defensive defenseman, so yeah...  This has just sucked. 

Tyler Kennedy's the big shock though, as to how important he is.  His work on the 3rd line makes the 3rd line what it is IMO.  Staal and Cooke are good with him, but once TK's gone then the 3rd line goes from phenomenal to almost a liability.  Especially because Cooke takes dumb penalties when that line's not doing well I've noticed.

I wore my original Lemieux jersey today...  I found it in storage cleaning out old clothes.  It's small on me at the sleeves but I liked wearing it.  I wore it for 2 seasons once because I couldn't afford a black jersey for myself at the time and they used to say, "Lemieux, 2 minutes...." over the speakers when I got penalized.  Brought back some memories.  :'(
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on November 15, 2009, 11:37 PM
I don't know if anyone has the NHL network or whatever, and can see games outside their immediate sphere of influence, but the Pen's tie with .4 on the clock rocked my socks yesterday.  The win in ot brought the house down.  Great game.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Ryan on November 17, 2009, 12:09 AM
I saw some highlights of that. That was a great comeback and I'm sure that would have been an awesome game to go to.

The Avs could have used one of those when I was at the game Saturday night. I took a date to her first ever hockey game, what do the Avs do? Lose 8 -2. ::)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on November 17, 2009, 01:58 AM
Ouch, 8 to 2...  That sucks.  Anytime I go the Pens seem to do not-so-great (though they won the Winter Classic a couple years ago).  I'm hoping the one game I get to, and last I'll likely see at the Mellon Civic Arena is a win for them.  I'd like to go out on a good note.

I'll be parking in the garage directly across from the new Arena though.  :)  It's crazy walking past it.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on November 17, 2009, 11:34 AM
I'd be happy to see a home team lose 8-2. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on November 17, 2009, 04:26 PM
You're making me sad.   :'(
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on November 18, 2009, 08:58 PM
You draft McKee too, Brent?  WTF!?   >:(

Fortunately Gonchar and Talbot may be coming back...  still I'm thinking you did something to them.  :-\
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on December 15, 2009, 11:03 PM
3 fights in under 90 seconds tonight in the Pens/Flyers game...  and I missed it because I was out.  ::)

I'm gonna dig around for replays of it so I can watch the highlights. :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on January 5, 2010, 04:44 PM
Thanks to a busy Fall and then a busy Winter/Christmas, I haven't been able to go out to a game yet this year.  But, lucky for me, that's all about to change - I've got tickets to three games this month and they are all quality oponents:

1/09 = Wild v. Chicago Blackhawks
1/11 = Wild v some team with a flightless bird mascot  ;D
1/21 = Wild v. Detroit Red Wings

Always love to see the beloved Red Wings (the adopted team that got me from the North Stars to the Wild) and now that Chicago is good, they should be fun to watch too.  Plus, that "flightless bird" team has some soviet player and some 'Sid' kid that I keep hearing about.  :-X

Should be a good hockey month! (weel, good for me anyway - I'm not so sure how my squad is going to fare against those three  :P)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on January 5, 2010, 05:33 PM
Damn.  Nice three pack Jeff. 

Anyone watching the world junior final tonight?  I can see an upset coming.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on January 5, 2010, 06:51 PM
Always love to see the beloved Red Wings (the adopted team that got me from the North Stars to the Wild) and now that Chicago is good, they should be fun to watch too.  Plus, that "flightless bird" team has some soviet player and some 'Sid' kid that I keep hearing about.  :-X

Should be a good hockey month! (weel, good for me anyway - I'm not so sure how my squad is going to fare against those three  :P)

Considering the current skid, you may blow out the flightless birds.  ::)

And the Russian may or may not show up to the game...

Sure he'll probably physically be there, but whether he shows up or not to actually play, well that's up in the air.  What you will hopefully see is one of the more elite goalies in the league, with the flightless birds.  ;D

Nice package of tickets Jeff.  I'd like to get to one more before the season's up here but I'm pretty sure the game I saw at the beginning of December is my last game at the Igloo.   :'(
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on January 5, 2010, 10:38 PM
No point in starting another thread, since I already commented.  Congratulations to the US for winning the world junior championships in OT.  Quick little wrist shot to the short side ends it. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on January 11, 2010, 10:33 AM
1/09 = Wild v. Chicago Blackhawks

What a fun game that was -

80 seconds into the game: Chicago 1, Wild 0  ::)
End of 1st period: Chicago 3, Wild 1
End of 2nd period: Chicago 5, Wild 1
End of 3rd period: Chicago 5, Wild 5
After EIGHT rounds of shoot out: Wild 6, Chicago 5  :o

The Wild were terrible in the first two periods.  Hossa had an unassisted short-handed breakaway goal to put Chicago up 5-1 in the 2nd and people started booing the Wild mercilessly.  It was ugly plain and simple.  Chicago was better in almost everyway - face-offs, passing, puck-control, etc.

But the team that came out for the 3rd period was a completely different Wild team.  We joked how great it would be to see them make it a close game and then all hell broke loose - tons of scoring chances and a couple choke jobs by Toews/Kane/Huet lead to the biggest come-back in Wild history (first time they overcame a 4-goal 3rd period deficeit to win).

The first two periods were like a clinic where an excellent team shows a crappy one how to play, but that third period turned the whole night around and then made for one hell of an ending going through 8 rounds of shootout to beat the best in the West.  


Up tonight - JJ's Pens.   ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on January 11, 2010, 12:08 PM
How many people left after the second period?  We used to see that happen with the Jets somewhat frequently and considering we were in college and poor, we loved when lower level seats opened up for the third period so we could get closer.  Sure enough they came back and won sometimes too. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on January 11, 2010, 04:54 PM
How many people left after the second period? 

Surprisingly, most folks stuck around.  I don't know if it's the ticket prices or if we just have good fans, but most folks wait until midway through the 3rd before bailing on a bad game.   :P
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on January 11, 2010, 07:26 PM
Wow, 8 rounds of shootout?  That's awesome. 

I don't think Fleury's ever beaten the Wild yet, so it's gonna be an interesting game.  They put on a good show against Toronto, but that's against Toronto...  It's been ugly some games with us lately.   Plus Orpik's scratched but Lovejoy's in and I've liked what he's brought to the games.

I'll keep an eye peeled for you Jeff.  You somehow found me in the sea of people at the first Winter Classic, so maybe I'll see you somewhere.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on January 11, 2010, 10:43 PM
What'd I tell ya!? :)

You got a good game from Crosby, but Malkin was another no-show, and you got to see a blundering mess from LeTang and Goligoski on the blue-line...  Orpik being out hurts, but those two are both better than that.

You got also a weak performance from Fleury...  WTF his problem is, I don't know, but he usually is much better at handling low shots, and he just f'd up huge.

Good game on the score sheet, but MN was the clearly better team tonight, so I think you got hosed on that aspect Jeff, as far as a competitive game.  :(  Glad you got to see another win though, I never seem to see them win in person, and lately from my home as well.  I actually was flipping channels when I saw them doing dumbass **** they never fix or alter from.  Same with our skid last year, a lot of stuff they just don't fix for some reason and rely on the stars to bail their asses out, and right now one of their stars is at best a 3rd line player.

Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on January 12, 2010, 12:01 AM
You got a good game from Crosby, but Malkin was another no-show, and you got to see a blundering mess from LeTang and Goligoski on the blue-line...

Well, Goligoski is from northern MN and played for the U of MN Gophers, so maybe he was nervous playing his first pro game in MN with his mom/dad/grandma/etc watching him play.   :P


You got also a weak performance from Fleury... 

Somehow I didn't seem to mind that.   :P  There was one 5-hole goal in particular that was pretty soft, and there was one goal that came off his pad that shouldn't of if he'd gotten his leg fully extended like he should have.

Overall though, a fun game.  The Wild won and the Pens (well Crosby) were fun to watch.  The Wild did have the edge, but it was easy to see the Pens really should be better than they are playing.  They did a nice job killing Gonchar's 5min major and I thought that'd give them a chance to get back in it, but the Wild were still rolling I guess... :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on January 12, 2010, 12:15 AM
PK's are actually something they maintain well, even in downturns, but this downturn's stinging.  A lot of people talking locally about the possibility of changes, and how this is the truest test of Bylsma since he's joined up with the team.  I personally think that's true, but I also doubt he's "on the chopping block" if this continues.  

To me, it's more guys like Malkin who need to straighten up.  He's a brilliant player at both ends when he wants to be, but he's quick to admit his game's just **** right now.  He's giving up the puck when he was a league leader in stealing it at one point...  I'd love to see the stat on give-aways on just him.  His plus/minus pretty much sums it up though.

