Ace of Spades HQ

January 01, 2011

Now, It's Time For The NHL Winter Classic
— DrewM

Washington Capitals v. Pittsburgh Penguins on NBC.

This is the match up the league wanted because it involves the two best players in the league Alexander Ovechkin of the Caps and Sidney Crosby of the Penns.

As much as it pains me to admit, Crosby is simply the best player in the world right now. He just had a 25 game scoring streak ended and he's the guy every team is trying to stop every night. Yes, he can be a chippy player and a whinny bitch at times but his talent is undeniable. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau gave Crosby a great compliment on the last episode of HBO's 24/7. He told his players, it doesn't matter if you hit him or not, he's simply going to play his game. You can't ruffle his feathers, even if he cries about it later.

Ovechkin on the other hand is a much more emotional player and he's a beast physically. Expect to see him flying around tonight hitting people, especially his 'good friend' Evgeni Malkin.

These two teams played as good a mid-season game as you're ever going to see last week. This should be a great one as well.

Okay...scene looks great. I was worried that playing the game at night would suck. Wrong.

For some reason (MONEY) college football has managed to abdicate New Year's Day and the NHL of all people is going to own it going forward. Not quite sure how that happened.

Random thought...Penguins' third jersey is just awful. On the other hand, Captials throw back looks fantastic.

Dear sports teams: Old school red, white and blue is ALWAYS a winner (see the old New England Patriot uniforms).

Posted by: DrewM at 04:01 PM | Comments (251)
Post contains 297 words, total size 2 kb.

1 CROSBY IS A BITCH!

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 04:02 PM (eCAn3)

2 also, many thanks for thoughts and prayers. means a lot to this Moron.

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 04:02 PM (eCAn3)

3 A hockey thread needs a puck bunny

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 04:03 PM (AYJ7Z)

As much as many prognosticators and so-called experts are saying President Obama is going to have a tough time getting re-elected, the reality of the situation is that President Obama will get re-elected against almost any potential GOP challenger.

However, one candidate cannot be over-looked. If we learned anything from 2008, we should've learned that organization and social media skills are paramount to a campaign. No one is actually going to "come out of nowhere". To become the most powerful person in the world, you have to build quite an organization. That's why only one person has a chance to beat President Obama in 2012.

CLICK HERE and it will all be made clear.

Posted by: Dan at January 01, 2011 04:04 PM (9L1z6)

5 Pretty fucking cool to have them walk out together. Amazing scene

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:05 PM (zyaZ1)

6 I don't care about hockey and you can't make me!

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at January 01, 2011 04:07 PM (+sl64)

But..b..b..but...hockey guys are so fugly?

What's the point?

(not much from a chick POV. well at least this chick anyway.)

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:08 PM (w3/mb)

8 Pardon my ignorance--but Oh Canada, why?

Posted by: USS Diversity at January 01, 2011 04:09 PM (DLxD/)

Hey Dan, time and place, buddy.

And really? There's no time and/or place for Mitt Romney Guy Smiley.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:11 PM (w3/mb)

10 They always sing it. So many Canucks in the league

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:12 PM (zyaZ1)

11 I hope Ovechkin chekcs Crosby so hard his head explodes. Go Caps!

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 04:12 PM (yqhkv)

12 Oh Canada is probably out of respect for Canadian fans and Canadian players. Of course, the American national anthem gets the flares and other effects.

Posted by: Benson at January 01, 2011 04:13 PM (qzcNU)

Hey question for Directv customers --

Did any of you lose your local Fox affiliate w/the New Year?

I lost it a few days before. Today it was back up and then went off again at 8pm. I don't get what the hell they're doing. I mean it's obviously a licensing negotiation but to haggle over nighttime programming?? That seems odd.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:14 PM (w3/mb)

14 Every English speaking nation has a sport where you beat the crap out your opponent. Hockey is Canada's contribution.

Posted by: Mark in Spokane at January 01, 2011 04:14 PM (1p9aW)

15 3 A hockey thread needs a puck bunny

Ms. Y-Not should be along shortly. Without her teeth. She's doing the football bunny thing on another thread.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 04:15 PM (EoNB3)

16 @14: Wasn't Oh Canada only written like in the 1980's or something? I think even their flag is not that old.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:15 PM (tJjm/)

17 Holy Smokes...
TCU beats The Badgers
Badgers?!...BADGERS!..WE DON' NEED NO STEENKEEN' BADGERS!!

Posted by: Beto at January 01, 2011 04:16 PM (H+LJc)

18 Yo, Dan, give it a rest, okay? The GOP will nominate Mittens over my dead body. Why don't you go bother the Paulnuts? We don't deserve your annoying motherfucking douchebaggy posts.

Posted by: Peaches at January 01, 2011 04:17 PM (zxpIo)

19 Is it just me or did NBC just die?

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 04:17 PM (HicGG)

20 The first time I ever heard O Canada was when Carla sang it after Eddie Lebec got run over by a zamboni.

Posted by: USS Diversity at January 01, 2011 04:17 PM (DLxD/)

21 18 @14: Wasn't Oh Canada only written like in the 1980's or something? I think even their flag is not that old.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 08:15 PM (tJjm/)

Uh no, 1880.

Posted by: Mark in Spokane at January 01, 2011 04:19 PM (1p9aW)

22 There's something to be said about a good looking woman with no teeth. But I think it's probably better left unsaid.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:19 PM (tJjm/)

23 I take back my whole do a Winter Classic in Minnesota. It's 4 degrees here with an EXTREMELY crisp wind. I was going to run some errands but said f it after the first stop.

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:21 PM (zyaZ1)

For some reason (MONEY) college football has managed to abdicate New Year's Day and the NHL of all people is going to own it going forward. Not quite sure how that happened.

Umm, because people actually watch bowl games. Sorry, but yeah, it's true.

Oh and the money, honey. Why else would the shits at Ohio State, all five of those idiots selling off their rings, be forced to sit out 5 games next season, but be eligible fore the biggest and next-in-line game? Why? Becaus OSU fans travel for their football factory and give $$$ to the NCAA (which to me is nothing but an organized racket at this point).

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:21 PM (w3/mb)

25 The camera angles suck.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:22 PM (4cwjI)

26 There's something to be said about a good looking woman with no teeth. But I think it's probably better left unsaid.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 08:19 PM (tJjm/)

three feet tall with a flat head to put your beer on.

Posted by: Ombudsman at January 01, 2011 04:22 PM (c1oyg)

27 Celine moved to Vegas.

You can keep her

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 04:22 PM (AYJ7Z)

28 I love Canada, no lie, but whenever I think about Celine Dion, I wonder why we have not nuked 'em yet. Gawd, she just makes my skin crawl.

Posted by: Peaches at January 01, 2011 04:22 PM (zxpIo)

29 DAN If your man gets the GOP I will rent, at my expense, a 15 passenger van to shuttle SEIU members to vote. Give it a fuckin' rest.

