We are strangely drawn this week to the Ducks, so here we are again with the team we love to hate (and hate to love), taking on the Flames. Here’s hoping this one is a bit more interesting than the Ducks-Canucks were. It’s no mean feat finding the game, though, because our Center Ice is totally wonky tonight; we find the FSN feed on a channel telling us it’s airing “Upcoming: Bruins @ Lightning.” But of course!
We polished off a growler of beer with dinner tonight, in the hopes that killing off a few of our brain cells would make Hayward more palatable. So far… not so good. He furrows his brow and intones to us like he’s Nicole Kidman in “To Die For” that tonight’s the night a guy named Jarome Iginla (you may have heard of him) becomes the all-time games-played leader for the Flames. That’s kind of a surprising thing to hear – it seems like just yesterday Iginla was a young kid bursting onto the scene. Has he really been around that long, or are the Flames just a franchise that doesn’t keep guys for long?
FIRST PERIOD
18:27 What is it with Canadian rinks? Do they not consider lighting their buildings for television up there? The picture here, as it did in Vancouver on Tuesday, looks remarkably murky.
17:26 Pronger picks up where the Ducks left off in their last game, and takes an interference penalty. This sets Hayward back off into his comical peevishness about how the Ducks didn’t give themselves a chance to win by putting themselves down two men 600 times against the Canucks.
16:52 The Ducks still aren’t giving themselves a chance to win, killing penalties like this. Two guys go to Iginla as he powers down into the corner, and Iggy calmly drops the puck back to a wide-open Tanguay, who patiently outlasts an overcommitted Giggy and puts the Flames up 1-0.
16:32 We have a linesman down. After a delay to tend to him, Sutherby and Smith get into one of those premeditated, pointless fights where they swing wildly all the hell over the place and never really seem to hit each other.
15:50 Ahlers, speaking in a tone that is just below audible, appears to be saying something about Owen Nolan during a faceoff in the Ducks zone (after which Giggy was forced to make another good save). Pookie: “I. Don’t. Like. Owen. Nolan.”
14:07 The Ducks put together a very nifty sequence, moving up the ice on a series of short-range passes that results in a point-blank shot at the side of the net for Marchant. 1-1 Game.
13:47 We come back from a commercial to see that Iginla is playing in his 804th game for the Flames. Since when? What the hell? How did we get so old?
11:16 While the Ducks skate about with a lot more purpose, Hayward pointedly floats the comment that Phaneuf will be an RFA at the end of this season, and the Flames better watch it or they’ll be stung by a big offer sheet, and hint, hint. We would so love to see Burke go all crazy next summer signing all the RFAs to offer sheets just to get back at Kevin Lowe.
10:27 Hayward enunciates like he’s talking to small children, and says that Mike Keenan is known as “a high-pressure coach.” Pookie: “This just in.”
9:02 Moen gets a breakaway when the Flames aren’t able to stop a rolling puck in front of their bench because of a sloppy change. But he’s Travis Moen, and the game stays tied.
7:20 The Flames flit about the Ducks zone with impunity, but their idea of shooting is to whip backhand passes parallel to the goal line with no one on the other end to tip them into the net.
6:58 Ahlers lets us know a bit about the Flames’ third D-pairing; he mentions David Hale – drawing derisive snorts from us – and then sends us into paroxysms of laughter by naming the other guy, Tim Ramholt. Oh, Hale. How far you’ve come.
4:38 This game is now over for us – in a discussion of how cold it is in Calgary, Ahlers actually says the following words to Hayward: “You’re not the best color man in hockey for nothing!” We do not even know where to start with that.
1:55 The Getzi line swirls with some good pressure, but the play comes to an end when Conroy crumples to the ice at the side of the net, bleeding profusely. Replay shows Perry flung his stick around with reckless abandon and slammed Conroy in the face. Hayward is shocked and appalled that none of the officials saw the infraction, and is actually calling for the Ducks to be assessed a major on the play. We’re not about to say anything rash like “he’s not the best color man in hockey for nothing,” but we will admit that he’s right on this one.
0:40 Getzi decides he wants to show off he’s better than every Flame on the ice. He darts through a handful of Flames, then turns Phaneuf every which kind of inside-out before slipping a pass through another defender to Kunitz in front. 2-1 Ducks.
0:00 Our announcers are being surprisingly humble about the way this period played out, cautioning their viewers that the Ducks looked to be in good shape after one in Vancouver. Seriously, if this one ends up like that one did, well… we don’t know what we’re going to do. Just know it’ll be something drastic and terrible.
FIRST INTERMISSION
We don’t pay any attention to the intermission. Sorry.
Okay, we lied. We do pay enough attention to hear the joyous news that Lou’s reign of terror over the schedule is over, and the league will be abandoning the unbalanced schedule next season. Pardon us while we go party in the streets.
SECOND PERIOD
19:36 The period starts with us feeling like something’s horribly amiss about this game. Suddenly it dawns on us – there is no on-ice mic. That’s so weird. Just when we finally figure out what’s missing, the audio kicks back in. Hockey in an aural vacuum is so bizarre.
17:43 Butzi tries to do his Bobby Orr move, barreling around a defender and then going flying ass over teakettle when Kiprusoff calmly blocks his shot with his stick. Kipper, however, gets called for tripping on the play, and Hayward smarms that while it’s a shitty call, the Ducks are owed an even-up after the infamous Vancouver game. No, Brian, they’re not.
16:01 We get a prolonged video review because of a puck that wobbled along the goal line off a Perry bankshot from behind the goal line. Lombardi seemed to tug the puck back off the line at the last moment, and we feel the overhead pretty conclusively shows it didn’t go all the way in. The FSN guys, demonstrating that their little homer hearts were completely crushed by the Canucks, decide this should not be a goal. We admire their candor, and decide to see what the Flames announcers are saying. They are, remarkably, even more boring than the FSN guys, and are also, inexplicably, non-committal about the play. Isn’t it their job to have an opinion?
Weird! It turns out they rule it a goal. Hayward’s head mildly explodes, as he is torn between a sudden and unexpected desire to be the best color man in hockey (and therefore be flummoxed by this call), and his natural inclination to be an insipid homer. 3-1 Ducks
14:20 Ahlers declares, as Butzi powers toward the net for the umpteenth time, it’s “the best Bertuzzi has looked…” Pookie finishes for him, “In about 90 years.” Then, very quietly, “Zing.” (Ahlers actually finished, “…in a Ducks sweater”, in case you were wondering.)
11:47 Kipper collapses strangely, unfolding himself from his butterfly to cover a shot from Pahlsson. Pookie: “You know, from that angle, it looks like that went in.” Zing. (During the ensuing commercial break, we sit in TV-muted silence before Pookie announces, “I am so smart. I was just about to ask why we get so many Honda commercials during Ducks games.”)
11:13 BabyNieder gets called for holding. FSN doesn’t give us a chance to review the play because they’re too busy trying to get us to buy group tickets to Ducks games. The phone number to call is 877 WILD-WING; Schnookie pouts, “I wish that was my phone number.”
11:06 Giggy easily swallows up a Phaneuf pointshot, and Hayward sniffs at the quick, unscreened attempt, “He has a very good shot, but this is a bit of a mistake from the young defenseman.” Ahlers cautiously suggests that maybe Dion just “has a lot of confidence in his shot.” Phaneuf? Overconfident? Perish the thought!
9:13 That was… not a very interesting power play. Is it just us, or are the Flames crappy?
8:11 Godard and Parros have another one of those stupid premeditated fights off the faceoff. They do lots of punching and falling over and getting back up again, and Hayward delights, “That was a heavyweight fight!” Schnookie: “No, that was an ass-clown fight.” We really have no problem with fighting in hockey (we can take it or leave it), but these totally inorganic, staged bouts have so little value to add to the narrative flow of a game.
7:22 Perry looks like he’s getting a clear breakaway from the Calgary blueline, but Lombardi catches him from behind and delights us by making Perry look like a bit of an ass as he fails to really even get a shot on Kipper.
7:05 Trying to overcompensate for his shame for that breakaway, Perry decides to back into Kiprusoff and then fall over on top of him. The Ducks have the gall to complain about the penalty he receives.
5:05 The Flames fail to convert on the power play, but should have potted a goal when Nolan had a wide-open shot. Our announcers marvel, “It’s hard to believe Owen Nolan just flat-out missed his shot there.” Schnookie: “No it isn’t.”
2:44 Hayward is getting squirrelly that the Ducks are sitting back in the waning moments of the period. Since getting the power play, Calgary has pretty much had sole possession of the puck, and the Ducks defenders keep doing smart things like lying down in the middle of their defensive zone in an attempt to “block a shot” while the Flames skate around them and walk unimpeded to the net (Schneider, we’re looking at you). It is only the offensive incompetence of the Flames and the decent goaltending of Giggy that keeps the two-goal lead intact.
1:08 Are the guys in the truck having fun playing with the volume controls right now? Our announcers are talking about the GM meetings, and how they hope to have a phone interview with Burke sometime, or something, but they just keep getting quieter with every word. When Kate the Great was here for Thanksgiving she was stunned to learn that the announcers call the games from the actual, real-life venue, and Pookie remarks now, “You know, watching this I can really understand why KtG would be so surprised to hear they’re at the game, and not broadcasting from down a well.”
0:00 Well, if we’re going to see Anaheim losing as miserably as they did in Vancouver, the Ducks are going to have to do a lot of melting down in the next period, and the Flames are going to have to miraculously discover a significantly more competent team somewhere in their dressing room during this intermission.
SECOND INTERMISSION
You know when we said we weren’t paying attention during the last intermission, but then it turned out that we did? Well this time we really mean it.
THIRD PERIOD
18:09 Giggy easily gloves a soft point shot by Smith, and during the ensuing stoppage we get to see footage of kids enjoying the little fan fest-y games the Ducks have in their parking lot. One shot shows a little kid standing in a wee little goal, wearing wee little pads, and giggling while pucks just keep hitting him. We decide that kid is demonstrating the Giguere school of goaltending, standing utterly still and letting the shots just hit off him.
16:34 Marchant trips Iginla along the boards in the Anaheim zone, further opening the door for the ever-increasingly aggressive Flames. Well, it might not necessarily be that the Flames are better – perhaps it’s just that the Ducks have been playing like they decided this game ended when they got their third goal.
15:51 The play-by-play is suddenly SHOUTING AT US! Schnookie bellows: “Our volume is back!” Pause, while the color pipes up, faint as always. Schnookie adds, “And Hayward is still in the well.”
14:34 Fortunately for the Ducks, even when they’re playing like they think this game is over, are still stronger on the PK than the Flames are on the PP.
13:29 Pookie: “Whenever I look up [from my stitching], the Flames have the puck.” Yes. They do.
13:19 The play is whizzing up and down the poorly-lit rink, and the ebb and flow of the game rolls in waves of varying audibility in the play-by-play. Pookie remarks, “The commentary tonight is really enhancing the feel that this has been filmed in a murky aquarium. It’s like sometimes the fish come up to the surface and there’s sound, and sometimes they’re under the water and it’s silent.”
13:04 Perry gets another breakaway, and doesn’t do any better on this one than he did on the last.
10:50 Some Duck unleashes a long pass to Butzi to give him a semi-break, and he decides to drop a blind pass back to no one in particular. This comes at the end of a shift on which he failed to bury an easy shot over a prone Kiprusoff, and Butzi is shown looking very angry with himself at the bench. Hayward says it’s “good to see Bertuzzi frustrated, because that’s the good kind of frustration.” What? And since when is it good for anyone when Todd Bertuzzi is angry?
10:03 Pahlsson hauls down a Flame in front of the net to give Calgary another power play. We’re sure the Ducks are very worried.
8:03 The Flames looked less than inspiring on that man advantage.
5:57 The Ducks appear to have realized they’re going to have to actually play this game out, and get a few shifts of puck possession in the Flames zone. Calgary responds by repeatedly icing the puck.
5:25 Schneider decides to abandon his strategy of lying down in the middle of the defensive zone and letting the Flames skate around him, and instead opts for the “taking a cross-checking penalty behind his own net” approach to defense.
4:29 Keenan decides to reward the Ducks announcers for all their “Stop the presses!” snarking tonight about his propensity for pulling goalies in an unorthodox manner. Kipper is parked on the bench and the Flames take their ineffective power play up another notch by making things all six-on-four.
4:03 Baby Nieder demonstrates why most coaches don’t pull their goalies with four and a half minutes left in the game, and puts the Ducks up 4-1 on a long empty-netter. Ahlers exuberantly declares, “When there’s an empty net, Rob Niedermayer is money.” Pookie: “Well, there’s something to hang your hat on.”
1:38 The Flames’ spirits are as broken as you would expect. All the best scoring chances since the empty-netter have been by the Ducks.
1:00 The Flames fail to connect on a pass, and Ahlers tells us this is “one last icing call.” Well, we guess it’s outside the realm of possibility now that one of these teams will commit an icing during this last minute of play.
0:00 At the final buzzer, we are informed Giggy made 38 saves tonight. Really? When? We realize the Flames had the puck for pretty much the entirety of the second half of the game, but it never seemed like they were planning to score or anything. So there we go – a bounce-back win for the Ducks, and, um, a bad home loss for the Flames.
Hi IPB! Here’s hoping this will be a better game than Tuesday’s. :|
Oh, definitely! It has to be better, right? Right?
Right!
Whee!
Nothing was better than tuesday’s game :p
But this time I am cheering for the Ducks. I hate the Flames.
Hee, I’ll take the “enemy of my enemy” kind of support. :)
Man this is hard….I want the Flames to lose so the Oilers will look less bad, but now that the Ducks are without Bryz it is REALLY hard to cheer for Captain Elbows. Crap.
