Thrashers Olympic update and other quick shots
Just a couple of quickie notes here as we are now almost a week into this Olympic break…
First off… an update on some of the Thrashers players who are playing for their counties Olympic team in Vancouver. Toby Enstrom assisted on Mattias Ohlund’s second period goal as Sweden downed Germany 2-0 Wednesday night. Tuesday night Maxim Afinogenov assisted on Russia’s fourth goal on the way to an 8-2 thumping of Latvia. Max was credited with the secondary helper when Evgeni Malkin scored in the second period. Ilya Kovalchuk has the primary assist.
Oh, and I guess technically speaking, I should also mention Ilya Nikulin’s assist on Danis Zaripov’s goal that opened the scoring for Russia.
Today’s action will see team USA, who bet the Swiss 3-1 in their first game, taking on Norway…who was thumped 8-0 by Canada Tuesday afternoon. Russia will play Slovakia and Canada will match up against Switzerland.
USA woman’s hockey team…fresh off it’s 13-0 beat down of Russia 13-0 and their 12-1 pasting of China…will play Finland’s ladies today as well. Our gals have outscored their opponents 25-1 and will now be going up against a Finnish team that Beat China 2-1 and Russia 5-1.
Yes…I’m quite tired of the “Thrashers sold and moving to Winnipeg” yammering. Folks…it’s a fabricated story that was posted up on a Classic Rock station in western Canada. Period. It holds about as much credibility as if the guys from Dave FM posted up two lines on their website about Ted Turner buying the NBA Toronto Raptors and moving them to a city that lost their professional basketball team years ago…you know, like Buffalo, NY.
So…don’t give it any more attention then it deserves.
I’m currently working on a couple feature stories on Thrashers TV personalities Darrin Eliot and Matt McConnell. I had the chance to sit down with the two a couple weeks ago and hope you’ll enjoy reading about them and their thoughts on the team as much as I did chatting with them
If you are looking for a place to watch the USA vs. Canada game on Sunday, I hope you’ll join me at TJs on Holcomb Bridge to view it. NBC has chosen not to air the match…going with figure skating instead…but it will be on MSNBC.
And finally…just a reminder about the Party Bus that will take fans to the March 20th games when the Flyers are in town. The bus will depart from TJs at 5:00 and return there after the game. Along the way, prizes and drinks will be served up as well as great times with fellow Thrashers fans.
Contact Karin Beckman at 404-878-3781 or e-mail her at Karin.Beckman@atlantaspirit.com for more information.
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189 comments Add your comment
Bob
February 18th, 2010
9:44 am
What time is the USA – Canada game on?
Russian
February 18th, 2010
9:50 am
Game at 7:45PM
sisu
February 18th, 2010
9:57 am
I think it is a lot of fun to see the Olympic hockey games. Much better than All Star games!
GaVaHokie
February 18th, 2010
10:02 am
I’m ready to see some good Olympic match-ups , instead of these lobsided opening affairs.
GaVaHokie
February 18th, 2010
10:03 am
Oh, and I guess technically speaking, I should also mention Ilya Nikulin’s assist on Danis Zaripov’s goal that opened the scoring for Russia.
eh, screw the technicalities… no need to mention that putz.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2010
10:15 am
Who won the battle of Czech-o-Slovakia?? C’mon Bill, that’s lazy reporting!
It was 1 to 1 when I drifted off to sleep. I think I recall that Hossa guy setting up Gaborik with a sick feed for the one-timer. The line of Marian is pretty damn good. Anyone realize Marcel (Marcel!) Hossa is leading the KHL in goals scored? Yeah, THAT’S a quality league. j/k
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 18th, 2010
10:22 am
Somebody fill me in-why did Ilya Nikulin never come to the Thrashers?
NBA in Buffalo-yeah Bill, I remember when the Buffalo Braves left town. They were behind the 8-ball to begin with. Sabres and Braves came into existance the same time. The Sabres took control of The Aud, since they were awarded their franchise before the Braves. Braves never had their choice of play dates, so they got stuck with Tuesdays and Fridays, the same nights as high school basketball. Other reasons for their demise, but that was the biggest.
Anyway, we had Bob McAdoo.
J(Z)
February 18th, 2010
10:23 am
Can you get McConnell to eliminate “Missed the mark” from his vocabulary????? Please?????
Smoothie
February 18th, 2010
10:33 am
Matty really likes the word “carom” as well. In fact, the puck is seemingly in a constant state of “caroming” around the rink when he’s at a game and talking about it.
Mark
February 18th, 2010
10:40 am
Atlanta has over 5 million people in the metro area. Manitoba, the province Winnipeg is located, has 1/5 that population and little more than 700,000 in in the Winnipeg metro area (if you can call it that).
Yeah they’re gonna move the team there…
Bluenote
February 18th, 2010
11:04 am
First lacrosse scrimmage for my deduction tonight, but I will drop in after that epic battle is settled.
Save me a seat at TJs tonight….and a few of those bluecheesy chips
GaVaHokie
February 18th, 2010
11:06 am
Pirate… because of money… I believe the rules require Nikulin to play on an entry level contract the first year. The KHL pays him millions… He only wanted a one year agreement to play with Atlanta, making him UFA after that year. He’s good friends with Ovechkin, and we can’t risk him leaving after year one and signing with Washington.
One other, lesser non-issue, is he wouldn’t accept a two-way contract with the Wolves.
All in all, he’s used the NHL to leverage more money out of the KHL… he’s done this twice… it’s essentially the opposite of what Kovalchuk is going to do this summer. Kovy will use the KHL to leverage more money out of the NHL.
I wish we had traded Nikulin’s rights a long time ago.
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
11:06 am
Bob - 7:30-ish is game time…but many of us will gather earlier that afternoon to watch Russia play CZE.
Smoothie – CZE 3 – SVK 1
Mark – Exactly!
Bluenote – The Canada vs. USA game viewing party will be Sunday night…but I’m sure you they’ll have tonight’s game on as well should you happen by there.
Russ
February 18th, 2010
11:37 am
“It holds about as much credibility as if the guys from Dave FM posted up two lines on their website about Ted Turner buying the NBA Toronto Raptors and moving them to a city that lost their professional basketball team years ago…you know, like Buffalo, NY.”
Or as much credibility as anything that comes out of DW’s mouth.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
February 18th, 2010
11:54 am
Thanks-GaVa
Bluenote
February 18th, 2010
11:59 am
Thanks for the clarification.
My powers of misunderstanding appear to be limitless this week!
Trash
February 18th, 2010
12:00 pm
Why has JP Dellacamera disappeared from the scene ?? Anyone ?
Alan R.
February 18th, 2010
12:20 pm
Why has JP Dellacamera disappeared from the scene ?? Anyone ?
Covering Soccer for ESPN.
Tony C.
February 18th, 2010
12:20 pm
Trash: he signed a nice deal with ESPN to do MLS games (which is his preferred sport to call).
Colin
February 18th, 2010
12:21 pm
The Thrashers are moving to winnipeg, it has been confirmed by people high up in the moose org, (part owned by the richest man in canada) thrashers get 13000 a game with a city of 5 million. manitoba moose get 9000 with city of 800 000. when jets left winnipeg drew 13500 a game. city has grown, dollar is up, and we now and financial support (city used to own the building).
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
12:34 pm
Colin – Come back on March 5 and tell us why the “big announcement” didn’t happen.
Colin
February 18th, 2010
12:48 pm
meanwhile check these out
http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/31/hockey-values-09_Atlanta-Thrashers_317422.html
Alan R.
February 18th, 2010
12:52 pm
The Thrashers are moving to winnipeg.
Nice attempt. Try harder next time, though.
James Brown
February 18th, 2010
1:05 pm
The Gwinnett Gladiators have a bigger pool of people to pull from than Winnipeg does………….What does advertising go for there on a televised hockey game? Laughable!
Red Light
February 18th, 2010
1:08 pm
A good piece here by John Manasso. Interesting reading! http://yankeewhistles.blogspot.com/2010/02/idea-of-thrashers-move-is-laughable.html
Alright, we’re all getting a bit tired of the RELO nonsense. So, I compiled a few tidbits for everyone to consider. Hope you don’t mind Rawhide!