Posted by: Pecos Bill at January 01, 2011 04:23 PM (j84s0)

30 24 18 @14: Wasn't Oh Canada only written like in the 1980's or something? I think even their flag is not that old. Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 08:15 PM (tJjm/) Uh no, 1880. OK, but according to that link it was made the national anthem only in 1980.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:23 PM (tJjm/)

31 30 There's something to be said about a good looking woman with no teeth. But I think it's probably better left unsaid.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 08:19 PM (tJjm/)

three feet tall with a flat head to put your beer on.

And turn into a pizza at midnight.

Posted by: Mark in Spokane at January 01, 2011 04:24 PM (1p9aW)

oh and 'gives' should have read as 'brings in money'.

I'm not implying that anyone was paid off. (Although Tressel is from Youngstown so that's math you can do....)

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:25 PM (w3/mb)

33 They changed a couple of lyrics in 1980

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 04:25 PM (AYJ7Z)

By Bryan Adams, I think.

My 93' Senior Prom theme was "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," sung by none other than Bryan Adams and I thank you for THAT memory!

No, I didn't get laid.

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 04:25 PM (xEl30)

35 Dammit, it's dark and cold and I've eaten and now I notice it's only 5:30!!! Puttin' the household on Eastern time again. This is soooooo embarrassing.

Posted by: Peaches at January 01, 2011 04:25 PM (zxpIo)

36 You said written, not made official.

Posted by: Mark in Spokane at January 01, 2011 04:26 PM (1p9aW)

37 I'm still waiting for it to snow during one of these games.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at January 01, 2011 04:26 PM (b6qrg)

38 @32: Sometimes I think it a shame Benedict Arnold failed to take Quebec back in 1775. Then I remember Celine Dion.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:26 PM (tJjm/)

39 Lacey- I'm not absolutely certain, but Time Warner Cable had a running dispute with Sinclair Broadcasting... it didn't run some local affiliates for a few days. They wanted that stuff worked out before the NFL playoffs, so they got a deal done in the past week.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:27 PM (WRtsc)

40 Prelims on ION in half an hour. Some real fighting!

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:27 PM (zyaZ1)

I'm still waiting for it to snow during one of these games.

It has.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:28 PM (4cwjI)

42 Backwards- It snowed in the first one, at Ralph Wilson Stadium between the Sabres and Pens. (this is my shocked face- snow in Buffalo?!)

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:28 PM (WRtsc)

43 in Canada they only play Canadas anthem for 2canuck teams, so why bother when 2 U.S. teams are playing? i don't see any reason daNHL not fielding teams in europe, as a separate division to compete for the trophy. Even in russia. + why aren't they playing the occasional game in the arctic? so what its -70 those fuckers are millionaires. Maybe an annual tourny in antarcica. garybettmans a fruit.

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 04:28 PM (JuNCa)

My 93' Senior Prom theme was "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,"

No, I didn't get laid.

How could you?! I mean that song pretty much closes up shop. Horrific.

But he was actuallly singing it himself?? I'd expect that now in 2011 but in '93. I think he was still pretty popular then. He must have owed someone a big favor.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:30 PM (w3/mb)

45 Lacey - google pics of Brooks Laich. He has all his teeth....I think.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 04:31 PM (yqhkv)

46 One thing that we haven't had in a Winter Classic so far is a genuine fight... I'm hoping these guys dislike each other enough to go.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:33 PM (WRtsc)

47 By the way, did anyone notice that the US won their group in the World Junior Championships (being played in Buffalo), while Canada took second in the other group? Going to be an interesting run to the gold medal game... where the US is the defending champion.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:34 PM (WRtsc)

48 Ahhhhh.. ask, and you shall receive.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:35 PM (WRtsc)

FIGHT!

Savor the smiles on those two faces!

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:35 PM (4cwjI)

50 There's a fight for you. Not too serious of one though

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:35 PM (zyaZ1)

51 tmi3rd - ask and you shall receive.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 04:35 PM (yqhkv)

Oh, well, that shows how often I watch this game. Sorry, but my southern football gene compels me to watch bowl games instead. Plus being raised where there wasn't much ice and snow.

Still, it's interesting to see it played outside.

And I still wonder why they let the players fight.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at January 01, 2011 04:35 PM (b6qrg)

53 Also, if you watch carefully, you can see Sarah Jessica Parker in an uncredited role as the Sheriff's horse.

Posted by: The Dread 80286 opcode LMSW at January 01, 2011 08:28 PM (Sl8d5)'

Oh, snap!

Posted by: Peaches at January 01, 2011 04:35 PM (zxpIo)

54 what a bitch fight that was.

Posted by: USS Diversity at January 01, 2011 04:36 PM (DLxD/)

Nice Tilt.

Would've liked some blood to see the NBC execs sweat it out a bit, though.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:36 PM (4cwjI)

56 Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 08:28 PM (JuNCa)

Bigger audience in Canada maybe?

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 04:36 PM (AYJ7Z)

Ah, as good as Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ever looked, I think.

Babe-a-licious, for sure. The curly hair was way hot!

Also, if you watch carefully, you can see Sarah Jessica Parker in an uncredited role as the Sheriff's horse.

That's just mean. True, but mean.

Posted by: The Dread 80286 opcode LMSW at January 01, 2011 08:28 PM (Sl8d5)

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 04:37 PM (xEl30)

what a bitch fight that was.

Just one of those punches would have ended it for 80+% of the pro athletes out there.

They.are.on.ice.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:37 PM (4cwjI)

59 Hockey sure does benefit from HD. Perhaps more than other sports

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:38 PM (zyaZ1)

60 @47: Are you saying Sarah Seabiscuit Parker is horsey?

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:39 PM (tJjm/)

61 Slapshot - Hanson brothers rule

Posted by: melvin at January 01, 2011 04:39 PM (3OCZw)

google pics of Brooks Laich. He has all his teeth....

no bad, indeed. but half of those pics have him all jersey'd up. you can't see anything in those uniforms (and that's the other problem...)

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 04:40 PM (w3/mb)

63 Rockem' Sockem' toothless robots right there. Though, as a Flyers fan, in a game like this I root mostly for injuries.

Posted by: Todd G at January 01, 2011 04:41 PM (wZSoY)

I think he was still pretty popular then.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 08:30 PM (w3/mb)

That's when Dances with Wolves was huge and Kevin Costner was the biggest Hollywood guy.

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 04:41 PM (xEl30)

Ah, as good as Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ever looked, I think.

Babe-a-licious, for sure. The curly hair was way hot!

