Inspired by Patty (in Dallas)’s kind words for the All-Star Game we now present to you our reasons why we aren’t joining the ranks of whiners and complainers trying to kill the midseason classic buzz.
1. The Superskills and All-Star Game bring out the very best in mic’ed up players. Between Marty Turco, Manny Legace, and Rick DiPietro, we’ve been treated to truly wonderful, off-the-cuff commentary in a relaxed hockey environment.
2. The consistently hideous uniforms. There has never been a cool all-star uniform in any sport, and that’s something many people would see fit to complain about. But you know what? We love the equalizing effect the ugly unis have. Every All Star team has its brightest lights and its “Her?”s, but the guys at both extremes, and all the ones in between, look evenly dopey in their dumb sweaters. There’s something incredibly charming about Joe Guy-Who-Got-Named-To-The-Roster-Because-He’s-The-Only-One-On-His-Team-Anyone’s-Even-Remotely-Heard-Of standing next to Bob First-Ballot-Hall-Of-Famer during player introductions, both of them knowing that in a few years someone will look at the tape of it and think, “Holy crap, but both those guys look ridiculous in those sweaters. Were those ever cool?”
3. The random mashup of players on the bench during games. It always seems remarkably silly and fun when they show shots of the benches during the ASG and we see Joe Guy-Who-Got-Named-To-The-Roster-Because-He’s-The-Only-One-On-His-Team-Anyone’s-Even-Remotely-Heard-Of sitting next to Bob First-Ballot-Hall-Of-Famer, interacting in an actual hockey-ish context.
4. Players we don’t normally pay attention to. We have massive tunnel vision when it comes to watching hockey these days; we can spend all day deeply immersed in hockey coverage and conversation online and never once venture beyond discussion of just the Devils. Sure, we watch other teams when the Devils aren’t on TV, but we’re often watching our designated secondary team instead. We’ll follow two or three teams closely during a season, and just ignore everyone else. So the All-Star events give us a chance to spend a couple of days being forced to watch a bunch of players we only know by name. And not just watch them in a regular “guys on the other team” way — no, we get to watch them chilling out, having fun, and often being surprisingly appealing. (See: Zdeno Chara last year.)
5. Players we do normally pay attention to doing well. When you spend the start of the season thinking the world needs to know that your favorite player is awesome, it’s nice to get some affirmation when said favorite player wins a plastic star for said awesomeness.
6. It doesn’t matter. We’re going to spend the next two and a half months watching stretch-run “every game is vitally important!” regular-season hockey, and then launch into the pressure cooker of the playoffs. It’s nice to have a weekend where we can sit back and relax.
7. The ridiculous player introductions. It’s not often we — fans who wax poetic about the lack of in-game entertainment at Continental Airlines Arena — are going to embrace laser lights and smoke machines. But when you pair them with a Mike Richards who looks like he’s going to die from embarrassment for how over-the-top the introduction is, we’re sold!
8. Cool superskills! Dude, the accuracy shooting is, like, the coolest thing we see all year. If they had accuracy shooting instead of penalty shots to decide OT winners, we probably wouldn’t hate the abolition of ties so much. What a wonderful world it would be if hockey games went to an accuracy shootout after five minutes of four-on-four OT…
9. Superskills down-time. Who doesn’t love seeing the guys sprawled out on the ice, waiting for their turn to do fastest skater or hardest shot? We get to see who forms cliques, who pays attention to the other events, and who pretends to have friends (Paul Kariya, we’re looking at you).
10. Foxy All-Star portraits. We’ve said it before and we’ll probably say it again — the portraits of the players in street clothes are a godsend. Every year we grouse that there aren’t enough hotties in the All-Star Game, then, come playoff time, we get a whole bunch of new playoff-only hockey boyfriends and Pookie decides to hone her mad reference-librarian skillz by researching them online. And lo and behold, every year, we discover our newfound dreamboat was at that year’s All-Star Game, we totally ignored him, but thanks to the portrait series, we have a treasure trove of pictures to use as our desktops on our computers at work. (And then, a few weeks later, when his team is eliminated from the playoffs and we go back to not liking him, then we’re all embarrassed to have that picture saved to our hard drives. But such is the circle of life when you’re cool like us.)
11. Mascot All-Star pictures. Every year finds a few photos interspersed in the Yahoo gallery of Foxy All-Star Portraits which show a giant mass of NHL mascots partaking of on-ice tomfoolery. Is it silly and stupid and should we be above it? Sure. Is it also totally awesome to see Youppi and Thunderbutt sharing the same ice surface? You bet it is!
