OK- so the NHL season is, um- under way?
I don't know about the rest of you guys, but boy, I'm none too impressed with the NHL's season "Premiere." Above and beyond the fact that the debut game was on HD Net, which pretty much means the only people watching were close personal friends of Dan Rather, it's also kind of tough to really feel like the season has kicked off, when the rest of the games don't start for three or four days.
I did catch Sunday's game on Versus, and the game was "eh." There was about 10 minutes of great hockey during the second period, and I felt that as much as the British fans, (and me as well) love a good fight, did Scott Thornton really think it was a good idea to drop his gloves and start swinging when his teammate had possession in the offensive zone?
Also, I was upset that we didn't see more footage between periods of what hockey is really like in Britain. Hockey fans in Britain are a small passionate group who love their game despite the fact that football is FAR more popular. You know, kind of hockey fans in America, who are a small passionate group who love their game despite the fact that football is FAR more popular.
Sigh.
According to Yahoo sports, there were a lot Manchester Phoenix and Belfast Giants shirts in the crowd -- two of the 10 teams in Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League. Why didn't we get to see a little footage of these guys in action?
Seeing British hockey players would be entertaining for, at the very least, the dentistry. If there were ever a group of people with worse teeth than Englishmen, it's hockey players, and the confluence of craggy horrors that would be on display in those player's mouths would be worth the price of admission, even if the hockey is terrible.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Got an email today-
So, for those of you who don't know, I pick up a few bucks on the side writing for the Court TV blog.
I rarely mention it here, mainly because, um- who cares, right? Other than the occasional photo of two girls kissing, there really ain't much of interest going on over at Court TV to the average hockey fan.
Not today.
I work over there three days a week, and today, just as I turn my back for a second, there's a post up the Court TV blog plugging an episode of Forensic Files
entitled: Did Craig Rabinowitz Kill His Wife or Just Watch Hockey?
My co-worker just forwarded it to me, with the snide tagline, "Did you see this? Hockey=crap alibi!"
The obvious assertion here by my ball-busting co-worker is that hockey is so lame that there is no way ANYBODY would believe that watching hockey would be a plausible lie. Like the cops would go "sure- that's a fine story, but the national television ratings for hockey simply don't bear out that you, or anyone in this country was watching hockey on that night. Ergo, you killed your wife. Come with us please."
Indignant at this assertion, I did a little looking into this case, and the murder happened on April 29, 1997 in suburban Philadelphia. As it happens, the 1996-1997 season was the best the Flyers have had in the past 20 years.
From Wikipedia:
So, in late April, it is in fact very plausible that Craig Rabinowitz would have been watching a hockey game. Lots of people in Philadelphia were. It is also worth noting that he turned himself in on May 6, 1997 and confessed to strangling his wife for her life insurance money, because his obsession with a high priced stripper caused him to not know the difference between right and wrong. Oh, and he had a little girl too. Nice guy.
This means three things were probably true:
1) He was a major league scumbag
2) He wasn't watching hockey that night, (busy killing his wife.)
3) He turned himself in during the best Flyers playoff run in many years, less than three weeks before the Flyers went to the Finals. No true hockey fan would do that.
Therefore, not only would watching hockey have been an awesomely plausible alibi in 1997 Philadelphia, but this a-hole was clearly not a hockey fan.
And with that, Court TV- the defense rests.
One more thing:
Hockey starts tomorrow, across the pond.
Game on!
UPDATE: My pals at Court TV just reminded me that on April 29th, the Flyers weren't playing, having defeated the Penguins three days earlier. Still though, if this a-hole were a hockey fan, there were two different game sevens to watch that night, both of which were decided in overtime, as Buffalo beat Ottawa and Edmonton beat Dallas. If a real hockey fan wanted to kill his wife, he'd wouldn't pick a night with 2 separate game sevens, I'll tell you that much.
My hypothesis stands.
I rarely mention it here, mainly because, um- who cares, right? Other than the occasional photo of two girls kissing, there really ain't much of interest going on over at Court TV to the average hockey fan.
Not today.
I work over there three days a week, and today, just as I turn my back for a second, there's a post up the Court TV blog plugging an episode of Forensic Files
entitled: Did Craig Rabinowitz Kill His Wife or Just Watch Hockey?
My co-worker just forwarded it to me, with the snide tagline, "Did you see this? Hockey=crap alibi!"
The obvious assertion here by my ball-busting co-worker is that hockey is so lame that there is no way ANYBODY would believe that watching hockey would be a plausible lie. Like the cops would go "sure- that's a fine story, but the national television ratings for hockey simply don't bear out that you, or anyone in this country was watching hockey on that night. Ergo, you killed your wife. Come with us please."
Indignant at this assertion, I did a little looking into this case, and the murder happened on April 29, 1997 in suburban Philadelphia. As it happens, the 1996-1997 season was the best the Flyers have had in the past 20 years.
From Wikipedia:
Though Lindros missed 30 games in 1996-97, LeClair still managed to score 50 goals for the second consecutive year. Despite finishing just one point shy of a third straight Atlantic Division title, the Flyers blitzed their way through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Backstopped by the goaltending tandem of Hextall and Garth Snow, the Flyers dominated Pittsburgh, Buffalo and the Rangers all in five games apiece to win the Eastern Conference championship, and clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1986-87. However, their opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, swept the Flyers in four straight games. After Game 3, Terry Murray said that the team was in a "choking situation". It is said this remark cost Murray his job, as he was fired soon after.
So, in late April, it is in fact very plausible that Craig Rabinowitz would have been watching a hockey game. Lots of people in Philadelphia were. It is also worth noting that he turned himself in on May 6, 1997 and confessed to strangling his wife for her life insurance money, because his obsession with a high priced stripper caused him to not know the difference between right and wrong. Oh, and he had a little girl too. Nice guy.
This means three things were probably true:
1) He was a major league scumbag
2) He wasn't watching hockey that night, (busy killing his wife.)
3) He turned himself in during the best Flyers playoff run in many years, less than three weeks before the Flyers went to the Finals. No true hockey fan would do that.
Therefore, not only would watching hockey have been an awesomely plausible alibi in 1997 Philadelphia, but this a-hole was clearly not a hockey fan.
And with that, Court TV- the defense rests.
One more thing:
Hockey starts tomorrow, across the pond.
Game on!
UPDATE: My pals at Court TV just reminded me that on April 29th, the Flyers weren't playing, having defeated the Penguins three days earlier. Still though, if this a-hole were a hockey fan, there were two different game sevens to watch that night, both of which were decided in overtime, as Buffalo beat Ottawa and Edmonton beat Dallas. If a real hockey fan wanted to kill his wife, he'd wouldn't pick a night with 2 separate game sevens, I'll tell you that much.
My hypothesis stands.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Obsessive Statistical Number Crunching: The Next Best Thing After Hockey
In the interest of spending even less time producing valuable output while strapped to our computers, the good folks at AHF have all joined the same fantasy hockey league, along with a dozen friends, leaving me wondering who the hell else in America is playing fantasy hockey. When draft time came around Tuesday night, the chronological math of an 11 PM start time, 16 teams, 20 roster spots, and a minute and a half alotment per pick wasn't looking promising for those of us with actual, functioning circadian rhythms, so reckless, baseless picks were encouraged from the start. Though Yahoo's done some good things with tweaking the AI for fantasy baseball autodraft in terms of prioritizing you filling your roster before slavishly following the questionable O-rankings decided upon by the CFO's teenage son, no one trusted them to have been so attentive to the red-headed stepchild of fantasy sports, and it was nearly a full virtual house. After my team, the Sixth Hole, drew first slot in the order, I formally introduced myself to Mr. Crosby--all naysayers can march alongside your own drummer all the way to April, say hi to the Coyotes and Kings for me-- and poured myself a drink to sit back and watch everyone scramble to achieve mediocrity.
The AHF crew was nicely spaced throughout the snake, and other than the deafening crack that shook the city when Ben saw Marty Brodeur (handsomely) snapped up in the pick before his, and the general feeling that the Sabres have truly, truly broken Jack, the first few rounds went much as expected, somewhat regrettably. There's very few poor decisions that can be made at that point, so shittalking was minimized, but you gotta use your gems before the later rounds, when no one knows what the hell they're doing anyway and you have to fall back on rather specific insinuations as to Ben's mom's whereabouts and doings. The beauty of hockey is that the players are so distinct, in their look, their attitude, and the goddamn stupidity of their actions (Dani Heatley, here's looking at you), so shittalking can be regressed back to schoolyard namecalling, using particularly bad offenders. When Ritch picks up, say, Tim Thomas as his goalie, a simple "Who next, Yashin?" gets the point across almost eloquently.
Most of us assumed that even a passing familiarity with hockey would carry us through at least the first six rounds of such a large league, but it turns out there's some sort of weird top-down thing with Slavic hockey player names- you're familiar with one -qvist or -inen, you think you know them all, when in reality, it turns out you are an ignorant, ignorant fool. One doesn't understand how desperate things are until Teppo Numminen goes in the thirteenth round with the hope that it was only "light heart surgery", and odds are laid out on Mike Modano breaking a hip before the All-Star game. Drafting strategies evolved from skill level---starter---have heard the name before---name sounds Russian---suppose should take a Western Conference player---name sounds dirty---name sounds like he's hung well---pointer happened to be over his name. I dare each and every one of you not to snicker at the name Alexander Semin after five beers and two hours in front of a computer screen.
All in all, we clocked in at a little over two hours, and I walked away with a bomb squad, and Ritch walked away from a hockey event not in tears. For those who who joined an American Hockey Fan Contributor Fantasy League, results of Week One's showdowns, conveniently between Ben/Jack and Ritch/Myself, are to come.
The AHF crew was nicely spaced throughout the snake, and other than the deafening crack that shook the city when Ben saw Marty Brodeur (handsomely) snapped up in the pick before his, and the general feeling that the Sabres have truly, truly broken Jack, the first few rounds went much as expected, somewhat regrettably. There's very few poor decisions that can be made at that point, so shittalking was minimized, but you gotta use your gems before the later rounds, when no one knows what the hell they're doing anyway and you have to fall back on rather specific insinuations as to Ben's mom's whereabouts and doings. The beauty of hockey is that the players are so distinct, in their look, their attitude, and the goddamn stupidity of their actions (Dani Heatley, here's looking at you), so shittalking can be regressed back to schoolyard namecalling, using particularly bad offenders. When Ritch picks up, say, Tim Thomas as his goalie, a simple "Who next, Yashin?" gets the point across almost eloquently.
Most of us assumed that even a passing familiarity with hockey would carry us through at least the first six rounds of such a large league, but it turns out there's some sort of weird top-down thing with Slavic hockey player names- you're familiar with one -qvist or -inen, you think you know them all, when in reality, it turns out you are an ignorant, ignorant fool. One doesn't understand how desperate things are until Teppo Numminen goes in the thirteenth round with the hope that it was only "light heart surgery", and odds are laid out on Mike Modano breaking a hip before the All-Star game. Drafting strategies evolved from skill level---starter---have heard the name before---name sounds Russian---suppose should take a Western Conference player---name sounds dirty---name sounds like he's hung well---pointer happened to be over his name. I dare each and every one of you not to snicker at the name Alexander Semin after five beers and two hours in front of a computer screen.
All in all, we clocked in at a little over two hours, and I walked away with a bomb squad, and Ritch walked away from a hockey event not in tears. For those who who joined an American Hockey Fan Contributor Fantasy League, results of Week One's showdowns, conveniently between Ben/Jack and Ritch/Myself, are to come.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Will the NHL put highlights of the Rangers/Isles brawl on YouTube?
Time will tell, but I doubt it.
Watch this space for updates. Or I guess you could just go to YouTube yourself, but that wouldn't really help our site traffic, now would it?
Watch this space for updates. Or I guess you could just go to YouTube yourself, but that wouldn't really help our site traffic, now would it?
Friday, September 21, 2007
Hey- you guys know how I post on another blog too?
It's called the Nosebleeds, and it's about all sports.
I mention this because both this blog and that blog are powered by blogger, and I just wrote a post for AHF that I unintentionally published on the Nosebleeds.
I thought about changing it, but who gets hurt if there is more hockey available on general sports site?
You know, other than the hundreds of thousands of American sports fans who don't give a crap about hockey?
Oh well- it's a pretty good post I think, and I haven't posted for them in a while.
You can click here for a direct link.
I gotta go, Rangers/Devils starts in 20 minutes!
I mention this because both this blog and that blog are powered by blogger, and I just wrote a post for AHF that I unintentionally published on the Nosebleeds.