What was that movie she was in with Robin Williams about a Russian dude? Her topless scene was the only thing I remember about that movie

Posted by: Ombudsman at January 01, 2011 04:42 PM (c1oyg)

66 Backwards- (and I'm a native New Orleanian, as well as a college hockey veteran) They let 'em fight because it's too hard to police the game, even with four officials. You can do a lot behind the play with your stick- for example, if a guy's standing on the side of your body where the butt end of your stick is, you can jab him in the ear and do a lot of damage, and it's awfully hard to catch as a referee (I've both done it, received it, and tried to officiate it). The knowledge that you can be held responsible for cheap shots by the other team within the rules tends to make guys think twice about taking liberties with the other team's star players. Just to further it- some of the cheapest players I've ever played with and against were European (nothing personal, CoolCzech- the worst was a Slovak). The first time one of my European teammates carved up one of our opponents, he found himself face to face with the opposing enforcer, and it didn't go well for him. He cleaned up his act after getting his ass kicked.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:42 PM (WRtsc)

67 I am frickin' LOVING the overhead camera that they use in the NFL for this. You can actually see some of the play develop.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:44 PM (WRtsc)

68 Husband not happy with the camera angles. Shouting profanities at the television.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 04:44 PM (yqhkv)

69 it's awfully hard to catch as a referee (I've both done it, received it, and tried to officiate it).

I ref reasonably high level soccer games, and have done baseball and basketball at times, but there is no way I would want to try to officiate hockey. Very difficult stuff.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 04:45 PM (EoNB3)

70 Dread... LMSW (can you explain that for me?), It's a lot easier to see the biscuit in HD. A lot of watching it on TV is following the flow of the play, rather than trying to watch the puck.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:45 PM (WRtsc)

I am frickin' LOVING the overhead camera that they use in the NFL for this. You can actually see some of the play develop.

Yes, but the long shot from the bleachers has some blindness to it from the lights...also a lot of superfluous field in the cornerd due to the shallow angle.

I don't think these NBC producers/camera guys have the hang of their set up, yet.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:46 PM (4cwjI)

72 You know what they should do? They should add colored streaks behind the puck so we can see it better. And if you hit it wicked fast, it'd be a DIFFERENT color.

Yeah, that would be frikken sweet.

Posted by: Mortis at January 01, 2011 04:46 PM (I8CPt)

73 It makes it very easy to follow Dread

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 04:47 PM (zyaZ1)

Glad they are no longer dropping out when they switch to/from the overhead, though.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:47 PM (4cwjI)

75 NC Ref- It can be a real pain in the ass to officiate even high school hockey- some of these kids are really sneaky. Especially if the two teams don't like each other... at least at the amateur level (up through college), they get tossed for genuine fights... it's easier to keep the game under control from that regard.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:47 PM (WRtsc)

76 Ahh....back in the good ole' days. http://tinyurl.com/29ux3gj

Posted by: harleycowboy at January 01, 2011 04:47 PM (4Betl)

77 Oof. Toepick by Ovechkin. Hard to do when hockey skates don't have toepicks.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:47 PM (WRtsc)

78 I managed a restaurant in Houston in 1974-75 and we were a corporate sponsor of the Aeros. We took a picture for a poster and I got to meet the Gordie Howe and family. Class folks all the way. Even if there was only one set of teeth between the lot.

Posted by: Beto at January 01, 2011 04:48 PM (H+LJc)

79 CLICK HERE and it will all be made clear.

Posted by: Dan at January 01, 2011 08:04 PM (9L1z6)

Fuck Mitt Romney. That clear enough?

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 04:48 PM (eCAn3)

80 @70: I think you mean Moscow On The Hudson. In retrospect, that scene was a sort of premonition of the former-Communist World's great Porn potential.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:48 PM (tJjm/)

81 also, CROSBY IS STILL A BITCH.

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 04:49 PM (eCAn3)

82 Beto- Even Chuck Norris, Dick Cheney, and John Bolton respect Gordie Howe. That was one tough hombre. And yes, I'm jealous.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:49 PM (WRtsc)

83 Hey Uncle Facts...God bless.

Posted by: Beto at January 01, 2011 04:49 PM (H+LJc)

84 Wonder if Mike Green travelled to Pittsburgh on his orange moped thingy.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 04:49 PM (yqhkv)

85 @82 Oh I'm sure. I do HS too, and some indoor occasionally where they have rinks for the adult hockey leagues. I bitch about not getting paid enough to handle some of the crap I have to deal with, but 5 minutes of watching those hockey refs work make me appreciate what I have.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 04:50 PM (EoNB3)

86 91 Hey Uncle Facts...God bless.

Posted by: Beto at January 01, 2011 08:49 PM (H+LJc)

much appreciated beto

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 04:50 PM (eCAn3)

87 Thanks for nothing, LMSW.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:51 PM (WRtsc)

88 Dunno, but the necro-topless scene in the Abyss was pretty stiffy inducing. I mean, once you get over the fact that she's been dead for 20 minutes or so . . . That's what the Reheat setting on the microwave is for, after all.

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 01, 2011 04:51 PM (tJjm/)

89 Looks like the ice might be drying up a bit...could make the game speed up in the next two periods. Here's hoping.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 04:51 PM (4cwjI)

Exactly tmi3rd.

without fighting the russian mafia would be lacing up and carrying guns.

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 04:51 PM (JuNCa)

91
Yeah, that would be frikken sweet.

Posted by: Mortis at January 01, 2011 08:46 PM (I8CPt)

NOT funny!!!

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 04:52 PM (AYJ7Z)

92 Fuck Mitt Romney. That clear enough?

Seconded.

Posted by: Beto at January 01, 2011 04:52 PM (H+LJc)

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 08:42 PM (WRtsc)

Ahhh, retribution, I kinda like that. That's quite the contrast from other sports where the officials try to separate the fighters quickly. I'm just not used to seeing it.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at January 01, 2011 04:53 PM (b6qrg)

They.are.on.ice.

more or less

Posted by: USS Diversity at January 01, 2011 04:54 PM (DLxD/)

95 some of these kids are really sneaky. Especially if the two teams don't like each other... at least at the amateur level (up through college), they get tossed for genuine fights.

Absolute best/worst at the dirty cheap fouls deliberately intended to injure are the teams I see in the Latino adult leagues. Every single one of those games can devolve into an all out riot at the slightest stupid provocation. I carry my phone with me in those games in case a quick call to 911 is needed. Definitely don't get paid enough for those games.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 04:54 PM (EoNB3)

96 I don't think these NBC producers/camera guys have the hang of their set up, yet.

It's like they just got their first look at it today and are just experimenting at this point.

Bettman wants to keep it in these football stadiums but they suck for camera angles.

If there's a way to fuck something up, expect the NHL to find it.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 04:55 PM (HicGG)

97 Dang, this is a very good hockey game.

Posted by: Peaches at January 01, 2011 04:55 PM (zxpIo)

98 Backwards- The somewhat amusing thing about the way fighting is received in, say, the NFL makes for an interesting contrast... if you recall Andre Johnson finally taking matters into his own hands with Cortland Finnegan (HOU vs TEN, about three weeks ago), all the non-hockey types were hyperventilating about it. In hockey, that conclusion would have been expected, and guys like John Buccigross and Steve Levy over at ESPN were like, "What's the big deal?"

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 04:56 PM (WRtsc)

Ahhh, retribution, I kinda like that. That's quite the contrast from other sports where the officials try to separate the fighters quickly. I'm just not used to seeing it.