A Tale of Seven NHL Cities
While attendance in Atlanta has declined, the drop during the past four seasons isn’t as significant as Colorado, and like most have pointed out, frustration with management seems to rule the day. But there is no question that a few consecutive playoff appearances will/could help curb the decline and a significant positive spike will/could occur. I think the biggest question is whether or not a significant number of disenfranchised fans will return with playoff appearances if the ASG and Waddell remain involved. I think we all know where each of us stands on the matter, but I think it’s worth exploring.
I took a look at the correlation between winning and losing, using attendance figures and standings since 2003-04 season to the present. In two cases (Pitts and Wash), winning certainly matters. In one instance (NJ) it simply doesn’t matter because they have their core fans, nothing more and nothing less, and that market is very similar to Nashville, Long Island and Florida with no significant spikes either way. In Colorado, despite three of five playoff appearances, attendance has steadily declined by nearly 4,400 per game since the 2005-06 season. In Columbus, they are off a few thousand during the past three seasons and last year’s playoff appearance hasn’t helped. Winning doesn’t cure all ills, but it can’t hurt in Atlanta.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Winning and star power matters
2004 11,877 15th in Eastern Conference
2006 15,804 The Crosby Era begins, Fleury arrives
2007 16,424 The Malkin Era Begins
2008 17,076 Stanley Cup Finals
2009 16,975 Stanley Cup Champions
2010 17,066 4th in Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals
Winning does matter!
2004 14,720 14th in Eastern Conference
2006 13,905 14th in Eastern Conference Ovechkin and Green Arrive
2007 13,929 14th in Eastern Conference Semin Arrives
2008 15,472 1st in Southeast Division Backstrom Arrives, Boudreau Hired
2009 18.097 2nd in Eastern Conference Varlamov arrives
2010 18,277 1st in Eastern Conference
New Jersey Devils
Winning doesn’t have the desired affect on attendance
2004 15,059 6th in Eastern Conference
2006 14,230 1st in Atlantic Division
2007 14,176 2nd in Eastern Conference
2008 15,564 4th in Eastern Conference
2009 15,790 3rd in Eastern Conference
2010 14,972 2nd in Eastern Conference
Atlanta Thrashers
Frustration sets in!
2004 15,121 10th in Eastern Conference
2006 15,550 Tied 9th in Eastern Conference
2007 16,240 1st in Southeast Division
2008 15,831 14th in Eastern Conference
2009 14,626 13th in Eastern Conference
2010 13,203 11th in Eastern Conference
Florida Panthers
Futility hasn’t hurt attendance
2004 15,936 11th in Eastern Conference
2006 16,014 10th in Eastern Conference
2007 15,370 12th in Eastern Conference
2008 15,436 11th in Eastern Conference
2009 15,621 9th in Eastern Conference
2010 15,127 12th in Eastern Conference
New York Islanders
Always at or near the bottom regardless of standings
2004 13,693 8th in Eastern Conference
2006 12,609 12th in Eastern Conference
2007 12,886 8th in Eastern Conference
2008 13,640 13th in Eastern Conference
2009 13,373 15th in Eastern Conference
2010 12,500 12th in Eastern Conference
Colorado Avalanche
Steady attendance decline despite 3 of 5 playoff appearances
2004 18,007 4th in Western Conference
2006 18,007 7th in Western Conference
2007 17,612 9th in Western Conference
2008 16,842 6th in Western Conference
2009 15,429 15th in Western Conference
2010 13,610 6th in Western Conference
Red Light
February 18th, 2010
1:08 pm
I simply don’t know how to use the bold feature on my computer. Help me Trixie!
kracker
February 18th, 2010
1:10 pm
I’ll try to make TJ’s for USA-Canada. It’s played on Sunday, I see. I missed the B’hawks game there, down with a cold.
Colin's anus
February 18th, 2010
1:11 pm
Whinny-peg Thrashers….
kracker
February 18th, 2010
1:12 pm
Looks like you did real good with the bold, Red Light! lol
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
February 18th, 2010
1:15 pm
Mr. Red Light – I took care of the BOLD issue for you.
Red Light
February 18th, 2010
1:16 pm
You’re the greatest. Thanks. I’m done with the shouting.
Red Light
February 18th, 2010
1:19 pm
For clarification, the rank is where they are in the actual standings, not in attendance. Sorry if it’s confusing.
kracker
February 18th, 2010
1:27 pm
Nice work, Red Light. I think winning will help the attandance here. Winning playoff games, that is.
World Be Free
February 18th, 2010
1:47 pm
Great job Red Light!
Thrashers27
February 18th, 2010
1:53 pm
Anyone know if The Thrashers lose the rights to Nikulin with the passing of this season/calendar year?
kracker
February 18th, 2010
2:15 pm
I know how to get Nikulin to sign. Move Thrashers to KHL. OK, not so funny. Everyone is tired of looking for Nikulin and he’s signed w/ Ak Bars Kazan for a few years anyway.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2010
2:21 pm
Let’s hope so because I’m tired of hearing about a guy who will never come to ATL and prolly not ever to the US either. Instead, let’s be thankful for the future: Kulda, Postma and Vish to go with Ron, Z-Bo, Tobes and Johnny O!
LAC
February 18th, 2010
2:23 pm
I thinkthere needs to be a Press Confrence in Atlanta March 4th.
In attendence ALL owners of the Thrashers, even beau turner… Also Gary Bettman and Bill Daly.
These owners then need to refute all these moving rumors and say WE understand the fans fustration here and NOW realize this and will NOW REALLY do all in our power to put a WINNER
on the ice.
The Commissioner needs to do the same and let EVERYONE know, esp those DUMB canada fans, this team is NOT moving, The owners and us have met and there is NOW a much clearer
understanding of what the Thrashers need to do, to produce a WINNER here once and for all.
IE… If you don’t owners… The NHL Will.
End all this BS and make these owners APPEAR IN PUBLIC all at once to finally show themselves
and tell the Thrasher Fans “WE ARE SORRY FOR HOW WE SCREWED THINGS UP” !
First order of business to turn this mess around, the prompt FIRING of don waddell, that would go a LONG way to show they care and LISTEN to the fans and NOT waddell and his lies !
Badger Bob
February 18th, 2010
2:23 pm
Beautiful work, RedLight. While it shows local market conditions are a big player in most of those cities, winning will be key in ATL with so much competition for sports $.
Let’s throw the following back at the next Canadian whiner who complains about Canadian fans subsidizing southern US NHL teams. There are four members of the Canadian Women’s hockey team (including their leading scorer Meghan Agosta) who hone their skills at US colleges. Women’s college hockey is a beneficiary of Title IX, which basically funnels money from football programs to women’s athletics. So we can say Georgia Bulldog football fans are subsidizing the development of Canadian Olympic hockey players. Perhaps it will at least shut them up for a minute while they digest that…
R. Stroz
February 18th, 2010
2:31 pm
Two of my axioms apply to individuals such as Colin:
1) There’s always an idiot
2) It’s hard to convince an idiot not to be stupid
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
2:49 pm
Confession time. I haven’t really watched very much Olympic hockey. All that’s ever on … is ice dancing, snowboarding, skiing, and curling. I try CNBC and NBC. And I even tried the NHL Network, hoping that might be carrying some live feed. I do have Comcast, so there are those “best of the day” under “2010 Winter Olympics” (ON DEMAND), with which to watch highlights. But in terms of “live” game coverage, I’ve missed quite a bit of it.
Thus far, my impressions of the 2010 Olympics have been good ones, despite the tragedy early on, re: the luger from Georgia (Republic of). Shaun White and Lindsey Vonn have delivered. And if you think Lindsey’s a hottie, SI has about 45 pics of her, as well as a video documenting the photo shoot. And yes, she is topless for several of the shots. (Not bare and exposed, mind you, just topless.)
It reminds me of a joke. A guy’s walking down the strip, bar hopping. He sees a sign, “Topless.” And another that reads, “Bottomless.” Naturally, he’s intrigued and mozies on it. Sure enough, the place was empty.
Smoothie
February 18th, 2010
2:50 pm
Stroz – you forgot one.
