2008-09 NHL Season Thread

[Colonel Flagg]

Might as well start this one off ....

Two things - what about the playing of regular season games in Europe to start the season? Ranger and Penguin fans might be a little ticked off, but I guess I see the point. After all, Bettman is all about spreading the word and generating more revenue, and Hockey isn't exactly a household sport in the USA - despite what Sarah Palin might think.

Thing 2 - how about the Russian Ranger prospect Cherepanov dropping dead during a game (?) in Russia at the tender age of 19. WTF? Anyone have any more info on this one?

[pac-man]

I've only watched one game thus far (Maple Leafs at Red Wings) and just found out about the Russian kid. Should be a good season, though. I don't see the Wings or the Penguins going back to the Stanley Cup Final.

[Esuohlim]

I DO

WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WIGS WIGS WIGS WIGS WINS

[WhiteRat]

I DO

WILD WILD WILD WILD WILD WID WID WID WINS

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Looking forward to the outdoor game this year between the Blackhawks and Red Wings.

[Colonel Flagg]

During the Flyers-Pens game, the radio color commentator (Chris Therien) kept calling Crosby "Cindy" - I was thinking of you, WhiteRat. :lol

[WhiteRat]

I have that effect on people.

[RaNkeri]

I'm rooting for Canadiens this season. Hopefully they get to the finals so Koivu could become the first european captain to hoist the cup.
I'm also hoping for Ducks, Wild and Sabres to do well. Too bad ducks aren't doing so good at the moment :<

[WhiteRat]

The Wild won their first three games and the Marian Gaborik saga hangs overhead. Some betting site had the odds that Gaborik gets traded at 7-2.:tear

[RaNkeri]

Hurrah, Ducks had their first win this season

[WhiteRat]

Wild win 1-0 in OT over the Barry Melrose mullet led Lightning to remain undefeated.

[Colonel Flagg]

Still waiting for the Flyers to win a game. >:

[WhiteRat]

Gaborik turned down an $80 million deal and has supposedly asked for a trade. It's a lot of money for a guy who is oft injured but why the hell would you turn that down?

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Sabres got thwomped by Ottawa last night :(

[Colonel Flagg]

And the Flyers finally won a few games, and now are only in next-to-last place. :\

Rangers are playing out of their minds. It's still early, though.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I can root for the Rangers now that Avery is gone.

[Icculus]

Avery was one of my favorites while he was there. I kind of miss him but I can see where his style does mesh with the rangers new game. I am very upset about them not making room for Shanahan though...maybe I'm just so used to the rangers giving large contracts to old men now that they are doing the right thing it scares me.

[WhiteRat]

Cal Clutterbuck scored two early goals and the Wild held off the Caps 4-3. The Wild were up 4-0 and appeared to completely give up on trying for the shutout as the Caps scored three quick goals with only minutes remaining. WTF.

[RaNkeri]

I don't care as long as they keep winning

[Kitsa]

I was thrilled when the Blue Jackets beat Montreal in that shootout with a brandnew pinkbottomed goalie. That made my day.

I hope they similarly embarrass Detroit on Friday.

[WhiteRat]

I don't care as long as they keep winning

I bet you loved the hot and heavy Backstrom-on-Backstrosm action, too. :squigly

[RaNkeri]

So what do you guys think of Canadiens leading in all six Eastern Conference's All-Star game positions?

Pretty cool, but I can't help thinking that this is partially fixed to honor their 100th season

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I call hacks.


Went to the Sabres game tonight. So glad they finally won again!

[Kitsa]

...dammit, Pazzy..... :(


....but I still wub you.:love

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/pazzy-1.jpg

[Pentegarn]

So what exactly did Sean Avery call his ex girlfriends to get suspended indefinitely? I have a few creative ideas, but I am curious what was the exact word used.

Article here:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-stars-averysuspended

[Kitsa]

No idea, but what an idiot.

edit: was it just for the "it's a common thing to fall in love with my sloppy seconds" thing?

[pac-man]

Yeah, it was just the sloppy seconds thing. Lame.

[El Blanco]

Unless he popped Elisha Cuthbert's cherry, why would he say anything? Hell, we all know he for damn sure wasn't Rachel Hunter's first.

Wow, he actually has a quite impressive poon resume.

[Kitsa]

I am against the availability of hot models and actresses to hockey players. The rest of us ladies probably look like bog trolls to them by comparison :(

[El Blanco]

OK, I'll help you out.

I'll bag all the hot models and actresses. That should leave all the hockey players for you. Sound like a plan?

[Kitsa]

Oh, I'm not greedy. I don't want them all.



But yes, go ahead and bag them.

[Pentegarn]

Latest theory I heard was the Avery suspension was more of a "Body of work" thing rather than just for that single comment.

Guess Avery is not too well liked even by his team mates

[Kitsa]

From what I gather, he just doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut or exhibit the least bit of class.

Which, when you think about it, is pretty rampant in pro sports anyway.

[WhiteRat]

Personally I thought the Avery comments were hilarious, especially how he said it completely out of the blue. I don't think he should of punished at all.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Anyone going to the outdoor game between the Blackhawks and Red Wings on New years day?

[Kitsa]

no, BUT I have a Labatt Blue pond hockey toque and I'm-a wearing it.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

How does it look? Picture?

[Kitsa]

LOL, I'll find it tomorrow and take a pic

It's too big for my head but I wear it anyhow.

It went out in promo cases of Labatt Blue last year.

[WhiteRat]

Goon extraordinaire Derek Boogaard of the Wild knocking the shit out of Todd Fedoruk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfl75-WaV6A

Fedoruk had a shattered cheekbone I believe.

[Colonel Flagg]

Thank you for that. One of my favorites from the wayback machine (apologies if this was posted before):

Toronto goon extraordinaire Tie Domi instigates a fight with a fan while in the penalty box at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcgivAeVlI4&NR=1

[WhiteRat]

I've never seen that one before but damn was that great.

[Kitsa]

I have a question.

