Ace of Spades HQ

January 26, 2014

NHL Stadium Hockey Game Thread [Y-not]
— Open Blogger

After hating on hockey in yesterday's gardening thread, I feel I must atone. Here's a thread for our hockey lovers. There is a game being played this afternoon (12:30 pm) at Yankee Stadium.

Below the jump, some hockey babes: Did you know that there is women's hockey? THE Ohio State University has a team. They have uniforms and everything!

Also, turns out that there are some pretty nice elbows in the NHL:

Enjoy the thread and keep your stick on the ice!

(Hat tip to garrett for reminding me about today's game.)

Posted by: Open Blogger at 08:02 AM | Comments (163)
Post contains 102 words, total size 1 kb.

1 *drums fingers waiting for the hockey morons to show up*

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 08:22 AM (zDsvJ)

2 Yes! Low cut tops and a job bending over a lot. On Ice.

Posted by: TheSev at January 26, 2014 08:23 AM (iHeMr)

3 Last game I was at we parked with the players. When we left we had to wait in the line to leave the garage because of the fans waiting to get autographs. I think they were disappointed when we pulled up. Hey, i would have signed some stuff.m all they had to do was ask.

Posted by: RWC at January 26, 2014 08:24 AM (Q6HBD)

4 some pretty nice elbows in the NHL: I highly recommend clicking on that link.

Posted by: t-bird at January 26, 2014 08:25 AM (FcR7P)

5 Football has elbows. Hockey has knees.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b] at January 26, 2014 08:25 AM (0HooB)

6 If you hockey lovers enjoy this thread, I will try to put one up weekly.

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 08:28 AM (zDsvJ)

7 I'd like to see those girls doing some gardening.

Posted by: --- at January 26, 2014 08:28 AM (MMC8r)

8 Mr Y-not, a hockey fan from his infancy, tells me that they used to have gals (fans from the crowd) in skimpy outfits come out onto the ice in hooker heels as part of the intermission festivities at the games he attended.

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 08:31 AM (zDsvJ)

9 both teams will take the ice for pregame warmups at 1 pm ET at this point.

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 08:34 AM (bRL1M)

10 "Ice girl. Five minute major penalty. Elbowing."

Posted by: Moron NHL referee[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:34 AM (g4TxM)

11 Which NHL team had the first cheerleaders?

Posted by: EC at January 26, 2014 08:35 AM (doBIb)

12 Hurry up and finish the Schlitterbahn in Kansas City, because the world's tallest ice slide (it gets cold enough, right?) would make for great TV.

Posted by: t-bird at January 26, 2014 08:35 AM (FcR7P)

13 Wow. The NFL has some catching up to do.

Posted by: mrp at January 26, 2014 08:37 AM (JBggj)

14 11 Which NHL team had the first cheerleaders? Posted by: EC at January 26, 2014 12:35 PM (doBIb) Panthers, I think

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 08:37 AM (bRL1M)

15 "Wow. After looking at those Ice Girls I may get called for high sticking, IYKWIMAITYD"

Posted by: Moron NHL fan[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:37 AM (g4TxM)

16 Hey, check those hips!

Posted by: Moron NHL fan[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:38 AM (g4TxM)

17 Women's hockey? I thought all those girls were playing this... http://tinyurl.com/mzolrbh

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 26, 2014 08:39 AM (0FSuD)

18 He glides between the circles, into the crease. It's a tip-in from high in the slot!

Posted by: Moron NHL fan[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:41 AM (g4TxM)

19 Nice! Thanks Y-Not. DrewM used to throw us a hockey thread once in a while...but he's a Rangers fan. ...and Ice Girls, FTW!

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 08:41 AM (RYZD0)

20 http://tinyurl.com/mzolrbh Posted by: Nip Sip at January 26, 2014 12:39 PM (0FSuD) New Jersey Roller Derby (NJRD) http://www.njderby.com/

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 08:41 AM (bRL1M)

21 I am confused. It's Sunday. Yesterday we had a gardening thread, something every smart military blog has and we had a book thread, BUT still no gun thread? Dave and Andy taking off?