Uh, that's not how I'm instructed to handle a fight. I encourage the players to put a stop to it, or the game will end right now. Stepping between two guys fighting is a good way to get hit more than once. Another reason I respect the hockey refs so much.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 04:56 PM (EoNB3)

100 nope. old patriots uni's were AWFUL. the pens old jerseys are equally AWFUL.

stick with the black n gold pens.

Posted by: str8 outta at January 01, 2011 04:58 PM (dwOwg)

101 I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.

Posted by: eman at January 01, 2011 04:58 PM (+iY8m)

102 Bob Costas sucks. Where the hell is the bleach for my TV, I don't know if this kind of suck will wash out.

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 04:59 PM (eCAn3)

103 Time for some real fights!

Posted by: Zakn at January 01, 2011 05:00 PM (zyaZ1)

104 A little overblown Bob Costas. Jeez.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 05:00 PM (yqhkv)

105 NC Ref- I haven't had to respond to anything like a soccer riot yet (I'm starting to work in emergency medicine), but I've been told that there are certain Central American nationalities that prefer to handle things with knives. The British Army has had a wonderful time policing their Jamaican troops, who like to settle disagreements in the same way. When I played in high school (I was a midfielder), we had the benches clear when some kid ran our goalkeeper (who was also a bouncer). I saw one gloved fist fly, and the next thing I knew, I was running onto the field and then stood around waiting for something to happen. The official was not pleased.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:00 PM (WRtsc)

106

NC Ref, I was just joshin'. It's good to instill a sense of sportsmanship into youngsters.

Gotta go, battery running low on laptop.

Happy New Year, y'all.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at January 01, 2011 05:00 PM (b6qrg)

107 NC- Having stopped a few punches myself as an official, one of the first things USA Hockey teaches you in the officials' training programs is to wait until the fighters either 1) go down, or 2) call for the officials to break them up. You're absolutely right- it's a good way to get kayoed. I can't imagine what a disaster it would be to have fighting be legal in soccer... too hard to keep control of the stuff happening away from the fight. You'd get the original fighters separated, only to turn around and see other guys tangling fifty yards away.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:03 PM (WRtsc)

108 every last one of those chumps on that weight watchers commerical is an embarrassment to Mankind.

"now I know the difference between light beer and dark beer points"

THE FUCK?

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 05:03 PM (eCAn3)

109 I think the first pro league was in Pennsylvania. And it was HARDhockey.

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 05:04 PM (JuNCa)

110

Bob Costas sucks.

There's another universal truth.

Unfortunately he'll probably be hosting the London Olympics for NBC, again.

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 05:04 PM (xEl30)

111 UncleFacts- Costas is a total disaster, but having the grim nods of Jim Cantore to endure as well just makes it worse. I used to work with that clown (Cantore).

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:04 PM (WRtsc)

112 @114 No worries. Believe me, I know about wantin' some retribution!!! And I'll go to baseball games and yell at the ump!

But seriously, when a fight is going on, the official's job is to watch everything that happens so that punishments can be handed out to the right people. If a fight starts in one of my games (and it doesn't happen very often cause I'm pretty good at what I do) the first thing we do is whip out our pen and paper and start writing down numbers because its tough to remember everything that will need to go into a postgame match report.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:05 PM (EoNB3)

113 Eat it Drew. I'm wearing my Pens WC classic jersey right now as I watch the game. You have no idea how much action this shirt has gotten me. Mostly from chicks in Steelers 7 jerseys, but that's to be expected, I think.

Posted by: mr.frakypants at January 01, 2011 05:06 PM (pffBj)

114 I do have to give costas some credit though, he managed to not slur his words too badly, even with crosby's dick in his mouth.

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 05:06 PM (eCAn3)

115 I think Milbury is drunk. I would like to see him talk about all star goalies in front of Ryan Miller.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 05:07 PM (yqhkv)

116 Also...and I'm sure this is true in hockey as in soccer, the teams that play dirty or use intimidation as a tactic to win are usually doing so because they're not skilled enough to win without doing so.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:07 PM (EoNB3)

117 I can't imagine what a disaster it would be to have fighting be legal in soccer...

Throwing a punch and missing still means I toss a player. The foul is striking or attempting to strike.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:09 PM (EoNB3)

118 NC, any good stories to tell? My favorite happened when I was playing at Northern Colorado... we were playing at Wyoming (usually a bar fight on skates), and we had a fight happen with three couples dancing (including the goaltenders). This was an outdoor rink, and one of Wyoming's faithful fans decided he had to get involved (after several beers), so he climbed over the glass and took a swing at one of my guys. The guy from Wyoming evidently didn't want the help, so imagine my surprise when both he and my teammate turned to the drunken fan and began beating him like a pinata. It slowed down the fights that were going on, except for the goaltenders. Old-time hockey. Good stuff.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:10 PM (WRtsc)

119 Geez, the camera angles do suck. Especially the one from orbit.

I can't stand Costas et al. I'm listening to Mike Lange on the radio (I'm in Pittsburgh) but the radio broadcast is about 10 seconds ahead of the action on TV. You'd think that they could get that sync'ed.

I wonder if Ovechkin will skate-stop and spray ice onto any little kids this time.

Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 05:10 PM (D9k+z)

120

Steelers 7 jerseys

Sometimes 'No' means 'Yes'

Posted by: Ben RapesYourBurger at January 01, 2011 05:15 PM (4cwjI)

121 Hockey, huh?
This is the game where chaps on ice skates bat a little puck around?

Posted by: chemjeff at January 01, 2011 05:15 PM (PaSAU)

122 I wonder if Ovechkin will skate-stop and spray ice onto any little kids this time.

Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 09:10 PM (D9k+z)

we'll just have to wait till he and crosby are on the ice at the same time.

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 05:15 PM (eCAn3)

123 Ovie is mic'd up...where's the audio feed?

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:18 PM (4cwjI)

124 and Malkin draws first blood.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:19 PM (4cwjI)

125 but the radio broadcast is about 10 seconds ahead of the action on TV. You'd think that they could get that sync'ed. Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 09:10 PM

TV is probably on a 7-10 second tape delay. The mics might pick up some player using awful language and get them in hot water with the FCC.

Posted by: MrScribbler© at January 01, 2011 05:20 PM (Ulu3i)

126 I was wondering if Geno was even in the game....turns out he was just hanging in center waiting for the long bomb.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:20 PM (HicGG)

127

Fleury is playing really well and now he has an assist.

He could piutch a shutout.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:20 PM (4cwjI)

128 Yeah, Geno!

These camera angles suck. They keep changing which side of the ice they are broadcasting from - the Pens were shown moving right to left, then left to right - geez, pick one and stick with it!

Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 05:21 PM (D9k+z)

129 the blue as trim on the black looks good but they can stuff their powder blues..pukeifying..

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 05:23 PM (JuNCa)

130
TV is probably on a 7-10 second tape delay. The mics might pick up some player using awful language and get them in hot water with the FCC.

Posted by: MrScribblerÂ© at January 01, 2011 09:20 PM (Ulu3i)

Good point. Listening to radio, I didn't realize they had players mic'ed.

Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 05:24 PM (D9k+z)

131 126 NC, any good stories to tell?

OMG if I start telling stories I'll have to start drinking again. Best quick one was when I was about 19/20 years old and doing my first international exhibition match. 14 year olds or something like that, one team from Thailand that had just won a huge international tournament, and the other a local all-star team put together for a two game series in Atlanta.

Game one goes as expected, really good Thai team kicks the local team's ass. Next day, local team wins 1-0 when the Thai goalie screws something up and lets in an easy one. As the game ends, the Thai players attack THEIR OWN GOALIE and start beating him with these telescoping metal rods used to display banners.

County sheriffs are the ones who broke up that one, and we had to identify the offending players to some State Department people traveling with the team who expelled them from the country.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:27 PM (EoNB3)

132 the mics are probably for the HBO miniseries

Posted by: micmcn at January 01, 2011 05:28 PM (Ao+7I)

133 Caps really have their legs going now.

One thing you just have to love about hockey...it's such a momentum game.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:30 PM (HicGG)

134 Also...and I'm sure this is true in hockey as in soccer, the teams that play dirty or use intimidation as a tactic to win are usually doing so because they're not skilled enough to win without doing so.
Posted by: NC Ref

Not really. There are skill teams and there are physical teams, but both operate in the bounds of the rules. There are dirty players though. These are the ones who try to antagonize the other team into committing a penalty, or they do things that while are not penalties, go against the code that players follow. If you ever want to see one of these, Jordin Tootoo of the Nashville Predators is a good example.

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 05:30 PM (oREHE)

135 we had to identify the offending players to some State Department people

And believe me, doing so without using the phrase "But they really do all look alike!" was REALLY difficult!

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:30 PM (EoNB3)

136

Jordin Tootoo

The Lab Rat

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:32 PM (4cwjI)

137

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 09:30 PM (oREHE)

True.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:32 PM (EoNB3)

138

Ott on Dallas...also Burrish on Dallas.

Both expert shit-stirrers.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:33 PM (4cwjI)

139 Looks like NBC has decided to go with a tighter shot from the high center camera. Shorter view by you can actually see something.

Whoever is directing this is earning his money.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:35 PM (HicGG)

140 Chimera queefs on it!

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:35 PM (4cwjI)

141 Drew, as long as they don't take any more blimp-cam shots... what a disaster that was.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:36 PM (WRtsc)

142 For some reason (MONEY) college football has managed to abdicate New Year's Day and the NHL of all people is going to own it going forward.

Fine by me. Football gets too much exposure, what with NFL and college games constantly on the tube for much of the autumn and part of winter.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at January 01, 2011 05:36 PM (nD3Pg)

143 Good Lord, Fleury makes things, um, interesting at times.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:37 PM (HicGG)

144

He looked much better in the first half of this game...and that goal was ugly.

That was a nice stick by (orpik?) to keep Chimera from cleaning up on that.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:38 PM (4cwjI)

145 caps have awesome retro unis, but they have a problem as a team. The great8 is only a goalscorer and shouldnt be captain.

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 05:39 PM (JuNCa)

146 Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 09:36 PM (WRtsc) It's like a band trying to do a sound check while the show has started. It's pretty clear they are fishing for a way to make this work. The problem with going tight is the temptation to pan L/R a lot quicker making things jerky as they try to keep up.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:39 PM (HicGG)

147

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 09:30 PM (oREHE)

Again, true, but those players that do things against the spirit of the game are doing things that could fall into the broad category of "misconduct." Poking a guy away from the play or saying something about the guy's mother need to be addressed by the official somehow. When its not, that's when the retaliations escalate into fights. Which suck for everyone, but especially the refs.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:41 PM (EoNB3)

148

Better than a crazy artist. Jackson Pollock's #5 is a pile of paint.

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 05:41 PM (xEl30)

149

Have you seen the new Bluejackets uni's this year, Drew?

They are alright.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:42 PM (4cwjI)

150 SCORE! *woot*

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 05:44 PM (yqhkv)

151 Wow. Bonehead play by Fleury.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:44 PM (WRtsc)

152

the temptation to pan L/R a lot

Must. Resist. Temptation.

Posted by: Rafael Escamilla at January 01, 2011 05:45 PM (4cwjI)

153 The great8 is only a goalscorer and shouldnt be captain.
Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 09:39 PM (JuNCa)

Really? Based on 24/8 he seems like a pretty strong lead by example guy. He's vocal during the games and on the ice.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:45 PM (HicGG)

154 Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 09:41 PM (EoNB3)

Stick work needs to be dealt with. Bad mouthing a guys mother is part of the game

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 05:46 PM (E1iWi)

155 Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 09:42 PM (4cwjI)

I haven't but I generally refuse to acknowledge there's even a team in Columbus.

Columbus, OH? WTF?

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:47 PM (HicGG)

156 That was a dumb play by Fleury. Stay in the net!

And this camera work totally sucks. When the Caps were coming up the ice, they didn't even show the players with the puck on a wide-angle overhead view.

Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 05:47 PM (D9k+z)

157

Have you seen the new Bluejackets uni's this year, Drew?

Looks like a Super Mario Brothers bad guy. Fucking stupid.

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 05:47 PM (xEl30)

158

Winter Classic 2012?

Tampa Bay, baby.

Posted by: Commissioner Bettman at January 01, 2011 05:49 PM (4cwjI)

159 Looks like the surface is starting to puddle a bit.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:49 PM (WRtsc)

160 Columbus, OH? WTF?

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 09:47 PM (HicGG)

We're used to that, asshole.

Posted by: ErikW at January 01, 2011 05:50 PM (xEl30)

161

Columbus, OH? WTF?

I can't help but watch for Nash.

He's a stud.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:50 PM (4cwjI)

162 Stick work needs to be dealt with. Bad mouthing a guys mother is part of the game

Trash talking is one thing and that's fine. It happens and its part of the game, just like physical play. Soccer, hockey, and football are all contact sports where people run into each other and fall down and that's not always a foul. Direct abusive language or behavior deliberately intended to provoke is something else altogether. Like racial epithets and crap like that.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 05:51 PM (EoNB3)

163 its outdoor so why not have a benchclearing brawl, jazz things up

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 05:51 PM (JuNCa)

164 Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 09:50 PM (4cwjI)

Yes he is. Shame he's buried in the middle of nowhere with a team that sucks.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:52 PM (HicGG)

165 Awww...little Sally Crosby....

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:52 PM (4cwjI)

166 Bwaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaa keep your head up crosby

Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at January 01, 2011 05:52 PM (eCAn3)

167 WTF? An elbow to the head?

Maybe someone should skate across Alexandria Ovechkin's wrist...