Obviously I'm disappointed but I'm glad you got a good game Jeff, I just am disappointed in a team so overwhelmingly talented and at the cap, and they are in the basement with the powerplay.  It's dismal.  Everyone and his brother agrees though, Malkin needs dumped to the #2 PP and someone else needs a shot at the left point because it's comically bad right now.  I'm not a fan of centers on the blue-line in a PP anyway, unless they're outstandingly good defensive centers...  The last time I saw it that I felt it worked was Ron Francis.  Malkin's not Ron Francis so he needs to move back to the 2nd unit.

Fleury's softest was his first...  I don't know WTF that was.  Fluttering shots can throw you off but all he had to do was square his body to that, and he was trying to piss with his mit to catch it and not move much...  simply stupid on his part.

Crosby looked fantastic though, he's a real leader through example...  His goal the other night in Toronto was gorgeous.  I love watching the guy play, but right now he's all there is to watch and it's depressing.

Hats off to the Wild.  You have a sharp assed team right now.  Real well-rounded I think. 

I like the 3rd jerseys and the people in the animal outfits (I seriously have no idea what your logo's animal is exactly, and don't think I ever heard it described.  Looks like a bear to me or some kind of cat, but it's cool).
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on January 12, 2010, 12:22 AM
I'd love to see the stat on give-aways on just him.  His plus/minus pretty much sums it up though.

I think he was a -2 with 2 give-aways tonight.   :-X

He looked like he wanted to shoot and that was about it.  The only real times he seemed like he was up on it was out in front of the net.  DEfinitely played sloppy on the PP, so I can see what you are saying.  I thought they did put Kennedy(?) out there with Guerin/Crosby/Gonchar/? on one PP and they seemed to cycle a bit better that way.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on January 12, 2010, 12:28 AM
Kennedy's a good presence.  He's a highly underrated guy, but his timing's maybe not up to that kind of play I think...  A lot of folks here are calling for Rupp to move up that spot because he's a handsy guy but he's getting older so he's losing a step I think.

I'm just at a loss for words with them right now...  When they're on, they're scary.  When they're off, they just punch you in the balls as a fan, probably because on paper they're stacked...  and not NY Rangers stacked in that they bought up every free-agent they could think of, but stacked with talented younger guys stacked, and a couple older guys you could view as "solid".

Malkin had a streaky thing last year too...  He didn't come alive right away in the playoffs too, so maybe he'll shake it off, it's just going on too long and they kept saying this road trip was going to be good for them...  it doesn't seem that way now though.

Were you sitting low or high at that game Jeff?  I looked but I couldn't find you.  I still honestly can't believe you found me if it weren't for your pointing me out.  That still was amazing to me.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on January 14, 2010, 01:32 AM
Jeff,

Apparantly the Pens got a tour of your arena and all the facilities it has because it's what the new Pittsburgh arena's being modeled after.  I had no idea about that...  Ours is, I guess, going to be very similar to yours.  Pretty slick, thought maybe you'd find that interesting.

There was a local article about some of the player reactions and things, and how positive they were.  I like checking out the new place any time I'm in uptown since I always park at the garage beside the construction site.  Looks really nice.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on January 22, 2010, 12:18 AM
Recap -
1/09 = Wild 6, Chicago 5 (after 8 rounds of shoot-out)
1/11 = Wild 4, Pittsburgh 3

and tonight...
1/21 = Detroit 4, Wild 3 (after 8 rounds of shoot-out)

The Wild, down 3-1 with 10 min left in the 3rd, clawed their way back into the game and force overtime, ultimately losing after another killer 8-round shoot-out.  Disappointed that they couldn't pull out a victory for a 3-0 season sweep for me, but still 5 points in the 3 games I went to is pretty good for a team fighting to grab a 7/8 seed in the playoffs. :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on January 23, 2010, 01:56 AM
Wow, definitely some memorable games.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on January 27, 2010, 10:34 AM
Oilers are on a roll with 11 straight losses & they are at the bottom of the **** pile with 38pts, 1 point behind Carolina.  ::)

This season is done for them... good!  >:(
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on January 31, 2010, 05:04 AM
Another loss for whatever the **** you call them...  ::)

The Oilers are now one off the franchise record winless streak of 14 games, a mark they can equal Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Whomever: 38pts.
Carolina/Toronto: 45pts.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on January 31, 2010, 01:26 PM
If it's any consolation, I think prior to last night it Alberta's hockey teams were 0-24 between them.  The Flames only won because they played whomever.  Regardless it's still better than not having a hockey team at all.  Who holds the record for winless streak in the NHL?

In other news, Phaneuf was banished to hell.   :o
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on January 31, 2010, 01:32 PM
Longest Winless Streaks in NHL History (http://www.behindthenethockey.com/2009/11/13/1156535/longest-winless-streaks-in-nhl)

THE WORLD'S LONGEST
NHL LOSING STREAK (http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/long395.html)

List of NHL records (team) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NHL_records_(team))

Leats the record stays in Canada...  :-\
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 1, 2010, 02:28 PM
In other news, Phaneuf was banished to hell.   :o

So did Calgary give up then?  If they are throwing in the towel and Dale's Oilers are well, I'll be nice and say "struggling", that may make things a bit easier for my squad to sneak into that #8 seed.  :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 1, 2010, 02:51 PM
I'm not sure how to view it.  Obviously the Leafs are so far in the toilet the only way they can go is up (I suppose at the moment you can sort of say the same for the Flames/Oil) so they seem to have decided to start restructuring immediately with a couple of significant trades and apparently more to come. 

The Phaneuf trade surprised me though.  I acknowledge he's having an off year but he still rates pretty highly as a defenseman IMO and he's remarkably young to give up on I'd think.  I guess it depends what Toronto was offering, but I'd have thought they'd move Igninla first, perhaps not enough to pry him away.  I think that was a very positive move for the Leafs which makes the other trade a little odd.  I like Giguere as a goalie, but he's getting long in the tooth so I'd only think of him as a short term investment.  It's not like the Leafs are going to make the playoffs anyway, so I'm not as clear on that move.  At the same time I'll happily admit I don't follow the Leafs, I only revel in their misery.   ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on February 1, 2010, 03:15 PM
So did Calgary give up then?  If they are throwing in the towel and Dale's Oilers are well, I'll be nice and say "struggling", that may make things a bit easier for my squad to sneak into that #8 seed.  :)

Just say the Oliers suck ass, I won't get mad. No really, I won't. They f-u-c-k-i-n-g suck ass! They really do!
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 1, 2010, 03:19 PM
The Phaneuf trade surprised me though.  I acknowledge he's having an off year but he still rates pretty highly as a defenseman IMO and he's remarkably young to give up on I'd think.

Yeah, that was a surprise. Like you said, he's still young.  Ah well, I won't miss him when the Flames come to town.


I like Giguere as a goalie, but he's getting long in the tooth so I'd only think of him as a short term investment.

Well, I thought they signed some flashy euro-goaile to be the future so I guess Giguere just have to get them through until he's ready to play every day. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 1, 2010, 03:42 PM
Yeah, the Swede kid from the World Championship team last year is the future apparently so I guess Giggy is just to get them through to him and to mentor him perhaps. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 1, 2010, 09:25 PM
(http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_oly_experts__6/ept_sports_oly_experts-685961681-1264716532.jpg?ym075lCDa4I8b6u8)

Miller's Olympic goalie's mask...  That's a crazy paintjob.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 2, 2010, 12:15 PM
When I was at Twin's Fest (it's a big card show/ getting ready for the start of the baseball season) at the Metrodome they had a booth where a custom paint company was set up and they had a goalie mask with a Cloen Trooper helmet on one side and a Stormtrooper helmet on the other side.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on February 2, 2010, 12:28 PM
Hey, check this out... the Oilers won the game last night.  ::)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 2, 2010, 01:33 PM
So, the Flames traded Jokinen yesterday?  I guess that pretty much confirms they've given up at this point...  makes me wonder how safe Iginla is now.  Trading him would have to be a season ticket killer for them I think.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 2, 2010, 02:16 PM
Tough call on Iginla's impact locally.  I know some Calgary fans that want him gone now while they can still get something in return.  I've heard suggestions that Phaneuf had some sort of locker room rift going on so that's why he's out.  I think Iggy goes, maybe not this season, but before the start of next season.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 5, 2010, 02:32 PM
Re: Oilers - haha! :)

ps. Havlat-Latendress-Brodziak might be our "#2" line in name, but they sure play like they want to be #1.  Latendress is my new Wild-crush.  ;D


Oh, and Kovalchuk to the Devils (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516293).  :o  Nothing like the rich getting richer there.  I'm guessing Lemaire is just fine with the way things worked out last summer between him and the new Wild management.   :P

Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on February 5, 2010, 09:49 PM
Kovalchuk passed on $100 million to stay in Atlanta - he must really have wanted out of there.  I can't blame him though, after years of missing the playoffs, I'm sure he's ready to do something more with his career.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 5, 2010, 10:09 PM
Kovalchuk passed on $100 million to stay in Atlanta - he must really have wanted out of there.  I can't blame him though, after years of missing the playoffs, I'm sure he's ready to do something more with his career.