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 26, 2014 08:41 AM (0FSuD)

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 12:31 PM (zDsvJ)

they still do that at Admiral games

Posted by: The Dude at January 26, 2014 08:42 AM (bStrg)

23 Seriously, the NHL finds hot chicks, throws skates on them and makes them clean up. It's awesome.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 08:42 AM (RYZD0)

24 So, does the AoSHQ stylebook require us to refer to it as a "ckup"?

Posted by: Moron NHL fan[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:42 AM (g4TxM)

25 23 Seriously, the NHL finds hot chicks, throws skates on them and makes them clean up. It's awesome. Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 12:42 PM (RYZD0) Now, if they only had a sammich bar at the arena

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 08:44 AM (bRL1M)

26 Garrett- you're a Blackhawks fan, yes? They have been looking pretty good, I must say.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:44 AM (g4TxM)

27 26 Garrett- you're a Blackhawks fan, yes? They have been looking pretty good, I must say. Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at January 26, 2014 12:44 PM (g4TxM) Ducks have best record

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 08:46 AM (bRL1M)

28 My knowledge of hockey rivals my knowledge of cricket, but Emerson nice ice babes.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b] at January 26, 2014 08:47 AM (0HooB)

29 Yeah, and the Blackhawks plat the Jets later on, tonight. Hawks have looked ok, so far. Having Crawford go down and Ranta stepping in the way he did was awesome. It looks like we're finally getting back on the same page with Corey, though. The first couple games he was back were a bit dicey. It will be interesting to see how the Olympics affects the 2nd half of the season...

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 08:48 AM (RYZD0)

30 Ducks have best record ...and Corky Perry. Though Getzlaf is a stud.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 08:49 AM (RYZD0)

31 This, right here, is ghey.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 08:51 AM (RYZD0)

32 My God it's full of pucks...and elbows!

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 26, 2014 08:51 AM (oFCZn)

33 Pic 25 at the link makes one want to get called for a penalty and thrown in the box.

Posted by: The Hickster at January 26, 2014 08:52 AM (TI3xG)

34 I've had fun watching the overachieving Avs this year. Would be nice to see them have a little run in the playoffs, good for a young team. Man, they have some speed and talent!

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:52 AM (g4TxM)

35 I want to take the blonde ice fishing

Won't have to haul an augur out there with those elbows to cut a nice hole

Posted by: kbdabear at January 26, 2014 08:52 AM (aTXUx)

36 Best ones I've seen on TV are the Preds'. AFAIK, the Jets don't have any yet.

Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 08:55 AM (fOFYL)

37 25 23 Seriously, the NHL finds hot chicks, throws skates on them and makes them clean up.

It's awesome.
Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 12:42 PM (RYZD0)

Now, if they only had a sammich bar at the arena Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 12:44 PM

Threadwinnah!

You owe me a coffee

Posted by: kbdabear at January 26, 2014 08:56 AM (aTXUx)

38 Of course, Ducks/Penguins is a likely Finals match-up and would be epic just for the mascot imagery.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 08:56 AM (g4TxM)

39 27 26 Garrett- you're a Blackhawks fan, yes? They have been looking pretty good, I must say. Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at January 26, 2014 12:44 PM (g4TxM) Ducks have best record Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 12:46 PM (bRL1M) --The shame is that the Ducks and 'Hawks can't play each other in the Finals. It'll be an Eastern team getting stomped by the Ducks, Blackhawks, or maybe the Sharks or Blues.

Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 08:56 AM (fOFYL)

40 There's some real talent on the Predator Ice Girl Squad.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 08:57 AM (RYZD0)

41 Speaking of games in novel arenas, my plan to get to see the BC vs.Notre Dame game at Fenway in 2015 has been launched. I figure tickets will cost an arm and a leg, and no "connections" are going to be worth shit to anyone who has season tix or otherwise can by them off the primary market. I figure if Dad sees it as an opportunity for a big family get-together, he'll probably fork out for some package of tix. Get all the bros, uncles, etc. together for the weekend/game. Cheaper than the trip to Ireland he's always talking about and we'll probably never do.

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 26, 2014 08:57 AM (ZshNr)

42 Hockey is inherently racist.

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 08:59 AM (Dwehj)

43 We used to play hockey in Hawaii when the Pacific froze over. I was always picked last.

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:02 AM (Dwehj)

44 Romney should be put in jail for saying Putin is a better president than President Obama. So racist knowing Putin is pure white Russian and President Obama is a person of color. President Obama should put Romney in jail immediately for spreading such lies............

Posted by: Dorcus Blimline at January 26, 2014 09:02 AM (iB0Q2)

45 Ulf! He used to come into the Pizza place I worked at all the time.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:03 AM (RYZD0)

46 Aww. The girl in the Vancouver jersey is shy. The poor thing.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at January 26, 2014 09:05 AM (BZAd3)

47 Seriously, the NHL finds hot chicks, throws skates on them and makes them clean up. It's awesome. Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 12:42 PM (RYZD0) Now, if they only had a sammich bar at the arena Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 12:44 PM **** Nah. It'd be more like "Do these hockey pants make my ass look fat?"

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 09:06 AM (g4TxM)

48 >>7 I'd like to see those girls doing some gardening. Are you calling them "hoes?!"