Posted by: T-Bone at January 01, 2011 05:54 PM (D9k+z)

168 Wow, Crosby just got drilled.

Only downside so far to the Winter Classic being delayed...I'm missing Rangers-Lightning. 1-0 TB, which sucks but looks like a good game.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 05:55 PM (HicGG)

169 NC, as ever, that's the kind of thing that goes on behind the play and out of earshot of the officials. One of my teammates- a Korean- was skating by the CU-Boulder bench between plays when he heard from one of their on-ice players, "Go back to Asia, Jap." He whirled and beat the stuffing out of the offending player before anyone had any idea what was going on, and it wasn't because the officials were out of position. It's hard as hell to police that, and that's why- and I'm speaking only for hockey here- the "players' code" exists in the way it does. It's unique to hockey (although you sort of see it in indoor lacrosse), and would be unlikely to work in just about any other sport I'm aware of.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:55 PM (WRtsc)

170

Looks like a Super Mario Brothers bad guy

The throwbacks...with the canons.

How can you not like this?

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:56 PM (4cwjI)

171 fucking fleury, cant save a goal to goddaMN DSAVE HIS FUCKING LIFEW.

....my teams drive me insane.

Posted by: str8 outta at January 01, 2011 05:56 PM (dwOwg)

172 @Commissioner Bettma:

Try Calgary Alberta. Which is too bad, because I'd love to go to one of these things, but I'd rather eat rancid tuna out of my ass than pay to watch the Flamers.

Sad that I was too dumb to go to the Heritage Classic in Edmonton in '03

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Heritage_Classic

Posted by: Holdfast at January 01, 2011 05:56 PM (uUfiQ)

173 Oh, Jesus, are we really going to have to endure Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis pretending they have any idea how to shoot a puck?

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:57 PM (WRtsc)

174

I'm missing Rangers-Lightning. 1-0 TB, which sucks but looks like a good game.

I noticed tht got pulled from the NHLnet lineup, tonight.

Lightning are going to be a nightmare for the Easter Conference in the spring.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:57 PM (4cwjI)

175 Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 09:51 PM (EoNB3)

Racial epithets are one thing and pretty much non existent in the NHL but saying "hey buddy, your wife is a dyke" has been around as long as the game.

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 05:58 PM (E1iWi)

176

DrewM: Really? Based on 24/8 he seems like a pretty strong lead by example guy. He's vocal during the games and on the ice.

IMO pure goalscorers seldom make good captains. Allaround centers, defenceman are usually better..but maybe thats a little old school.

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 05:58 PM (JuNCa)

177

Try Calgary Alberta.

That's not too far from me.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 05:59 PM (4cwjI)

178 I would pay good money to get skullfucked, rather than watch that shit again. Gawd.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 05:59 PM (WRtsc)

179 Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 09:55 PM (WRtsc)

Indoor lacrosse makes hockey look wimpy. Any sport that you run up and down the rink and slashing is legal is nuts.

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 06:02 PM (E1iWi)

180 Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 09:58 PM (JuNCa)

But AO isn't a pure sniper type. He's a real physical guy. He's not starting shit and expecting other people to protect his ass, true he's not much for defense.

It's simply the fact he's the face of the franchise (and the league to a degree), he's going to wear the C.

Caps have plenty of character guys like Knuble (who wears an A) to make up for any of AO's deficiencies.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:03 PM (HicGG)

181 That brings up a good question, since mentioned by garrett and holdfast- Drew and I were talking on a certain other blog (moronhockey.blogspot.com) about what we'd like to see in future Winter Classics, in terms of teams and places. One thing that came up is whether or not US viewers would tune in to watch a game in Toronto or Montreal if it were publicized in the same way. Along the same lines (as long as the teams didn't suck), would you tune in for a game in Minneapolis between Dallas (in North Stars throwbacks) and the Wild?

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:04 PM (WRtsc)

182 Indoor lacrosse makes hockey look wimpy. Any sport that you run up and down the rink and slashing is legal is nuts.

Box Lacrosse?...since they took out 'no man's land' in front of the goal, it has sucked.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:04 PM (4cwjI)

183 I think I might have rather endured an Obama lecture than watch that "contest" with Bettis and Harris.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 06:04 PM (yqhkv)

184 Lightning are going to be a nightmare for the Easter Conference in the spring.

Stevie Y! He's a genius.

And oh yeah, Stamkos is fucking scorning machine.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:05 PM (HicGG)

185 Shannow- You're not kidding. One of the most frightening brawls I ever saw was between the Colorado Mammoth and Philadelphia Wings... in a 15-12 game. No falling over from losing your balance, just beating the holy hell out of each other.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:05 PM (WRtsc)

186

Along the same lines (as long as the teams didn't suck), would you tune in for a game

Yes. But I am a nut. I only own a TV because of the NHL package on Directv.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:05 PM (4cwjI)

187 It's hard as hell to police that, and that's why- and I'm speaking only for hockey here- the "players' code" exists in the way it does.

I hear ya brother. And I definitely can understand how hockey has its own code...never having played, I don't know the first thing that goes on inside the boards.

One of the cool things about the FIFA Laws of the Game (as opposed to high school administrative directives) is that just about every rule is prefaced or followed by the phrase "In the opinion of the referee." Which means that I have the freedom to apply the rules as I see fit to ensure a just outcome. Basically, my goal is to punish the guy/guys that caused the problems and I can "have been looking the wrong direction and didn't see that" if I have to deliberately ignore something.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:05 PM (EoNB3)

188 lacrosse sucks. such a stupid ass game. i dont think ive seen a dumber sport than watching that idiocy.

Posted by: str8 outta at January 01, 2011 06:06 PM (dwOwg)

189

scorning machine

Machines for sale?

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:06 PM (4cwjI)

190

Posted by: NC Ref

It's like helmet to helmet in football. It's a great idea, but impossible to enforce. Do you give a guy a penalty because the other player ducks his head? It is the same in hockey. Players that get laid out are not keeping their heads up. In the NFL, lineman don't go at each other knees. Not because it is illegal, but because to do so would be unprofessional. Fighting in hockey allows the players to address these amongst themselves. If a player decides he wants to break the professional conduct, he better be willing to back it up on his own. Make no mistake, the fans love those players, the opposing fans hate those players (but wish they played for their team).

The fights in hockey, surprisingly help to defuse the retaliations. Every other sport this is usually the opposite, but in hockey it actually calms the game down.

Another reason why fighting is allowed in hockey, the players carry a weapon in their hands. Football, soccer, and basketball players don't.

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 06:06 PM (oREHE)

191 Gabby scores with :45.6 left and ties it up!

Memo to Bolts...Do NOT leave Gabby all alone in the slot.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:07 PM (HicGG)

192

One of the cool things about the FIFA Laws of the Game (as opposed to high school administrative directives) is that just about every rule is prefaced or followed by the phrase "In the opinion of the referee."

This is why Soccer sucks.

It still clings to the Aristocracy.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:07 PM (4cwjI)

193 Must be something in the water that brings out the hate in Philly...

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 06:08 PM (E1iWi)

194

Do NOT leave Gabby all alone in the slot.

He's right.

Posted by: Mrs. Gaborick at January 01, 2011 06:09 PM (4cwjI)

195 Indoor lacrosse makes hockey look wimpy. Any sport that you run up and down the rink and slashing is legal is nuts.

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 10:02 PM (E1iWi)

Seriously.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:09 PM (EoNB3)

196 Wow and TB score 19 seconds into OT and win it.

Damn.