Is there any code with the goalies tapping on the ice? I know that a lot of times the stick-tapping is just general in-team encouragement, but when I went to a Bombers game last year, it seemed as if there was some sort of pattern. Is it like hand signals in baseball?

That's one thing I've never understood.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I think they tap the ice when there's a 10 seconds left in an opposing team's penalty. I.E. Their team is about to be full strength again.

[WhiteRat]

Wild winger Stephane Veilleux taunts Cody McLeod of the Avs during last year's playoffs. Skip to about the 2 min mark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeu6CEdm574

[Kitsa]

heh heh heh.

[Pentegarn]

"Well you can make fun of a lot of guys that way" LOL

[Kitsa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZuwjEePuiI

0:38

OUCH

[Colonel Flagg]

Down 5-1 in the 3rd, the Flyboys score 4 against the 'canes to tie, then win in a shootout. Matches their biggest comeback since 1988. Hartnell with the hat trick. 5-1-3 in their last 9 games.

Yeah, they're back. :)

[Colonel Flagg]

OUCH

Damn. My face hurts after that one. :(

[Kitsa]

I think this is the all-time worst one.

Warning- lots and lots and lots of blood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plvKlnguJVE

I know others have died, but this has got to be by far the goriest hockey injury (if you don't count the guy who lost an eye)

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

The Flyers get political

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Sarah-Palin-R.jpg

[WhiteRat]

Thought this was pretty cool. Capitals web site employee suits up as an emergency goalie:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/viewcast/2008/12/12/index.html?contestId=23943&vendorId=2008121223&vendorVisitTeam=14&vendorHomeTeam=23&pageType=recap

[RaNkeri]

Dallas Stars fired Avery

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/hockey/nhl/12/14/avery.stars.ap/index.html?eref=T1

Hahaha, asshole

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I'm actually kind of upset about them firing him. With Avery playing for the Stars I could concentrate my hatred all in one place. If he gets signed to another team I'm going to have to split it up now.

[Colonel Flagg]

How good is San Jose? 52 points after 30 games is nearly perfect. :eek

"Regular season" good, that is. They'll probably get bounced in the second round.

[Kitsa]

10,000 v ghost: that's how I feel about the Redwings...if Chelios was elsewhere I wouldn't know what to do.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

10,000 v ghost: that's how I feel about the Redwings...if Chelios was elsewhere I wouldn't know what to do.

:)

[Kitsa]

I'm pissed right now because with Mason doing well (on and off) and Leclaire having a season that is nowhere near as spectacular as last, he's running a risk of being the new Norrena. And I don't want that :(

[Colonel Flagg]

I still can't believe that after starting the season with 6 losses, the Flyers are now near the top of the Atlantic Division only 4 points behind the Rangers with 4 games in hand. Quite a turnaround from such a dismal beginning.

[Kitsa]

I thought that Boll scoring immediately after Brashear sucker-punched him tonight was great.

:D

[Kitsa]

Pazzy's going in for surgery on the ankle Friday :( He just didn't get a break this season...he was injured in a preseason game against the Wild and I think it all went downhill from there. Mason's doing a great job, but I'm going to miss Pazzy.

I can't even imagine how much a goaltender's legs must go through. I couldn't move like that.

Who's ready for the all-star break?

[Colonel Flagg]

Me.

I thought the Thrashers would finally break Nitty's jinx when they tied the game early in the third, but the Flyboys came through in the clutch.

Danny Brière was slated to return this past week, but injured his back on a rehab stint with the Phantoms :eek. They're looking at exploratory surgery with commensurate rehab time. :tear I'm guessing this will finish his season.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I can't wait for the skills comp. I have to work so I'm going to DVR it.

[Kitsa]

I still remember Ovechkin and his big toothless grin from last year.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I'm still surprised they don't have him doing much advertising yet. Probably because he fired his agent though.

[Kitsa]

How good is his English?

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I'm sure it's atrocious. This is only me guessing though because I think he's a jerk. On second thought it must not be that bad then.

[WhiteRat]

I'm pretty sure i've heard him speak before and although it was heavily accented, I could understand him pretty well.

[Kitsa]

:rolleyes @ Ovechkin :)

[Kitsa]

So, Ken Hitchcock's 500th NHL win last night, against the Maple Leafs. He almost smiled! Almost :/

I feel so bad for their goalie situation. Leclaire is out with the ankle, and they're just starting Steve Mason over and over and over. He was playing through a strained lower back, before (try doing the splits with your back fucked-up...fun!) and last night they said he was just coming off mono and had 50 family members in the audience watching. And they still won in a shootout, in no small part due to him.

I was just in one of the Blue Jackets' fan stores (there's an enormous one at the Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Columbus), and there was a giant rack of Steve Mason jerseys front and center. So there's that.

[Icculus]

I saw Avery play last night with Hartford (I might be one of the biggest apologist for him) and this man does not belong in the AHL. He is too good. I hope the rangers move him up still.

I'm a little late to the party here but I just wanted to mention about Ovechkin that his englinsh is sub-par. I've was in D.C. for the past 3 years and he has exploded as a player and gives 200% all the time. When they interview him on the bench or between periods though, it's some bad broken english. It doesn't help that he looks homeless too.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Stupid Avery back with the Rangers.

[Icculus]

I think you have a typo there. I think you meant stupendous, avery is back with the rangers!

[Kitsa]

How'd he manage that, community service?

[Colonel Flagg]

Hey, BJ fans - are they really in the playoff hunt this year? How awesome!

[Kitsa]

They're not doing badly at all, really. They seem surprised.

Edit: Oh, fuck you, banner ad.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/fuckyoubannerad.jpg

Edit again:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!

Leclaire traded to Ottawa (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hoURUPYfKnMKzAVGu262A8hrvsBgD96NA9780)

[Icculus]

Thats a decent trade thought, Mason is tearing it up alla carey price a few years back and as long as he stays healthy it won't bite you in the ass. Offensively you now have at least one full line that can pose a threat with Vermette, Nash and Huselius.