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 09:08 AM (zDsvJ)

49 My brother used to cuff be about the ears with his curved stick. Now I live in a mansion and he lives in a hut. Hah!

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:09 AM (Dwehj)

50 >>42 Hockey is inherently racist. IIRC the Flyers have a black goalie. Pretty tough one too based on the goalie-goalie fight he was in.

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 09:10 AM (zDsvJ)

51 #99 Throws like a SCOAMF.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:10 AM (PPOV2)

52 O/T

Many of us know Stephen Green (Vodkapundit)

This is a tweet from him

Stephen Green @VodkaPundit Follow

I saw Wheelchair Truthers open for The Blockheads in '78.

4:38 PM - 25 Jan 2014

Any doubt that he reads the comments here?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 26, 2014 09:10 AM (kFCo1)

53 >>41 Speaking of games in novel arenas, my plan to get to see the BC vs.Notre Dame game at Fenway in 2015 has been launched. My dad will be so conflicted. (If he's still around then.) They should have the Pope throw out the first pitch.

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 09:11 AM (zDsvJ)

54 The NFL gives its cheerleaders pom poms; the NHL gives its cheerleaders... shovels.

I wonder why hockey has never caught on like football?

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at January 26, 2014 09:11 AM (IN7k+)

55 For a game played on ice in a cold arena, there's a curious absence of headlights in those ice babe pix, IYKWIM.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit [/i][/s][/b] at January 26, 2014 09:12 AM (0HooB)

56 Yeah, there are going to be a lot of conflicted Catholics/Sports fans in the stadium. But it should be one hell of a party.

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 26, 2014 09:12 AM (ZshNr)

57 For a game played on ice in a cold arena, there's a curious absence of headlights in those ice babe pix, IYKWIM. The laminating process warms them up.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:12 AM (PPOV2)

58 Romney should be put in jail for saying Putin is a better president than President Obama. So racist knowing Putin is pure white Russian and President Obama is a person of color. President Obama should put Romney in jail immediately for spreading such lies............

Posted by: Dorcus Blimline at January 26, 2014 01:02 PM (iB0Q2)

Eric "The Corrupt" Holder: I'm on it

Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2014 09:14 AM (JivuR)

59 'Sin City' on SyFy.

Posted by: RWC at January 26, 2014 09:14 AM (Q6HBD)

60 The laminating process warms them up.

And keeps them quiet.

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:15 AM (Dwehj)

61 The, 'I saw _______ open for _______ at ________ back in _________.', gag is a great one.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:17 AM (PPOV2)

62 Hockey is inherently racist.

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 12:59 PM (Dwehj)

I can't believe the left hasn't gone after the BlackHawks yet. Indians and black.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2014 09:17 AM (JivuR)

63 In news of sportsing, final hour of the Rolex 24 on FoxSports1. 24 hr sports car endurance race. Yesterday there was a horrible crash. http://tinyurl.com/lhyk6ya Both drivers in the hospital. One has already had surgery on his leg and arm and is awaiting back surgery. The other I haven't seen good reports on.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:20 AM (ZPrif)

64 62 Hockey is inherently racist. Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 12:59 PM (Dwehj) I can't believe the left hasn't gone after the BlackHawks yet. Indians and black. Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2014 01:17 PM (JivuR) Chicoutimi SaguenÃ©ens

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 09:23 AM (bRL1M)

65 And why do they call it "the crease"? Is David Brooks a hockey fan? Why, that little weasel.

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:24 AM (Dwehj)

66 OK, speaking of the crease, what are the diagonal lines that run from the back of the net to the boards supposed to signify? Did they put in some rule about the goalie not being subjected to checking if he's back there to get the puck or something?

Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 09:26 AM (zDsvJ)

67 I can't believe the left hasn't gone after the BlackHawks yet. Indians and black. Shit, here I thought they were the "Chicago Black Cocks"...

Posted by: Barky McESPN at January 26, 2014 09:26 AM (FcR7P)

68 Nah. It'd be more like "Do these hockey pants make my ass look fat?" Posted by: Seamus Muldoon

And the truthful answer would be "No. No they don't"

Posted by: mrp at January 26, 2014 09:27 AM (JBggj)

69 OK, speaking of the crease, what are the diagonal lines that run from the back of the net to the boards supposed to signify?

In Hawaii, we called those the "choom lines".

