Fleury seemed to have been blessed early in this postseason with the way that opposing players put pucks continually into his belly or into his goalie pads. Last night however, his luck ran out and multiple goals were put in off of his pads. This is not a good omen for Pittsburgh as Fleury has clearly been their best player, despite the attention given to Crosby and Malkin. You can argue that Pittsburgh is still in the final with half the goals that Crosby or Malkin put in. You can even argue that perhaps they'd be there even if they weren't there at all. The significant amount of ice time occupied by those two would be filled in by the others who would of course score as well, although most likely not at the same clip.
You can pretty much bank on the penalties being called as they were last night. 2 opportunities for Pittsburgh and one for Detroit. I would be shocked if there is ever a game when Detroit with their highly effective powerplay gets more man advantages than pittsburgh.
Since the refs have to swallow their whistles, we are back to early 90's hockey with interference, hooking and clutch and grab. Pittsburgh is the worst offender, and they also have run Osgood a couple times already. Crosby's whack on Maltby at the end of the game, of course wasn't mentioned by the league.
Of course, the league can not have the Crosbys (henceforth, the Penguins will be called the Crosbys) go down 0-2 when this is supposed to be his year. Keep an eye on the inequities of the calls.
Nonetheless, I thought Pittsburgh played well enough to win. Detroit looked a little squirrelly in their own end, especially to start the second period. Pittsburgh also as a team continues to block a lot of shots, and Detroit seemed unable to gain the zone and was forced to dump the puck or force a pass which seemed to result in turnovers. Crosby and Malkin both had moments where they broke free and made Detroit look bad. Kennedy, Kunitz, Fedotenko and Talbot all seemed to be playing well. Pittsburgh is top heavy and if Detroit continues to be the only smart team to shut down Malkin and Crosby, this series will be over quickly if the second tier doesn't contribute.
How about the goal by Justin Abdelkader? Only Detroit seems to be able to get contributions from all 4 lines.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
just like the wire
Off-Duty Officer Fatally Shot by Police
it's hard not to think of the roland prezbelewski character when you read about this. However, there are a couple major differences.
1. In the wire both characters are in plain clothes, although Prez's race is an obvious indicator of his "being a police."
2. The are pursuing a person after reports of a shooting. They have lost sight of that person.
In the NY incident above, the uniformed officer obviously shot before giving a warning. The officer in plain clothes, would most likely have been conscious of this fact and been more submissive to the uniformed cops.
Which leads me to wonder, what chances does a common citizen have when being confronted by police?
it's hard not to think of the roland prezbelewski character when you read about this. However, there are a couple major differences.
1. In the wire both characters are in plain clothes, although Prez's race is an obvious indicator of his "being a police."
2. The are pursuing a person after reports of a shooting. They have lost sight of that person.
In the NY incident above, the uniformed officer obviously shot before giving a warning. The officer in plain clothes, would most likely have been conscious of this fact and been more submissive to the uniformed cops.
Which leads me to wonder, what chances does a common citizen have when being confronted by police?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
NHL Hockey is not fixed?
I rest my case.
link
Power Plays
team pp gp
pit 83 17
det 74 16
chi 68 17
car 60 18
Carolina, played one more game than Pittsburgh and still had 23 less power play opportunities. wtf?
Penalties
link
team PIM/G
Pit 11.1
Det 11.2
Car 12.8
Chi 17.8
okay bettman, you got your wet dream matchup. Probably would be sound advice to put a lot of money on Pittsburgh.
link
Power Plays
team pp gp
pit 83 17
det 74 16
chi 68 17
car 60 18
Carolina, played one more game than Pittsburgh and still had 23 less power play opportunities. wtf?
Penalties
link
team PIM/G
Pit 11.1
Det 11.2
Car 12.8
Chi 17.8
okay bettman, you got your wet dream matchup. Probably would be sound advice to put a lot of money on Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
RIP Peter Zezel
Sad. Forgot he was a big part of one of the best Flyers games ever. Also forgot that he wore #25, which Podein might have inherited after he left.
More anal leakage from Bettman
Nice run of mystifying reffing in middle of second:
Kunitz trips Seidenberg behind Canes net with both at speed, causing him to fall head first and lose helmet against own backboards. No call. As Seidenberg gets up, he angrily but lightly trips Crosby who isn't playing the puck, but of course falls as if his feet had been cut off. Tripping Seidenberg.
Few minutes later, La Rose goes in on a breakaway, and is tripped from behind by Gonchar, who never touched the puck and practically grabbed LaRose's skate as he slid. No penalty shot for La Rose, or penalty for Gonchar, but behind the play, Guerin barely interferes with a forward, which had no consequence on the play, and its 2 minutes on Guerin.
WHAT HORRIBLE REFFING. DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH THIS FUCKS THE GAME UP? I DON"T EVEN REALLY CARE WHO WINS AND IT MAKES ME ANGRY. I wanna shove an entire six pack of triple hops brewed Miller lite up Bettman's ass. Please die or retire.
Kunitz trips Seidenberg behind Canes net with both at speed, causing him to fall head first and lose helmet against own backboards. No call. As Seidenberg gets up, he angrily but lightly trips Crosby who isn't playing the puck, but of course falls as if his feet had been cut off. Tripping Seidenberg.
Few minutes later, La Rose goes in on a breakaway, and is tripped from behind by Gonchar, who never touched the puck and practically grabbed LaRose's skate as he slid. No penalty shot for La Rose, or penalty for Gonchar, but behind the play, Guerin barely interferes with a forward, which had no consequence on the play, and its 2 minutes on Guerin.
WHAT HORRIBLE REFFING. DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH THIS FUCKS THE GAME UP? I DON"T EVEN REALLY CARE WHO WINS AND IT MAKES ME ANGRY. I wanna shove an entire six pack of triple hops brewed Miller lite up Bettman's ass. Please die or retire.
More favoritism
Game being called OK so far.
But noticed in 1st period, Crosby was cheating on a face off and didn't have his feet on crosses. Cullen pointed it out twice to ref, who then throws Cullen out of face off before they even really lined up, never said anything to Crosby and let him keep his feet inside crosses, drops puck and Pens win faceoff. This with the Canes at home.
So as bad as Bettman's favoritism is, the real penalties are reserved for those who bother to complain, as Cullen today, or Quenneville yesterday, who earned a $10K penalty for saying the chicken shit one-way roughing call at the end of the first period was BS. Of course it's BS, Joel -- but you just can't say anything. Bend over and take it. Don't you want to be an ass whore -- Bettman is and wants everyone to join him.
C'mon Gary, show me your leather lifesaver and I will turn it into a blood red mess.
Go fix baseball you moron.
But noticed in 1st period, Crosby was cheating on a face off and didn't have his feet on crosses. Cullen pointed it out twice to ref, who then throws Cullen out of face off before they even really lined up, never said anything to Crosby and let him keep his feet inside crosses, drops puck and Pens win faceoff. This with the Canes at home.
So as bad as Bettman's favoritism is, the real penalties are reserved for those who bother to complain, as Cullen today, or Quenneville yesterday, who earned a $10K penalty for saying the chicken shit one-way roughing call at the end of the first period was BS. Of course it's BS, Joel -- but you just can't say anything. Bend over and take it. Don't you want to be an ass whore -- Bettman is and wants everyone to join him.
C'mon Gary, show me your leather lifesaver and I will turn it into a blood red mess.
Go fix baseball you moron.