[Kitsa]

Oh, I know. It probably will be a very good trade, I just hate seeing my favorite player go.

[Icculus]

I know how you feel. I had to watch Shanahan sit idley by just to see him cross the river to Jersey.

[Kitsa]

well, at least they didn't trade him to the damn Redwings. I wouldn't have known what to do then.

[Icculus]

If they did you could at least get a shirt from NHL.com.

[Kitsa]

yeah :( :sadhighfive

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Sabres picked up Dominic Moore from the Maple Leafs but he couldn't make it to the game because they were finalizing his VISA. Being so close to Canada I forget they are actually another country most of the time.

[Colonel Flagg]

Kimmo Thimonen is the most important player on the Flyers. When he's on the ice, they play controlled, within themselves, and they have a good chance to win. Boy, they missed his leadership last season in the playoffs - I hope he stays healthy this time around.

And for you BJ fans, Kudos to Columbus for shutting out the best team in the Eastern conference. :rock

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Wow, Flyers crushed us tonight in the 3rd. I didn't see the game. What happened?

[Kitsa]

I didn't watch the Blue Jackets game last night, I completely missed it.

I do like the Bruins goaltender....Timm-ay. Some of the Bruins just seem like genuinely nice guys.

I'm going to go to the Blue Jackets store today. Wonder if all the prices will be jacked way up. That'd be very like them. The $30 Leclaire shirt I got last month will probably be on clearance for $10 :(

[Colonel Flagg]

Wow, Flyers crushed us tonight in the 3rd. I didn't see the game. What happened?

One of the few games I saw wire-to-wire all year. Flyers and Sabres were playing some inspired hockey (on both sides of the puck) for the first two periods. Then the Flyboys got a breakaway goal, then a power play goal, then the Sabres started to take too many chances.

Late in the 3rd it got pretty ugly, with a few frustration fights - from Buffalo's perspective, it stings to play so well for two periods and then get the door slammed in your face.

BTW, VS kept cutting to the Blue Jackets/Bruins game since Columbus was laying the SMACK DOWN on Beantown. That's how I knew about that one.

[Kitsa]

The Blue Jackets store was as dismal as I'd anticipated. Damn near cried to see a whole Leclaire section under a giant SALE banner.

They had home and away Leclaire jerseys (didn't look at the price, they were too high up on the wall for me to reach) and the $30 "shirseys" were marked down to $10.95. Leclaire bubble-pucks were $3, Leclaire 8x10 glossies were $6 (still seemed expensive, they weren't autographed) and "Leclaire Bears" were $6.

I asked the clerk wtf with the St. Patrick's day stuff, and she responded that they had 3 different types of t-shirts, some pucks and some other stuff but no I couldn't see them because they moved their whole stock to the Nationwide arena store.

Why the hell would you move your entire St. Paddy's day stock out of the giant BJ store in the mall to Nationwide the week before St. Paddy's day?

And 3 shirts, wtf? What 3 shirts?


So I walked off with a $6 Pazzy-bear and a heartful of tears.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Maybe he'll come back to the team a la Avery.

[pac-man]

There was a great poll on ESPN.com a few days ago: who will last longest with their new team- Terrell Owens (NFL w/ Bills), Stephon Marbury (NBA w/ Celtics), Manny Ramirez (MLB w/ Dodgers), or Sean Avery. I voted Avery. Given the sports and the personalities, I'd take Avery. I'd rather have a guy who pisses off other teams with his antics than guys who abandon/destroy their own team with their antics.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I don't think Avery counts on that list because it's like he's back on his old team.

[pac-man]

So is Ramirez, though. I think they were more poking fun at each sport's biggest asshole.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Gotcha....eat that fish.

[pac-man]

The subtitle (which refers to me as "The One True God") that is now unreadable that made me pick it. The fish eating was just icing on the cake.

[Kitsa]

Nah, Leclaire won't be back. He's thrilled to go off and play for a Canadian team again because his family can come see him now. Also, you know, bigger hockey following and all. He used the press conference to advertise that he had a condo for sale in Columbus.

That's ok, the Blue Jackets play Ottawa every once in a while so I can still see him on TV- him vs. Mason will be interesting.

[Icculus]

I was able to watch the Blue Jackets game last night. Maybe you can clear this up for me...do they usually fall apart like that and blow a three goal lead (I need the pens to leave there with 0 points).

[Kitsa]

It used to be quite common but no, not in recent times. :lol

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20082009/GS021007.HTM

[Icculus]

So these past few weeks have had a slough of milestones...

-Lundqvist reaches 30 wins for the third year in a row.
-Marty (yuck) passes Roy in wins (thanks to the trap and 6 years of boring ass hockey)
-Ovechkin scores 50 goals for the third time and then goes a little overboard with the celebration. It was reported that this was planned and Mike Green knew about it. Does it make anyone else sad that this player who is going to be, or already is, the next Gretzky is not very Gretzky-esque?

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I think Ovechkin needs to be trebuchet'd into the ocean. I don't anyone can be the next Gretzky. A player might come along that can match his skills but it takes a lot more than that to become Gretzky.

[Kitsa]

The mental picture of Ovechkin being trebucheted into the ocean made me laugh so hard I damn near had a stroke.

Every time I see him now, all I think of is Jaws from the Bond movies.

[Colonel Flagg]

Flyers beat the Devils tonight; ABOUT GOD DAMNED TIME, TOO!!! >:

[Kitsa]

Blue Jackets are getting a tad cocky (http://bluejackets.nhl.com/). I keep getting emails reminding me to "Carry the Flag!" and buy tickets to their playoff games.

The bf is unimpressed, because he is under the mistaken assumption that just about every NHL team is in the playoffs and only one or two get left out. In reality...what, 14 get left out? Something like that.

Either way, the Blue Jackets haven't done this well in pretty much ever, and they're in love with Mason and Vermette. I mean, really, really, really in love with them. You should see the Blue Jackets fan stores.

