Already a NHL Winter Classic
New Years Day, 1pm EST. NBC, CBC, RDS. Buffalo Sabres v. Pittsburgh Penguins. Outside.70,000 hockey fans. 2 teams. One frozen pond. Classic.The CBC just reported that 60,000 people are on the waiting list for tickets to the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic. How amazing is that?The pregame show begins at 11am EST on Tuesday, but the hype has been ongoing for months. It's nice to not be one of the only people excited about a hockey game for once. Fans, players, coaches, equipment managers, buffaloes are all waiting to see what the next installment of frozen outdoor hockey has in store for the National Hockey League. Well maybe the buffaloes themselves aren't all that interested in the game, but citizens of Buffalo seem to be jazzed about it. And for once, I share their enthusiasm.Sabres fans might not be all that jazzed if the afternoon plays out anything like the first game of the home and home series between the two teams. Thanks to Colby Armstrong and Evgeni Malkin the Pens took it to the Sabres in the Igloo Saturday, which is probably the last thing the fans, the networks, and the buffaloes want.
As the first, outdoor regular-season NHL game to be played in the United States many fringe fans will watch their first outdoor game unlikely knowing what to expect. Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, having played outdoors for Michigan State in 2001 during the 'Cold War' provided some insight into the conditions:"I think that cold does a lot more to you than you think. Get one of those survival books, figure out what those guys do to stay alive in the wild, I guess. You can get dehydrated very quickly in the wind and the cold, just the same way you can as if it's hot out. So you have to be aware of that, try and stay as warm as possible, get the core temperature up."
The game, regardless of the temperature or conditions will be a unique memory for all types of fans. If not just for the experience of seeing teams play outdoors, there are also going to be special rule changes made to the game format according to an NHL press release: To [rectify] any advantages or adversities created by weather conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium during Tuesday’s AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic, the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins will switch ends halfway through the third period – ensuring each team would spend the equivalent number of minutes attacking or defending each goal, the National Hockey League announced today.
If necessary, a five-minute overtime period also would be divided in half, with the teams switching ends after 2:30 of play.
Should a shootout be needed, each goaltender would be given the option of determining which goal to defend. Thus it is possible that both teams would shoot at the same goal. Once a goaltender has chosen the goal he wants to defend, he must defend that goal for every round of the shootout.
The League also announced that length of intermissions between – and timeouts during – periods may be subject to modification depending on weather and ice conditions, as may be determined by the Game Officials and/or Commissioner Gary Bettman, in consultation with representatives of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.
Labels: AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic, bubble hockey, Buffalo, outdoor, Penguins, pond, rink rat, therinkrat, Winter Classic
NHL Goalie Masks Anniversary Special
No other aspect of hockey encompasses the intensity, insanity and individuality of the goaltender like the goalie mask. Unless you have suited up between the pipes yourself it is difficult to gain insight into the mind of these unique individuals. Even if you have spent the seemingly endless minutes putting on all that equipment, one can almost guarantee that your mind works entirely different than anyone else who plays the same position. For those of you fascinated with the history of the goalie mask, the design, or the motivation behind some of the artistic decisions, you are in luck.To celebrate the anniversary of Jacques Plante becoming the first NHL goalie to regularly wear face protection, the NHL has compiled a collection of information and imagery to salute these popular padded protectors.Featuring a brief explanation about the design along with some rich visual imagery the NHL has compiled an impressive collection that any goalie enthusiast will relish.DISCLAIMER: Insight into the mind of a goaltender may result in confusion, disorientation, night terrors, overheating, and in extreme cases could possibly lead to a fear of Jonathan Toews. Labels: facemask, goalie, goalie mask, mask, NHL, rinkrat, the rink rat
Back to the Future: The New NHL Schedule
The notable philosopher George Santayana once said that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." And for the first time since coincidental penalties were reverted back to a 4 on 4 affair, the NHL it seems like the it has recognized that the present may not be an improvement over the past.
While many of the post-lockout changes have clearly improved the quality of the NHL product, the current, regionally-intense schedule has been a topic of debate since its initial inception. Feedback from fans and players alike has prompted the league to change the format for next year's 2008-2009 NHL season, which will adopt the following structure:
24 divisional games (3 home/3 away vs. each team in division)40 in-conference games, but outside division (2 home/2away vs. other 10 teams)
15 non-conference games (1 game vs. each team, alternating home/away yearly)
3 non-conference "at-large" gamesThe new NHL Players' Association executive director Paul Kelly explains the motivation behind the new scheduling format as reported by tsn.ca:"The reason the players feel this is one; they're tired of seeing the same guys week after week," Kelly explained to reporters on Thursday. "(And) two; they believe the fans in their buildings want to see the star players in other teams and they themselves would like to like to see other cities."
The current schedule, its third and final year, will go the way of the Dodo, the Cuban Spider Monkey and the Emperor rat. It seems unlikely that anyone will miss the schedule as much as those extinct animals but one never knows. Maybe New York area residents have enjoyed the ability to see so many Devils, Rangers and Isles games in such close proximity. Although, on second thought, it might be easier to fly from Newark to Chicago as it would be to drive from Newark to Uniondale for an after work game.
Labels: new format, new nhl schedule, NHL, rinkrat, schedule, the rink rat
NHL Hockey Bedding (for teens!)