I was just about to complain that as a shameless Getzi fan, I was finding this game a little dull. Thanks, Getzi!
Do what I do — ignore Pronger. I am constantly shocked every time I notice him on the ice. Hey, he plays for them?!?
It’s nice and easy to root against the Ducks since they’re in my division. I am not a fan of the Flames, either, though.
Wait. Fan? of the Flames? Oh, I kill myself. :D
and the league will be abandoning the unbalanced schedule next season
Woot!
By the way, I have tried for three days to order that stupid StatTracker and I keep getting errors. I’m almost about to give up.
(I emailed Yahoo! Customer Service, but as is the wont of customer service types, they made me list every single thing I did from the time I entered a Yahoo page until the time it failed to buy me a StatTracker.)
I think there’s something funky up with Yahoo. I went through and set up my line-up for the week on Monday, and yet when I logged into check out my StatTracker (sorry, Patty) tonight I discovered Zetterberg was on my bench. Weird. And that was not the first time that happened. Oh well! I hope you get StatTracker figured out soon!
I miss StatTracker :( Alas, a poinsettia and hair dye were more important purchases this afternoon.
Oooh, holiday cheer is one of the few expenses that comes before hockey.
I couldn’t resist! It was completely not what I went to the store for, but….
I think there’s something funky up with Yahoo.
Wow. I thought I was just losing it. There has been several times when I was positive I had set all my players, then it gives me a roster alert that somebody’s on the roster that should be on the bench.
I figured it was just the stress of running two crappy teams. :D
I figured it was just the stress of running two crappy teams. :D
I know! It’s so wearing, being a shitty GM. I can’t imagine how Kevin Lowe has the energy to get out of bed every morning.
Whoa, you get roster alerts? I just find out something’s wrong when I log in after the Detroit game’s started and find Zetterberg on the bench. Of course, he was -2 with no points, so I was better off with Yahoo’s “suggestion” to bench him, so I’m not complaining per se. Tonight.
I don’t get roster alerts in email or anything. Just when I go to the main Yahoo NHL page, there’s some fantasy team stuff in the middle there. It shows links to my teams and such. I have to actually go there to see them.
The one time I left a guy on the bench accidentally, he got a hat trick. Stupid Cory Stillman.
Awwwww, Humming Giraffe gets a goal :)
The one time I left a guy on the bench accidentally, he got a hat trick. Stupid Cory Stillman.
I did the SAME thing with him that night, Patty. In a different league obviously but…man. We’re good at this.
I’ll come in and admit that the Flames are my second favorite team. I really don’t even know why. I think it’s because I love Kipper.
You’re dead to me, Cat! Haha. Just kidding.
…but…man. We’re good at this.
I expect to be relieved of my duties any day now.
I expect to be relieved of my duties any day now.
You do? Look at me! I hate the East you guys, if this has taught me anything it was that I was right all along :P
I hate the East you guys, if this has taught me anything it was that I was right all along :P
It’s funny you say that, because I feel exactly the same way about the West!
This experiment has made me realize if there is an East Coast bias it’s because there are 8,000 more good players in the East than in the West.
I must be a REALLY bad GM, then, because I didn’t pick up any of the good ones in the East.
Patty — :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Okay you guys, fine, but my opinion counts more because I’m in last place. :P
What was the deal with the empty net with 5 minutes to go and 2 goals down? Did I miss something?
Wow. Louie’s having one of those games where you’re just so happy you somehow have this guy. Amazing!
What was the deal with the empty net with 5 minutes to go and 2 goals down? Did I miss something?
Aw, that crazy Keenan!
Okay you guys, fine, but my opinion counts more because I’m in last place.
It should be pointed out that you’re in last place, but you also SHELLACKED me when we played each other.
The Flames ending up with Keenan is the most delightful thing ever for me. My most hated team and my most hated coach living in…imperfect harmony.
Yeah, I still don’t really know anyone in the WC so this might be a failed experiement.
There’s a letter in Bucci’s mailbag today about the Sabres. I really wish there was some way to just delete an entire website from the internet. This isn’t good for me.
Wait Bucci has a mailbag up? I gather my Drury question didn’t make the cut, eh? I can’t believe he never even wrote me back.
There’s a letter in Bucci’s mailbag today about the Sabres. I really wish there was some way to just delete an entire website from the internet. This isn’t good for me.
It isn’t! It’s totally TERRIBLE for you! What can we do to help you break this habit? How can we support you in your quest to break free of this awful addiction?
As for the WC fantasy experience, I am in the midst of waiting on a trade with Sherry to be approved — I traded my best player for Getzi, because Getzi was literally the only guy in the entire Western Conference that I wanted on my team. I was like, “Well, if I’m going to suck, at least I’ll be happy he’s on my team.” I mean, the Western Conference doesn’t even have enough players I think are sufficiently hot to make me ignore how bad my team is! The EC is rife with players I’m impossibly shallow about, and the WC has nothing but my SCF-goggles boyfriend. THAT’S JUST SO BAD.
*cries* My poor Flames!
I’m aware I’m going to get rocks thrown at me. I should go get some armor or something.
I’m aware I’m going to get rocks thrown at me. I should go get some armor or something.
Maybe from alix, but you can rest assured that I’m 100% ambivalent about the Flames. In fact, I was saying to Pookie during tonight’s game that they could fall off the face of the planet and I’d never notice.
Wait Bucci has a mailbag up? I gather my Drury question didn’t make the cut, eh? I can’t believe he never even wrote me back.
Pookie, I’m sad to inform you that your Drury question didn’t make the cut. Neither did mine. But the “How bad are the Sabres screwed and what do you think about it?” letter? That one made it! Yay!
I’m aware I’m going to get rocks thrown at me. I should go get some armor or something.
As our first real commentor, the incomparable HockeyGirl, is a Flames fan IPB tries to remain a Flames-friendly site, although we don’t have much of a shine for the team ourselves. So you’re safe here for tonight!
“I mean, the Western Conference doesn’t even have enough players I think are sufficiently hot to make me ignore how bad my team is!”
Matty O is feeling ugly over here! :p
Oh my gosh, I’m so nervous. Louie is like 10 minutes away from getting three *you know whats* in a row. The suspense is killing me.
Oh don’t worry, I won’t throw rocks. I think you’re insane but that’s ok :p Hehe. I kid.
The Sens lost again?! That just totally made my night!
Matty O is feeling ugly over here! :p
I’m sorry, alix! I think Matty is darling, but he’s just not, for me, transcendently hot. (And by “transcendently” I mean that he transcends SUCKING on my fantasy team just by sheer hottness.)
Gotcha. Well as long as you don’t think he’s a homely Giraffe, it’s all good :D
Oh, I’d never say Matty’s homely! :D
I want to clarify also, I think Matty is quite hott. Just not hott enough to make me overlook that the Marauders blow.
Thank goodness. He’s so relieved :D
This Swede line is SO good with the puck! I love my team. Oh wow! Louie has three shut outs in a row.
“Just not hott enough to make me overlook that the Marauders blow.”
That would have to be mighty hott indeed :p Although you’re kicking my ass so far this week if that helps any.
Although you’re kicking my ass so far this week if that helps any.
I noticed! It’s highly uncharacteristic, I assure you. I don’t know what’s gotten into my guys. It’s probably the front-office shake-up from last week. Yahoo Auto-Draft was really casting a pall over the organization, and bringing in Fiche and Youppi! really lifted that dark cloud. Also, they’ve been demoting guys, benching guys, replacing guys, leaking possible trades to the press — it’s a reign of terror, yes, but also a good motivational tool.
Hee!
I don’t know what’s gotten into my guys.
The same thing is happening to the RFR goalies. Andrew offered me a trade and I refused because goaltending is one of the things the RFRs have going for them, and after this show of confidence, my goalies decide to start sucking.
Oh and catching up, I never read Bucci anymore and I can thank IPB for that. Before, I used to be gung ho about reading anything and everything hockey, but now, I don’t even read the local newspapers anymore. Has this happened to anyone else?
It should be pointed out that you’re in last place, but you also SHELLACKED me when we played each other.
True…it took me out of last place for the first time in a long time! That lasted….one week.
and after this show of confidence, my goalies decide to start sucking.
I agreed to trade Datsyuk for Getzi, solely because I think Getzi’s hot and Datsyuk never seems to score. As soon as I hit the “agree” button on the trade, Datsyuk’s been on fire, though. I think I’m really going to regret this decision.
I can’t even imagine what good goaltending is like!
I don’t even read the local newspapers anymore. Has this happened to anyone else?
I used to read, like, 700 newspapers online every day. Then one day I just stopped. All of them. I went cold turkey without consciously making the choice to; it was very strange, but also… kind of nice. Every now and again I’ll find myself checking up with the papers if something significant happens, but they’re always just so devoid of substantive content. I think it helps that there’s nothing going on in hockey right now — everyone’s just rolling along, playing their games, finding their personalities as teams. When the stretch run rolls around, or closer to the trade deadline I bet you’ll be more interested in the papers again, but right now what do they even have to say? Nothing’s really happening to report on!
Then one day I just stopped. All of them. I went cold turkey without consciously making the choice to; it was very strange, but also… kind of nice.
This is exactly what happened to me.
Oh and I just realized that of everyone commenting so far this evening I’m the only one not in the AmazingLeague. :(
Oh and I just realized that of everyone commenting so far this evening I’m the only one not in the AmazingLeague. :(
That means you can talk all kinds of trash about the other SuperLeaguers, and they’re not here to defend themselves!
Wait, Cat isn’t either. I think I meant I’m the only one here in the SuperLeague so it’s not as fun to complain about my opponents.
That means you can talk all kinds of trash about the other SuperLeaguers, and they’re not here to defend themselves!
Teehee. So true. Man, those FBits are…um…kicking my butt so far… Ok, I obviously need practice at smacktalking. :P
Well, we might not know them as fellow GMs, but we know them as friends… and I love talking about people behind their backs! Dish some dirt! Which GMs are the suckiest? Which ones lie and cheat and steal? Which ones are running their teams into the sewer? (I think I fall into all three categories in the AmazingLeague, in case you were wondering.)
Congratulations, alix! Great game. Good going, Luongo!
Man, those FBits are…um…kicking my butt so far… Ok, I obviously need practice at smacktalking. :P
Yeah, smacktalk is not really my strong suit either. I was all gung-ho about the little smacktalk bubbles on the league homepages at the start of the season, and now mine just basically is a place where I whine about how shitty the Marauders are. That’s… less than intimidating.
Well, let’s see. Vinny has been on the top of the heap forever. Sleek has been a bottom feeder till last week, when he moved up a bit. I started out somewhere in the middle of the pack, dropped near the bottom, had two good weeks and climbed and am sucking again this week. Andrew has tried trading MAF several times, but I don’t think he’s had any takers. And there isn’t much smacktalk going around. Everyone’s too nice. :)
basically is a place where I whine
That’s what we’re all doing too, if we use them at all.
Thanks, Patty :)
Oh, and I’m glad that your team is doing well, Alix. My team thinks it’s funny to stick me on an emotional roller coaster.
Right — congrats alix! Sorry I forgot to say something! @@@
Andrew has tried trading MAF several times, but I don’t think he’s had any takers.
Hee! andrew’s killing us all in the AmazingLeague, though, so I don’t feel too sorry for him. Thanks for the rundown!
Actually, Andrew is third right now, so he’s not doing a bad job in the SuperLeague. What other juicy tidbits should I know about the AmazingLeague?
Wait, Cat isn’t either. I think I meant I’m the only one here in the SuperLeague so it’s not as fun to complain about my opponents.
I’m not either. We can all band together and be non-leaguers, hee!
I never do fantasy hockey type stuff. Mainly because I’m strange and it would always be my goal to put together the worst team ever seen.
I never do fantasy hockey type stuff. Mainly because I’m strange and it would always be my goal to put together the worst team ever seen.
This is my first time doing fantasy anything. In college, I remember a bunch of the guys freaking out all the time about points and stuff even when their teams won, and I didn’t get it at all. Now, I’m the same. I even went and got extra fantasy advice. I think that’s stranger. :P
In college, I remember a bunch of the guys freaking out all the time about points and stuff even when their teams won, and I didn’t get it at all.
I dated a guy for a while who was totally obsessed with fantasy football – so much so that it got to the point where he could not disconnect himself from his computer and when he rarely did, he had his friend text message him fantasy football updates.
When the Madden obsession kicked in, he was gone.
What other juicy tidbits should I know about the AmazingLeague?
Good question. I’ve had Marauder tunnel vision, and after a strong start (where I opened a gap on everyone because I kept playing people whose players had no games), andrew handed me my ass and I’ve plummeted every since (and he’s ascended to greater and greater heights). I haven’t even been paying attention to who’s been passing me by. Let me go check… *opens another tab* Wow, there’s a lot of shuffling the deck going on there. I think every week the standings shift around, other than Steph being our anchor. It is entirely understandable that Steph hates the EC for what the Brave Little Toasters are doing to her.
I never do fantasy hockey type stuff.
I don’t either, so the rules of trades needing to be approved, and players going through waivers and all that crap are totally foreign to me. It took me FOREVER, hovering on the brink of tears, to figure out how to put Jason Williams on my IR, and then after going through that, and the further frustration of then trying to pick up a guy I had no idea was on waivers, I check up on my lineup last night and see Williams is playing again and scoring points. Gah.
Thanks Zot, thanks Schnookie. It’s nice that they’re on a roll after that disgusting October.
I am so bad at fantasy. I swear I’ve traded my whole roster almost and we still suck.
Holy crap. I should get to bed. Good night all!
