Tuesday, October 11, 2005
NHL: Random Ramblings
So, I'm back from a Thanksgiving weekend holiday up in Whistler. Although I feel recharged, I also feel greatly disconnected from the world. Going without the Internet for almost 3 days was like having a limb cut off. How ever did I enjoy hockey before the Internet was around?
Yes, I am an internet addict. I need my fix 24/7.
Random Ramblings
Yes, I am an internet addict. I need my fix 24/7.
Random Ramblings
- The new offensive zones are BIG! Damn, the typical camera angle can't capture the whole offensive zone. This is a bit annoying on Power Plays...like when Sami Salo blasted a goal from the blue line and you could barely see it go in because the net was cut off.
- The New NHL: I'm loving it. I love the fact that there are crazy 7-6 games. I love the fact the teams can make ACTUAL 3rd period comebacks! Really, it was getting ridiculous how every NHL game seemed to be decided after 2 periods. I am loving the flow and I don't mind if there are a few 'soft' penalties to make it happen.
- On the other hand, the shootouts are even more ridiculous than I imagined. The Canucks and Oilers played to a beautiful and exciting 3-3 tie. Rather than end the game on a good note, they have to bring out the Zambonis and then finish the game with an element from the NHL Skills Competition. There is no flow and a great disconnect from the game itself. When the Oilers 'won' the shootout, they certainly didn't look like a team that had actually won a real game. This isn't hockey Gary, so get rid of this BS after a season and I'll call off the Jihad on you.
- ...and DELAY OF GAME is one penalty that needs to be abolished completely. Penalizing a player because they shot the puck over the boards? Weak.
- Richard Park is fast becoming one of my favourite players to watch. He has Teh Quickness and he's always got so much energy on the ice. I really wish Marc Crawford would put him with the slower-skating Sedins. Why would you want the sluggish Carter on the ice with them when Park can create things with his phat speed? Sure, Park may have limited offensive capabilities at the NHL level, but he's not exactly Gino Odjick with the puck, either.
- Jarkko Ruutu - Please stop taking dumb penalties. If you can't score or play defence, at least stop hurting your team by taking obvious dives. Why did the Canucks bring this guy back? Because, kids, NHL teams won't understand how players who take bad penalties hurt your team (which is why Brad Ference ever managed to play over 200 NHL games).
- Lee Goren (who?) should never get another minute of NHL Power Play time.
- and either should Radek Dvorak!
- What is wrong with the Calgary Flames? 20 Goals Against in 4 games? Did Rick Tabaracci kidnap Mikka Kiprusoff and steal his equipment when we weren't looking?
- and how the hell does Martin Havlat have just 1 freaking point out of 14 Senators goals?! You are killing my office pool, boy!
- You too, Justin Williams and your 0 points :(
- The Penguins may have a lousy defence and have 0 wins, but they also have 3 points and aren't in a bad position. The Penguins sit at 0-1-3 thanks to the nice bonus point system and a nice little winning steak could have them on top. Mario Lemieux: 2 goals and -3 in 4 games. He really looks slow out there and both him and John Leclair skate is if they have big forks impaled in their backs.
- How long until the St. Louis Blues manage their first point? It's ugly and won't get any better any time soon. Patrick Lalime might have been an upgrade if the Blues kept their team intact. Behind a squad of 'filler', Lalime is not the guy who is going to win you games. Roberto Luongo, he is not.
- Andrej Meszaros got his first NHL point last night, making him the 2nd Vancouver Giant (after Gilbert Brule) to get an NHL point. I always thought Marian Havel would be the first of this bunch, but now he's struggling to keep his roster spot in the Czech 1st Division.
- Just admit that you like Wilson Phillips and your sins will be forgiven.
- The Calder race between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin is going to be great. Crosby has talented linemates and gets lot of ice time while Ovechkin is very athletic looks like he's been in the NHL for years.
- Crosby isn't great at everything, however. He's only 31.6% successful on winning face-offs. You could chalk this up to inexperience, but great face-off takers tend to be good at an early age.
- Marek Svatos and Pavel Vorobiev, yowza! After pedestrian AHL seasons, both youngsters are lighting up the NHL at an early stage. We'll see if they can keep it up. They both have high skill levels, but many question marks...kind of like Oleg Kvasha.
