jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Nov 20, 2008 11:41:02 GMT -5
Didnt see the Bruins game last night Boz, but all the games last night were pretty exciting, all averaging 10 goals. bettman must be pretty happy, all his efforts to increase scoring seem to be working
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Nov 20, 2008 12:27:05 GMT -5
Kudos for the Zaphod Beeblebrox reference, Buff.
As for the headhunting, well, I have no tolerance for that, not by teams/players I like or anyone else. You can't legislate quarterback rules in hockey, and God knows I wouldn't want to, but referees should be able to pick up cheap shots to the head without too much trouble. There are 4 officials on the ice after all. Such hits should ALWAYS be 5 minute majors, and be accompanied by fines and suspensions. That's really all it would take. You'd see then stop almost immediately.
I am all for very rough, hard-hitting, snot-bubbling checking in hockey. It IS one of the things that makes the game great. Players not being able to focus visually or read an eye chart without vomiting or falling down is NOT what makes the game great.
Signed, Boz
Co-signed, Patrice Bergeron
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Dec 2, 2008 21:06:04 GMT -5
It is sad that i had to go back to the second page to find this thread but i guess i understand. anyway just wanted to see why you guys thought about the most recent Avery "controversy" www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=258182&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhlpersonally i dont think its much of a big deal. Avery is a dick and all but this is hardly something to suspend some one indefinitely for. It is pretty sad when this is the punishment for having a foul mouth when guys laying down possibly career ending checks get three game suspensions.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Dec 3, 2008 12:07:54 GMT -5
I have to admit, the first time I heard what he said, I did laugh.
But Avery's teammates are right. There's no reason to say stuff like this to the media. I guarantee you it gets said -- and a LOT worse gets said -- in the locker room. Hockey locker rooms are by far the most vulgar of any I've ever been in.
But that's the locker room. You don't use expressions like that with a microphone in front of you, even if you are a jerk and everyone in the world knows it. One game suspension seems pretty fair. The fact that head shot suspensions are not severe enough is a separate issue.
I would like to point out though, that if Elisha Cuthbert (or Rachel Hunter for that matter) is hurt and wounded by this comment, I am available at any time to provide comfort and solace.
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FormerHoya
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Post by FormerHoya on Dec 3, 2008 13:13:15 GMT -5
Is it fair to say that Elisha Cuthbert is the Alyssa Milano of Hockey? Because I thought that Anna Kournikova had that one sewed up?
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Dec 3, 2008 19:41:44 GMT -5
The irony is that Avery's comments have gotten far more attention than they normally would have because of the suspension.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Dec 5, 2008 12:21:17 GMT -5
OK, six games seems a little bit excessive. Doin't get me wrong. I am not defending Avery. The guy is and always has been a jerk. Someone on ESPN had it right the other day when they called him the John Rocker of the NHL. (and I couldn't have been more wrong in my pre-season analysis, when I said that despite his jerkiness, he could be a real big asset to Dallas; I can't seem to find anyone who wants him on the team...talk about a cancer.) But six games for a rude and tasteless comment? Yeah, I don't think so. The NHL should have suspended him for one game. If the Stars want to suspend him for more than that, I'm OK with that. It's their team and up to them whether they want him around. But Gary Bettman isn't doing the right thing here (surprise, surprise). _________________________________ On an unrelated note, for any other Bruins fans, Scott Burnside has written a pretty good piece about the resurgence of the Bs. sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3728290He's also got a good one about Bergeron's and Fernandez's comebacks from injury.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Dec 5, 2008 12:32:27 GMT -5
I think they are punishing Avery for other things that he as reportedly said but that werent on tape. Thats not a very good precedent to set and six game is way too much. He is going to be traded, no doubt, it will interesting to see who takes him and how long it lasts there. a good team for him would be Anaheim, i think, but i dont think they have the space or the need for him.
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mchoya
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Post by mchoya on Dec 5, 2008 22:39:24 GMT -5
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Dec 14, 2008 13:12:49 GMT -5
sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3768552So its official, avery will not be back with the stars. Do you guys think he will get traded or claimed off waivers by another team? Im guessing he will, some team will want to take a chance on him after his "treatment." he is one of the best enforcers in terms of hockey skill, as the article says he was one only a few stars with a plus +/- before being suspended. Someone will pick him up but i cant imagine who, looking at the bottom of league (assuming these teams would take the biggest risks to get better) i cant see any teams where he would fit Boz and Buff, your teams dont need hime, but if the Bs or the Sabres pikced him up how you feel? If the caps picked him up (they cant because of the salary) i wouldnt be upset because of who he is- i kind of like how he plays the game- but i would worry about how he would be in the locker room. This is going to be interesting going forward. With such a high salary, dallas is going to want to trade him or waive him (but keep a team from picking him up so they dont have to pay half the salary). if they waive him and he clears, will he report to the AHL? Will he look at playing in Russia? i dont see that, the style of play is so much different, he really wouldnt get along with guys over there.