‘Night, alix! Sweet dreams of your team being on such a roll!
I should probably turn in now, too. See you all tomorrow!
Nighty-night, you two! Actually, good night to anyone else around. :)
“strangely drawn to the Ducks”
I don’t think you and I can be friends any more.
What is it with Canadian rinks? Do they not consider lighting their buildings for television up there?
On my TV, the Saddledome always appears to be the best lit out of the west coast Canadian teams.
There’s a letter in Bucci’s mailbag today about the Sabres.
I didn’t think Bucci’s answer was too bad. But maybe I was in a good mood after reading his game log about a 1970′s game on the NHL Network.
I think I may need help, however; as for the past two weeks neither Bucky nor Bucci have made me say “shut up Bucky/Bucci” after reading their column.
I doubt I’ll be able to check in much today, but I just had to come in and say I saw a guy on the Metro who bore a resemblance Clarkson. He wasn’t quite as hot, of course, but enough to make me enjoy the brief part of the ride we shared. :)
I think I may need help, however; as for the past two weeks neither Bucky nor Bucci have made me say “shut up Bucky/Bucci” after reading their column.
Maybe you need to hit the archives to make up for this. Find their most insipid articles to inspire you to be shouting, “Stup up, Bucky and Bucci” over and over. It’ll make you feel better, I promise!
Wow.
I don’t think you and I can be friends any more.
We didn’t say we were happy about being drawn to the Ducks! We didn’t say it was in a good way or anything! Don’t go!!
Wow.
*cringe* yowch.
Stay klassy, Hollweg!
Wow.
Damn. There are days when I’m really happy that the most unsportsmanlike thing any of the Sabres do ::cough::Roy::cough:: is dive. I mean, I get that the teams hate each other and all but if true, that’s just low.
And on an actually classy note, saw this on HFBoards yesterday. The formatting, or lack thereof, makes it a bit tough to read, but it’s still a really nice story,
And on an actually classy note, saw this on HFBoards yesterday.
That is so sweet!
Awwwww! That is so nice! Go Ovie.
Thanks for making me cry at work, Meg! :D
That was a very sweet story.
Thanks for making me cry at work, Meg! :D
I know, seriously! I’m now pretending I just dusted my keyboard and got some crap in my eyes… :P
That was a great story, Meg. Makes me respect Ovie a lot more.
“Andrew has tried trading MAF several times, but I don’t think he’s had any takers.”
Won’t anybody take him?! C’mon guys! I know he looks like a fish out of water out there, but he’s bound to turn it around soon!
I know he looks like a fish out of water out there, but he’s bound to turn it around soon!
He’ll somehow find a way to make you look like an idiot for trading him while also making the person who picked him up look like an idiot. He’s just that kind of bad.
“He’ll somehow find a way to make you look like an idiot for trading him while also making the person who picked him up look like an idiot.”
That’s the best kind of trade! Although, his shutout a few days back certainly was a refreshing change.
In my non-IPB league a few weeks back I offered up Chris Osgood + a forward for Cam Ward + a forward in a trade to one of the guys. He declined, but Osgood is now 12-1-1 on the season, and he’s begging for the trade! Not that MAF is gonna go on a run like that…I’m just sayin’.
He declined, but Osgood is now 12-1-1 on the season, and he’s begging for the trade! Not that MAF is gonna go on a run like that…I’m just sayin’.
It’s a good story, and a nice attempt at the sell, but I don’t think anyone’s going to fall for it, andrew. Surely no one in the IPB universe would ever think MAF is on a par with Chris Osgood, right?
“It’s a good story, and a nice attempt at the sell, but I don’t think anyone’s going to fall for it, andrew.”
I’m just trying to appeal to the crazy IPB superstitions that all the Irregulars have! No one wants to trade, because they think if they give someone up, that guy’s gonna go on a tear! I’m just saying, it can work the other way too!
No one wants to trade, because they think if they give someone up, that guy’s gonna go on a tear! I’m just saying, it can work the other way too!
It’s true — I can guarantee that as soon as this interminable waiting period is over and the Keyboe Soloists/Marauders deal goes down, Sherry is going to be thrilled at the run Datsyuk goes on!
Who has Louie for fantasy? Bet you’re liking all those shut outs, huh? :D
I was convinced Gronk was going to go on a tear after I dropped him. Thankfully he hasn’t made me look like a chump (sorry Pensgirl)
“Who has Louie for fantasy? Bet you’re liking all those shut outs, huh? :D”
I think Mmmm…Kool Aid has him, and of course, we’re matched up this week. yay.
Good luck, Andrew. Heh.
“Good luck, Andrew. Heh.”
Yeah. Whatever.
My goalie production was shot in the foot this week by Martin Gerber of all people. 6.14 GAA doesn’t really get it done.
Anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?
My goalie production was shot in the foot this week by Martin Gerber of all people. 6.14 GAA doesn’t really get it done.
Same here. He was so good up till last week. :|
I was convinced Gronk was going to go on a tear after I dropped him. Thankfully he hasn’t made me look like a chump (sorry Pensgirl)
(If this layoff hasn’t lulled him back to sleep) it looks like the beast has awakened (finally). I don’t say that because he finally got some points, but rather because before he got the points he started doing the things he hadn’t been before: moving his legs, crashing the net, in general playing a more aggressive and less tentative game. The points were reward for his vastly improved effort on Thursday and Saturday. We’ll see if the lesson stuck.
I had actually been all for sitting him despite his solid defensive play because of how little he was skating to get the puck in the offensive zone. I was livid with him after the Rangers OT game because he had a chance to put it away with less than 20 seconds left and he didn’t drive to the puck.
I sound like a broken record on MAF, but I’ll say it again: a big part of his problem has been that the team hung him out like the morning laundry. He wasn’t playing well, but the team wasn’t giving him any backup at all. Goalie spirals can be snapped by a team that pitches in and gives him some help. That hadn’t been happening.
But lookie-loo, they played solidly in front of him on Saturday and he got a shutout. Again, who knows if it will stick – this is a long layoff after progress, they’re playing a good team tonight (and one looking to bounce back from a loss), and their previous glimmers of light haven’t turned into anything yet – but the right signs were there. We’ll see.
More importantly, they looked like they remembered that hockey was fun, so I have hope.
Anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?
I’m making marshmallows. Aaaaand… that’s about it. I’m also going to be on tenterhooks waiting for the Getzlaf/Datsyuk handoff. (My boss just left for the weekend with the heartening news that it’s supposed to snow on Sunday! Last weekend he left with the distressing news that there are layoffs on the horizon, so I’ve got much better vibes so far from this weekend than the last one.)
If it makes you feel better, I have Danny Sabourin and Johan Hedberg. Lovely guys, but not really lighting it up fro me.
Hmmm, I’m studying for an english final and trying not to freeze to death. Not the most exciting weekend ever :p
Anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?
My new oven is supposed to be delivered and installed today. My roommate volunteered her mother to sit in our apartment all day waiting. We’re hoping they don’t deliver it so late that the installation people don’t come to tomorrow. If it does get delivered I’ll make rugelach tomorrow which takes hours.
I have a bad cold so sitting at home sounds like a very exciting weekend to me.
No one wants to trade, because they think if they give someone up, that guy’s gonna go on a tear!
I’m still very happy that I waffled so long that andrew gave up on taking Voukoun for Hossa (plus others). He got over his crazy slump from the first of the season.
On the other hand, if I were following Hossa very closely, I might still be wishing for it.
Also, that might not have been the correct details of that trade talk — it’s been a while.
Anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?
I’m not going to celebrate Sinterklaas with my family (this is a good thing). I had my head re-evaluated today and I’ve been cleared to play on Sunday, so it’s all good.
Last weekend he left with the distressing news that there are layoffs on the horizon
Gah. Not fun.
Mmmm….marshmallows. Yum! Snow is pretty cool too. I don’t know that we have had much up in the Sierras this year yet. It’s so freaking dry, it’s unreal.
“Hmmm, I’m studying for an english final and trying not to freeze to death.”
Now that sounds like a party! (just kidding, sorry about the studying…and the freezing.)
I had my head re-evaluated today and I’ve been cleared to play on Sunday, so it’s all good.
Did they scan your cat? :P
“If it does get delivered I’ll make rugelach tomorrow which takes hours.”
What’s rugelach?
“I’m not going to celebrate Sinterklaas with my family (this is a good thing).”
what’s Sinterklaas?
Are you all just making up words to confuse me? It’s Friday, that’s not a nice thing to do at the end of the week!
If it does get delivered I’ll make rugelach tomorrow which takes hours.
Oh, how wonderful! A new oven is super-exciting on its own (and no, there’s no hyperbole there. It’s super-exciting. :P), but to add rugelach to the mix? Awesome!
I’m so sorry about your cold, Meg.
Did they scan your cat? :P
If I had one, I bet they would have :P Nah, just the standard questionnaire and some pretty basic balance and reaction tests.
“Also, that might not have been the correct details of that trade talk — it’s been a while.”
Yeah, somewhere in those trade talks you wanted me to take Drury and Pommer. Ah well…Hossa’s doing better every week, lokoing like his old self again. So, I’m okay that the trade never happened.
Nah, just the standard questionnaire and some pretty basic balance and reaction tests.
Oh, a DUI exam. :D
Glad to hear your head’s okay, Mags!
If it does get delivered I’ll make rugelach tomorrow which takes hours.
Ooooh! Yummmmm!
what’s Sinterklaas?
Dutch Christmas. Generally celebrated during the weekend closest to Dec 5th. Not celebrating it with my Dutch cousins means I get to save up all my gifts till Christmas, which should make for a proper explosion of wrapping paper when real gift-time rolls around.
What’s rugelach?
It’s a Jewish cookie. Basically pastry wrapped around some sort of filling. You can get it in stores but the sort you buy bears only the most passing of resemblances to what I make, which is my great-great-grandmother’s recipe.
The way I make it, it’s a sour creambased dough that you roll out and then cut into triangles. You then roll them into crescent-shaped cookies that are filled with a mix of cinnamon, sugar, walnuts, and raisins. I don’t actually like raisins though, so when I make it for myself I use dried cranberries instead. They’re delicious but because they need to be individually rolled it takes a long time.
Oh, a DUI exam. :D
:^::::::::
Thanks, Schnookie. I am too :D
Glad to hear your head is doing well, Mags!
“Not celebrating it with my Dutch cousins means I get to save up all my gifts till Christmas”
Sweet! Hope it’s a blast! Glad to hear your noggin is alright. Be careful out there.
“it’s a sour creambased dough that you roll out and then cut into triangles. You then roll them into crescent-shaped cookies that are filled with a mix of cinnamon, sugar, walnuts, and raisins”
That sounds great! I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of them before! And cranberries over raisins is always a good idea. I think I’m addicted to dried cranberries. Seriously.
Thank you too, Meg.
I didn’t know rugelach was Jewish. I thought it was just a holiday cookie. O well, goes to show what I know.
Meg, those sound fantastic! I love that it’s such a cherished family recipe, too. My family is so mid-western, ’50s ideals — we have no handed-down recipes that weren’t started during the postwar, processed-food boom by my grandmothers (and lifted from the labels on food packaging). Lots of mayonnaise and cream of mushroom soup. And a velveeta-spaghetti dish our dad invented and called “Irish spaghetti”.
And cranberries over raisins is always a good idea. I think I’m addicted to dried cranberries. Seriously.
I sternly disapprove of dried fruit in pretty much any setting. I’m glad to know you’re out there on the front lines, andrew, eating my share of dried cranberries so there’s not, like, a dangerous surplus or anything.
I didn’t know rugelach was Jewish. I thought it was just a holiday cookie.
Yup, it is in my opinion the best of all Jewish foods (not that it has much competition since Jewish food tends to be less than exciting). But hey, I’m a big fan of them being eaten as general holiday cookies.
Sweet! Hope it’s a blast!
Yeah, me too. I totally cheated on Christmas this year, I did give anyone a wishlist and bought all my gifts myself and sent them to my mom so she could wrap them. That way I’ll actually get stuff I like instead of an interpretation of something someone thinks I’ll like.
I sternly disapprove of dried fruit in pretty much any setting.
Seriously? Why? I don’t know what I’d snack on if I didn’t have dried apples or apricots.
Yup, it is in my opinion the best of all Jewish foods (not that it has much competition since Jewish food tends to be less than exciting). But hey, I’m a big fan of them being eaten as general holiday cookies.
I was recently given a box of rugelach as a thank you gift from a Chinese coworker for helping her with a big project. It was the melting pot at work!
I didn’t give anyone a wishlist. Damnit.
My family is so mid-western, ’50s ideals — we have no handed-down recipes that weren’t started during the postwar, processed-food boom by my grandmothers (and lifted from the labels on food packaging).
This is one of very few handed-down recipes we have. Actually I can only think of one other. And that one involves tinned cocoa so it can’t be all that traditional.
Yup, it is in my opinion the best of all Jewish foods (not that it has much competition since Jewish food tends to be less than exciting). But hey, I’m a big fan of them being eaten as general holiday cookies.
Hee. I don’t know much about Jewish food, but I’m a total sucker for matzos. But you’re right, they’re not very exciting.
Seriously? Why? I don’t know what I’d snack on if I didn’t have dried apples or apricots.
I’m not a big fan of fruit in general, and dried fruit is just a leathery, more intensely flavored version of the original. It’s just not my thing. (Although I make an exception for dried apricots.)
I think I’ve mentioned here before that I have a friend who hates chocolate, and had to be advised by her husband after she got married that no one but her likes to have raisins in their chocolate chip cookies.
“I sternly disapprove of dried fruit in pretty much any setting.”
Oh man, that’s too much for me to handle. I eat the shit out of dried fruit! I actually have to try and remind myself be good about it, because they’re so calorie packed.