Axiom 3) Many idiots reside on the frozen plains of Manitoba outside Winnipeg.
Hockey Biltong
February 18th, 2010
2:51 pm
Taking the high road…..
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m really looking forward to the interview with (Cornell graduate) Darren Eliot. Call me crazy, if you must, but I think Darren is a far better choice of GM than Waddell. Darren Eliot can evaluate talent. And if he’s not sure about salary parameters, Dudley is there to help him. Or, he could hire an accountant, to keep him to a budget.
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
2:55 pm
Rawhide, was the final tally 167-14, concerning the “Glass Half Full vs. Glass Half Empty” poll?
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
LAC – Excellent post…I’d love to see just that happen.
Brendan – Final tally was indeed 167 votes for “Glass Half Full” and “14 votes for “Glass Half Empty.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
3:09 pm
Here’s my top five picks for the olympics:
Gold – Russia
Silver – Canada
Bronze – USA
4th – Sweden
5th – Czech
Badger Bob
February 18th, 2010
3:12 pm
Brendan, msnbc is showing tons of live hockey. Then again, 18-0 and 13-1 games can barely be called hockey, so you haven’t missed much yet. USA has the US-Norway game right now (1-0 4 min utes in on a Kessel goal)
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
3:25 pm
If only I were home, enjoying it! (Yeah, that’s what Tivo is for. I hear ya.)
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
3:27 pm
167-14 is a good sign, Rawhide. Now, if the ownership would just DO SOMETHING to cultivate, rather than tear down, this positive belief in the team ….
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
3:32 pm
Here’s your Lindsey Vonn link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/lindsey-vonn/10_lindsey-vonn_1.html. You can thank me later.
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
3:35 pm
Ladies and gentlemen…I officially place Brandan’s 3:32 pm post into consideration for Comment of the Year!!!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
3:45 pm
**Drooling**
Damn she’s hot!!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
3:46 pm
Brendan – You win buddy!!!!!!!!!!
Schroeder
February 18th, 2010
3:46 pm
Excellent post,well thought out,lucid and IMO spot on topic,I 2nd the motion for post of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kracker
February 18th, 2010
4:04 pm
I think the ‘ayes’ have it! Brendan’s 3:32 post definitely looks like a winner.
World Be Free
February 18th, 2010
4:46 pm
Lee-I agree with youtr picks
Brendan-The Winter Games have lost their luster with me. Get rid of the snowboarding! Ice skaters need to go back to real outfits and and skate more like John Misha Petkovich used to. You know, real figure skating!
I saw Rick Reilly apologized to Canadians for something. He’s such a muss, he belongs in Sports Illustrated and ESPN.
LAC-once again, I gotta agree with you.
LAC
February 18th, 2010
4:47 pm
Brenden, ah…. No, nice but not That nice !!!!
Brad
February 18th, 2010
5:03 pm
how is it that we in Atlanta get 13000 a game in a city of 5 million…….NO ONE LIKES HOCKEY here, let them move!
Red Light
February 18th, 2010
5:06 pm
Anyone can play the sex card Brendan, but when World Be Free lets loose with an obscure John Misha Petkovich reference, you have to be thinking you’re on borrowed time! No self-respecting 12-year-old (at the time) ever forgot JMP skating to the theme song from Leonard Bernstein’s On the Waterfront in Tulsa back in 1970 at the National Figure Skating Championships. JK, I looked him up!
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:26 pm
I’ll accept your testimony, Red Light. By the way, if you want another photogenic Olympian, Clair Bidez simply cannot take a bad photo.
Check this one out: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/clair-bidez/10_clair-bidez_28.html. While you’re there, check out photos #15, 21, 26, 29, and 30. Please note, the red “come-n-get it” boots.
Pic #41 is dedicated to poster Nikita, of whom Clair Bidez is clearly a fan.
And guys, ummn … check out this video of “the making” of the SI photoshoot, for Clair Bidez. Remember the happiness I brought into your lives when they pass the church collection plate this Sunday. Here’s the video link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/clair-bidez/
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:28 pm
Oops, here’s the link to pick #41, for Nikita. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/clair-bidez/10_clair-bidez_41.html
R. Stroz
February 18th, 2010
5:28 pm
Listening to Roenick and Milbury do the commentary on the hockey games is great. Those two mix like oil and water. I’m waiting for Roenick to call Milbury an idiot.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
5:29 pm
LOL shaun white! NBC caught his foul language:
Keene: What do you want to do?
White: I don’t know, man. Ride down the middle?
(Chorus of noes.)
Keene: No, have some fun.
White: Drop a double mick?
Keene: Yeah, drop a double mick at the end. Do whatever you want and [expletive] send that thing. Make sure you stomp the [expletive] out of that thing.
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:30 pm
I’ve just been told I selected the wrong Olympic hottie to feature. Instead, I was supposed to list Lacy Schnoor. Okay, I try to be “fair” about things. Here’s your pic-n-video link:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010_swimsuit/winter/lacy-schnoor/.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
5:38 pm
WHOOOO HOO! Brendan – Who do you think is hotter?
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
5:52 pm
Lee, I’m going to have to go with the snowboarder, Clair Bidez. I’m just such sucker for blue eyes. She’s got a raw sensuality that I like. A-hem, but I feel we’re wandered a bit off topic. Although, rubbin’ my chin, the title of this blog is “Olympic Update … and other quick shots.” And by that, I mean pictures. Yes, that’ll do.
R.Stroz, I don’t know which one is more brash and offbase, Milbury or Roenick. All they’d need is Bret Hull to complete “The Three Stooges” trifecta!
Somaatl95
February 18th, 2010
5:54 pm
Winnipeg needs to STFU about taking our Thrashers and support the team they already have!
http://www.winnipegthrashers.com/
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
WBF, speaking directly from my heart, the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Games were, to me, the best and most memorable, of all Winter Olympics. The image of that little boy carrying the lantern off to Torino moved everyone who saw it. Those Salt Lake City Games were a party that no one wanted to end. For Canadians, of course, it was the end of the 52-year or so drought from the Olympic Ice Hockey Gold Medal, with their 5-2 win over the United States.
I’d be lying, WBF, if I said I didn’t enjoy the Torino Games. I thought they were good, too. But I think these recent Summer Games, in Beijing, were just so striking and memorable, that it’s hard to imagine anything topping it. But, I must admit, that I always have, and probably always will prefer the Winter Games.
Now, I’ll certainly agree with you that ice dancing and figure skating are highly subjective events. But really, I don’t feel the quality and feel of them has too terribly eroded over time. The biggest blemish is, to me, the Jeff Galooly incident, involving Tanya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. But that’ll always be the “blackest, bleakest moment” in skating history. I don’t think we’ll see anything like that again.
I’m partial to the “free skate” at the end, where the skaters are no longer in competition, just free to skate to anything they’d like and show off their personalities. I like watching the Olympic skaters just cutting loose and having fun.
WBF, I’ll freely admit … right here, right now … that I’m a Tanith Belbin fan. I think Sports Illustrated dropped the ball, err, fanned on the puck, by not picking her for a pictorial and video. Who knows? Maybe they did ask, but she politely declined? All I know is … she considers Atlanta to be “home,” and well … it wouldn’t matter to me where she chose to live, but I’m glad she’s representing Atlanta.
Badger Bob
February 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
“LOL shaun white! NBC caught his foul language” Lee, as your transcript shows, it was his coach, not him, with the foul language, so lay off the Flying Tomato. Whether you like boarding or not, he’s in a league of his own and has my admiration for constantly reinventing the sport.
And please, please don’t harrass NBC about language on the live feed – the halfpipe was about the only thing they showed live last night and we don’t want to scare them off of showing any live Olympics.
Somaatl95 – good link!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
6:12 pm
Hopefully in WINnipeg, we will actually WIN
Lee
February 18th, 2010
6:13 pm
Badger Bob – Oooooooooooook…….my bad.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
6:19 pm
Love these classic hockey commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E-m2FIAcws
Colin
February 18th, 2010
6:26 pm
HAHAHa thats junior hockey, we have the ahl manitoba moose tho…..
in other notes, how about the coyotes, loosing more than 300 million since moving from winnipeg.
they are now proposing a tax zone to help pay for the cause…..think the taxpayers will like this?