I thought about changing it, but who gets hurt if there is more hockey available on general sports site?
You know, other than the hundreds of thousands of American sports fans who don't give a crap about hockey?
Oh well- it's a pretty good post I think, and I haven't posted for them in a while.
You can click here for a direct link.
I gotta go, Rangers/Devils starts in 20 minutes!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Eric McErlain-
--has a terrific wrap up of the Ice Bowl ticket flap over on AOL's Fanhouse, which you should definitely check out, and not just because they mention my name.
While I'm at it, I can't say enough good things about the FanHouse. In addition to the fact that it's a great hockey source, I'm even more impressed with how it caused me to almost immediately get over my knee-jerk desire to despise it simply because of the big, corporate AOL logo. It's sort of like a Barnes and Noble over there, in that you want to hate the big giant chain, but then you get inside, everything's laid out beautifully, and there is plenty you want to read.
Of course, the Fanhouse is better, because unlike Barnes and Noble, you can enjoy it in the nude.
Boy, did I learn that the hard way.
What?
I'm the only one who sees a couch and a good book and feels the urge to take his pants off and relax? I'm not the bad guy here, it's society.
Anyway, Eric did a great job with the wrap up of the Ice Bowl story, and thanks to all the boys from the FanHouse who were in touch with me about it. From what I have been able to figure out, it was more important for the NHL to be able to say that they sold out in half an hour than it was for them to make sure that the right fans got into the game.
On the bright side, that decision has led to a lot of decent press from several major sports outlets not generally known for being particularly respectful of hockey. They have been praising the drawing power of the NHL, and raised the game's profile. This is great stuff.
The bad part is, I truly believe the NHL could have had it's cake and ate it too. Like most of the massively embarrassing PR blunders the NHL has made and continues to make, (The Gladiator ad campaign, Glowing Pucks, The Columbus Blue Jackets)this all could have been avoided if the NHL had actually LISTENED to it's fans, something it seems tragically unable to do.
The Hockey Blogs and websites have been calling the Ice Bowl the worst kept secret in sports for a reason- people were really excited about it. The outdoor game in Edmonton was a big deal, and I was pissed when it wasn't on television. The Michigan-Michigan State outdoor game was something that people loved. I really believe that the game would have sold out quickly without the backstage maneuvering, and both the fans and the league would have been thrilled.
Also, to address the baffling question of why tickets were set aside for Toronto Blue Jays Season ticket holders, a comment I got from a reader named David bears reprinting:
The Jays and the Bills have promotions for joint season tickets, whereby if you buy your Bills tickets through your Jays account you would qualify for a discount. Or something to that effect.
Paul Godfrey, president of the Jays has been a huge proponent of bringing the NFL to Toronto and has had strong ties to the Bills organisation dating back to his days as publisher of the Toronto Sun.
I have no idea if this is true, as if there are two things I couldn't give less of a crap about it's Canadian baseball and Buffalo football, but it sounds plausible to me. If anybody can confirm or deny this, I'm all ears.
Ultimately, at the end of the day, I am thrilled for hockey.
This game is going to happen, it's a runaway sellout and will certainly help to restore some of the excitement that many hockey fans have lost since the lockout.
I just wish I coulda scored a ticket.
Who knows though? There are definitely still some tickets out there, and maybe, just maybe- I could find one.
Unlike these two guys who play on my street hockey team,
I guess I just haven't looked everywhere yet.
While I'm at it, I can't say enough good things about the FanHouse. In addition to the fact that it's a great hockey source, I'm even more impressed with how it caused me to almost immediately get over my knee-jerk desire to despise it simply because of the big, corporate AOL logo. It's sort of like a Barnes and Noble over there, in that you want to hate the big giant chain, but then you get inside, everything's laid out beautifully, and there is plenty you want to read.
Of course, the Fanhouse is better, because unlike Barnes and Noble, you can enjoy it in the nude.
Boy, did I learn that the hard way.
What?
I'm the only one who sees a couch and a good book and feels the urge to take his pants off and relax? I'm not the bad guy here, it's society.
Anyway, Eric did a great job with the wrap up of the Ice Bowl story, and thanks to all the boys from the FanHouse who were in touch with me about it. From what I have been able to figure out, it was more important for the NHL to be able to say that they sold out in half an hour than it was for them to make sure that the right fans got into the game.
On the bright side, that decision has led to a lot of decent press from several major sports outlets not generally known for being particularly respectful of hockey. They have been praising the drawing power of the NHL, and raised the game's profile. This is great stuff.
The bad part is, I truly believe the NHL could have had it's cake and ate it too. Like most of the massively embarrassing PR blunders the NHL has made and continues to make, (The Gladiator ad campaign, Glowing Pucks, The Columbus Blue Jackets)this all could have been avoided if the NHL had actually LISTENED to it's fans, something it seems tragically unable to do.
The Hockey Blogs and websites have been calling the Ice Bowl the worst kept secret in sports for a reason- people were really excited about it. The outdoor game in Edmonton was a big deal, and I was pissed when it wasn't on television. The Michigan-Michigan State outdoor game was something that people loved. I really believe that the game would have sold out quickly without the backstage maneuvering, and both the fans and the league would have been thrilled.
Also, to address the baffling question of why tickets were set aside for Toronto Blue Jays Season ticket holders, a comment I got from a reader named David bears reprinting:
The Jays and the Bills have promotions for joint season tickets, whereby if you buy your Bills tickets through your Jays account you would qualify for a discount. Or something to that effect.
Paul Godfrey, president of the Jays has been a huge proponent of bringing the NFL to Toronto and has had strong ties to the Bills organisation dating back to his days as publisher of the Toronto Sun.
I have no idea if this is true, as if there are two things I couldn't give less of a crap about it's Canadian baseball and Buffalo football, but it sounds plausible to me. If anybody can confirm or deny this, I'm all ears.
Ultimately, at the end of the day, I am thrilled for hockey.
This game is going to happen, it's a runaway sellout and will certainly help to restore some of the excitement that many hockey fans have lost since the lockout.
I just wish I coulda scored a ticket.
Who knows though? There are definitely still some tickets out there, and maybe, just maybe- I could find one.
Unlike these two guys who play on my street hockey team,
I guess I just haven't looked everywhere yet.
Good day for Blue Jays Fans-
-they managed to top the Red Sox last night, and their season ticket holders managed to grab (at the very least) 133 tickets to the Winter Classic/Ice bowl- tickets that- well, how do I put this...? Hockey fans were not allowed to access.
I'm disgusted.
I'm disgusted.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Winter Classic/Ice Bowl- the questions continue
OK- I've thrown up a few updates on this already, but I've been able to confirm that yes in fact, very few tickets were made available to Pittsburgh season ticket holders, while many more were made available to Sabres, Maple Leafs, and Blue Jays(!) season ticket holders.
I for one, followed the rules, went to Ticketmaster at 10:09, and missed out entirely. Sure, maybe I should have been trying at 10:01, or 9:59:59, but jeez- I mean, that place fits 70,000. Even after they pull out a mess of seats for TV cameras, that's a lot of tickets in 9 minutes. And from what I can determine, there was a lot more at play here than just overzealous scalpers buying up blocks of tickets. Kevin over at Bflo blog is reporting that Sabres PR man Mike Gilbert told a sports radio station that the biggest block of tickets sold through Ticketmaster was 32, even though it was supposedly possible to buy as many as 50 at a time, another fact that is mindboggling. Who, besides scalpers buys 50 tickets for anything?
While I have heard that people far more connected and qualified than I am are looking into it, I still haven't gotten a decent answer as to why the NHL feels that season ticket holders for the Toronto Maple Leafs or Blue Jays don't have to wait in line like everybody else, or why so many fewer tickets were made available to Penguins season ticket holders.
I contacted the Blue Jays organization, they couldn't confirm anything about ticket promotions, but said someone over there would try to get back to me in the next few days. Apparently, it's crazy over there with the Red Sox in town. I really hope someone calls, but I'm not holding my breath.
And why those two teams?
If it was the Leafs and the Raptors, who are both owned by the same company, that'd still be corrupt, but at least I could understand the motive.
A reporter from Pittsburgh was told by the NHL that they opened the market to Toronto to "attract more fans." Except it's not like Ticketmaster is closed to Toronto, right? Maple Leaf Fans come down to HSBC arena in Buffalo all the time without any special tickets being withheld for them. In fact, the entire reason so many Toronto fans come to Buffalo for games in the first place is they can't get single game tickets to home games, because practically the entire building is bought up by the season ticket holders.
So if the stated excuse for this is to encourage the sports loving residents of a great hockey city who might have a difficult time getting NHL tickets in their home arena, well that might, sorta explain why they reached out to Blue Jays season ticket holders, but why do you also open it up to the Leaf season ticket holders, the one group who have no problem getting tickets in their home arena?
And why the Blue Jays instead of the Raptors or the Argonauts?
OK, just the Raptors.
But still!
And why does Pittsburgh get so screwed?
I'm pissed as it is, but if I were a Penguins season ticket holder, I'd be livid, especially considering the shoddy treatment they've received from their team's management and the NHL with all the rumors of the team moving. All Penguins fans have done is RABIDLY support their team through all this horseshit, and now they have to queue up behind Blue Jays fans?
And what is the NHL thinking? They are using Sidney Crosby to sell the league, then reward his biggest fans by giving them third class citizen status for the biggest game of his career?
Is this a concession for not moving another NHL franchise to the area?
All I'm saying is, If I can't get a ticket to this game, I'd really hope that a Pittsburgh fan, a Buffalo fan, or an NHL VIP is sitting in my seat. As for the Blue Jays, I hope the Red Sox fucking massacre you tonight.
Your fans have had more than their share of good luck for today.
I for one, followed the rules, went to Ticketmaster at 10:09, and missed out entirely. Sure, maybe I should have been trying at 10:01, or 9:59:59, but jeez- I mean, that place fits 70,000. Even after they pull out a mess of seats for TV cameras, that's a lot of tickets in 9 minutes. And from what I can determine, there was a lot more at play here than just overzealous scalpers buying up blocks of tickets. Kevin over at Bflo blog is reporting that Sabres PR man Mike Gilbert told a sports radio station that the biggest block of tickets sold through Ticketmaster was 32, even though it was supposedly possible to buy as many as 50 at a time, another fact that is mindboggling. Who, besides scalpers buys 50 tickets for anything?
While I have heard that people far more connected and qualified than I am are looking into it, I still haven't gotten a decent answer as to why the NHL feels that season ticket holders for the Toronto Maple Leafs or Blue Jays don't have to wait in line like everybody else, or why so many fewer tickets were made available to Penguins season ticket holders.
I contacted the Blue Jays organization, they couldn't confirm anything about ticket promotions, but said someone over there would try to get back to me in the next few days. Apparently, it's crazy over there with the Red Sox in town. I really hope someone calls, but I'm not holding my breath.
And why those two teams?
If it was the Leafs and the Raptors, who are both owned by the same company, that'd still be corrupt, but at least I could understand the motive.
A reporter from Pittsburgh was told by the NHL that they opened the market to Toronto to "attract more fans." Except it's not like Ticketmaster is closed to Toronto, right? Maple Leaf Fans come down to HSBC arena in Buffalo all the time without any special tickets being withheld for them. In fact, the entire reason so many Toronto fans come to Buffalo for games in the first place is they can't get single game tickets to home games, because practically the entire building is bought up by the season ticket holders.
So if the stated excuse for this is to encourage the sports loving residents of a great hockey city who might have a difficult time getting NHL tickets in their home arena, well that might, sorta explain why they reached out to Blue Jays season ticket holders, but why do you also open it up to the Leaf season ticket holders, the one group who have no problem getting tickets in their home arena?
And why the Blue Jays instead of the Raptors or the Argonauts?
OK, just the Raptors.
But still!
And why does Pittsburgh get so screwed?
I'm pissed as it is, but if I were a Penguins season ticket holder, I'd be livid, especially considering the shoddy treatment they've received from their team's management and the NHL with all the rumors of the team moving. All Penguins fans have done is RABIDLY support their team through all this horseshit, and now they have to queue up behind Blue Jays fans?
And what is the NHL thinking? They are using Sidney Crosby to sell the league, then reward his biggest fans by giving them third class citizen status for the biggest game of his career?
Is this a concession for not moving another NHL franchise to the area?
All I'm saying is, If I can't get a ticket to this game, I'd really hope that a Pittsburgh fan, a Buffalo fan, or an NHL VIP is sitting in my seat. As for the Blue Jays, I hope the Red Sox fucking massacre you tonight.
