11/05/24
January 28, 2006
Shock and Awe The NHL doesn't miss a beat!: When a 10 month lockout forced cancelation of the 2004-05 season, many prodicted the league ruin. Even after labor peace was reached in July 2005, most anticipated an angry fan backlash that would be evidenced by empty arenas. Instead, the opposite happened and the game has come back stronger than ever, and attendance has soared. With NBC Broadcasting 3 games today. Lighting vs. Flyers or Red Wings vs. Stars or Penguins vs. Rangers all scheduled for 2:00PM EST it's time to get your Hockey On! The NBC Broadcast schedule originally had a late game scheduled. Well, I wonder why they dropped the late game? Maybe we can get permission to use the GameTime Category in the Locker Room so we can keep a running tally of the games not broadcast in our area.
posted by skydivedad to hockey at 09:26 AM - 58 comments
Gotta love hockey. Such a fun sport to watch and to play. Ovechkin is the ROY, and anyone who says otherwise knows nothing about hockey. Crosby is great, but he's a one-way player who can afford to pass first. Ovechkin is the only good scorer on his team, and yet he still manages to put the puck in the net while playing solid defensive hockey as well. Plus, he can hit. Long live the NHL.
posted by fatfryar at 11:52 AM on January 28, 2006
Unfortunately for me the Los Angeles station is showing the Penguins vs Rangers. Why not just schedule 3 hours of the international yawning championships? I got to find a way to sneak the money past the wife to get the hockey package. Guess I'm going to have to brave the snow and fly home to Michigan to catch a game in person. Hell I'm so desperate to see the Wings tear someone apart that it might even be worth putting up with my red-neck brother-in-law back there for a few days. How sad is that? I'm still not sure if it's worth paying good bucks if the game ends in a tie and they invoke that godawful stupid, stupid, stupid shoot-out rule though!
posted by commander cody at 11:53 AM on January 28, 2006
Of course I can still listen to the radio broadcast of the game on NHL.com, which is sort of cool since it used to be the only way to get the Wings in the olden days. Brings back memories of listening in on my grandpa's old portable radio (the thing was the size of suitcase, had 6 foot antenna and must have weighed 50lbs!) with him and my dad. Damn, better get a beer before I start to get misty.
posted by commander cody at 12:08 PM on January 28, 2006
Ovechkin is the ROY I would say otherwise but I don't really get what your going for here. Are you trying to say Ovechkin is the greates goal tender in NHL history? Or is it that Ovechkin is a former Ottawa Senators goon? Please clarify.
posted by HATER 187 at 12:13 PM on January 28, 2006
commander cody I've been really pleased with the hockey package I got. Get lot's of great games and watched Oveckin's amazing goal against the Coyote's live. Do what ya gotta do to get wifey to let you purchase, they have the 1/2 season package available now at a great discount from what I paid. My wife is a huge Wing's fan so hasn't been an issue here. I think the Pens vs Rangers game your getting in LA is going to be a surprisingly good game to watch.
posted by skydivedad at 12:15 PM on January 28, 2006
skydivedad My wife tried to convince me that she thought all sports was a waste of time, but then I noticed her sneaking the sports section of the paper off to follow the UCONN womens basketball team. Of course then she said it doesn't count if the team is from your alma mater. She's a hypocrite but I guess I'll let her keep me around. Of course she is also a psychiatric nurse and thinks my following the Detriot Lions is some sort of mental illness and I don't think I can argue with her on that.
posted by commander cody at 12:23 PM on January 28, 2006
I hear ya commander, but try being a Blackhawks Fan married to a Wings Fanatic. Man, talk about total subservience, (she totally thinks I'm crazy for my Hawks loyalty) damm Hawks. To bad they don't practice relegation in the NHL, maybe if Wirtz had to see his team playing in the AHL for a couple years he'd spend the money to get some players for us. Anybody want to set up a GameTime chat in the Locker Room for some NHL smack talk today?
posted by skydivedad at 12:29 PM on January 28, 2006
Do what ya gotta do to get wifey to let you purchase Ah, now we know who wears the pants in the skydive family ;) Maybe we can get permission to use the GameTime Category in the Locker Room so we can keep a running tally of the games not broadcast in our area. You don't need permission. The category is for any game thread for any sport. (though not sure how busy the locker room will be today)
posted by justgary at 12:58 PM on January 28, 2006
but try being a Blackhawks Fan married to a Wings Fanatic Speaking as a Sens fan who has dated Leafs fans for three years: suck it up.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:08 PM on January 28, 2006
I think the Pens vs Rangers game your getting in LA is going to be a surprisingly good game to watch. Oh I'm still going to watch the game, but I'm more of a team-type fan then a fan of the sport. For instance in football I'd rather watch my Lions get their ass handed to them by another team then watch two undefeated teams in the playoffs. So watching the Pens and Rangers for me is sort of like being a hardcore drug addict, but only having some beer around to ease the pain. I'll still get a buzz, but......