I don't think he really wanted out of Atlanta.  I think he wanted out of a team that might not be in Atlanta for that long.  I don't really know what's going to happen with the teams like Atlanta, Phoenix and other not so successful southern NHL franchises and I'm far too bitter as a Jets fan to believe they'll make their way back to Canadian cities.  But I'm guessing Kovy didn't like the uncertainty as much as anything else.  Atlanta could have become Winnipeg or Quebec City or Oklahoma or some other equally unpalatable center (Hamilton?).  I think he probably wants a shot at winning a cup and a little more options at the end of the year in choosing where he ends up on a long term deal.  $100 million over 12 years in Atlanta/Hamilton or $85 million to play in Pittsburgh/Detroit/New Jersey?  I'll go with the stability and shot at a cup over the extra 15 million.   
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on February 6, 2010, 12:31 AM
The instability of the team wasn't something I had considered.  That's certainly a good point.

I'd like to think that any player would pass on $$ in order to be on a team that has a chance to actually do something in the playoffs.  Besides, what the hell's the difference between $85 and $100 million anyway?  Those numbers are so ridiculously huge they don't even mean anything to me.

I'm working on getting a contract worth $85 million, but it's not going well.  ::)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 7, 2010, 07:46 PM
That's because I undercut you.  I accepted for $85.

I doubt Pittsburgh can afford him, as nice as it'd be.  NJ's maybe not his style of play, even with their recent move to the contrary.  I don't know.

There's always Philly, Caps and Rangers looking to make themselves better too, though Washington probably has cap issues like we do I'd guess.  Maybe LA is in the hunt as well? 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Darth Broem on February 11, 2010, 10:28 AM
I can't believe how well the Phx Coyotes are doing this season.  Man Gretzky must have been a crappy coach.  They got rid of him and all of sudden they are 3rd in the Western Conference?  Crazy.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 16, 2010, 06:35 PM
I don't think he really wanted out of Atlanta.  I think he wanted out of a team that might not be in Atlanta for that long. 

March 4th announcement perhaps.  Somewhere that used to have a team perhaps.  I wonder where that might be.  :o
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 21, 2010, 11:07 PM
U-S-A!  U-S-A!  ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 21, 2010, 11:56 PM
I believe the chant should be Miller, Miller!

Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 22, 2010, 12:34 AM
What a game!

And to be fair, Canada could have been down a LOT more if it weren't for Brodeur. ;)

And Crosby scored so it was kind of a win-win for me all around.  ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 22, 2010, 12:43 PM


And to be fair, Canada could have been down a LOT more if it weren't for Brodeur. ;)


 :o

I would suggest we might have won if it had been Luongo in net instead.  Two of those goals were soooooooooooooft and a result of Brodeur mishandling the puck and/or being out of position. 

I would bench Corey Perry for being beaten to a puck with the net empty (great dive and swat by the US player, no doubt about that).

Miller won that game, plain and simple. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on February 22, 2010, 01:50 PM
Even though Canada had a ton of shots, there were times when they looked uncertain what to do in the US end.  Combine that with Miller being fantastic -- the US deserved the win.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 22, 2010, 03:38 PM
Quote
I would bench Corey Perry for being beaten to a puck with the net empty (great dive and swat by the US player, no doubt about that).

I'd be mad for sure unless that's his top speed, but it didn't look like it from the replays.  :-X  As empty netters go though, that was a good one.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 22, 2010, 10:14 PM
I believe the chant should be Miller, Miller!

True, true.  And you're probably right that Luongo might have fared a bit better than Marty... he did look a little soft on a couple of those goals.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 22, 2010, 10:58 PM
At the same time Brodeur looked outstanding on other plays where he made the save.  Sometimes it's one of those nights where the knuckler is where it's going to beat him and the wild redirections are the ones he's on top of.  Miller was definitely great though.  Especially when the offensive cycling for Canada looked unstoppable.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 22, 2010, 11:10 PM
In other (actual) NHL news, the city's making an appeal to get a Winter Classic in Pittsburgh at PNC Park (which is f'n beautiful).

It's never used for baseball, so why not?  :D  I'd kill to get the box seats from my gf's company for that game, which I completely don't expect will be available.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 24, 2010, 09:52 PM

I would bench Corey Perry for being beaten to a puck with the net empty (great dive and swat by the US player, no doubt about that).


See.  I bench him for a game and look how he responds ;)

In other news.  Whew.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 24, 2010, 09:52 PM
Canada looked pretty badass tonight...  Lots of goonery going on including Semin, who I consider a completely goonish ******* sometimes that does little ****.  I really don't like him (Nor Ovechkin for similar reasons).
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: John C on February 26, 2010, 03:38 PM
Holy jumping on the Fins Batman!  USA up 6-0 after the first.  They want a medal.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: GrandMoffNick on February 26, 2010, 03:38 PM
Holy jumping on the Fins Batman!  USA up 6-0 after the first.  They want a medal.

Are you serious? Holy crap.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on February 26, 2010, 04:08 PM
I'm really hoping Canada and the US can meet in the gold medal game.  It'd be a hell of a rematch.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on February 26, 2010, 10:57 PM
I'm really hoping Canada and the US can meet in the gold medal game.  It'd be a hell of a rematch.

Looks like it thus far, Canada is kicking Slovakia's ass!  ;D

9 Gold Medals for us & counting...  8)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on February 26, 2010, 11:38 PM
Bring on USA... bring on USA...  ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 26, 2010, 11:54 PM
That almost went south for them.  I got home, 3-0.  I go out to shovel another half foot of snow we got dumped with tonight, and when I come back in 3-2...  Holy ****.

I missed apparantly an impressive finish.

An interesting point (and Brent's touched on it) brought up by the local sports talk show I like was "What is more important", and of course it's the Stanley Cup Vs. the Olympic Gold...  I think both are important for different reasons obviously.  Personally though I feel like the Olympics are tainted with the pro's in it (it's not something I care for), and the one point one guy made from the local CBS station said a goalie can run away with games for his team in the Olympics whereas the length/struggle that is the Stanley Cup makes it more of a true test (plus it can obviously be more balanced, though I think the Olympics are pretty balanced these days surprisingly).

I just found that an interesting topic.  I tend to agree that I feel the Stanley Cup's the true "big prize".

I've also been a little disappointed to see things like taunting and things in the Olympics...  To me, it's definitely a challenge, it's competitive, but I just feel that goes against the spirit of the Olympics itself.  Hockey's the only sport you see it in blatantly/constantly, but it's still just not jiving with what the tournament's about too.  That's a tough one to really bitch about but it's there in my mind.

This has probably been one of the better Olympic games though, I must admit.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on February 27, 2010, 12:12 AM
That almost went south for them.  I got home, 3-0.  I go out to shovel another half foot of snow we got dumped with tonight, and when I come back in 3-2...  Holy ****.

I missed apparantly an impressive finish.

Priorities: Hockey or shovel snow... the snow will still there!  ::)   :P

How aboot that Women's hockey?  ;D  :-*

BTW, 10 Gold Medals & counting...  :-*
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on February 27, 2010, 12:25 AM
I figured 3-0 late in the 3rd and Canada had it wrapped up.  Someone got a fire lit under their ass I guess.

Plus it's 11 here, i gotta get this **** done so I can go to bed! :)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 27, 2010, 09:31 PM
I figured 3-0 late in the 3rd and Canada had it wrapped up.  Someone got a fire lit under their ass I guess.