“Lots of mayonnaise and cream of mushroom soup. And a velveeta-spaghetti dish our dad invented and called “Irish spaghetti”.”
And Jello molds. Lots of jello molds. Just kidding….but for reals, those things were hot shit back ni the 50′s and 60′s. Like ambrosia salad.
“Yup, it is in my opinion the best of all Jewish foods (not that it has much competition since Jewish food tends to be less than exciting).”
Not knowing many Jewish people, but being fascinated by cooking and food in general, I always pester my one close Jewish friend about recipes and whatnot. He doesn’t cook, or even keep Kosher though, so he’s never any help.
I’m not generally a fan of dried fruit either, particularly cooked in things. Cranberries are pretty much the only dried fruit I eat, and even then I don’t like them in muffins or anything like that.
Mags, I lik matzo too. And knishes and that sort of stuff but I’m a big fan of bland food. :)
andrew, I’m also addicted to dried cranberries! I developed a truly distrubing habit of drifting almost to sleep while driving home from work, so now I bring a tiny tupperware with a snack of cranberries. Presto change-o, I’m bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the whole way home! They, and even-more-so blueberries, are like a miracle food!
I’m not generally a fan of dried fruit either, particularly cooked in things.
Dried fruit should not be put in cooked things. Just, no.
Rugelach are amazing.
And cranberries over raisins is always a good idea. I think I’m addicted to dried cranberries. Seriously.
I love cranberries instead of raisins in oatmeal cookies. So yummy.
Mmmm, dried fruit is the shit. I OD on dried mangos whenever we go shop at Costco.
Totally random and off topic but has anyone seen the mascots for the 2010 Olympics? Holy freakin embarassing batman.
“Dried fruit should not be put in cooked things. Just, no.”
You guys are crazy! Raisins and dates in Morrocan dishes are a staple around our house!
“They, and even-more-so blueberries, are like a miracle food!”
Dried blueberries are awesome! Trader Joes sells a dried blend of blueberries, cherries, and strawberries that I have to buy every single week. I go through the little bags that fast.
Not knowing many Jewish people, but being fascinated by cooking and food in general, I always pester my one close Jewish friend about recipes and whatnot. He doesn’t cook, or even keep Kosher though, so he’s never any help.
Heh . . . all I make is rugelach and matzo brei (various ways to make it but I just crack matzo up into scrambled eggs and then cook them up together). There are a few other foods I like but don’t know how to cook myself.
Olympic mascots are always the best because they are never NOT totally stupid. I adore them!
We’re planting a zillion blueberry bushes this Spring (to add to the 2 we already have that produce the world’s best blueberries). I should get a dehydrator and make my own dried blueberries! That would be so awesome. So awesome! Then all I’d need is for our grape vines to start producing so I could make my own raisins. And then I’d need to turn our useless backyard into a cranberry bog! That would solve that pesky unwanted-grass problem!
Totally random and off topic but has anyone seen the mascots for the 2010 Olympics? Holy freakin embarassing batman.
I’ve yet to see an Olympic mascot that isn’t embarassing so I wouldn’t sweat it.
has anyone seen the mascots for the 2010 Olympics? Holy freakin embarassing batman.
Yes. I printed out their pictures and hung them on the wall. They’re super cute!
“We’re planting a zillion blueberry bushes this Spring”
Word! Also, that would be so awesome if you turned the back yard into a bog. I think I’ll be planting blackberries and strwberries this year. I think those are really the best for our climate, and I’m not much of a genius with pants, so I’ll give ‘em a shot.
Oh, and btw, I scored as Quatchi in the quiz :P
Well I guess they’ll probably sell well with the kidlets.
I’m not much of a genius with pants,
Typo of the week :D
“(various ways to make it but I just crack matzo up into scrambled eggs and then cook them up together).”
hmmm….that actually sounds pretty good. Like Robert Rodriguez’s breakfast tacos, where he makes the homemade tortilla chips and them crunches them up into scrambled eggs. I saw it on the special features of the Sin City DVD.
“I’m not much of a genius with pants,”
“Typo of the week :D”
I’m not gonna lie, every typo has an element of truth in it.
I think I’ll be planting blackberries and strwberries this year.
You can’t go wrong there! (I also think strawberries will thrive just about anywhere, won’t they? They’re like dandelions, but tastier.) We put in a couple of raspberry bushes this summer, and they were still bearing the most ridiculously good fruit last weekend. I can’t wait until they’re an overgrown bramble in the backyard, and we’re getting quarts and quarts of them. (My dislike of fruit does not include raspberries. Or strawberries. Those aren’t fruits — they’re desserts.)
I love dried fruit, but its concentrated sweetness is too much for me in more than small doses.
My nonna made awesome raisin cookies. She also made a cookie where the dough was square-cut and folded in at the corners (leaving little slats so you could see the filling). They were filled with apricot, pineapple, or prune, and she had some kind of glaze over them. I never learned how to make them, but I’m hoping one of my aunts has the recipe.
That woman made a mean cookie. Too bad she never wrote down her recipes.
Oh man, I adore blackberries! But we went with raspberries instead. We totally broke of the plants planting it and somehow that turned it into SuperRaspberry. It’s still producing this late in the year. I think it’s possessed. Apparently even the most moronic gardener can grow strawberries in NJ — except us.
I also think strawberries will thrive just about anywhere, won’t they?
In my opinion they grow the best strawberries in an area of England where it either never. stops. raining or they have spectacular droughts, so I think you’re probably right.
“I also think strawberries will thrive just about anywhere, won’t they?”
No, they need lots and lots of sun, but not too much rain or wind (messes up the berries). They’re like basil, kinda fragile.
I’m not much of a genius with pants,
Typo of the week :D
I was thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to say anything for fear of embarrassing anyone. I should have remembered who it was who typed that. :P
They’re super cute!
I agree, based on the digital version. When they’re brought to life, they’ll probably be the scariest things alive.
No, they need lots and lots of sun, but not too much rain or wind (messes up the berries). They’re like basil, kinda fragile.
Like Pookie said, every single person in NJ ends up with too many strawberries every May (except us), so I’ve kind of been operating under the assumption they grow anywhere. I guess this is just a bobo climate around here for them! :D
“That woman made a mean cookie. Too bad she never wrote down her recipes.”
Not writing down recipes, when baking, is (no pun intended) a recpie for disaster! I know it’s easy with regular cooking, but baking is a whole different ball of wax.
When they’re brought to life, they’ll probably be the scariest things alive.
I hadn’t thought about that.
I should have remembered who it was who typed that. :P
Andrew :P (see, I remembered, my head really is all better!)
Like Robert Rodriguez’s breakfast tacos, where he makes the homemade tortilla chips and them crunches them up into scrambled eggs.
Mmm . . . they sound yummy.
No, they need lots and lots of sun, but not too much rain or wind (messes up the berries). They’re like basil, kinda fragile.
Good luck, then.
The only time my mother tried to grow food instead of flowers in the garden we planted too many seeds and had cucumber (I think) vines growing half way down the back lawn. Never got any cucumbers though.
We’re planting a zillion blueberry bushes this Spring (to add to the 2 we already have that produce the world’s best blueberries). I should get a dehydrator and make my own dried blueberries! That would be so awesome. So awesome! Then all I’d need is for our grape vines to start producing so I could make my own raisins. And then I’d need to turn our useless backyard into a cranberry bog! That would solve that pesky unwanted-grass problem!
The blueberry industry is huge in Nova Scotia. We were so sad that we didn’t have time to hit up this blueberry farm and winery when we were up there.
I’m hungry after all this talk about dried fruit! Time for lunch. Have a great friday, everybody.
“I guess this is just a bobo climate around here for them! :D”
I dunno, probably! I know that they EVERYWHERE in California. I think the Santa Barbara area is, like, the Strawberry capital of the world, or something.
I’m hungry after all this talk about dried fruit! Time for lunch.
I’m with you there. Except then it’s dinner time. See y’all in a bit!
I eat the shit out of dried fruit!
Eww! Another reason not to like dried fruit. :P (I’m with Schnookie on that one.)
(Although, I have a love/hate relationship with raisins. I love raisin bran cereals and raisins straight out of the box, but I hate them when they’re cooked into anything. Especially cookies.)
Trader Joes sells a dried blend of blueberries, cherries, and strawberries that I have to buy every single week.
That actually sounds good, though.
Morning, folks. Mmm, a Ducks win, on a night when I wasn’t watching? Delicious!
See ya alix, Mags.
Hey Earl! Are you feeling better? (Wins are good for improving one’s health, aren’t they?)
I love raisin bran cereals
One of my favorite cereals is Raisin Nut Bran, where they somehow fuse the peanut dust to the raisins. Yummmm. I can’t eat it regularly anymore because the recipe contains enough milk to cause a reaction (itchy eyes and a little rash under the left one), but every now and again I make an exception because it’s just too yummy.
I LOVE Raisin Nut Bran!
What do you pour over it, if not milk?
Enriched almond milk. It’s thinner than the milk I used (1%) but it tastes good. I buy the vanilla flavor, which just has a hint of vanilla that adds some sweetness.
What up Earl? Squeaked ahead of the Sharks in the standings last night. That’s some BS.
has anyone seen the mascots for the 2010 Olympics
I think they’re cute. Also adorable are the 2008 mascots. They’ve got good background stories and names, too!
Ooh, and fruit discussion. We’ve grown strawberries before, and it’s fairly sunny and dry here, but they’ve never done that well. *shrugs* We’ve opted for mostly fruit trees instead and grow super sweet (although kind of small) peaches, plums, and persimmons. Our nectarines and apricots are hit or miss, though.
Are you feeling better?
Much better, although this weekend probably promises to take a bit of that vigor back.
Strangely, though, I feel a bit depressed today on behalf of Flames fans. That’s the thing about being a crummy team–sometimes you can’t help feeling bad when other teams are noticeably worse.
Squeaked ahead of the Sharks in the standings last night. That’s some BS.
Awww, poor Sharks. You just need a few more games against the pre-Bryzgalov Coyotes.
Squeaked ahead of the Sharks in the standings last night.
The Sharks have played fewer games than the Ducks, though.
“You just need a few more games against the pre-Bryzgalov Coyotes.”
Psh…not too worried about Bryz. Even with some early season struggles, the Sharks have absolutely throttled the ‘yotes. They’re playing the Avs for the first time tonight. Should be a good one.
“The Sharks have played fewer games than the Ducks, though.”
Yeah, 3 games in hand.
So it looks like the schedule change for next season has been voted on. That’s pretty cool.
Ooh, so it’s actually raining today, and not that ten minute drizzle crap. If this were school, they’d be cavorting around in their birthday suits. :P
So it looks like the schedule change for next season has been voted on. That’s pretty cool.
I agree. Though I would bet good money on the Sabres being one of the no votes, not wanting to lose the cash cow of Leafs home games.
The governors ploughed through most of the items on their agenda Thursday night and adopted the pre-lockout schedule by a vote of 26-4. Sources indicated that the opposition came from the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks. (source)
That’s an interesting set of GMs to go against the proposed schedule (which I’ve heard isn’t too big a change). I wonder what problem Burke had with it.
So it looks like the schedule change for next season has been voted on. That’s pretty cool.
Yeah. I’d actually have been OK with cutting the last three games off the schedule rather than having random wild-cards. But I know they’d never cut games because they’re too used to the revenue.
Doing a complete 180, though I’m not generally fond of adding games I did think the Detroit proposal with East-West home-and-homes every year was interesting too.
But anything was better than what we have now!
That’s an interesting set of GMs to go against the proposed schedule (which I’ve heard isn’t too big a change). I wonder what problem Burke had with it.
It is an interesting set. I’m surprised that Regier didn’t vote against it.
I wonder what problem Burke had with it.
Travel?
“Though I would bet good money on the Sabres being one of the no votes, not wanting to lose the cash cow of Leafs home games.”
You’re probably right, but it’s only one game that they’d be losing. Not the end of the world.
I like that the eastern teams will have to leave their time zones once in a while. I’m going to the SJ vs. TOR game in January and I guess it’s the first time the Leafs have been to the Tank in like 6 or 7 (or some rediculous length) years. That long of a wait for two teams to match up is pretty lame no matter how you slice it.
But anything was better than what we have now!
Again, I’ll be a contrarian voice here. I care much less about east-vs-west games than I do about east-vs-east or west-vs-west games.
And while everyone likes to talk about seeing Sidney or AO or something, there’s going to be plenty of stinker east-west games that aren’t going to attract. What did the Stars pull in Long Island–8,000 fans?
Can’t wait to get that on the schedule every year (yawn).
I care much less about east-vs-west games than I do about east-vs-east or west-vs-west games.
Same here.
“That’s an interesting set of GMs to go against the proposed schedule”
I think Burke is the only real surprise. The other three are pretty cozy with their travel schedules. (The Bruins should be voting for it, to avoid benig destroyed by the rest of the NE every year!)
“(which I’ve heard isn’t too big a change)”
it’s going to be:
6 divisional games (each opponent)
4 conference games (each opponent)
15 total non-conference games
3 wild card games
I like that the eastern teams will have to leave their time zones once in a while.
Actually, so do I, because I’m tired of hearing all that crap come playoff time about how the Eastern teams supposedly can’t handle traveling to the West in the SCF because they don’t do it enough during the regular season.
Again, I’ll be a contrarian voice here. I care much less about east-vs-west games than I do about east-vs-east or west-vs-west games.
My point wasn’t based in East-West at all. Nor was it a commentary on everybody’s schedule. It was a totally selfish point that what we have now is me having to put up with 8 games against the Rangers and Flyers. Who are evil. All of the proposed alternatives involve less evil in my life, so they are all better.