And then there was this Leclaire interview (http://senators.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=414255&page=NewsPage&service=page)to make me, one of his devoted Ohio fans, feel very much like a pile of chopped liver.

[Colonel Flagg]

Yeah, I noticed they lost 2 to the Blues, who are chasing them for position. Lurking in the wings are Anaheim, Edmonton and Mooooonesota. If they're not careful they'll be watching from the cheap seats again this year.

[Kitsa]

http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Central/BlueJackets.html

This particular site isn't being as kind to the Blues. I can't keep track of all the Masons at Jackets-Blues games. :lol

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I think Sabres are out this year......again >:

Have to win the next 3 games and Panthers/Rangers both have to lose their last 3 games without even going into OT.

[Icculus]

I can feel my annual anxiety coming over me as the rangers slip furthur out of contention...3 games, 2 teams. As long as they win two they can stay in the playoffs. How's everyone else doing with the last few games approaching?

[WhiteRat]

The Wild have about a 1% chance of getting in. I blame it all on Marion Gaborik. Idiot misses a large portion of the season and if he was playing most of the season, Minnesota is a play-off team. Good riddance to him as he probably won't be coming back. Pussy!

[paranoid]

the habs are sucking now since they lost schneider and markov. I think even if they make the playoffs they're pretty much screwed.

[Colonel Flagg]

Even though the Flyboys have sucked the last few weeks, they managed to beat the Panthers to get into the playoffs. I expect a "one-and-done" performance this year. Best not to hope for too much with this team. :(

[Kitsa]

Blue Jackets' chances of being in the playoffs are now up to 99.2%. I'm sure they don't know what the hell to do with themselves. I have no idea how they'll do once they're there, but I'm sure this means I can look forward to higher ticket prices and a bunch of idiot fair-weather fans next year.

The Rangers were featured (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Death-Watch-Rangers-playoff-hopes-down-to-50-5?urn=nhl,153147) on Puck Daddy's Playoff Deathwatch.

[Icculus]

I'm really happy that Hitchcock is getting his team into the playoffs, I always hated the flyers but there was always something I liked about him.

[Kitsa]

I always call him Eeyore. He sounds like Eeyore to me in all the interviews and post-game commentary, or at least he used to before the playoff stuff. Now he's a little more upbeat. But it used to be, "We played badly." ( :( ) "We just need to play better." ( :( ) "There's no excuse for how we did." ( :( )

However, my favorite postgame activity is what I call Question Time With The Fucknuts In The Lobby. They stick Jim Day out at a desk in one of the mezzanines of Nationwide Arena and some goofball deer-in-the-headlights fan (or a drunk fan from one of the affiliated bars) asks a question. The questions are sometimes good but frequently inane ("What's a hat trick?" "What's an enforcer?") and usually good for a laugh.

[Colonel Flagg]

Blue Jackets' chances of being in the playoffs are now up to 99.2%. I'm sure they don't know what the hell to do with themselves. I have no idea how they'll do once they're there, but I'm sure this means I can look forward to higher ticket prices and a bunch of idiot fair-weather fans next year.

Oh, yes. "BJ's All the WAY!" :dunce

We get that in Philadelphia all the time. Fans here get "All Flyered Up!" :blah

I always call [Hitch] Eeyore.

:lol

[Icculus]

Since we have the "baby pens" up here in Northeast PA the influx of Pens fans has surged out of control. I didn't mind when everyone her was predominantly flyer fans (being at the top of the turnpike). But these pens fans think they shit gold.

[Colonel Flagg]

But these pens fans think they shit gold.

Wait 'til they get BOUNCED in the first round by the Devils! :lol

Cindy will shed a tear ... :'(

[Kitsa]

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/ <-- lolz

" April 08, 2009 By: DP Category: Columbus Blue Jackets (http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?cat=318)
Full write up Thursday morning, but for those of you following the Jackets who may not have had the chance to watch, the Jackets earned their way into the playoffs with a 4-3 shootout win in Chicago Wednesday night. Fittingly, Rick Nash scored the Biggest Goal In Franchise History.
Huzzah!"

[Colonel Flagg]

If they can hold onto the 6 seed, they have a decent chance of beating the Flames.

[Kitsa]

I missed The Biggest Goal in Franchise History.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Sabres beat on the Canes and won the game.

Philly didn't beat the Rangers last night so we're officially out of the runnings now. :(


I'm pretty sure bringing air horns into an arena is illegal except in North Carolina and Europe. Wow is it annoying. I'm planning on driving down to NC for the remainder of the Hurricanes games and blowing a louder airhorn to mess up their chants.

[Kitsa]

The chants all sound the same anyway. They need to think up new ones.

It can be:

LET'S go JA-ckets

or

LET'S go SA-bres

or

LET'S go BLACK-hawks

need to get some originality up in this shit

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

We have "Let's go Sa-bres. Clap..clap....clap clap clap"

Our playoff chant is "Hooo....Haaaa....Sabres on the warpath. Hooo....Haaaaa.....Sabres on the warpath."

[Kitsa]

We don't have a playoff chant that I know of, not yet.

"WOOOO, this is weird, WOOOO, what the hell are we doing here, WOOOOOO, pray that Nash doesn't get hurt."

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

:lol

Pass out flyers before games with that on it.

[WhiteRat]

As expected, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire quit today. It's going to be weird seeing someone else coach that team as he's been the only coach we've ever had.

[Kitsa]

I think they just beat Columbus.

[Colonel Flagg]

Yep - too little too late.

Flyers need a point tonight against the Rangers for Home Ice in the first round. They're playing Cindy Crosby and those Pens.

I just hope the right team shows up - they've been awfully schizo recently.

[Colonel Flagg]

Dammit. >:

[Icculus]

Oh what a good feeling to spoil the Flyers home ice advantage. Time for some playoff hockey!

[Colonel Flagg]

:domo

Rangers Fans >:

BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

[Icculus]

It's coming! I don't feel too good about the rangers playing Washington, everytime I saw them they lost, but that was under the defensive system of Renny not the new attacking system that Torts' has put into play. It's going to be a hard and fast series. Watch for Ovechkin and Staal, they are probably going to be all over eachother.

