Thursday, May 15, 2008
Photo of the Day: Worship Ovechkin, NOW!
My girlfriend sent me this photo, and it gave me a good chuckle.
It basically looks like a religious situation, with the rest of the Caps worshipping their lord Ovechkin, and Ovechkin looking up to the skies in victory. All that is missing is the bright white light.
Well, all are worshipping Ovy, except for that one intense Cap behind him, who looks like he's trying to assassinate Jesus.
It basically looks like a religious situation, with the rest of the Caps worshipping their lord Ovechkin, and Ovechkin looking up to the skies in victory. All that is missing is the bright white light.
Well, all are worshipping Ovy, except for that one intense Cap behind him, who looks like he's trying to assassinate Jesus.
Labels: Alexander Ovechkin, photo of the day
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Tuesday's Thoughts
by Jes
Let's start off with the Photo of the Day. Kevin Bieksa has Patrick Sharp in a very ... precarious position.
"Get up, you big baby!"
Get your captions in!
--
Wow, the Canucks BARELY managed to not get swept in the season series by the Los Angeles Kings. Of course, it took a 2-1 overtime win to give the Canucks one frickin victory against Marc Crawford's poorly coached squad.
I totally love the Alex Burrows/Ryan Kesler combo. Sure, we don't expect them to score every night, but we love the effort and defensive ability. I'd match up Kesler/Burrows to the other great checking duos, like the ones in Detroit, Anaheim, and New Jersey.
Markus Naslund should take notes on how to deliver an honest effort. Why is it the Canucks captain gets a free pass? Vigneault ought to make Naslund a healthy scratch to sink in a message.
---
Wayne's World - Some thoughts from our Southern-fried correspondant.
The Avalanche are playing the Thrashers tonight, and Thrasherw marketing has designated tonight as one of those "White Out" games where the first 10,000 in attendance get a white T-shirt.
Ooooooooh...Is that supposed to scare the opposition?
These so-called "White Out" games are getting so ubiquitous in sports that even college basketball teams are doing it these days...And the T-birds are scheduling it against the same team that started this trend...
In reality, Atlanta Spirit (GOOOOOOO Team!) should give away 10,000 carving forks, as in, "This team is done; stick a fork in 'em".
Agreed. For the Coyotes/Jets, it's good. For everyone else, it's sad.
---
From IIHF correspondant Joeri Loonen, a cool article about Slovakia's hockey factory: Trencin.
If only the rest of Slovakia was as good as producing talent, the Slovaks wouldn't be stuck behind the usual Top 6 countries :(
---
Author Joe Pelletier is also a rabid reader, and decided to do a list of the books he considers best in the realm of hockey.
Well, can you really name basketball and football books that are popular and considered classics?
The Hockey Sweater gets my #1 vote, since it's a story that most any Canadian kid was exposed to, and the exlusion/wanting-to-fit-in story line can pretty much hit the heart of anyone who reads it.
Let's start off with the Photo of the Day. Kevin Bieksa has Patrick Sharp in a very ... precarious position.
"Get up, you big baby!"Get your captions in!
--
Wow, the Canucks BARELY managed to not get swept in the season series by the Los Angeles Kings. Of course, it took a 2-1 overtime win to give the Canucks one frickin victory against Marc Crawford's poorly coached squad.
I totally love the Alex Burrows/Ryan Kesler combo. Sure, we don't expect them to score every night, but we love the effort and defensive ability. I'd match up Kesler/Burrows to the other great checking duos, like the ones in Detroit, Anaheim, and New Jersey.
Markus Naslund should take notes on how to deliver an honest effort. Why is it the Canucks captain gets a free pass? Vigneault ought to make Naslund a healthy scratch to sink in a message.
---
Wayne's World - Some thoughts from our Southern-fried correspondant.
The Avalanche are playing the Thrashers tonight, and Thrasherw marketing has designated tonight as one of those "White Out" games where the first 10,000 in attendance get a white T-shirt.
Ooooooooh...Is that supposed to scare the opposition?
These so-called "White Out" games are getting so ubiquitous in sports that even college basketball teams are doing it these days...And the T-birds are scheduling it against the same team that started this trend...
In reality, Atlanta Spirit (GOOOOOOO Team!) should give away 10,000 carving forks, as in, "This team is done; stick a fork in 'em".
