Hockey

[smc]

Just back from the Winter Classic. I thought all the hockey fans out there might like to read my impressions.

But first, a note for Transjen -- sorry it had to be your Flyers that lost. But I'm not sorry it was the Bruins that beat 'em!

So, the opening ceremonies were kinda cool. Dropkick Murphys played. Even with James Taylor singing the Star Spangled Banner quite beautifully, I think Canada has a better national anthem (it ought to be a song people without extensive vocal training can sing, don't you think?). Bobby Clarke and Bobby Orr taking the first puck drop ... I was sure Clarke (who seems to have front teeth now, as my binoculars revealed) was going to deck the army guy who dropped it. Then I thought he might try to knock down the flyover Stealth Bomber with his stick. But I guess he really is old. An old Broad Street Bully.

Once the game started, the first five minutes were as intense as any NHL game I've seen. I don't think I've seen a puck hop this much since the last time I played pond hockey, and that was too many years ago to say. The Flyers scored first (a cheap goal; Tim Thomas was distracted), but threatening again, in the 2nd period, the Bruins demonstrated why they are the #1 penalty killing team in the NHL.

Then came the end. An awesome goal by the Bruins to tie, and then an ending that was just phenomenal: sudden death.

Fenway Park looked awesome for hockey, although the sight lines weren't very good. Retired Bruins numbers were hanging there with the Red Sox. It was Boston sports heaven!!!

[transjen]

What a way to start the new year now i need a hug
Jerseygirl Jen

[smc]

Originally Posted by transjen

What a way to start the new year now i need a hug
Jerseygirl Jen

It would have been fun to go together. I would have even endured a Bruins loss (which is how things looked for most of the time, anyhow).

[shadows]

Originally Posted by transjen

What a way to start the new year now i need a hug
Jerseygirl Jen

Since you had given me a hug when my beloved Leafs had fallen to the Oilers, I will give you one as well. At least Philly lost to a good team, and the game could have gone either way.



(Smc, the refs gave the game to Boston!)

Just kidding, of course, but I had to say it since the ref I(and all other Leaf fans) most despise was there(Kerry Frasor).

[transjen]

Thanks SMC and Shadows i needed that
Jerseygirl Jen

[shadows]

Originally Posted by transjen

Thanks SMC and Shadows i needed that
Jerseygirl Jen

No problem. That is what friends are for.

[shadows]

It's going to be a 2 for 1 report tonight.

Here are the scores from Dec. 31st's games:

1. Montreal beat Florida 5-4. A close one! I thought for sure that Montreal was trying to lose, what with all the times they continued to give up their lead. The offense helped out Halak who did not have a particularly sharp game.

2. Ottawa beat the Islanders 3-2 in the shootout.

3. Detroit beat Colorado 4-2. Detroit scored more goals in this game than their previous 4 games combined(a 3-0 loss, a 3-0 loss, a 2-1 win, and a 1-0 loss)!

4. Nashville beat Columbus 2-1 in overtime. Columbus lost? I am surprised!

5. San Jose beat Phoenix 3-2 in the shootout. If Phoenix could learn how to score in the shootout, they may have actually won this game.

6. Vancouver beat St. Louis 4-3 in overtime. A comeback win for Vancouver, who were down 3-1 in the third period.

7. The Rangers beat Carolina 2-1. Carolina was lucky they weren't blown out this game, as the shot count heavily favoured the Rangers.

8. LA beat Minnesota 5-2. First points for Frolov in quite a long time. Kopitar has cooled off immensely from the torrid start he had to the season.

9. Dallas beat Anaheim 5-3. I am sure that Purplehead will be quite pleased with this.

10. Chicago beat New Jersey 5-1. I think the Devils ran into a very hot team right now, who's goaltending, defense, and offense are ALL clicking.

11. Calgary beat Edmonton 2-1. Apparently the Oilers refused to pay their entire bill from when they ate at a Calgary restaurant after this game. They must have still been angry that they stink so bad this year!

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Here are the scores from Jan 1st's games:

1. Boston beat Philadelphia 2-1 in overtime. Close game, but the atmosphere looked to be intense. This would have been a game that I would have loved to have attended, especially if some of my friends from here could have attended it with me.

2. Buffalo beat Atlanta 4-3 in overtime. Only two games and they both go into overtime? Arghhhhh! Buffalo was badly outplayed in this game, but it looks like Ryan Miller stole the show again.

And one last hockey related item!

Canada comes back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to win the game 5-4 in the shootout against the US team! The US played excellent, and Canada was lucky to get the victory. Kudos to both teams!

[dauls]

Originally Posted by shadows

Here are the scores from Dec. 31st's games:

10. Chicago beat New Jersey 5-1. I think the Devils ran into a very hot team right now, who's goaltending, defense, and offense are ALL clicking.

Maybe the Devils in their 3rd game in 4 nights were a bit tired against a form team.

I'm glad this one wasn't on ESPN-UK. If it had been I'd have recorded it and then sat down to watch it with a hangover in the morning on New Years Day, I'm happy I didn't start 2010 watching the Devils get thumped.

