The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Oct 9, 2007 5:44:05 GMT -5
Don't look now, but the Caps just started the season with 3 straight wins.
More importantly, the new guys (Nylander, Kozlov, Backstrom) are contributing a lot. It looks like this year's team might be more than the Alex and Alex show.
Could we finally get to see some high-quality hockey from the home team at the Phone Booth?
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Oct 9, 2007 8:15:34 GMT -5
Now that they've gone back to their old school style, they sky is the limit for Ovechkin & Company. Plus, we know Ovechkin has good taste in basketball teams, which can't hurt
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 9, 2007 8:26:22 GMT -5
The Caps look good, no doubt, but Olie is 37 and Brent Johnson is not exactly gonna stand on his head. That'll come into play in the second half of the season.
I also thought their blue liine would be suspect, but they seem to be doing pretty well through the first few games, so who knows?
I think they'll be really entertaining to watch this year because of Alex & Alex and the better supporting cast they have, probably a lower tier playoff team hovering around the 6-11 mark when crunch time comes, but possibly also in contention for the division and a higher seed. But that's great for the Caps, better than they've been in a while.
Though I'd like to hope the Bruins this year can be at that level as well, which means they'd be in direct competition with Washington for a playoff spot, I am rooting for the Caps to do well. It's been too long & it'd be nice to have them back playing well.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 15, 2007 11:52:22 GMT -5
And the Caps come crashing back to earth.
Too bad, but I do hope they stay in it all season.
[WARNING: BRUINS-RELATED CONTENT AHEAD]
3-2 on the annual West Coast Clear-Out-For-The-Circus Road Trip.
Not too shabby for a team no one has any expectations for this year.
Good news is Tim Thomas is playing great & the defense is playing much better (except for that Kings game). Bad news is, Manny Fernandez isn't & the trap isn't as effective as it should be (yet).
Have to see how they do against what looks to be another strong Northeast Division this year.
I was worried with how the Ducks pushed the Bruins all over the ice. Granted, the Ducks can do that to a lot of teams, but where the hell is the Mike Milbury of this team? Chuck Kobasew is the closest thing Boston has to a tough, power forward and he ain't all that imposing. Maybe Marco Sturm, but not really. PJ Axelsson has more heart than a lot of entire teams, but he's another little'un.
Don't get me wrong, I love the talent and finesse of some of the young forwards (particularly Kessel, but Lucic and Krejci got some skills too). But man, it doesn't seem like Boston without a Cam Neely type up front (and "front" office doesn't count). Welcome to the new NHL, I guess.
And, seeing as how no one else cares, I guess I'll just post this formyself to read. Ah, well. What're ya' gonna do?
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Cambridge
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Post by Cambridge on Oct 23, 2007 10:54:18 GMT -5
Bruin's win streak came to an end with a tough loss, oh well. At least we beat the Rangers...and the Sharks. It's very important we beat the Sharks for my sanity out here in the Bay Area. I can't stand their fans.
Turns out I still HATE the Habs. Who knew?
Bruins were definitely playing over their heads for a week there. I totally agree with you Boz, as much as the [i[new[/i] is high flying and fun...I miss the old gristle. I am disconcerted that the Bruins have no backbone.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 23, 2007 11:43:13 GMT -5
They got Milan Lucic, though. He crushed people in the Lightning & Rangers games. He's still only 19 and raw & might have to spend some time in the AHL, but he definitely stepped up to the plate as the B's bruising forward early in the season. Oh yeah. F*** the Habs, dammit! Boston needs to learn to win defensive zone face-offs. Christ!
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Oct 24, 2007 0:07:24 GMT -5
I think I jinxed the Caps
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Oct 26, 2007 11:04:30 GMT -5
Paging BuffaloHoya. . .
[snickersnickersnicker]
Though he has the worst nickname in all of sports (Special K), looks like Phil Kessel is coming into his own. He singlehandedly won the game for the Bs last night.
And, of course, this is always fun...blood, blood, blood!!!
