11/21/24
September 04, 2009
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
My own personal response to this is that, ironically (or not), I am actually starting to feel that SpoFi is back. I really fell outta the loop for a while after the move, but the look and feel is really back to the way it was when I got hooked. Part of that is the ongoing discussions about how it should be. Spitzengle
...I suggested the Huddle because there ought to be more stuff to do here...rcade
Well, my hope has been the same Spetzengle. The Spofi Puckathon used to fill up a Yahoo NHL Roto League with 20 players and a few members couldn't get a spot. Past Champions easily had a chance to defend and we always had excellent locker room threads discussing all aspects of the league. Who had the best draft, strength and weakness of each squad, the long slug that is an NHL Hockey season. We also enjoyed the run up to the draft and the effects of various offseason player movements.
We we're especially engaged in the last Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Olympic Hockey and Curling meant a lot to us. We have another chance this season as Canada Host the 2010 Winter Olympics and the incredible 09 NHL Season looms large. We're only a few weeks away from the 1st preseason game and camps are opening as we speak. Talking about an opportunity to do stuff.
I challenge each and everyone who participated in past Spofi Puckathons to play again this year, despite the loss of Chico as Commissioner, who never got the accolades he deserved for Commishing the league all those years. His effort was outstanding and it would be sweat to have him Commish another Puckathon.
I've tried reaching out to Tony but haven't heard back from him. Yea, I miss the Puckathon, the level of play was right up there with the Expert leagues I participate in and that Championship means more to me than any other. I'd like a chance to defend my Championship! Is there not a single member here willing to take me on? I'll know when this league is reborn that SportsFilter is once again at the top of its game. It would be awful to go through the 2010 Winter Olympics and another NHL Season without hearing Weedy and Grum pontificating in the league chat (and all the others that made this a special place).
As for the huddle, I've no idea what to do with it, so it shouldn't be any different from the rest of the site for me.THX-1138
Glad I'm not alone in that sentiment! So, I'll post this here in the Huddle thread for Friday Sept. 4th, 2009. If it offends anyone with its presence I apologize, It's certainly not my intention.
Any willing Puckathon V participants out here? Anyone feel like commissioning such a league? (Chico Bangs we need you!) Yahoo Sports opened Fantasy Hockey on Sept. 2nd! Anyone besides me excited about Canada's Hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics and the return of Olympic Hockey and the very intriguing spectacle that is Olympic Curling?
posted by skydivedad at 08:58 AM on September 04, 2009
Did I hear someone say something about the upcoming hockey season? How exciting is this? The first ice of the new season:
posted by NoMich at 09:18 AM on September 04, 2009
It's not just the kangaroos, you know.
Some of my north coast neighbours don't like rallying.
posted by owlhouse at 09:28 AM on September 04, 2009
rcade - don't you dare put multiple links up there about the thrashing my cards took last night.
Seriously though, 22 point dogs? ouch.
posted by curlyelk at 09:52 AM on September 04, 2009
Ball State has cool fans. There's been a bunch of friendly ribbing back and forth on the school message boards all week, and the Mean Green fans who went to Muncie can't say enough good things about the hospitality.
There are a lot of places you could go where a road win upset would mean running to your car as another fan provides suppressing fire as cover.
posted by rcade at 10:02 AM on September 04, 2009
Anyone besides me excited about Canada's Hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics and the return of Olympic Hockey and the very intriguing spectacle that is Olympic Curling?
You know, growing up in the Detroit area, I've always had the luxury of watching CBC out of Windsor. Whenever I catch curling, I end up getting wrapped up in it. I still just don't understand the sport, but there's something that just sucks me in for some reason...
As for the upcoming hockey season, I'm super excited. The NHLPA is in flux, effectively giving Buttman more power...the Pens are defending champs, meaning we gotta listen to national commentators fellate Cindy Crosby even more than normal...the Wings signed Jason Willaims, Patrick Eaves, AND Todd Bertuzzi while losing Samuelsson, Hossa, AND Hudler...I'm so excited I may vomit...
Wow, I think I just broke my own sarcasm-meter... =D
posted by MeatSaber at 10:16 AM on September 04, 2009
This weekend is the World Hard Court Bike Polo Championships in Philadelphia.
I've been holding back from making a post to the front page about this raw and underground new sport, mostly because it's the domain of insufferable hipsters and bike nerds. That said, anybody who's a fan of hockey could totally get with this sport.
Here's a video from the New Year's Championships held in Madison, WI.
posted by rocketman at 10:32 AM on September 04, 2009
as another fan provides suppressing fire as cover
That makes it sound kind of cool.
posted by yerfatma at 11:04 AM on September 04, 2009
As for the upcoming hockey season, I'm super excited. The NHLPA is in flux, effectively giving Buttman more power...the Pens are defending champs, meaning we gotta listen to national commentators fellate Cindy Crosby even more than normal...the Wings signed Jason Willaims, Patrick Eaves, AND Todd Bertuzzi while losing Samuelsson, Hossa, AND Hudler...I'm so excited I may vomit... MeatSaber
in flux thats an understatement. I thought the firing of Paul Kelly was an inside powerplay by Glenn Healy and he up and resigns yesterday! What a mess.