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/02/15/daily51.html
Ice Daddy
February 18th, 2010
6:34 pm
If you felt the need to include Nikulin, you should probably also include Toby’s 19 year old sister Tina. She’s tearing it up on the women’s side.
Darren
February 18th, 2010
7:42 pm
Pssst. Folks, if you’re sick of dealing with inane rumors, JUST.DON’T.RESPOND.
That is all.
Rawhide
February 18th, 2010
7:55 pm
Ice Daddy – You are correct…thanks for bringing that to our attention.
kracker
February 18th, 2010
8:05 pm
Lee, I like all the old Hockey Falls commercials. They were pre-lockout and never returned afterward. There were at least a dozen of them, probably more.
Here’s one named “Honk!”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef6aYuZ3-NQ
Tony C.
February 18th, 2010
8:10 pm
Also, not rub salt in the wound, but the more I dig, the more I think DW is actually on-point with his assesment of the #17 negotiations; granted Ilya probably did/does like our town, and would’ve liked to spend his entire career here, but with Grossman as his representation-it wasn’t going to happen.
Take a look at this:
http://www.puckagencyllc.com/contractnegotiations.html
And let’s not forget this incident:
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/85104
Anyway, I notice we went from 3 grossman clients, to 1 (Moose)….and something tells me that unless Hedberg flat-out tells Grossman to do a deal with ATL, he’s going to go elsewheres this summer.
I hate defending DW, but I think he really did do all that he could (look at the roster for cryin out loud), and in the end, Grossman or/and #17 just saw the (potential for) big dollar offers set to hit the table this summer.
World Be Free
February 18th, 2010
8:23 pm
Darren-agreed, it’s like ignoring an idiot when you see one.
Brendan, I gotta say if I had to pick between the 2 games, I’d take winter over summer. Oddly enough, I’d take because most of the athletes are hard working relatively humble people who are thankful for the opportunity. Not too many Shaun Whites in this group. I grew up watching Grenoble, Innsbruck (2nd time), Sapporo and best of all, the Lake Placid Games. I can still remember when somebody leaned out the door at work and told me the USA just beat the Russians 4-3.
I was in Oslo a few years back; you can see the ski jump from the 1952 Olympics up on the hill. We took a ride up the hill and I stood under the jump. Can’t believe anyone would be so stupid as to ski jump! I just have a real problem with the IOC these days. Too much politics and that fact taint my view of the games altogether NBC’s coverage really bothers me, it has no continuity. They don’t have a Jim McKay to bring it all together.
Can’t wait for the real hockey to start. Just wondering how all these stars are going to fair in big games. Some of these guys are going to be out of their element because they won’t have as much ice time as they are accustom to. As a player, you have your game thrown off if your ice time is cut from 28 to 20 minutes per game. They may get accustom to it by the medal round.
Thank you Red Light!
For catching on to my John Misha Petkovich reference. I learned to respect figure skating watching JMP; he was my mother’s favorite skater of all time and a darn good one. JMP wasn’t concerned with putting on a show for scores, he was an entertainer on ice. And he never wore fur either!
Lee
February 18th, 2010
8:35 pm
kracker – lol, “Well….maybe you’re just….colorblind!”
Viking
February 18th, 2010
8:57 pm
2-2 Canada Switzerland after 2 periods!
I do not know if this is dampening the Canadian loudmouths, but they should start to get a little worried…
Tony C.
February 18th, 2010
8:59 pm
Also, for fun this guy’s page is Golden!
http://intenttoblow.com/?p=278
Just a sample-read the Ovechkin story if you need a good laugh.
Lee
February 18th, 2010
9:25 pm
Canada SHOULD be winning and Switerzerland SHOULD be losing…..but
I’m not a traitor, because I think USA is a great country, and has a good team….but when you compare it with Russia and Canada….they embarass themselves.
Viking
February 18th, 2010
9:25 pm
Still 2-2!
Go Switzerland!!!
Viking
February 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
With little more than 5 minutes left Babcock looks really worried and Crosby is tendering his bloody nose.
Stendec is it still no chance in hell Russia will not win the gold?
Viking
February 18th, 2010
9:42 pm
OT!
kracker
February 18th, 2010
9:53 pm
WOW Shootout!!
Viking
February 18th, 2010
10:01 pm
Canada should be really happy they have Brodeur.
kracker
February 18th, 2010
10:02 pm
Crosby! bah
Brendan
February 18th, 2010
10:57 pm
I hope Canada REALIZES what a bullet it just dodged. I can’t ever say enough about Jonas Hiller. The Anaheim Ducks know how to cultivate goalie prospects.
SavannahBlue
February 18th, 2010
11:57 pm
Olympic hockey is fantastic. The officials make you earn your penalties and even then, some go uncalled. It sure is nice to not see a penalty called for tapping the puck-carrier on the hip with your stick. Is interference even a penalty in international hockey? The Swiss tried to rearrange Crosby’s face with two high sticks of which neither were called. I just wish they could fight without getting a game misconduct because there have been a few questionable hits.
fes
February 19th, 2010
12:17 am
Slovakia vs Russia is on CNBC
stendec
February 19th, 2010
12:58 am
USA will lose to Canada on Sunday then upset the overrated home jerks in the gold medal matchup. Home skaters will get plenty of home cooking calls from officials. Hearing that sorry sack of shet Ilya “Never Play Defense” Kovalchuk talk about defense made me want to vomit! What an overrated piece of commode residue! Russia or Slovakia? Hate Maryann Hosebag of Slovakia. Hate IK more! GO SLOVAKIA. ++STENDEC++ Still do not think damn Russian bestards have a chance in Hell at gold! Canada was lucky as Hell to defeat Switzerland in shootout. Hate that son of a betch Cindy Crosby! IK chokes on power play again. Where have I heard THAT before? Damn Russians scored! F#ck the scumbags.
StateBird
February 19th, 2010
2:38 am
Thank you Slovakia for making it worth staying up past 2:30. Classic 7 round shootout win which included another IK shootout miss. Russians could have used Slava!
stendec
February 19th, 2010
2:39 am
WAY TO GO SLOVAKIA! F#ck overrated Russia. Ilya “Still Worthless As Ever” Kovalchoke always wanted to be like that Capital guy. Both are completely equal in one aspect. Neither one is worth a shet in shootouts! Marian Hossa? Oh well. Have to take the bittersweet with the sweet. Right Viking? ++STENDEC++
stendec
February 19th, 2010
2:42 am
Well said StateBird. Now get some rest friend. Nighty night. ++STENDEC++
R. Stroz
February 19th, 2010
2:46 am
Slovakia wins!
Kovy’s new name, Ilya “Notworthachuk”.
World Be Free
February 19th, 2010
6:37 am
This stuff always happens in the Olympics. The Candians are the best team, but theyr were sure holding their sticks pretty tight last night. Squeezing the wood, or the composite out of the stick. I guess Russia is not #1A anymore.
The Swiss looked tough, Getzlaf got hammered in the 3rd period by some dude I never heard of.
DWTOO
February 19th, 2010
7:38 am
Man Rawhide – You sure have them stirred up over on Hockeybuzz. Good job!
Great hockey last night. Shame that the Swiss couln’t have pulled that out. Anyone remember Hnat Dominchelli? Canadian playing on the Swiss team. Played a couple years for the Trhashers. We saw him in the Breakaway Grill after practice once – really a decent guy. Took the time to talk and signed the kids hats and jerseys. But, then most hockey players are more approachable than the average athelete.
Tony C.
February 19th, 2010
7:39 am
You know I’d rather see this than the all-star game by a country mile….seriously, just have the skills competition next year and call it a day-THIS is all-star hockey we’re watching right now!
HookyBob
February 19th, 2010
7:46 am
This is a blog late,….but after last night I see some merit in the Olympic way of awarding points for Hockey (not to often do I like the way the IOC does things, either). What do you folks think of 3 points for a win in regulation, 2 for an OT or Shootout win, 1 for an OT or Shootout loss, and 0 for a regulation loss? All games are of equal point value.