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:28 AM (Dwehj)

70
Shit, here I thought they were the "Chicago Black Cocks"...

Posted by: Barky McESPN at January 26, 2014 01:26 PM (FcR7P)

That was the Man's Country glory hole team. Of which you were captain

Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2014 09:30 AM (JivuR)

71 Did the announcer really just say, "What I see from just looking at, watching and observing the players is..." ???

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 09:33 AM (g4TxM)

72 Injuins? I find it funny that a NY State tribe, the Oneida tribe, are behind the Red Skins fight? Why don't they fight this? http://tinyurl.com/geyjs Some MFers done stole their name AND web address.

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 26, 2014 09:35 AM (0FSuD)

73 OK, speaking of the crease, what are the diagonal lines that run from the back of the net to the boards supposed to signify? Did they put in some rule about the goalie not being subjected to checking if he's back there to get the puck or something? Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 01:26 PM (zDsvJ) **** The trapezoid (between those diagonal lines) is the only area behind the goal line that the goalie can play the puck. He cannot go out into the corners of the rink. The intent was to keep the puck in play more and keep the goalies from ranging out too far and scooting the puck back down the ice out of danger.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 09:36 AM (g4TxM)

74 Ok, bagpipes are a nice touch.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:36 AM (ZPrif)

75 I was born to make shit up, as I go along. I crack me up!

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:36 AM (Dwehj)

76 speaking of the crease, what are the diagonal lines that run from the back of the net to the boards supposed to signify? That area is called the Trapezoid. It is there because of the guy in net for NJ, today. It limits the area goalie can play the puck in. The Goalie is limited to puck handling INSIDE the Trapezoid (Behind the net). He can't go into the corners to play the puck. (I have always thought they should have highlighted that area, like they do the Crease, when they changed the rule)

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:37 AM (wjG/Z)

77 Not a fan of the Devils unis, too watermelon. Makes me hungry for Jolly Ranchers.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:37 AM (ZPrif)

78 i.e. trying to generate more offensive scoring chances.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon[/b][/s][/i] at January 26, 2014 09:37 AM (g4TxM)

79 50 >>42 Hockey is inherently racist. IIRC the Flyers have a black goalie. Pretty tough one too based on the goalie-goalie fight he was in. Posted by: Y-not at January 26, 2014 01:10 PM (zDsvJ) --Evander Kane (Jets) is black. Hell, I think he was named after Evander Holyfield.

Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 09:38 AM (fOFYL)

80 I like watching men getting dressed on TV.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 26, 2014 09:39 AM (P6QsQ)

81 trying to generate more offensive scoring chances

I'm all for that.

Posted by: Sandra Flook at January 26, 2014 09:39 AM (Dwehj)

82 Marty also used to kill opposition players in the 2nd period. That long change and a mobile goalie make it real hard to get a line change.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:39 AM (wjG/Z)

83 Seeing hockey in person is quite the experience. It's really exciting. But, dress warm!

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at January 26, 2014 09:39 AM (IXrOn)

84 Hockey has no diversity unless you count language, ethnicity, or country of origin.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:39 AM (ZPrif)

85 OK, I still have my hockey skates from Christmas, seventh grade. Never played in them. I always played in ghey figure skates and could never give up the damn front cut.

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 26, 2014 09:40 AM (0FSuD)

86 PK Suban hate black people!

Posted by: Kanye West at January 26, 2014 09:40 AM (wjG/Z)

87 Nobody ever remembers Joel Ward.

Posted by: Joel Ward at January 26, 2014 09:41 AM (wjG/Z)

88 No one sings a better hockey anthem than Jim Cornelison of the Blackhawks, but that was pretty nice.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 26, 2014 09:41 AM (P6QsQ)

89 Pin-striped pads. Cool.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:41 AM (ZPrif)

90 Holy Cow!

Posted by: Zombie Phil Rizzuto at January 26, 2014 09:43 AM (wjG/Z)

91 I'm going to have Val schedule me to sing The Internationale at the next Blackhawks game. I won't even need a teleprompter.

Posted by: Prez'nit 404 at January 26, 2014 09:45 AM (Dwehj)

92 >>--Evander Kane (Jets) is black. Hell, I think he was named after Evander Holyfield. He was. Been a few black hockey players. More every year.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 09:46 AM (g1DWB)

93 Penalty box would suck one you get warmed up and sweaty.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:47 AM (wjG/Z)

94 There's something extra special about cameltoes on ice.

Posted by: Fritz at January 26, 2014 09:47 AM (TKFmG)

95 Anyone seen Dave or Andy? Gun Thread???

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 26, 2014 09:48 AM (0FSuD)

96 NHL really has done a great job of marketing hockey in recent years. The Winter Classic is now an annual success. It'll be interesting if they can make this Stadium Series idea work. Apparently the reason there so many outdoor games this year is they are trying to build around the Olympics. So a couple Stadium Series games before the Winter Olympics and then a couple more right after. NHL has said that this won't be an annual thing having so many outdoor games. But it sounds like they aren't going back to just having the Winter Classic. So the Stadium Series will continue, I think, just scaled back. I think.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:48 AM (ZPrif)

97 Rangers are buzzing...

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:51 AM (wjG/Z)

98 ...and then Elias breaks it open!