I’m sure the Ookies can feel me on that. :)
And while everyone likes to talk about seeing Sidney or AO or something, there’s going to be plenty of stinker east-west games that aren’t going to attract.
That really is the most specious argument. During the Ducks game last night Ahlers was being all, “This is so great! Now we can see the big stars in the East like Crosby and Ovechkin and…” Pookie was like, “and WHO? Who else? TELL ME WHO!”
I also don’t care as much about the cross-conference games, especially when they only play each other once a year (I liked the way things were back when we first became fans, and teams played at least once in every building), but one thing I’ve learned from the unbalanced schedule is that all familiarity breeds is boredom. I’ll take the variety of a more balanced schedule, with all its attendent lack of intensity, over the mundane repetitiveness of the unbalanced one.
I think Burke is the only real surprise. The other three are pretty cozy with their travel schedules.
I’m more surprised by who isn’t there than who is.
“I’ll take the variety of a more balanced schedule, with all its attendent lack of intensity, over the mundane repetitiveness of the unbalanced one.”
That’s what I’m talking about. It’s not that I’m dying to see Sid or AO. I can flip on the freakin’ TV if I want to see ‘em. I just get tired of seeing the Ducks, Coyotes, Senators, and Leafs 8 times a year.
Again, I’ll be a contrarian voice here. I care much less about east-vs-west games than I do about east-vs-east or west-vs-west games.
Oh, and Earl, come on — we’re supposed to believe you care about east-vs-east games? You’re not fooling any of us! :D
one thing I’ve learned from the unbalanced schedule is that all familiarity breeds is boredom
Or abject fear that the next Flyers incident is going to involve one of your team’s players, because look at the probability.
…but one thing I’ve learned from the unbalanced schedule is that all familiarity breeds is boredom.
Really? I dunno–I’m still not saturated on my ability to get excited over a Ducks-Sharks or Ducks-Kings game (and if the Ducks could play the Stars even close to evenly, that too).
Phoenix may be a bit of a yawner these days, but I don’t think that it will always be the case.
They certainly have more drama to me than ANY opponent in the east. I wouldn’t mind, really, if we never played them. Games are much more meaningful when one team cares about how many points their opponent gets; when it’s indifference, that’s boring to me.
Pookie was like, “and WHO? Who else? TELL ME WHO!”
Vinny….
And don’t forget Clarkson! Shouldn’t that face appear in every rink once a year? I mean, c’mon!
“Or abject fear that the next Flyers incident is going to involve one of your team’s players, because look at the probability.”
HA! Yeah, you can keep your 8 games against that pack of retards.
I suspect Burke went against it for two reasons:
1. Travel
2. Lou
and WHO? Who else? TELL ME WHO!”
Crunchy? The slag-faced whore brigade in NYC?
HA! Yeah, you can keep your 8 games against that pack of retards.
Although poor Boston has taken the brunt of it so far. I’m just afraid that with every incident their bloodthirst grows, and we’ve got a coupla guys I’m sure they’d love to take out anyway. They should all wear Jason’s goalie mask because that’s all I see out there anyway.
I just get tired of seeing the Ducks, Coyotes, Senators, and Leafs 8 times a year.
I suspect this may be a result of how boring games are becoming–schedule changes won’t really affect that.
The slag-faced whore brigade in NYC?
Hee! I say we petition to have the team name changed to that!
“I suspect this may be a result of how boring games are becoming–schedule changes won’t really affect that.”
No. It’s definitely not that. I have found that there is literally no way for a game itself to be boring for me. I love 0-0 ties, 7-6 barn burners, whatever. The game itself is great, no matter what. I simply get tired of seeing the same opponent all the time.
Then again, I’m also the type of person who will go to a bar and order 6 or 7 comlpetely different drinks. I like a little variety!
BTW, sorry about all the typos today. I just haven’t proofed a single post. I’ll start now, I prmise.
Just kidding! Seriously, I’ll get my shit together.
I suspect this may be a result of how boring games are becoming–schedule changes won’t really affect that.
My interest in changing the schedule has nothing to do with the idea that the actual quality of play will be increased. It comes from the fact that I’m no longer going to be able to have such a narrow view of the league. I hate that there is barely any reason for me to be paying attention to what happening in the other EC divisions, and literally no reason for me to be paying attention to the WC. Sure, the games will still be boring in and of themselves, but at least I’ll have reason to take occasional note of what’s happening outside the Atlantic.
I love 0-0 ties, 7-6 barn burners, whatever.
I’m not really speaking from a total-score perspective; that doesn’t seem to affect my excitement either (well, a 1-0 game is more exciting than a 5-0 game, but that’s a function of blowout-or-not).
I mean boring more in the sense of “oh boy more power plays” or “oh boy I hope they keep chipping off the glass all night” or “oh boy they’re doing a great job forcing their opponent offsides”.
I think the sport is tougher to sell now to non-fans than possibly it ever was. I’ve stopped trying to get non-fan friends to watch; I think it would put them off for life.
Sure, the games will still be boring in and of themselves, but at least I’ll have reason to take occasional note of what’s happening outside the Atlantic.
I guess, though you do seem to be keeping an eye around the league anyway. If you want to prevent one-conference-myopia, the best way to do that is to put 30 teams on one standings board. Then I for sure would support more east-west games and would start keeping an eye on how eastern teams were doing.
Putting them on the ANA schedule, though, I still don’t care how bad or good any eastern team does outside of that one game.
“I mean boring more in the sense of “oh boy more power plays” or “oh boy I hope they keep chipping off the glass all night” or “oh boy they’re doing a great job forcing their opponent offsides”.”
I see your point. But I still tend to agree with Schnookie in that I think it will be a welcome change to not sit and pay attention strictly to the divisions my teams are in.
“I think the sport is tougher to sell now to non-fans than possibly it ever was. I’ve stopped trying to get non-fan friends to watch; I think it would put them off for life.”
That, I don’t really have much of an opinion on. I don’t necessarily think the game is in a state of crisis. I wish Bettman and the board would quit fucking with the rules, but other than that, I could give a shit if a non-fan likes the game or not. It’ll grow or it won’t. I don’t think there’s much that can honestly be done to entice the average American non-fan (who currently either doesn’t know that hockey is still being played, or thinks it’s a lame sport). I just wish that weren’t such an issue. Let the guys play and hopefully some folks will start watching.
Well, I have to go to an all-employee meeting. Hopefully they’ll give us food and tell us we’re all wonderful.
Have a nice evening/weekend folks.
See ya Meg. Enjoy the holiday/Jewish cookies this weekend!
I mean boring more in the sense of “oh boy more power plays” or “oh boy I hope they keep chipping off the glass all night” or “oh boy they’re doing a great job forcing their opponent offsides”.
Someone needs to go home and watch his Ducks Championship DVD series, I think! :)
Bye Meg! Have a great new-oven-filled weekend!
I could give a shit if a non-fan likes the game or not.
Yeah, generally I think I can agree with this statement at face value. But honestly, I’m watching games with a critical eye on entertainment value lately, and I’m not impressed.
Maybe the better question to ask (instead of what a non-fan thinks) is that if I were a non-fan today, like I was in the early 90s, would the sport captivate me the way it did in the early 90s?
I’m dubious. The things that used to sell me on it seem to be dead or diluted–I know that players are talented, but rarely do I get to see it any more. I know that end-to-end hockey or odd-man-rushes are fun, but they seem to be disappearing quickly. I know that goals can be awesome, but I’m not sold so much on throw-it-to-the-point-and-see-if-it-pinballs-in.
Sure, drinking at the event helps, but it shouldn’t be as necessary as it’s becoming.
I just wish that weren’t such an issue. Let the guys play and hopefully some folks will start watching.
AMEN!
The thing that pisses me off the most about the constant rule-changing and hand-wringing is that it makes me start to wonder if there’s something wrong with me that I like the sport in the first place. I mean, clearly it’s just boring and dreadful and it needs to be radically altered if it’s ever going to approximate watchability, and I’m stuck thinking, “I must be a simpleton or something, because I kind of thought I liked the game. How wrong I must be.” This tactic of constantly undermining from within the perceived entertainment value of the sport is probably even more harmful to the growth of its popularity than any actual elements of the game. (That is not to say that I don’t think there are flaws in the product, but show me the professional sport that is constant, non-stop intensity and razzle-dazzle.)
Someone needs to go home and watch his Ducks Championship DVD series, I think! :)
Yeah, the cup last spring does cloud things for me, for sure. I mean, it’s easy to overlook things when your teams ends up on top all the time (or maybe it’s easy to get critical when the chips are down), so maybe I’m just being petty.
Still, it’s very difficult for me to find optimism on the path the league seems to be going down–more power plays, less creativity, more defense. It amazes me that my days as a fan may be numbered–I never would have anticipated it pre-lockout, at least.
I mean, clearly it’s just boring and dreadful and it needs to be radically altered if it’s ever going to approximate watchability
So why do people still watch baseball? As Scott Kraven once wrote, it comes with it’s share of dead time. The change of sides after each half inning. The seventh inning stretch. The way the pitcher looks for a sign from the catcher. And looks. And looks. And scratches. And looks. And then the batter calls a time-out.
Dude, half my comment went missing there.
That bit was supposed to be followed up with:
But it’s still America’s game? At this point, I think they should see what happens to the game of hockey with the rules the way they are. Give it time, as with everything it’s an organic process.
“if I were a non-fan today, like I was in the early 90s, would the sport captivate me the way it did in the early 90s?”
I hear ya. Let’s take a quick look at the Ducks of the early 90′s though. I’m willing to bet that the tandem of Kariya and Selanne brought a hell of a lot of kids, just like you, into the fold. If you watched Thornton and Cheechoo, or Lecavelier and St. Louis create that same magic now, as a budding fan, you would probably be stoked. So I think the fans will come, it just depends on the circumstances.
“This tactic of constantly undermining from within the perceived entertainment value of the sport is probably even more harmful to the growth of its popularity than any actual elements of the game.”
I 100% agree. I think it is making the NHL look like a desperate frat boy trying to get into America’s pants. America is a hot chick, if you weren’t quite following my reference there.
Maybe the better question to ask (instead of what a non-fan thinks) is that if I were a non-fan today, like I was in the early 90s, would the sport captivate me the way it did in the early 90s?
I think this is a question that can be asked legitimately about all four “major” professional sports. The landscape has changed the same way for all of them, just as far as the on-field product goes. The last 15 years have seen massive changes in information technologies and management, meaning coaching systems are more informed and better prepared. We’ve also seen massive booms in revenue for all the sports leagues, meaning more financial pressure on coaches to win games at all costs. Parity and conservative play are the bugaboos of all four leagues now — this is not just hockey’s problem. At the same time, though, the athletes themselves are increasingly, well, athletic, (through kosher and non-kosher means) so the average skill and fitness levels are much higher now than they ever were. It makes for a strange combination of the present-day product being both far better and far worse than whatever you might want to target as your sport of choice’s halcyon days in the past.
America is a hot chick, if you weren’t quite following my reference there.
Thanks for the clarification, andrew! :P
Yeah, the cup last spring does cloud things for me, for sure. I mean, it’s easy to overlook things when your teams ends up on top all the time (or maybe it’s easy to get critical when the chips are down), so maybe I’m just being petty.
Oh, actually I just meant you should watch to remember the good times! That wasn’t a dig meaning, “Yeah, well, you’re team’s boring, too!” It was meant, 100% as a kind, buck-up-sad-clown sort of comment. Sorry! @@@@@
“Thanks for the clarification, andrew! :P”
You’re welcome! But seriously, it’s pathetic. I think it makes the NHL look like it is completely riddled with self doubt. I think if the league started to swagger a little bit, y’know, truly believe that this sport is the best, then people would take notice.
Not to hang on the dating references, but it’s like when a guy’s into a girl and she ignores him. Drives him wild! If she hangs all over him and constantly preens for attention, then it’s not interesting. Maybe? Anyone?
It amazes me that my days as a fan may be numbered–I never would have anticipated it pre-lockout, at least.
That’s how I felt before the lockout, actually. I was just tired of it all. The year away did me good (which is why I don’t often complain about the lockout), and it actually turned out that I was just tired of the Devils. Once I started watching other teams who were, well, better than mine, I was reminded of what I liked about the sport.
Not to hang on the dating references, but it’s like when a guy’s into a girl and she ignores him. Drives him wild! If she hangs all over him and constantly preens for attention, then it’s not interesting. Maybe? Anyone?
You’re absolutely right! People who really pay attention to football grouse ALL THE TIME about how boring NFL coaches are, how parity is killing the game, how conservative play always is and why can’t we go back to [whatever] era, and blah blah blah. But do you ever hear the NFL talking like that? Hells no! Because they know how hott they are!
You’re welcome! But seriously, it’s pathetic. I think it makes the NHL look like it is completely riddled with self doubt. I think if the league started to swagger a little bit, y’know, truly believe that this sport is the best, then people would take notice.
I laugh at people who don’t like hockey, and I say “I don’t need your dumb ass trying to steal my seat in the arena anyway.” A few have admitted to tuning into games thanks to this tactic.
The reasons non-fans give for not watching makes me think it’s just a sport for smarter people anyway. “It’s too fast! I can’t see the puck! You look around and it’s a totally different set of players than was just on there! I don’t understaaaaand WAAAAAH.”
You’re absolutely right! People who really pay attention to football grouse ALL THE TIME about how boring NFL coaches are…how conservative play always is…
Oh, you’ve met my dad! :P
But do you ever hear the NFL talking like that? Hells no! Because they know how hott they are!