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mit0313
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Post by mit0313 on Dec 29, 2008 16:24:46 GMT -5
I just want to add to this thread that Alex Ovechkin is king of all men.
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theexorcist
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Post by theexorcist on Dec 29, 2008 16:36:17 GMT -5
Old, but on the Avery stuff, everything that came out of Dallas indicated that he was a horrible teammate who sowed dissension in the locker room. The Stars may be just glad to get rid of him and this was a helpful excuse.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 2, 2009 10:56:40 GMT -5
Good game yesterday (not the Bruins second consecutive dismantling of the Pens, but that was pretty good too ;D ). The ratings probably sucked, but I'm glad the NHL is doing this thing once a year.
Not as good as last year's classic for theatrics, but the play was better (not a slam on last year's teams, just that the snow in Buffalo made for less fluid hockey).
I know I preferred watching that to...hell I can't even remember what Bowl games were on at 1 p.m. yesterday.
Two ideas brought up by Melrose and Barnaby for next year's game:
1. Rangers-Capitals in the new Yankee Stadium
2. Bruins-Habs in Fenway Park.
I'm pretty sure either of these would be a big hit.
I am glad Ovechkin and the Caps are having a strong season, but boy howdy does their division suck something fierce. They should win that with little trouble and could be dangerous in the spring if they get healthy.
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Jan 2, 2009 11:27:36 GMT -5
The game was a big hit in our house because my 8 year-old hockey player was thrilled to see her classmate's Dad (Mike Millbury) skating on the ice before the game.
The Fenway Classic will undoubtedly happen at some point (if they are willing to desecrate those hallowed grounds with concerts by Jimmy Buffet and Neil Diamond then hockey is a certainty). However, I believe there is still construction planned for the next two off-seasons that would preclude Fenway's use in winter. This winter's project has involved a complete replacement of the lower box seats with repair of infrastructure.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Jan 2, 2009 11:53:52 GMT -5
I am glad Ovechkin and the Caps are having a strong season, but boy howdy does their division suck something fierce. They should win that with little trouble and could be dangerous in the spring if they get healthy. Yeah the South East sucks, but the Caps are winning it because the other teams are losing, not because the caps are beating them. The Caps have only played other SE teams 8 times (5-3-0) and have only played the Panthers once. Those seven games are the fewest against division rivals of any team in the league (I think, it may be just in the east, but it is still very few half way through the season). If they can keep up that pace against the SE they will easily pass 100 pts. You are right about them getting healthy too. Getting Fedorov and Poti back will really help the power play that just seems to not want to put pucks on net. Getting Semin back is as helpful as as any team getting a should be all-star back (the guy is still 42nd in scoring and has only played 21 games!). Although the next Winter Classic is likely Penguins-Flyers at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley, which I think is the best option on the table. I'm worried the games are going to start being more and more about the quirky venue than... you know... hockey? I dont have much criticism of Bettman, but if pretty boy Crosby gets to play in another one of these things Ill be joining the Fire Bettman Crowd. Boston-Montreal, Washington-Rangers, or any Western match up no including LA or Columbus is much more intriguing than anything involving the Pens. Their schedule gets easier, with only one more road game against the West (who they are 6-6-0 against) and a ton of games against the pitiful South East. If they keep up their ridiculousness at home (16-1-1) they could challenge Boston for the east (if Boston starts losing!). Remember Boz, Boston has only lost once since Thanksgiving- to Washington 3-1 ;D.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 2, 2009 12:33:17 GMT -5
That was a great game. Not only is it Boston's only loss since Thanksgiving, it's only their second loss since the beginning of freaking November!!
Two whole months....two losses. That's just ridiculous.
Sorry, I didn't mean to demean Washington because of their division, but re-reading, that's what it sounds like. They are definitely playing at a high level, Ovechkin is simply sick, and they are beating good teams (yes, including Boston) to get their record where it is now.