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:51 AM (wjG/Z)

99 6 outdoor NHL games this year. Winter Classic Heritage Classic (ie Winter Classic for Canada) 4 Stadium Series games (2 in NY, 1 in LA, 1 in Chicago)

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:52 AM (ZPrif)

100 Son of a ....

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 09:52 AM (g1DWB)

101 Leaving to go to Wegmans now.

Which means that the gun thread should show up in about ten minutes.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 26, 2014 09:55 AM (kFCo1)

102 Tied up!

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:56 AM (wjG/Z)

103 And there's been a mini-explosion of outdoor hockey in the last decade with college hockey, minor league hockey, Russian hockey, euro hockey, etc, getting in on the act. Have there been some advances in building temporary outdoor rinks or something?

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 09:57 AM (ZPrif)

104 Works every F*ckin' time

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 26, 2014 09:57 AM (kFCo1)

105 I like that they haven't cleared the schedule for the Stadium Series games. There have been other league games going on on the same days and even at the same time.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 09:58 AM (wjG/Z)

106 I quit watching pro Hockey when the North Stars moved to Texas. But we have a great high school system here so I can still see good games.

Posted by: The Hickster at January 26, 2014 09:58 AM (TI3xG)

107 You guys do know there's a gun thread...right?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 26, 2014 10:01 AM (kFCo1)

108 Gods of Wiki claim the modern popularity of outdoor hockey was sparked by the Cold War game in 2001 between Michigan and Michigan State. 75k people showed up and hockey business people around the world all had a shared communal dream of snow and money. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_outdoor_ice_hockey_games

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 10:02 AM (ZPrif)

109 'That area is called the trapezoid.'

I was told there would be no geometry...

Posted by: Play us a song, you're the Zamboni man at January 26, 2014 10:04 AM (q/PkG)

110 Guns up

Posted by: weirdflunky at January 26, 2014 10:04 AM (F+RpO)

111 Jager is just amazing.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 10:05 AM (wjG/Z)

112 Next will be Indoor Baseball.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 10:06 AM (ZPrif)

113 For all the accusations about Boston sports teams being racist (some rightfully so, and I'm looking at you, Zombie Tom Yawkey), everyone always forgets that Willie O'Ree (out of Fredericton, NB) was the first black player in the NHL, for the Bruins back in '57. I reckon he was one tough SOB.

Posted by: jakeman at January 26, 2014 10:07 AM (vH4YP)

114 I've had indoor baseball practice on rainy days. Really kinda dumb taking grounders on a basketball court. Ball doesn't bounce anything like a real baseball bouncing on dirt and grass. Bounces much high since less energy is dissipated. Every indoor practice had guys getting hit in the chest or face with the ball. Trained their hands and brain their whole lives to on how baseballs bounce on dirt and grass, so every instinct has them keeping their hands too low.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 10:12 AM (ZPrif)

115 Well this has taken an ugly turn.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 10:17 AM (g1DWB)

116 Oh, this is just getting started JackStraw.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 10:20 AM (wjG/Z)

117 Gotta say this looks to be some of the best ice for any of these outdoor games. Good pace. Puck isn't sticking or bouncing too bad, either.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 10:21 AM (wjG/Z)

118 Anyone watch the game at Dodger Stadium last night? Just wondering about whether they were able to produce halfway decent ice.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 10:22 AM (MpP9p)

119 How 'bout them BLUUUZZZ? Was that Saturday afternoon match against the Isles great, or what?

I hear the Coyotes are gonna move to Halifax. ("Halifax Coyotes" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?)

Where are the Panthers gonna go?

Posted by: mnw at January 26, 2014 10:27 AM (68RU9)

120 I hear the Coyotes are gonna move to Halifax. ("Halifax Coyotes" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) Where are the Panthers gonna go? Posted by: mnw at January 26, 2014 02:27 PM (68RU9) Halifax?!?!? I would think that Bettman would try to put them in Seattle or Kansas City before Halifax (or even Saskatoon, believe it or not). Quebec City really wants a team back; they're trying to get the funds together to build a new arena.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 10:28 AM (MpP9p)

121 Thx for the trapezoid knowledge.

Posted by: Y-not on the phone (@MoxieMom on twitter) at January 26, 2014 10:29 AM (HyIce)

122 Saskatoon!

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 10:29 AM (wjG/Z)