Agreed. For the Coyotes/Jets, it's good. For everyone else, it's sad.
---
From IIHF correspondant Joeri Loonen, a cool article about Slovakia's hockey factory: Trencin.
Hockey is a religion in Slovakia, especially in Trencin. When talking with players from the city, dropping the name brings a twinkle into their eyes. Trencin has embraced its NHL stars, but the players embrace the city as well. A good example is a prestigious project that Marian Gaborik supported. To create more ice time for local children, he funded a new sports complex called the MG Arena. Situated in the city centre, the complex offers more than just an ice-rink. It also includes two gyms, a small hotel and several shops. Gaborik’s father takes care of the day-to-day operations while his brother Branko (a scout for the Minnesota Wild) was also involved in the project.
If only the rest of Slovakia was as good as producing talent, the Slovaks wouldn't be stuck behind the usual Top 6 countries :(
---
Author Joe Pelletier is also a rabid reader, and decided to do a list of the books he considers best in the realm of hockey.
HockeyBookReviews.com has a special feature today. Book reviewer Joe
Pelletier names the top five most important hockey books of all time:
Unlike other sports, baseball in particular, hockey does not tend to
transcend the literary world very often.
I'm not sure why that is. Is it because the game does not translate
onto paper that well? I don't think so. Is it because hockey attracts
few great writers? Not at all. Perhaps it is there are just fewer
hockey books out there, and therefore fewer classics?.
Well, can you really name basketball and football books that are popular and considered classics?
The Hockey Sweater gets my #1 vote, since it's a story that most any Canadian kid was exposed to, and the exlusion/wanting-to-fit-in story line can pretty much hit the heart of anyone who reads it.
Labels: Burrows, Canucks, Kings, photo of the day, Ryan Kesler, thrashers
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Photo of the Day: Slovak League Goodness
by Jes
It's been far too long since I featured some Slovak hockey here on Hockey Rants.
So, my Slovak pal Daniel passed on a link to some great shots of a recent tilt between HC Kosice and Dukla Trencin (aka, The Factory).
Here are some of the best ones ...
Miroslav Hala's really cool mask design.
Who in the hell designed those cheerleaders' uniforms? O.O
Ouch! Faceplant! Serves you right for diving!
"Can you believe they make us wear these ugly things?"
Miklik celebrates with his homeboys.
It's been far too long since I featured some Slovak hockey here on Hockey Rants.
So, my Slovak pal Daniel passed on a link to some great shots of a recent tilt between HC Kosice and Dukla Trencin (aka, The Factory).
Here are some of the best ones ...
Miroslav Hala's really cool mask design.
Who in the hell designed those cheerleaders' uniforms? O.OOuch! Faceplant! Serves you right for diving!
"Can you believe they make us wear these ugly things?"Miklik celebrates with his homeboys.
Labels: Dukla Trencin, HC Kosice, photo of the day, Slovak Extraleague, Slovak hockey
Friday, December 21, 2007
John Paddock, Mein Fuhrer?
by Jes
While ex-Bruins coach Dave Lewis always drew the Adolf Hitler comparisons, I always saw more of a London cop in the moustached man. Having a short moustache is not reason alone for the nasty comparison.
Now, any time I see John Paddock, I see a very eerily similarity to Der Fuhrer.
See? Put a moustache on the Sens coach and what do you get?
On another note, we need to coin "The John Paddock Face". Every time I see Paddock on TV, he has this look that is a mixture of disgust and anger. Even though his team is rockin the charts, the guy is just never happy, and his expression rarely changes. It's quite comical, and I wonder if he had the same expression on his marriage day.
(Yes, I am already going to Hell. I might as well speed up the process. And to my Jewish readers, please relax. Shalom)
While ex-Bruins coach Dave Lewis always drew the Adolf Hitler comparisons, I always saw more of a London cop in the moustached man. Having a short moustache is not reason alone for the nasty comparison.
Now, any time I see John Paddock, I see a very eerily similarity to Der Fuhrer.
See? Put a moustache on the Sens coach and what do you get?
On another note, we need to coin "The John Paddock Face". Every time I see Paddock on TV, he has this look that is a mixture of disgust and anger. Even though his team is rockin the charts, the guy is just never happy, and his expression rarely changes. It's quite comical, and I wonder if he had the same expression on his marriage day.