Chicago's rookies are really, really good though. Toews is much more polished than Kane at this point, but hopefully Chicago can hang onto them. They're really impressive for a couple of 18-19 year olds. Good for the NHL if Chicago can build up a fan base again. It sucks when they're no good.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Oct 26, 2007 18:46:42 GMT -5
Paging BuffaloHoya. . . [snickersnickersnicker] Though he has the worst nickname in all of sports (Special K), looks like Phil Kessel is coming into his own. He singlehandedly won the game for the Bs last night. And, of course, this is always fun...blood, blood, blood!!! Chicago's rookies are really, really good though. Toews is much more polished than Kane at this point, but hopefully Chicago can hang onto them. They're really impressive for a couple of 18-19 year olds. Good for the NHL if Chicago can build up a fan base again. It sucks when they're no good. Is Jack Skille playing for the Blackhawks yet? That kid's the real deal.
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Cambridge
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Post by Cambridge on Oct 26, 2007 18:50:52 GMT -5
Paging BuffaloHoya. . . [snickersnickersnicker] Though he has the worst nickname in all of sports (Special K), looks like Phil Kessel is coming into his own. He singlehandedly won the game for the Bs last night. And, of course, this is always fun...blood, blood, blood!!! Chicago's rookies are really, really good though. Toews is much more polished than Kane at this point, but hopefully Chicago can hang onto them. They're really impressive for a couple of 18-19 year olds. Good for the NHL if Chicago can build up a fan base again. It sucks when they're no good. Man, I feel partially responsible for that beat down. I was questioning the B's toughness only a couple days ago. See the thread above.
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FewFAC
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Post by FewFAC on Oct 27, 2007 13:35:01 GMT -5
The Blackhawks fortunes improved greatly with the death of one Bill Wirtz. I've never seen anyone run anything into the ground like that; easily one of the saddest things ever to watch how one stubborn idiot could systematically alienate everyone who so wished to support him. Good riddance. This also means Blackhawks home games will now be on TV. Too bad I'm leaving.
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Post by FrostbackHoya on Nov 1, 2007 15:34:44 GMT -5
The Blackhawks fortunes improved greatly with the death of one Bill Wirtz. I've never seen anyone run anything into the ground like that. Wirtz was terrible for the Blackhawks, but was he the worst. The equivalent in Toronto was the Ballard years, when he made MLG into his personal 'Carlton Street Cashbox.' Ballard may have been worse, given the insanity that prevailed at MLG. The 'Hawks will be solid this year, and more importantly, hope is back. Not to mention the goal of the year -- that Toews goal is on permanent loop up year in the Great White North. As for the season so far -- is it too early to concede a Sens/Red Wings Final? Despite the Habs haters here-abouts, they're legit and their goaltending and PP will stand the test of the season. The Caps are up & down, but I think they've got enough to get to the playoffs. And if the Wild can keep Gaborik healthy, they'll be very, very good. But the resurrection of my Flames with Keenan behind the bench is a scary thing -- I want to believe, but I have the feeling we're one meltdown rant away from the cellar...
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Nov 1, 2007 15:46:56 GMT -5
Ahh, the joy and pain that is Mike Keenan...I know it well.
Re-defines the term "love-hate relationship."
Much as I would like to, I will abstain from trash-talking for the moment about the Bs-Sabres game tonight.
The last time I tried that, Patrice Bergeron was practically executed. Hopefully, he won't be out too long.
How Cheater McCheapShot from the Flyers only got 2 games for that is beyond me.
How no one from the Bruins threw down with someone on the Flyers after that is even more beyond me.
Pens-Wild the other night was a great game. I miss Brain Rolston.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 2, 2008 13:42:08 GMT -5
I realize almost no one cares, but hopefully a few people managed to tune in to the Winter Classic yesterday in between scoring drives in the Michigan-Florida game.
(as for me, I hate myself that I have two TVs in the same room, but yesterday I was glad I did).