12. It’s different. Look, we all know the All-Star Game isn’t going to be a classic game for the ages. It never has been and it never will be. But if you go in expecting just to see an assortment of great hockey players having fun in a low-key setting, interspersed with interviews and gushing sideline report stories about the participants, you’ll be duly entertained. It’s hockey, but it’s not. It’s a nice change of pace.
13. Saying, “There are the doors… There’s the seats…” as a guy starts racking up the points in the game.
14. Hoping this’ll be the year someone breaks the hardest shot record.
15. Watching the guys who think they can dog it on the puck-handling relay get burned by the guys who stay focused on the task at hand.
16. The passers on the accuracy shooting event. They’re a total afterthought, but without them, the sexiest superskill would be nothing. It’s fun to watch superstars like Sakic and Spezza sit back and enjoy a colleague getting to be in the spotlight, while they just go about their business of doing what they do best.
17. When offensive rushes break down during the game because the guys all try to be too fancy.
18. The plastic stars and uncool cars the MVPs win. We know they often give the cars away, but we love laughing at the end of every ASG about the unlucky recipient of the ugly car having to drive it for a year.
19. The red carpet. We owe Dallas big time for introducing the red carpet to the ASG festivities. It should be so wrong and so out of place but we can’t help but love getting the opportunity to fire up the TiVo of the pre-game stuff and then go all Go Fug Yourself on the NHL once a year.
20. “Mark Messier! FOUR FOR FOUR!” In Patty’s post she scoffs at sportswriters saying the ASG was better when they were kids because things are always better when you’re a kid. 1996 was the year we were essentially hockey kids, and the Superskills and ASG seemed impossibly awesome to us. And now we don’t want to be the people who whine that it was so much better then — we want to tune in every year hoping to see something that good again.
We get to see who forms cliques, who pays attention to the other events, and who pretends to have friends (Paul Kariya, we’re looking at you).
Not to mention who trips over their own two feet trying to crash an interview. That happened last year, right?
OK, you ladies totally had me until you praised Mark Messier. UNFORGIVABLE! Hee.
But otherwise, lovely post. YAY!
CBC just reported that each player in the hardest shot competition has put $3k on the table. The pot goes to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Amy, the deal with the hardest shot is that each guy is putting up $1,000, their teams are matching it, and then the NHL is also putting in $6,000. I think that is SO COOL.
What? The? Fuck? I’m… confused.
Holy hell this band is terrible on CBC.
Who is this band?
This band (and the dancers)? Not on the things-to-love list, I expect.
Nah, I think we’re still holding at 20 reasons we love the ASG. Heh.
Okay, I’m already behind. I was reading the post and missed the start of the intros.
The All Star games pictures really are a great reason though. I totally loved Jay Bouwmeester and his glasses.
This is a nice reception that Vinny’s getting.
And Ovie’s haircut can be had for $14.99 at a salon in DC.
I think the announcer mispronounced “Bouwmeester”. He’s supposed to say “Your New Jersey Devil Bouwmeester”.
9. Superskills down-time. Who doesn’t love seeing the guys sprawled out on the ice, waiting for their turn to do fastest skater or hardest shot?
My favorite, too! That’s why I think each player should have an iso cam during this part, then they can cut it together for a cool DVD.
Actually looking at what Jay Bouwmeester looks like has been a revelation. He’s kinda geeky, god bless him. Now I *do* want to trade for him!
If I’m Vinny, the relentless attention he’s gotten this weekend is reason number 1 to never, ever sign in Montreal.
Every year I remember that I think Ilya Kovalchuk is super, super cute. I seem to forget in between ASGs.
Poor Vinny.
Savard. Dude. You’re a grown man. Comb that point down.
I don’t think Ovie liked Vinny’s reception.
Oh man. Now I’m just jonesing for a Vinny and Carey sandwich. :D
And yeah, I had no idea Bouwmeester was such a dork. Hee.
Now I *do* want to trade for him!
Me too!
Every year I remember that I think Ilya Kovalchuk is super, super cute. I seem to forget in between ASGs.
I think it’s because he plays in Atlanta. Who remembers Atlanta?
Holy crap Zach’s mic’d up!! Hahaha
Ovie, get your damn teeth fixed. It’s really not cute.
If Kovi would ditch the parted in the middle bangs, he’d be even that much cuter!
Look at little Zach! He’s such a big boy!
Cogliano? Nice.
Yeah, Ovechkin looked like such a douchebag in his intro.
Awwwwww! Mason Raymond is so adorable! He gets to go in fastest skater.