Lee & Kracker:,…those are great links. If anyone can find more “Hockey Falls” (remember the 71′ Bruins autographed jacket?) or old ESPN hockey commercials (John LeClair crunching the sound guy in the corner)please post the links.
Go, Red, White & Blue,…….Sunday’s game should be good if,..like the coach in Lee’s link said “Team,..give me 110%.”
World Be Free
February 19th, 2010
7:51 am
Bill, as others have noted, your most recent post on HockeyBuzz is priceless. You are actually being nice here and I appreciate your professional approach. I love it when people that live 3,000 miles away can tell you that you do not deserve something. Let them come down here and try and take it.
GaVaHokie
February 19th, 2010
8:14 am
Here’s something to pass the time… Bleacher Report has the Top 25 Hottest Ice Girls… Thrashers got one mention with Candace.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/347215-25-hottest-ice-girls-of-the-nhl#page/6
Tale of Woe
February 19th, 2010
9:02 am
THE USA / CANADA GAME IS ON AT 4:40PM ON SUNDAY!
Tale of Woe
February 19th, 2010
9:03 am
Just kidding that is pacific time
Russ
February 19th, 2010
10:35 am
Does anyone know the international rules in the shootout with regards to how often the same player can shoot? I noticed in the box score from last night’s game that Ovechkin took 3 out of Russia’s 7 shots. I also remember Toews shooting several times for Canada at the world Juniors a few years back. It almost seems like one player can shoot as much as the coach selects them as long as they don’t shoot back-to-back, maybe??? This seems ridiculous to me because people complain about the NHL version being an individual competition and this is just taking that concept one step further by just relying on a few players regardless how long a shootout goes.
R. Stroz
February 19th, 2010
10:44 am
Russ – The first three shooters must be different. After the first three, the same player(s) can shoot as often as the coach chooses.
A27
February 19th, 2010
11:56 am
This a call to arm’s!!! I just got done reading Rawhide’s blog over at HOCKEYBUZZ and I think all of us who post on here should go to HOCKEYBUZZ and post over there and make strong presence for our team and fan’s and most of all Rawhide. They are really crapping on us over there and it is starting to tick me off. Let’s show those blowhards that we do have passionate fanbase. Thank’s Bill for sticking up for us!!!
Get The Puck Out
February 19th, 2010
12:23 pm
I just don’t think a shootout in olympic hockey is the right way to end the game. Play overtime till someone wins. Period.
Brendan
February 19th, 2010
12:50 pm
Hokie, thanks for the link. I’m not sure I agree with their order of the best ice girls, but it was fun crafting the debate!
stendec
February 19th, 2010
1:30 pm
I am behind you 100 percent Bill! I can be a powerful foe (ask Kari Lehtonen, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa of NHL) but I am also a staunch ally. Give them Hell pal! If they cannot take the retaliation then to Hell with them. Keep on keeping on! ++STENDEC++ How bout those USA hockey women?
stendec
February 19th, 2010
1:38 pm
The Russian coach would have been better off sitting the butts of Ilya “No Shootout Goals Ever” Kovalchuk and Alexander “Great Except In Shootouts” O on the bench during shootouts. AO could have shot for hours without getting one past the goaltender. The Capital is talented but he is definitely no Sidney Crosby when it comes to shootouts! Image if Slava Koslov could be the primary shooter to start things off then continue after the third round until shootout determined. Money in the bank (pucks in the net). Shazam! ++STENDEC++
World Be Free
February 19th, 2010
2:21 pm
A27-I appreciate your enthusiasm concerning the Thrash.
But you can talk to those clowns until you are blue in the face and it’s not going to change anythings. Those people were idiots long before Eklund gave them a chance to spread their stupidity across North America. Frankly, I could give a damn what they think.
Now if you wanted to fly up there and kick some butt, well I’d be happy to join you!
World Be Free
February 19th, 2010
2:24 pm
These are the same people that want to put teams in outposts like Regina, Winnipeg and Quebec City. Love that you are slapping them around Bill.
They all sound like they are about to cry!
Dwayne
February 19th, 2010
2:31 pm
Fast forward to 2014, winter olympics in Russia. NHL says “nyet” on sending “their” hockey players. 2 week shut down too much. Besides AO, who else says..I’m going anyway. Also, whats a workable solution? Call up AHL’ers to fill vacant spots??? i’M GETTING BORED WITH THE WIN-E-PEG RUMORS.
Lee
February 19th, 2010
3:24 pm
This was a qoute by Ilya Notworthabuck:
“I’m excited to return to Atlanta and look forward to getting back on the ice and helping my teammates, … We have a lot of offensive talent and I can’t wait to contribute and help lead this team to the next level”
BAH!
Lee
February 19th, 2010
3:36 pm
Hookybob – Speaking of girls, here’s another commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QDZ2pFhji0
Lee
February 19th, 2010
3:38 pm
LOL I’m….unleashing the FAIRY!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=7957664
NYC
February 19th, 2010
3:49 pm
There’s a relatively easy way to get people to stop bad-mouthing us.
Show up at the games!
Be “loud and proud” as D. Eliot stated during last home game Keys. I honestly believe the crowd willed that tired bunch to a victory. They fed off the energy when they had run low after a long and difficult travel day.
Let’s show up in March and will them to the playoffs!
Loud and proud baby!!
rob
February 19th, 2010
4:07 pm
Quick shots,
Can we get someone to “leak” to Eklund that 1) Waddell has been fired and that 2) ASG, LLC has sold the team to a local buyer and themselves have moved to Winnepeg, where they hope to attempt to destroy another hockey team. Oh wait, he wouldn’t believe that because the fans there wouldn’t even support their national sport.
DWTOO,
I agree with the hockey guys being approachable. I lived in an apartment complex outside Buffalo growing up, and while me and my brother are shooting hockey one day on the tennis courts (couple of tennis balls, plastic goalie pads, and aluminum frame net), this guy comes out and asks if he can shoot with us. Sure another shooter is always good right? Well it was Mal Davis, who played for the Sabres a couple of years before going over to Europe. He lived in the apartments, and there he is, an NHL player, shooting ball hockey with some kids on a tennis court. After that, he gave us a few tickets, and shot around with us from time to time, bringing hockey sticks from players, and a goalie stick since we didn’t have one, and brought over a few of the guys once to shoot around with us. Can you see many other pro sports athletes doing that without some sort of media presence being the reason for it?
NYC,
I agree gotta have a turnout that is VOCAL, both for the players and a change in GM/OWNERSHIP…..Let’s see some tshirts demanding some change, remember Bettmen says he’s monitoring
Russ
February 19th, 2010
4:54 pm
R. Stroz – Thanks for the clarification on the shootout rules.
kracker
February 19th, 2010
9:11 pm
Rob, That’s a nice story about the Buffalo players shooting tennis balls around with you kids on the apartment tennis courts. Like you said, not a photo opp, just some guys befriending some young fans. Nice. Hey, I bet whoever played goalie really appreciated getting a goalie stick!
LAC
February 19th, 2010
9:17 pm
After reading this lateest episode of ‘As The Spirit Crumbles” , Really just how much longer
can this dysfunctional group survive. Think about it ?
They have ruined the hockey product, continue to fight Belkin, and lose more and more money ?
I guess beau turner is asking Uncle Ted for help I am sure…
This Monkey show has to stop, these people are NOT professional and show what a bunch of
rich guys with only book smarts and degree’s and NO commom sense, have done to the NHL in Atlanta. They have no idea what to do and the man they “trust” most… Well that says it all.
I bet there is not a person on this blog who would keep waddell as GM if THEY owned the team, If I did, he’s first out the door.
When is Gary bettman going to step in and end the spirit group’s ruining the Thrashers ?????????
Lee
February 19th, 2010
9:46 pm
Bettman doesn’t give a crap ’bout the Thrashers….but at the same time….WHO DOES?
LAC
February 19th, 2010
10:38 pm
Hey lee, go away back to your world of nothing and let the REAL Hockey fans run this blog.
Who gives a $hit about college football, I’d rather watch reruns of Leave it To Beaver, than that CRAP !
Dwayne
February 20th, 2010
10:14 am
Hillary Duff and Mike Comrie are engaged. Now that is news worthy.