(Yes, I am already going to Hell. I might as well speed up the process. And to my Jewish readers, please relax. Shalom)
Labels: John Paddock, photo of the day
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wednesday's Wackiness
by Jes
My girlfriend sent me this photo of the Toronto Maple Leafs defense, and it made my day. As Homer Simpson would proclaim, "It's funny, because it's true!"
---
Meanwhile, the NHL grows a couple of hairy ones and comes down hard on Chris Simon with a 30-game suspension.
Hard enough? Hardly. Simon should have been gone for the season + playoffs. Now, if only the Isles would get rid of the thug once and for all ...
---
Over at the FanHouse ...
Aaron Miller scores his first goal in FOUR years! Sightings of flying pigs around Vancouver up 300%
Last night's 5-0 win over New Jersey was quite the pleasure to watch. I always enjoy seeing Martin Brodeur lit up like a rich man's Christmas tree, especially when it's guys like Miller and Linden blasting pucks by the man with the golden horseshoe up his arse.
---
Help us caption this photo of some ashamed Capitals fans. I know they don't have Crosby, but should Caps fans really be so afraid to show their faces in public?
---
Speaking of Sidney Crosby, he's no match for the power of the Canadian dollar. Sorry, Sid, but you don't make my eBay purchases cheaper.
My girlfriend sent me this photo of the Toronto Maple Leafs defense, and it made my day. As Homer Simpson would proclaim, "It's funny, because it's true!"
---
Meanwhile, the NHL grows a couple of hairy ones and comes down hard on Chris Simon with a 30-game suspension.
Hard enough? Hardly. Simon should have been gone for the season + playoffs. Now, if only the Isles would get rid of the thug once and for all ...
---
Over at the FanHouse ...
Aaron Miller scores his first goal in FOUR years! Sightings of flying pigs around Vancouver up 300%
Last night's 5-0 win over New Jersey was quite the pleasure to watch. I always enjoy seeing Martin Brodeur lit up like a rich man's Christmas tree, especially when it's guys like Miller and Linden blasting pucks by the man with the golden horseshoe up his arse.
---
Help us caption this photo of some ashamed Capitals fans. I know they don't have Crosby, but should Caps fans really be so afraid to show their faces in public?
---
Speaking of Sidney Crosby, he's no match for the power of the Canadian dollar. Sorry, Sid, but you don't make my eBay purchases cheaper.
Labels: Aaron Miller, Martin Brodeur, musings, photo of the day
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Photo of the Day: Havlat, The Ho
by Jes
I can't be the only one who thinks this photo is pornographic...
I can't be the only one who thinks this photo is pornographic...
Labels: Blackhawks, Havlat, photo of the day
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Photo(s) of the Day: Hockey Ad Spam
by Jes
We all know that hockey is a sport that needs a great deal of marketing to grow itself in the US of A. Creating good ads, however is not always easy.
Here are a few examples of some very weird/bad/screwy attempts to promote the game.
What the puck? Who the hell is so desperate for a puck that they'll dig it out of a urinal????
OK, so a griffin is eating Turkey? Isn't that a little cannibalistic?
A 'meh' ad for a poor hockey game. It might have worked if they showed a big hit or a fight. Instead, we get Dominik Hasek making a save. Uh-huh.
Not a good excuse to listen to Michael Bolton, despite that Earl Sleek might tell you.
Finally! Truth in advertising. Unfortunately, those were the best looking females they could find in all of Ottawa. Politics isn't pretty, people!
Not an actual ad, but a good way to entice players to sign with the Florida Panthers.
Anyway, a Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. Stay away from the Bud Light and drink some real brew. I'm sure your area sells Czechvar or a real Slavic Pilsner.
*** Looking to win a free book? Check out The Great Hockey Book Contest #2 over at Joe Pelletier's site.
Gare Joyce's book looks interesting, as he gives you a look inside the life of an NHL scouting department.
We all know that hockey is a sport that needs a great deal of marketing to grow itself in the US of A. Creating good ads, however is not always easy.
Here are a few examples of some very weird/bad/screwy attempts to promote the game.
Earlier this year, Greenspon Advertising Southeast created and executed an ad buy in men’s urinals throughout 50 bars and restaurants in Charlotte, N.C. promoting the ECHL hockey team, the Charlotte Checkers.