Outstanding game by both teams (even though I'm sure Sean Miller is still wondering how he let that first goal in). Game ended the way I'm sure the league wanted it to, on the blade of Sid the Kid's stick. (though I would have preferred it ended in overtime and not a shootout - still not a huge fan of the shootout, but it does provide an exciting conclusion to games).
Not a huge explosion of offense, but a good flow to the game, with Pittsburgh coming out quick, Buffalo completely shutting them down for the second period, and then another Pittsburgh-dominated third.
Heck, I didn't even mind the powder blues....much.
And despite my allegiance to the Bruins, you are really doing yourself a disservice if you don't try to catch one or two Pittsburgh Penguins games this year. Crosby is just a treat to watch, and Malkin, Armstrong and others in the supporting cast are pretty darn good too. Boston-Pittsburgh a few weeks back (when Crosby got into - and won - his first NHL fight) was one of the best games of the year this year, and I'm happy to say that even though Boston lost that one on shots.
Nice day for the NHL, even if most people were tuned into the Capital One bowl.
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hoopsmccan
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Post by hoopsmccan on Jan 2, 2008 14:24:12 GMT -5
Ryan Miller is likely wondering the same thing about that first goal.
Great energy to the game, the crowd was good...I haven't seen the ratings, but I imagine it got killed by college football. It was a great idea to do an "event" game outdoors, but New Years day is so linked with college football its hard to imagine the NHL breaking in. I can't think of a better day for it though...I would have preferred to watch the game on Christmas instead of the awful NBA slate, but I don't know if people lounge around watching sports all day on Christmas like they do on New Years.
Is the outdoor New Years day game going to be a yearly thing?
hm
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HoyaFanNY
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Post by HoyaFanNY on Jan 2, 2008 14:38:58 GMT -5
even as a michigan fan, i made sure i flipped to the hockey game during breaks. i normally hate hockey, but this was one of the best sporting events i have seen on tv. the atmoshphere was incredible to watch.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 3, 2008 9:04:50 GMT -5
Ryan Miller is likely wondering the same thing about that first goal. Is the outdoor New Years day game going to be a yearly thing? hm HA! Good one. Thanks for catching me. Guess I must've been watching Patriot Games too many times. I think Montreal is planning a similar game next year for their 100th anniversary, but other than that, I'm not sure if the league has decided how to approach this game on a regular basis yet. As much as I hate the Habs, they are the gold standard and that will be a huge event, weather permitting. I've heard some say the snow slowed the action down too much. Luckily, no one from the league is saying this, just some commentators. It's not that they're wrong, the snow DID slow the game down, and one of hockeys great appeals is the speed at which it's played. On the other hand, who cares? They play football games in the snow and it plays havoc with offense, but everyone still loves a snowy football game. Hell even those baseball wussies will play a game or two in snowy conditions (or when there is a plague of locusts ) I hope no one in the NHL is listening to the naysayers because it was a great event. My apologies to Mr. Miller. ;D
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2008 9:31:49 GMT -5
You have no idea the atmosphere at this game. I've been to some big-time sporting events in my day, and many have provided better entertainment, more frenzied crowds... but this event was so unique, everyone was treating it as though they were witnessing history and behaved as such. Tailgates were bigger, parking lot football and hockey games were more intense, people showed up much earlier... just amazing. Like I said, I've been to more eventful and meaningful (and historical) games, but no atmosphere has touched this.
The NHL should hold these more often... but not every year. Maybe every other or every three years, because otherwise the novelty wears off fast.
Flyers-Penguins in Beaver Stadium, Rangers-Isles in the new Yankee Stadium, Bruins-Habs wherever the Montreal Alouettes play, maybe Red Wings-Blackhawks in either Soldier Field or out in Ann Arbor. Screw the Avs... move back to Quebec if you want an outdoor game.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jan 3, 2008 11:16:22 GMT -5
What about holding the All-Star game outdoors?
I agree that it was a great event, and for once NBC actually got their coverage of a hockey game right. Any coverage of a hockey game that includes a tribute to Ogie Ogilthorpe is mega in my book.
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vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Jan 10, 2008 19:51:48 GMT -5
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