Josh, I’m dying over Zach being mic’ed up. I also bet it takes him 30 minutes to get around the rink.
I’m so glad it’s all around the rink again!
I can’t believe they mic’d Zach up! Now we can totally listen to him muttering “Q-U-A-R-A-N-T-I-N-E” when he loses this. :D
And Boomer also thinks Kovalchuk is cute, by the way.
Oh noes! Zach’s a big zero! It’s his worst nightmare!
Why they can’t figure out the damn timer ever is beyond me.
That was nice of them to round down from 20 minutes to 14 seconds for Zach.
OMG! Zach is too adorable!!! “Is that a good time?”
Can I eat him, right now?
My mother wanted to know whether Ovie has a spare tooth he wears for special occasions. And if he does, why the heck isn’t he wearing it this weekend?
And Zach is such a wee one compared to some of these other guys.
Dude, Farter is SUCH a foxy skater.
Again, the clock won’t work. We have the technology, what’s the problem?
Well Zach was first for…oh, thirty seconds or so…
Now we can totally listen to him muttering “Q-U-A-R-A-N-T-I-N-E” when he loses this.
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Show me all the turtle butlers!
OMG! Zach is too adorable!!! “Is that a good time?”
He’s all, “Tell me it was good! Tell me my time was good! I need the affirmation!!”
I’m glad to have Boomer’s agreement! Ilya has a nice little smile, I think. Patty, the part is kinda goofy but I almost think it’s part of his charm.
Soupy should’ve spin-o-rama’d across the finish line. Everyone knows that’s his best movie.
These guys are all slow! WTH?!
Frequent reader, new poster, Caps fan (don’t hold it against me, please?)
Ovi only wears his tooth to bed so his teeth don’t crowd and close the gap. And he’s an attention whore, he wouldn’t like Vinny’s welcome. I love him, but *sighs and shakes head*
Show me all the turtle butlers!
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And seriously, what is uo with the timers? They had a year to figure this out after last SuperSkills!
He gets a trophy? Did they do that in the past?
I am now proposing a quick surgery to replace Zach’s legs with Cogliano’s. I’m sure Cogliano won’t mind.
I love Doc assuring Zach it’s okay that he didn’t win.
Look at that face! Zach is so cute!
Do you think the winner of this year’s breakaway thingie will actually hit the net?
What’s that you were saying about him being an attention whore, nat? :D
I love him, but *sighs and shakes head*
Heh, yeah. No one here will hold being a Caps fan against you. Now if you were a Rangers fan… :D
Look at that face! Zach is so cute!
I’ve been tryna tell you! :PPPPPPPP
Zach’s going to spend this commercial break storming around the rink loudly demanding his “participant” plastic star.
BOOO! Mason Raymond slipped! He SUCKS! :P
Ovi only wears his tooth to bed so his teeth don’t crowd and close the gap.
Thanks, nat! I actually wondered about that. I wanted to warn him that he can wait until he’s out of the game to fix it, but he needs a spacer in the meantime. I guess somebody let him know. Heh. :D
Ok, I am beginning to understand your attitude toward Ovie. He is already getting on my nerves.
I felt really sorry for Vinny during the intro. He looked very uncomfortable. Like someone was stabbing a fork in his hand.
I love Doc assuring Zach it’s okay that he didn’t win.
Doc knows Zach well.
Zach’s going to spend this commercial break storming around the rink loudly demanding his “participant” plastic star.
Hey, now, he totally placed. That’s a bronze plastic star for him.
Kovalev, huh? Not surprising I guess but I hope he does something fun.
Meg, yeah, exactly.
Pookie, Nope, not a Rangers fan.
What is with the adamant need to use the word “sick”? My 12-year old bro uses it.
He used the butt end! I like it!
Hey, now, he totally placed. That’s a bronze plastic star for him.
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Dude, is this going to be the last year for the trick shot contest? That was excruciating, and I only saw a few seconds of it because I’m making dinner…
St. Louis is pretty nifty out there.
And Patrick Kane’s hair is eerily starting to remind me of Brian Campbell’s.
That’s a bronze plastic star for him.
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I am beginning to understand your attitude toward Ovie. He is already getting on my nerves.
Yeah, see? We don’t complain endlessly about stuff unless it’s totally 100% inarguably true. Like that Clemmer is killing hockey. Heh.
San Louis was a definite improvement on Kane there.
I liked St Louis’.
Schnookie has a brilliant solution to this stupid trick shot stuff! They should film the guys doing trick stuff in practice and then splice it together into a highlight reel! It wouldn’t have to be all breakaways — I once saw footage of Guerin and Nidermayer standing at center ice shooting at and hitting a piece of paper taped to the crossbar. That shit was impressive. This breakaway thing? Kinda embarrassing to watch.