Your fans have had more than their share of good luck for today.
ICE BOWL: SOLD OUT
OK- here's a question:
Seeing as tickets for the historic New Years'Day "Winter Classic" outdoor game between the Sabres and the Penguins went on sale this morning at 10:00 AM, and I couldn't get four at any price at 10:09, can anyone from the NHL answer for this announcement on the Ticketmaster webpage?
PENGUINS, MAPLE LEAFS AND BLUE JAYS SEASON TICKET HOLDERS OFFERS. ENTER THE PASSWORD PROVIDED BY THE RESPECTIVE TEAMS.
Why is there a special icon on the Ticketmaster page that allows season ticket holders from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays to enter a code for either a reserved seat or some kind of deal on tickets, especially seeing as I logged in just after 10:00 and was told there were no tickets available?
I understand that Sabres and Penguin season ticket holders would get first crack, and would even understand why they might give Buffalo Bills season ticket holders a spot in line, but what in God's name does Toronto have to do with all this? The Air Canada Centre holds roughly 19,000 people, and the Rogers centre where the Blue Jays play hold 50,000. While I can't imagine that they have anywhere near 50,000 season ticket holders for the Blue jays, what's a safe estimate- 10,000? Add in- say 15,000 season ticket holders for the leafs, and you have 25,000 fewer tickets available for everybody else.
Why?
Seriously, what gives?
4:22 PM UPDATE: Rob Rossi at The Pittsburgh Tribune Review is reporting that only 1,500 seats were made available to Pittsburgh Penguins season ticket holders. I asked him why he thought special concessions were made through ticketmaster for Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs season ticket holders, and he said he was told that the NHL "opened the market to Toronto to attract more fans." From my end, I can tell you that Buffalo and Pittsburgh are tremendously popular hockey markets, and something stinks. More later.
I'm taking credit for this
Brodziak, Oilers outlast Panthers 5-4
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP)-- Kyle Brodziak had two goals and an assist to help the Edmonton Oilers beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in a preseason game Monday night.
Clearly, Brodziak read my post knocking him and decided to make me eat my words.
Well, Mr. Brodziak, you done good. But in a more accurate way, WE done good. Because let's face it...without the gentle prodding and encouragement of American Hockey Fan, you never would have scored those goals.
You're welcome, Oilers fans!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Anything you can plug, I can plug better
Just because Ritch is the boss around here doesn't mean he's the only one allowed to derail the hockey posting to plug his other projects. In fact, I've often considered myself the Alex Ovechkin to his Sidney Crosby in that regard...arguably better at it, but without the media adoration.
OK, that ought to take care of the tenuous link to hockey...now on to the plug!
Today marks the launch of Season 4 of Unleashed, the weekly animated comedy show about the trials and tribulations of animal actors in Hollywood that I created and produce. Check out this week's episode and tell your friends!
If you're scared to leave AHF for fear you'll never find your way back, here's the trailer to wet your whistle.
Speaking of whistles, you know who wears those? Hockey officials.
OK, that ought to take care of the tenuous link to hockey...now on to the plug!
Today marks the launch of Season 4 of Unleashed, the weekly animated comedy show about the trials and tribulations of animal actors in Hollywood that I created and produce. Check out this week's episode and tell your friends!
If you're scared to leave AHF for fear you'll never find your way back, here's the trailer to wet your whistle.
Speaking of whistles, you know who wears those? Hockey officials.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Anybody wanna hear what my voice sounds like?
Well, listen to this recent edition of the national public radio show "Fair Game with Faith Salie." They were kind enough to have me come by last week and do a humorous little show opening with Faith on the topic of Global Warming.
And for those of you who think that Global Warming doesn't have much to do with hockey, I'll remind you that the last three Stanley Cup winners have been from California, North Carolina, and Florida.
I mean, for crying out loud.
Here's a link to the show, my segment is first.
And for those of you who think that Global Warming doesn't have much to do with hockey, I'll remind you that the last three Stanley Cup winners have been from California, North Carolina, and Florida.
I mean, for crying out loud.
Here's a link to the show, my segment is first.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Is it Tuesday yet?
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How can it be possible that I'm sick of football already?
Granted, this kind of thing happens to me every year, and I swear, I like football, or at least I usually do, for the first few weeks it's back. I was never the biggest football fan, but seeing football coming back is usually like the return of an old friend, and it's welcomed. But not this year. Seriously, this year, I could not give a crap. And this is even happening while the Patriots are looking great! If I had to guess, I'd say that the aggressive marketing battles from different networks, highlight shows, videogames and what-have-you led to the NFL killing the golden goose. It's hard to deny that the sheer amount of hype they're putting out there is greatly eclipsing the product on the field.
It might be a function of the Michael Vick and Pac-man Jones stuff that was ever present over the summer, but whatever it is, I am just over football, man.
Already.
I mean, how fucked is it that the season opener of Monday Night Football is on tonight and not only am I wholly uninterested, but actually thinking "Man- I can't wait for September 11th?"
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Niedermayer - Dead?
Please ignore this picture. It's only here so
the title of the post makes sense. Thank you.
We’ve all heard the expression “fuck you money.” Meaning, an individual has so much money, he or she can pretty much tell everyone “fuck you, I’m doing whatever I want.” Well, Scott Niedermayer not only has "fuck-you money," he’s had a "fuck-you career."
Olympic gold, a Norris Trophy, and a ring for every four years he’s been in the league…so, yeah. F you. I’m going to abbreviate this from now on, so I don’t have to say “fuck” again.
Whoops. OK, starting now.
So when Niedermayer’s GM starts looking nervously at his watch as the trade deadline (in the case of Lou Lamoriello) and/or training camp (in the case of Brian Burke) draws near, there’s not much they can say or do to light a fire under his ass. He’ll decide when he decides, and that’s it. If Flavor Flav took this long to make a decision, there’d be no room on VH1 for Bret Michaels.
OK, so maybe a little deliberation wouldn’t always be a bad thing. But back to hockey.
The same passionless demeanor Niedermayer displays on the ice (seriously, this guy makes Ivan Drago look like Richard Simmons) must carry over to his discussions with management, because what are they going to say? You don’t issue an ultimatum to a player like Scott Niedermayer, lest he dump his Conn Smythe over your head and start beating it with a ladle just to mess with you.
In my opinion, the waiting is the hardest part.
I think I've been pretty clear about that.
That said, I think we can all agree that this foot-dragging is nothing more or less than a big time f you to the Ducks. The guy had all summer to decide whether or not he’s going to retire, and he’s still not sure? So now he’s going to skip camp, leave the team in limbo, cost himself who knows how much money, and for what? MORE time? Somebody get this guy a Magic 8 ball!
And what kind of marbles does it take to retire at 34, anyway? I think he’s going to need those extra 7 or 8 years just to decide whether or not he might go fishing.
The guy takes a long time with decisions is what I’m saying.
One month away-
Well, we're less than 30 day s a way from the debut of a brand new hockey season, and I gotta tell you, I'm starting to get excited about it. As a Bruins fan, I 'm falling into the usual pattern of hoping for the best, yet wondering whether this year will be any different.
And then, for some reason, I thought about the NHL and how far it has come. There was a lot of hype over the past few seasons about Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, and like I am pre-disposed to do, I doubted and waited.
But now, after each of these two extraordinary players have had two seasons to stretch their legs, work through the hype and expectations, I gotta say, I'm a believer.
This is the year to watch these guys.
Year one was the "which one will be rookie of the year" thing.
Fun, but ultimately not that big a deal.
Year two was "OK, are either one of these guys just a flash in the pan?"
A resounding no. These guys are not just here to stay, but the future of the game.
So what does this year bring from Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby?
This year brings all the gifts that all of them have offered, plus one mammoth, huge factor- confidence. Neither one has a damn thing to prove to the league as individual players anymore. Now we see how they can lead a team. Just for fun, here are a couple of YouTube Clips of Ovechkin, who I've praised in the past, and Crosby.
Now here's Crosby, in a clip that is kind of awesome, if only to bring people into the mind of a Penguins fan who thought to himself- "You know what would make people understand how great Crosby is? I know! The music of Foreigner!"
Either way, I saw both of them live last year, and I hope to do it again if I can.
This is the year of confidence.This is the year that the boys become men.
I say this now, before my love for the Bruins blinds me to enjoying any success that their Eastern conference rivals might achieve.
Seriously. This is the year.
Get your tickets as soon as possible.
Buckle your seatbelts.
And then, for some reason, I thought about the NHL and how far it has come. There was a lot of hype over the past few seasons about Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, and like I am pre-disposed to do, I doubted and waited.
But now, after each of these two extraordinary players have had two seasons to stretch their legs, work through the hype and expectations, I gotta say, I'm a believer.
This is the year to watch these guys.
Year one was the "which one will be rookie of the year" thing.
Fun, but ultimately not that big a deal.
Year two was "OK, are either one of these guys just a flash in the pan?"
A resounding no. These guys are not just here to stay, but the future of the game.
So what does this year bring from Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby?
This year brings all the gifts that all of them have offered, plus one mammoth, huge factor- confidence. Neither one has a damn thing to prove to the league as individual players anymore. Now we see how they can lead a team. Just for fun, here are a couple of YouTube Clips of Ovechkin, who I've praised in the past, and Crosby.
Now here's Crosby, in a clip that is kind of awesome, if only to bring people into the mind of a Penguins fan who thought to himself- "You know what would make people understand how great Crosby is? I know! The music of Foreigner!"
Either way, I saw both of them live last year, and I hope to do it again if I can.
This is the year of confidence.This is the year that the boys become men.
I say this now, before my love for the Bruins blinds me to enjoying any success that their Eastern conference rivals might achieve.
Seriously. This is the year.
Get your tickets as soon as possible.
Buckle your seatbelts.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Asphalt Avengers Assemble!
OK- I really, really tried to write something that could properly set this up for you, but I think it's better if you go in cold.
As Ben said, when he forwarded it me, "What the Holy Fuck is this?"
Wow.
I mean, WOW.
I am the only one who thinks Brodeur and his weird goatee'd buddy are going to try to fuck those kids?
As Ben said, when he forwarded it me, "What the Holy Fuck is this?"
Wow.
I mean, WOW.
I am the only one who thinks Brodeur and his weird goatee'd buddy are going to try to fuck those kids?
Thursday, September 06, 2007
To pre, or not to pre
That is the question. After a long summer of no hockey, am I desperate enough to go see a pre-season game? Ritch and I went to one right after the lockout ended. It had been over a year since we had seen any hockey, the tickets were free, we had our pick of seats, and beer was available.
It was still JUST BARELY worth it.
But yesterday I got a Ticketmaster email about upcoming events at the Garden, and there, on Friday September 21st, is a pre-season matchup of the Devils and Rangers. And God help me, I considered it. After all, it's tough to resist the chance to be one of the first to hurl insults at Scott Gomez as he takes the ice in Ranger blue - and one of the few, I'm sure, to hurl insults unrelated to his ethnicity.
That said, there are a few reasons not to go:
1) There is nothing more pointless than pre-season hockey.
2) Thanks to the emphasis on intra-divisional competition, I will have the chance to see the Rangers play the Devils approximately 37 times on an 82 game schedule.
3) This is not the Devils vs. the Rangers. This is a collection of wide-eyed 4th and 5th stringers who are as likely to be caught gazing in awe at Eddie Giacomin's jersey in the rafters as they are to score a goal.
4) There is NOTHING more pointless than pre-season hockey.
Is anybody out there going to a pre-season game? If so, I dare you to defend yourselves in the comments.
It was still JUST BARELY worth it.
But yesterday I got a Ticketmaster email about upcoming events at the Garden, and there, on Friday September 21st, is a pre-season matchup of the Devils and Rangers. And God help me, I considered it. After all, it's tough to resist the chance to be one of the first to hurl insults at Scott Gomez as he takes the ice in Ranger blue - and one of the few, I'm sure, to hurl insults unrelated to his ethnicity.
Pre-season hockey? Why not watch me dry instead?
That said, there are a few reasons not to go:
1) There is nothing more pointless than pre-season hockey.
2) Thanks to the emphasis on intra-divisional competition, I will have the chance to see the Rangers play the Devils approximately 37 times on an 82 game schedule.
3) This is not the Devils vs. the Rangers. This is a collection of wide-eyed 4th and 5th stringers who are as likely to be caught gazing in awe at Eddie Giacomin's jersey in the rafters as they are to score a goal.
4) There is NOTHING more pointless than pre-season hockey.