I like the Bruins Vs. Habs series...hopefuly some good ole time hockey there.

[Kitsa]

I'm a bit nervous about this whole redwings thing.

The only time I ever watch anything with the redwings is hoping that this'll be the one where someone snaps and goes apeshit on Chelios.

[Colonel Flagg]

I like the Jackets, and hope they give the Wings a series, but they really did themselves a disservice by losing the last two (very winnable) games and dropping to the 7th seed. As the 6th seed, they'd have a decent shot at moving on, but against Detroit, they'll need luck. A whole lotta luck. :eek

And as I say this, the Flyers did the same thing by crashing and burning moving from 4th to 5th. Sucktastic. :(

Hey Icky, if we're lucky, the Flyboys and the Wranglers may meet in the conference finals. Wouldn't that just be delicious? :domo

[Icculus]

Thats what I'm hoping for. Most of my friends are Flyer fans and the other are Rangers, so anytime they play it turns a little ugly around the TV. Right now I'm just thinking about the caps though. One series at a time. There's a long long long road ahead of the rangers if they were to even make it that far.

[Colonel Flagg]

Fuck, I hate Pittsburgh. >:

Rangers are giving the Caps what-for, though. That's OK by me. :|

[Icculus]

I had the luxury of watch the "keystone battle" on 3 different channels. Pitts defense was solid but Richards has got to stop hitting posts.

I had to watch the intermission reports to see the rangers game. I might have to go home and order the NHL package tonight.

[Icculus]

I was just reading over some reports from the rangers game and I'm not quite sure how this works out but how can you give the first star of the game to a player (Ov) who didn't score and was on the losing team???? Sure he took a lot of shots and had 2 assists but I don't feel that grants a player the 1st star. Must be nice to have the NHL in your back pocket.

[Colonel Flagg]

It's like the "Jordan" rule in B-Ball, except they awarded Alex "Jordan" status way way too soon, IMO. Cindy is the same way - she'll always be the one talked about at the end of the game, win or lose.

I think the NHL is trying desperately to find their next Great One, who will once again make the league "ready for prime time".

[Kitsa]

Yeah, I was afraid they'd end up with the Redwings and was hoping by some miracle they'd move up before it happened, but that's the way it turned out. And, unfortunately, I don't imagine it'll end well.

Oh well, they never made the playoffs before, so it's a start.

Sorta related/unrelated, Icculus, about giving the first star of the game to someone who didn't score and was on the losing team....I had a bone to pick with Detroit (one of many) at the Stanley Cup ceremony last year.

I very distinctly remember them giving the cup to Chelios (whom I despise so very, very much, as you know) to let him do his little victory lap before handing it off to someone who, I don't know, actually played in the Finals. Why the hell did they give it to Chelios first? Didn't he sit it all out?

[Icculus]

I can only guess is because he is old as balls and everyone feels bad. I did find this funny on Wiki "Chelios has been involved in at least two recent incidents regarding the handling of the Stanley Cup. It was dropped by fellow Red Wing Brett Lebda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Lebda) in Chelios' bar on June 6, 2008, while being handed off by Chelios. Additionally, the Cup was also left behind on a beach in Malibu on July 4 while under the watch of Chelios"

So I saw on the ticker last night that Carcillo is being suspended for one game and Stevens is being fined for "sending a message" at the end of the game. They said that the NHL is going to go after that sort of stuff through the playoffs...WHY MUST THE NHL DESTROY HOCKEY???

At the end of the Boston game there was a big melay, does that mean they are going to suspend all those players? It's Pittsburgh and Philly, of course there is gonna be cheap shots, that's why I watch...Boston and Montreal, that's original 6, they have like 75 years of bad blood.

I guess I just don't get it. The NHL wants to build its fan base and grow and expand, then don't take away the true dirty and gritty nature of the game. Especially during playoffs.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I only got to watch the Bruins vs Habs game. I didn't realize Boston's goalie was no bigger than a mouse. Compared to Chara it was laughable. I was watching it on Canadian tv and the anouncer kept calling him CHAIR-A instead of CHAR-A.


I think the NHL needs to stop looking for it's next star player and just let it happen naturally.

[Kitsa]

Boston's goalie? Timmay?

[Colonel Flagg]

So I saw on the ticker last night that Carcillo is being suspended for one game and Stevens is being fined for "sending a message" at the end of the game. They said that the NHL is going to go after that sort of stuff through the playoffs...WHY MUST THE NHL DESTROY HOCKEY???


Yes, I think that's the plan. Idiots. >:

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Boston's goalie? Timmay?

He reminds me of scrappy doo. Except instead of being annoying he's a hockey goalie with a bear on the side of his head that looks like it's about to eat his skull......that guy.

[Colonel Flagg]

Damn. Flyers are in trouble now.

Sucks to be me. :(

[Icculus]

Hey Flyers pulled out a big one sunday...lets hope they can keep it up.

So I didn't get to see the first rangers game because of location, I don't get MSG here, so I was all excited on Saturday to see them take down the caps in game two. I arrived at my friends house at 1:03 to find that our local NBC affiliate was running an Austism Telethon which was going to run until 3, so I got to see most the third period. I'm not saying that it isn't an important issue. But A.) does anyone watch telethons? B.) how can they do it during a nationaly televised playoff game?

[Kitsa]

Because everyone seems to think no one cares about hockey :(

I agree that they should be able to hold their telethon, but yeah, during a playoff game, not so great.

[Colonel Flagg]

But no one does care, at least no one worth worrying about. Except us poor sods. :(

Rangers give one back to Ovechkin and the STINKING CAPS. >: Did they forget where Madison Square Garden was? :confused

Good luck to the Jackets tonight. I hope they can at least take one from the Wings - maybe it will make Motown's boys a little uneasy.