Bettman makes NHL literally a joke
Yeah it's funny how ez it is to make fun of hockey, as the sport played by goons and so boring as to only be entertaining to idiots.
But the funniest spoof I think I heard was by Colbert and it went something like --
"The NHL is in the middle of another exciting playoff season. For scores and highlights ... move to Canada!"
But the funniest spoof I think I heard was by Colbert and it went something like --
"The NHL is in the middle of another exciting playoff season. For scores and highlights ... move to Canada!"
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I was wondering how long it would be...
until we saw one of these KO types of hits. Unlike past years, there's been a dearth of them.
I saw a video that took place at the Hockey Hall of Fame, with Scott Stevens on a panel with Ron Francis (victim of a KO hit by Stevens) discussing these types of hits and their place in the game. Francis basically said it is part of the game and it shouldn't be legislated against.
Two things come to mind when I think about this. One, the league as a whole suffers when a star player gets injured. The NFL as POPO mentioned realized this and has since started trying to protect the QBs and receivers who are especially vulnerable.
The second thought was that if you start taking away the physical part of the game, does it decrease the appeal and the general nature of the sport? I was ready to say yes, but again, looking at the NFL, they still somehow put out a quality product that is still pretty hard hitting.
The fact is, that if the players had their way, they wouldn't be wearing helmets. There is a culture in the NHL of bravado, sometimes to their detriment. There are dopes like Don Cherry who question the manhood of players who wear a shield. Go say that to Iginla's face, fat ass.
I saw a video that took place at the Hockey Hall of Fame, with Scott Stevens on a panel with Ron Francis (victim of a KO hit by Stevens) discussing these types of hits and their place in the game. Francis basically said it is part of the game and it shouldn't be legislated against.
Two things come to mind when I think about this. One, the league as a whole suffers when a star player gets injured. The NFL as POPO mentioned realized this and has since started trying to protect the QBs and receivers who are especially vulnerable.
The second thought was that if you start taking away the physical part of the game, does it decrease the appeal and the general nature of the sport? I was ready to say yes, but again, looking at the NFL, they still somehow put out a quality product that is still pretty hard hitting.
The fact is, that if the players had their way, they wouldn't be wearing helmets. There is a culture in the NHL of bravado, sometimes to their detriment. There are dopes like Don Cherry who question the manhood of players who wear a shield. Go say that to Iginla's face, fat ass.
Harrison spites Obama, Dog bites Harrison's kid
Hope the kid is alright. It is obvious that his father isn't playing with a full deck.
Friday, May 22, 2009
I did not know that
It took until game 3 tonight when I realized the Red Wings are apparently being allowed to play defense according to 2001 rules in order to increase their chances against the speedier BlackHawks.
The interference on dump ins by the Blackhawks is really egregious and near-constant. The D aren't even bothering to turn before they interfere, they are just face-up interfering, taking one or sometimes even two strides horizontally.
Kronwall is the worst, but they all do it.
Eegad. Kronwall looks like he just killed Havlat.
Here in Bettman's NHL, that was a perfectly clean good hit. Havlat looks to be out for the playoffs if he's smart. We get to see him knocked cold, eyes open, staring up like an animal. Meanwhile the players gang tackle and I am pretty sure stepped on Havlat a couple of times. Really awful stuff.
Meanwhile, earlier, Toews gets hit with an inadvertent high stick, gets a nick it's 4 minute double minor.
Oh they are penalizing Kronwall after all. Don't know why -- it's the same "clean" knock out hit we get to see 6 or 7 times in every playoff. 5 minute match for interference and a game misconduct? I would have thought they might be able to call elbowing, so I don't understand this penalty. It clearly has to do with the result as opposed to the action. I think Detroit has a legit beef.
The NHL has to legislate against open ice hits to the head, and make it the responsibility of the checker. Yeah, sure, sometimes the guy has his head down when he's skating. So what? You still have to check him in a way that avoids hitting him in the head. If hits to the head weren't legal, guys like Kronwall can't explode through open ice and level someone without taking a risk. He needs to come up, hard but in control. He could have still leveled Havlat, but instead he comes in like a car crash because, normally, if he keeps his elbow down, all is legal. This is exactly the same principal with defensive rushers of the QB. They can never hit in the head no matter what. But they manage to get their sacks and still knock QBS out, but not a lot of QBs leaving the game for concussions anymore.
The interference on dump ins by the Blackhawks is really egregious and near-constant. The D aren't even bothering to turn before they interfere, they are just face-up interfering, taking one or sometimes even two strides horizontally.
Kronwall is the worst, but they all do it.
Eegad. Kronwall looks like he just killed Havlat.
Here in Bettman's NHL, that was a perfectly clean good hit. Havlat looks to be out for the playoffs if he's smart. We get to see him knocked cold, eyes open, staring up like an animal. Meanwhile the players gang tackle and I am pretty sure stepped on Havlat a couple of times. Really awful stuff.
Meanwhile, earlier, Toews gets hit with an inadvertent high stick, gets a nick it's 4 minute double minor.
Oh they are penalizing Kronwall after all. Don't know why -- it's the same "clean" knock out hit we get to see 6 or 7 times in every playoff. 5 minute match for interference and a game misconduct? I would have thought they might be able to call elbowing, so I don't understand this penalty. It clearly has to do with the result as opposed to the action. I think Detroit has a legit beef.
The NHL has to legislate against open ice hits to the head, and make it the responsibility of the checker. Yeah, sure, sometimes the guy has his head down when he's skating. So what? You still have to check him in a way that avoids hitting him in the head. If hits to the head weren't legal, guys like Kronwall can't explode through open ice and level someone without taking a risk. He needs to come up, hard but in control. He could have still leveled Havlat, but instead he comes in like a car crash because, normally, if he keeps his elbow down, all is legal. This is exactly the same principal with defensive rushers of the QB. They can never hit in the head no matter what. But they manage to get their sacks and still knock QBS out, but not a lot of QBs leaving the game for concussions anymore.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Solution to the Bettman Problem
other than a bullet to the head. How about Crosby just gets his own personal ref who can skate around and not watch crosby punch/cross check to the back of the head, even if said act occurs 3 feet in front of him? Meanwhile, said ref will always call the reaction and it never never will be a dive on Crosby. What a chicken shit call in a tie game in the 3rd.
Too bad. That was a pretty entertaining game until Bettman let his ass juice leak onto it and stink it up. Can't wait to shove my extra wide hockey stick up there.
Too bad. That was a pretty entertaining game until Bettman let his ass juice leak onto it and stink it up. Can't wait to shove my extra wide hockey stick up there.
2nd oscar for crosby...
this guy should be playing soccer.
I'm amazed by crosby's ability to make a scoring chance from nothing. Comparing gretzky to crosby, I don't think gretzky was anywhere near the physical talent that crosby exhibits. However, I also don't think crosby has anywhere near the hockey mind that gretzky had.
Crosby's great plays are skilled physical feats...batting a puck out of the air, etc. Crosby is not the creative player that gretzky was.
I'm amazed by crosby's ability to make a scoring chance from nothing. Comparing gretzky to crosby, I don't think gretzky was anywhere near the physical talent that crosby exhibits. However, I also don't think crosby has anywhere near the hockey mind that gretzky had.
Crosby's great plays are skilled physical feats...batting a puck out of the air, etc. Crosby is not the creative player that gretzky was.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
OT despite refs best attempt at giving the game to detroit.