Is anybody out there going to a pre-season game? If so, I dare you to defend yourselves in the comments.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
This is not about hockey-
But keep your pants on, it's August.
Or for that matter, take them off.
Either way, I assure you that this clip is much like the game of hockey in that while the number of people who it appeals to may be limited, the amount of enjoyment they will get out of it will more than justify it's presence here. I mean, fuck you- I see other hockey blogs posting about soccer this time of year for God's sake.
Don't judge me.
Further, if there were enough material out there to sustain a full time blog entitled "American 'Skinny Asian Dudes Who Cover Early Metallica Songs on the Cello' Fan," well goddamnit, I'd be the guy updating it, day in and day out.
So without further ado, I present Metallica's "Creeping Death," on a Cello.
Awww, yeah.
Or for that matter, take them off.
Either way, I assure you that this clip is much like the game of hockey in that while the number of people who it appeals to may be limited, the amount of enjoyment they will get out of it will more than justify it's presence here. I mean, fuck you- I see other hockey blogs posting about soccer this time of year for God's sake.
Don't judge me.
Further, if there were enough material out there to sustain a full time blog entitled "American 'Skinny Asian Dudes Who Cover Early Metallica Songs on the Cello' Fan," well goddamnit, I'd be the guy updating it, day in and day out.
So without further ado, I present Metallica's "Creeping Death," on a Cello.
Awww, yeah.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
As some regular readers may know-
-I have a disgusting cat named Grapes, who is named for Don Cherry.
In the spirit of his namesake, he has come out in favor of fighting, and like his namesake, it will almost certainly cause some controversy.
Check out this endorsement of Michael Vick he wrote over at the Nosebleeds.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
I haven't mentioned this yet-
- but I happen to be getting married next January.
I haven't brought it up on the site before, partly because it's nobody's business, but also because it depresses me slightly that there is no chance my bachelor party will be anywhere near as fun as anything thrown by the Staal brothers. But mostly, I haven't said anything because if there is one activity that doesn't have a damn thing to do with the game of hockey, it's wedding planning, or at least it didn't until very recently, thanks to a situation I will shortly explain.
The cliche of the male role in wedding planning is that the groom-to-be stands around slackjawed and nodding while the bride-to-be and her mother begin whirling about in an estrogen fueled daze, flipping through catalogs, selecting caterers, registering for sets of linens, and holding up an endless series of false choices in front of the man's bewildered face,almost perversely daring him to utter the words "Baby- who fucking cares?"
This cliche is true.
Still, it is flawed in one respect. While there are a number of decisions relating to the minutia of design and detail that the male mind (or at least this one) is simply unsuited to handle, this does not mean that the wedding itself, or, in a larger sense, what being married *means* is unimportant to him. He just sometimes has a difficult time conveying the information that there is a qualified difference between 'not giving a fuck about the napkin design' and 'not giving a fuck about the relationship." It's a bumpy road at times, but in our case, for the most part, this message has gotten through. Both my fiancee and I have learned to sense when the other is beginning to lose patience, the same way a racecar driver knows when to ease off on the turns before careening headlong into the wall. Within that metaphor, who exactly is the driver and who is the car has been subject to some debate, but either way, she knows that while I am interested and involved in the process, there is only so much I can handle.
Which brings it back to hockey.
We're getting married on January 20th in New York City, a date we decided on because it's balls expensive to get married in this town, and if we did it on a Sunday in January it would be significantly cheaper. January 20th happens to be Martin Luther King Day weekend, so we can have the wedding at the Sunday rate, and nobody has to go to work the next day.
It's a win-win.
Longtime readers of this site also know that I happen to be a die hard fan of the Boston Bruins. So after the wedding date was selected and the venue secured, It was only natural that I would scan down the newly released NHL schedule to see when my wedding fell. Suspecting that perhaps I'd be missing a largely forgettable NHL All Star Game, which traditionally falls around the 19th or 20th, I was stunned to see that not only was the NHL in session, but the Boston Bruins were playing, during the day, and against the New York Rangers at 1:30 in the afternoon, a mere 10 minute cab ride from my home. It was a sign: The stars were aligning, and this day would truly be one of the best in my life.
Hockey is a tremendously important part of my life and the Boston Bruins are a tremendously important part of how that happened. Being able to have that part of my life be a part of this day, in a city that is not even Boston seemed to me to be a miracle. Taking into account that my Bride to be, as much as I adore her, is a woman who can take up to 40 minutes selecting a tank top, I figured that she would be busy getting ready, freeing up me and my groomsmen to go to the game. Even with a shootout, I'm done by 4:30 at the latest, dressed to the nines by 5:45, married by 7:00, and the day goes down in history as one of the greatest of all time.
So great in fact, was this moment in my mind, that it did not occur to me, even for a second, that it might be a bad idea to inform my Bride-to-be that I, already known to possess a dangerously high level of disdain for napkin patterns and linen registries, was planning to, in her words, "take in a hockey game" 5 hours before "the most important event of our lives."
And that's the rub. It's not that it was a bad idea, but I certainly didn't pitch it very well. I started by saying "What time are we getting married?" And followed up with, "Well, The Bruins play the Rangers at 1:30- how great is that?!"
Despite her initial reaction, which was about as positive as it might of been had I suggested getting married in a suit that "lets people get a better look at my balls," she has come around a bit. Marriage, like wedding planning, is a series of compromises. She understands now that attending this game would not be a callous distraction from the day, but an addition to it's joyfulness, and I add that understanding to the ever lengthening list of reasons that I adore her.
Still, that doesn't necessarily mean I can go.
As it stands now, the game is a great idea, and members of my family can attend, but until all the kinks are worked out, I need to be able to remain flexible and in a place where I can be available to help deal with potential problems, meaning "not sitting in a seat at Madison Square Garden."
Which is fair.
Of course, if the day arrives, every detail is in place and we are ready to go, would it be so bad if I had a ticket in my pocket? You know- just in case? That seems OK to her.
So if you'll excuse me, I'll wrap up this post now.
I've spent too much time on this already, and I have some napkin patterns to approve.
I haven't brought it up on the site before, partly because it's nobody's business, but also because it depresses me slightly that there is no chance my bachelor party will be anywhere near as fun as anything thrown by the Staal brothers. But mostly, I haven't said anything because if there is one activity that doesn't have a damn thing to do with the game of hockey, it's wedding planning, or at least it didn't until very recently, thanks to a situation I will shortly explain.
The cliche of the male role in wedding planning is that the groom-to-be stands around slackjawed and nodding while the bride-to-be and her mother begin whirling about in an estrogen fueled daze, flipping through catalogs, selecting caterers, registering for sets of linens, and holding up an endless series of false choices in front of the man's bewildered face,almost perversely daring him to utter the words "Baby- who fucking cares?"
This cliche is true.
Still, it is flawed in one respect. While there are a number of decisions relating to the minutia of design and detail that the male mind (or at least this one) is simply unsuited to handle, this does not mean that the wedding itself, or, in a larger sense, what being married *means* is unimportant to him. He just sometimes has a difficult time conveying the information that there is a qualified difference between 'not giving a fuck about the napkin design' and 'not giving a fuck about the relationship." It's a bumpy road at times, but in our case, for the most part, this message has gotten through. Both my fiancee and I have learned to sense when the other is beginning to lose patience, the same way a racecar driver knows when to ease off on the turns before careening headlong into the wall. Within that metaphor, who exactly is the driver and who is the car has been subject to some debate, but either way, she knows that while I am interested and involved in the process, there is only so much I can handle.
Which brings it back to hockey.
We're getting married on January 20th in New York City, a date we decided on because it's balls expensive to get married in this town, and if we did it on a Sunday in January it would be significantly cheaper. January 20th happens to be Martin Luther King Day weekend, so we can have the wedding at the Sunday rate, and nobody has to go to work the next day.
It's a win-win.
Longtime readers of this site also know that I happen to be a die hard fan of the Boston Bruins. So after the wedding date was selected and the venue secured, It was only natural that I would scan down the newly released NHL schedule to see when my wedding fell. Suspecting that perhaps I'd be missing a largely forgettable NHL All Star Game, which traditionally falls around the 19th or 20th, I was stunned to see that not only was the NHL in session, but the Boston Bruins were playing, during the day, and against the New York Rangers at 1:30 in the afternoon, a mere 10 minute cab ride from my home. It was a sign: The stars were aligning, and this day would truly be one of the best in my life.
Hockey is a tremendously important part of my life and the Boston Bruins are a tremendously important part of how that happened. Being able to have that part of my life be a part of this day, in a city that is not even Boston seemed to me to be a miracle. Taking into account that my Bride to be, as much as I adore her, is a woman who can take up to 40 minutes selecting a tank top, I figured that she would be busy getting ready, freeing up me and my groomsmen to go to the game. Even with a shootout, I'm done by 4:30 at the latest, dressed to the nines by 5:45, married by 7:00, and the day goes down in history as one of the greatest of all time.
So great in fact, was this moment in my mind, that it did not occur to me, even for a second, that it might be a bad idea to inform my Bride-to-be that I, already known to possess a dangerously high level of disdain for napkin patterns and linen registries, was planning to, in her words, "take in a hockey game" 5 hours before "the most important event of our lives."
And that's the rub. It's not that it was a bad idea, but I certainly didn't pitch it very well. I started by saying "What time are we getting married?" And followed up with, "Well, The Bruins play the Rangers at 1:30- how great is that?!"
Despite her initial reaction, which was about as positive as it might of been had I suggested getting married in a suit that "lets people get a better look at my balls," she has come around a bit. Marriage, like wedding planning, is a series of compromises. She understands now that attending this game would not be a callous distraction from the day, but an addition to it's joyfulness, and I add that understanding to the ever lengthening list of reasons that I adore her.
Still, that doesn't necessarily mean I can go.
As it stands now, the game is a great idea, and members of my family can attend, but until all the kinks are worked out, I need to be able to remain flexible and in a place where I can be available to help deal with potential problems, meaning "not sitting in a seat at Madison Square Garden."
Which is fair.
Of course, if the day arrives, every detail is in place and we are ready to go, would it be so bad if I had a ticket in my pocket? You know- just in case? That seems OK to her.
So if you'll excuse me, I'll wrap up this post now.
I've spent too much time on this already, and I have some napkin patterns to approve.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Go ahead and suck, Bruins!
I dare ya!
Seriously!
The Celtics pick up Kevin Garnett, who is so good at basketball that even I have heard of him, and the Red Sox pick up Eric Gagne, who not only have I heard of, but his name means "win" in French, so even the goddamn Canadiens will know what every single sports fan in the world is now so painfully aware of:
The Boston Bruins, the team of Bobby Orr, Cam Neely and Raymond Bourque is now the official toilet of the Boston sports scene.
You're on the bottom now, lads- and it's up to you.
Hey- Jeremy Jacobs!
Zdeno Chara stands six foot nine.
That's only two inches shorter than Kevin Garnett, but for this Boston sports fan it feels like the Bruins are coming up a hell of a lot shorter than that.
Seriously!
The Celtics pick up Kevin Garnett, who is so good at basketball that even I have heard of him, and the Red Sox pick up Eric Gagne, who not only have I heard of, but his name means "win" in French, so even the goddamn Canadiens will know what every single sports fan in the world is now so painfully aware of:
The Boston Bruins, the team of Bobby Orr, Cam Neely and Raymond Bourque is now the official toilet of the Boston sports scene.
You're on the bottom now, lads- and it's up to you.
Hey- Jeremy Jacobs!
Zdeno Chara stands six foot nine.
That's only two inches shorter than Kevin Garnett, but for this Boston sports fan it feels like the Bruins are coming up a hell of a lot shorter than that.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Ice Bowl?
Thanks to my friend Jack, who found this picture of the Ralph Wilson stadium (home of the Buffalo Bills) on a Sabres message board.
I think breaking this news when it's 89 degrees and humid in New York City is the perfect time to get excited about watching hockey, outside, in Buffalo.
Jesus, I hope they do this.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Where to play street hockey in Tokyo:
-You know, just in case you're in the land of the rising sun and looking for pickup game.
What?
There's nothing else going on in hockey these days, unless you count the Staal brother's bachelor party.
I have nothing to say on that- except that if I could have been at the scene of the crime for any of the athletic scandals breaking last week, (Barry Bonds challenging for the home run record, a fixed NBA game, a dogfight hosted by Michael Vick, strip club shooting with Pac Man Jones) that Staal bachelor party makes the top of the list by a longshot.
Party on boys, just don't hurt yourselves.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
With all the douchebags in sports making news-
-anybody else thinking that Janet Jones Gretzky wishes that her gambling story broke this week?