Clearly, the NFL has been listening to the Dog Whisperer. It goes around with “we’re the shiznit” assertivenessand the rest of the leagues are all, “OOOH, the NFL is the Alpha Dog!”
The one bit of credit I’ll give the NFL is that it also has apologized to teams when its refs have seriously effed up (one season the Steelers received apologies for three different games where calls affected the outcome). You would never hear the NHL do that…nobody’s accountable for anything in this league.
Because they know how hott they are!
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Whenever I consider hockey’s value as entertainment, I survey my alternative options.
1. Network TV? Not a chance.
2. Movies? Meh. I’m just not drawn in as much any more by them.
3. Read a book? Excuse me? Seriously though, that’s not very social.
4. Board games? Don’t let me stitch at the same time.
5. NBA? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
6. NFL? Good, but doesn’t play every night.
7. Staring at a blank wall? Surprisingly more boring that the worst Islanders-Devils snooze fest.
“But do you ever hear the NFL talking like that? Hells no! Because they know how hott they are!”
They do…and people watch.
I think what it boils down to is this: Baseball and football are “America’s games.” Hockey is not. It’s Canada’s game. Pure and simple. Trying to force Americans to love hockey is like trying to force Europeans to like American football. Its a square peg in a round hole.
I mean boring more in the sense of “oh boy more power plays” or “oh boy I hope they keep chipping off the glass all night” or “oh boy they’re doing a great job forcing their opponent offsides”.
My definition of boring has lately been, “oh boy the Kings again” or “oh boy the Ducks again”. That’s why I’m glad they’re changing it. I’m happier about what we’ll get less of than more of.
I think what it boils down to is this: Baseball and football are “America’s games.” Hockey is not. It’s Canada’s game. Pure and simple.
It should be noted that in ’94 the NHL was on a par with the NBA. It’s not unheard of for Americans to care about the sport. But it’s not something that happened because of anything the NHL actively did — it happened pretty organically. I really feel it would behoove the league to stop turning itself inside out trying to get back to that high-water mark and just focus on getting its house in order. Let the product be the best thing it can be (not the best thing they think an imagined, future fanbase would want it to be), and let the NBA run itself into the ground (which it’s trying its hardest to do). Then be there to swoop into the vacuum.
(Of course, there is a much more diluted televised sports universe now than there was in ’94. Everything but football is becoming increasingly “niche” because there’s so much more available to us than ever before.)
It’s Canada’s game. Pure and simple. Trying to force Americans to love hockey is like trying to force Europeans to like American football. Its a square peg in a round hole.
I’m American, though, and I got bitten by the hockey bug.
I think calling it a nationalized sport is too much of a cop-out. I’m not saying that hockey needs to appeal to all Americans, but it shouldn’t be among the toughest things to watch, either.
I guess nothing will really happen to improve the sport (meaningfully) until Canadians start getting bored with their own product, though. I’m guessing that’s not as far away as it should be.
“Whenever I consider hockey’s value as entertainment, I survey my alternative options.”
Ha! That’s a good list. Here’s mine:
1) TV, I got about 4 shows I’ll watch, Eff the rest.
2) Read a book. Word.
3) Video games, only if the wife is preoccupied, otherwise…no dice.
4) NFL, NBA, MLB can all go die.
5) Eat and sleep. Which are surprisingly entertaining.
My definition of boring has lately been, “oh boy the Kings again” or “oh boy the Ducks again”. That’s why I’m glad they’re changing it. I’m happier about what we’ll get less of than more of.
Nicely put, Patty!
5) Eat and sleep. Which are surprisingly entertaining.
Well, those are more interesting than watching hockey… :)
6. NFL? Good, but doesn’t play every night.
Eh. It’s OK.
I kept wondering why my interest in football has waned every year since I graduated college. Turns out there are two primary reasons:
In college, I didn’t get to see hockey on TV very much, and sort of forgot how much I loved it. I rediscovered it when I went back to Pittsburgh for grad school.
Pensblog figured out the next one. They took a stopwatch to an NFL game and figured out that for 60 minutes of game time and three and a half hours of real time, there are 13 minutes of actual football played. That’s outrageous. They want me to call them “athletes?” Yes, slamming yourself into other people play after play is exhausting, but THIRTEEN MINUTES between all of offense, defense, and special teams? That works out to, let’s say six minutes for offense, six for D, and one for special teams. Not a bad day’s work, eh?
I agree overall Pookie. The alternatives aren’t as interesting. Bad hockey is still better than good just about anything else.
5) Eat and sleep. Which are surprisingly entertaining.
Well, those are more interesting than watching hockey…
But if there was no hockey, the only thing I’d ever get out of bed for is food. And that can’t be a healthy way to live. Can it?
“I’m American, though, and I got bitten by the hockey bug.”
I’m speaking on large, general terms. Obviously not individually. I’m American too y’know.
“not saying that hockey needs to appeal to all Americans, but it shouldn’t be among the toughest things to watch, either.”
All I’m saying is that if you take the non-hockey watching percentage of Americans (about 99%, according to every sports writer ever) and poll their households, most (definitely not all) of them have a baseball, football, and basketball team they root for. At least 2 out of those 3 sports anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised if fewer than 10% could even name more than 3 or 4 NHL teams….let alone actively cheer for one. I know it’s a pessimistic viewpoint, but that’s just the way I see it.
I’m American, though, and I got bitten by the hockey bug.
What was it that did it? Lack of parity? Lack of the instigator rule? Fewer teams? Did you think, nah… football has 32 teams. Let’s try hockey, it only has 26 (or however many there were).
Was it 6-5 games every single night no matter who was playing? Was it because they never chipped it into the corner back then? Or because the goalie just stood there and let shots go past him?
Was it 6-5 games every single night no matter who was playing? Was it because they never chipped it into the corner back then? Or because the goalie just stood there and let shots go past him?
Whoa, whoa, whoa Patty! Are you saying hockey wasn’t ALL AWESOME, ALL THE TIME!!!! back in its “glory days”? :P
“But if there was no hockey, the only thing I’d ever get out of bed for is food.”
Just food? But what about the booze? Won’t someone think of the booze?
That’s why I’m glad they’re changing it. I’m happier about what we’ll get less of than more of.
It is a tragedy when you don’t want to play your rivals, I’ll grant you that. Hopefully you’ll find playing less relevant teams to be more exciting.
I think what it boils down to is this: Baseball and football are “America’s games.” Hockey is not. It’s Canada’s game. Pure and simple.
Part of the problem is that Canada promotes itself as the first nation of hockey. Its hard to overcome the stereotype of a game belonging to only one country when that country actively promotes itself as such.
What was it that did it?
Ooooh, great comment, Patty!
What was it that did it? Lack of parity?
The best part about bitching about parity is that leagues that don’t have it spend all their time bitching that the same few teams always win everything. The grass is always greener, you know?
Whoa, whoa, whoa Patty! Are you saying hockey wasn’t ALL AWESOME, ALL THE TIME!!!! back in its “glory days”? :P
Go read Bucci’s blog of a game from 1970. The changes between then and now are sobering.
Another thing I think people tend to overlook is that the NHL circa 1980-1995 was actualy a bit of a statistical anomaly. The game before that time, and since then has been a low scoring, defensive one. It’s the nature of the game. The league is trying to re-create an entire era that was essentially a fluke. (Well, not a fluke. That’s a strong word, but you get my drift)
…not saying that hockey needs to appeal to all Americans, but it shouldn’t be among the toughest things to watch, either.
I just really don’t understand this. Even when the broadcasters are saying a game is boring, I NEVER find them boring. I guess I’m just a simpleton, but there is so much going on all the time, even in a slow game, that it just isn’t boring to me.
How can you think it’s the “toughest to watch”? What’s easier to watch?
I think a lot of comparisons are made, just like in regular life, between something you’re immersed in and something you only see from the outside. Like, I think football is exceedingly boring, but I understand that I don’t see the details of a football game, only the big picture. But while I was watching baseball on a regular basis, I thought it was very entertaining, because I learned about a lot of the nuances that I hadn’t seen before.
If somebody is watching hockey and looking for certain events, they might be disappointed. But if they’re watching what’s happening, there’s always plenty to appreciate between and among those events.
Hopefully you’ll find playing less relevant teams to be more exciting.
Less relevant than the Kings and Coyotes?
It is a tragedy when you don’t want to play your rivals, I’ll grant you that. Hopefully you’ll find playing less relevant teams to be more exciting.
The tragedy is when a league with 30 teams enforces the notion that only 5 of them are relevant.
What was it that did it?
There were guys doing amazing things on skates that I couldn’t do on dry land. The creativity was a big seller, too. And games had to be won or lost with a 5-man-unit, less help coming from the referees. Goalies used to have to make more stunning saves.
Basically, I do think there was more to watch in a 60-minute game back then.
It’s probably over-nostalgic; there were certainly stinker games back then, also. I just really don’t recall thinking hockey was “tedious” as much as I do these days, especially after a 2-0 lead.
I’ve got to go dark for a while (damn webex). You guys can recover optimism while I’m gone.
“Its hard to overcome the stereotype of a game belonging to only one country when that country actively promotes itself as such.”
It’s that same stereotype that makes the NFL, MLB, and NBA so popular in America. It’s an “our game” mentality. It’s just unfortunate that the US is the TV market that the 4 leagues are fighting for. Leaves the NHL being the only league screwed by that stereotype.
The league is trying to re-create an entire era that was essentially a fluke. (Well, not a fluke. That’s a strong word, but you get my drift)
Exactly.
Also it was dominated by a player that was essentially a fluke.
“I just really don’t recall thinking hockey was “tedious” as much as I do these days, especially after a 2-0 lead.”
Comes with age. Everything from your younger days seems better. As life becomes more complex and “baggage” gets heavier, ithas a tendency to wear people down, and it gets harder to fight. Makes things seem less fun than you remember.
Jebus, there’s a cheerful thought!
How can you think it’s the “toughest to watch”? What’s easier to watch?
Not my perspective; I was talking about non-fans, who on a daily basis find many many things easier to watch.
Less relevant than the Kings and Coyotes?
Sure, at least those teams are competition on the Stars’ playoff hopes. If the Kings were a 120-point team or a 50-point team, that would make a big difference to other western teams. I can’t say the same for any team in the east.
Can I just stop for a second to say that I’m loving this discussion! Everyone here is a fan, intelligent, and lives in reality world. Makes it fun!
Okay, game on!
Goalies used to have to make more stunning saves.
Oh, not everyone plays as passive a butterfly these days as Giggy. There’s still a lot of stunning saves going on elsewhere in the league. Just… not in Anaheim. :D
Can I just stop for a second to say that I’m loving this discussion! Everyone here is a fan, intelligent, and lives in reality world. Makes it fun!
Me too! We’re all such supergeniuses! (Although I’m trying to move to that non-reality world…)
Patty – hee!
Really, the league just needs to meet more of the Americans who aren’t into hockey. They’re not missing anything. Let them have their NASCAR. We’re never going to get a population whose idea of the best time ever is watching something go in a circle. And I don’t want ‘em.
It’d be nice to get more people like my roommate, who always flirted with hockey but didn’t really get into it until living with me. But I would stop with people like her, the “on-the-fence” folks. I understand that mass appeal is the best economic situation for the teams and for the league, but dumbing down the game to get there makes no sense.
Can I just stop for a second to say that I’m loving this discussion!
Me too! It’s making me regret that I asked to leave work now instead of at 5! Cheerio everyone! I look forward to reading where this goes when I get up from my nice Friday nap! Yay, sleeping!
There were guys doing amazing things on skates that I couldn’t do on dry land. The creativity was a big seller, too. And games had to be won or lost with a 5-man-unit, less help coming from the referees. Goalies used to have to make more stunning saves.
I still see this all the time. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t watching hockey in the vaunted early ’90s, but I’m still impressed with a lot of the creativity. Especially since they cracked down on the hooking and holding. The refs were affecting games back then, too, by not calling that stuff. It started a whole trend. Now the trend has to be reversed, and you can’t just suddenly be facing the other way, it takes time to turn around.
And, maybe it’s just because I watch Marty Turco a lot, but I think the game is RIFE with stunning saves. Rife!
“Yay, sleeping!”
And eating!
Let them have their NASCAR. We’re never going to get a population whose idea of the best time ever is watching something go in a circle. And I don’t want ‘em.
I’m not a NASCAR fan but I will say, it does have action 100% of the time, which even hockey can’t say. So it’s really the exact opposite of the Pensblog point you brought up!
“Yay, sleeping!”
And eating!
And booze!
” I understand that mass appeal is the best economic situation for the teams and for the league, but dumbing down the game to get there makes no sense.”
Rule changes are a fact of life. There’s no getting aroud them, but I agree with you in that dumbing down the game (glowpucks? Hello?) isn’t helping. The league needs to strut! Ignore the American TV watching public! (oh, wait….VS is taking care of that for us).
“I’m not a NASCAR fan but I will say, it does have action 100% of the time”
Eh, I’d argue that. There’s MOTION 100% of the time. But action? Meh. My father-in-law is a huge NASCAR fan. Everytime we go over to his place, it’s on…and guess what, every single time, it’s mind numbing. I swear they should just make the races 5 laps long, with two mandatory crashes. That’s all anyone watches for.
I’m not a NASCAR fan but I will say, it does have action 100% of the time, which even hockey can’t say
You’re right up to a certain extent. NASCAR races are either really, really, boring or really, really exciting (and most NASCAR fans will tell you that). What’s also a problem with NASCAR is that as their popularity has grown, its become so corporatized that all of the personality has been sucked out of the sport.
The drivers get a microphone placed in front of them, and you can tell that they’ve put a mask on and become Johnny Q. Corporate Shill.