Nikita (in PA)
February 20th, 2010
11:04 am
Get a life, Lee.
Also, LAC, what else do you expect them to do? He owes them money and is dragging out the payment. I suppose they should just let him?
I like the 3 points for every game model. The current model doesn’t treat all games the same, and it should.
Flagstaff
February 20th, 2010
12:17 pm
This is kind of random… and I’m sorry if it’s already been brought up, or if it’s blatantly obvious… but has anyone else noticed the numbers on the Czech jerseys? Other than color, they’re just like the Thrashers’ numbers!
kracker
February 20th, 2010
12:48 pm
10 more days until March 2nd
((
kracker
February 20th, 2010
1:51 pm
First ever AHL outdoor hockey match (Binghamton vs Syracuse) on NHL Network right now. Alexander Picard just scored for Syracuse at about 7 minutes in the 1st.
Lee
February 20th, 2010
3:15 pm
Oh…so I’m the one that needs to get a life? Hello? Wasting my time watching a suckish team is not a plus for me and my life, I’m sorry, but it’s not. Bettman’s a idiot, he doesn’t care about the thrashers. REAL hockey fans watch REAL hockey, but I’m not sure if you can count atlanta thrashers hockey REAL hockey.
DJ Thrash
February 20th, 2010
3:21 pm
I love Olmpic Hockey so much better than NHL. It has a special feel that’s so much more different from the NHL, AHL, etc. It’s almost as if each of the 12 teams is an all-star team. They play with passion too, it’s almost like college hockey.
Game is on: Norway vs. Switzerland
Lee
February 20th, 2010
3:23 pm
LAC – I never was even directing to you about Gary Bettman, It was just my opinion. Gosh.
kracker
February 20th, 2010
5:21 pm
Belkin is a total sleaze ball. If he’d pay all the back money he owes, the Spirit Group could afford better players. At least he has to pay up $2M by Thursday so hopefully we will be acquiring help at the trade deadline for the playoff push.
rob
February 20th, 2010
5:41 pm
Anyone see the Swiss goal where the guy bounces the puck off the ice, bats it into the air on his forehand, and then swats it out of the air into the net for a goal on the backhand!!!!!!! DAM!!!! That should be a highlight reel for A LONG TIME!!!
Paminski
February 20th, 2010
5:50 pm
They didn’t mean the Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg. They meant Thrahsers are moving toward WINNING. Ok, maybe it was neither.
DWTOO – Good to see you at TJ’s for the Chicago game.
Lee
February 20th, 2010
6:05 pm
rob – Two things: 1) Yes, I saw it, GREAT goal. 2) Damn is D-A-M-N not DAM.
Hockey Biltong
February 20th, 2010
6:18 pm
dam dam dam dam you bloody twit…
Lee
February 20th, 2010
7:12 pm
BAH!
R. Stroz
February 20th, 2010
11:32 pm
Does curling remind anyone else of a game of marbles?
Praveen
February 21st, 2010
12:02 am
Here is an interesting item in the PG about Kovulcheck’s mediocre play
http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10051/1037311-123.stm
I personally think even Malkin han’t looked that great either. BUt Kovvulchuck has looked pretty mediocre.
Tom
February 21st, 2010
3:07 am
Stroz, don’t talk bad about marbles like that.
Lee
February 21st, 2010
8:26 am
I personally don’t like curling, it’s really slow and long. It reminds me of an extremely long bowling game on ice.
rob
February 21st, 2010
9:07 am
1) i understand how it is spelled, really i do, and 2) didn’t want it to get stuck with Trixie, and 3) thanks biltong! LMAO USA/Canada better be a great game today!!! Olympics can be over after that game as far as I am concerned….ready to get back to the Thrashers playing hockey again……Any news on if Zach went to maybe clear his head and get some assistance?
World Be Free
February 21st, 2010
9:13 am
Lee, Cruling is like Shuffleboard on ice.
Shuffleboard is reserved for people 75 and over, whch is why Curling is SO boring!
People will show up if the product warrants them buying tickets. People here and in Canada seem to his the point about getting their monies worth.
NYC-it’s really not anyone’s business who shows up for the games. Truthfully, if fans in Toronto want to blow their horn, let’s find explain why attendence at Blue Jays games is so bad. Toronto is trying to hijack the Bills from Buffalo but can’t sell out one Bills’ game in Toronto/year. Hamilton has failed to support numerous franchises. Montreal didn’t support the Expos for a generation.
DWTOO-great story, Mal Davis was a little guy who had a GREAT wrist shot. I lived in Williamsville right near the Pepsi Center, ran into Paul Cyr, Andrechuk and Barasso on a regular basis. Barasso was actually a pretty good guy, gotta a bad rap.
Lubos Bartecko sighting at the Slovaka/Belarus game! Somebody needs to buy his original game Jersey in the Thrashers store.
Lee
February 21st, 2010
9:20 am
WBF – Thanks. Who in hell could come up with a sport like that?
Tom
February 21st, 2010
9:45 am
If you want to understand the dynamics of a non traditional hockey market, it is here in a nutshell.
“With Anze Kopitar finally establishing himself as a true No. 1 center, Drew Doughty refusing to play like the 20-year-old he is and Ryan Smyth adding his grit and veteran leadership, the Kings are a mounting force in the NHL’s Western Conference. Their growth hasn’t been lost on their recently diminishing fan base; they’ve returned in droves over the past weeks including Saturday’s raucous sellout crowd that witnessed Los Angeles’ whitewash of the Avalanche that punctuated their pre-Olympic schedule with an exclamation point.
The Kings’ fan base has suffered from a severe inferiority complex over the past decade. Few playoff appearances, refusal of big name free agent to the join the team and uninspired on ice play left most of KingsNation wondering if bright days would ever return again. When the hot start that saw the Kings sit in the uneasy position of first overall in the conference faded in late November, most of the faithful thought they had been deceived by a mirage. The Kings stabilized their ship and even threw in a franchise record nine games winning streak to boot, setting the stage for rampant speculation that Kovalchuk, a legitimate crown jewel, would be added by Lombardi before the pre-Olympic roster freeze.”
From The Fourth Period http://www.thefourthperiod.com/columnists/bernstein100218.html
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:01 am
These curling games have been good. Yes, they are long and drawn out, but their outcomes have, mostly, been in doubt. These matches keep going into the “11th end.” It’s to the point where, I think all curling matches go 11 ends. The sport has great terms, the “the rock,” the “the hammer,” “guards.” Sounds like a prison break!
R. Stroz
February 21st, 2010
10:10 am
Brendan – And Eric Christensen’s nickname was Crusher, sometimes names can’t cover the truth.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:12 am
Tom, I have absolutely praised the Los Angeles kings “slow build” method. It’s tough to do, in a world that demands immediate gratification. But what do I always preach?
1. Patience.
2. Slow build. It’s a PROCESS. It’s a concept.
3. Use what the draft gives you – Don’t trade for players who don’t want to be here.
4. Don’t look for the “quick fix” free agent solutions.
5. Don’t make moves in desperation, use moderation and restraint.
6. Free agency is for ‘tweaking’ the roster, not OVERHAULING it
7. Don’t give away the store at the trade deadlines
8. Have an Identity – that’s the job of the GM, who then hires a coach to run it.
9. Play that system – make sure all the players buy into it. Trade those who won’t.
10. Don’t compromise on #1-9. The result? The Los Angeles, six years later. That’s how long they’ve been building. And now, they sit on the precipice of a legitimate 3-5 window for winning the Cup. It’s what can happen is you DON’T LET THE MEDIA dictate how you run your franchise.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:14 am
R.Stroz, point well taken. Why just at breakfast, I was looking at a product called “Grapenuts.” I opened it up. No grapes. No nuts. So, what’s the story there?