I wrote more on this today over at the Nosebleeds.
I wrote more on this today over at the Nosebleeds.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Ha ha!
I think this site's position on the Pittsburgh Penguins has been made pretty clear. But redundant as it may be, let no one say that AHF passed up a chance to shit on the Pens for doing something stupid.
How stupid?
This stupid.
I say again: ha ha.
At this time, I would ask you to travel with me down memory lane, and recall the jokes I made when Buffalo signed Ty Conklin just before last year's deadline. Ryan Miller stayed healthy and the Sabres dodged a bullet. Will Pittsburgh be so lucky? Or will Marc-Andre Fleury fall into a sugar coma from eating his own pads? And has there ever been a more self-referential post on AHF?
Close, but no.
How stupid?
This stupid.
I say again: ha ha.
A better goalie than Ty Conklin.
At this time, I would ask you to travel with me down memory lane, and recall the jokes I made when Buffalo signed Ty Conklin just before last year's deadline. Ryan Miller stayed healthy and the Sabres dodged a bullet. Will Pittsburgh be so lucky? Or will Marc-Andre Fleury fall into a sugar coma from eating his own pads? And has there ever been a more self-referential post on AHF?
Close, but no.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
5 minutes: Slashing, Intent to injure.
And lets throw in an extra two for goaltender interference, shall we?
Happy Friday the 13th everybody.
Happy Friday the 13th everybody.
The Duben Messages, Volume One.
OK- I've mentioned my buddy Duben on this blog before.
He was my roommate for a few years when I lived in Brooklyn, a great guy and the father of an adorable baby girl.
He's also a huge Boston sports fan.
Periodically, he'll get mad about something- the Bruins pathetic situation, Jeremy Jacobs, whoever is coaching the Bruins, whatever- and he'll give my cell phone a call. Occasionally, these phone messages are pretty funny, and I always felt like it might make a nice addition to the blog.
Well, I finally recorded one.
Apparently, Duben was on the Boston Bruins website and stumbled across Bish's Blog, AKA "The Bear Essentials."It's the official blog of John Bishop, a dude from Connecticut who works for the Bruins. I never really read it much, and had no opinion either way, but Duben apparently does read it, and has a rather strong opinion.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's negative.
Oh, and this is in no way safe for work.
Put your headphones on, and enjoy.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Anybody excited to see Joe Thornton return to Boston?
Well, too bad, cause it ain't happening.
Again.
Thanks to the new schedule, Boston fans will once again not see Joe Thornton return to the garden, something he has done exactly once, for approximately 2 minutes, before he hit Hal Gill up high and got thrown out for a game misconduct, kicking him out of what could have been a great contest for both clubs.
I mean, wouldn't it have been fun?
To see what the fans would do?
I don't think they'd boo him.
Who knows?
The Bruins will face Thornton in San Jose on October 13th, but there are so few Bruins left on the team from his era, that it won't really be a factor for him.
Once again, thanks Gary.
Also, the Bruins will not be facing at all, even once- two of the greatest goaltenders in the game in Roberto Luongo and Miikka Kiprusoff. They won't be seeing Ryan Smyth at all, and they won't get to see new goaltender Manny Fernandez prove himself against Minnesota.
Sigh.
Let's just hope that the Ice Bowl comes though.
Again.
Thanks to the new schedule, Boston fans will once again not see Joe Thornton return to the garden, something he has done exactly once, for approximately 2 minutes, before he hit Hal Gill up high and got thrown out for a game misconduct, kicking him out of what could have been a great contest for both clubs.
I mean, wouldn't it have been fun?
To see what the fans would do?
I don't think they'd boo him.
Who knows?
The Bruins will face Thornton in San Jose on October 13th, but there are so few Bruins left on the team from his era, that it won't really be a factor for him.
Once again, thanks Gary.
Also, the Bruins will not be facing at all, even once- two of the greatest goaltenders in the game in Roberto Luongo and Miikka Kiprusoff. They won't be seeing Ryan Smyth at all, and they won't get to see new goaltender Manny Fernandez prove himself against Minnesota.
Sigh.
Let's just hope that the Ice Bowl comes though.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
81 degrees in New York, mostly cloudy.
Not much going on today.
I did take a dump on Sidney Crosby today over at the Nosebleeds, so that's probably worth reading, if you can excuse the kid gloves I put on for those who aren't hockey fans.
Yawn.
I'm gonna go find some lunch.
Oh, and for those of you who do know your way around the game of hockey, maybe I'll have a Pepsi.
I'm inspired by this 1960's ad featuring what appears to be early versions of the Charlestown Chiefs Jerseys.
If I could have improved the ad at all, I would have added a cameo from Tim McCracken at the end saying "Dunlop, you drink Pepsi." Then the guy with the Pepsi bottle would turn to the camera with a grin and say "All I can get."
Thanks to my buddy Duben for the heads up.
I did take a dump on Sidney Crosby today over at the Nosebleeds, so that's probably worth reading, if you can excuse the kid gloves I put on for those who aren't hockey fans.
Yawn.
I'm gonna go find some lunch.
Oh, and for those of you who do know your way around the game of hockey, maybe I'll have a Pepsi.
I'm inspired by this 1960's ad featuring what appears to be early versions of the Charlestown Chiefs Jerseys. If I could have improved the ad at all, I would have added a cameo from Tim McCracken at the end saying "Dunlop, you drink Pepsi." Then the guy with the Pepsi bottle would turn to the camera with a grin and say "All I can get."
Thanks to my buddy Duben for the heads up.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Who remembers 1988?
Thanks to my friend Todd, I found this website that features pretty much the entire Nintendo Entertainment System catalog.
Including Ice Hockey, one of the more fun video games ever. Sadly, it doesn't work for those (like me) who have PowerPC Macs, but I figured I'd be remiss in not passing it along to those who don't.
Enjoy!
PS:
Screw Sheldon Souray, I wanna sign the fat guy with the heavy slap shot on my point.
Friday, July 06, 2007
This would certainly ease the pain
of New Jersey's recent Gomez-ectomy:
I mean, I don't think our entire defensive corps has enough highlights for an 8 1/2 minute YouTube piece. No offense to our new #23, Karel Rachunek, who did this:
UPDATE: Well, so much for Souray. I don't know much about Vishnevski, but I was pretty mystified by the addition of Brad Lukowich to the lineup, only to have him step up big time when the chips (and half our D) were down. Vishnevski isn't exactly the power play specialist we're hurting for, but I'm officially reserving comment until the season starts.
OK, technically that was a comment. So I'm officially reserving comment startiiiiiiing...NOW!
I mean, I don't think our entire defensive corps has enough highlights for an 8 1/2 minute YouTube piece. No offense to our new #23, Karel Rachunek, who did this:
UPDATE: Well, so much for Souray. I don't know much about Vishnevski, but I was pretty mystified by the addition of Brad Lukowich to the lineup, only to have him step up big time when the chips (and half our D) were down. Vishnevski isn't exactly the power play specialist we're hurting for, but I'm officially reserving comment until the season starts.
OK, technically that was a comment. So I'm officially reserving comment startiiiiiiing...NOW!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Happy Birthday, America!
-You don't look a day over 230.
Seeing as there hasn't been much news since the Carolina Hurricanes won the Wade Brookbank lottery, I feel like today might be a good time to take a few days off.
I wrote a few notes on NHL free agency for my pals over at The Nosebleeds, and the latest free agent signings are available on Sportsnet Canada.
Oh, and you probably know this, but Spector's your spot for the hottest rumors on the net as well. This morning he's got Boston shopping Glen Murray, and Sheldon Souray close to signing with the Devils.
Fun stuff.
Happy Independence Day everybody, and Canada- As you were.
Monday, July 02, 2007
This Drury/Gomez signing is less than a day old-
-And thanks to a great catch from Kukla's Korner, we learn that Jaromir Jagr is already grumbling about it.
He's doing his grumbling in Czech, and in the form of regretting losing Nylander, but it doesn't bode well for your squad when your team manages to snare two of the most coveted free agents of the off season, and your captain doesn't have a positive word to say about it.
Also, there were some reported problems with the new free agent goaltender the Bruins just signed, but GM Peter Charelli waved them off with the simple explanation that it was just "Manny Fernandez being Manny Fernandez."
That works like a charm in Boston.
He's doing his grumbling in Czech, and in the form of regretting losing Nylander, but it doesn't bode well for your squad when your team manages to snare two of the most coveted free agents of the off season, and your captain doesn't have a positive word to say about it.
Also, there were some reported problems with the new free agent goaltender the Bruins just signed, but GM Peter Charelli waved them off with the simple explanation that it was just "Manny Fernandez being Manny Fernandez."
That works like a charm in Boston.
To be fair-
I just had a look at the pre-thunderbolt roster of the New York Rangers and they were kinda weak at center.
Before tearing the hearts out of Devils and Sabres fans around the country, the Rangers had the following guys playing center:
Michael Nylander- The fact that this guy is your number one center is a problem. He's good but nowhere near great. He's also gone. I'm guessing Washington.
Marty Straka- Capable of flashes of brilliance, but injury prone and kinda soft.
Matt Cullen and Blair Betts- good hockey players, character guys and good for a team, but certainly not dominant. If either of these guys shake out because of this move, another team could snap up a great role player.
Petr Prucha- Showed huge promise his rookie year, then fell off. A question mark at best.
So it makes sense for the Rangers to go after some centers, and ostensibly, with the cap, anybody had a shot, right? But the only sticky issue for me is- Over the past two seasons, the New York Rangers have had something they had missed for seven years: chemistry.
After winning their cup in 1994, the Rangers adopted a policy of signing practically every high profile free agent they could get their hands on, which hurt both the Rangers and the league as a whole. From Lindros to Gretzky to Holik to Bure to Jagr, if a team's leading scorer was on the market, the Rangers were buying. They proceeded to strip mine the league and had absolutely zero in the way of team identity.
Until a few years ago.
Two seasons ago, they rebuilt from the bottom up, and figured they couldn't do anything about Jagr's contract, so why not build around him? They did so, with a nice circle of Czech players and a great young Swedish goaltender, who is still the primary reason to take the Rangers seriously. They made the playoffs for the first time in years, and over the course of the season incorporated the European tradition of raising their sticks as a salute to the fans, one of the greater things to happen to hockey in many years.
Hockey is a game of tradition, and any player or team that can establish one deserves some respect.
The next season they started strong, stumbled, then signed Paul Mara and Sean Avery, and the chemistry came back. They swept their first round playoff opponent and did far better than anyone expected against an under performing Buffalo Sabres team.
OK- Stan Fischler expected more,
but c'mon.
They did well, and looked better.
Now with two new free agents in Drury and Gomez, the same old question is haunting the Rangers.
When everybody is a superstar, who leads the Rangers?
You take it way from Jagr, and he pouts. But with Drury in the room, and Gomez no slouch, what are you saying to your team? How do you fit Avery and Hollweg, two guys that add fire into that mix?
Who knows.
The fact is, The New York Rangers just got a lot richer, talent-wise. But we've seen them do that before.
It'd be a shame that if- in their haste to grab the newest and shiniest free agents on the shelf- they lost the spirit of the team they worked so hard to build over the last two years.
We'll see.
Before tearing the hearts out of Devils and Sabres fans around the country, the Rangers had the following guys playing center:
Michael Nylander- The fact that this guy is your number one center is a problem. He's good but nowhere near great. He's also gone. I'm guessing Washington.
Marty Straka- Capable of flashes of brilliance, but injury prone and kinda soft.
Matt Cullen and Blair Betts- good hockey players, character guys and good for a team, but certainly not dominant. If either of these guys shake out because of this move, another team could snap up a great role player.
Petr Prucha- Showed huge promise his rookie year, then fell off. A question mark at best.
So it makes sense for the Rangers to go after some centers, and ostensibly, with the cap, anybody had a shot, right? But the only sticky issue for me is- Over the past two seasons, the New York Rangers have had something they had missed for seven years: chemistry.
After winning their cup in 1994, the Rangers adopted a policy of signing practically every high profile free agent they could get their hands on, which hurt both the Rangers and the league as a whole. From Lindros to Gretzky to Holik to Bure to Jagr, if a team's leading scorer was on the market, the Rangers were buying. They proceeded to strip mine the league and had absolutely zero in the way of team identity.
Until a few years ago.