These are fun! Getzi had some fun ones.
I still say just leave the goalie out of it!
I do think they’re doing a better job with the breakaway thing this year than last though.
I think Ovie’s going to actually have to hit the puck when he swings at is this year.
I kind of adore how this little goalie isn’t listening to the NHL about not stopping anything.
OH. MY. GOSH. What a clown.
I vote for St Louis. Ovie does nothing for me.
I think so, too, Meg. If they stick with the format for a season or two, I think it could mature a little.
I thought Ovie and Malkin couldn’t stand each other? They’ve been pretty buddy-buddy this weekend.
I feel like this event is a good idea that they just haven’t quite figured out yet.
I vote for St. Louis too.
Kovalev wasn’t bad catching the puck on his head either.
I thought Kovalev had some creative ideas. I liked Ovie, too. I hate to say it, but I liked some of the stuff Getzi did, too.
St. Louis gets my vote too.
I did like Stammy’s slide on his stomach one. That was fun.
Wait, we’re supposed to actually vote? Well I’m certainly not doing that.
Apparently Ovechkin and Malkin went out to a strip club together or something too. :D
I thought Stamkos was best. St. Louis was right there though. I’d be fine with either one of them. (Not enough to actually vote however.)
I liked Kovalev and Getzlaf, too. But St Louis seemed to have the most flair.
I hate to say it, but I liked some of the stuff Getzi did, too.
I liked it when Getzi skated up to the goal and his shirt fell off and he said, “Oops, my shirt fell off”. Now that was a good use of props.
I feel like this event is a good idea that they just haven’t quite figured out yet.
See, that highlight reel of it was WAY more interesting than the event itself. They should totally do this before the event, with all kinds of trick shooting stuff from practice, and then just give us the highlights.
Getzi gets my vote because he trick shoots from the groin. :P
I liked it when Getzi skated up to the goal and his shirt fell off and he said, “Oops, my shirt fell off”. Now that was a good use of props.
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I liked Stamkos, too. I didn’t realize he was in it. I thought he was there for the rookie game.
Stamkos is here for the rookie game. I’m not sure why he’s in the skills comp.
Hey, who remembers Norelle from ANTM? Modano’s channeling her Japanese commercial!
I liked it when Getzi skated up to the goal and his shirt fell off and he said, “Oops, my shirt fell off”. Now that was a good use of props.
Darnit, missed it again.
I liked it when Getzi skated up to the goal and his shirt fell off and he said, “Oops, my shirt fell off”. Now that was a good use of props.
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That was TOTALLY Modano-as-Norelle! I think they should have re-shot that and moved the cue cards closer to the camera…
But St Louis seemed to have the most flair.
And he looks like a little elf. I like St. Louis.
I find it really funny that the players are actually back in the locker room casting text votes.
I wasn’t paying close enough attention to have any idea how to vote.
Ooh. James Neal…
That commercial with Modano was funny. Why’d they put the cue cards over to his left? And what was he talking about at the end?
That is so funny, showing the players voting.
Boy, these youngstars really are babies.
Mason Raymond is in the rookie game, and he was also in fastest skater. I think they slide guys in there when they can.
I’m kind of horrified that I’ve seen Mason Raymond’s face, and heard him speak. He’s supposed to be OFF-CAMERA! We’ve been over this!
HAHAHA!!
Mason Raymond and the police band…
I wanted them to add Robi to the Fastest Skater. And then give him a forechecker to chase him. He could have won!
Why’d they put the cue cards over to his left? And what was he talking about at the end?
Agreed on the cue cards and I do not know what Mo was talking about.
The fact that this is freshmen and sophomores instead of East vs. West is totally throwing me off.
The fact that this is freshmen and sophomores instead of East vs. West is totally throwing me off.
Oh, thank you SO MUCH for pointing that out. I wasn’t paying attention, so I didn’t realize that was the format. And I’ve been sitting here thinking, “I have NO IDEA what’s going on!”
Me too, Meg. Hub keeps having to correct me.
Oh, thanks, Meg! I was trying to figure out why I was finding this so confusing! I didn’t think the half glass of wine I’ve had was enough to make me this incapable of figuring out who was passing to who.
Look at Neal’s stick work! Mo would be proud!
And I’ve been sitting here thinking, “I have NO IDEA what’s going on!”
I still have no idea what’s going on because I can’t remember who’s in what category.