[ila]

Originally Posted by shadows

Canada comes back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to win the game 5-4 in the shootout against the US team! The US played excellent, and Canada was lucky to get the victory. Kudos to both teams!

Canada played a piss poor game. They went out and dogged it for three periods and almost paid the price. Hopefully they won't take the playoff games with the same attitude.

On a slightly related note, I see the Olympic team picked up Brodeur for goalie. That can only be good news.

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Just kidding, of course, but I had to say it since the ref I(and all other Leaf fans) most despise was there(Kerry Frasor).

Shadows, did you know there is a Facebook group called "Kerry Frasor is a douchebag"? It has this description:

"For all those of you who hate Frasor and his shitty calls and his terrible haircut."

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

Shadows, did you know there is a Facebook group called "Kerry Frasor is a douchebag"? It has this description:

"For all those of you who hate Frasor and his shitty calls and his terrible haircut."

If I belonged to Facebook, I would sign up for that one for sure! What is your opinion of him? I'm glad they forced him to wear a helmet! LOL! Of course, the guy put so much hair spray in it I'm sure the puck would just bounce right off if it hit him in the melon!

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

If I belonged to Facebook, I would sign up for that one for sure! What is your opinion of him? I'm glad they forced him to wear a helmet! LOL! Of course, the guy put so much hair spray in it I'm sure the puck would just bounce right off if it hit him in the melon!

Even when his shitty calls go the way of the Bruins, I can tell they're shitty. I think that probably answers your question.

[smc]

Hockey at Fenway Park was so awesome yesterday that I think next year there should be a short break in the NHL season to allow for a round-robin tournament at Fenway involving the original 6 teams: Bruins, Habs, Leafs, Blackhawks, Rangers, and Redwings.

(Sorry, Jen, but I bet your Flyers would be up for a violent attempt to crash the party!)

What do all you hockey fans think? Wouldn't that be great?! If my dream, by some miracle comes through, I'll host a huge blowout (perhaps even with actual blowing) for all Forum member hockey fans who travel here to the Hub of the Universe for the game!

[dauls]

Originally Posted by transjen

What a way to start the new year now i need a hug
Jerseygirl Jen

Tough way to lose the big game Jen.

Stupid fing ESPN-UK didn't show the game live, they're showing it today, twice!!! It takes the entertainment out of sport, knowing the score before watching the game. However I will watch a bit of it to see what Fenway looks like with it's diamond hidden under ice.

[smc]

Originally Posted by dauls

I will watch a bit of it to see what Fenway looks like with it's diamond hidden under ice.

Fenway looked bizarre. The sight lines were awful. People behind home plate who have awesome seats at a baseball game had to stand the entire time to watch hockey. I was up high enough to see, but binoculars just don't cut it with the fast action of hockey. They showed the match on big screens in the Park, though, which helped.

I also DVRed the Winter Classic so I could see what it looked like on television. There are some particularly cool aerial shots.

Enjoy.

[Tbone]

Originally Posted by smc

Just back from the Winter Classic. I thought all the hockey fans out there might like to read my impressions.

But first, a note for Transjen -- sorry it had to be your Flyers that lost. But I'm not sorry it was the Bruins that beat 'em!

Once the game started, the first five minutes were as intense as any NHL game I've seen. I don't think I've seen a puck hop this much since the last time I played pond hockey, and that was too many years ago to say. The Flyers scored first (a cheap goal; Tim Thomas was distracted), but threatening again, in the 2nd period, the Bruins demonstrated why they are the #1 penalty killing team in the NHL.

Then came the end. An awesome goal by the Bruins to tie, and then an ending that was just phenomenal: sudden death.

Fenway Park looked awesome for hockey, although the sight lines weren't very good. Retired Bruins numbers were hanging there with the Red Sox. It was Boston sports heaven!!!

Originally Posted by smc

Fenway looked bizarre. The sight lines were awful. People behind home plate who have awesome seats at a baseball game had to stand the entire time to watch hockey. I was up high enough to see, but binoculars just don't cut it with the fast action of hockey. They showed the match on big screens in the Park, though, which helped.

As a Flyers fan it was a tough to see them lose the Winter Classic that way, and I know how much the hockey fans here at the forum hate overtime and shootouts during the regular season. I watched a repeat of the game on ESPN (UK) yesterday, but I didn't know the score beforehand so it was almost like watching the game live.

I do think the layout of a baseball ground is wrong for hockey. As you said smc some fans behind home plate spent the whole game standing up to catch the action. Perhaps the rink should have run along one of the foul lines rather than across from 1st to 3rd bases.

[smc]

Originally Posted by Tbone

I do think the layout of a baseball ground is wrong for hockey. As you said smc some fans behind home plate spent the whole game standing up to catch the action. Perhaps the rink should have run along one of the foul lines rather than across from 1st to 3rd bases.