[Icculus]

I was wondering the same thing last night. The refs were horrible but that does make up for missing 3 open goals. On the up side Ov still hasn't scored a goal.

How bout those Ducks. I thought San Jose was going to cruise through round 1....I was wrong.

[Colonel Flagg]

San Jose is the patron saint of #1 seeds that flame out in the first round. :lol

[Kitsa]

This doesn't bode well. I got this email:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/play.jpg

But I had some eye tests yesterday that left me temporarily blind-ish, and I swear I saw this instead:

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/lose.jpg


:(

[Colonel Flagg]

Ssssssshhhhhh! You'll jinx them! >:

[Kitsa]

My enthusiasm has never helped them before.

[Kitsa]

I am really fucking irritated that FSN is playing Reds Live, and Versus is all about the Penguins and San Jose and Vancouver and NO ONE IS PLAYING THE FUCKING REDWINGS-JACKETS GAME IN FUCKING OHIO.

[Colonel Flagg]

Just shows the pecking order. Hockey don't get no respect.

And lets face it. We're almost 10 games into a 162 game baseball season, when the games really MEAN something. Not so in the NHL, when they're playing a 7 game elimination series for the first time in a city in Ohio. Means nothing. End of story.

Assholes.

[Colonel Flagg]

John Stevens on why the Flyers lost:

"The key to the game is in the scoring, and we're not doing a good enough job of putting the puck in the net." :dunce

Wow. He's the intellectual equal of Einstein. I would never have thought of that.

During the game, Cindy body-checked the puck into the net for a goal, pushing Martin Biron into the net in the process. :unsure

Apparently there are rules, and there are the Crosby rules.

I have an intense dislike for this team (the Penguins), and not because they're about to eliminate the Flyboys. I'd rather the Rangers win the cup, and that is saying something, coming from a Flyers fan.

[Icculus]

MSN sports has the picture of crosby crashing the net and the puck going in on the front page. NHL front page that is, because god knows they don't put any hockey news on the actual front page.

[Colonel Flagg]

Mark my words, anyone else (on the Flyers, that is) would have gotten a penalty for that "goal". Crosby gets the front page. God, but sometimes I hate the No Hope League. >:

[Icculus]

They showed a highlight from a previous series with ottawa that he esentaily did the same thing and it was called off. They really want that Cindy/alex final.

I was talking to my friend the other day about how Avery is so scrutinized over every little thing he does and how they really ride him hard and his response to me was "Yeah, well at least its just one player for you. It's like that for all of philly" which I do find to be true. It really does get down to the for lack of better word puss-ification of the league. If I wanted to see clean hockey I'd watch the euro leagues.

Time to go home, make some dinner, put on lady liberty and see how the ref's are gonna screw us tonight.

[Kitsa]

SePqdtag2Ss

[Tadao]

That didn't look too scary at all :(

[Kitsa]

I liked it better when they only did it for rugby.

[Colonel Flagg]

Time to go home, make some dinner, put on lady liberty and see how the ref's are gonna screw us tonight.

Can't get screwed when your goalie plays that well. Did he make 20 saves in the second period? Unconscious. :eek

Caps be goin' DOWN. :)

[Kitsa]

I see Mason's in the running for the Calder. That's good, he probably deserves that. Poor kid, they worked the hell out of him this season.

[Icculus]

Out of the 3, mason, ryan, and versteeg, I would say that mason ultimately put up the best numbers. He took columbus to their first playoff. If I had a vote it would go to him.

[Kitsa]

I'm still a little bitter about Pazzy's "so long and go fuck yourselves, Columbus" departure from the Jackets. I'm happy for Mason.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I need the Black Hawks to finish up Calgary....then move on and win the cup.

[Colonel Flagg]

I, on the other hand, need the Flyers to hold on to their 3-goal lead. This will be their first win after being down 3-1 in a playoff series.

[Colonel Flagg]

3-2 and back to Philadelphia. Anything is possible .... :)

EDIT: At least the Jackets put up an heroic fight in Game 4. Too bad they didn't show up until then. :( Hopefully the experience will do them good next season - they are a young team, after all.

[Kitsa]

Oh well :) I think every Jackets fan knew the outcome as soon as they got paired with Detroit. And I might as well have a fresh new reason to resent Detroit :rolleyes

The good news is that those of us who couldn't afford NHL Network ONLY GOT TO SEE THE SECOND GAME because our cable sports providers decided the reds and even the Flyers-Pens were more important than our own state's only NHL team in the playoffs. Assholes.

I'm still rooting for Mason. He gave an interview once after he was off for a week and they asked him what he did. He said, "Absolutely nothing. I laid on my grandma's couch and watched TV and did absolutely nothing."

Live the dream, Mason.

[Esuohlim]

And I might as well have a fresh new reason to resent Detroit :rolleyes

The Red Wings are the only reason I don't resent Detroit :(

[Icculus]

The Red Wings are the only reason I don't resent Detroit :(

They made ticket prices so high last year that people stopped going and games no longer sold out...reason being "enh, we've seen it before, we'll just watch it at home and wait for the cup". Outside of my respect for them being an Original 6 team it pretty much ends there. Horrible city with spoiled fans.

Sorry for maybe being a little harsh today...it finally 75 and sunny out and I'm stuck in my windowless cube. I also need to stop reading analysis' of ny/dc game.

[Kitsa]

I hated them anyway but when the Old as Balls (as you said) idiot landed there (after saying he'd never play for them, btw):

n9kZbdnzMRQ


...I just hated them more. I hate how smug they are, I hate the omnipresent merchandising, I hate it all.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Starting to keep track of IIHF tournament now. Rooting either for Canada or the U.S.

[Colonel Flagg]

Fuck. Blew a 3 goal lead to lose the series. >:

[Kitsa]

Do you need huggles of commiseration? :(

[Colonel Flagg]

Nope. I was expecting this actually. I'm just pissed that they coughed up a 3-0 lead at home to lose 4-3 (I don't count cindy's empty netter). There's just no way a good hockey club should give up 4 unanswered goals in a playoff game when they're on the brink of elimination.