For those of you that eat and drink hockey, you can finally complete the icy trifecta: eating, drinking, and now sleeping hockey.At long last PBteen (Pottery Barn Teen, for those less hip) have released their line of NHL Bedding. While hundreds of teens will be receiving these pillow covers and blankets as holiday gifts I can't help but lament over the fact that no such items were available during my teenage years. Is it possible that my awkwardness and angst could've been assuaged by a simple yet fashionable duvet cover? How different would my life be if I had been able to score with Debbie Mendez on my Capitals sham? Oh the possibilities.It does provide some solace to know that I can go home tonight, turn off my PuckHead Lamp, and go to sleep on my Eastern Conference Pillow Case. If only I knew what had happened to Debbie Mendez.
Labels: duvet, NHL, NHL Bedding, PBteen, pillowcase, rink rat, sham, sheets, therinkrat
Noteworthy Night: Jussi Jokinen
As the league continues to undergo the transformation in the post-lockout era we see the torch being passed from the old guard to the new. Sakic, Modano, and Roenick will soon be sitting behind the bench instead of on it. Maybe they will be watching the game from the same perspective as Steve Yzerman and Garth Snow now watch. Or maybe they will sit at the studio desk as they analyze the moves of their former teammates like Ray Ferarro. Regardless of the new location, the veteran stars of today are beginning to make way for the stars of tomorrow. Sakic, Modano and Roenick will soon be Stastny, Jokinen, and Cheechoo. The transition has already begun, but most casual fans still aren't aware of this new crop of rising stars. This new feature, "Noteworthy Nights", is an attempt to educate the causal fan about those stars who don't yet shine as bright in the hockey universe.
Last night, Jussi Jokinen had one of those performances few are capable of in the NHL. Any time a players nightly performance summary is followed by, "the last person to accomplish that was Brett Hull", it usually means he had a good night. If you consider 4 goals a good night, then we are on the same page. If you don't, well then you are probably too good for your beer league and need to find a new team.
Jokinen actually scored more goals last night (again, 4) than he had previously the entire season (3) and he ended the night with even more goals than the most prolific goal scorer in US history with 7 (Modano has 5 goals this season).
After putting up 48 (14g, 34a) last year, and 55pts (17g, 38a) during his 2005-2006 rookie season it looks as if he's in good shape to improve upon those numbers this year. Considering his 7 goals have come in just 18 games, I say that improvement is likely to occur. There are always those moments where young, improving players get the opportunity to show the league that they are ready to be considered in the next tier of NHL players. Jussi Jokinen looks as if he's ready for some consideration.
The goals and the post-game interview can been seen below.
GOAL 1
GOAL 2
GOAL 3
GOAL 4
POSTGAME INTERVIEWLabels: jussi jokinen, noteworthy night, rinkrat, the rink rat
2008 NHL All Star Voting Time
Tis the season. The All-Star season that is. That time when all the kids gather round the computer and submit their votes for the starting five (plus a goalie) in each conference. Back in the day, before hanging chads were an issue, I remember going to the games and filling in Don Beaupre over and over as a write-in vote. No longer is that the case; and not simply because Beaupre is no longer in the league.
Now we live in an online world. No, I don't mean Second-life. I mean a world where ten clicks of the mouse determine the starting lineup and no longer ten punches with a golf pencil.
So take up your mice, click ten times and see if your vote determined the All-Stars.
Find your ballot below:
American? | Canadian? | Other?
Labels: All Star, allstar, NHL, rinkrat, the rink rat, voting
Bubble Boy Blasphemy
I saw something today that deeply troubled me. Well actually I saw two troubling things, but I'm not going to count the 5 minutes I caught of a Mr. Belvedere rerun while eating lunch in the break room.
What I do want to discuss focuses on the concept of taking something good and then shrinking it. This principle works with some things and not others. The key is to recognize what works with this model and what doesn't work. Things that work would be airplanes and model airplanes or cars and matchbox cars. One version is fun for some and the other version is fun for others. An even better, more relevant example might be bubble hockey which takes the precision of hockey and classically shrinks it into petite plastic perfection.
Now lets move on to something that doesn't work. I'm thinking something like this:
Look at those thumbs. Nothing about that image looks enjoyable. Some of you might argue that it would suffice as a stocking-stuffer or possibly a 5th place prize at a local 50/50 draw. I would disagree. I can envision a seemingly clam, normally mild-mannered, appreciative child reacting:
"Dad?! This sucks!"
"Son, haven't we learned that it's the thought that counts?"
"Sorry, you're right. Thanks for thinking I'm stupid enough to enjoy this trash. What are you trying to do, make me hate hockey?"
"Look, it's better than nothing. Next year you're getting coal!"
"Coal? Sweet, that much better than nothing, and much better than this thing! My fingers are killing me. I'm 8 years old and I already have carpal tunnel syndrome!"
Seriously though, wouldn't it just be easier to give a kid a couple quarters and drop him off at the mall? That way you save money in the long run on the inevitable re-constructive thumb surgery. Trust me, its better that way.
I don't believe that there exists a better way for a child to comprehend the intricacies of the Cold War like Bubble Hockey. Red plastic versus blue plastic with two guys on each team with a stick twice the size of his body. That pretty much sums it all up doesn't it?
But when you shrink it down to a laughable and frustrating size it really just downplays the importance of the entire era. Bubble hockey should remain in its purest form. No need to tarnish it because someone thinks kids want to play a cheapened version of it in the car. Let the kid play 'I Spy' or 'Car Bingo' if he or she needs some excitement.
Labels: bubble hockey, cold war, hockey, rink rat, therinkrat