Yeah, the last 5 minutes were all Slovakia.  DEmitra, Kopecky, Hossa were nuts - lots of scoring chances, lots of press, but ultimately they were just overpowered at the end.  The finish was much better than I was expecting with the 3-0 lead like you said... Canada got a little sloppy, but came back when it mattered. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 27, 2010, 09:34 PM
Well I hope that little near catastrophe wakes their asses back up again. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on February 28, 2010, 02:46 AM
It's going to be a VERY interesting game on Sunday.  I'm almost scared to watch.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Scott on February 28, 2010, 05:29 PM
How about now?  Great game...shame someone is going to lose :-\
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 28, 2010, 05:51 PM
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: I Am Sith on February 28, 2010, 06:53 PM
That was a fantastic game today.  Could have gone either way.  Congrats to both teams for the great effort.  You've done your coutries proud.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on February 28, 2010, 09:02 PM
Whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot!   ;D

I caught the last 13 mins & the overtime... 14 Gold Medals!   :-*
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on February 28, 2010, 09:13 PM
Yeah, that was a great game.  OT really could have gone to either, but in Canada for the games, I guess I'll let Sid have his moment.  Congrats to Canada and hooray for North America showing the rest of the world how its done. ;)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on February 28, 2010, 11:03 PM
How about now?  Great game...shame someone is going to lose :-\

Absolutely.  Through the round robin and playoffs Team USA was the best team out there.  Miller was by far the best goalie and Rafalski was just amazing in this tourney. 

I am not sure I can explain how important that win was to the country as a whole.  Without it, Canada as a nation would have been in a state of depression tomorrow.  A successful games with a record tying 13 gold medals, most gold medals by a host country in the winter games, first gold(s) at home in the Olympics all would have been erased if that puck had not gone in for us.  With it the nation is proud, energized and probably half the country calls in sick tomorrow.  A record number of golds stands at 14 at home.  Not bad for a big country with no people.  Maybe Own the Podium did seem somewhat arrogant early on but by the end of it we did ok for having 10% of the population of the US. 

The closing ceremonies were a hoot too.  ;)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on March 1, 2010, 12:50 AM
Wow, what a friggin' game.  Fantastic start to finish.

I had the benefit of being excited about the Americans possibly winning all game long, but also I was lucky that it ended the way it did too because Crosby's become almost (I stress almost) as important to me now as Lemieux was to my childhood growing up, and so it's really great to see him get the game-winning goal in OT like that...  I was really torn.  I was torn all through the tournament.

The only team I was pretty sure I didn't want to medal was the Russians because I really just don't care for Ovechkin (Love Malkin and Gonchar of course).  Yeah, hate me some Capitals. :)

And now back to the grind...  :P  Pens have some work to do.  Rumors are flying about Crosby's chemistry with some of his teammates and possible trades.  I dunno though. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on March 1, 2010, 10:04 AM
Rumors are flying about Crosby's chemistry with some of his teammates

On the "bad chemistry" side, Crosby and Orpik got into it pretty good in both games...  I was really hoping he'd put Sid out - that would have been fun for you I'm sure.  >:D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on March 1, 2010, 01:04 PM
So rumours are flying about a couple of announcements by the week's end.  A couple of trades and some possible team moves.   :o  Wonder if any of it will come to fruition. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on March 1, 2010, 02:01 PM
Well written article for the most part (http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/ice_hockey/news?slug=jp-hockey022810&prov=yhoo&type=lgns).  Some parts are a little iffy, the bias is obvious, but overall reasonable. 

It was spooky around our place yesterday during and after the game - it was dead quiet, no traffic noise - even less than at 3 A.M.  Apparently the same across Canada, with estimates that only 1% of the population did NOT watch the game - surely an exaggeration, but by how much you have to wonder. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on March 1, 2010, 03:13 PM
I liked watching Sid/Orpik.  I fought with guys on my team(s) in scrimages so I am not surprised.  Orpik plays hard and Sid's aggressive play has stepped up in the last 2 years, so I liked it really.  For the most part though it seemed like other lines were focused on Crosby and Orpik was out against others.  I figured they'd focus Orpik on him knowing him and all, but I guess not.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on March 1, 2010, 03:23 PM
Yeah, that win was almost more a relief than a celebration.  Ok, yeah, I definitely hooted and hollered, but there was so much riding on that game.

I give total credit to the US team, they were absolutely fantastic throughout the Olympics and Miller was almost god-like with his play.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on March 2, 2010, 10:47 PM
Some interesting things tonight in Pittsburgh...

First, and foremost to me, was a trade...  Luca Caputti and Martin Skoula to Toronto for Alexie Ponnakerovsky (I'm sure I'm butchering that).  For us that's a big move right now.  I hate seeing them give up on Caputti that fast, but still I think we need something to happen at wing.  It makes some odd roster dilemma's now though.

And...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-millercheered&prov=ap&type=lgns

I'm proud of the people at the game, to have cheered Miller so loudly when he was on the ice tonight.  I also think it's good to cheer Crosby because A) he's fantastic and beloved here, and B) he's an Olympic hero.  I think though, you have to (as an American mind you) tip your hat to Miller, Orpik, etc., while they're in town and fresh from the Olympics...  Crosby's goal got some boos too, and I think that's fair too.  That's the weirdness Pittsburghers were going through.

I wanted America to win, but the way it ended was as positive (for me) as could be given the final tally. :)

I thought that was pretty cool though that Miller got bigger cheers from our fans tonight...  It made me feel sorta good.

Plus we beat Buffalo.  :P

BTW Crosby looked "annoyed" a little bit by some of the boos...  I love him, but you cannot expect Americans to cheer for you beating their team.  You just can't.  I hope he actually wasn't annoyed because it's a little irrational.  He got a standing ovation at first, but the second time they showed his goal (bad move on the Penguin's arena staff) during a break there were pretty audible boos and that's when he looked a little more annoyed.  It's like whoever decided to air that again forgot Pittsburgh is south of the border.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: GrandMoffNick on March 3, 2010, 06:55 AM
Did he pout and whine about it? If L.T. doesn't sign with someone (I know he will), he'll be the biggest whiner in professional sports.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on March 3, 2010, 02:28 PM
I don't view Crosby as a whiner...  I know others do, but to me every "star" on everyone's team pretty much is seen all game yapping at the refs, as are every team's captain/altnernates since it's part of the job.  Crosby just takes **** because he's always got the spotlight on him. 

In every interview he's humble, so I doubt he ever gripes about the booing, but he did sorta look annoyed.  I think he, and whoever's decision it was to air the goal (twice), thought Pittsburgh was going to just love it like we were north of Toronto, and then reality set in that we're still a US city.  He got his ovation for the first showing with a few boos, but the second showing during the break the boos/cheers were equal at best.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on March 3, 2010, 02:58 PM
Yeah, pretty foolish to air the goal in a US hockey city.  Honestly, outside of some displaced Canucks living in Pittsburgh I imagine it looked like any Canadian city except cheering for the American squad.  Why would anyone expect them to be happy about Crosby's goal? 

In other news, there are suggestions that Gary Bettman is in Winnipeg right now having arrived yesterday.  I wonder why?
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on March 3, 2010, 03:02 PM
You've got a lot of wheat there, right?  Just change one letter...  Atlanta Winnipeg Threshers.   ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on March 3, 2010, 03:14 PM
Nice.   :D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on March 3, 2010, 03:30 PM
I must be reading/hearing a lot of the same rumors as you...

Phoenix --> Kansas City
Atlanta --> Winnipeg

Winnipeg --> into West/Northwest
bumping Vancouver --> West/Pacific
Kansas City --> into West/Central
bumping Nashville --> East/Southeast

It's all rumors, but it sure is interesting...


-----
edit - trade deadline -

Doesn't look like my Wild did much other than dump journeyman Belanger for a 2nd round pick.  Would have been nice to pick up something for a push to that 7/8 playoff spot... instead I guess we're giving up.   ::)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on March 3, 2010, 04:01 PM
The goal got played twice, which I think was the kicker that instigated equal booing the second time...  The first time though when he stepped on the ice and the intro's and things started, he got a standing ovation...  But Miller's was longer.

Just goofy (and a little tacky) to air the goal twice, the second time during a break I guess, when the goalie it's against was in the house too.  Obviously I'm not a Buffalo fan, but come on...  They're both here, but only one's smiling, ya know?  You gotta show it once, and you gotta applaud it as a fan of hockey and I think as a Pen's fan too since you have to be proud of him regardless.  But yeah, just a goofy decision there with the 2nd airing.

I've not had a chance tos ee a recap of trades at the deadline.  I need to look at that stuff here when I get some time.  Nothing from the Pens that I heard earlier, but we'll see.

The rumors of Winnipeg getting a team again are nice.  KC will not do well again IMO.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on March 3, 2010, 04:38 PM
The goal got played twice, which I think was the kicker that instigated equal booing the second time...  The first time though when he stepped on the ice and the intro's and things started, he got a standing ovation...  But Miller's was longer.


I'm in full agreement that Miller should have got the longer ovation.  The love for Crosby will return but Miller was deservingly the MVP and clearly the heart of the American team.  He damn near won them the gold (I can't say stole because we might be the ones that stole the tournament, though we did well to come the long way back).  Again, odd decision to show it, he didn't do it for the Penguins.  