- Maybe if Wayne Gretzky spent less time doing commercials and more time coaching, his team wouldn't suck so badly.
- Then again, maybe if Wayne didn't spend so much time coaching, his acting wouldn't suck so much.
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The shootout- what are you talking about? That ended the game on a good note. I loved watching Naslund and Bert turned away like they were the non-playoff John Druce, and Ales Hemsky's goal was a beauty. As for shooting the puck over the glass, that has to be a penalty, otherwise teams will chose to do that instead of icing.
Getting rid of the shootout, I agree.
Getting rid of delay of game, I disagree, but I think it should be only for deliberate delay of games, not accidental ones.
Speaking of delay of game, can we please rename the penalty for a goalie handling the puck in the forbidden zone? Last night Hasek got a delay of game for actually playing the game when he wouldn't have gotten one if he had just left the puck in the corner and *waited* for someone else to pick up the puck. The only thing delaying the game was the referees blowing the whistle to give a delay of game penalty. How odd is that?
Getting rid of delay of game, I disagree, but I think it should be only for deliberate delay of games, not accidental ones.
Speaking of delay of game, can we please rename the penalty for a goalie handling the puck in the forbidden zone? Last night Hasek got a delay of game for actually playing the game when he wouldn't have gotten one if he had just left the puck in the corner and *waited* for someone else to pick up the puck. The only thing delaying the game was the referees blowing the whistle to give a delay of game penalty. How odd is that?
I like the shootouts and I like the Delay of Game penalties (and the no change on icing rule).
No more free passes when the pressure is on in the defensive zone.
No more free passes when the pressure is on in the defensive zone.
Delay of Game - I can see how teams would use it to their advantage if there was no Delay of Game. The problem is that I see many weak Delay of Game penalties called for rather accidental plays. If it was obviously deliberate, than a penalty could be warranted.
As for the goalie puckhandling, I notice that the goalies can still handle the puck and make passes out in front of the net. The trapezoid idea is just cheesy.
As for the goalie puckhandling, I notice that the goalies can still handle the puck and make passes out in front of the net. The trapezoid idea is just cheesy.
One thing all these rules do is force players to make quick decisions which often means bad decisions.
I like the goalie rule because it purposely places the goalie in an awkward position - kinda like every time Patrick Roy used to handle the puck. Without the protection of the net the goalies are much more likely to make a bad play and I think that's great.
That same discomfort is produced by the delay of game rule because it forces the defensemen to make quick plays that often result in turnovers and scoring chances.
I like the goalie rule because it purposely places the goalie in an awkward position - kinda like every time Patrick Roy used to handle the puck. Without the protection of the net the goalies are much more likely to make a bad play and I think that's great.
That same discomfort is produced by the delay of game rule because it forces the defensemen to make quick plays that often result in turnovers and scoring chances.
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Key rule changes which would dominate after the lockout were established through a key meeting between the NHL and its top minor league, the American Hockey League.
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On July 5, 2004, the AHL announced publicly the 2004-05 rule changes, many of which were passed as a result of the NHL's recommendation for experimentation.sportbook
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On July 5, 2004, the AHL announced publicly the 2004-05 rule changes, many of which were passed as a result of the NHL's recommendation for experimentation.sportbook
Hockey Humour
A True Canadian
It's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a man makes his way to his seat right at center ice. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty. He leans over and asks his neighbor if someone will be sitting there.
"No," says the neighbor. "The seat is empty." "This is incredible", said the man.
"Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs and not use it?"
The neighbor says "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Stanley Cup we haven't been to together since we got married in 1967."
"Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shakes his head "No. They're all at the funeral."
sportsbook
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GOING TO A HOCKEY GAME...
Three Canadians and three Americans were traveling to a hockey game.
The three Americans each buy tickets and watch as the three Canadians buy only a single ticket. How are the three people going to travel on only one ticket?", asks an American.
Watch and you'll see," says a Canadian. They all board the train. The Americans take their respective seats but all three Canadians cram into a bathroom and close the door behind them.
Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the bathroom door and says,
"Ticket please!" The door opens a crack, a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The Americans see this and agree it was quite a clever idea.