posted by commander cody at 01:18 PM on January 28, 2006
I'm the other way 'round. I enjoy a good game of hockey when I don't have much of an emotional investment in either team. But when I'm watching the Sens play, I'm always on edge and too anxious to enjoy it. I think it's because I grew up watching baseball, and I haven't fully adjusted to the continuous nature of hockey. Also, I don't get to see the Sens too often during the regular season, so I'm always worried that the viewing won't live up to its limited-availability potential. These are my default states:
- Opening face-off: Oh, great, we're going to lose the faceoff and get scored on right away and lose all momentum in the game.
- Regular five-on-five play: There's not enough room on the ice, nobody can move, we're going to lose.
- Sens power play (minor): We've only got two minutes to score and if we don't it'll be a big momentum boost to the other team.
- Sens power play (major): We're not going to score and the other team will get a huge boost from having killed off five whole minutes.
- Sens penalty kill: What're the symptoms of a heart attack again?
- Intermission: I hate Don Cherry.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:39 PM on January 28, 2006
That's hilarious, Doctor. I pretty much go through the same exact roller coaster ride while watching a 'Canes game. However, this year, we both haven't had a whole to complain about. So far, anyway.
posted by NoMich at 01:47 PM on January 28, 2006
Living in Wyoming, we only get the crappy Avalanche, or the crappy Broncos or even the crappy Nuggets, Im not even sure if the Rockies are still in the majors. Bleeding Eagles green aint easy out here. Gotta watch the Penguins-Rangers,ugh. Gimme a black and orange eye any day. Lets Go Flyers!! Just saw the score(2-0 Tampa) so mebbe watching Crosby cry aint so bad. Whats with the gay turtleneck sportssuits Clement and Ferraro and crew have on?
posted by GoBirds at 01:48 PM on January 28, 2006
Oh, choppy 1st period in Dallas, 5 on 3 Wings can't score? Lots of penalties and hard hits but no offense to speak of. I gotta say Cuttreth is the Paul McQuire of NHL announcers, uuughgh
posted by skydivedad at 01:56 PM on January 28, 2006
One of the nice things about my wife working today is that I can watch the Pens and Rangers on TV and listen to the Wings and Stars on the internet, without hearing any smart remarks! Of course drinking enough beer for two games instead of just one might get me a bad comment or two when she gets home.
posted by commander cody at 02:18 PM on January 28, 2006
Not to look past the third through eighth playoff spots, NoMich, but I won't start any serious worrying unless you guys pick up Jeff Friesen at the trade deadline.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:29 PM on January 28, 2006
OK, That was totally a strange juxtaposition. Horse Racing at the intermission? Hard hitting 0-0 game continues into the 3rd in Dallas.
posted by skydivedad at 02:55 PM on January 28, 2006
Ok, so now I'm confused. the local NBC station was showing the Pens and Rangers, but now they're showing the Wings and Stars? Hmmmm.....the Hockey Gods are toying with me!
posted by commander cody at 03:24 PM on January 28, 2006
If the 'Canes pick up anybody for the playoffs*, it would be a D-man. We are awfully banged up on D right now and if we could pick up a hard-hitting big man that doesn't get lost in front of Gerber, I'd be very happy. * - Knock on wood.
posted by NoMich at 03:25 PM on January 28, 2006
Ok, now that makes sense. The Pens game finished when I was out of the room so they picked up the rest of the Wings game. Phew....that's what i get for drinking the cheap beer!
posted by commander cody at 03:36 PM on January 28, 2006
God I hate the shootout to end the game!!!!! Bring back the tie!
posted by commander cody at 03:53 PM on January 28, 2006
Jokinen is just sick in the shootouts. I really thought the Stars were hosed when Arnott got his overtime penalty. Great game, and congrats on finally beating the Wings, Marty.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:00 PM on January 28, 2006
To me it doesn't matter who wins or loses the shootout, it still sucks! Whoever came up with this idea needs to be fired, then shot, then brought back to life and shot again!