123 Seattle seems a likely NHL city in the future. Personally, I think NHL needs to put a team in Houston. If hockey can work in Dallas it can work in Houston. Houston is gigantic and much more international than people realize. It's the energy capital of the Western Hemisphere. That pulls in rich energy biz people from everywhere on the planet.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 10:36 AM (ZPrif)

124 If hockey can work in Dallas it can work in Houston. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 02:36 PM (ZPrif) Dallas has had huge problems the past few years with attendance and finances. It isn't mentioned as much because there are several other teams that are/were in much worse shape.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 10:37 AM (MpP9p)

125 123 Seattle seems a likely NHL city in the future. Personally, I think NHL needs to put a team in Houston. If hockey can work in Dallas it can work in Houston. Houston is gigantic and much more international than people realize. It's the energy capital of the Western Hemisphere. That pulls in rich energy biz people from everywhere on the planet. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 02:36 PM (ZPrif) Islanders have only 2,000 season ticket holders for Barclay Center (when they move there). Rumors are the NHL will move them and bring in a AHL to Hempstead, Islanders to Seattle?

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 10:38 AM (bRL1M)

126 Islanders have a deal in Brooklyn.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 10:39 AM (ZPrif)

127 Dallas has had huge problems the past few years with attendance and finances. It isn't mentioned as much because there are several other teams that are/were in much worse shape. Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 02:37 PM (MpP9p) Phoenix comes to mind and the Devils (but this recent buyout will mitigate that)

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 10:39 AM (bRL1M)

128 126 Islanders have a deal in Brooklyn. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 02:39 PM (ZPrif) yep, I was aware of that, but they are unable to sell season tickets.

Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 10:40 AM (bRL1M)

129 >>Quebec City really wants a team back; they're trying to get the funds together to build a new arena. Would give me just another reason to go back to Quebec City. One of the best kept secrets in North America.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 10:40 AM (g1DWB)

130 NHL is committed to their Southern Strategy. And the declining Canadian dollar makes relocating to Canada less attractive than in the 2000s.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 10:42 AM (ZPrif)

131 Phoenix comes to mind and the Devils (but this recent buyout will mitigate that) Posted by: MikeH at January 26, 2014 02:39 PM (bRL1M) I'd add both of the teams in Florida as well as Columbus. Atlanta was solved when the owners went hat in hand to the True North guys and practically begged them to buy the team and move it to Winnipeg after True North failed to buy the Coyotes. I'm convinced that didn't happen because Bettman didn't want to look like a fool (since the original Jets became the Coyotes).

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 10:43 AM (MpP9p)

132 My personally favorite Ice Girl clip from the NHL is from the Kings game a week or so ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKivhZIUP8M

Posted by: plisken451 at January 26, 2014 10:43 AM (NJljn)

133 I used to go to 5 or 6 Coyotes games a year, but I have attended exactly 1 game total since they moved to Glendale. I am not going to drive 40 minutes in rush hour to get there, let alone drive home that distance after having 2 beers. IMO, it was an epic mistake not to keep them in downtown Phoenix, or to move them to Scottsdale. I honestly wouldn't be terribly upset to see them leave.

Posted by: jakeman at January 26, 2014 10:44 AM (vH4YP)

134 Second period begins. NBC has to be happy that the first had 5 goals.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 10:49 AM (MpP9p)

135 133 I am not going to drive 40 minutes in rush hour to get there, let alone drive home that distance after having 2 beers. I totally agree. I was in Phoenix over Christmas, and went to the Coyotes/Sharks game on 12/27. Took us 45 minutes to get home, driving 70mph the entire way with NO traffic. It's nuts. Living in Seattle now, I was really hoping the deal with Glendale had fallen through during the summer.

Posted by: plisken451 at January 26, 2014 10:53 AM (NJljn)

136 Winnipeg gets its first outdoor game in two years. Can't wait to watch it, though I doubt I can be there in person.

Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 10:56 AM (fOFYL)

137 I think that a big part of the problem with the teams in FL and Phoenix is there was an expectation that Snowbirds (aka. the Canadians who fly south for the winter) would show up in good numbers to games in addition to the local interest because they, being Canadians, like hockey. Sure, it might work when a Canadian team shows up, particularly Toronto or Montreal, but the rest of the time it hasn't.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 10:59 AM (MpP9p)

138 Only problem with Seattle is whether it will be over-saturated with sports. NBA has basically promised a blood-oath to bring the NBA back to Seattle as soon as they get their new arena figured out. So if the NHL tries then Seattle will have all of the Big 4. Plus in Seattle, the MLS actually does great business and is a real competitor for sports fans time and money. I know Seattle is fairly rich, but it's not an uber-giant metro population-wise. So it's an open question whether there's enough metro GDP to support that many big time pro sports franchises. I know the Mariners have been really struggling in attendance for years as the locals seem to have lost interest.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 11:00 AM (ZPrif)