I'm rooting for Detroit. Datsyuk is my favorite player. However, it is news to me that you can commit a hooking penalty with the butt end of the stick, with your gloved hand. I didn't want to hear the stuff about how the league is favoring Detroit, but now I think I'm willing to admit it. I feel like this makes me objective and gives credence to my claim that the Pens are obviously getting help from the officials.
this shit is reffed up.
yeah, that "we're not going to review marc andre fleury's imitation of a dog with the runs wiping its ass on the rug maneuver."
Brian Engbloom just came out during the 2nd intermission and said that both the slew foot and the knee on knee should have been a penalty.
So...we aren't crazy.
Brian Engbloom just came out during the 2nd intermission and said that both the slew foot and the knee on knee should have been a penalty.
So...we aren't crazy.
RIP Wayman Tisdale
Jazz musician and basketball player, fought the good fight.
check out this quote from a feature on espn.com
If it does, sorry.?
Why are we still using chemo for a genetic problem?
check out this quote from a feature on espn.com
After the first round of chemotherapy was unsuccessful, a second round was scheduled. "The doctor had never given anyone chemo that was my size," Tisdale says. "They just calculated how much chemo to give me and said, 'We hope it doesn't mess up your kidneys. If it does, sorry.'"
If it does, sorry.?
Why are we still using chemo for a genetic problem?
Monday, May 18, 2009
And finally
The two injuries for Car --
Ruutu gets taken out on a slew foot (uncalled of course) on Eaton
Cole gets the behind the play knee on knee (uncalled of course, oh, yes, I am repeating myself)
Bend over Bettman. I am waiting. I got my biggest stick waiting cuz I'm guessing your asshole is already the size of a coffee cup.
Ruutu gets taken out on a slew foot (uncalled of course) on Eaton
Cole gets the behind the play knee on knee (uncalled of course, oh, yes, I am repeating myself)
Bend over Bettman. I am waiting. I got my biggest stick waiting cuz I'm guessing your asshole is already the size of a coffee cup.
Weird, possibly disturbing
So last second chance by Staal to tie game. On original replay on Versus, they cut out the overhead, in-goal shot really quickly so as not to show full play, in order to cut back to live action.
And in all the recaps since, they are not showing the overhead, in the net replay. I think because there is a very reasonable suspicion that Fleury carried the puck over the line. Staal didn't even hit it square (let alone into the open net), but he actually hit it slightly back down ice (toward the blue line) and into Fleury's butt. So after the puck hits his butt, it's not in, but is now bouncing back toward the goal line as he lays back down over it. While you don't actually (at least I haven't seen it) see it go over the line, you can see it is moving toward the line as Fleury is laying back, and I would bet that as he lays back and slides toward the net, the puck is under his back and over the line. I'm not sure if you noticed all his weird wriggling and scrunching as he got back up, to be sure that when he did, the puck wasn't sitting over the line.
Of course, it was never an issue. A GAME TYING GOAL WITH 20 SECONDS LEFT AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REVIEW?? Bettman I got a broken hockey stick shaft with your asshole's name on it.
And in all the recaps since, they are not showing the overhead, in the net replay. I think because there is a very reasonable suspicion that Fleury carried the puck over the line. Staal didn't even hit it square (let alone into the open net), but he actually hit it slightly back down ice (toward the blue line) and into Fleury's butt. So after the puck hits his butt, it's not in, but is now bouncing back toward the goal line as he lays back down over it. While you don't actually (at least I haven't seen it) see it go over the line, you can see it is moving toward the line as Fleury is laying back, and I would bet that as he lays back and slides toward the net, the puck is under his back and over the line. I'm not sure if you noticed all his weird wriggling and scrunching as he got back up, to be sure that when he did, the puck wasn't sitting over the line.
Of course, it was never an issue. A GAME TYING GOAL WITH 20 SECONDS LEFT AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REVIEW?? Bettman I got a broken hockey stick shaft with your asshole's name on it.
Flex and Activate
I hate these words, which have somehow become must-say terms on hockey broadcasts these days. Don't know where they come from.
But you can "flex" a shot on net if you are on offense, or, if you are a goalie, you can "flex" a shot away when making a save. I don't see how you can ever "flex" a shot on net. You can flip, but you can't flex.
Goalies can "flex" themselves to make the save, but cannot really "flex" away a shot. An argument could be made for "reflexing" a shot wide, but not flex.
And apparently in this new NHL, d-men stand, unanimated at the blue line or in center ice, and now "activate" when the puck comes their way and they make a play. What was wrong with "step up" or "pinch off." Is this the NHL cum transformers?
BTW, the Cooke hit on Cole was total BS. Unbelievable it wasn't a penalty. (I'm behind on the broadcast as you can see). Cooke should get a suspension. And now the next penalty called, is against the Canes on a delay of game. Lesson: knee on knee behind the play OK, even if it takes out one of the other team's better players; flipping over glass inadvertently -- NOT OK.
I would pay a lot of money to shoot a slapshot at an unmasked Bettman.
But you can "flex" a shot on net if you are on offense, or, if you are a goalie, you can "flex" a shot away when making a save. I don't see how you can ever "flex" a shot on net. You can flip, but you can't flex.
Goalies can "flex" themselves to make the save, but cannot really "flex" away a shot. An argument could be made for "reflexing" a shot wide, but not flex.
And apparently in this new NHL, d-men stand, unanimated at the blue line or in center ice, and now "activate" when the puck comes their way and they make a play. What was wrong with "step up" or "pinch off." Is this the NHL cum transformers?
BTW, the Cooke hit on Cole was total BS. Unbelievable it wasn't a penalty. (I'm behind on the broadcast as you can see). Cooke should get a suspension. And now the next penalty called, is against the Canes on a delay of game. Lesson: knee on knee behind the play OK, even if it takes out one of the other team's better players; flipping over glass inadvertently -- NOT OK.
I would pay a lot of money to shoot a slapshot at an unmasked Bettman.
Wallin
Finally! Wallin goes coast to coast with the puck and no Pens get witheven a stickcheck of him until he got within 10 yards of the net. Hope they are paying attention.
They need more from Corvo offensively, but I think the D are laying back a little after the first two goals and don't want to get caught behind the play, so are much less adventurous on offense.
They need more from Corvo offensively, but I think the D are laying back a little after the first two goals and don't want to get caught behind the play, so are much less adventurous on offense.
Carolina, least penalized team in the post season..
somehow have been called for 4 penalties. The Pens have been called for one.
Pens don't seem so anti-knee on knee all of a sudden
now that was dirty. Didn't have the puck, at all. Cole didn't see cooke and try to get out of the way. Cooke just ran him over. Time to fight fire with fire. Someone run crosby.
Bettman the predictable asshole
Yeah -- 3 calls in first 10 minutes, all of which could have been ignored. Clearly, the "tone" was set -- let's keep a short rein on exciting end-to-end play, and let's instead have as many stoppages and man advantage/disadvantages as possible, so we can't really tell who is the better team. Don't touch anyone with your stick or your free hand -- yeah, that's the ticket to exciting play and lots of commercials. The fans really want to see your f-d out IRL ad with idiot Danica Patrick demanding respect. Blow me. If she wants respect, she needs to win some races, instead of pretending to take her top off in a boner-crushing spot for Go-Daddy. Or the most interesting man in the world who apparently isn't aware that racism (guy in fez) or sexism is out, and thinks its cool to cram a bunch of glam chicks into a crab boat and head for Cuba.