EDIT: I am a very big critic of Bettman. I think he is doing this game well, but Pens-Flyers would be dumb, considering the other options available....and that EVERY team now wants to participate in this.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Jan 2, 2009 12:54:41 GMT -5
Sorry, I didn't mean to demean Washington because of their division, but re-reading, that's what it sounds like. They are definitely playing at a high level, Ovechkin is simply sick, and they are beating good teams (yes, including Boston) to get their record where it is now. EDIT: I am a very big critic of Bettman. I think he is doing this game well, but Pens-Flyers would be dumb, considering the other options available....and that EVERY team now wants to participate in this. Oh, i didnt read it like that- that South East SUCKS! In last nights game, Tampa goalie Mike Smith gave up two goals by playing the puck right in to the hands of the caps (not like OV either- fourth line guys!). Teams with the players that Tampa and Carolina have (St. Louis, Lecavalier, Prospal, Staal) need to step up and sign some second and third line guys worthy of playing the NHL. I used to try to defend the SE by reminding people that two of the past four cup winners have come out of the SE, but every year it seems only one team can ever make the play offs (im glad its the Caps turn though). The SE sucks. Im watching NHL live right now and they are talking about how the Out Door game is being used by the NHL to get new fans into hockey. If this is true, Pens-Flyers is pointless, Pennsylvania is not a growth market for the NHL. I probably wouldnt watch much of that match up. A good match up out west like Calgary and San Jose (in calgary of course) would be much more interesting. (and of course i am biased against anything involving golden boy and i hate the flyers for various obvious reasons) Edit: I just noticed boston is one point ahead of San jose. thats awesome! the east needs some cred. The common thinking that the west is so dominant needs to end, the east has great teams too!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 2, 2009 14:49:58 GMT -5
I know I am going to sound like "Bitter Boston Fan" (TM) right now, but while I think San Jose is a helluva team, I still wouldn't call them the favorite out West ahead of Detroit.
Until Joe Thornton actually shows up as a leader in the playoffs, which he has never done his entire career, despite his massive regular season point totals and accomplishments, my money is still on the experienced, balanced and well-led Detroit team as the West favorites.
Don't get me wrong. While I love Marco Sturm, Boston screwed up that trade about as badly as any team could. I am not trying to defend the trade. But Boston has recovered from it, while Joey T. is still Joey T. A great player but a post-season enigma. For that reason alone, I still give the edge in the West to the Red Wings, but those two are clearly the best.
East vs. West, well I think the East is a better balanced conference, despite the waste of space that is the Southeast.
I think there are a lot of strong teams in the East, but not really an elite team. Yeah, Boston's got the elite record, but they're still a team that went one series and out last year and missed the playoffs before that, so they've still got a lot to prove despite the gaudy numbers.
After that, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Buffalo are all teams capable of making deep playoff runs. (In fact, I think those are your 8 playoff teams from the East).
In the West, after you get through Detroit and San Jose (and maybe Calgary), I think there is a bigger drop-off. Chicago's not ready to challenge the top levels yet, maybe in another year. The teams in the Northwest are all OK, but none really seems to be able to perform well consistently. Dallas is through, unbelievably. I suppose Anaheim would be pretty scary if they got hot, but I haven't seen any evidence that they will.
I really haven't seen anything from the West (granted I do watch those teams less than the East) that would make me think the conference final will be anything but Detroit-San Jose, or Detroit-Calgary.
In the east, I could envision any number of conference finals, which is why I think it's the better conference, at least at the (almost) halfway point.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Jan 4, 2009 22:04:01 GMT -5
If anyone would like, i am willing to discuss the joke that is/was the all-star voting/results
im also willing to discuss 1) Alex Semin fighting like a girl or 2) Sidney Crosby continuing to fight dirty.
Way to go Sabres! (sorry Boz, but I got to root for my caps to at least have a chance at first in the east!)
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jan 5, 2009 12:18:54 GMT -5
I didn't catch much hockey this weekend because of the Hoya game Saturday and the Ravens game Sunday (as well as the other playoff games), but credit where credit is due. Congrats to the Sabres.
As I noted before, Boston can run up all the points it wants, but they're still a team with a lot to prove. Hopefully the home loss to Buffalo will serve to remind them of that.
As for the All-Star voting, well yeah, it's a joke. But it's a joke in every sport, so no biggie. I think the deserving teams and players will fill out the rosters. The starters aren't that big of a deal.
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