139 Winnipeg gets its first outdoor game in two years. Can't wait to watch it, though I doubt I can be there in person. Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 02:56 PM (fOFYL) I can't imagine what the ticket prices will be on the resale market... I'm sure you've been pretty happy with the Jets these past two weeks after I dropped the "Noel's been fired" news on you.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:01 AM (MpP9p)

140 >>I think that a big part of the problem with the teams in FL and Phoenix is there was an expectation that Snowbirds (aka. the Canadians who fly south for the winter) would show up in good numbers to games in addition to the local interest because they, being Canadians, like hockey. I worked in Tampa for a few years and the attendance was always great. The bigger problem for the Panthers and the Coyotes is that haven't been very good.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 11:02 AM (g1DWB)

141 Vendette, that's definitely part of it, same with all the Midwesterners that relocate here. It works for Spring Training because it's a short season when it doesn't get much better than escaping to AZ weather. For the 7+-month NHL season with a basically anonymous roster, not so much. There hasn't been much excitement since the Roenick-Tkachuk days. My understanding of their Glendale calculation was they thought it would be good to appeal to "blue collar fans." Personally, I think that today's ticket and beer prices would have been a better fit with Scottsdale's wealthier demographic.

Posted by: jakeman at January 26, 2014 11:08 AM (vH4YP)

142 Sweet.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 11:10 AM (g1DWB)

143 137 I think that a big part of the problem with the teams in FL and Phoenix is there was an expectation that Snowbirds (aka. the Canadians who fly south for the winter) would show up in good numbers to games in addition to the local interest because they, being Canadians, like hockey. Sure, it might work when a Canadian team shows up, particularly Toronto or Montreal, but the rest of the time it hasn't. Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 02:59 PM (MpP9p) --Right now there are a lot of packages for trips to see Jets games in places like Miami and Nashville. Easier to see the Jets away there than at home. Plus, a getaway to a warmer place in the winter, so win-win for Jets fans.

Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 11:11 AM (fOFYL)

144 Posted by: jakeman at January 26, 2014 03:08 PM (vH4YP) And there's the location issue, which you and others have pointed out. I've only been to Phoenix once, and I learned really fast that it's huge because they build out, not up. Thanks for mentioning the difference between Glendale and Scottsdale. I didn't know that, and your statement about how the latter would be preferable does make sense.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:12 AM (MpP9p)

145 I'm sure you've been pretty happy with the Jets these past two weeks after I dropped the "Noel's been fired" news on you. Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 03:01 PM (MpP9p) --Heh, and I thought it was a rash decision at the time. That's why I'm not a GM. I'm guessing some of the leaders in the locker room passed along the word through their back channels that Noel was losing the team.

Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 11:14 AM (fOFYL)

146 --Right now there are a lot of packages for trips to see Jets games in places like Miami and Nashville. Easier to see the Jets away there than at home. Plus, a getaway to a warmer place in the winter, so win-win for Jets fans. Posted by: logprof at January 26, 2014 03:11 PM (fOFYL) Moons ago when Montreal played Carolina in the playoffs a Habs fan and I drove to Raleigh to attend the game (his then-girlfriend, now-wife, was there, which gave him extra incentive to go). There were a lot of people from Montreal in attendance, because it was cheaper to travel to North Carolina to watch the Habs in the playoffs than to get a ticket in Montreal. The local TV stations were interviewing them. If I recall, that was the only game the Habs won in the series.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:15 AM (MpP9p)

147 Almost all of the sunbelt teams are still bets on the future. Phoenix is obviously struggling, but Phoenix is gonna add millions of people in the next couple decades. Same with Dallas, Houston, Miami.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 11:18 AM (ZPrif)

148 Trapezoids??? I was told there'd be no geometry up in here.

Posted by: iNC Ref at January 26, 2014 11:19 AM (U0Mxs)

149 Almost all of the sunbelt teams are still bets on the future. Phoenix is obviously struggling, but Phoenix is gonna add millions of people in the next couple decades. Same with Dallas, Houston, Miami. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 03:18 PM (ZPrif) But how long are the owners of the struggling teams willing to wait?

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:22 AM (MpP9p)

150 Thanks for mentioning the difference between Glendale and Scottsdale. I didn't know that, and your statement about how the latter would be preferable does make sense. The original plan was for the rink to be in south Scottsdale in a semi-crummy area but cheap land. Right next to the highway about 15 minutes from the wealthiest demographics in the state, and about 5 minutes from ASU. Selfishly, it would have been awesome, because I could have ridden my bike there in about 20 minutes and not worried about having a couple of beers. But Scottsdale nixed the deal, which they're probably thankful for, given the nightmares Glendale has had.