The worst miss was a tackle of a CAR d-man behind his own net that even the idiot Pens fans gave away by groaning, thinking for sure a penalty was going to be called against the Pens. But of course, the Bettman override was in effect, and the refs instead were keeping their eyes peeled to make the sure the offsides, high sticks, hand passes and faceoffs were just so, as well as their protractors handy to gauge the parallelity of sticks to ice.
It looked to me like Cole was skating to the front of the crease -- his right with play off in the corner. It was Orpik who interfered by basically checking him 5 feet in front of the crease before he could get there. And Cole decided to push back rather than yield, which Orpik wasn't expecting, so he goes sprawling. At a min, it is interference on both, but as usual, with the refs completely obsessed with all the middling details, they repeatedly miss the genesis of the foul, and instead call the aftermath.
So the lesson we have learned to date -- do not bump or interfere with goalie, unless you a pitchforking him into the net for the game 7 winning goal. Or if you are Crosby.
Canes aren't hitting nearly enough for my tastes. They, like Wash and Flyers, are frequently having problems with Pens forecheck and getting out of their zone. I swear I have solved it, and should fire off a letter to Paul Maurice before it is too late. To be successful coming out of your zone, you either have to be brave (by holding on and just skating past the pressure) or patient (and be willing to reverse and go backwards rather than force forwards).
The Canes were absolutely horrible vs the forecheck in the first. They just kept coughing it up, willingly just flipping the puck out of their zone and making few meaningful charges in Pitt's zone. I don't think I've seen any 50 yard backhand flips yet, but their D-men seem really hesitant to skate it out, which takes away one of the two options that will work.
The worst miss was a tackle of a CAR d-man behind his own net that even the idiot Pens fans gave away by groaning, thinking for sure a penalty was going to be called against the Pens. But of course, the Bettman override was in effect, and the refs instead were keeping their eyes peeled to make the sure the offsides, high sticks, hand passes and faceoffs were just so, as well as their protractors handy to gauge the parallelity of sticks to ice.
It looked to me like Cole was skating to the front of the crease -- his right with play off in the corner. It was Orpik who interfered by basically checking him 5 feet in front of the crease before he could get there. And Cole decided to push back rather than yield, which Orpik wasn't expecting, so he goes sprawling. At a min, it is interference on both, but as usual, with the refs completely obsessed with all the middling details, they repeatedly miss the genesis of the foul, and instead call the aftermath.
So the lesson we have learned to date -- do not bump or interfere with goalie, unless you a pitchforking him into the net for the game 7 winning goal. Or if you are Crosby.
Canes aren't hitting nearly enough for my tastes. They, like Wash and Flyers, are frequently having problems with Pens forecheck and getting out of their zone. I swear I have solved it, and should fire off a letter to Paul Maurice before it is too late. To be successful coming out of your zone, you either have to be brave (by holding on and just skating past the pressure) or patient (and be willing to reverse and go backwards rather than force forwards).
The Canes were absolutely horrible vs the forecheck in the first. They just kept coughing it up, willingly just flipping the puck out of their zone and making few meaningful charges in Pitt's zone. I don't think I've seen any 50 yard backhand flips yet, but their D-men seem really hesitant to skate it out, which takes away one of the two options that will work.
ugh
that's a fucking horrible call there on cole (interference). Not only negated a goal but fell for the orpik backing into his own goalie.
pathetic.
Carolina was storming there.
pathetic.
Carolina was storming there.
Bettman, Refs suit up for Pittsburgh
two penalties in the first 5 minutes against Carolina. The first one wasn't a penalty the second one, should been called interference on the both players as they were both engaging with each other.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
3rd round predictions and recap of the 2nd round
original post
We were off pretty badly this round.
We both had Vancouver, Detroit and the Caps. I picked Carolina and you picked Boston.
50% and 25%...pathetic.
The Caps and Boston could have easily won their series. The former was pretty much reffed out of the series and the difference in the latter was a game 7 OT goal.
That being said...
Pittsburgh v. Carolina
I have to admit I haven't seen much of Carolina this post season. Versus and NBC seem to have determined that we are all closet Penguins fans and that we really just want to watch the Pens series. Now I'm glad that I got to see all 7 games of the Pens v. Caps, but if the league was run by half intelligent monkeys, they would've staggered the games so that there was a single eastern conference game and a single western conference game on the same night. Instead, the big brains decided that all eastern games would be on the same night and all western games would be on a different night.
I seem to remember that the MLB, NFL have this conundrum figured out. I think that other than the first round, the NBA has it figured out as well. The NHL? umm...
Anyway, I have no idea about this Carolina team. My impressions are that this team is overly dependent on Staal, but they did come back to be NJD, something the Flyers probably never could do.
One stat that continues to amaze me is the penalty per game:
link
Currently, Detroit leads, but they are generally a pretty disciplined, non dirty team. Pittsburgh is SUPPOSEDLY a skill team, but they are skilled in "non-pretty" hockey. Their fore checking and back checking is very good and Crosby is amazing around the crease. His eye/hand coordination is baffling. He'd be a great contact hitter in the MLB. The question remains, are Detroit and Pittsburgh getting preferential treatment?
It goes without saying that the winner will most likely be determined by the way the game is reffed. I think Pittsburgh seems capable of playing well when the ref swallows the whistle and when the calls go their way. I have yet to see one game of theirs when the reffing was lopsided against them.
That being said, I haven't been impressed by the Pens' victims up to this point. The Flyers were a joke and still almost pushed them to a game 7, until they imploded up 3 goals at home. !?!?!? How often does that happen? I still think that a performance like that almost demands scuttling the team and starting anew.
The Caps, up 2-0 proceed to lose 3 in a row and then fall apart in game 7 after a marginal call. These two teams were psychologically challenged: mentally fragile and merely needed to be pushed over. However, Pittsburgh barely beat both teams.
Predictions in the new NHL are difficult, because you must take into account the obvious favoritism that is pervasive. People will dismiss these conspiracy theories, because it is very easy and very lazy minded to do so. When the government and the financial sector is willing to cook the books and cheat, why is it so hard to fathom that it happens in the NHL?
So, on a level playing field, the Canes win in 6. What will most likely happen? Pens in 5.
On to the western conference, I have been pretty underwhelmed by Detroit. They don't seem to have the polish they had last year. Interestingly enough, Datsyuk despite his lack of scoring, seems to be playing pretty well. The only fault I can see is that he makes passes to people who aren't there, but should be there. Perhaps his role, without any sniper linemates should be as a checking center who would take on toews, kane etc.
Nonetheless, it is hard to pick against Detroit. I like Datsyuk, so my blinders are on in regards to the obvious favoritism, but Detroit for the most part does it the right way. They have loyalty to their players, they build their core through the draft, and pick up a few free agents to round out the club. Remove Hossa and Rafalski and they are still pretty much the same club.
Detroit in 7.
We were off pretty badly this round.
We both had Vancouver, Detroit and the Caps. I picked Carolina and you picked Boston.
50% and 25%...pathetic.
The Caps and Boston could have easily won their series. The former was pretty much reffed out of the series and the difference in the latter was a game 7 OT goal.
That being said...
Pittsburgh v. Carolina
I have to admit I haven't seen much of Carolina this post season. Versus and NBC seem to have determined that we are all closet Penguins fans and that we really just want to watch the Pens series. Now I'm glad that I got to see all 7 games of the Pens v. Caps, but if the league was run by half intelligent monkeys, they would've staggered the games so that there was a single eastern conference game and a single western conference game on the same night. Instead, the big brains decided that all eastern games would be on the same night and all western games would be on a different night.