I still have no idea what’s going on because I can’t remember who’s in what category.
Well, yeah, that’s a problem too. Alls I knows about these guys is that they’re all half my age. :D
EEEE!! Luke Schenn is so adorable!!
I HATE it when they make hits in these games!
WOOOO! Raymond! I thought he was never going to score agaiin!
I HATE it when they make hits in these games!
Particularly if it is Neal that they are hitting.
The Rookies are in white, because Neal is in white and he’s a rookie. The Sophs are in darks. I don’t know any of those people.
Did I just hear alix squeeing?
You may have, Myra. :D
Lalalalalalalalalalalafontaine! (As handsome as ever.)
Lalalalalalalalalalalafontaine! (As handsome as ever.)
And, as always, a class act. Gotta love guys like him.
Heather, I was just thinking, “Hm, I suppose since he’s talking about such a good cause, I shouldn’t spend this whole interview shouting ‘Lalalalalalalalalalalafontaine!’” But I really wanted to.
I think they think the game is over. They’ve scored twice without any mention.
GO Rookies! WOOO!
Pookie, I think it’s okay. Mark and I started Lalalalalalalaaing at the mere mention of him :)
I think they think the game is over. They’ve scored twice without any mention.
I think the young stars game is something they really need to reconsider and make work better. Even the announcers can’t pay attention.
Wheeler! Go Tranny Gentleman Callers, go!
That was a really nice article on Kukla’s about Lafontaine.
The sophomores should feel shame.
I just voted. I’m so ashamed.
I will say, I thought that was the best YoungStar game yet. I mean, yeah, it was a total afterthought, but it was better than the previous two. I think having it actually DURING the SuperSkills helped make it seem more legit. (Although I shouldn’t pooh-pooh the first one, since Zach being the only one to take it seriously yielded the never-not-funny plastic star… :D)
alix, are you thinking up lots of questions to ask the guys at practice?
I just voted. I’m so ashamed.
Patty, you’re going to burn in eternal hellfire for that. :P (Unless you voted for Getzi…)
I agree, Schnookie. This year the guys looked like they actually cared a little bit.
Patty, I don’t even know who you are anymore.
Just kidding. Did you vote for Getzi? (Just tell me you voted for Getzi. It’s the only answer I want to hear.)
See how cute Wheeler is?
Patty, you’re going to burn in eternal hellfire for that. :P (Unless you voted for Getzi…)
No, she’ll only burn if she voted for Ovie.
That’s what Mo was talking about! He votes for that Iseman guy to die. Um… I might vote that way, too. I’m sure they don’t mean literally.
Pookie,
So far I have “Do you like bouncy castles?”
“Can you swim?”
“Are the meatballs at IKEA the best meatball you’ve ever had?”
Is the Iseman guy the Sports Soup guy? I’m so confused.
Patty, you’re going to burn in eternal hellfire for that. :P (Unless you voted for Getzi…)
Uh-oh.
No, she’ll only burn if she voted for Ovie.
UH-OH! :P
I like the meatballs question the best, alix.
“Do you like bouncy castles?”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::: I will love forever the player who responds with “DO I?!?”
alix, those questions are BRILLIANT!
Wheeler is ADORABLE. The Tranny Gentleman Callers are looking better and better each day. :D
(I also don’t understand this Iseman thing. The hell?)
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Mark Messier FOUR FOR FOUR! :D
Did I tell you we’re being chaperoned at all times by Canucks staff? Hee.
But I’m still so excited. EEEEE!
What is up with all the pointy hair?
OK, WHO VOTED FOR OVIE?!?!?!?
MUST BE A DUMB GUY THING.
Here’s the conversation we just had:
Me: Ovechkin was the worst!
Mark: But he put a funny hat on!
(The sarcasm was clear. I think we’re wearing off on him :P)
Booooooo on the breakaway thing.
Kovalev should have won.
Heather B., clearly our husbands do not fall into that category. They married us, didn’t they.
OK Seriously! Getzi, Stammy, St.Louis, and Kovalev were ALL better than Ovie. The hell.
alix, that’s so exciting. I still can’t get over it. Those are genius questions.
Agreed, alix.
Me: Ovechkin was the worst!
Mark: But he put a funny hat on!
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I think we learned tonight that either people are really stupid, or the League cooked that vote. :P
I’m also tempted to ask a question to Matty about cabs. But I fear my wink and leer at him might get me kicked out :P
Wooo, I’m just coming back from a party, and I’m too drunk to watch the end of the skills competition, I think I’ll just head to bed, and I guess I’ll watch the highlights tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a blast! The ASG weekend rocks.
WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! MO!!!
Modano looks like he’s wearing a bad wig…
This is the COOLEST THING EVER! Dude, they SO need to replace the shootout with this. :P
Poor Mo! 4 for 5 isn’t gonna do it! Still great, though.
Ok, everytime I see the pointy hair, all I can think of PeeWee Herman.
I don’t understand the pointy hair.
That shot from behind them makes the targets look HUGE!
I don’t either. He’s so pretty, yet he has no idea what to do with his hair.
Zdeno Chara is SO adorable! This challenge is, like, the cutest thing of all time!
I love that event. It’s one of the first hockey-related things I ever saw way back before I really watched hockey.
I do think it shouldn’t count unless the target breaks though. It’s no fun if the target doesn’t break.
24,000, he just said? That’s awesome.
Chara just absolutely delights me. I heart him so much.
I don’t either. He’s so pretty, yet he has no idea what to do with his hair.
Yeah, and if it’s not the hair, it’s some douchey soulpatch. But he was very charming there on his mic’d up. :D
alix, just create some distraction for your chaperones before you ask it and you should be fine!
I can’t wait to hear what Alex Burrows thinks about IKEA meatballs!
That’s cool that the NHLPA tossed in another $6,000! Way to go everyone involved! Chara said on NHL.com that he’s hoping it catches on and that if next year every guy contributed, they could donate $42,000 to some good cause. That’s a way to get people talking about something other than suspending Lidstrom! I love Chara!
I do think it shouldn’t count unless the target breaks though. It’s no fun if the target doesn’t break.
They should rig the targets to explode when they get clipped with the puck.
He was charming, wasn’t he? He said he had to concentrate to remember to keep shooting and not pass it.
Heather B., clearly our husbands do not fall into that category. They married us, didn’t they.
True dat. Being able to use and recognize sarcasm is a necessity for living with me :)
They should rig the targets to explode when they get clipped with the puck.
They should rig them with fireworks. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.
They should rig the targets to explode when they get clipped with the puck.
Great idea!
I think that’s the first time I’ve seen Malkin interviewed in English. I mean, I’m sure if I paid attention to the Pens I’d have seen it before, but still.
They should rig them with fireworks. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.
Oh. My. God. That would be the greatest sporting event OF ALL TIME. The NBA’s dunk contest would have NOTHING on it.
Dude, Zdeno’s hat is so adorable! He’s cute as a giant, towering, hulking button!
Zdeno Chara is too cute for words. TOO CUTE!
um, Streit sucks at this…
I’ve never heard Malkin do an interview in English, either.
Brian, we get it. Shoot low.
I like the hardest shot.
It’s a d-man’s game.
My bad Komi’s worse.
WOW! 105!
Brian, we get it. Shoot low.
Really, I don’t think I’ve ever hear that!?!
105.4. Wow.
Doc, Chara just told us that. Not exactly heavy duty investigative reporting.
Wish Chara had kept the hat on while he was shooting. That would’ve too much cuteness.
I’m glad Chara won since he organized the charity.
It just… TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!
I just made noises only dogs can hear. That was SO AWESOME. (This is the first time I’ve seen more than one shot over 100 mph, too. We’ve gone through quite a stretch of not-very-hard shots in the last decade and a half…)
I LOVE how that little kid that gave him his award could have skated through Chara’s legs…without ducking.
He’s so cute! He even was nice to the kid that gave him his plastic star. Most of the guys have just yanked it out of the kids’ hands and skated off.
Really, I don’t think I’ve ever hear that!?!
I feel like Engbloom told us that 1,000 during the first shooter :P
YAY!! Go Chara!
Gosh, that hat was all kinds of adorable. I’m in like a Chara swoon right now. Hee.
Most of the guys have just yanked it out of the kids’ hands and skated off.
Yeah, and some of them actually considered hitting the kid with the star.
Really, I don’t think I’ve ever hear that!?!
I feel like Engbloom told us that 1,000 during the first shooter :P
and the second, and third… =P
My fingers are crossed that Ovie misses his first one. I’m so mean.
My fingers are crossed that Ovie misses his first one. I’m so mean.
Not mean — just rational.
Bummer. Zach missed.
I just screamed because I thought they weren’t going to show Robi!!!!
Why do they insist on the “behind the shooter” camera angle? You can’t see if the shot’s gone in!
Why can’t they stay on the ice? Kinda mean of them.
Why can’t they stay on the ice? Kinda mean of them.
Because they want it to be just Ovechkin and a goalie at the end.