Well, Rangers got a point.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:11 PM (HicGG)

197 Bah, they wear helmets now. Back in the day, when Montreal always won, and the sticks were curved...

Damn, I am old.

Posted by: MarkD at January 01, 2011 06:11 PM (0Jy1K)

198 puppehtwithasuperfluous'c'OFF!

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:11 PM (4cwjI)

199 @tmi3rd

I think a matchup with a two of the Original 6 teams in Toronto or Montreal would get viewers. Of course, it would require that both teams not suck.

Posted by: Holdfast at January 01, 2011 06:12 PM (uUfiQ)

200

Wow and TB score 19 seconds into OT and win it.

Who got it?

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:12 PM (4cwjI)

201

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 10:07 PM (4cwjI)

It's a single decision-maker system, so that there is consistency and the players can know what to expect will be called and what will be let go. It's not like any other sport where they stop it every two minutes so five different refs can have a conference about what they're going to decide to do.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:12 PM (EoNB3)

202 Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 10:12 PM (4cwjI)

Tyrell.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:13 PM (HicGG)

203 @199 Sure thing. One regret I have is that I never learned to skate when I was young enough to be able to play hockey. I'm a huge fan but never played.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:14 PM (EoNB3)

204 Sabres win!!! (and still blow)

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 06:15 PM (E1iWi)

205 (chuckle) NC, that particular phrase (at the discretion of the referee) has been a bone of contention the size of a brontosaurus femur (I refer you specifically to the US World Cup gave against Slovenia, with the disallowed goal late). My one gripe about the referees' discretion clause is that it doesn't require documentation of what/why they called what they did... I've been on the wrong end of some home cooking that was just inexplicable and inexcusable, and in the wrong hands... Let's just say I'd have a lot more confidence in your officiating than some of the clowns I've had working some of my games with the whistle.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:15 PM (WRtsc)

206

...and 5:00 overtimes need to end.

It should be 10:00 of 5 on 5, followed by 10 of 4 on 4.

5 min. breaks.

No shootout until a full period of sudden death occurs.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:15 PM (4cwjI)

207 Oh and the money, honey. Why else would the shits at Ohio State, all five of those idiots selling off their rings, be forced to sit out 5 games next season, but be eligible fore the biggest and next-in-line game? Why? Becaus OSU fans travel for their football factory and give $$$ to the NCAA (which to me is nothing but an organized racket at this point). Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 01, 2011 08:21 PM The rumor they discussed on local radio the other day is that it was the Bowl Game organizers who begged the NCAA to not suspend the OSU players for the bowl game. And I believe they reported that some 'deal' was made for the players to not get suspended for the Bowl game, so long as they did not enter the NFL draft? (Makes sense, because if they don't suspend them for the Bowl game and then they enter the draft, they get away without any suspension at all).

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 01, 2011 06:16 PM (NITzp)

208 Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 10:15 PM (4cwjI)

Can't do that with the way modern schedules are. You'd be killing teams that have to play back to back or 2 in 3 days.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:17 PM (HicGG)

209

DrewM: It's simply the fact he's the face of the franchise (and the league to a degree), he's going to wear the C.

I dont buy that "face of the franchise",and hell with the league, the league will lead a franchise to hell by instinct. Ovi can still be the face of the caps, but his talents are scoring goals. A captains role takes away from that.

He's a pure goalscorer,..notice his goals to date.? he's not even a good playmaker. Put an A on him and a C on someone else and watch the goals and wins pile up.

Posted by: steven livingston seagull at January 01, 2011 06:17 PM (JuNCa)

210

You'd be killing teams that have to play back to back or 2 in 3 days.

I'd take 5 less games a year for a chance to see real overtimes again.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:20 PM (4cwjI)

211 Quite the save by Varlamov on Letang's shot.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:20 PM (WRtsc)

212 Nice job Varlamov!

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 06:21 PM (yqhkv)

213 Memo to Valarmov...turning a rebound right onto Geno's stick is usually going to cost you.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:21 PM (HicGG)

214

tmi3rd

Under this condition of anonymity, I'll agree that FIFA really screwed that whole deal up. I didn't see any reason to whistle that play down, and that may be the same conclusion that the league administrators reached, but decided to close ranks anyway. That's what I think really happened.

I know I make mistakes out there and if it's obvious that I made a really bad one, I'll admit it. The trick is to not make the game-changing mistakes....

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:23 PM (EoNB3)

215 NC- Don't worry, I didn't hear that from you. I assume you've done some significant international refereeing from that statement.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:24 PM (WRtsc)

216 Let's just say I'd have a lot more confidence in your officiating than some of the clowns I've had working some of my games with the whistle.

Thank you. I try to work hard at being professional when I'm out there, but you're right, there are some real idiots in the referee profession too. One of the hardest thing to deal with as an assistant referee...on the sidelines carrying the flag...is when a coach is riding the referee and pointing out all the mistakes that are being made, and they're right.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:26 PM (EoNB3)

217 That rain isn't getting any lighter out there, although it doesn't look like much on radar.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:27 PM (WRtsc)

218 Don't worry, I didn't hear that from you. I assume you've done some significant international refereeing from that statement.

You assume too much. That was a career highlight and I am not in the big leagues, but I've been doing it for a long time.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:27 PM (EoNB3)

219 Heck of a job by both teams for putting on a very credible show in these conditions.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:31 PM (HicGG)

220 As a Ranger fan, I throw up in my mouth a little every time I see Brooks Orpik and remember the Rangers could have had him but signed Wade Redden instead.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:35 PM (HicGG)

221 Great passing!

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:36 PM (EoNB3)

222 Wow. That was a hell of a shot by Fehr.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:36 PM (WRtsc)

223 Nice pass by Chimera.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 06:37 PM (yqhkv)

224 I hear ya brother. And I definitely can understand how hockey has its own code...never having played, I don't know the first thing that goes on inside the boards.

One of the cool things about the FIFA Laws of the Game (as opposed to high school administrative directives) is that just about every rule is prefaced or followed by the phrase "In the opinion of the referee." Which means that I have the freedom to apply the rules as I see fit to ensure a just outcome. Basically, my goal is to punish the guy/guys that caused the problems and I can "have been looking the wrong direction and didn't see that" if I have to deliberately ignore something.
Posted by: NC Ref

I hear what you are saying, but in a sport where any penalty results in that team going down a man for 2, 4, or 5 minutes should be rather black and white. I've seen too many refs try to make themselves part of the game, especially trying to apply the rules to ensure an outcome, it turned out poorly. One team starts taking advantage of lax enforcement, the other gets frustrated, cheap shots then were numerous.

It even got real ugly after the game for the ref as he spent 45 minutes after the game in his dressing room being screamed at by a referee supervisor. Both locker rooms heard the "discussion", and the ref lost respect of both rooms. Referees that are consistent in how they enforce the rules and manage the game are widely respected by the players because they know going in just how the game will be called.