I seem to remember that the MLB, NFL have this conundrum figured out. I think that other than the first round, the NBA has it figured out as well. The NHL? umm...
Anyway, I have no idea about this Carolina team. My impressions are that this team is overly dependent on Staal, but they did come back to be NJD, something the Flyers probably never could do.
One stat that continues to amaze me is the penalty per game:
link
Currently, Detroit leads, but they are generally a pretty disciplined, non dirty team. Pittsburgh is SUPPOSEDLY a skill team, but they are skilled in "non-pretty" hockey. Their fore checking and back checking is very good and Crosby is amazing around the crease. His eye/hand coordination is baffling. He'd be a great contact hitter in the MLB. The question remains, are Detroit and Pittsburgh getting preferential treatment?
It goes without saying that the winner will most likely be determined by the way the game is reffed. I think Pittsburgh seems capable of playing well when the ref swallows the whistle and when the calls go their way. I have yet to see one game of theirs when the reffing was lopsided against them.
That being said, I haven't been impressed by the Pens' victims up to this point. The Flyers were a joke and still almost pushed them to a game 7, until they imploded up 3 goals at home. !?!?!? How often does that happen? I still think that a performance like that almost demands scuttling the team and starting anew.
The Caps, up 2-0 proceed to lose 3 in a row and then fall apart in game 7 after a marginal call. These two teams were psychologically challenged: mentally fragile and merely needed to be pushed over. However, Pittsburgh barely beat both teams.
Predictions in the new NHL are difficult, because you must take into account the obvious favoritism that is pervasive. People will dismiss these conspiracy theories, because it is very easy and very lazy minded to do so. When the government and the financial sector is willing to cook the books and cheat, why is it so hard to fathom that it happens in the NHL?
So, on a level playing field, the Canes win in 6. What will most likely happen? Pens in 5.
On to the western conference, I have been pretty underwhelmed by Detroit. They don't seem to have the polish they had last year. Interestingly enough, Datsyuk despite his lack of scoring, seems to be playing pretty well. The only fault I can see is that he makes passes to people who aren't there, but should be there. Perhaps his role, without any sniper linemates should be as a checking center who would take on toews, kane etc.
Nonetheless, it is hard to pick against Detroit. I like Datsyuk, so my blinders are on in regards to the obvious favoritism, but Detroit for the most part does it the right way. They have loyalty to their players, they build their core through the draft, and pick up a few free agents to round out the club. Remove Hossa and Rafalski and they are still pretty much the same club.
Detroit in 7.
torture memo author now writing for the inquirer...
link
I have to admit, I pretty much only read philly.com for the sports reporting and honestly, the sports reporting there is pathetic.
Anyway, with Brian Tierney at the helm, he has slowly turned the paper into a joke, by employing the cast offs and failures of the right wing party: Smerconish, Santorum and now John Yoo.
As a business model, this makes no sense. The Philadelphia metro area is overwhelmingly a democratic party voting populace. Unless Tierney's goal is to expand the paper's reach to compete with the washington timeses of the world, well maybe there's money in the 30% of the population in the United States that is the core of the right wing party. Perhaps the advertising revenues will pour in with full page ads by the American Enterprise Institute, Diebold, Coors and Wal-Mart.
However, you have to figure that a good 95% of that group is illiterate and therefore, most likely not going to turn to philly.com for their news.
Oh well, I guess the domain name of philly.com will become available in next few years.
I have to admit, I pretty much only read philly.com for the sports reporting and honestly, the sports reporting there is pathetic.
Anyway, with Brian Tierney at the helm, he has slowly turned the paper into a joke, by employing the cast offs and failures of the right wing party: Smerconish, Santorum and now John Yoo.
As a business model, this makes no sense. The Philadelphia metro area is overwhelmingly a democratic party voting populace. Unless Tierney's goal is to expand the paper's reach to compete with the washington timeses of the world, well maybe there's money in the 30% of the population in the United States that is the core of the right wing party. Perhaps the advertising revenues will pour in with full page ads by the American Enterprise Institute, Diebold, Coors and Wal-Mart.
However, you have to figure that a good 95% of that group is illiterate and therefore, most likely not going to turn to philly.com for their news.
Oh well, I guess the domain name of philly.com will become available in next few years.
Friday, May 15, 2009
"... I doubt six months ..."
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Iraq War Anniversary | ||||
| ||||
And let's not forget about asshole mouth #2. To think he was a media darling at one point. What a fucking joke. And a disgrace.
Baseball is awesome
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Excuse Me Your Dick Is Out | ||||
| ||||
Sorry. If we are changing this blog, then you have set the bar way too low. What about the bitch ambassador to Yemen who blocked O'Neill when he was hot on the heels of Al Qaeda? Once I remember her name, she is so posted.
New feature: Evil Gaping Asshole Award
Welcome to our new feature where we bestow this distinction on some particularly heinous creatures.
Our first winner?
why it's Angela Logomasini.
I just happened to come across a piece of shit article she wrote about how the EPA unfairly tries to get companies to clean up their pollution.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
That's how you ref a game 7
no whistles in the OT, despite there being some marginal penalties. Thank god there were no high sticks. the draw blood double minor needs to go the way of the dodo. tapping someone in the lips is not worse than getting whacked in the head.
So, how badly will the refs be creaming themselves to call penalties against the hurricanes?
What are the odds that there will be one game in which the Penguins get more penalties?
I say zero.
So, how badly will the refs be creaming themselves to call penalties against the hurricanes?
What are the odds that there will be one game in which the Penguins get more penalties?
I say zero.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pens safe; Bettman turns to Phoenix
The slash seemed marginal at best, but noticed refs now calling slashes that don't break stick if stick is knocked out of hands. So now I seem to be seeing more players seemingly forfeiting their stick after a slash trying to draw a penalty.
Whatever the case, it wasn't a good call for the first penalty of the game. Of course, Pens scored.
As to the Fedorov interference on Orpik, that was a complete joke since Orpik initiated contact. Can you be interfered with if you hit first? Maybe the rules read their must be a distinct initiating contact.
Caps needed an early goal and couldn't get it, despite furious end of 1st period play. 2nd period opens with immediate goal, and from there, they couldn't summon the energy, and, most importantly, stopped hitting. They also didn't get a single power play all game, which is hard to believe. It was 4-0 Pittsburgh, on Washington's home ice. I think that's all that needs to be said. Except -- FUCK YOU BETTMAN. THE WNBA NEEDS YOU.
Is it possible Bettman even ever played hockey?
I'm glad Versus picked up my rants vs Semin -- what a POS.
But Pens played better, esp on defense. Too bad -- best Cup series I think would have been Caps-BlackHawks, tho Canes and Bruins playing interestingly at times.
Whatever the case, it wasn't a good call for the first penalty of the game. Of course, Pens scored.
As to the Fedorov interference on Orpik, that was a complete joke since Orpik initiated contact. Can you be interfered with if you hit first? Maybe the rules read their must be a distinct initiating contact.
Caps needed an early goal and couldn't get it, despite furious end of 1st period play. 2nd period opens with immediate goal, and from there, they couldn't summon the energy, and, most importantly, stopped hitting. They also didn't get a single power play all game, which is hard to believe. It was 4-0 Pittsburgh, on Washington's home ice. I think that's all that needs to be said. Except -- FUCK YOU BETTMAN. THE WNBA NEEDS YOU.