Schnookie, Ever seen Ovi in a shootout? He’s just plain awful.
Yay, Van!
Hee . . . not that Vanek can do that in the damn games.
Hejduk? Surely he died in Vegas.
Because they want it to be just Ovechkin and a goalie at the end.
Argh.
I was about to say how much I hate those things on the ice and then Streit decided to try and hurdle one.
Meg, I know. We were called the round the world move but figured he’d miss. Because he sucks at shootouts.
Can we get one of those Bouwmeesters?
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Mo!
Can we get one of those Bouwmeesters?
No! He’s going to be a Devil! For Clemmer!
Can we get one of those Bouwmeesters?
Get in line. :D
Thomas is hot.
See? I think he’s got the worst percentage in the league. You should be able to hear the collective groan of Caps fans when we see that Coach put him on the SO lineup all the way up in Jersey.
Yay! This round’s gonna be fun!
MAN, Souray is hot. I don’t like thinking that, but there’s just no way around it.
Wow, that Savard move was sick. =P
That’s the Thomas Vanek shootouter I know.
I don’t like thinking that, but there’s just no way around it.
Yeah, Souray is a handsome, handsome man. And I’m not too proud to admit that was 100% of the reason why I was upset when the Devils traded him. I remember Pookie and I used to justify loving him back then (he still hadn’t really turned into a bona fide NHL-caliber d-man yet) by lamely saying, “He has really good eye-hand coordination.”
Souray is hot, it’s true.
Also, Savard is a good mic’d up. Who knew.
There’s the Vanek we’re used to in the shootout.
MAN, Souray is hot. I don’t like thinking that, but there’s just no way around it.
ummm, yeah…like totally
Dude, Hejduk scored again. Why doesn’t he try scoring when the Avs are playing?
Also, Savard is a good mic’d up. Who knew.
He’s this year’s Pretty Ricky!
I’m really enjoying mic’d up with Savard.
I thought you weren’t supposed to go against you’re own goalie. That was the second one!
And I’m not too proud to admit that was 100% of the reason why I was upset when the Devils traded him.
Yeah. Sigh. One of the people I used to sit with at Devils games was a nurse. After Pronger had that heart arrhythmia on the ice, they were talking about having nurses on the benches. She was like, “I could do that! I mean, if Sheldon needed his shirt cut off, I could help!”
I hope they have him mic’d during the game.
Great Idea! Give Savard Brian’s mic! That would make MY year.
Well, now that Getzi’s out, this contest is dead to me. :P
I’m really enjoying mic’d up with Savard.
Me, too, and it is annoying me to no end. Between Chara and Savard, I may have to rethink my loathing of the Bruins.
Dude. Doan should win.
Love Savard, but I hate cheaters!
Guy! I love me some Guy!
That was fun!
Between Chara and Savard, I may have to rethink my loathing of the Bruins.
Did the Bruins just leave a calling card at stately Laughs2Loud Manor? :D
Wait, they made Zach go sit in the dressing room, but we had to keep looking at Ovechkin’s ugly mug? What is WRONG with this event??? :P
Love Savard, but I hate cheaters!
Hee!
Did the Bruins just leave a calling card at stately Laughs2Loud Manor? :D
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: They’re such a courtly Tranny. :P
They’re such a courtly Tranny.
Yup. They all wear little dance cards around their wrists. We’re penciled in first, and now Chara’s got his golf pencil out writing in “MYRA”.
We’re penciled in first, and now Chara’s got his golf pencil out writing in “MYRA”.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And I am totally voting Chara as the King of the SuperSkills. Savard as the runner-up. Vice-King, ready to step in if Chara can’t fulfill his responsibilities.
Did the Bruins just leave a calling card at stately Laughs2Loud Manor? :D
They are trying, aren’t they. Then I remember Hniddy beating on my little Niskie and I’m not so sure. Maybe I should just hate Hniddy.
Please! Hnidy is totally marginal! Think of the Chara!!
Wait, they made Zach go sit in the dressing room, but we had to keep looking at Ovechkin’s ugly mug?
But at least we got a shot of Zach removing his jersey.
We’re penciled in first, and now Chara’s got his golf pencil out writing in “MYRA”.
I’m just too easy. Sigh.
But at least we got a shot of Zach removing his jersey.
This is true. As he imperiously handed it off to Boxworthy without looking.
I’m just too easy. Sigh.
Being easy makes the season so much more fun. :P
Hey! The NHL Network guys have my computer!