While hockey does have its share of corporate sponsors, it hasn’t come to the point where the personality has been sucked out of the game. Hockey’s got a great group of characters, and I would hate it that was taken away in the name of “popularizing” the sport.
I’m not a NASCAR fan but I will say, it does have action 100% of the time, which even hockey can’t say. So it’s really the exact opposite of the Pensblog point you brought up!
Right but the “action” is driving in a circle. I need a little more than that in my life. Not that those guys don’t have to have crazy-good reflexes, but to sit out in the hot sun and watch hours and hours and hours of driving in a circle? Really? Her?
Can I just stop for a second to say that I’m loving this discussion!
Not me! I hate it when people say hockey is boring!!!! :P
The only think that will make an individual person become a fan, is if some already-fan individual convinces them. That’s how I became a fan. Somebody took me to a couple of games and talked to me about it and even when I thought I didn’t care, I realized I did.
I didn’t know shit about it or its history or its famous players or whether it used to be better. And believe me, in the 90s, there were tons of people saying it used to be better than it was.
Everybody always loves it the way it was when they were about 22. Same thing with all other sports. It’s called Good-Ol’-Days Syndrome.
What’s also a problem with NASCAR is that as their popularity has grown, its become so corporatized that all of the personality has been sucked out of the sport.
This is where I fear the NHL is headed.
They took a stopwatch to an NFL game and figured out that for 60 minutes of game time and three and a half hours of real time, there are 13 minutes of actual football played.
I’ve told Mark for years that I was going to do this because he used to complain about baseball being slow. I’m not shocked by this at all. The night Kate and I were here talking during the Monday Night Football game it took them something absurd like 45 minutes to play the last six minutes of the game because of all the commercial breaks, time-outs, etc. It was brutal and it completely killed the tension in the game.
“Everybody always loves it the way it was when they were about 22. Same thing with all other sports. It’s called Good-Ol’-Days Syndrome.”
Thank you Patty! Just like I was saying earlier (only far less depressing).
Everybody always loves it the way it was when they were about 22.
I meant to point out that I agreed with andrew when he said the same thing…
Woops! I was typing when you were, andrew, I was really already going to give you credit!
And, maybe it’s just because I watch Marty Turco a lot, but I think the game is RIFE with stunning saves. Rife!
Amen! Last night during the Canucks game Louie had me yelling “how the hell did he save that!” or “holy shit!” several times :D
“This is where I fear the NHL is headed.”
It’s possible, only the NHL will be using corporate sponsorships as a lifejacket, to keep revenues coming in because no one is watching.
“I was really already going to give you credit!”
It’s all good!
The only think that will make an individual person become a fan, is if some already-fan individual convinces them.
I am a self-grown fan. I was drawn to the game by the buzz of my local team’s playoff run (yes, the Rangers). As soon as I started watching, I knew I’d found my place. So… yeah, having word-of-mouth, newspaper coverage, being easy to find on the TV — those were the things that made me find the sport, so I shouldn’t pooh-pooh their significance. Although again, the sports-information landscape has changed HUGELY since 1994. For all that the NHL is deservedly heaped with scorn for its shrinking newspaper and television coverage, I think it should be admired for being forward-thinking with the interwebs.
And believe me, in the 90s, there were tons of people saying it used to be better than it was.
And there were tons of people in the 80′s saying it was better in the 70′s back when teams knew how to play defense! :D
Not that those guys don’t have to have crazy-good reflexes, but to sit out in the hot sun and watch hours and hours and hours of driving in a circle? Really? Her?
I can’t watch NASCAR on TV but my aunt and uncle dragged me to Talladega one year and it was really pretty awesomely fun. They had scanners so you could hear the drivers talking to the pit crews and stuff. There was a stretch of laps where I zoned out for a bit but overall it was great.
And, maybe it’s just because I watch Marty Turco a lot, but I think the game is RIFE with stunning saves. Rife!
All you really need is a defenseman like Brian Campbell. That’ll either increase the number of goals against or the number of stunning saves.
They had scanners so you could hear the drivers talking to the pit crews and stuff.
Scanners at the race are amazing. While the technical stuff goes over my head, you sometimes pick up some really funny conversations (what to do after the race, what driver’s a blessed moron, the fact that a driver’s wife is pregnant and it isn’t common knowledge, etc).
Everybody always loves it the way it was when they were about 22. Same thing with all other sports. It’s called Good-Ol’-Days Syndrome.
I was 22 in 1999, so it’s fair to say I did not love hockey the way it was then. I loved it the way it was when I was 14.
That doesn’t really negate your overall point at all, but I had to go on record.
I am a self-grown fan.
I am too. It’s a long story, but I went from spending six nights a week not home to being home every night, and when your whole family is in the family room cheering and having fun and you are upstairs by yourself, it gets lonely. I only ventured into the living room so I wouldn’t feel so isolated (I pretended I was only there to hang out with the dog but I really wanted to be around the whole fam). At first I ignored the games but you can’t spend that much time around them without seeing some of it, and with the way the game was and with the team the Pens had at the time it really didn’t take long for me to fall for the sport. A month at most.
I’ve always maintained that you don’t become a fan of hockey; you fall in love with it. That’s good and bad. It’s fun to be that passionate about something, but it also means you’ll stick with it when it abuses you. And the NHL has definitely done things to abuse us!
“All you really need is a defenseman like Brian Campbell. That’ll either increase the number of goals against or the number of stunning saves.”
Boy, isn’t that the truth. We’ll throw McCabe and Gonchar in that pile too.
Scanners at the race are amazing. While the technical stuff goes over my head, you sometimes pick up some really funny conversations (what to do after the race, what driver’s a blessed moron, the fact that a driver’s wife is pregnant and it isn’t common knowledge, etc).
Rusty Wallace was really pissed at another driver – I forget who – and he wasn’t hiding it. It was very cool. I don’t know that I’ll ever be a die-hard NASCAR fan, but I was really glad I went which was amazing because I reaaaaalllly didn’t want to go at all. I was kind of pissed that my mom and brothers volunteered me to go while all begging off.
It’s a long story, but I went from spending six nights a week not home to being home every night, and when your whole family is in the family room cheering and having fun and you are upstairs by yourself, it gets lonely.
I see what you’re saying, but isn’t that kind of what I was talking about? Somebody else caused you to watch?
I guess, now that you mention it, Schnookie, I might be both. That girl that first informed me that we even had a hockey team just kind of got me started. It was the run up to the Cup that got me cancelling stuff to stay home and watch games.
I see what you’re saying, but isn’t that kind of what I was talking about? Somebody else caused you to watch?
No. They merely caused me to be in the same room. Believe me, my family waxed ecstatic over hockey and I would have none of it. In fact, it only made me more resistant. I wanted nothing to do with it (remember, stubborn 13YO girl).
Nobody told me to come hang out with them. I just started to because my isolation started overwhelming my sense of stubbornness. That was all me.
It was Mike Lange’s play-by-play that made me realize something might be going on that was worth seeing, and the team itself that held my attention once I did start sneaking peeks.
Really, Lange should get the credit. And Mario. I may have ended up agreeing with my family, but it’s not because they convinced me of anything.
That girl that first informed me that we even had a hockey team just kind of got me started. It was the run up to the Cup that got me cancelling stuff to stay home and watch games.
Oh, boy. I was in 8th grade when the Stars won the Stanley Cup and had the hugest crush on this guy that LOVED the Stars. So I started watching games, mainly because I was so confused as to what he was talking about all the time.
The crush went away, but hockey stayed. In the past couple of years, though, I haven’t been able to keep up with anything until this season though.
I guess, now that you mention it, Schnookie, I might be both. That girl that first informed me that we even had a hockey team just kind of got me started. It was the run up to the Cup that got me cancelling stuff to stay home and watch games.
I was already a huge NBA fan before the Rangers Cup run drew my attention to hockey. So I was pre-existing as an obsessive sports fan, but really, there wasn’t a single real-life person who steered me to hockey. I got roped in by the Cup run, wandered back to the NBA during the lockout and shortened season, then returned to hockey after randomly reading an article in the NYT about Messier being on the brink of scoring his 500th goal (it was one of those days where I felt compelled to read everything in the paper, which is very unusual for me). I was flipping channels that night, stumbled on the Rangers game, Mess got a hat trick to get to 500, and I was hooked.
I wasn’t a fan of any sport when I latched on to hockey. Never watched it, never read about it, never listened to sports on the radio or watched ESPN, nothing. In fact, I had to ask my college-football-obsessed friend how he stood it in the offseason. I called him a lot in the early days to get help handling the roller coaster.
Oh, boy. I was in 8th grade when the Stars won the Stanley Cup and had the hugest crush on this guy that LOVED the Stars. So I started watching games, mainly because I was so confused as to what he was talking about all the time.
That’s pretty cool. Some people criticize when a person starts getting involved with something because of a crush, but I think it’s fine to try out something that interests someone you like. In cases like yours, it ends up being totally worth it.
I wasn’t a fan of any sport when I latched on to hockey. Never watched it, never read about it, never listened to sports on the radio or watched ESPN, nothing. In fact, I had to ask my college-football-obsessed friend how he stood it in the offseason. I called him a lot in the early days to get help handling the roller coaster.
That’s interesting. All the Americans I know who love hockey started with other sports. It’s like with drugs…you get introduced to the light stuff before moving on to the heavy-hitters, with hockey being heroin. :P You went straight to the hard stuff!
I’m on my way out now — thanks for such a great conversation today, everyone! This was really awesome! (Of course, I’d been planning to get some work done that I keep procrastinating about, so no thanks for keeping me from that…)
See you all for the Devils game tonight (sans Pando, so no, it won’t be worth watching)!
Well, this is FAAAAN-tastic. There’s a meeting Monday on something important. It involved information being due to us yesterday. But the people who owed us the info got an extension, and the info my group needed came at 4:30 today.
But our deadline for Monday is firm, so after sitting here all day with hardly anything to do because we were waiting, I now have to sit here half the night to do more waiting as our document goes through clearance for the Monday meeting. It’s either this or working over the weekend. Assuming someone wants changes to our stuff. If they don’t, I will have sat here for nothing. If they do, I don’t know when I’ll get home.
I’m glad I set my game to tape tonight, but that means I’ll have to avoid spoilers as I sit around doing more waiting.
Well, this is FAAAAN-tastic. Long story short, other people being really, really late with something means that I have to stay here tonight until my response to them is cleared, because MY deadline is firm. So after sitting here all day waiting for them to give us what we need, I now have to sit here for who knows how many more hours before our work gets approved. Because if we don’t get it done tonight, it means weekend work.
I’m glad I set my game to tape, but I’ll have to avoid spoilers as I sit around.
Crap, sorry for the double post. I got an error and re-wrote. Oh well.
That sounds terrible, Pensgirl. Usually a new job is fun for at least a while.
I knew I shouldn’t have watched the Isles/Rangers game. I fell asleep and missed all of this. Bugger.
Y’all are so articulate about starting to watch hockey. I can’t even remember why I started watching… I suppose I had to. My gran took me to a Habs game when I was 3 weeks old. It’s in my blood. I guess it’s different for me.
And hey, I’m getting the Dallas/Pittsburgh game on NASN. That could be fun.
“All the Americans I know who love hockey started with other sports. It’s like with drugs…you get introduced to the light stuff before moving on to the heavy-hitters, with hockey being heroin. :P”
Kinda funny, I was a sports fan as a kid. Huge Oakland A’s fan, then I stopped watching all together. I didn’t watch, or even like, any sports for years. Then all of a sudden BAM! I discovered hockey and it was all over. I chalk it up to hockey being magical.
And I get a lot of that, since I’m the last person to work on a release, wearing either hat. I can’t write reports until the software is finished. And I can’t test it either, so it’s a lot of dawdling for weeks, then they hand it to me with a day left before deadline.
It involved information being due to us yesterday. But the people who owed us the info got an extension, and the info my group needed came at 4:30 today.
Oh, good grief, this sounds like what I went through the other day! I’m sorry you have to be on tape-delay for the game!
That’s pretty cool. Some people criticize when a person starts getting involved with something because of a crush, but I think it’s fine to try out something that interests someone you like. In cases like yours, it ends up being totally worth it.
Well, we both spoke football, but I couldn’t understand the language of hockey, you know. So, I watched games and found I liked them without the whole guy-thing. Thanks, random 8th grade boy!
I wasn’t a fan of any sport when I latched on to hockey. Never watched it, never read about it, never listened to sports on the radio or watched ESPN, nothing.
Not even football? My family (and my house) winds up being all football, all the time. Thanks to the NFL Network, it’s now a year round kinda thing. I grew up watching pro football and going to high school and college games on a regular basis.
I chalk it up to hockey being magical.
That certainly explains it. And if I couldn’t watch hockey, I’d probably go back to being a non-sports fan. I shudder to think what there might be left out there for entertainment, but I won’t have to right now.
There’s a meeting Monday on something important. It involved information being due to us yesterday. But the people who owed us the info got an extension, and the info my group needed came at 4:30 today.
Gah, much suck.
I wasn’t a fan of any sport when I latched on to hockey. Never watched it, never read about it, never listened to sports on the radio or watched ESPN, nothing.
This is my story, too. We used to joke about what a great family we were–how my brother would take the sports page (which I had zero interest in) and I would take the comics (which were too lowbrow for him).
But I’ve never had any love affair (good work, PG) with any other sport. People were pretty shocked when I got into hockey–”You do know that’s a sport, right?”
Sorry to hear that you gals can relate, but it does make me feel better.
Staying late is one thing. Staying late because somebody else can’t get on the ball is quite another.