posted by commander cody at 04:00 PM on January 28, 2006
Wierd ending with the thrown stick by Turco. Whatever. I got Ducks vs. Kings tonite with comcast followed by Islanders vs Bruins!
posted by skydivedad at 04:01 PM on January 28, 2006
Jokinen great game. Man what a bunch of great rookies in the league this year.
posted by skydivedad at 04:02 PM on January 28, 2006
oof...ouch...6-0 thats not the Flyers I know and love. Speaking of injuries.
posted by GoBirds at 04:47 PM on January 28, 2006
Holy crap! The Ducks are kicking my Kings ass'!
posted by Desert Dog at 05:01 PM on January 28, 2006
But at least Craig Conroy and Scott Niedermayer are both having monster games!
posted by DrJohnEvans at 05:43 PM on January 28, 2006
That was a sweet hip-check.
posted by Desert Dog at 08:23 PM on January 28, 2006
I watched the Dallas / Detroit game (great finish) and I was surprised to see that NBC was using Chris Cuthbert for their play by play. That's a nice pick-up for them and one that makes sense since TSN (his day job) doesn't do weekened games. In my personal opinion, he's one of the best hockey play-by-play guys so good on NBC for getting him. Bad on CBC for letting him go and opting to stick with long time Bob Cole, who couldn't see the barn if he was standing within it.
posted by mkn at 09:48 PM on January 28, 2006
posted by NoMich at 10:08 PM on January 28, 2006
Woah, pretty cool, NoMich. Ron Francis will always be a Whaler in my heart.
posted by qbert72 at 10:17 PM on January 28, 2006
It was a fantastic ceremony; very touching. The 'Canes were obviously moved by the whole thing and played with such an intensity that whomever they played tonight didn't stand a chance. There were a lot of Whale sweaters sported in the stands tonight. It was very cool to see.
posted by NoMich at 10:22 PM on January 28, 2006
Great Pic NoMich!
posted by skydivedad at 10:32 PM on January 28, 2006
To me it doesn't matter who wins or loses the shootout, it still sucks! Whoever came up with this idea needs to be fired, then shot, then brought back to life and shot again! Explain that to the thousands of fans that hung around and went crazy (twice!) during the Dallas shootout. The long time fans that complain about the overtime/shootout are just wasting their time. The NHL sees the reaction the shootout gets in the regular season for games that normally wouldn't get a mention on a national sports broadcast. Every time someone like Jokinen or Malek pulls off some sweet shootout goal, it's even MORE positive publicity for the NHL. And really, the complaint about it's an abomination of the rules of the game is kind of weak. If we really wanted to stick to the old rules, we'd still have a "rover" out there, defencemen couldn't enter the offensive zone, and goalies would be getting penalties for falling to the ice to make a save. The league (and the rules) change and adapt.
posted by grum@work at 11:19 PM on January 28, 2006
I have to admit, I miss the rover. Ain't nobody who could move that puck like Harry "Rat" Westwick.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:07 AM on January 29, 2006
Explain that to the thousands of fans that hung around and went crazy (twice!) during the Dallas shootout. I'm with you on that one, grum. I attended a Stars game that ended in a shootout a couple weeks back when they were playing the Sharks, and it was seriously tense. The thing I like about them is that they have the immediacy of a playoff game, even though it's January. Twas quite fun. Granted, I may feel different if the Stars weren't 8-0 in shootouts.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:49 AM on January 29, 2006
My only complaint regarding the NBC NHL coverage is, just where the Sam Hill did they get these Homer announcers from? They are telling you who is going to win from the first moment the game begins, and do not let up. They also have a bad habit of showing you regional games, as was said before. The only option to this is the satellite dish package, which I have, but they don't show the Saturday afternoon games because NBC has the rights. I'd kind of like to see Crosby or the Rangers goaltender with their coverage. Then you would think that their teams are both going to take the Olympic Gold medal.
posted by mrhockey at 07:33 AM on January 29, 2006
I like the shootout. But please please please makes wins worth 3 points. A game tied and decided in a shootout is worth 2 pts to the winner and 1 point to the loser. Not a good system. A maybe make the shootout longer than 3 skaters apiece. It can be decided in as little as 4 attempts.