Actually, the problem of how far the rink was from the stands was secondary. The primary problem -- and this is just bizarre -- is that people anywhere in the stands (other than the outfield bleachers and the Green Monster seats) who were sitting anywhere in the first 15 or so rows were actually below the level of the rink. That's why they had to stand!!

[interal]

Originally Posted by smc

Actually, the problem of how far the rink was from the stands was secondary. The primary problem -- and this is just bizarre -- is that people anywhere in the stands (other than the outfield bleachers and the Green Monster seats) who were sitting anywhere in the first 15 or so rows were actually below the level of the rink. That's why they had to stand!!

It may have been a nice idea to use Fenway, but to have 15 rows of people sat too low for the ice is as you put it "just bizarre". Isn't there another stadium better suited for hockey in Boston - maybe one of the university stadia?

I hope the next Winter Classic is shown live in the UK rather than 24 hours later. It would be great to put my feet up on New Years Day to watch a game of hockey, sipping a few beers in the early evening - NHL games are always shown after midnight in the UK.

[smc]

Originally Posted by interal

It may have been a nice idea to use Fenway, but to have 15 rows of people sat too low for the ice is as you put it "just bizarre". Isn't there another stadium better suited for hockey in Boston - maybe one of the university stadia?

Despite your obvious point, I think part of the Winter Classic that the NHL thinks makes it "classic" is to hold it in a venue that has a lot of sports history, and Fenway Park is one of the most storied sports venues in the entire world!

[shadows]

The US beat Sweden 5-2, so it will be a Canada/US gold medal game. If Canada plays the US like they did the last game they will be toast, but if they play like they are supposed to play, then the game will be very evenly matched. No matter what team wins, it should be a great game! I've got Tuesday off, so I think I may watch me some of that game!

[shadows]

This one's gonna be big!

Here are the scores from Jan 2nd's games:

1. Carolina beat the Rangers 2-1 in overtime. Carolina won? Yep. The Rangers scored 1 goal...again. Hard to win when that happens.

2. Vancouver beat Dallas 3-1. Daniel Sedin had another point. He has been amazing since coming back from his injury. Luongo was preparing himself for Olympic duty by having another good game.

3. Tampa Bay beat Pittsburgh 3-1. Fourth loss in a row for the Penguins. A little bit of burnout, perhaps?

4. LA beat Washington 2-1. Backstrom left the game with a migraine, hopefully nothing serious. Ovechkin was held pointless, and Quick(LA goalie) played great. He is on the Olympic squad(USA) because of his play this year.

5. The Islanders beat Atlanta 6-5 in the shootout. Ugly finish for an ugly game. Atlanta kept tying up the score, and then giving it right back again. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

6. Colorado beat Columbus 3-2. Columbus lose? No surprise.

7. Calgary beat Toronto 3-1. Way to not show up, guys! Arghhhhhhhh!

8. Chicago beat St. Louis 6-3. Chicago keeps on rolling, and smoked St. Louis on the night of their new head coach's debut. Not a good debut.

9. Nashville beat Anaheim 3-1. Anaheim has been better than Toronto this year, but only marginally. Who would have thought they would stink this bad?

10. New Jersey beat Minnesota 5-3. It looked like Minnesota was going to tie it up(when it became 4-3 NJ) but Langenbrunner got his 3rd goal via the empty net to squash the rally.

11. Detroit beat Phoenix 4-1. Getting 3 goals past Bryzgalov is hard to do(4th goal was an empty net goal), but Detroit was able to do it. Their offense is so inconsistant right now, and that is the main reason for their struggles.

12. San Jose beat Edmonton 4-1. No surprise, since it seems the only team that Edmonton can actually beat are the freaking Leafs! Man, I'm still pissed about that loss!

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Here are the scores from Jan 3rd's games:

1. Ottawa beat Philadelphia 7-4. Kovalev scored 4 goals, but I imagine he will disappear again for a month before he has another game like this. This guy is so hard to figure out. The talent is there, but the mentality is not. Poor Jen. I'll bet this one was difficult to watch.

2. Buffalo beat Montreal 1-0. No fault to Montreal at all, as when Ryan Miller is on he is almost impossible to beat. This is Miller's 5th shutout of the season.

3. Florida beat Pittsburgh 6-2. The Penguins actually had a 2-0 lead at one point, and then totally fell apart. This is their 5th loss in a row. They need to wake up soon, otherwise they will find themselves on the outside looking in.

4. Chicago beat Anaheim 5-2. True, Anaheim is not a true test to gauge Chicago's might, but the Hawks look GOOD right now! If they play like this, I honestly think they could take out SJ in the playoffs!

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Here are the scores from Jan 4th's games:

1. The Rangers beat Boston 3-2. Boston is third last in goals scored in the entire league(which is surprising, to be honest), and they were dealt a big blow when Bergeron got hit in the hand with a puck. It now looks like he will miss 2-6 weeks with a broken thumb(which sucks for him as he was named to the Canadian Olympic roster).

2. LA beat San Jose 6-2. LA is going to be a good team to watch this year, and like Chicago, could knock San Jose out of the playoffs. Some good teams in the west this year.