I'm also not looking forward to the All Crosby all the time banter by the god awful National commentators foisted upon us. He's not even the best player on his team let alone the league. (That would be Melkin and Ovechkin) but someone will surely draft him ahead of both of those guys in most Fantasy Leagues. I've already heard the grumbling about his low chances of wearing the C for Team Canada.
Well as a BlackHawks Fan in a house full of Red Wing nuts can't say I'm to disappointed in all those goals leaving the Joe, I'd also be pissed about Babcock Coaching Team Canada when he has a NHL squad in dire need of his undivided attention. Cheer up I predict Zetterburg (He's the one who suffered most with Hossa on board) and a soon to be super goal scoring Villie Leino will make you forget Mr. Hossa. As a BlackHawks fan I'm excited to have him but the July shoulder surgery won't see him on our ice until December. This is a disappointment and removes him from my draft board.
Anyway, I hear Chris Chelios is looking to hook up with Nashville, talk about weird can you imagine him showing up at the Joe with that sweater on? It might take awhile to clean all that Cheli's Chilli from the ice! I'm heading up north to see the 12th Annual Prospects Tourney in Traverse City it starts Sunday. NoMich your squad "Carolina Hurricanes" is one of the 8 teams. It's their 1st year.
OK, well maybe we have enough interest to get the Spofi Puckathon Rotisserie League rolling again. It disappeared last year after a 4 year run. I would really like a chance to defend my Championship and that would be difficult as the Commissioner. Any Volunteers?
I will put together an Olympic Hockey Pick'em if you guys care to play.
posted by skydivedad at 11:36 AM on September 04, 2009
Hockey? That's the one with the ice, right?
posted by billsaysthis at 11:44 AM on September 04, 2009
There are a lot of places you could go where a road win upset would mean running to your car as another fan provides suppressing fire as cover.
Really? In my NFL anecdata, I always found that a road win meant respect from the home team fans. But a road loss usually meant abuse.
posted by cjets at 12:19 PM on September 04, 2009
Hockey? That's the one with the ice, right?
Yeah, that's the sport where Shaun White's the star.
posted by BornIcon at 12:24 PM on September 04, 2009
Since we're supposed to play nice in here, I shall keep my opinion of environmental protesters whining about motor racing to myself.
All I will say is this... A drop in the ocean people. Man up and stop going after soft targets.
posted by Drood at 12:38 PM on September 04, 2009
skydivedad
Good to see you back man. I have much interest in the Pick 'em and would love it if you set one up. I am sure more people will join, if you build it they will come.
Question: Has anyone else "Pulled a Hossa"? And by that I mean go from one team that lost the Stanley Cup Finals to another team that lost the next year?
posted by HATER 187 at 01:35 PM on September 04, 2009
Whenever I catch curling, I end up getting wrapped up in it.
You're not alone, MeatSaber ... you're not alone. I'll take it over a whole host of other televised sports myself.
Some of my north coast neighbours don't like rallying.
As for you, owlhouse ... sticks and stones may break my bones ... but rallying AGAINST a rally is really ironic.
posted by Spitztengle at 01:48 PM on September 04, 2009
I will put together an Olympic Hockey Pick'em if you guys care to play.
I'd be in. 'cept the Pick 'Em Pools still go in the Locker Room, yeah? I wouldn't want this Huddle boundary to get too blurred ;)
posted by Spitztengle at 01:50 PM on September 04, 2009
We're only a few weeks away from the 1st preseason game and camps are opening as we speak. Talking about an opportunity to do stuff.
Isn't it about time for our yearly hockey predictions post?
posted by MrFrisby at 02:06 PM on September 04, 2009
Isn't it about time for our yearly hockey predictions post? Skater umm...MrFrisby
You know it is. Thanks for the reminder and that thread is like revisiting SportsFilters Old Home Week! How is your toe coming along by the way? I'll see if I can get the 2009 Hockey Prediction thread put up in the Locker Room. I do claim 1st dibs on the ultimate fate of #1 Rookie John Tavares under the guidance of the evil Garth Snow. (Why would he sign Biron and Roloson when they have DePietro? 3 starting Goalies does a trend make...)
posted by skydivedad at 02:48 PM on September 04, 2009
Question: Has anyone else "Pulled a Hossa"? And by that I mean go from one team that lost the Stanley Cup Finals to another team that lost the next year?
Haven't done any due diligence, but Ty Conklin came over with Hossa this past season...
posted by MeatSaber at 05:07 PM on September 04, 2009
The World Number One is now allowed to have a girlfriend.
posted by owlhouse at 06:48 PM on September 04, 2009
I will put together an Olympic Hockey Pick'em if you guys care to play.
I'll play.
I could do a Confidence Pool for Olympic Hockey as well. Or, since it has been mentioned a few times, Olympic curling.
The World Number One is now allowed to have a girlfriend.
So, that whole time he was just playing with his paddle and balls?
posted by BoKnows at 02:25 AM on September 05, 2009
It's all I can do not to fill the front page with five or six links about North Texas' 20-10 upset of Ball State yesterday. The line on that game opened with them as 22-point underdogs. Only 12 more wins to a national championship.