The campaign simply featured a Charlotte Checkers branded hockey puck in the urinal. That’s all. Nothing more.
The campaign got out of hand, however, and made its way into dirty hands when the hockey pucks started disappearing.
What the puck? Who the hell is so desperate for a puck that they'll dig it out of a urinal????
OK, so a griffin is eating Turkey? Isn't that a little cannibalistic?
A 'meh' ad for a poor hockey game. It might have worked if they showed a big hit or a fight. Instead, we get Dominik Hasek making a save. Uh-huh.
Not a good excuse to listen to Michael Bolton, despite that Earl Sleek might tell you.
Finally! Truth in advertising. Unfortunately, those were the best looking females they could find in all of Ottawa. Politics isn't pretty, people!
Not an actual ad, but a good way to entice players to sign with the Florida Panthers.
Anyway, a Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. Stay away from the Bud Light and drink some real brew. I'm sure your area sells Czechvar or a real Slavic Pilsner.
*** Looking to win a free book? Check out The Great Hockey Book Contest #2 over at Joe Pelletier's site.
Gare Joyce's book looks interesting, as he gives you a look inside the life of an NHL scouting department.
Labels: marketing, photo of the day
Friday, August 03, 2007
Photos of the Day: I <3 SPAM!
by Jes
Time for a little photo spam...
Selanne and his friends with the Cup... how very Finnish of them. After this photo was taken, they beat each other with birch leaves and played the HNIC theme song with their armpits.
A photo that'll make any Oilers fan throw up their Subway sandwich. Pronger, his bimbo jezebel wife, and spoiled little blonde brats celebrate with the Stanely Cup.
Just your average confused Avs fan ...
Palffy has sure let himself go after retirement. How fast can he lose the extra pounds?
Hell, just talking seems to make him sweat. How out of shape is he?
Well, at least he's not as out of shape as Robert Svehla. Somebody's been busy at the buffet table!
Time for a little photo spam...
Selanne and his friends with the Cup... how very Finnish of them. After this photo was taken, they beat each other with birch leaves and played the HNIC theme song with their armpits.
A photo that'll make any Oilers fan throw up their Subway sandwich. Pronger, his bimbo jezebel wife, and spoiled little blonde brats celebrate with the Stanely Cup.
Just your average confused Avs fan ... 
Palffy has sure let himself go after retirement. How fast can he lose the extra pounds?
Hell, just talking seems to make him sweat. How out of shape is he?
Well, at least he's not as out of shape as Robert Svehla. Somebody's been busy at the buffet table!
Labels: Chris Pronger, photo of the day, picture of the day, stanley cup, Ziggy Palffy
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Photo of the Day: Aww, Look at the Cute Bunnies!
by Jes
Cute, but dumb, puck bunnies need a good home. They are very affectionate and love to be touched, but demand a lot of time and attention.
Cute, but dumb, puck bunnies need a good home. They are very affectionate and love to be touched, but demand a lot of time and attention.
Labels: photo of the day, puck bunnies
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Photo of the Day: Chelios, the New Hockey Adonis
by Jes
Chris Chelios loves his insane off-season workout routine, which includes surfing and biking around southern California.
I'm sure certain blogger will love these photos.
David Guralnick / The Detroit News
Chris Chelios loves his insane off-season workout routine, which includes surfing and biking around southern California.
I'm sure certain blogger will love these photos.
David Guralnick / The Detroit News
Labels: Chelios, photo of the day
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Photo of the Day: The Truth about Women
Monday, June 25, 2007
Photo of the Day: Ilya, the Scotsman
by Jes
OK, I understand that Russians have a strange sense in fashion, but what the hell is up with Ilya Kovalchuk?
Is that a curtain he's wearing? *scratches head*
OK, I understand that Russians have a strange sense in fashion, but what the hell is up with Ilya Kovalchuk?
Is that a curtain he's wearing? *scratches head*
Labels: kovalchuk, photo of the day
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Photo of the Day: Ducks Damage the Cup
by Jes
I know the Stanley Cup has been beat up more than a GW Bush piñata at Osama Bin Laden’s 50th birthday bash, but can’t these teams show a little more respect and care for the holy chalice?
What damaged the cup so badly?