Is it possible Bettman even ever played hockey?
I'm glad Versus picked up my rants vs Semin -- what a POS.
But Pens played better, esp on defense. Too bad -- best Cup series I think would have been Caps-BlackHawks, tho Canes and Bruins playing interestingly at times.
NHL continues to shoot self in foot.
Just looked up tomorrow's games.
Both are game 7's.
One starts at 7PM. The other starts at 8PM.
Only one will be on TV.
Pathetic.
Both are game 7's.
One starts at 7PM. The other starts at 8PM.
Only one will be on TV.
Pathetic.
4-0
The refs ruined this game.
Flyers were up 3-0 and the Pens scored 5 unanswered goals.
C'mon Caps!
Flyers were up 3-0 and the Pens scored 5 unanswered goals.
C'mon Caps!
conspiracy theories
Anyone see that penalty (slash) that led to the first goal? no replay. I think they were too busy showing Lemieux or some other crap.
I don't think an eastern conference team wins the cup this year. Pittsburgh has a chance, but that is mostly a product of the league meddling. I think bettman would cream himself if he could get wings v. penguins and have the penguins win the rematch.
interesting to see brooks orpik get the penalty call. Versus for some unknown reason shows semin replay that was not called, but neglects the actual penalty.
Caps are playing like pussies and don't deserve to win. I like how they let the Pens whack away at varmalov and the caps sit and watch.
I don't think an eastern conference team wins the cup this year. Pittsburgh has a chance, but that is mostly a product of the league meddling. I think bettman would cream himself if he could get wings v. penguins and have the penguins win the rematch.
interesting to see brooks orpik get the penalty call. Versus for some unknown reason shows semin replay that was not called, but neglects the actual penalty.
Caps are playing like pussies and don't deserve to win. I like how they let the Pens whack away at varmalov and the caps sit and watch.
Shit from an old notebook
let the products sell themselves
fuck advertising, commercial psychology
psychological methods to sell
should be destroyed
because of their own blind involvement
in their own conditioned minds
the unit bonded together
morals, ideals, awareness, progress
let yourself be heard!
fuck advertising, commercial psychology
psychological methods to sell
should be destroyed
because of their own blind involvement
in their own conditioned minds
the unit bonded together
morals, ideals, awareness, progress
let yourself be heard!
missed the 3rd period of the wings v. ducks game
This late night hockey is wiping me out. I'm a zombie at work.
Saw that there was a donnybrook at the end, and for whatever reason it seemed as if the ducks have a problem with datsyuk. Um, isn't datsyuk up for the lady bing as well?
I wonder if there ever has been a player who won the selke, hart and the lady bing?
Saw that there was a donnybrook at the end, and for whatever reason it seemed as if the ducks have a problem with datsyuk. Um, isn't datsyuk up for the lady bing as well?
I wonder if there ever has been a player who won the selke, hart and the lady bing?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Yay -- game 7
Glad a blue collar guy likes Steckel gets it. After Pens hit the crossbar.
I can't imagine the reffing we're gonna see.
Versus panned the audience on the way out. Loved to see the shot thru the heart Pens fan wearing his Bosox cap. F-U. Then there was a fat jersey-wearing Pens chick fan with a bunch of mardi gras bead necklaces on getting into an obviously (could read her lips) profanity-laced interchange with some visiting Caps fans on their way out.
I can't imagine the reffing we're gonna see.
Versus panned the audience on the way out. Loved to see the shot thru the heart Pens fan wearing his Bosox cap. F-U. Then there was a fat jersey-wearing Pens chick fan with a bunch of mardi gras bead necklaces on getting into an obviously (could read her lips) profanity-laced interchange with some visiting Caps fans on their way out.
Bettman's asshole looks just like his mouth
Refs couldn't wait until OT. Fuck you Bettman calling that pussy ass shit with 2 mins left in an elimination game heading into OT. What a joke.
Great Emerick quote:
"... puck slobbered loose by the Capitals' defense."
How can you not stay goal-side of Crosby? Flyers didn't do it, and Caps haven't done it for most of the series.
It's to the point, I would almost put a man on Crosby to shadow him and forget your structure. He and LeTang are the only ones hurting them, as well as Fedotenko who has been a close 2nd to Crosby as their best player.
Great Emerick quote:
"... puck slobbered loose by the Capitals' defense."
How can you not stay goal-side of Crosby? Flyers didn't do it, and Caps haven't done it for most of the series.
It's to the point, I would almost put a man on Crosby to shadow him and forget your structure. He and LeTang are the only ones hurting them, as well as Fedotenko who has been a close 2nd to Crosby as their best player.
Note to bettman:
The penguins franchise is safe. You can tell the refs to cool it.
Forbes Magazine: Pens have fastest-growing brand
Forbes Magazine: Pens have fastest-growing brand
Whoop whoop
OK, first of all it is whoop whoop, not woot woot.
Started with former Cap Larry Murphy, who incidentally wore #55 for Caps.
Whoop whoop is either: a) a turkey call, or b) some reformulation of the word "whoops" which refers to Murphy's penchant for turning the puck over in the offensive zone at the blue line.
Gonchar also wore #55 for the Caps -- not clear what, if any, factor that is.
Fascinating.
Started with former Cap Larry Murphy, who incidentally wore #55 for Caps.
Whoop whoop is either: a) a turkey call, or b) some reformulation of the word "whoops" which refers to Murphy's penchant for turning the puck over in the offensive zone at the blue line.
Gonchar also wore #55 for the Caps -- not clear what, if any, factor that is.
Fascinating.
7:30 left in the 2nd
and Caps showing surprisingly little desperation in an elimination game, although are playing better this period.
Except for Semin. Except for his pass early to Laich on the doorstep, he has gone back to sleep. Calling him a statue is an insult to statues. He just stands around near the circles waving his stick around, like Pat Falloon if he had his feet cut off. Doesn't even bother to do the useless swoop-by forecheck.
As I write that, Semin gets behind the defense, draws a penalty and they score. My man Fleischmann, who I like as a third line guy for the Flyers.
Still, Semin has been a turnover machine and can't get shots through or on the net. He's as softer than Gagne getting fucked up the ass by Carter.
Noticed that Caps are having some of the same problems Flyers had with Pens forecheck and have been seeing a few 50 yard backhands out of their own zone.
My new dream trade:
Gagne and Carle for Perry and Wiesnewski.
Watched that Pacquiao fight. Jeez he destroyed Hatton. Loved his dignified entry into the arena, his praying before and after the fight. And Roach is a genius.
Hatton looked like one of those RC cars that can only go forward, and head right down the steps. He looked to be in serious trouble after the knockout, and I don't know why they immediately started twisting and torquing his neck to the side -- seemed completely idiotic.
What is it with the British (Euro) thing where the entire crowd sings Irish pub style to support their team? But they sing for the entire game and were doing it for Hatton, which first of all doesn't seem very intimidating, and becomes sort of a joke when you get your ass kicked while your fans sing your personal crappy anthem.
The same could be said for the constant booing of Ovechkin by Pens fans (or of Brown by Red Wings fan) every time he touches the puck. Don't they get tired of robotically booing all game long? Do they think it has an effect? Funny thing is that Caps fans have kept a long-held grudge against, ironically, Gonchar and do some weird Eagle whooping every time he touches the puck, and have done it for years now. I still don't know what the genesis of that was.