Two seasons ago, they rebuilt from the bottom up, and figured they couldn't do anything about Jagr's contract, so why not build around him? They did so, with a nice circle of Czech players and a great young Swedish goaltender, who is still the primary reason to take the Rangers seriously. They made the playoffs for the first time in years, and over the course of the season incorporated the European tradition of raising their sticks as a salute to the fans, one of the greater things to happen to hockey in many years.
Hockey is a game of tradition, and any player or team that can establish one deserves some respect.
The next season they started strong, stumbled, then signed Paul Mara and Sean Avery, and the chemistry came back. They swept their first round playoff opponent and did far better than anyone expected against an under performing Buffalo Sabres team.
OK- Stan Fischler expected more,
but c'mon.
They did well, and looked better.
Now with two new free agents in Drury and Gomez, the same old question is haunting the Rangers.
When everybody is a superstar, who leads the Rangers?
You take it way from Jagr, and he pouts. But with Drury in the room, and Gomez no slouch, what are you saying to your team? How do you fit Avery and Hollweg, two guys that add fire into that mix?
Who knows.
The fact is, The New York Rangers just got a lot richer, talent-wise. But we've seen them do that before.
It'd be a shame that if- in their haste to grab the newest and shiniest free agents on the shelf- they lost the spirit of the team they worked so hard to build over the last two years.
We'll see.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
I think it is now safe to say
that American Hockey Fan's official position on the Rangers is as follows:
Fuck the fucking Rangers.
That is all.
Fuck the fucking Rangers.
That is all.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
A perfect fit for Pittsburgh
Angelo Esposito was selected with the #20 pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins last week, and they are thrilled to get a player once ranked as high as number eight.
According to the AP:
If that's not a picture perfect model of what it is to be a Pittsburgh Penguin, then I don't know what is. Historically, the Penguins are well known to be spoiled whiners who consider their dynamic offensive skills a gift to the rest of league, are indifferent to playing defense, have no problem taking a dive and are the first in the league to complain to the officials when somebody dares make contact with them.
See also: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev, Sergei Gonchar and yes, Sidney Crosby
Related: Marc Andres Fleury's goalie pads suck. They look like those shitty "Circus Peanuts" candy.
And apologies to Jordan Staal, who I would love to see in any other uniform in the league.
According to the AP:
The Canadiens and 18 other teams apparently felt Esposito was a little too self centered, didn't progress as much as anticipated and didn't always play with passion last season.
If that's not a picture perfect model of what it is to be a Pittsburgh Penguin, then I don't know what is. Historically, the Penguins are well known to be spoiled whiners who consider their dynamic offensive skills a gift to the rest of league, are indifferent to playing defense, have no problem taking a dive and are the first in the league to complain to the officials when somebody dares make contact with them.
See also: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev, Sergei Gonchar and yes, Sidney Crosby
Related: Marc Andres Fleury's goalie pads suck. They look like those shitty "Circus Peanuts" candy. 
And apologies to Jordan Staal, who I would love to see in any other uniform in the league.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
New Sports Blog:
Hi kids-
If you're up for some non-hockey exclusive sports talk- I've been invited to contribute to a new, comedian written sports blog that's just started up this week called The Nosebleeds.
My first post, (where I offer up my bold analysis of the 1978 NBA draft) should be showing up sometime tomorrow morning, but so far there has been other good stuff as well.
Here are some highlights:
Ed Holland on Red Sox fans who live in New York:
"(Red Sox Fans in New York) sound...just like Yankee fans. Except they are much better informed. About the Yankees. Ask a New York fan who plays for Boston and he’ll come up with Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and oh Curt Schilling...Not so with your Sox man. Want to know Clay Bellinger’s on-base percentage? Ask a Red Sox fan. How much did Chili Davis weigh? Consult the Boston supporter."
Chris DeLuca on Yogi Berra's son, Pirates Third Baseman Dale Berra:
"You, on the other hand, were an early to mid-80’s middle infielder for the Pirates and Yankees who is famous for being fined 10% of his salary for admitting to using cocaine on and off from 1979 to 1984. You also, after being traded to the Yanks where your dad was the manager, were fined (for) public urination and resisting arrest. And if that wasn't enough, later that year you were the 2nd of two players to be thrown out at home plate in the same play. And, as you can see, you had a cheesedick mustache."
Liam McEneaney on the New York Yankees grounds crew who still do that YMCA dance:
"Now, I wasn't on The Bataan Death March, but I imagine that the POWs looked remarkably similar to the Yankee grounds crew - posture bent, defeated, eyes hollow like damned men marching to the Pits of Hell...Watching them go through the motions of forming letters with the jaded exhaustion of the world's oldest Bar Mitzvah DJ, one must ask oneself: What did these poor men do to deserve this?"
Good stuff.
More hockey tomorrow.
If you're up for some non-hockey exclusive sports talk- I've been invited to contribute to a new, comedian written sports blog that's just started up this week called The Nosebleeds.
My first post, (where I offer up my bold analysis of the 1978 NBA draft) should be showing up sometime tomorrow morning, but so far there has been other good stuff as well.
Here are some highlights:
Ed Holland on Red Sox fans who live in New York:
"(Red Sox Fans in New York) sound...just like Yankee fans. Except they are much better informed. About the Yankees. Ask a New York fan who plays for Boston and he’ll come up with Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and oh Curt Schilling...Not so with your Sox man. Want to know Clay Bellinger’s on-base percentage? Ask a Red Sox fan. How much did Chili Davis weigh? Consult the Boston supporter."
Chris DeLuca on Yogi Berra's son, Pirates Third Baseman Dale Berra:
"You, on the other hand, were an early to mid-80’s middle infielder for the Pirates and Yankees who is famous for being fined 10% of his salary for admitting to using cocaine on and off from 1979 to 1984. You also, after being traded to the Yanks where your dad was the manager, were fined (for) public urination and resisting arrest. And if that wasn't enough, later that year you were the 2nd of two players to be thrown out at home plate in the same play. And, as you can see, you had a cheesedick mustache."
Liam McEneaney on the New York Yankees grounds crew who still do that YMCA dance:
"Now, I wasn't on The Bataan Death March, but I imagine that the POWs looked remarkably similar to the Yankee grounds crew - posture bent, defeated, eyes hollow like damned men marching to the Pits of Hell...Watching them go through the motions of forming letters with the jaded exhaustion of the world's oldest Bar Mitzvah DJ, one must ask oneself: What did these poor men do to deserve this?"
Good stuff.
More hockey tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Two Man Advantage is back-
And with a surprise, shirtless special guest!
For more shirtless NHL action from guys who you'd rather not see it from, check out my disturbing post about Bill Clement from last April.
Oh and if you haven't seen Episodes one and two of the 2 Man Advantage, you can catch up here.
No word from the Islanders yet.
Anybody surprised?
For more shirtless NHL action from guys who you'd rather not see it from, check out my disturbing post about Bill Clement from last April.
Oh and if you haven't seen Episodes one and two of the 2 Man Advantage, you can catch up here.
No word from the Islanders yet.
Anybody surprised?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Islanders Blog Box:
Hey, are there any Islanders fans out there?
Cause the New York Islanders have a new promotion soliciting Isles bloggers, who will receive press passes in the new experimental "Blog Box."
Just for the hell of it, I came up with a pitch for a blog.
They suggest that candidates should "come up with a creative angle for (the) blog" as they don't want people all doing the same thing.
So I did.
I don't think they'll bite on it as they are really looking for rabid Isles fans, which I'm not, but I do think that if I were to do this, Islander fans would get a kick out of it.
What do you think?
First Name: Ritch
Last Name: Duncan
Hometown: New York
State: NY
Age: 34
E-Mail Address: ritch@americanhockeyfan.com
Phone Number: 917 xxx-xxxx
Islanders Blog: Yashin's Tears
Your Islanders Blog Concept and/or why you'd like to be considered:
"Yashin's Tears" will be a fictional comedy blog written from the perspective of Alexei Yashin, forced to watch the Isles season from the sidelines after his his contract was bought out by the Islanders, who as it turned out, he passionately loved, despite, you know- never really playing that way. The entire Isles season will be covered from the fictional perspective of Yashin, as he wanders the country with two goals: Earning the forgiveness of Islander fans and spending his $17.63 million on "the most magnificent turtleneck collection the world has ever known." As the season progresses, actual facts and events from the Isles season and practices will be incorporated into the blog, giving a fictional gag a fun skeleton of truth to hang on. Another bonus would be that I would not have the need to ever actually bother a player, member of the media or the organization at large with questions, as I would merely be an observer who points out what goes on behind the scenes.
I would like to be considered as I have lived in the New York Metro area for over a decade, followed the Islanders closely, blogged professionally for Court TV, and written for television shows like Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live. Additionally, I have maintained the popular hockey/comedy blog American Hockey Fan for well over a year. I assure you that if I am granted access to the box, this is a project that will be totally devoted to the Islanders season, be funny, well written, different than anything else you have out there, and updated regularly.
Cause the New York Islanders have a new promotion soliciting Isles bloggers, who will receive press passes in the new experimental "Blog Box."
Just for the hell of it, I came up with a pitch for a blog.
They suggest that candidates should "come up with a creative angle for (the) blog" as they don't want people all doing the same thing.
So I did.
I don't think they'll bite on it as they are really looking for rabid Isles fans, which I'm not, but I do think that if I were to do this, Islander fans would get a kick out of it.
What do you think?
First Name: Ritch
Last Name: Duncan
Hometown: New York
State: NY
Age: 34
E-Mail Address: ritch@americanhockeyfan.com
Phone Number: 917 xxx-xxxx
Islanders Blog: Yashin's Tears
Your Islanders Blog Concept and/or why you'd like to be considered:
"Yashin's Tears" will be a fictional comedy blog written from the perspective of Alexei Yashin, forced to watch the Isles season from the sidelines after his his contract was bought out by the Islanders, who as it turned out, he passionately loved, despite, you know- never really playing that way. The entire Isles season will be covered from the fictional perspective of Yashin, as he wanders the country with two goals: Earning the forgiveness of Islander fans and spending his $17.63 million on "the most magnificent turtleneck collection the world has ever known." As the season progresses, actual facts and events from the Isles season and practices will be incorporated into the blog, giving a fictional gag a fun skeleton of truth to hang on. Another bonus would be that I would not have the need to ever actually bother a player, member of the media or the organization at large with questions, as I would merely be an observer who points out what goes on behind the scenes.
I would like to be considered as I have lived in the New York Metro area for over a decade, followed the Islanders closely, blogged professionally for Court TV, and written for television shows like Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live. Additionally, I have maintained the popular hockey/comedy blog American Hockey Fan for well over a year. I assure you that if I am granted access to the box, this is a project that will be totally devoted to the Islanders season, be funny, well written, different than anything else you have out there, and updated regularly.
Friday, June 22, 2007
New Bruins logo unveiled.
From BostonBruins.com:
"The Bruins’ retro crest today is immediately recognized by all as a symbol of immeasurable strength, both on and off the ice. The image of the ‘Great Bruin,’ in complete control of his territory, serves as a stark warning to all who would challenge his supremacy."
I don't know if I see it yet.
I'll give it some time.
"The Bruins’ retro crest today is immediately recognized by all as a symbol of immeasurable strength, both on and off the ice. The image of the ‘Great Bruin,’ in complete control of his territory, serves as a stark warning to all who would challenge his supremacy."
I don't know if I see it yet.
I'll give it some time.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Crap.
Claude Julien is the coach of the Bruins.
I think I speak for all of Bruins Nation when I let loose with a hearty, "eh."
Also, legendary tightwad, peanut salesman and Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs was named chairman of the NHL board of governors, the body that discusses the salary cap. Upon hearing this news, reps from the NHLPA asked if there was anyway they could fire Bob Goodenow and Ted Saskin again.
American Hockey fan was able to get some footage of the Jacobs family celebrating at home. It's not great quality, but we'll take what we can get.
I think I speak for all of Bruins Nation when I let loose with a hearty, "eh."
Also, legendary tightwad, peanut salesman and Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs was named chairman of the NHL board of governors, the body that discusses the salary cap. Upon hearing this news, reps from the NHLPA asked if there was anyway they could fire Bob Goodenow and Ted Saskin again.
American Hockey fan was able to get some footage of the Jacobs family celebrating at home. It's not great quality, but we'll take what we can get.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
The silence is deafening.
Well, it's been a few days since the guys at The Fourth Period.com quote "beat TSN to the story" that Claude Julien had been hired as the next head coach of the Boston Bruins, and the silence is deafening.
According to Sportsnet Canada, the announcement was "expected Tuesday."
So, um- what gives?
The Fourth Period story cites an "anonymous source," and no other outlet that I can find says anything more than that.
