The playoffs progress. Two game sevens are scheduled for tomorrow. Two game sixes commenced last night and two more are ongoing at this moment. For the pure hockey fan the daylight hours signify a waiting, a need, only satiated when the puck hits the ice later that night. But those fans live for the purity of the sport. They are the ones who will come home or go out and default to watching hockey. Those fans don't need their team to be playing to love the game. It helps. But since so many of those fans live in Toronto, they aren't used to seeing their team in the playoffs. It doesn't matter since they are just as happy to root against Montreal. Or maybe they will pull for Vancouver because of some OHL connection or because their grandkid lives in Pentiction,BC or some other city somewhere. Those are true hockey fans.
While those fans might need hockey as much as hockey needs them, they aren't as invested as Aunt Edna living in New Jersey right now who's not totally sure what icing is but is damn sure that Zach Parise is cute. Now I may not agree with her about Parise, but I will admit that such passion for an NHL team is what the playoffs are all about. They are supposed to insprire those fans that some call 'bandwagon' to rally behind their team. They are supposed to inspire a city. They are supposed to make Raleigh, NC and Calgary, AB scary places to visit. They are supposed to make you hoarse at work the next day. They are supposed to make you appreciate all those years your team missed out.
Tomorrow night will feature the first two game sevens of the 2009 playoffs. Four cities will watch and hang on every hit and every shot. On Wednesday some of those residents will go to work and get coffee and prepare for the rest of the year without the thought of hockey. Other fans will prepare for another series, another test of emotions and another step toward The Cup. And still others will be devastated. They may miss work. They may just exist in a haze. But they will survive. They will graviate back midway in the second round after the scars aren't as raw.
Some city will suffer. That is what game seven does. It ensures elimination. One team will exit. I just hope it isn't mine.
Michael Pivonka was the first person who ever tried to teach me to skate backwards. I had no idea what he was saying. I didn't understand a word. I had never played hockey and had no context for what he was trying to explain. His accent didn't help either, but it didn't matter. I was hooked.
That was in 1987. It was at Washington Capitals hockey camp. At the end of the week I got a Certificate of Completion signed by David Poile and Yvon Labre. I got my picture taken with future Hall-of-Famer Scott Stevens and I learned that you could actually play hockey if you lived below the Mason-Dixon line.
It's interesting and amazing to see the way the residents of the DC Metro area have started supporting the Caps. It helps that they have Ovechkin, Green, Backstrom, Semin and are playing as good as ever but these seeds were sewn a long time ago.
Hockey didn't just sprout in Washington, Virginia and Maryland overnight. It's been growing for a long time. The Capitals have always been active in that regard. They allowed for the creation of a hockey community and then they fostered it and watched it grow.
They are responsible for more than just putting a great team out on the ice this year. They are responsible for having made a 34-year investment in a city and in a metro area that has not only grown as an NHL community, but as a overall hockey community. And the Caps are responsible for that growth. The Caps are also directly responsible for turning out some great hockey players.
Caps fans should be proud of what the 2008-2009 team has accomplished, but they should be just as proud as what the team has accomplished for the hockey community in and around the District since they entered the league.
Unfortunately, I did find a couple photos from some of those years at Caps camp. They might be a little embarrassing, but it could’ve been worse than just the bowl cut. I could've been sitting next to Larry Murphy.
The AHL has decided to not fine Tuukka Rask of the Providence Bruins for his meltdown last Friday. Why was fining him even an option? Why wasn't there talk of giving him a bonus? It doesn't even matter if the referee got the call right. That's not the point. The poor kid is 22 years-old and lives in Providence. Rhode Island! Just look at what it's doing to him.
He's a goalie. They're known for being crazy. Any goalie will openly admit to such cerebral schizophrenia. Everyone hockey fan knows it. Tuukka just got pissed during (and after) the game because of a questionable call. He's not the first and certainly won't be the last professional goalie to throw a tantrum in an awesome display of psychotic rage.
There are much worse things he could have done. Back in the days of the Patrick Division the fans were treated to better aggression on a weekly basis. If one types "Ron Hextall Fight" into YouTube the results returned border on batshit insane.