Plus I've got way way too much other shit going on right now to really pay more than passing attention to sports. Sad, really.

Thanks for the offer, though .... it WAS an offer, was it not? :)

[Kitsa]

an offer of huggles.

[Colonel Flagg]

I would expect nothing more. If needed. Which it isn't. I'm good. :)

Thanks anyways.

[Icculus]

Rangers blow it again and again. I'm glad the weather finally got nice around here because after tuesday I'm going to have some extra time to spend outside.

[Colonel Flagg]

Icky, your boys have GOT to give me something to root for in the playoffs. At least knock off the Caps for me. Please?

[Kitsa]

So let's see. Bruins, Penguins, Ducks, Assholes, Canucks, Blackhawks.

Who plays tonight? Devils-Hurricanes and Rangers-Caps, right? It'll pretty much be over tonight, won't it?

[Colonel Flagg]

The two best series in the first round were in the Eastern Conference this year. (Go 'Canes and (I can't believe I'm saying this, but) Go Rangers) Unless you're a Duck fan, where they ousted the San José Chokes.

I feel a case of déjà vu coming on - didn't this same matchup occur in the first round either last year or a few years ago, and didn't it result in the same outcome? :hypno

[Icculus]

Another season done, at least it was a good game and the Rnagers didn't get shelled. There is also another silver lining...How's about the Cane's. Big come back to take out the Devils. A Devils loss is almost always as good as a Ranger win.

[Icculus]

I hope Bettman is happy now to that through poor officiating and questionable suspensions Alex and Cindy are going to face eachother in the playoffs.

[Kitsa]

Every time I hear about the Devils, all I can think of is that Seinfeld "face painting" episode where Puddy scares the shit out of the priest.

J90GeqnGn10

[Colonel Flagg]

Icky, you're reading my mind. Does anyone like the Devils? :lol

The only thing I would care to see in a Cap/Pen series would be Ovechkin and Cindy getting into a pussy bitch-slap fight. That would be YouTube-Worthy.

[Icculus]

Kitsa - The most frightening thing about that video is the fans are pretty mush like that. That is hilarious though.

I think I'm gonna hitch my horse to Vancouver for the rest of the series. It's been a while since Canada has had a cup winning team.

[Colonel Flagg]

It's been never for the Canucks, at least in my imperfect recollection.

[Kitsa]

Fowd29dOyh0

"Gotta let 'em know you're out there, it's the playoffs."

"Gotta support the team!"

[Icculus]

I have these 2 towels that I got from last years playoff run. I had them out for a while last year but then my fiance made me put them away. I pulled them out again for the playoffs this year but now she is insisting that they come down imeadiately. I know she didn't really watch Seinfeld that much but I need to show her this...Then I can be like see I'm not that bad, people are really like this. However I'm sure if I lived in NY or a little closer I would probably be this bad.

[Colonel Flagg]

I was thinking about this, and there's something wrong about that Seinfeld ep. Not that there are really people like this - I know people like this - but that this was a Devils fan at a playoff game in Madison Square Garden. It would have been more realistic to have him beaten to a pulp before the puck dropped. But I suppose that wouldn't have advanced the story line in the show about "nothing".

[Kitsa]

The Rangers and Devils fans do appear to be coexisting in unlikely harmony, don't they? :lol

Last year I threw a roll of toilet paper at the TV when Detroit won the Stanley Cup, and the boyfriend thought I was insane. My father thinks my hockey fandom is insane, although neither boyfriend nor father see the hypocrisy in shouting at the TV during football season.

[Colonel Flagg]

Last year I threw a roll of toilet paper at the TV when Detroit won the Stanley Cup, and the boyfriend thought I was insane.

No, insane would be grabbing a shotgun and destroying the offending "boob tube" in a maelstrom of buckshot. That would be "Bellevue" worthy. :whitecoats

Toilet paper? Just take some Xanax. :thedoctorisin

EDIT: BTW, it's common knowledge that if you yell at the TV loudly enough, the folks in the studio will hear you and respond. Many people don't raise their voice enough. Maybe you could get your dad and the bf some bullhorns to amplify their voices during football season. Just remember to get yourself earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones.

[Kitsa]

lol

the toilet paper was just what I had handy. I was on bedrest at the time and out of kleenex.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

The Blackhawks got 3 unanswered goals late in the 3rd period to tie the game 3-3. Then with around 1:00 left the Canucks score again and win. >:

[Kitsa]

The bf and I both had hockey dreams last night, which was pretty weird.

He dreamed that an old highschool friend of his was drafted into the NHL. He hadn't thought of the guy in years.

I had a more colorful dream. I dreamed that Leclaire was traded to the Rangers, and that somehow he got it into his head that he was the Rangers' sole salvation. From there, he developed a giant ego problem and the Rangers were playing into it...I mean, he was being lowered onto the ice slowly from the ceiling, with wires, during a laser light show and music by Geddy Lee.

He had also grown a spectacular and lustrous mullet.

[Icculus]

That's weird thats how I thought my life was really going to turn out when I was younger...Everyone would have been envious of my Kentucky waterfall.

Both Detriot and Boston dropped a game. Needless to say that the ducks really had to earn that win.

[Kitsa]

never thought I'd be rooting for the Mighty Duck Fucks.

C'mooooooon Ducks.

[Icculus]

I was just reading about the coyotes being broke and all and how this poor bastard Basillie

[Icculus]

is trying to buy them. This is his third team now that he has tried to buy and move to Winnipeg. I don't know what bettman has against this guy or ontario but just let them move. Face it no one wants hockey in the desert. I would think letting Gretzky coach in Canada would be a no brainer. We will know by june 30th the future of the team.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

:lol The onions report on Ovechkin

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Ovetchin.jpg

http://www.theonion.com/content/infograph/alexander_ovechkin

[Colonel Flagg]

God DAMN but I love the Onion. America's Finest News Source, indeed.