posted by gspm at 12:23 PM on January 29, 2006
I'd bring back the rover too. As for the shootout I don't care if many fans like it or not since there is no accounting for taste, but it just ain't hockey. What I see is not hockey adapting as much as I see it being changed just to please the American fans. I've seen a couple of shootouts and what I felt was not tension, it was an overwhelming feeling of why bother even playing the game? Why not just have teams of guys who do nothing but shoot the puck unopposed at the goalie for 60 mins. Rah rah rah. What a bore!!! We could call it American Rules Hockey and let the rest of us go back to watching the game we grew up with and love. It's the same as the cry for cutting back on the fighting when fighting has always been as big a part of the game as the puck. At the rate hockey is changing it'll soon be more exciting to watch paint dry.
posted by commander cody at 12:37 PM on January 29, 2006
Explain that to the thousands of fans that hung around and went crazy (twice!) during the Dallas shootout. Why would people leave if it's still A TIED GAME. I hear that argument from announcers all the time, and it doesn't hold water. If there was no shootout, would people be marching straight out during the EXCITING 4 on 4 sudden death overtime? I think the addition of the 4 on 4 and the bonus point did a lot to make the near guaranteed ties of OT a thing of the past. Work with that. The most dramatic and exciting shootouts pale in comparison to the most exciting OT periods this season (like, say, NJ vs TB -- it had everything). Besides, the NHL at one point had two line passes and tag up offsides, yet we went back to those. Sometimes the changes and additions aren't for the best -- I mean, seriously, why the fuck did we lose tag up offsides? That was rediculous.
posted by mkn at 01:32 PM on January 29, 2006
We could call it American Rules Hockey and let the rest of us go back to watching the game we grew up with and love. It's the same as the cry for cutting back on the fighting when fighting has always been as big a part of the game as the puck. Are you insinuating that Americans cried for the cut back in fighting? If so, I will introduce you to some old school Philly fans who were at the game when the Flyers whipped the Russians off the ice. The whole team turned into Roberto Duran and cried "no mas". Or maybe you'll catch a rebroadcast of the old school Philly/Ranger brawls that would occur during the pregame warm up. You can accuse Americans of crying for whatever. But don't dare insinuate that less fighting was our idea. If anything, it's some of you passive Canadians that don't have to fight for anything, you'll just continue to expect your American neighbor to fight for you. I won't blame Canada entirely, I know there is a strong connection to France up there that's keeping you from spreading your fighting wings. Don't ever make such a broad statement about Americans again, becuase as we say in America, "Thems fightin words".
posted by BlogZilla at 03:13 PM on January 29, 2006
If anything, it's some of you passive Canadians that don't have to fight for anything, you'll just continue to expect your American neighbor to fight for you. I won't blame Canada entirely, I know there is a strong connection to France up there that's keeping you from spreading your fighting wings. WTF? Firstly, he was talking about shootouts, not fighting. Secondly, this is so not the place for that kind of thing. Thirdly, I'm biting my tongue really damn hard to keep myself from adding a fourthly and escalating this because it's just not worth it.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 03:50 PM on January 29, 2006
Actually Blogzilla I am an American, born and raised and still living in the U.S. It was my grandfather (and several generations reaching back to 1662) who was Canadian. He used to say that if there wasn't any blood on the ice by the end of the 3rd period then it wasn't a complete game yet. I have never heard of a Canadian commentator (like Barry Melrose) calling for less fighting, only American ones who suggest it as a way of gaining more American fans. For instance I used to work with a guy (American) who told me that he and his friends would probably become big fans of hockey if it wasn't for the fighting. I told him that would be the same as taking the hitting out of boxing, but he couldn't quite grasp that concept. Yes there were some great brawls in the past (Wings vs Avs) and I hope and pray for many, many more in the future, but with the way the NHL is cracking down on it I'm afraid the really great fights are on the way out.
posted by commander cody at 03:53 PM on January 29, 2006
cody has something of a point, too. Shootouts are a dumbing down of hockey in an attempt to reach the casual fan, and the fact is that there are millions more casual hockey fans in the US than in Canada. He's not saying that Americans are too thick to understand hockey, but that there are so many Americans who didn't grow up with hockey that the NHL wants to reach out to and turn into fans. There are certainly Canadians like this, too, it's just that there are so many more Americans in this target market. Similar sort of thing has happened with basketball. It seems to be just as much about abrasive personalities and individual prowess than the smoothly flowing game that it can be. Your casual fan can identify with abrasive characters and spectacular dunks much more quickly than with the rest of the sport, hence it's a great marketing tool. On preview: guess cody was talking about the fighting. Oops. Still, I think my point is valid, and maybe a little less inflammatory.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 03:58 PM on January 29, 2006
I apologize for my generalized comments about Canada. You just have to understand, that no matter the background, there are true fans that love hockey as much as Canadians. I just want to get across to you that not ALL Americans want the shootout and not all Americans want to get rid of fighting in hockey. On the contrary, I want to initiate fighting in basketball. I hate the hypocrisy of NHL players being praised for their toughness in hockey, and basketball players getting the rep of being "thugs" just because of the way they look. I guess i took the comments a little too personal and again i am man enough to apologize for my reaction. I'm sorry for offending you.