1. Chris Pronger’s elbow
2. Brad May’s right fist
3. A Chris Kunitz cross-check
4. Sweden
In other Ducks news, how about the rumours that Scott Niedermayer is thinking of retirement? That ought to give Ducks fans cardiac arrest, or at least mild indigestion.
I know the Stanley Cup has been beat up more than a GW Bush piñata at Osama Bin Laden’s 50th birthday bash, but can’t these teams show a little more respect and care for the holy chalice?
What damaged the cup so badly?
1. Chris Pronger’s elbow
2. Brad May’s right fist
3. A Chris Kunitz cross-check
4. Sweden
In other Ducks news, how about the rumours that Scott Niedermayer is thinking of retirement? That ought to give Ducks fans cardiac arrest, or at least mild indigestion.
Labels: ducks, photo of the day, Scott Niedermayer, stanley cup
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Photo of the Day: Bettman and Snoop Dog, BFFL
by Jes
This photo is just plain weird ...
Not only are these guys pretty much polar opposites, but Gary appears WAY TOO HAPPY to be posing with Snoop Dogg.
I'm sure some of you can come up with some witty captions.
This photo is just plain weird ...
Not only are these guys pretty much polar opposites, but Gary appears WAY TOO HAPPY to be posing with Snoop Dogg.
I'm sure some of you can come up with some witty captions.
Labels: bettman, photo of the day
Monday, May 21, 2007
Photo of the Day: Derek, the Flying Slug!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Photo of the Day: Ottawa, Canada's Team?
Another goodie from The Instigator ...
Neil MacRae (talk radio dumbass here in Vancouver) made a good point this morning that if the Vancouver Canucks were in the semis instead of Ottawa, CBC wouldn't be trying nearly as hard to pump them up as "Canada's Team".
As much as I like/want the cup to come back to Canada, for purely selfish Anti-American reasons, let's just cut this crap with "Canada's Team".
The Senators are Ottawa's team just like the Oilers are Edmonton's team. I am not a Sens fan, nor do their fans deserve the disrepect of us trying to leap on their bandwagon.
Ottawa is a much different city than Vancouver, and their hockey team is also much different than ours. (Theirs can score goals...) Ottawa and the Senators do not represent Canadian hockey any more than the Anaheim Ducks, who have a roster full of Canadians.
Neil MacRae (talk radio dumbass here in Vancouver) made a good point this morning that if the Vancouver Canucks were in the semis instead of Ottawa, CBC wouldn't be trying nearly as hard to pump them up as "Canada's Team".
As much as I like/want the cup to come back to Canada, for purely selfish Anti-American reasons, let's just cut this crap with "Canada's Team".
The Senators are Ottawa's team just like the Oilers are Edmonton's team. I am not a Sens fan, nor do their fans deserve the disrepect of us trying to leap on their bandwagon.
Ottawa is a much different city than Vancouver, and their hockey team is also much different than ours. (Theirs can score goals...) Ottawa and the Senators do not represent Canadian hockey any more than the Anaheim Ducks, who have a roster full of Canadians.
Labels: photo of the day, senators, The Instigator
Monday, May 14, 2007
Photo of the Day: Canucks Team Playoff Picture
by Jes
Forwarded to me by some co-worker ... (credit goes to The Toque)
Forwarded to me by some co-worker ... (credit goes to The Toque)
Labels: Canucks, luongo, photo of the day
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Photo of the Day: Payback is a Bitch
by Jes
You'd think I'd learn from the example of a particular blogger and not make stupid bets.
Well, I got brave and made a bet with Earl Sleek, aka "Patrick Swayze's #1 Fan", and lost ... no thanks to the stupid Canucks Power Play.
So, here is the last shred of my dignity flying away to the Galapagos Islands...
You'd think I'd learn from the example of a particular blogger and not make stupid bets.
Well, I got brave and made a bet with Earl Sleek, aka "Patrick Swayze's #1 Fan", and lost ... no thanks to the stupid Canucks Power Play.
So, here is the last shred of my dignity flying away to the Galapagos Islands...
Labels: bets, ducks, Jes is an idiot, photo of the day, Samuel Pahlsson
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Photo of the Day: Cryin' Bryan
It's funny because it's true!
Don't believe me? Then, what is he doing here?
And here...
Don't believe me? Then, what is he doing here?
And here...
Labels: bryan murray, photo of the day, senators
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Photo of the Day: A True Hockey Sniper