Posted by: jakeman at January 26, 2014 11:25 AM (vH4YP)

151 The Rangers certainly showed up in the 2nd period. 6-3.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:25 AM (MpP9p)

152 I put Schneider in for the 3rd.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 11:31 AM (7SZn8)

153 Depends on the revenue-sharing structure of the NHL. To let teams operate and survive in non-traditional markets where the fanbase is a low % of the metro populace, those teams have to be able to survive with much lower revenue than the hockey-mad metros. Long term the whole league benefits. And the NHL has pursued this strategy for decades. Gotta go where the people are. So the hockey-fan rich metros in the north subsidize the hockey-fan poor metros in the south. This was go on forever to some degree. All the leagues have revenue sharing to some degree. LA Kings are doing well. Does LA have a much higher % of hockey fans than Phoenix? I doubt it. Mostly it's just much, much bigger. 5% (to make up a #) of 18M is a lot more than 5% of 4M.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 11:32 AM (ZPrif)

154 LA also had a 30 year head start.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 11:35 AM (7SZn8)

155 ...and they pulled off the greatest trade in Hockey History.

Posted by: garrett at January 26, 2014 11:37 AM (7SZn8)

156 Going where the people are is especially important for a league like the NHL which relies more on live-gate revenue than TV revenue compare to a league like the NFL. NFL revenue is mostly driven by TV revenue, which is how they can thrive without a team in LA, the 2nd largest metro in America.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 11:38 AM (ZPrif)

157 >>.and they pulled off the greatest trade in Hockey History. And they win.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 11:45 AM (g1DWB)

158 >>.and they pulled off the greatest trade in Hockey History. And they win. Posted by: JackStraw at January 26, 2014 03:45 PM (g1DWB) 2013 was the 25th anniversary of the Gretzky trade. The Edmonton media went nuts, in particular the Edmonton Journal newspaper, which had stories about it for weeks.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:49 AM (MpP9p)

159 There's also the issue that, if you aren't growing, you're shrinking. Every other sport and hobby and competition for time and attention is constantly trying to grow and steal your fanbase and future fanbase. I know hard-core fans of a sport often don't care about that stuff. But the owners and media partners do. If the NHL hadn't launched their western and southern expansion decades ago, where would they be today? A regional sport in the declining midwest and northeast as the center of the American population shifted ever more south and west. It would be ignored by an ever increasing % of America and definitely wouldn't get the national TV contracts it does. Despite problems and failure and hiccups, the NHL is a true national sport in America. Sure it's much more popular in the traditional regions. And no doubt always will be. I think NHL's growth has been pretty remarkable given the inherent difficulties of selling ice hockey to sunbelt fans who don't have ice.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 11:50 AM (ZPrif)

160 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 03:50 PM (ZPrif) You definitely have a point there. My concern is that the NHL expanded more than it should; 30 teams is too many.

Posted by: Vendette at January 26, 2014 11:53 AM (MpP9p)

161 If find the business of sports fascinating. All sports have the issue of keeping the hard-core fans happy while trying to appeal to casuals and recruit fans from non-fans. Many Nascar hard-core fans wish Nascar would go back to racing at all the small-town tracks in the southeast that it has abandoned as it has gone national. The owners and media partners obviously prefer the big city national strategy. Nascar also has the problem that many non-fans aren't just disinterested but actively hostile -- non-hockey fans seem to just ignore the NHL, not try to actively harm it. Back during the Nascar boom in the 2000s, Nascar tried to privately build tracks outside in Seattle and NYC -- no tax money, total private investment -- but the local Dem politicians blocked cause Nascar had become thought of as some right-wing, Republican sport. Meanwhile, as Nascar spent millions trying to build tracks in cities where they seemingly weren't wanted (at least where politicians would try and win votes by grandstanding against Nascar), small-town tracks in the southeast where everybody loves Nascar were being shut-down. Nascar is and was determined to be a national sport, not a regional sport. I know Nascar has specifically looked at what the NHL has done as a model for growing from a regional to a national sport.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 26, 2014 12:13 PM (ZPrif)

162

My daughter's hockey team:

http://www.usna.edu/NWHOCKEY/

Posted by: hawkpilot at January 26, 2014 01:56 PM (qztEA)

163 Enjoy the thread and keep your stick on the ice! Indeed. You don't want to get caught high sticking someone, or worse: spearing.

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie © at January 27, 2014 05:59 AM (1hM1d)

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