With respect to the Winnipeg stuff, I don't know what to think.  By way of background this rumour started just prior to the Olympics.  And it wasn't a bunch of bitter Winnipeg fans starting it or journalists trying to drum up a story.  It apparently came right out of the MTS Centre which is the arena here in town.  It floated around quickly and then was shut down very, very quickly by MTS making an announcement that no staff were allowed to comment on the rumour at all, either to confirm or deny.  Since then the rumour has been out there, but was mostly pushed aside by the Olympic hockey stuff.  No local papers are talking about it at all but that makes sense because they could easily be shut out of the formal announcement by the players involved if they do, essentially a gag order.  

Now today we're hearing rumours of the local team, the Manitoba Moose, saying they don't want to go to Saskatoon (the Moose are the farm team for the Vancouver Canucks) and as such the NHL will be relocating to Saskatoon.  I think Saskatoon would be ecstatic, but there's only about 150,000 people there and they'd have an even harder time holding a team than Winnipeg (or Atlanta) would so it seems an odd story.  I cannot see the NHL going to Saskatoon prior to Hamilton, Quebec City or half a dozen U.S. cities first so that seems to be just obfuscation on the issue.  

There hasn't been any confirmation that Bettman is here, though he was in town a couple of weeks ago, prior to the Olympics, but only talking about a hockey school apparently. If he is here again, then that makes it real interesting.  

I will say I would be extraordinarily pleased if Winnipeg got a team again, you can dig back to see my stance on that and the evident bitterness in losing the Jets.  At the same time you can also find that I'm not convinced we're a good market for it.  Many of the requirements for it to survive here have come to fruition - salary cap, relative parity of the dollar and failure of southern U.S. markets.  The rumours address the notion that there is now an ownership team of significance - the owner of the Moose, MTS Centre (MTS is the Manitoba Telephone System which is now a much larger telecommunications firm than it once was and has been buying up smaller players) and an unnamed third partner.  I just remain concerned about a number of factors, notably the willingness and ability of locals to pay the new prices.  Winnipeggers are notoriously cheap and most probably think that we'll go back to red seats at $50 per with cheap seats available at $11 like they were back in 1995.  That's simply not going to be the case so I have concern about the number of season ticket holders, especially after the bloom is off the rose.  I think the luxury boxes will sell out instantly and that's a huge plus we didn't have in the old arena but I think we'll go back to seeing the obvious games sell out (Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington, Detroit, Chicago) but other will be hurting just as it always was.  If we end up in a division with Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit and St. Louis it might not be too bad because 3-4 of those would draw.  

My other main concern is if we end up like Calgary/Edmonton currently are - undesirable to players and owners without the truly deep pockets.  If we're losing, no matter how much love there is for the team there simply may not be sustained interest.  I guess if baseline attendance of 8000-10,000 (the capacity of the lower bowl in the arena) and the luxury boxes plus associated revenues are enough for the owners to sustain a team then the rest is gravy and good enough.  We'd need to get players and make the playoffs for the interest to sustain.  We'd basically be the Minnesota Twins of the NHL - develop players and then watch them walk away.  

Supposed to be an announcement tomorrow, so we'll see.  I like the Threshers name, I really do.  I think it's funny but I can see issues with the logo not being attractive.  My guess though is the pressure to call them the Jets again will be too much and will be what we end up as.  Lots of emphasis to make it the Manitoba Jets rather than the Winnipeg Jets though to make sure as to not disaffect those living outside the city.  Whatever.  Would need to redo the uniforms though so that there was some potential for sales.  I've never really liked the Sharks colors or logo but there is no denying that it sells well and that is important.  I think they could easily use the old uniform as the third jersey/retro deal that sometimes gets used.  That would probably be ideal. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on March 3, 2010, 04:40 PM
You've got a lot of wheat there, right?  Just change one letter...  Atlanta Winnipeg Threshers.   ;D

 ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on March 7, 2010, 12:02 AM
Canada has a new Hockey song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8PfX4VS_Lo&feature=player_embedded)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 3, 2010, 01:21 AM
The Stanley Cup (and other trophies like Art Ross, Hart, Con Smythe, etc.) are on display at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh this week so I'm going to try and go see them.  I haven't ever gotten to see any of them in person, so I figure it'd be neat I guess.  Lines are still out the door as of an hour ago (11:30-ish my time).  The center's staying open till midnight every night this weekend I guess so they can accomodate the crowds. 

I figured it'd be easier to get in than that, but whatever.  The center's cool too, it has a lot of stuff about the city since it was just a fort and trading city with the Indians...  Lots of Pemmican slinging going around there.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 3, 2010, 01:35 AM
Try the Pemmican dude.  Trust me on this one. 

I've only ever seen the Cup since I work in Belfour's home town. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 4, 2010, 03:11 PM
I got to see the Cup last night along with all the other trophies (Norris, Selke, Smythe, etc.), which was really great.

They were letting people hold the cup, kiss it, put their babies in it, take pictures with it...  I wasn't about to kiss it after everyone touched it like that though, haha.  I did get a cool picture of me holding it though, and the names of the Penguin teams to win the Cup up close as well.

I really enjoyed it despite a 2 hour wait in line to get to it.  I'm sure a lot of folks waited double that time behind me too, as the line was still out the door at 10:30 pm when we were leaving.

While no Pemmican was traded with the Canuck pilgrim handler that was traveling with the Cup, I did get a picture with him.  I told him the local Pemmican was excellent, and he should take some back to his native ancestral lands.  He told me, "Peace and good journeys pale face", and wandered into the mist with the Cup strapped to a pappoose on his back.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on April 5, 2010, 03:47 PM
Well, an Avalanche OT win and a Wild OT loss over the weekend pretty much (finally) mathematically elimnated my team from the playoffs. 

Not a shock - a terrible start and a terrible post-olympics run sealed the deal for them.  We need so many things (sniper, #2 center, pure scorer, defense), it will be interesting to see how they play the off season game. 

Anyway, I guess it's time to hang up the green and red and dig out the red and white.  Long live the Winged Wheel.  ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 8, 2010, 11:56 PM
The final Regular Season Game at the Civic (Mellon) Arena tonight for the Penguins...  Consol Energy Center next year.  I sorta felt a little teary there at the end.  :'(

Every reason I ever played was because of the Penguins, and going to games down at the Igloo...  It's bittersweet.

"It's a great day for hockey."
-Badger Bob Johnson
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on April 9, 2010, 03:53 PM
That's kinda funny - I didn't know it was actually called the Civic Arena.  I only ever knew it by its nickname, the Igloo.  RIP.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 9, 2010, 04:11 PM
It was originally the Civic Arena, nicknamed "The Igloo" because it's a big stainless steel dome (the roof actually opens.  I watched a roller hockey game there once when they opened the roof for the fans, which was a real rare occurance).  The real name at the end of its life here was "Mellon Arena" for Mellon Bank.  I forget the year they bought the rights, it wasn't that long ago.  It was when every arena was becoming an advertisement for some big company in the area, haha.

New nicknames for the new arena are being tossed around.  One local writer wants to call it the Goal Mine.

I'll miss the Civic Arena though...  It's all I've ever known.  Some want to save it as a historic landmark and things, but it's pretty much doomed.  I'd dig a chair out of it if they put them up for sale I think.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on April 15, 2010, 11:44 AM
A quick note to Detroit, San Jose, NJ, and Pitt - being the favorite means people expect you to WIN, not bend over. 

(And I'm especially sorry for you Jesse - At times last night, the Pens looked like the worst of the bunch... :-\)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Paul on April 15, 2010, 12:02 PM
Wow... I completely forgot the Cup playoffs started last night.

I guess when your team is elimnated, the face(and heart and soul) of the franchise for 20 years hangs them up (most likely) and the owner sux, you tend to forget the good teams are still playing.

I will now post my JINX alert...

These are the teams I WANT to win...has NOTHING to do with who I think will win....

Red Wings
Devils
Sabres
Habs
Blackhawks

the other games I don't have much interest in, but will watch them anyway.

Probably root for any Original 6 near the end.



Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on April 15, 2010, 12:15 PM
the face(and heart and soul) of the franchise for 20 years hangs them up (most likely)

Did you watch that last Dallas game vs. Minn? 

The Wild played a nifty Modano tribute video during the first intermission highlighting his early years and later accomplishments.  Then, after the game they arranged for him to be the first star of the game and he skated out wearing his North Stars gear (http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/10/classy-wild-send-modano-off-in-style/), it was pretty cool - brought back a lot of nice memories of those last few North Stars cup runs (90-91)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 15, 2010, 01:09 PM
Can't forget NHL up here.  All four games were on TV up north last night.  Tonight three matchups and an AHL game on TV.  If you're a hockey fan, this time of year approaches nirvana. 