Yeah, the NHL really needs to hire women camera/marketing people. Or gay men. Either or. In Canucks/Oilers games, they ALWAYS show me close ups of Stortini. Continuously. I’m like DUDES! Matty’s right over there…and Souray…and O’Brien…and Burrows…and Kesler…
That Gary Green guy’s been in the business that long? I was convinced he was new to it.
I’m like DUDES! Matty’s right over there…and Souray…and O’Brien…and Burrows…and Kesler…
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fortunately, the Devils broadcasts never have that problem. Even our studio hosts like to talk about how dreamy Zach is. We get LOTS of Zach close-ups during downtime. :D
You’re so right, alix.
(I htink Mike Komisarek is cute.)
Yeah, the NHL really needs to hire women camera/marketing people.
alix, I don’t know how many times I have thought that in the last year. With this many good looking guys, so many wasted opportunities. Take the Player Portraits, so need a stylist and someone with a better eye to pick out the shots they release. Those face shots in the dark, just horrible.
Is anyone else watching the post-Skills show on NHL Network? Boomer just pointed out that the host guy has reams of paper in front of him with all his notes, and Micheletti has one blank sheet of paper in front of him. Because more than one piece of paper makes Micheletti’s head explode.
Shane Doan is never not smiling.
Mike Komisarek is sooooo delish. I thought it was so hot how he was so laid back about not getting his number 8 for the all star game even though he was the veteran over Ovechkin.
I did too, alix. And I think that’s more sorriness from Ovechkin. (Sorry, nat.)
I’m sure Versus would insist Ovie wear his 8, but that’s beside the point. :P
Because more than one piece of paper makes Micheletti’s head explode.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::
But at least we got a shot of Zach removing his jersey.
Ok, I have to share. The other night after the game, they went to the dressing room to show Tipp giving the game puck to Lehts. Much to my surprise, there is Mo taking his hockey pants off. You could see his outer protective cup and everything. Well, not everything, he was still fully clothed, but you don’t usually get to see the protective cup action. Hee. I must confess, I hit the rewind a few times. :P
Well, yeah! That’s what TiVo was invented for! The superskills broadcast wasn’t 10 seconds old before we were rewinding to check out Vinny and he had all his layers on! :D
*runs through TiVo list to go look for that clip*
*runs through TiVo list to go look for that clip*
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Patty, no worries. Honestly, though, I’m not so sure it was Ovi who demanded his number (although I wouldn’t put it past him to at least ask). No offense to Komi, but I have a feeling an East All-Star #8 Ovechkin jersey sells better than a #8 Komisarek jersey. Its all about who makes the league more money. I’m sure if Komi wore 87 and Sid was playing, they’d make him hand it over to Sid, too.
You’re right about that, nat! Probably happens every year.
I’m with y’all on the female camera operators, too. It might be just me, but the Caps may have one of the foxiest teams in the league *coughLaichcough* and there’s not nearly enough footage of the good looking guys.
If it helps, Patty, it was after the LA game right at the 4pm mark. It is very brief but I can’t seem to get myself to delete it. :P
Thanks, Myra!
I once had an episode of Stars Insider saved on my machine for MONTHS because they interviewed Mo and Guerin while they were snapping their socks to their garters (cups showing and everything).
Whew! Myra, I found it and it was one minute before my recording ended. I was at the game, so I didn’t get any interviews after that, since the shootout made it so long.
We’re watching the practice stuff from earlier today now — Vinny is going to be such a great Devil. We’re going to trade Holik and Brankahan to get him.
What are you watching that on? TiVo?
I think this is where I came in.
Yeah, we tivoed it. We’re zapping liberally. Basically we stopped only to see Vinny and Zach get interviewed. Of the entire two hours.
I should have recorded the practice. I didn’t catch any of the West practice.
Yay Patty! I’m glad you found it. I would have had a hard time deleting that interview with Mo and Guerin, too. I mean sock garters and cups. Whew.
I think the Stars got it right when they did their calendar with the guys in street clothes.
Did you see last season’s calendar, Myra?
I think so. I was thinking it was similar to the one they did this year. Someone emailed me Otter’s picture from what I believe was the 2007 calendar and it was hilarious. He was slicked-up, shirtless and lifting weights, I think. Not exactly something I could hang in my office. :)
Yeah, that fitness one was a good idea, but bad execution. Yeah, last year’s was a fashion-y thing like this one, so you probably remember it right.
okay, the portraits this year suuuuuuck!! The only decent one is Carter!
Oooh, yeah, Carter looked some kind of handsome in that crisp white shirt. He’s all blond hair, white teeth, and whiter shirt. Heh.
Clemmensen again tonight!?! AAARGGGHHHHH!!!!