He was one crazy goalie. He probably still is. And even Ron Hextall (Heeeeeexxx-taaaallll) was a close second to 'Battlin' Billy Smith of the Islanders when it came to down to being bonkers. But this is about Tuukka Rask and his potential.
It's not about how good a goalie he can become, but how crazy he can get. He's only 22 right now. He has a lot more crazy in him. Moving to Boston can help him take that next step. I know.
Tuukka, the fans believe in you. We dream of a day where you are butt-ending Lindy Ruff for no reason or skating down to the other crease to drop the gloves. You have shown that you have promise, but don't let it go to waste. If you need some help, I'm sure opposing fans can work in a nice "Tuuuuuuu-kkkaaaaaaa" chant. Just believe in them because they believe in you.
The trade deadline is approaching, the final quarter of the season is drawing near and it's officially time for the same old questions to begin. Who will make the playoffs? Who will miss the playoffs? Why are they still running those terrible commercials on the NHL Network? How is the playoff seeding determined? And, what is the NHL's tie-breaking formula if teams have the same number of points at the end of the regular season?
Here is the breakdown of how the standings will be determined for each Conference at the conclusion of the regular season, determined in accordance with the following priorities in the order listed:
a) First place in each of the three (3) divisions seeded 1, 2, and 3. b) The higher number of points earned by the Club. c) The greater number of games won by the Club. d) The higher number of points earned in games against each other among two (2) or more Clubs having equal standing under priority (b) and (c) ** e) The greater differential between goals scored for and against by Clubs having equal standing under priority (d).
** NOTE: For the purpose of determining standing under priority (d) for two or more tied Clubs that have not played an even number of games with one or more of the other tied Clubs, the first game played in the city that has the extra game (the “odd game”) shall not be included. When more than two Clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any “odd games”) shall be used to determine standing.
That's it, plain and (relatively) simple. Don't worry, the playoffs will be here before you know it.
The 1980s were an amazing time for NHL hockey. Those who lived through it will never forget those dynasty teams that dominated the league. Those who didn't lived through it should go out and buy some DVDs because there is much to be appreciated. Watching Gretzky and Bossy on YouTube doesn't quite do them justice. There are so many other great players and Hall-of-Famers from those two teams it's almost unbelievable.
History was being made during this decade. Legends were being created by young men who would one day become immortal. Records were set that may never be broken. And the league, after mergers, expansion and realignment had begun to look more similar to the one fans now know.
It was the heyday of hockey to most that remember it. It was a great time for a great league, great players, and the greatest of teams.
Below is the continuation of the Stanley Cup Championship Ring galley featuring the rings of the 1980s.
Calgary Flames 1989 Stanley Cup Ring
Edmonton Oilers 1988 Stanley Cup Ring
Edmonton Oilers 1987 Stanley Cup Ring
Montreal Canadiens 1986 Stanley Cup Ring
Edmonton Oilers 1985 Stanley Cup Ring
Edmonton Oilers 1984 Stanley Cup Ring
New York Islanders 1983 Stanley Cup Ring
New York Islanders 1982 Stanley Cup Ring
New York Islanders 1981 Stanley Cup Ring
New York Islanders 1980 Stanley Cup Ring
Coming Next...Stanley Cup Championship Rings of the 70s
The 1990s will forever be remembered as the decade that wasn't as weird and crappy as the 80s but lacked all the awareness and accountability of the new millennium. My mayor was still doing crack, MC Hammer still had his sweet pants, Dylan from 90210 still had his less sweet sideburns, neon had made way for denim and the NHL had no problem with letting Craig MacTavish skate around looking like Bob Ross with a stick. We had no idea what we were doing to the planet and George W. Bush was just one of five guys who owned a baseball team in Texas. It was a great decade.
It was an even better decade for the those hockey players fortunate enough to obtain the most prized jewelry in the game. No I'm not talking about those limited edition Larry Murphy belt buckles. I'm talking about a Stanley Cup Championship Ring.