Could the silence have anything to do with the fact that there is another high profile coaching job available with the Ottawa Senators, who also haven't made any coaching decisions after their head coach went to the front office?
Did anybody consider that those same Senators might just love a chance to make the Bruins look stupid? Remember, this was the team that had Zdeno Chara plucked away from them in a questionable arrangement by ex-Senator Assistant GM and current Bruin GM Peter Charelli. You think that club wouldn't love to steal one from the Bruins?
Also consider, if you're Claude Julien, and you have a winning record as an NHL coach despite being fired twice, would you rather head to a team that finished in the Stanley Cup Finals or one that finished six games under .500, under a rookie GM who has already fired two coaches in 11 months?
Add that the latest official on topic announcement from the Bruins has been from Charlie Jacobsspawn (Excuse me, I mean Charlie Jacobs, Executive VP of the Bruins)who said "We... need to get grittier."
Well then, you better immediately hire a French Canadian.
Hmmm....
UPDATE: The Boston Herald has a great article on this, that includes the following gem:
UPDATE #2: The Bruins have announced a press conference tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM "regarding their head coaching position."
I think I have a good shot at the job. If you know Chiarelli, put in a good word for me, kay?
According to Sportsnet Canada, the announcement was "expected Tuesday."
So, um- what gives?
The Fourth Period story cites an "anonymous source," and no other outlet that I can find says anything more than that.
Could the silence have anything to do with the fact that there is another high profile coaching job available with the Ottawa Senators, who also haven't made any coaching decisions after their head coach went to the front office?
Did anybody consider that those same Senators might just love a chance to make the Bruins look stupid? Remember, this was the team that had Zdeno Chara plucked away from them in a questionable arrangement by ex-Senator Assistant GM and current Bruin GM Peter Charelli. You think that club wouldn't love to steal one from the Bruins?
Also consider, if you're Claude Julien, and you have a winning record as an NHL coach despite being fired twice, would you rather head to a team that finished in the Stanley Cup Finals or one that finished six games under .500, under a rookie GM who has already fired two coaches in 11 months?
Add that the latest official on topic announcement from the Bruins has been from Charlie Jacobsspawn (Excuse me, I mean Charlie Jacobs, Executive VP of the Bruins)who said "We... need to get grittier."
Well then, you better immediately hire a French Canadian.
Hmmm....
UPDATE: The Boston Herald has a great article on this, that includes the following gem:
Julien lives in Kanata, the suburb in which Ottawa’s home arena - Scotiabank Place - is located.
UPDATE #2: The Bruins have announced a press conference tomorrow morning at 10:30 AM "regarding their head coaching position."
I think I have a good shot at the job. If you know Chiarelli, put in a good word for me, kay?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Goddamnit-
I did standup in Hoboken, New Jersey tonight, and returned home late to discover that my long post (saved as a draft) about Mike Milbury's chances to be the Bruin coach was now worthless.
Despite a stamp of approval from Bruin Poet Laureate Kevin Paul DuPont, it seems that Mike Milbury is not going to be the coach of the Boston Bruins.
Worse still, it also doesn't seem to be longtime Bruin fan favorite Ted Donato, whose broken foot was (in my humble opinion) the reason the Bruins lost their playoff series to the Canadiens in 2004.
For a great rundown of the other candidates in the running, check out the terrific Doug Flynn, who really breaks them all down in great fashion.
All signs are pointing towards Claude Julien (coach of those 2004 Canadiens, by the way) continuing a steadfast Boston trend of hiring ex-Devils coaches who were canned despite not doing that badly.
And I gotta tell you, he's not a bad choice, but from the perspective of one Bruins fan, he's not the best choice, even among ex-Devils coaches, as I'd rather have either Pat Burns or Robbie Ftorek back before Julien. Christ, I'd even take Larry Robinson at this point. By the way, the only playoff series Julien ever won was against the Bruins in 2004, and can any Bruin fan really say that it was the Hab's coaching that got them the win? Big Joe had broken ribs and when emotional spark Ted Donato dropped out, the wheels fell off.
Here's the deal- Claude Julien got fired by the Devils after racking up a whole hell of a lot of one goal wins with the Vezina trophy winner between the pipes. Tim Thomas is great, and Bruin fans love him, but the Bruin goaltending situation being what it is, we can't hope to lean on a goalie for 25 one-goal wins a year. And yes, I made that number up.
Sure, I made fun of big Lou when he fired Julien, but fellow AHF'er Ben defended the decision with a well reasoned critique of Julien's performance here.
If anyone (read: Peter Charelli) is thinking that hiring Claude Julien is a great idea, that's required reading. If you're lazy- here's a pretty compelling passage from his post, especially considering that any new Bruins coach is going to have to deal with a lot of young players:
I'm not knocking Julien per se, but I'll tell you, I'm not endorsing him either. And to pick up Claude Julien seems to this Bruins fan like picking up a brand new Dave Lewis.
Pretty good on paper, but maybe not that great.
As a Bruins fan- it would have been nice to see Mad Mike behind the bench again. It might have been a train wreck, but that's no goddamn different than it's been- well, since the last time Milbury was coaching, and at least he woulda made it entertaining.
For one thing, if Mike Milbury was the coach, I guarantee you, Chara would fight.
Anybody remember this?
And even if the Bruins season went down the tubes, I'll tell you this: Mike Milbury would not go down without a fight. This is his last chance, and I hate to say it, but barring a miracle, Mike Milbury is finished in hockey. If he doesn't get a job, some Boston financial firm is going to be gaining a new "outreach guy." DuPont glossed over it a bit, but Milbury had some bad luck combined with some bad decisions, and sold the Islanders down the goddamn river, over and over and over again. Still, he's not getting hired in the front office, he's getting a shot to be a coach again. And this guy is a goddamn hockey man. If he got the job as the head coach of the Boston Bruins, he'd have to know it was his last chance, and he'd make the best of it. If he coaches the B's, win or lose, the NHL gains a real character.
The NHL broadcast booth has a distinct lack of character these days and not for nothing, but Mike Milbury once went over the glass and beat up a New York Ranger fan with his own shoe. But he's damaged goods, and needs a chance to redeem himself. Coaching the Bruins would be a perfect opportunity to do just that.
If Peter Charelli gives Mad Mike a chance, win or lose, we might- just might have ourselves a new Don Cherry on the horizon.
And that's a big win for hockey.
You heard it here first.
Despite a stamp of approval from Bruin Poet Laureate Kevin Paul DuPont, it seems that Mike Milbury is not going to be the coach of the Boston Bruins.
Worse still, it also doesn't seem to be longtime Bruin fan favorite Ted Donato, whose broken foot was (in my humble opinion) the reason the Bruins lost their playoff series to the Canadiens in 2004.
For a great rundown of the other candidates in the running, check out the terrific Doug Flynn, who really breaks them all down in great fashion.
All signs are pointing towards Claude Julien (coach of those 2004 Canadiens, by the way) continuing a steadfast Boston trend of hiring ex-Devils coaches who were canned despite not doing that badly.
And I gotta tell you, he's not a bad choice, but from the perspective of one Bruins fan, he's not the best choice, even among ex-Devils coaches, as I'd rather have either Pat Burns or Robbie Ftorek back before Julien. Christ, I'd even take Larry Robinson at this point. By the way, the only playoff series Julien ever won was against the Bruins in 2004, and can any Bruin fan really say that it was the Hab's coaching that got them the win? Big Joe had broken ribs and when emotional spark Ted Donato dropped out, the wheels fell off.
Here's the deal- Claude Julien got fired by the Devils after racking up a whole hell of a lot of one goal wins with the Vezina trophy winner between the pipes. Tim Thomas is great, and Bruin fans love him, but the Bruin goaltending situation being what it is, we can't hope to lean on a goalie for 25 one-goal wins a year. And yes, I made that number up.
Sure, I made fun of big Lou when he fired Julien, but fellow AHF'er Ben defended the decision with a well reasoned critique of Julien's performance here.
If anyone (read: Peter Charelli) is thinking that hiring Claude Julien is a great idea, that's required reading. If you're lazy- here's a pretty compelling passage from his post, especially considering that any new Bruins coach is going to have to deal with a lot of young players:
the beauty of the Devils' system and of their (great) scouting department is that you can call up guys from Lowell to fill spots (when injuries to your top players happen.) Rod Pelley demonstrated that he is a Madden-in-training, matching up against some of the top players in the league, going only -3 in 9 games, and winning faceoffs with a vengeance. And David Clarkson knocked us all on our collective ass notching 4 points in his first 7 NHL games, including 2 goals on the power play – and that's to say nothing of his gritty physical play on both sides of the puck. The talent was there, even during the stretch of injuries. But the team just wasn’t clicking...so who do you blame? (Hint: the coach)
I'm not knocking Julien per se, but I'll tell you, I'm not endorsing him either. And to pick up Claude Julien seems to this Bruins fan like picking up a brand new Dave Lewis.
Pretty good on paper, but maybe not that great.
As a Bruins fan- it would have been nice to see Mad Mike behind the bench again. It might have been a train wreck, but that's no goddamn different than it's been- well, since the last time Milbury was coaching, and at least he woulda made it entertaining.
For one thing, if Mike Milbury was the coach, I guarantee you, Chara would fight.
Anybody remember this?
And even if the Bruins season went down the tubes, I'll tell you this: Mike Milbury would not go down without a fight. This is his last chance, and I hate to say it, but barring a miracle, Mike Milbury is finished in hockey. If he doesn't get a job, some Boston financial firm is going to be gaining a new "outreach guy." DuPont glossed over it a bit, but Milbury had some bad luck combined with some bad decisions, and sold the Islanders down the goddamn river, over and over and over again. Still, he's not getting hired in the front office, he's getting a shot to be a coach again. And this guy is a goddamn hockey man. If he got the job as the head coach of the Boston Bruins, he'd have to know it was his last chance, and he'd make the best of it. If he coaches the B's, win or lose, the NHL gains a real character.
The NHL broadcast booth has a distinct lack of character these days and not for nothing, but Mike Milbury once went over the glass and beat up a New York Ranger fan with his own shoe. But he's damaged goods, and needs a chance to redeem himself. Coaching the Bruins would be a perfect opportunity to do just that.
If Peter Charelli gives Mad Mike a chance, win or lose, we might- just might have ourselves a new Don Cherry on the horizon.
And that's a big win for hockey.
You heard it here first.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Kaption Komedy - NHL Awards Edition Part 4
An unidentified player poses with the Hart, Pearson, and
Art Ross trophies at the 2007 NHL awards in Toronto.
Hey kids, feel free to add your own in the comments!
Kaption Komedy - NHL Awards Edition Part 3
Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland accepts the Lady Byng
Memorial Trophy for Player who Displays Gentlemanly Conduct
for Pavel Datsyuk, who was apparently too much of a gentleman
to have the common courtesy to show up at the ceremony.
Hey kids, feel free to add your own in the comments!
Kaption Komedy - NHL Awards Edition Part 2
Just moments after this photo was taken, autograph seeker James
Degrasso, 12, was rushed to a nearby hospital with concussion-like
symptoms. In a rare display of especially harsh discipline, the
NHL revoked Pronger's awards show gift basket.
Hey kids, feel free to add your own in the comments!
Kaption Komedy - NHL Awards Edition
After carrying the New Jersey Devils for yet another season,
Marty Brodeur barely has enough strength left to lift the Vezina.
Hey kids, feel free to add your own in the comments!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Two great hates that hate great together.
How fantastic would this be?
Are you kidding me?
Yashin on the Montreal Canadiens? What could possibly be more fun to boo than that? And they want him playing on a line with Kovalev? From a hating perspective that seems almost too good to be true.
OK, if there is even a chance of this deal happening, I'm gonna need to start writing heckles NOW. It takes some time to learn to yell "you suck" in both French AND Russian is what I'm saying.
I need to be ready for the season.
You know how there's no "I" in "Team?" Well, there's also no "D" in "Kovalev" or "Yashin."
Boyoboy, Yashin's gonna look just great in one of these.
I can't wait.
Are you kidding me?
Yashin on the Montreal Canadiens? What could possibly be more fun to boo than that? And they want him playing on a line with Kovalev? From a hating perspective that seems almost too good to be true.
OK, if there is even a chance of this deal happening, I'm gonna need to start writing heckles NOW. It takes some time to learn to yell "you suck" in both French AND Russian is what I'm saying.
I need to be ready for the season.
You know how there's no "I" in "Team?" Well, there's also no "D" in "Kovalev" or "Yashin."
Boyoboy, Yashin's gonna look just great in one of these.