And yes, I am watching to see if the Jets jinx is still in place.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Paul on April 15, 2010, 01:49 PM
the face(and heart and soul) of the franchise for 20 years hangs them up (most likely)

Did you watch that last Dallas game vs. Minn? 

The Wild played a nifty Modano tribute video during the first intermission highlighting his early years and later accomplishments.  Then, after the game they arranged for him to be the first star of the game and he skated out wearing his North Stars gear (http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/10/classy-wild-send-modano-off-in-style/), it was pretty cool - brought back a lot of nice memories of those last few North Stars cup runs (90-91)

I did watch that game.  I thought it was very cool to see him in the old sweater as well and had heard that it could have been a 9-0 Wild win and Modano was going to get #1 Star.  I think the same would have held true for the last home game here.

I  was at the Last Game Played here in Dallas.  It was a Modano, Lehtinen and Turco love fest.  They showed a Modano stat on the Screen and then showed him on the bench and the crowd gave him a 5 minute standing O.  He was choked up, it was pretty moving actually.

On a side note, we went to the game the Previous Friday and behind us at the Bar was Brett Hull (my wife's favorite player of all time)... it was the first Stars Game I have gone to in years that neither of us was wearing my Hull Jersey from the Cup (or Kick) year.  I got a terrible pic of Hull giving her a hug (iPhone cameras suck).  He was really cool about it.  We were not going to beat him down for pics/autographs but our server told us "that is why he is here, to interact with fans"...

It has been my impression that the NHL'ers  (in Dallas at least) are much more accomodating to fans, some of the things you see them do (ie giving Jerseys away at every home game) would NEVER happen in the NFL, NBA or MLB.  Maybe that is a slick marketing department too, and if so I fell for it.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: JesseVader08 on April 15, 2010, 02:25 PM
That was a pretty classy move by the Wild to have Modano come out in his North Stars jersey.  Definitely one of the cooler things I've seen.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 15, 2010, 04:26 PM
The Pens offense was on, then off, then on...  Their defense is my biggest worry, and has been all year (and it was last year too though, so what do I know?).  Every goal scored except the one Flurry got his ass bit on for coming out of the net was pretty much a defensive collapse...  That first one was Gonchar standing htere watching it happen and not even attempting to obstruct the Ottawa player's stick.  I saw Goligoski standing around looking like he didn't know what to do a couple times too (big shock!)...

It was nice seeing Malkin on fire, and FLeury had a bad night but I have faith in him turning that around (other more fair weather fans locally are calling for his head after one game).

Our defense though, we really never improved it after losing Scuderi and Gill...  McKee was brought in to replace Gill, and uh, where's McKee again?  Scuderi was simply not replaced and instead we rely on Eaton and Orpik to pick up the slack.  Gonchar's supposed to be making a name for himself going into free agency, but so far he's been hurt, sick, and ******* up defensively a lot without putting up his offensive numbers he usually does...  so....  uh, I dunno.

I didn't go into the playoffs this year with my head down, but the team this year has bigger problems than the team last year I think.  Still, I shaved Tuesday night to a fumanchu mustache and I'm now on my playoff beard growing way.  :)  We'll see what happens.  I think Fleury will rebound, like I said.  I don't know about our D stepping it up though.  They CAN, but will they?  That's the question.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 22, 2010, 12:31 AM
Great Boston/Buffalo game tonight.  I have to admit I've come around to the notion of the short OT and the shootout in the regular season.  Much as it pains me, I see where the appeal of the lies for fans. 

That said I do so love the playoffs and the chance for multiple overtime periods, all sudden death.  Makes the game so much more exciting. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 22, 2010, 12:48 AM
Yeah I was kinda geeked at the prospect (especially with Boston and Buffalo being fairly closely matched, at least on paper) of a long OT tonight.  Not as long as I was hoping for ultimately though.  And Satan scored the winner too...  He should just not play hockey till the playoffs start.  It's like he sleeps till April-ish.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 27, 2010, 11:15 PM
The curse lives  >:D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 27, 2010, 11:25 PM
I was waiting for you to say something.  :D

BTW, the Malkins are backin town...   :-X  I'm not sayin' anything other than, we always like when they come back to town.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 27, 2010, 11:39 PM
I was waiting for you to say something.  :D


At one point the game was very close, so I was holding off.  Thankfully the dead things pulled it out. 

Gotta say I appreciate the Phoenix fans keeping the white out going, but it does look remarkably dumb now that the home team is wearing the dark jerseys  ::) 

I am simply ecstatic to see the Coyotes lose.  Really.  (no bitterness here at all, nosirree)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 28, 2010, 12:01 AM
They do the whiteout here too, which I thought would go away, but Fleury said it actually helps spot the puck so they still do it...  I think a lot of teams have lifted that.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 28, 2010, 09:46 PM
Looks like we're off to Montreal...  I'm not a Caps fan, but that was an exciting end to that game for sure, and they were playing their hearts out.  I didn't catch who did it, but I liked the diving sweep to keep it from going in the empty net.  Wow!  :o

To Caps fans, welcome to 1993 playoffs for us...  I know how it feels to dominate a regular season and then get tossed in the 1st round of the playoffs.  Of course, we were playing a clutch-and-grab team in the Islanders that year, and I didn't see that as much in this series (what I've seen of this series), but hey the feeling is still the same.

Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 28, 2010, 09:50 PM
That was goaltending that won that series, so kudos to Halak.  Washington, like Chicago, went into the playoffs with iffy goaltending so it's a surprise they lost but the hot goalie (and Montreal blocked something like 43 shots in this series).  That loss is going to sting for quite a while. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 28, 2010, 09:56 PM
Yeah...  Washington was a really dominant team through the regular season, but it goes to show the playoffs are the second season, as they say.  Washington looked, at least to me, like they didn't try pressuring the offensive zone much too, which makes shot-blocking a lot easier.  They didn't seem to try *******, but rather end-to-end ****, which is great for the firepower they have.  But when they are against a team blocking, that's tough.

The Senators were blocking shots like beasts all series long against us too, very similarly, but what beat them was hard work down low most of the time, and *******.  They tried opening up once or twice and got their asses handed to them for it.

I saw that Ovechkin was playing high a lot, which he does sometimes, but I didn't expect when they're down by one goal at the end of a game 7.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on April 28, 2010, 10:07 PM
I agree with Brent on Halak, he owned Washington the last 3 games - 131 saves on 134 shots (.978, 1 GAA).  It will be interesting to see if he can keep it up against the Pens.  If he stays hot, Montreal might just sneak into the next round.  Boston V. Philly should be a good series... bloody, but good.  :P

I can't believe all three division winners in the East crapped out.  Kind of Funny how the West has 1,2,3,5 seeds left, while the East has 4,6,7,8 left.  Complete opposites it seems.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 28, 2010, 10:45 PM
I can believe Buffalo...  I thought going in that they were missing way too much except goaltending, which can get you by but relying on it is risky.  Philly dumping NJ I'm surprised at, but they seemed to have Brodeur's number so I guess that is a big deal.  The Caps losing sort of surprises me just because they were the dominant team in the East all season.

I figured I'd just mention that the local talk show is talking about what you mentioned too Jeff, on the seeds left in both conferences...  They were wondering if it's ever been like this in the history of the league (guessing not).  It's kind of weird for sure.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: EdSolo on April 29, 2010, 07:18 AM
Way to **** the bed three games in a row Caps!   ::)

Green was the dog last night for sure.  Stupid penalty for the first goal and completely missed the guy on the second.  Ovi can't do everything.  It would be nice if someone on the team could have scored a goal in the past three games.

I think Washington may be the new Philadelphia in terms of a championship drought.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: GrandMoffNick on April 29, 2010, 08:31 AM
I've always said I thought Ovechkin was better than Crosby.

I am here to eat crow. Clearly we know who the big game player is and thus Crosby (as much as I can't stand him) is the better star.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: EdSolo on April 29, 2010, 10:34 AM
I've always said I thought Ovechkin was better than Crosby.

I am here to eat crow. Clearly we know who the big game player is and thus Crosby (as much as I can't stand him) is the better star.

He sure can't grow a playoff beard though...I shaved five hours ago and have more of a beard now than he does.