OK -- looked it up. The fans go "Woot Woot" and apparently first did it to Larry Murphy after he left the team, then decided to re-take up the tradition with Gonchar after he left. Couldn't find out why they go woot woot.
Except for Semin. Except for his pass early to Laich on the doorstep, he has gone back to sleep. Calling him a statue is an insult to statues. He just stands around near the circles waving his stick around, like Pat Falloon if he had his feet cut off. Doesn't even bother to do the useless swoop-by forecheck.
As I write that, Semin gets behind the defense, draws a penalty and they score. My man Fleischmann, who I like as a third line guy for the Flyers.
Still, Semin has been a turnover machine and can't get shots through or on the net. He's as softer than Gagne getting fucked up the ass by Carter.
Noticed that Caps are having some of the same problems Flyers had with Pens forecheck and have been seeing a few 50 yard backhands out of their own zone.
My new dream trade:
Gagne and Carle for Perry and Wiesnewski.
Watched that Pacquiao fight. Jeez he destroyed Hatton. Loved his dignified entry into the arena, his praying before and after the fight. And Roach is a genius.
Hatton looked like one of those RC cars that can only go forward, and head right down the steps. He looked to be in serious trouble after the knockout, and I don't know why they immediately started twisting and torquing his neck to the side -- seemed completely idiotic.
What is it with the British (Euro) thing where the entire crowd sings Irish pub style to support their team? But they sing for the entire game and were doing it for Hatton, which first of all doesn't seem very intimidating, and becomes sort of a joke when you get your ass kicked while your fans sing your personal crappy anthem.
The same could be said for the constant booing of Ovechkin by Pens fans (or of Brown by Red Wings fan) every time he touches the puck. Don't they get tired of robotically booing all game long? Do they think it has an effect? Funny thing is that Caps fans have kept a long-held grudge against, ironically, Gonchar and do some weird Eagle whooping every time he touches the puck, and have done it for years now. I still don't know what the genesis of that was.
OK -- looked it up. The fans go "Woot Woot" and apparently first did it to Larry Murphy after he left the team, then decided to re-take up the tradition with Gonchar after he left. Couldn't find out why they go woot woot.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
What makes a good team? a good draft record
If you review the Flyers' draft record, you can immediately see the link to when their team performed badly. The Flyers are in danger of falling into that pit again. Sound alarmist?
The Flyers had two recent bad drafts: 2004, 2005. If you compare those years to other teams that are having success, well see for yourself:
2005
Crosby, Ryan, and Letang
2004
Ovechkin, Malkin, Green, Franzen, Ladd, Krecji, Versteeg, and Kennedy
Generally there are about 30 players in each draft year that end up having a career of any length in the NHL (300+ games played).
The successful teams seem to get at least one of those types a year. Sometimes they get two or more.
The Flyers had two recent bad drafts: 2004, 2005. If you compare those years to other teams that are having success, well see for yourself:
2005
Crosby, Ryan, and Letang
2004
Ovechkin, Malkin, Green, Franzen, Ladd, Krecji, Versteeg, and Kennedy
Generally there are about 30 players in each draft year that end up having a career of any length in the NHL (300+ games played).
The successful teams seem to get at least one of those types a year. Sometimes they get two or more.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
FINALLY -- A Decent Game
Thank you Gary Bettman, you must be listening.
Tonights caps-pens game pretty much everything it could be, for a change, without the refs weighing in to have their say. See Bettman? You can get the outcome you want without completely fucking up the game.
Backstrom and Fedotenko both had strong games, and Pens didn't look too bad without Gonchar.
Can't believe how awful Semin was -- even the Versus guys were commenting on it. He is so-Carter like it is not even funny. I've never seen so many shots blocked, or sailed high and wide with men out front. Meanwhile he was not conscientious in his backchecking, and often did the sail by on the forecheck. Really useless and really horrible to see in a guy with talent. But you can have him. He's definitely a pussy, not gritty at all.
Also think Kozlov finally had a strong game. You would think on that line with all the attention to Malkin he would be better. He's sort of like the Dalembert of the Caps.
Tonights caps-pens game pretty much everything it could be, for a change, without the refs weighing in to have their say. See Bettman? You can get the outcome you want without completely fucking up the game.
Backstrom and Fedotenko both had strong games, and Pens didn't look too bad without Gonchar.
Can't believe how awful Semin was -- even the Versus guys were commenting on it. He is so-Carter like it is not even funny. I've never seen so many shots blocked, or sailed high and wide with men out front. Meanwhile he was not conscientious in his backchecking, and often did the sail by on the forecheck. Really useless and really horrible to see in a guy with talent. But you can have him. He's definitely a pussy, not gritty at all.
Also think Kozlov finally had a strong game. You would think on that line with all the attention to Malkin he would be better. He's sort of like the Dalembert of the Caps.
Fun thing to try...
head on over to hockey-reference.com and check out the drafts listings which allows you to sort by category i.e. goals, games played, etc.
e.g. :1998
if you sort by total points, it puts gagne at #6. Of course this isn't really fair, because d-men generally won't have high point totals...but it does give you a sense about the offensive abilities.
1999
check out where the flyers'1st round pick ends up. there are stats for goalies... oullet #22 overall. played 12 games in the nhl. This pick is equal to the sittler pick.
zetterberg was #210 overall in that draft.
flyers picked well the next year with justin williams (28 overall) who despite all the injuries, is #4 in points. Just behind him is Hartnell (6 overall).
In 2001
The flyers picked badly in the first round with woywitka (#27) but found a gem in the later rounds with Patrick Sharp (#95).
As a final thought, there's lots of talk about signing Bouwmeester in the off season. Guess which former Flyer defenseman (also a first rounder) has a significantly better +/- than Bouwmeester?
answer
e.g. :1998
if you sort by total points, it puts gagne at #6. Of course this isn't really fair, because d-men generally won't have high point totals...but it does give you a sense about the offensive abilities.
1999
check out where the flyers'1st round pick ends up. there are stats for goalies... oullet #22 overall. played 12 games in the nhl. This pick is equal to the sittler pick.
zetterberg was #210 overall in that draft.
flyers picked well the next year with justin williams (28 overall) who despite all the injuries, is #4 in points. Just behind him is Hartnell (6 overall).
In 2001
The flyers picked badly in the first round with woywitka (#27) but found a gem in the later rounds with Patrick Sharp (#95).
As a final thought, there's lots of talk about signing Bouwmeester in the off season. Guess which former Flyer defenseman (also a first rounder) has a significantly better +/- than Bouwmeester?
answer
subaru commercial
see the one where the kid is building his own slot car racer, cut to the day of the race and one kid is cheating. His dad made the car. It looks professional. Non-cheating kid wins and commercial ends with "isn't it nice when honest virtues win."
more commercials...
the stupid domino's pasta in a bread bowl, with ceramic bowls personified as worried bowls.
I was doing a little research on health insurance companies. A large number of them, despite being large companies are still privately held. Does that strike you as odd?
The most notorious of the health insurance companies is Wellpoint. The CEO? That bitch donates a shitload of money to Republicans.
I think we should consider American's dedication to crappy corporate beer similar to America's devotion to the Republican party. Sure there's better beers that will better represent what America values you supposedly support, but instead, I'm going to let the TV do my thinking for me.