Below is the continuation of the Stanley Cup Championship Ring galley featuring the rings of the 1990s.
Stanley Cup Championship Rings - The New Millenium
As the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach thoughts drift to visions of captains and legends raising the cup as teammates circle around to join in the realization of their childhood dream. Nothing else in professional sports carries with it the magnitude of watching the cup hoisted in the culmination a life-long pursuit by the the greatest hockey players in the world. Those lucky enough to have their name engraved on the cup are guaranteed to have it there for at least 64 years, but one day it will be removed to make way for other champions.
One thing that will never be taken away from any player is his Stanley Cup Championship Ring. Each one is unique for each team, each city, each individual, each era, and each cup. And it is in the spirit of what it symbolizes that therinkrat.com has compiled the below gallery of Stanley Cup Championship Rings. This post has rings going back to 2000 and is the first of many posts in this series. New posts will be made regularly featuring new decades and new rings.
Detroit Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup Ring
Anaheim Ducks 2007 Stanley Cup Ring
Carolina Hurricanes 2006 Stanley Cup Ring
Season Not Played
Tampa Bay Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Ring
New Jersey Devils 2003 Stanley Cup Ring
Detroit Red Wings 2002 Stanley Cup Ring
Colorado Avalanche 2001 Stanley Cup Ring
New Jersey Devils 2000 Stanley Cup Ring
Coming soon...Stanley Cup Championship Rings of the 90s
It could have been just one of those fights where two guys tussle, don't really get in a good punch and fall to the ground. And it was...until the end.
Why don't most snipers fight? Well most people probably think it's because they don't want to break a hand, or a nail, or maybe it's a more logical matter like coach doesn't want them wasting their time in the penalty box.
Well, Alexander Semin provides his own answer to that question. He shows us that he just, straight-up, doesn't know how to punch horizontally. Apparently he can throw a temper tantrum or play the bongos, or throw a lower-cut, but whatever it is, its ugly.
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.
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" games
The 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.
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.
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.
Beginning tonight, Monday, October 29th, the NHL will launch a new advertising campaign featuring the new tagline, "Live Every Shift".
According to NHL.com:
The first of the TV spots features NHL stars asking “Is This The Year?” that various milestones are reached. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabresand Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins askif the Stanley Cup will land in their respective city. Phoenix Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky asks if this is the year “that someone scores 93” goals in one season, breaking his record of 92. Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes asks if this is the year we “finally figure out who is dad’s favorite,” in reference to his hockey-playing brothers.
The second spot promotes Shop.NHL.com and features the new Rbk EDGE jerseys as NHL stars make hockey-related pledges. In it, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals vows “to make one-timers happen, way more than once,” while Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning assures that his team “will scrap for every point on the schedule.” Finally, Sidney Crosbypromises to “play for the logo on the front, not the name on the back,” of his jersey.
You can view both spots by following the links below:
Even if you arrived here because you thought you were coming to an extermination site you need to take a look at this goal by Chicago Blackhawk's phenom rookie Jonathan Toews (TAYVES, JAWN-ah-thuhn).
It is an absolutely unforgettable goal by the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft that is on par with 'the goal' scored by Alex Ovechkin against Phoenix.
You know you have an opinion regarding the new NHL jerseys. I know you do. With hockey fans, it's just to be expected. It doesn't mean that you like fashion, which doesn't insinuate that you like figure skating, which doesn't mean you should put a toe pick on your hockey skates. Not that there is anything wrong with that [see Brown, Bobby - My Prerogative]. Just like there is nothing wrong with ending a sentence with a preposition, right?
If you do have an opinion on jerseys and aren't afraid to admit it then I suggest you check out the jersey critiques written up by EKay: The Guy (Spin Columnist) and his gang of jersey junkies. Yes, I just busted out the term "jersey junkies". And, yes, I'm trademarking that shit.
EKay and the "Jersey Junkies"TMcritiques are broken down by conference, but even more exciting is the bracketed format being used to determine the eventual winner. I hate to admit it, but I'm a sucker for brackets.
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.