Really, Ovi's stats for the playoffs were about the same...5 goals and 5 assists to Crosby's 5 and 9.  Ovi did have one extra game.  Crosby also has better back up than Ovi did.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: GrandMoffNick on April 29, 2010, 10:38 AM
For me the tie breaker for BEST OF "whatever" is playoffs/championships and regardless of help or not Crosby has a cup and his team advanced this year. Ovechkin's was the dominant best team this year and loses to an 8 seed after having a 3 to 1 game lead.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on April 29, 2010, 11:58 AM
A hot goaltender doesn't make the Caps a bad team.  It's happened tons of times historically. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: GrandMoffNick on April 29, 2010, 12:05 PM
A hot goaltender doesn't make the Caps a bad team.  It's happened tons of times historically. 

Didn't say they were a bad team. And I'm not only using this postseason as my sample. I'm a huge Ovechkin fan. But in my mind the best players make their team win when they should.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on April 29, 2010, 03:25 PM
Quote
Crosby also has better back up than Ovi did.

Wow, really that down on the Caps already Ed?  Like I said man, welcome to 1993...  We got dumped by an 8 seed that year too, and had a vastly more dominant team than really anyone in the league that year.  It was sickening, but we still were a great team and should've won but just didn't.

The Caps have maybe the most depth of any NHL team right now for scoring though, even the locals said it, and all the locals felt the Caps were the team to go through in the playoffs this year (myself included), so I wouldn't dump on them so bad...  They lost a series.  If anything I think I saw coaching errors more than player errors.  I don't know the shots-attempted stat, but if the Caps had adjusted their game instead of trying the same stuff I think they could've won it regardless of Halak's play.

The Caps aren't well liked here so nobody was shedding any tears locally, but that doesn't take away from them as a team I think.  They floundered in a series, but how many teams would take at least 50% of them if they had a chance, ya know?
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: EdSolo on April 30, 2010, 07:08 AM
Quote
Crosby also has better back up than Ovi did.

Wow, really that down on the Caps already Ed?  Like I said man, welcome to 1993...  We got dumped by an 8 seed that year too, and had a vastly more dominant team than really anyone in the league that year.  It was sickening, but we still were a great team and should've won but just didn't.

The Caps have maybe the most depth of any NHL team right now for scoring though, even the locals said it, and all the locals felt the Caps were the team to go through in the playoffs this year (myself included), so I wouldn't dump on them so bad...  They lost a series.  If anything I think I saw coaching errors more than player errors.  I don't know the shots-attempted stat, but if the Caps had adjusted their game instead of trying the same stuff I think they could've won it regardless of Halak's play.

The Caps aren't well liked here so nobody was shedding any tears locally, but that doesn't take away from them as a team I think.  They floundered in a series, but how many teams would take at least 50% of them if they had a chance, ya know?

The whole problem is that they had a 3-1 lead, and were putting a ton of shots on net, but most of the shots were garbage.  Also quite a bit sad they would limit the shots by the Habs, but they still were able to score.  The Caps had a great season, but completely blew it in the playoffs.  Heck, they had a 2-0 series lead last year on the Pens and did not even show up for game 7 at home.  The Caps only lost 5 non OT games at home this year and went 1-3 against the 8th seed.  It is just extremely tiring to see DC sports teams fail in this manner.  It is easy to get used to the failures of the other major sports teams in DC because they have consistently failed in the past 10+ years, but the Caps were supposed to be one of our bright spots and they just couldn't get it done.

Game 7 did certainly have player errors, namely Green.  Stupid crosscheck penalty lead to the first goal, and he completely missed a check on a guy for the second goal.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: STARKILLER on May 4, 2010, 08:00 PM
all i can say is LET'S GO PENS!!!! ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 10, 2010, 10:43 PM
Damn pesky Canadiens  :o
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 10, 2010, 11:22 PM
Could always root for the pens ya know.  :p  that's ok tho ill believe for all of us.  ;D. Unfortunately our d is spotty which was my fear from the getgo.  Pens have scored enough to win and d breakdowns have let the habs play their game.  Couple it with halak n a great d collapsing n boxing out and here we are at a game seven. 

Let's go Pens!  They hav to play great to beat a great team like they are facing.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 11, 2010, 10:36 AM
Interesting vote in Glendale, AZ tonight.  The rollercoaster for the Coyotes continues down there with the presumed buyer backing out earlier in the week and now Ice Edge holdings demanding concessions from Glendale public funds.  The Council votes tonight and the rumor is that if they decline to support the team the team will move. 

Where will it move?  I'm not convinced that the Coyotes will go to Winnipeg, mostly because I think the Thrashers are the more likely team to come here.  I'm just not convinced any announcement will be made this week though as I think it more likely to wait until after the Cup is awarded. 

That aside, some good games coming up.  Halak = Roy = Dryden?  Doubtful. 

Vancouver-Chicago game should be really quite nasty tonight I'd think.  I can see the Canucks winning this one.  And did the Bruins finally wake up and run out of steam? 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 11, 2010, 12:57 PM
You guys should read this page (http://www.jetsowner.com/).  I just came across it for the first time today and I think the guy has a really good imagination:

Quote
Last week I was informed that not only has Winnipeg been included in the 2010-11 NHL schedule, but we are to be in the NW division while Colorado moves into the Pacific division. This would make our rivals, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Minnesota. Believe me, it is surreal actually typing this, not as fantasy but as a reality.

Ugh, what a horrid division. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jeff on May 11, 2010, 01:17 PM
I've read a few other places that were saying sort of the same thing, that two teams are moving and everything is in place for it to happen...  if it happens:

- Nashville moves to Southeast to take the place of Atlanta, which moves to Winnipeg
- Winnipeg moves to Northwest, bumping Colorado
- Colorado moves to Pacific to replace Phoenix, which moves to Kansas City
- Kansas City takes Nashville's spot in the Central

IMO, it's all crazy speculation, but it's always fun to play "what if" games with re-alignment and things...
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 11, 2010, 01:23 PM
I'd agree, it's all crazy speculation at this point.  Even Yahoo sports writers are on the topic (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=At5ZkBYBD3l56.ezX_6x2I97vLYF?slug=dw-winnipeg051010).  I remain hopeful, but I could see the team going to another American market first given there could be a quiet but ready buyer out there for Kansas City for example. 

Would like to see this image again though with the reverse announcement being made though:

(http://l.yimg.com/a/p/sp/tools/med/2010/05/ipt/1273557705.jpg)

BTW, local sentiment is about 75% of people in favor of the team returning, 25% opposed.  The other interesting aspect is that the Manitoba Moose, our AHL affiliate hasn't made any announcements of where it's playing next year which is rather odd.  Fun times. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 11, 2010, 06:45 PM
I'm hopeful for you Brent, plus for the sport I think another Canadian market's a good thing...  I've read basically the same stuff locally, but it's not been getting as much press because it's a pretty much western-focused thing so it just isn't getting the scrutiny here.

I saw some of that online though like Jeff was mentioning...  That's confusing stuff, but Atlanta's really got no base for hockey at all, even compared with Phoenix.  I can totally see them up and leaving.

I still don't think KC can support a team though, I'm sorry.  I just don't see it.  Nice building, but no real fanbase.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 11, 2010, 09:14 PM
Ow (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Sami-Salo-takes-puck-to-groin-hospitaliz?urn=nhl,239744)  :-X
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 11, 2010, 11:19 PM
Yeah, I was reading about that another day...  Uhm, yeah. 

I took a puck to the nutz one day.

I have also had kidney stones since I was 18.

To this day they're the only two things that ever put me down.  The stones hurt so bad I was vomiting, an immediate high fever and my poor mother who was going to give me a ride into school was in a panic because she couldn't lug me to the car to take me to the hospital and thought I may have been dying.

The puck...  I was able to limp off, tell everyone to get off the bench so I could lay down, and I lay there for some time.  I went back in during the third period, but holy **** was that an intense pain.  Obviously no "rupture" that day (which that word + testicle really scares any man I would think), but holy **** did it hurt.

That's just insanely painful to hear, much less feel, so I really hope he's ok.  He skated pre-game but I wasn't sure if he played or not.  ???
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 11, 2010, 11:39 PM
How's this for vague? (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Agw2y7lkAgiJCUkktdiMqaZ7vLYF?slug=ap-coyotessale)  ::)  Call me when the schedule comes out and tell me if we're on it or not. 

Oh and are the Hawks trying to give away the game?
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 11, 2010, 11:45 PM
Or not.   :-[
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 11, 2010, 11:54 PM
There's a fight in the crowd according to the announcers over near Luongo's end.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 12, 2010, 12:01 AM
There's a fight in the crowd according to the announcers over near Luongo's end.