I can't wait.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
It's not that hard to be a hockey writer.
I used to think it was.
Of course, that was before I read Alan Adam's bold prediction on Sportsnet Canada that despite re-signing Sundin, the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs might want to hold off on planning a Stanley Cup parade.
What?!
How can he say that?
I mean, they are the undisputed league leader in dudes named Yanic!
Fuck the Maple Leafs, their fans, players and management.
Enough already.
If you compare the support they get from the city, country and fanbase to the effort they put out on the ice it makes me wonder why there aren't 5 NHL hockey teams in that city. I mean, when the Bruins and Blackhawks suck, at least the hockey fans there aren't stupid enough to keep handing them sellout after sellout.
There's a lot of talk about moving franchises, I have a better idea: how about trading entire teams for each other? It's pretty clear they could put a bunch of milkmaids on the ice in Toronto and it'd still sell out, so I say the current Toronto Maple Leafs roster should be traded for the Nashville Predators. Straight up. The Predators are pretty good, hockey fans in Toronto are starved for some actual hockey, and the way new Nashville owner Jim Balsille plans to run things down there to make his escape clause take effect, that building is gonna have less people in it than a matinee screening of Georgia Rule.If any squad ever deserved to play in an empty building it's those goddamn Maple Leafs.
Spoiled bastards.
See what it looks like in the stands in Nashville when you "almost make the playoffs" after not skating against beatable opponents a week prior. See how many hockey articles get written in the Nashville City Paper sports section about how solid your blue line is then?
Christ.
Ultimately, I don't care that much, but doesn't it kind of suck that the hockey hall of fame is in Toronto, and it's practically impossible to take a road trip up to the hall and get a ticket to watch NHL hockey on the same trip?
I mean, shouldn't that be an option, especially if the team isn't a contender?
Of course, that was before I read Alan Adam's bold prediction on Sportsnet Canada that despite re-signing Sundin, the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs might want to hold off on planning a Stanley Cup parade.
What?!
How can he say that?
I mean, they are the undisputed league leader in dudes named Yanic!
Fuck the Maple Leafs, their fans, players and management.
Enough already.
If you compare the support they get from the city, country and fanbase to the effort they put out on the ice it makes me wonder why there aren't 5 NHL hockey teams in that city. I mean, when the Bruins and Blackhawks suck, at least the hockey fans there aren't stupid enough to keep handing them sellout after sellout.
There's a lot of talk about moving franchises, I have a better idea: how about trading entire teams for each other? It's pretty clear they could put a bunch of milkmaids on the ice in Toronto and it'd still sell out, so I say the current Toronto Maple Leafs roster should be traded for the Nashville Predators. Straight up. The Predators are pretty good, hockey fans in Toronto are starved for some actual hockey, and the way new Nashville owner Jim Balsille plans to run things down there to make his escape clause take effect, that building is gonna have less people in it than a matinee screening of Georgia Rule.If any squad ever deserved to play in an empty building it's those goddamn Maple Leafs.
Spoiled bastards.
See what it looks like in the stands in Nashville when you "almost make the playoffs" after not skating against beatable opponents a week prior. See how many hockey articles get written in the Nashville City Paper sports section about how solid your blue line is then?
Christ.
Ultimately, I don't care that much, but doesn't it kind of suck that the hockey hall of fame is in Toronto, and it's practically impossible to take a road trip up to the hall and get a ticket to watch NHL hockey on the same trip?
I mean, shouldn't that be an option, especially if the team isn't a contender?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Ray Liotta and Snoop Dogg must be elated!
Some thoughts:
-Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks and their fans. Now can we get the cup somewhere cold already? After Southern California, North Carolina and Tampa Bay Florida, Stanley doesn't just "have a tan," it has a fucking melanoma.
-Gary Bettman needs to let go of the cup. How hard a job is that? Pick up cup, call captain's name, don't stumble over your words, and hand it off. What a repulsive troll. I hope when he gets into his car tonight, he sits on his own nuts.
-The wrong Niedermeyer won the MVP. OK, maybe not just Rob Neidermeyer, but that whole checking line. Moen, Pahlsson and Robby played so great this series. You could make a good argument for Alfredsson too- that shot that rang off Scott Neidermeyer's legs may have killed his chances.
-Dang, Lauren Pronger is kinda hot. She's Canada's Yoko Ono, by the way.
-Interesting that Gilette was a main sponsor of an event starring 60 guys who haven't shaved in three months.
-Good on ESPNews for broadcasting the postgame. I was actually afraid that no one would cover it.
-Antoinne Vermette should buy Chris Phillips a Rolex. To blow a penalty shot like that, not even getting a shot off, and then not be the guy wearing the goat's horns? Wow.
-Why the hell do they wait until the third period to bring the cup into the building? What, did the cheerleader from Heroes have 9:30 cup licking scheduled?
-So, what should I write about this summer?
-Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks and their fans. Now can we get the cup somewhere cold already? After Southern California, North Carolina and Tampa Bay Florida, Stanley doesn't just "have a tan," it has a fucking melanoma.
-Gary Bettman needs to let go of the cup. How hard a job is that? Pick up cup, call captain's name, don't stumble over your words, and hand it off. What a repulsive troll. I hope when he gets into his car tonight, he sits on his own nuts.
-The wrong Niedermeyer won the MVP. OK, maybe not just Rob Neidermeyer, but that whole checking line. Moen, Pahlsson and Robby played so great this series. You could make a good argument for Alfredsson too- that shot that rang off Scott Neidermeyer's legs may have killed his chances.
-Dang, Lauren Pronger is kinda hot. She's Canada's Yoko Ono, by the way.
-Interesting that Gilette was a main sponsor of an event starring 60 guys who haven't shaved in three months.
-Good on ESPNews for broadcasting the postgame. I was actually afraid that no one would cover it.
-Antoinne Vermette should buy Chris Phillips a Rolex. To blow a penalty shot like that, not even getting a shot off, and then not be the guy wearing the goat's horns? Wow.
-Why the hell do they wait until the third period to bring the cup into the building? What, did the cheerleader from Heroes have 9:30 cup licking scheduled?
-So, what should I write about this summer?
The Stanley Cup has entered the building.
Well, here we go.
It's on.
While the Stanley Cup final is always something special, it's better when the cup is in the building.
Plus, Chris Pronger is back from his second suspension of the playoffs, and the way he's been going lately, we might seem him throw Gary Bettman a devastating elbow to the head on the way to the trophy table.
Oh, and for those who missed Don Cherry on NBC, here's the clip:
God damn, what a breath of fresh air. I found it a little irritating the way Hull and Clement alternately baited and sucked up to Cherry, but despite all that, he still got the job done.
Here's some old school Rock em'-Sock em.
I've always felt that the NHL needed more gunfire sound effects. You think Grapes has changed his mind about Yashin? cause the Islanders certainly have.
Please NBC, bring back Don Cherry.
It's on.
While the Stanley Cup final is always something special, it's better when the cup is in the building.
Plus, Chris Pronger is back from his second suspension of the playoffs, and the way he's been going lately, we might seem him throw Gary Bettman a devastating elbow to the head on the way to the trophy table.
Oh, and for those who missed Don Cherry on NBC, here's the clip:
God damn, what a breath of fresh air. I found it a little irritating the way Hull and Clement alternately baited and sucked up to Cherry, but despite all that, he still got the job done.
Here's some old school Rock em'-Sock em.
I've always felt that the NHL needed more gunfire sound effects. You think Grapes has changed his mind about Yashin? cause the Islanders certainly have.
Please NBC, bring back Don Cherry.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Is someone in the kitchen (with Dinah)?
Because there sure is plenty of room, what with Ray Emery apparently magnetically unable stay anywhere in the vicinity of his net. Don't get me wrong--I'm rooting for the Sens to go for the win, as I refuse to believe that the Ducks have any relevance to the sport of hockey--but come on, man. We get it. You're a different kind of goalie. You can handle the puck. You're not afraid to fight. You've overcome a hardscrabble upbringing in Cayuga, Ontario (town motto: "Sorry for any inconveniences experienced while you were here, eh?") to play professional hockey. Now get your ass back in that crease like you're being goddamn overpaid to do.
This doesn't mean the Ducks didn't deserve their win last night. They recovered from an embarassing first period, they made sure that the fire beneath Andy McDonald's ass was kept on at a constant temperature, and most of all, when the puck came in the direction of their net, their goalie was not only nearby, but he used his hands and body to prevent it from going in. It was actually a pretty exciting game, thanks to a running theme of sloppy punches and general assholery (also, Rob Niedermayer's fear-inspiring beard), but an end result is an end result, and this one made Tim Horton cry.
As for the shock of finding the game on primetime network TV where actual human beings might be able to watch it, all I could think was that any aliens intercepting broadcasts transmissions from NBC last night would have come away thinking either "That Pronger sure sounds like a dick" or "Although this is our first encounter with the planet Earth and this sport they call hockey, it is quite apparent that this Don Cherry character is both past his prime and batshit insane"
Monday, June 04, 2007
Hockey Night in America
Check out this great article on Don Cherry in today's LA Times.
According to the Globe and Mail, Hull and Cherry teamed up on the CBC for game three, "but the two high-profile commentators didn't produce much that was interesting or entertaining."
Thanks to this great find by Eric over at Off Wing Opinion, if the problem was lack of preparation, that might not have been Cherry's fault. I mean, not for nothing, but if Bill Clement is incredulous at how much you suck, you might really suck.
Oh well.
Go get 'em tonight, Grapes.
Second intermission.
I'm actually as excited about this as I am about the game.
Game three was a good one, and as I haven't yet seen the inevitable "NBC ratings disaster for NHL hockey" article, I'll assume it went well?
Tonight, the NHL has a crucial Stanley Cup final game on prime time network television with two great, fast teams that don't like each other much. They can lead with tape of great goals, amazing saves, Chris Pronger smashing Dean McCammond in the jaw, Chris Neil laying out Andy McDonald, and Don Cherry in the press box to explain with passion, humor and understanding how all this violence can fit into the greatest game on the planet earth.
If they can't sell that, I give up.
According to the Globe and Mail, Hull and Cherry teamed up on the CBC for game three, "but the two high-profile commentators didn't produce much that was interesting or entertaining."
Thanks to this great find by Eric over at Off Wing Opinion, if the problem was lack of preparation, that might not have been Cherry's fault. I mean, not for nothing, but if Bill Clement is incredulous at how much you suck, you might really suck.
Oh well.
Go get 'em tonight, Grapes.
Second intermission.
I'm actually as excited about this as I am about the game.
Game three was a good one, and as I haven't yet seen the inevitable "NBC ratings disaster for NHL hockey" article, I'll assume it went well?
Tonight, the NHL has a crucial Stanley Cup final game on prime time network television with two great, fast teams that don't like each other much. They can lead with tape of great goals, amazing saves, Chris Pronger smashing Dean McCammond in the jaw, Chris Neil laying out Andy McDonald, and Don Cherry in the press box to explain with passion, humor and understanding how all this violence can fit into the greatest game on the planet earth.
If they can't sell that, I give up.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
You are very welcome, Mr. Drury.
Not bad, eh?
Here's the story:
We know this guy who knows a guy who happens to be an extraordinarily talented professional photographer who occasionally shoots hockey games, and is a fan of the site.
So when Chris Drury's father-in-law saw this great picture of his daughter's husband winning a loose puck battle with what appears to be a large woman, he tracked down the photographer and got in contact with him. One thing led to another, and here we are.
How about them apples?
So, not to brag or nothing, but this site has just been thanked by a Stanley Cup, Beanpot, Hobey Baker, Calder Memorial Trophy and Little League World Series winner, which, in my view, officially makes us famous.
Or at the very least, makes us guys who know a guy who knows a guy who has a daughter that happened to marry a guy who is famous.
In Buffalo.
Still, it's pretty f-ing sweet, if you ask me.
He also threw in these pics for Sabres fans Jack and Jen.
It's a nice thing, super cool that Chris Drury knows who we are, (or at least wondered for a few seconds) and super big thanks to YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE for scoring the pics for us. I'm no good at sentimentalism, but I think I speak for everyone here at AHF when I say, "Suck it, Bflo Blog!"
Friday, June 01, 2007
Moving pictures
What's that, you say? A lot of the images are missing from our old posts, making it very difficult to get a lot of the visual humor that you've come to rely on from AHF?
Yeah. We know. We're working on it.
UPDATE: All better. Pretend like it never happened.
Yeah. We know. We're working on it.
UPDATE: All better. Pretend like it never happened.
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