So after the game they decide to copy the Canadians on the return trip and save some money. When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment the Canadians don't buy a ticket at all.
How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed American.
"Watch and you'll see," replies a Canadian.
When they board the train the three Americans cram into a bathroom and the three Canadians cram into another bathroom nearby.
Once the train leaves the station, one of the Canadians leaves and walks over to the other bathroom where the Americans are hiding, knocks on the door and says, "Ticket please!"
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sportsbook
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A Canadian hockey fan, an American fan and a Swedish fan were all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of alcohol. All of a sudden Saudi police rushed in and arrested them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the alcohol, they were sentenced to death! However, after many months and with the help of very good lawyers, they were able to successfully appeal their sentence down to life imprisonment. By a stroke of luck, it was a Saudi national holiday the day their trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheikh decided they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip. As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh suddenly said:
"It's my first wife's birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping."
The Swede fan was first in line (he had drunk the least), so he thought about this for a while and then said: "Please tie a pillow to my back."
This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. The Swede fan had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain when the punishment was done.
The American fan was next up (he almost finished a half-can), and after watching the scene, said: "All Right! Please fix two pillows on my back." But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again, sending the American fan crying.
The Canadian fan was the last one up (he had finished off thecrate), but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You support the greatest team in the world, your country has the best and most loyal hockey fans in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!"
"Thanks, your most Royal highness", the Canadian replies. "In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."
"Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave," the Sheikh says with an admiring look on his face. "If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish? What is it to be?" the Sheikh asks.
"Tie the American fan to my back so he can get his ass whooped again."
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A True Canadian
It's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a man makes his way to his seat right at center ice. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty. He leans over and asks his neighbor if someone will be sitting there.
"No," says the neighbor. "The seat is empty." "This is incredible", said the man.
"Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs and not use it?"
The neighbor says "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Stanley Cup we haven't been to together since we got married in 1967."
"Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shakes his head "No. They're all at the funeral."
sportsbook
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOING TO A HOCKEY GAME...
Three Canadians and three Americans were traveling to a hockey game.
The three Americans each buy tickets and watch as the three Canadians buy only a single ticket. How are the three people going to travel on only one ticket?", asks an American.
Watch and you'll see," says a Canadian. They all board the train. The Americans take their respective seats but all three Canadians cram into a bathroom and close the door behind them.
Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the bathroom door and says,
"Ticket please!" The door opens a crack, a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The Americans see this and agree it was quite a clever idea.
So after the game they decide to copy the Canadians on the return trip and save some money. When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment the Canadians don't buy a ticket at all.
How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed American.
"Watch and you'll see," replies a Canadian.
When they board the train the three Americans cram into a bathroom and the three Canadians cram into another bathroom nearby.
Once the train leaves the station, one of the Canadians leaves and walks over to the other bathroom where the Americans are hiding, knocks on the door and says, "Ticket please!"
www.enterbet.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sportsbook
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Canadian hockey fan, an American fan and a Swedish fan were all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a smuggled crate of alcohol. All of a sudden Saudi police rushed in and arrested them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the alcohol, they were sentenced to death! However, after many months and with the help of very good lawyers, they were able to successfully appeal their sentence down to life imprisonment. By a stroke of luck, it was a Saudi national holiday the day their trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheikh decided they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip. As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh suddenly said:
"It's my first wife's birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you one wish before your whipping."
The Swede fan was first in line (he had drunk the least), so he thought about this for a while and then said: "Please tie a pillow to my back."
This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. The Swede fan had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain when the punishment was done.
The American fan was next up (he almost finished a half-can), and after watching the scene, said: "All Right! Please fix two pillows on my back." But even two pillows could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again, sending the American fan crying.
The Canadian fan was the last one up (he had finished off thecrate), but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You support the greatest team in the world, your country has the best and most loyal hockey fans in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!"
"Thanks, your most Royal highness", the Canadian replies. "In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."
"Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you are also very brave," the Sheikh says with an admiring look on his face. "If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish? What is it to be?" the Sheikh asks.
"Tie the American fan to my back so he can get his ass whooped again."
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