posted by BlogZilla at 05:37 PM on January 29, 2006
Thank you Blogman, no offense was taken. It would seem we both want the same thing, good old fashioned hardhitting hockey. Lets hope there are more of us out there.
posted by commander cody at 06:00 PM on January 29, 2006
DrJohn Evans. I just threw out the fighting comment as an example, but you explained it much better then I what I meant about hockey trying too hard to attract casual fans at the expense of some of us old loyal ones.
posted by commander cody at 06:02 PM on January 29, 2006
Shootouts are a dumbing down of hockey in an attempt to reach the casual fan People make it sound like it's a BAD thing to try and reach the casual fan. If you only cater for the hardcore fan, you'll end up as a marginalized sport. That means: - less fans in the seats - less TV time - less people watching it - less kids watching it - less kids wanting to play it When you reach the end of that chain, it's pretty much the end of your sport. Just ask contract bridge players. Contract bridge used to be one of the most popular "sports" in North America. They used to dedicate pages of the sports section to international bridge competitions. Games used to be broadcast on the radio. It was played more often than any other card game. Think of poker now, but increase it ten-fold in popularity. However, bridge couldn't compete with the television sports. They couldn't find some way to adapt the game to the modern audience/fan. So now it's popular with the hardcore players. You'll still find the reminance of the phenomenon in your newspaper with the archaic bridge column.
posted by grum@work at 08:46 PM on January 29, 2006
BlogZilla: No worries. Just wanted to make sure we didn't start getting into politics—that rarely goes well around here! Of course there are millions of intelligent American hockey fans who love the game for what it is, but they're not the target market of the shootout. cody: Good, I'm glad I actually got it right. grum: You're absolutely right, and the shootout will help hockey, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Please feel free to add smileys to end of all three paragraphs. I'm feeling especially benevolent tonight. Maybe 'cause the sucky Raptors just won.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 09:18 PM on January 29, 2006
i was against the shootout at first, but it's grown on me. it's not just the crowd's reaction though, it's the players too. they seem to get just as excited about it. as long as they keep it to the regular season and not let it into the playoffs i really don't have a problem with it. (they should also get rid of it in international play for championship games, like the olympics and world cups) but, i agree with gpsm on the point system thing and the number of shooters involved. make it like soccer with 5 shooters.
posted by goddam at 09:38 PM on January 29, 2006
make it like soccer with 5 shooters. Or, you know, make it like every other hockey shoot out (international rules). That's the one thing I don't understand -- if the shootout is supposed to make it more exciting, why did they gimp it with a three man system that is even more uneven than the classic five? Bleh. Nice finish in the Edmonton game today!
posted by mkn at 11:19 PM on January 29, 2006
Or, you know, make it like every other hockey shoot out (international rules) uh, yeah, that too.
posted by goddam at 10:08 AM on January 30, 2006
That's the one thing I don't understand -- if the shootout is supposed to make it more exciting, why did they gimp it with a three man system that is even more uneven than the classic five? Bleh. That's probably my only real complaint with the shootout. Go with the 5-man system, and you match up with international rules AND you get a chance to showcase more skilled players in the shootout.
posted by grum@work at 11:28 AM on January 30, 2006
But it's so HARD to count to five twice.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:38 AM on January 30, 2006
Not if you take off your shoes.
posted by njsk8r20 at 12:48 PM on January 30, 2006
I have 2 dogs, so I can count as high as 60!
posted by commander cody at 01:04 PM on January 30, 2006
Here's a link at NBC Sports to find out which of the 3 games is on in your area today. I'm getting the Red Wings vs Stars game. To bad I'm going to miss "King Hendrik" vs. Crosby in the Pens vs. Rangers. Hopefully we get to see some more of Messier between periods at the Rockafeller Ice in downtown Manhatten. Even with my Comcast Package I haven't seen the Flyers much this year either. Flyers vs. Lightning 2PM. EST