Honestly, I’d have rather been told to stay home today and then come in tomorrow. Wouldn’t that make more sense – just alter the workweek so you don’t have a day where everyone is using resources but not doing anything?
Not even football?
Especially not football.
I’ll admit that when I was in high school, o so many years ago, I watched the Cowboys with my dad on Sundays. We lived in Tulsa at the time. I loved doing that, and I even considered myself a Cowboy fan. But that’s all I did. I watched them when they played. I didn’t read about them or think about them or know anything about any other team in the league or even know, really, most of the rules, when they weren’t playing. When I moved away from home, totally lost interest.
I became a baseball fan, somewhat (it’s waned again), when I didn’t know what to watch after my first hard-core hockey-watching season.
But I’ve never had any love affair (good work, PG) with any other sport. People were pretty shocked when I got into hockey–”You do know that’s a sport, right?”
I just find this fascinating.
The NHL should poll you and Patty.
I became a baseball fan, somewhat (it’s waned again), when I didn’t know what to watch after my first hard-core hockey-watching season.
That’s like saying you tried eating ice cubes because you couldn’t find any ice cream! :D
Staying late is one thing. Staying late because somebody else can’t get on the ball is quite another.
Believe me when I say – I have been there and it is terrible. God, that sucks.
People were pretty shocked when I got into hockey
Same here. People that knew me before hockey still look at me funny about it. (A little condescendingly, now that I think about it.) I’m sure they expected me to go back to being a girl that doesn’t know anything about sports, the minute the Cup parade was over.
“And if I couldn’t watch hockey, I’d probably go back to being a non-sports fan.”
Absolutely. There is no other sport that I would watch. Maybe Soccer, but only because I’ve never given it a fair chance. But odds are, I’d go back to no sports at all.
That’s like saying you tried eating ice cubes because you couldn’t find any ice cream! :D
Haha! Exactly!
And for the first few years I thought ice cubes were still better than nothing. :D
The NHL should poll you and Patty.
I don’t know. I’ve heard being polled can be painful. ;P
I became a baseball fan, somewhat (it’s waned again), when I didn’t know what to watch after my first hard-core hockey-watching season.
I was a hardcore baseball fan when we lived in HK, because it was the only sport from “home” that got any coverage there. But it was back to hockey as soon as they started showing that. In the run up to the Winter Olympics 2002 actually. Good times.
People that knew me before hockey still look at me funny about it. (A little condescendingly, now that I think about it.)
The shock has never worn off for members of my extended family, the poor people.
Believe me when I say – I have been there and it is terrible. God, that sucks.
Thank you, I really do feel better. Knowing you’re not alone in life’s little suckitudes goes a long way.
I’m reminding myself right now that Katebits’ work-related suckitude leaves mine in the dust.
There is no other sport that I would watch.
I’d probably still watch some football but considering how little I’ve bothered with that over the past few years, probably not with much vim or vigor.
I’d definitely still watch tennis, but given that I really only pay attention to it for Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that’s not saying much.
Maybe Soccer, but only because I’ve never given it a fair chance.
I try to keep up with English Premier League soccer and the French leagues, but it’s difficult because it’s expensive to try and keep up with all that.
I watch soccer sometimes with my brother-in-law, who is French and would watch soccer all day, every day if you’d let him.
Going back to our earlier discussion on the new schedule, I just saw this on MSNBC:
“The NHL’s reduction of intradivision games from 32 to 24 was the biggest change coming out of Pebble Beach, with only Buffalo, New Jersey, Anaheim and the New York Islanders voting against a move widely favored by players.”
Now I have to wonder if it was the Bruins or the Sabres who voted no?
“The NHL’s reduction of intradivision games from 32 to 24 was the biggest change coming out of Pebble Beach, with only Buffalo, New Jersey, Anaheim and the New York Islanders voting against a move widely favored by players.”
Now I have to wonder if it was the Bruins or the Sabres who voted no?
I always have a hard time telling the difference between Buffalo and Boston too. I mean, they both start with B, they’re both in the East, they both get snow in the winter. The similarities are endless.
(What’s the emoticon for eye-rolling?)
Now I have to wonder if it was the Bruins or the Sabres who voted no?
I reckon Sabres. Makes more sense.
(What’s the emoticon for eye-rolling?)
Just to be clear, that’s aimed at the reporters, not at Andrew!
“I watch soccer sometimes with my brother-in-law, who is French and would watch soccer all day, every day if you’d let him.”
I have a close friend who is the same way. He watches that shit like crazy. He’s gotten me into it a little, but as you said, it’s hard to keep up. Plus, hockey is plenty for me.
(What’s the emoticon for eye-rolling?)
8-| according to MSN… But we can do better than that? Right?
Aww, I missed a good conversation because I was being productive. :( But since it’s break time and everyone is telling their “how I got into hockey” stories, I wanted to add my two cents.
I too was not a sports anything, probably because I really sucked at P.E. and had no coordination whatsoever. I was in gymnastics for a year or two, but I could never do a proper handstand, so take that as you will. Once in a while at my cousins’ houses, I’d see hockey on television, but I didn’t really pay that much attention. It was more like, “Ooh, (insert older cousin’s name) will marry Jamie Storr and have triplets named Osh, Kosh, and Bgosh” and other nonsense like that. (Also, one of my cousins had a fat crush on Paul Kariya.) Fast forward quite a few years to 2003, where somehow or other, I got interested in the Ducks as they were making their playoff run and I’ve been hooked ever since. So I guess it was floating around the periphery a bit until it really sunk in. (And then I started playing floor hockey, which is another story.) Hmm, I didn’t mean it to be this long…
“I reckon Sabres. Makes more sense.”
Maybe huh. I would be curious to find out.
“Just to be clear, that’s aimed at the reporters, not at Andrew!”
I figured as much!
I think the emoticon would look something like this: 8^()
I got nuthin’
zot, you just proved what andrew (I think) was saying about how it has to be organic.
Actually, we all did, but your story seems to be even moreso. It just kind of…happened.
@_@ How about that for eye rolling?
I was in gymnastics for a year or two, but I could never do a proper handstand, so take that as you will.
Hee, me too. Add to that that I once broke my kneecap when I slipped off a trampoline. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a gymnastics setting.
I think the emoticon would look something like this: 8^()
Building on yours, how about 8^O. Nah. Too much.
“you just proved what andrew (I think) was saying about how it has to be organic.”
I think we were pretty much all in agreement that this has to be the way the NHL grows, going forward. Increasing the size of the net won’t cut it!
@_@ = dizziness…
@_@ = dizziness
Heh, that makes sense. I think I was associating @ with cinnamon rolls, which translated to rolling eyes? Yeah, don’t mind me. :)
He watches that shit like crazy. He’s gotten me into it a little, but as you said, it’s hard to keep up.
I like watching the French players the most, mainly because quite a few of them just go nuts. As in, freaking out, yelling, little temper fits.
It is hard to keep up, and a lot of the teams I used to watch on a regular basis I watched for players, not teams. I gave up on Man United when Roy Keane moved to Celtic.
Seriously, zot, I totally get it. Emoticons are confusing ><”
I gave up on Man United when Roy Keane moved to Celtic.
Dudette, you live thousands of miles farther away from them and know more than I do. And I live in a land that is all soccer, all the time. Clearly you keep up just fine :P
“It is hard to keep up, and a lot of the teams I used to watch on a regular basis I watched for players, not teams.”
My buddy’s favorite is Arsenal, but I’ll just watch whatever he’s got on.
A few years back we were on vacation in London when Chelsea and Liverpool were playing for the championship. Our hotel was very, very close to the arena. That turned out to be a pretty damn fun day.
Hee, me too. Add to that that I once broke my kneecap when I slipped off a trampoline. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a gymnastics setting.
I competed for many years, but Nadia I was not.
I think we were pretty much all in agreement that this has to be the way the NHL grows, going forward. Increasing the size of the net won’t cut it!
We were, but I think you said it first.
Did you see the suggestion to let the teams now building arenas have a slightly larger ice surface, to see how it takes? It’s based on the fact that some of the old arenas were slightly smaller for many years and how that was OK.
As my brother-in-law pointed out to me about the turkey when I had my first Thanksgiving dinner about 5 years ago:
“It’s never gonna finish cooking if you keep waving the oven door at it.”
The gist being, the NHL needs to just leave the oven door closed for a while and let the changes it’s already made cook without checking it and changing it every five minutes.
“Did you see the suggestion to let the teams now building arenas have a slightly larger ice surface, to see how it takes?”
I’d be fine with that. Open the game up a little, make it more like the Olympics. Plus it would give the arenas a little bit of character, like ball parks.
If I were in a soccer-mad place, I might be a soccer fan. Although I’ve lived in Dallas for many years and never was swayed by the football madness.
Sometimes I laugh at the midday dorks who claim that everybody in the Metroplex knows about whatever big Cowboy news has just happened. I want to call him and tell him that I had no idea they were winning back-to-back Super Bowls back in the 90s. I really had no idea.
I still think I’d be swayed by soccer, though, because the players are normal-sized.
Patty, that’s a great metaphor!
“I still think I’d be swayed by soccer, though, because the players are normal-sized.”
It carries quite a few similarities to hockey. Makes it really easy to follow what’s going on. I feel like I can track a lot of the nuances of the game already.
Here’s the article.
Did you see the suggestion to let the teams now building arenas have a slightly larger ice surface, to see how it takes?
This actually wouldn’t bother me too much. But there would be no way to tell how many “casual fans” are brought to the game for that reason. Just like all the other reasons. If we suddenly had a spike in popularity, how would they know what to attribute it to?
Even if scoring goes up, that won’t necessarily be why. Maybe it’s the fact that Sidney Crosby has had a couple of more years to get his name out past hockey circles.
And if scoring goes up a point a game and nobody shows up, they’ll just assume it has to go up 2 points a game. And if the average is up 2 points, that probably means there were a few games with freakishly high scores, and a few with zeroes, and then all the rest were just the same as they’ve always been (that being great, if you ask me, but “unwatchable” if you ask “experts”).
Argh! This is why I don’t read all the news sites anymore. I can’t help myself from ranting. :D
Dudette, you live thousands of miles farther away from them and know more than I do. And I live in a land that is all soccer, all the time. Clearly you keep up just fine :P
Hee, I guess I do!
I still think I’d be swayed by soccer, though, because the players are normal-sized.
Yes, and it’s slightly similar to hockey, and they have awesome goal huddle celebrations much like hockey as well!
If anybody’s got Turco on their team, I hear from the beat writer that Smith will be starting tonight.
If anybody’s got Turco on their team, I hear from the beat writer that Smith will be starting tonight.
Should I be glad or offended? ;)
“Should I be glad or offended? ;)”
Smith is no slouch, he’ll be a starter if/when he ever gets out from under Turco.
He’s giving Turco a run. He’s pretty good.
You should be scared, that’s what you should be!
(My smacktalk is no good.)
So glad, then.
If it wasn’t clear, glad meant that he was considered up to the challenge of our offense (which, let’s face it, is damn scary when it’s clicking), and offended meant that they thought it would be a walk (because it hasn’t clicked much lately).
I see the game is on NHL Network, too.
Does the Pens broadcast get repeated in the middle of the night? I know the New York teams do that. I sometimes like to watch the game again from the opposition’s perspective.
Also, the Pens version will be in HD. Dammit!
they have awesome goal huddle celebrations much like hockey as well!
And occasionally some mad acrobatics :D
Patty, thanks for the heads up. I’ve switched him out :)
If it wasn’t clear…
No, I gotcha. Except that glad is not what I hope you’ll be after the game. :D
they have awesome goal huddle celebrations much like hockey as well!
And occasionally some mad acrobatics :D
And the girls take their shirts off!
And the girls take their shirts off!
Ya know, I’m not into that sort of thing, but it always makes me laugh.
Here in Europe the guys aren’t allowed to take their shirts off anymore. It’s an automatic red card for delaying the game or something.
I’m off… hopefully the traffic stays clear until I can get downstairs and get out in it.
See ya later!
See ya Patty! Have a good weekend!
Bye Patty!
Oh bugger, I’m falling asleep. I guess no hockey for me today. G’night folks, y’all have fun.
See ya Mags, have a good one.
Man, I hope the Sharks don’t get in another shootout tonight.
andrew, if you’re still here the Sabres have always voted/spoken against a schedule change in the past so I would expect that it was them and not Boston. In fact, I was a little surprised when I didn’t see Buffalo in the negative column.
“andrew, if you’re still here the Sabres have always voted/spoken against a schedule change in the past so I would expect that it was them and not Boston.”
Yeah I’m still poking around (another 20 minutes!)
Honestly, that was my assumption. I know Darcy is campaigning pretty hard for some rule changes.
I know Darcy is campaigning pretty hard for some rule changes.
Oh, yeah. You could say that.
“Oh, yeah. You could say that.”
It’s a bummer, I would like to say that my GM’s are level headed, but sadly that’s only 50% true.
Alright gang, I’m outta here. Have a great weekend everyone! Don’t get mauled by the christmas shopping masses.
I see the game is on NHL Network, too.
Does the Pens broadcast get repeated in the middle of the night? I know the New York teams do that. I sometimes like to watch the game again from the opposition’s perspective.
Also, the Pens version will be in HD. Dammit!
Sorry, the second you asked this I got called into a meeting. I got home about 20 minutes ago.
I think they do reair games sometimes, but I’m really not sure. I never needed to watch a repeat airing back when I could have because I’m such a hockey geek that I planned my life around seeing the games. I miss those days. Is three weeks too long at a new job to hate it?
Oh, and what was that about me being not-so-happy later? :P Saw the last several minutes (tuned in right before Sid’s PK spinorama), but queuing up the beginning now. Let’s Went Pens!