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 06:41 PM (oREHE)

225 Am I the only who gets the feeling that in his heart of hearts, Emrick likes the AHL better than he does the NHL?

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:43 PM (HicGG)

226 Fleury should just stay in the net, and I don't really care much about the outcome of this game.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:44 PM (WRtsc)

227 Drew, I think Emrick thinks the A is a purer game.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:45 PM (WRtsc)

228 Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 10:45 PM (WRtsc)

It was the league of his youth (as a kid and professionally).

I get he would give anything to be riding the bus again with the boys, I just don't want to have to hear about it so much.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:47 PM (HicGG)

229 Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 10:35 PM (HicGG)

Orpik wanted to play in Buffalo (he's from the area). They didn't contact his agent because Regier didn't think they had a shot at him. I'll be so happy when they have a new owner.

Posted by: shannow at January 01, 2011 06:47 PM (E1iWi)

230

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 10:41 PM (oREHE)

Absolutely. And as I think everyone will agree...especially the soccer-haters...they're different sports and can't bee officiated in the same way. I wasn't trying to make any kind of argument that they way I manage a soccer match would work for hockey.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:48 PM (EoNB3)

231 Oh, are we going to see a Youngblood-style skirmish now?

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:50 PM (WRtsc)

232 Oh, I'm not pleased that they're not doing the postgame handshake. That's a significant tradition that the non-hockey-watching population needs to see.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:52 PM (WRtsc)

233 A great 2nd period but overall a good but not great game. I think if they had reasonable weather, we'd have seen something really special.

It's a cliche but these teams hate each other.

I hope they meet in the conference semis and the Rangers get the winner in the finals.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 06:54 PM (HicGG)

234 I'm upset they didn't shake hands either. That's too bad.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 06:54 PM (yqhkv)

235

I'm upset they didn't shake hands either

That's only in the Playoffs and Finals. They still have games to play against eachother.

That they came in togerther was enough for me.

Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 06:56 PM (4cwjI)

236 he spent 45 minutes after the game in his dressing room being screamed at by a referee supervisor. Both locker rooms heard the "discussion",

That is really unprofessional right there, on the supervisor's part. But I've been present for some really stupid people in supervisory positions behave in similar ways, so this story is very believable. You'd think referee supervisors would be better at inter-personal relationships, but a lot of them are career bureaucratic types who, ironically, got to where they were by having to make and stand by a decision themselves, only criticizing those of us who do.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 06:58 PM (EoNB3)

237 Garrett, they did it in previous Winter Classics, and it's mandated all the way up to college hockey and the adjacent junior leagues. On this stage, it just looks better. Other than that, I hear you.

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 06:58 PM (WRtsc)

238 Posted by: garrett at January 01, 2011 10:56 PM (4cwjI)

Apparently there were handshakes at the end of every other Classic.

Personally, I'm fine with them not. You can only do so much to woo new people. The important thing is these teams are going to play a few more times this season and they are going to be hard, nasty games...that's what will bring in fans.

They do need to fix the camera angle thing if they are going to use stadiums like this going forward. Other than that...Total win for the NHL tonight.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 01, 2011 07:00 PM (HicGG)

239 got to where they were by NEVER having to make and stand by a decision themselves, only criticizing those of us who do.

Maybe it makes more sense now.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 07:00 PM (EoNB3)

240 243 I'm upset they didn't shake hands either. That's too bad.

Posted by: Trish at January 01, 2011 10:54 PM (yqhkv)

But with .6 seconds left, they were about to fight. Bringing them back together to shake hands and then having a fight break out again after the game would look really bad.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 07:03 PM (EoNB3)

241 Well, folks, fun as ever. G'night!

Posted by: tmi3rd at January 01, 2011 07:10 PM (WRtsc)

242 G'night tmi3rd. Nice trading stories this evening.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 07:15 PM (EoNB3)

243 NC Ref

When I worked in hockey, I never questioned anything that the refs did in our games, even though there were some really poorly officiated games. Refs make mistakes and miss calls, but the professional ones admit to it.

As for managing a soccer match, hell, I couldn't even begin to think how it should be done. My feeling is that if the ref calls a couple of penalties on both sides early in the match, he takes control of the match. Also when captains or coaches have questions, the ref should at least make an effort to answer questions.

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 07:15 PM (oREHE)

244 Kinda sucked.

Caps adjusted to the conditions better and deserved the win, but I hate for people who rarely see hockey to see that shit sandwich as their only exposure to the game for a year.

Posted by: forest at January 01, 2011 07:24 PM (sHmvf)

245 Also when captains or coaches have questions, the ref should at least make an effort to answer questions.

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 11:15 PM (oREHE)

Yeah this is really important. I try to be approachable and talk to the players and coaches about what I'm doing...to a point...but there are some who don't do this very well and that definitely creates problems for them.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 07:27 PM (EoNB3)

246 That is really unprofessional right there, on the supervisor's part. But I've been present for some really stupid people in supervisory positions behave in similar ways, so this story is very believable. You'd think referee supervisors would be better at inter-personal relationships, but a lot of them are career bureaucratic types who, ironically, got to where they were by having to make and stand by a decision themselves, only criticizing those of us who do.
Posted by: NC Ref

This ref did everything a referee is not supposed to do. One team was about half French-Canadian, as he was, and he spoke to them in French. Big no no. All conversations on the ice are to be in English, period. One coach tried to call a timeout, the ref would not allow him. Even the linesmen told him the coach wanted to call a timeout, he still ignored the coach's request for a timeout. Then the ref throws the coach when he starts slamming a stick to get his attention to call his timeout. Even the other teams coach was trying to get his attention to get him to let him call the timeout.

As bad as this was, it wasn't until after another game that he did the same thing, but with a different coach did the referee supervisor chew him out. After that game and the chewing out, he changed his tune towards the coaches in the league.

The F-C players and refs were for the most parts, fucking pricks.

Posted by: MrCaniac at January 01, 2011 07:30 PM (oREHE)

247
This ref did everything a referee is not supposed to do.

I swear I've worked with that guy!!! Yeah there are some guys out there working games that have no business anywhere near a whistle. I hate getting assigned with them because I know there are going to be problems long before they actually happen. Some refs just suck at what they do, and I cannot understand why they don't see it. When they're in charge, people yell at them all the time. When I'm in charge, we usually have a nice game and go home.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 07:34 PM (EoNB3)

248 The F-C players and refs were for the most parts, fucking pricks.

I do see some teams from Canada occasionally, and I haven't seen much that would make me dispute this.

Posted by: NC Ref at January 01, 2011 07:37 PM (EoNB3)

249 I tried to like Hockey. I don't. When I was a young sailor I worked part time as a security gaurd in San Diego, my boss was Willie O'ree, the first black Hockey Player. If you think Jackie Robinson had it tough, you should hear some of this guys stories.

Posted by: Oldsailor at January 01, 2011 08:06 PM (AovJ3)

250 Yes, but the long shot from wholesale products the bleachers has some blindness to it from the lights...also a lot of superfluous field in the wholesale fashion cornerd due to the shallow angle.

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251

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