Yeah, CBC has historically tuned to a commercial for a fight in the game, never mind in the stands, so won't see that.  Vancouver rioted when they lost in the Cup final so kinda curious to see what happens tonight. 

Love the Hawks, not sure they have the goaltending going forward.  Hate the Sharks. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 12, 2010, 12:03 AM
Really, the CBC cuts away from the fights?  FSN Pittsburgh will actually dump out of a commercial break if a fight breaks out before they have cut away.  

Fights in the stands are surprisingly rare...  I wonder who started it?  

Hah, VS. just looked like they were panning for crowd fights a second ago.  I've never seen them scan the crowd so much after a game's end as they just did.  You'd thought there was a riot dispersing the way they were focused on the crowd, but I saw people shaking hands and stuff (the few Vancouver people still hanging around anyway).
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 12, 2010, 04:45 PM
Yeah, it's an old school thing with CBC and may even be mandated by our telecommunications government folks here but I'm not sure.  But they've done it forever.  I was a huge hockey fan growing up and fights were always part of the game, rightly or wrongly.  But it made my 10th birthday so vivid a memory because we were at a WHA game between the Nordiques and the Jets and there was a massive bench clearing brawl and I got to see it all from the stands.  Got home super late on a school night too which made it cooler. 

Surprised the Glendale city council voted in favor of covering the losses  :o  I suppose they have a huge honkin' new arena that needs a tenant but that's a pretty substantial sum (25-30 million) to cover.  They were apparently assured there'll be a buyer by fall so they won't have to cover the losses.  Mind you they listed Ice Edge and Reinsdorf's groups among those buyers, so I don't know about that.  I do believe Bettman's NHL really, really doesn't want the Coyotes going back to Winnipeg.  I think he/they would tolerate an Atlanta to Winnipeg move much better even though it amounts to the same, but way too much egg if it's the Coyotes. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 12, 2010, 09:36 PM
Pens are losing tonight to a team that had their number in every way.  Halak earned it but their team's capitalized on the Penguin mistakes in the d-zone all night and all series, and their defense is one of the strongest (if not the strongest) left in the playoffs.  I think they have the chance to go very far against any team because they're so patient.

I said from before the season even started that the Pens didn't cover up the holes they had during the Summer on defense though, and I think that ultimately killed them.  The Habs have capitalized on every mistake our D made, and there were plenty, and that makes a winning team.

Still though, a 2009 Stanley Cup is a nice way to send out the Civic Arena before we move into the new place. :)  A longer playoff run in 2010 would've been nice, but I'm not down on the flightless birds.  They did good.  The crowd is giving them a standing O in the last 48 seconds.  

I'm going to really miss the building because this is where I grew up with hockey.  :'(
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 12, 2010, 09:59 PM
I'm going to really miss the building because this is where I grew up with hockey.  :'(

My building I grew up with is gone but so is my team, so at least you have a team still.  Hard to see them lose and end the era that way though, but Montreal?  Whoulda thunk it.  They gotta be pleased facing either the Flyers or the Bruins.

Too bad San Jose won.  If Boston can manage to win again against the Flyers, three of four would be original six teams.  Would love to see a Montreal-Chicago final. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 12, 2010, 10:54 PM
I'm pulling more for San Jose, as I'm not a Chicago fan, but I could go either way with Montreal and Boston/Philly...  I think you gotta look at Montreal as the "favorite" in the series regardless though.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: DSJ™ on May 24, 2010, 09:39 PM
Did the Habs even show up to play? How the hell they made that far is beyond me.  ::)
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 24, 2010, 10:00 PM
Yeah they collapsed...  Didn't even look like the same team the Pens and Caps played the way Halak let soft ones in, and their defense didn't single anyone out...  *shrugs*  The weird thing about NHL playoffs I guess, and why betting on NHL games is not a popular passtime.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 29, 2010, 12:18 AM
The NHL announced that the Winter Classic will be in Pitt next year...  I'm anxious for this, and am going to try like mad for tickets.  Getting ones to the Buffalo game were not hard I guess, but I don't know how it was for the later games.

I just hope I can nab 3 or 4 for this one.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on May 29, 2010, 01:41 AM
Yeah, interesting day.  Bettman actually admitted to talking to a (THE) potential ownership group in Winnipeg and said he'd like to see teams back in Winnipeg and Quebec City.  I'm not sure if the latter has an ownership group or not.  He didn't mention Hartford, but I wouldn't mind seeing a team back there either. 

Been thinking about the Jets too - if Winnipeg actually gets a team again, I don't think it should be called The Jets.  That name dates way back to when politicians talked about Winnipeg being one of the major airports in the world as a central travel/distribution center, something that never happened.  Plus it was frankly an ugly jersey/logo, no matter how nostalgic it may be for some like me.  New name, new colors, new logo is the best thing they can do. 

And we would be an awesome city for the winter classic too though maybe too cold for the players (didn't they whine in Edmonton?).  Very cool they announced they'd play in Pittsburgh, I think they mentioned Calgary as well which strikes me as a pretty big risk for warm weather based on the chinooks they often see that are totally unpredictable. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on May 29, 2010, 02:03 AM
Yeah I saw something about Calgary/Montreal playing a Heritage game but now I don't recall details...  I didn't see about where that one was being bantered about on being played. 

Buffalo was a blast...  I mean, it was blizzarding at times, then it'd stop but start back up again 20 minutes later...  Then the ride home was comical.  2 hours in blinding snows.  That Lake-effect stuff gets nasty. 

I'm just excited it's a short drive this time.  That's the best.  And the city's already talking about making a whole weekend of it with parties, hockey stuff going on all over town (they already have always played a high school game outside on the N. Park Lake, and are talking about that being bumped to the day before the Winter Classic). 

My big fear now is my ability to get tickets.  This is something that will be easy for people to fly in and make a long weekend out of everything.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 8, 2010, 08:18 PM
... they listed Ice Edge and Reinsdorf's groups among those buyers, so I don't know about that.  I do believe Bettman's NHL really, really doesn't want the Coyotes going back to Winnipeg.  I think he/they would tolerate an Atlanta to Winnipeg move much better even though it amounts to the same, but way too much egg if it's the Coyotes. 

And Reinsdorf's group is back out.  Again. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AqXkW4K7xI5SzDMytS5NGFp7vLYF?slug=capress-hkn_coyotes_sale-3586216)  ROFLMAO. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: John C on June 9, 2010, 09:54 AM
Ridiculous that the team has lost money every year since it moved.  If they would have moved it to Minnesota like they should have, that would not have been the case.  Oh well, we did end up with the Wild and the XCel Energy Center, so it worked out pretty well for us.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on June 9, 2010, 11:08 PM
Holy **** what a weird finish.

Congrats to Chicago-ites.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 9, 2010, 11:08 PM
What was weird about it? 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 9, 2010, 11:17 PM
Look at that Winnipeg kid getting the Conn Smythe - who's the ******* handing it to him though? 

Kudos to the Flyers fans for sticking around too, that building is still pretty full. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on June 9, 2010, 11:19 PM
What was weird about it? 

The puck flying into the corner, getting stuck, no goal light, and no officials pointing to a goal...  Then Philly still skating around to play and the Chicago players all going to celebrate at the other end of the ice.  You have to admit that was probably one of the stranger endings to a cup final...  Lots of confusion there.  I saw it go in, but I don't think the majority at the arena did it seemed.  Even the Hawks bench was hesitant to join the 6 on the ice who'd started celebrating. 

It had a very "uncomfortable" feeling to it, haha.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 9, 2010, 11:25 PM
Oh, ok.  It was pretty clear it went in, but yeah, I guess I might have had an advantage in watching it on tv.  It was deathly quiet, but that's what I'd expect if the Hawks scored. 
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Jesse James on June 9, 2010, 11:32 PM
It was a neat ending, and a nice game...  All the back-and-forth...  That series was like watching two boxers just slug it out and defense be damned.
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: I Am Sith on June 10, 2010, 12:00 AM
I'm very happy for the Chicago Blackhawks, the organization had to endure some pretty dire times in the last decade...  Glad Rocky was able to rebuild the team and get the Stanley Cup back to Chicago so quickly after his father passes away...

On a personal note, I've now seen the Blackhawks, Bears, Bulls and White Sox all win their respective leagues' top honors.  I also think that I will never see the same feat accomplished by the Cubs!
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 10, 2010, 12:05 AM
BTW, CBC just now is ending their coverage.  Hockey seems somewhat important up here no matter who's playing.   ;D
Title: Re: NHL 2009 - 2010
Post by: Rob on June 10, 2010, 01:09 AM
I went down to the Clark street riot party a little while ago.

Now if the helicopters would just go away so I can get to bed.   8)