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:24 am
WBF, my Aunt lived on Brighton. (I honestly have no idea where that is. She has since moved to Grand Island.) Anywho, she once took me to the “Cider Mill,” and we had awesome cider. Then walked over to a place called, “Sweet Jenny’s,” where I had the best chocolate in my life. (We had pizza at a place called, “Santora’s???”) There’s library nearby, with a park, that is really very picturesque. I guess they hold an annual festival there. I told Auntie the place was really very charming. So, she said, “let’s go see the waterfall.” And there was another ajoining park with a very nice waterfall and … reaction area. Ducks and Canadian geese everywhere. Reminded my of the pond/creek area near where I grew up. In any event, I believe the name of the town we were in was called “Williamsville.” I want to say, off Main St. I’m thinking that … you might be familiar with it. At the other end of Main St., were the bars, including Frank and Theresa’s Anchor Bar, the famous one with the chicken wings. Along Main St. were ice cream shops named, “Friendly’s.” That’s right, “Friendly’s ice cream.” And I thought, as opposed to “Meanie’s ice cream?”
World Be Free
February 21st, 2010
10:26 am
Lee-looks pretty Canadian, kinda like bowling. You toss your rock then go have a beer. All they need is jerseys with their first names on the front.
Tom-the LA Kings suffer the same problems as the Thrashers-being in a 4 sport pro town + competing with college sports. They are on the 6th or 7th page of the sports page, just like Atlanta. Hockey is not the focus in either city. Hockey coverage in Atlanta on radio and TV is non-existent.
Brendan-you have hit the nail right on the head regarding the Kings, as usual. Lived in Buffalo for 30 years and saw alotta Curling Saturday afternoons on Canadian TV, so I am over any interest in Curling. I’d be more interested if they dropped their rocks and brooms and duked it out in the 11th end, ey?
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:37 am
R.Stroz, I was just watching the “Winter Classic” between Buffalo and Pittsburgh, and saw that Christensen was Pittsburgh’s first shooter. At the time, Colby Armstrong was on the Penguins.
Maybe it’s because they’ve just showed the LAK vs. the NYR from Vegas, the Montreal-Edmonton game, from Edmonton, Buffalo-Pittsburgh, from Ralph Wilson Stadium, and now Chicago-Detroit, from Wrigley Field, but my interest is outdoor games has now reached a saturation point. And yes, I did catch some of that AHL game between Syracuse and Binghampton.
The late Brendan Burke’s team, Miami of Ohio, has won the CCHA this year. They are wearing a commemorate patch in Burke’s honor. I also imagine they are dedicating the remainder of the season to him, as well. You’ll perhaps recall that Miami University was one of the “darlings” of last Year’s NCAA tournament, along with Bemidji State (it’s in Minnesota). These two schools were ranked 13th and 15th, I believe, yet met in the FROZEN FOUR, in the biggest moment of either school’s history. Miami did win, and advanced to the National Championship. Leading 3-1, with 1:03 left in the tournament, the #1 ranked team all year, the Boston University Terriers, rallied for two (2) late goals to force overtime. And about 11 minutes in, BU won the National title, completing an enormous choke by upstart Miami. But, Miami really had nothing for which to be ashamed. They were the #13 team in the field. If you asked them, at the beginning of the tournament, “How would you feel about being in the National Championship Game, in overtime, with the next goal for all the marbles?,” they would have likely jumped up and down for the opportunity. If Miami University can even get back to the Frozen Four, it’d be huge for their program. If Miami University won the national title this year, Leafs GM Brian Burke would probably break down and cry, while donating his entire year’s salary to the program, in gratitude.
Lee
February 21st, 2010
10:37 am
Anyone watch Super G last night? I’ll tell you, Lindsey Vonn didn’t get gold, she got bronze.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:47 am
WBF, I was just saying that, “curling would be way better if it were a FULL CONTACT sport.” As in, you run “pick plays,” try to deflect rocks as they tossed, towards the button. The brooms would not allowed to be used for sweeping, but instead, would be used for “boxing out” to let the rock pass through. And that, yes, there’s be hooking and holding penalties, too. With the occassional fight breaking out.
If Curling were like that, it’d be a truly awesome sport.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:53 am
Lee, I saw it. Lindsey Vonn went CONSERVATIVE, not taking any major chances to improve her time. It cost her a silver. She wound up taking bronze. And in her interview, afterwards, she said, “Well, hindsight being 20/20, I should have more aggressively attacked the course. But the method I used did result in another medal. So, I can’t complain about that.”
Yes, you could, Lindsey. You left your BEST effort on the Super G for another day. When … I can’t help but notice, that the event is occurring … AT … THE … OLYMPICS. Allright. Enough of that. If she’s happy with her bronze, then goody for her. The other athletes left NOTHING on the table, went for broke, not wanting to live with any regrets over effort, or what might have been. It’s four more LONG YEARS for next Super G event, at the Olympics.
World Be Free
February 21st, 2010
10:57 am
Brendan-that would make it “funner” that the current version!
Smoothie
February 21st, 2010
11:41 am
Goodness gracious this blog needs Thrashers hockey to resume; it can’t happen fast enough. Let’s hope the US men’s team can win at least 1 of 2 and advance to a quarter-final game. Better yet would be a win tonite but I have a bad feeling about tonite. Hope I’m wrong.
Brendan – I agree with your points on how to build a team but it was Dealin’ Donnie’s trades that ruined this franchise. It wasn’t till after the lockout in which he started signing every 32 or 33 y/o FA available like Bondra, Mell, Holik, Modry etc. Seems like he couldn’t resist making deal after deal after deal to acquire talent. Some worked (Savard, Hossa and deVries) but most failed to address the team’s lack of identity issue. Don fell prey tpo his own inflated sense of ability to gauge talent to ice a team that he thought was able to compete on a consistent basis. And he really got caught up in the post-lockout school of thought that believed wide open end to end hockey was the future of the NHL.
R. Stroz
February 21st, 2010
11:50 am
I was looking at a product called “Grapenuts.” I opened it up. No grapes. No nuts. So, what’s the story there?
Wonder if those marketing guys fed the Thrasher management with incremental progress, moving in the right direction, playoff guarantees, only one or two players from being as a serious Stanley Cup contender, building through the draft, and, the newest, moving in a different direction.
If someone didn’t know better, you’d think a degree in marketing equaled “how to be a sociopathic liar.”
Anyway, here’s my thought for the day:
If last year the Thrashers were “moving in the right direction” and this season they’re “moving in a different direction”, doesn’t that mean the Thrashers are moving in the wrong direction?
World Be Free
February 21st, 2010
11:54 am
Smoothie-what’s even worse will be the sprint to the end after the Olympic break.
Gotta go folks, just too nice outside to be insise. I can TiVo the first game today, can’t TiVo this beauty of a day when the top on my convertible needs to be down!
hoosier_hoser
February 21st, 2010
12:34 pm
Rawhide:
Could you give me a place to watch Canada-USA in Lima, Peru? Thanks a bunch!
Lee
February 21st, 2010
1:09 pm
Brendan- Also her teammate crashed. Anyways….I love watching the sport, but It’s so much more exciting when Vonn wins gold. I was laughing last night when one of the players had just finished her race and she was so excited; screaming and yelling, and she was so excited that she ran into the borders and hit herself with he ski.
I also find it interesting that Vonn uses men’s skates, but…she’s so strong, it probably isn’t that much different.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
Pavel Kubina just speared Kovalchuk. It was nice to see. Czech Republic just scored. Tomas Plekanec. It’s knotted, 1-1, with the Russians.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
3:44 pm
WBF, it has been gorgeous outside today. We are spoiled by such nice weather. I don’t want to miss the 3rd period, however. It’s 1-1, after one, between Czech Republic and Russia. I haven’t peeked at the Olympic standings to know what’s on the line for this game.
World Be Free
February 21st, 2010
4:49 pm
Brendan-washed the convertible yesterday so I had to take it out today.
3-1 Russia; I wonder who Russian is cheering for?
Rawhide
February 21st, 2010
5:11 pm
hoosier_hoser – Lima, Peru??? Can’t help ya there…can’t say I’ve ever been in that city before.
Smoothie – Yeah, I can’t wait for Thrashers hockey to return. I love watching international play via the Olymics, but I’m ready to get this playoff stretch run under way.