[Kitsa]

lol, I can picture the Malkin thing and it's pretty funny in Ovechkin's accent.

[Kitsa]

gooooo ducks. :(

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/Ovechkin_goal_hockey.gif

[Colonel Flagg]

What they tell you in pee wee hockey is true - always put the puck on net; you never know what will happen.

Game 7 toinght. Wooo. :blah

[Kitsa]

I wish I could find a gif of that phenomenal Nash goal last year. Wasn't he on one of those sportscenter "best goals of the year" thing for that?

[Colonel Flagg]

Is this it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjCJdhweKhI

[Kitsa]

Yep :)

It was smooooth.

Also, fuck the Redwings.

[Esuohlim]

:lol

[Colonel Flagg]

Also, fuck the Redwings.

From your mouth to God's ear. >:

[Tadao]

That is why I named my penis "God's Ear" :(

[Colonel Flagg]

:rimshot

[Kitsa]

I've found that I utterly stopped caring about the playoffs. I just checked NHL to see if they were still going, that's how meh I am right now.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

yeah, me too. I really hate the Hurricanes and Redwings. If they both end up in the finals I'm done with hockey till next year.

[Colonel Flagg]

NHL = No Hope Left

[Kitsa]

yeah, I just completely stopped following it.

On our way back from Wisconsin yesterday we nearly got run off the road by an SUV with Michigan plates and Redwings crap all over it. I thought, god, even their fans are like that.

I7mekhFTrXM

[Esuohlim]

On our way back from Wisconsin yesterday we nearly got run off the road by an SUV with Michigan plates and Redwings crap all over it. I thought, god, even their fans are like that.

You better believe it >:

lol do you even know what red wings means? gross :x

[Kitsa]

I was always vaguely sure it had something to do with work shoes.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

My friend is moving to Michigan for some Teamster job in a few months. I think he'll be back come winter though.

[Colonel Flagg]

lol do you even know what red wings means? gross :x

Yes, and there's NO NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT, EH? >:

[Kitsa]

Anyway, didn't MattJack make a whole thread about it?

[Colonel Flagg]

Yep, and that's why I said what I said.

MattJack is an edumacator to the masses.

[Tadao]

You better believe it >:

http://www.meltyourfaceoff.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/cameron.jpg

[Kitsa]

heh heh heh.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

I missed the OT of the Blackhawks game yesterday because I was folding laundry. I didn't realize the Stanley Cup was going to just be a rehash of last year. :(

Someone let me know how this turns out.

[Esuohlim]

http://www.meltyourfaceoff.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/cameron.jpg

Dude I need a Gordie Howe jersey now :(

Also anyone else besides me still watching the playoffs? :rolleyes :rolleyes

[Kitsa]

HANDS UP WHO OTHER THAN MILHOUSE GIVES A RAT'S ASS ABOUT THE REDWINGS

[Colonel Flagg]

(sound of chirping crickets)

[Kitsa]

all we really need for the total death of hockey would be for Crosby and Ovechkin to somehow wind up on the Redwings.

Then the whole hockey-universe would implode in a collapse of overrated masturbatory nonsense, because the concentration of over-hyped jerkoffs would simply be too great. It has something to do with a hypothetical newtonian dark star of assholery. But that's just my working theory.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Can we get Avery traded there too? Pretty please.

[Kitsa]

sure, why the hell not.

[Colonel Flagg]

Edit - probably redundant ....

[Esuohlim]

We need the Red Wings in order to balance out the Lions. :(

[Dommin]

It's all about the Sens. Despite the fact they didn't even make it to the cup. GO SENS.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

We need the Red Wings in order to balance out the Lions. :(

I feel the same way :(

I wish I could trade some Bills defenseman and get some good Sabres defenseman.

[Kitsa]

my favorite player just got traded to the Sens :(

[Colonel Flagg]

This one is for you, Kitsa.

I7GA-_KRBo4

[Kitsa]

Heh. You hardly ever see a goalie-fight, but when you do, Roy is a consistent factor :)
ZekSbe28FAc

I dunno, the Redwings are just like the freaking Cobra-Kai to me. It's so weird and unlikely that you'd have such a huge collection of absolute dicks in one place.

I also spent much of last night wondering if Mike Babcock was wearing makeup. The upper and lower halves of his face, the color was different.

[Kitsa]

btw, remember this one? Umberger plays for the Jackets now, of course.

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1685178

[RaNkeri]

I don't hate the redwings, i hate the fucking fans

[Kitsa]

I'll stick with my policy of hating them both. My opinion of the fans was better before that freaking redwing-mobile practically ran us off the road.

[Tadao]

How is Hitch working out for you? ;)

[Kitsa]

I know him affectionately as Eeyore.

[Tadao]

Hahahahahaha

[Colonel Flagg]

Heh. You hardly ever see a goalie-fight, but when you do, Roy is a consistent factor :)

My main reason for posting that was to show Osgood getting his ass handed to him. He didn't "do everything right" this time. Dickhead.

btw, remember this one? Umberger plays for the Jackets now, of course.

Remember it? RJ was one of my favorite Flyboys. Brian Campbell must DIE! >: (Unless he gets traded to the Flyers.)

[Kitsa]

Not this last game, but the one before...they had one of those little studio-interview asides with Osgood. He was throwing out gems like, "I'm really spectacular when I need to be." I mean, it's almost like old-school WWF villain shit, saying all the douchebag things, but I think he really believes it.

Someone on some forum said that whenever Osgood gets really cocky, that's when he crashes hard. And you know if someone on some forum says it, it must be true.

Anyway, after last night at least it won't be a sweep.

[Colonel Flagg]

The only way this series would be satisfying to me is if it went to game 7, and the game went into so many OT's that they finally had to suspend it and call the series a tie. So nobody would win. :D

[Tadao]

What was the deal with the Penguins last night. Those early penalties were just plan stupid.

[ZeldaQueen]

Bah, bad night... :(

The goalie was pretty sucky.

[Tadao]

Hey ZQ, what's your prediction for tonight's game?