WBF & Brendan – Yes it is indeed BEE-U-Tee-FUL outside today…and to that measure, it was just as nicein St. Augustine yesterday as well, maybe even a tad bit warmer. I left yesterday afternoon with the older tax exemption to follow the motor coach filled with the younger TE’s NJROTC unit and the Divine Mrs. R. They competed in the Area 12 Drill meet at Neese H.S., (home of Tim Tebow),…came in 6th out of 11 schools. However, the Academic Team my son captains placed 2nd overall. He was tied for 4th individually out of 165 cadets that took the test.
This is my explaination for the lack of new blog posts…sorry, but I took the weekend off.
Anywhooo…I spent the whole day outside and failed to bring a hat or sunscreen, which means I’ll be at TJs tonight sporting a nice sunburn.
Ah…but it feels good. Feels like spring/summer is right around the corner!
CZE just scored…3:1 Russia.
Hope to see you all tonight for the USA – Canada game at TJ’s…should be fun as always!
Mr. Heat Miser
February 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
So I guess you could say Jagr got Czeched by Ovie?
Lee
February 21st, 2010
5:47 pm
I think Jagr belongs in Czech. To see him come back to the NHL would not be a big suprise, but, he’s getting older and he shouldn’t play as seriously.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
7:16 pm
Lee, Waddell would sign Jagr in a heartbeat. Then Waddell would pick up the phone to personally call up R.Stroz to say, “What about how we never land Tier I free agents?”
To which R.Stroz would rightfully say, “The calendar says 2010, not 2000, Don.” Not too sure Jagr is even a Tier II guy anymore. And Lord knows what the salary parameters would be. But if Bobby Holik’s “past his prime” contract was any indicator, it’d be $4.25 million for Jagr.
Can you even imagine? Our big trade deadline move was to get “coach killer” Jagr? Hold up. If Jagr can kill coaches, (and sometimes teammates,) maybe the Jagr acquisition would finally spell the end of Waddell? C’mon Jagr! Become “GM killer,” too.
Ahhh, none of it will happen. And Don will be back, for another 2-3 years, as soon as the Atlanta Spirit, LLC AGREE to extend his contract, which … per Forbes Magazine … expires in the 2010 offseason. Stupid is … as stupid does, right? The funniest thing, of ALL, to me … is this. The Atlanta Spirit, LLC is perhaps BEST KNOWN for “inaction and procrastination.” To be rid of Waddell, all they have to do … is continue the trend!!
In other words, if Waddell’s contract expires, but isn’t renewed, Don Waddell is NO LONGER the GM of the Thrashers. All they have to do … is NOTHING … to be rid of him. But watch! They’ll get that contract writing pen out. And all the sports writers in North America will laugh, and laugh … and laugh. And rightfully so.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
7:19 pm
Ya know what? I feel a new contest coming on. I think so! Okay, bloggers, the next contest is … “Predict the date that Waddell’s contract gets renewed.” I’ll get us starting. My guess … is April 1st. What more appropriate day could there be … than “April Fool’s Day.” Part II of the contest, for HOW LONG will the contract be renewed. I’m going with … two more years.
Lee
February 21st, 2010
7:38 pm
Brendan – Do you happen to know how much Jagr was getting paid when he was on the Rangers? Wasn’t he like a wallet buster or something?
As for Don Waddell I feel that he’ll be renewed on that day too, but I hope he never is renewed. Go on Waddell…waddle yourself outta here! Trust me, no one will miss you.
World Be Free
February 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
Can’t remember what Jagr was making; we carried that massive contract from Washington with him to NYC.
Rawhide-congrats on your son’s achievement. Nice that you made it a family affair, especiallt to Tebow-Land. Those are special moments. I did those travels for marching band for five years, times you never forget.
kracker
February 21st, 2010
8:29 pm
End 1st 2-1 USA!!! USA USA USA USA USA USA! What’s up with Rafalski?? And I love seeing Marty getting pressured when he’s behind the net playing the puck! Jack him up!! If a goalie is behind the net, he should be just another skater as long as you are playing for control of the puck and not mashing the goalie into the glass…though we know the reality is a lot different.
kracker
February 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
End 1st 3-2 USA!!! USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!! This is good hockey! Is it Miller Time? Stay tuned…
kracker
February 21st, 2010
9:18 pm
Oops…that is end of 2nd 3-2…sheesh
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
9:24 pm
To the best of my recollection, Jagr was on an 8-year deal, at $11 million each. But I forgot what year he signed that deal, which was THENNN with Washington. But remember, when the lockout ended, all contracts were rolled back 24-percent. Which I was always curious about, since the max cap hit was $7.8 million, in 2005, when the Lockout ended. Well, even reduced by 24-percent, Jagr’s contract still exceeded the max cap hit allowed. But everything was so “hushed up” about it. Not even NHLnumbers.com listed what/how much Washington carried of Jagr’s contract, once he became a Ranger. And that was a deal where both teams were simultaneously paying him. But I just answered my own question. Perhaps the portion Washington continued to pay Jagr brought what the NY Rangers were paying him to $7.8 million or less, thus making his contract “workable” under the new CBA? But, I really couldn’t say. I haven’t checked Nhlnumbers.com in a while. But I believe the NY Islanders are still carrying Yashin’s deal, unless that ended last year.
Team USA 3, Team Canada 2, entering the 3rd period.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
9:32 pm
4-2, USA!!
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
9:34 pm
Jamie Langenbrunner, from Rafalski. And Crosby just now made a spectacular play that someone didn’t wind up in the Team USA net. Nash BLEW the wide open net on the sweet pass from Crosby. Another blown opportunity by Canada.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
9:53 pm
KESLER SCORES!!!! USA 5, Canada 3
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
9:56 pm
In pre-game, Kesler said, “I hate them. I hate the way they think they’re entitled to this medal. I’m going to do everything I can do stop them.” And remember, “he’s a LOCAL boy,” as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. Media played it up. And look who’s laughing now???
It’s a final. Team USA 5, Team Canada 3. The U.S. has earned an extra day off. They’re first round results? 3-0-0, for 9-points.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
9:58 pm
There’s a hush at BC place. 18,000 Canadians … are in STUNNED disbelief.
kracker
February 21st, 2010
10:00 pm
WOW! Was thaat great or what?? Feels like a Gold but there’s more games to play
USA USA USA!!
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:06 pm
Keep an eye out for Mike Babcock, to blow a vein in his forehead, in the post-game presser. If ever there were a candidate for a Dennis Greene, a John McEnroe, a Jim Mora, Sr. moment, it’s Babcock.
Let me explain why. It had nothing to do with officiating. Or anything like that. His Red Wings were expected to repeat last year. They didn’t, despite being up, 3-2 in the series with Pittsburgh. His Red Wings were supposed to clinch the Central division, for the umpteenth time in-a-row, by the trade deadline. His Red Wings are in 10th place in the Western Conference. His Team Canada was expected to be 3-0-0 right now. They are 1-1-1, for 5-points. (one 3-point win, one shootout win over Switzerland.)
Mike Babcock made his name as the Head Coach of the Anaheim Ducks, in 2003. So impressed were the Red Wings, whom he defeated, that Detroit made him THEIR Head Coach, as soon as it were legally permitted. This is Babcock’s contract year, I believe. And while I doubt anyone really thinks he’s bad coach, some of the luster of that Stanley Cup polish is fading. Make no mistake, I’d take Mike Babcock in a heartbeat, for Atlanta. Not that he’d come here. But for Babcock, “to whom much is given, much is EXPECTED.” And right about now … he’s wondering why the Hockey Gods seem to have forsaken him.
Brendan
February 21st, 2010
10:23 pm
How much HEAVIER did the BURDEN of hosting this event, and the expectations of Gold for Canada, just become? I bet their media is eating them alive right now.
Smoothie
February 21st, 2010
10:26 pm
Juck Fagr!
Cuck Fanada!
somaatl95
February 21st, 2010
10:31 pm
USA! USA! USA! How wonderful your maple flavored tears taste, you Molson Drinking, Kids in the Hall Watching, Calling Ham “Canadian Bacon” hosers! I have great ammo for the next time some off the wall northern city says they want to take the Thrashers away – Hockey is now American all the way! USA! USA! USA!
Lee
February 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
Man, can’t say I’m happy that USA won, but I’m not sad. I live in the US now, but I grew up in Canada…I will have to say I was going for Canada.