So, you know what middle america? fuck you. I hope you all die soon. You are idiots. You devote yourself to crappy beer, because the tv tells you to. it's fucking beer. can't you even make up your own mind with beer? Isn't it american to like beer? do you really like it? or are you simply a robot that is controlled by marketing cocksuckers?
I was doing a little research on health insurance companies. A large number of them, despite being large companies are still privately held. Does that strike you as odd?
The most notorious of the health insurance companies is Wellpoint. The CEO? That bitch donates a shitload of money to Republicans.
I think we should consider American's dedication to crappy corporate beer similar to America's devotion to the Republican party. Sure there's better beers that will better represent what America values you supposedly support, but instead, I'm going to let the TV do my thinking for me.
So, you know what middle america? fuck you. I hope you all die soon. You are idiots. You devote yourself to crappy beer, because the tv tells you to. it's fucking beer. can't you even make up your own mind with beer? Isn't it american to like beer? do you really like it? or are you simply a robot that is controlled by marketing cocksuckers?
Commercials...
ugh. yes. the most interesting man in the world...first it is stylistically ripped off of wes anderson (royal tenenbaums, etc.) and secondly it is dos equis.
beer advocate
re: beer, I may be a snob, but I don't understand why dumb america continues to buy corporate foreign beer, when they can easily buy some local micro brew which will support their own local economy and taste better.
No, I'm going to instead, talk shit about burning the flag and drink my inbev bud and SABmiller crap. Wake up dummies, I mean americans!
how about the drinkability commercials? no thanks.
the only commercial I like is the self promo one that versus does with the ringing guitar soundtrack.
beer advocate
re: beer, I may be a snob, but I don't understand why dumb america continues to buy corporate foreign beer, when they can easily buy some local micro brew which will support their own local economy and taste better.
No, I'm going to instead, talk shit about burning the flag and drink my inbev bud and SABmiller crap. Wake up dummies, I mean americans!
how about the drinkability commercials? no thanks.
the only commercial I like is the self promo one that versus does with the ringing guitar soundtrack.
Stray thoughts
1) What's up with all the sticks breaking?
2) Nice going Bettman, you fuck. The caps/pens have to play back to back games with travel in between? Really solid stuff you moron. You can probably barely muster the energy to WATCH back to back games. Really, please just kill yourself.
3) Eddie Olcyk, I think, is a moron. An actual quote from last night's game:
Emrick: What's your read on Washington?
Olcyk: Well, they need to score on this power play. They've gone dry on the power play so far tonight and they're a team that really relies on it, almost as a laxative for their overall offense.
LAXATIVE?? Here's the really funny thing -- this is the SECOND time I've heard him say that.
4) Commercials on Versus
I like the NHL commercial of the guy going through the dressing room before the game. Unfortunately, no casual fans would recognize half the players without their uniforms on.
I also really like the Honda commercial of taking the kids to hockey practice at ungodly hours. It is probably the "American Beauty" piano soundtrack in the back, but there is something about that commercial that resonates.
But then there's Miller taking a page out of the George Bush playbook, by touting the taste and quality of Miller lite. Their new commercial touts their "triple hops brewing." They apparently add the hops THREE DIFFERENT TIMES during the brewing process. Which leads to the question of why I can't taste it then? I mean if I normally put a tsp of sugar in my coffee, and then decide to put 1/2 tsp in twice, does my coffee taste any different?
"When you're enjoying the great pilsner taste of a Miller Lite, do you ever think about the way that it's triple-hops-brewed?"
NO, I WONDER WHO THE FUCK BROUGHT THIS SHITTY BEER OVER.
And why oh why is the most interesting man in the world running around in the middle of the night in an overloaded 15 foot skiff filled with models in the middle of the sea? I would think the most interesting man in the world could afford a proper boat.
2) Nice going Bettman, you fuck. The caps/pens have to play back to back games with travel in between? Really solid stuff you moron. You can probably barely muster the energy to WATCH back to back games. Really, please just kill yourself.
3) Eddie Olcyk, I think, is a moron. An actual quote from last night's game:
Emrick: What's your read on Washington?
Olcyk: Well, they need to score on this power play. They've gone dry on the power play so far tonight and they're a team that really relies on it, almost as a laxative for their overall offense.
LAXATIVE?? Here's the really funny thing -- this is the SECOND time I've heard him say that.
4) Commercials on Versus
I like the NHL commercial of the guy going through the dressing room before the game. Unfortunately, no casual fans would recognize half the players without their uniforms on.
I also really like the Honda commercial of taking the kids to hockey practice at ungodly hours. It is probably the "American Beauty" piano soundtrack in the back, but there is something about that commercial that resonates.
But then there's Miller taking a page out of the George Bush playbook, by touting the taste and quality of Miller lite. Their new commercial touts their "triple hops brewing." They apparently add the hops THREE DIFFERENT TIMES during the brewing process. Which leads to the question of why I can't taste it then? I mean if I normally put a tsp of sugar in my coffee, and then decide to put 1/2 tsp in twice, does my coffee taste any different?
"When you're enjoying the great pilsner taste of a Miller Lite, do you ever think about the way that it's triple-hops-brewed?"
NO, I WONDER WHO THE FUCK BROUGHT THIS SHITTY BEER OVER.
And why oh why is the most interesting man in the world running around in the middle of the night in an overloaded 15 foot skiff filled with models in the middle of the sea? I would think the most interesting man in the world could afford a proper boat.
Bettman ruins another game
I did think the Ovechkin hit was a penalty, one of the few penalties that they called that I agreed with. I felt that Gonchar helped cause the injury by veering so hard to miss Ovechkin, but then I thought I detected Ovechkin swerving just a little to the inside to make the contact. A two minute trip was the right call in my book. The real penalty was that it looked like Ovechkin watched the replays of Gonchar doing the caterpillar on the ice, and it rattled him. He was not the same the rest of the night.
Once again, like the Dux the other night, as soon as the Caps got ahead, it seemed like the refs did a lot to make sure the Pens got every chance to get back in it, which, of course, they did. I think the reffing was a direct cause of the Ovechkin hit -- he was out there, yes headhunting you can call it -- but it was clear he was frustrated with the officiating.
There were so many ridiculous calls, I can't even recount them. The first penalty -- a cross check vs Clark, was a joke. Clark bumps into Talbot from behind, and Talbot goes down like he was hit by a train. Should not have been a penalty, and should have been a dive. Pens of course score to tie game. Later on, there was another egregious call on Fedorov on what was a nice clean back check.
Meanwhile they missed tons of other calls, as if realizing that they had expended their quota on ticky-tack BS calls, suddenly they couldn't call anything, lest even the impotent Commissioner's office think perhaps they had too much effect on the game.
Re: the many late hits that are occurring, it seems the policy of the NHL is you can hit the guy late, as long as you don't hit him hard. I can't tell you how many times I see a defender clear a puck coming out of his zone, and he gets hit by the forechecker 3, 4 and sometimes 5 strides later. Never a call. Meanwhile, if you hit late, say 1/2 a stride late, but draw blood or cause a spectacular fall, you draw a whistle. Same goes for play in the crease -- you can cross check as long as you don't knock the guy down.
Versus reported that the crew that worked the Pens game last night is the same crew that drew the wrath of the Dux for their Red Wings-slanted calls the previous game. So it's clear these are Bettman's dirty workers -- let's hope they miss their next flight so we can get an enjoyable game.
Once again, like the Dux the other night, as soon as the Caps got ahead, it seemed like the refs did a lot to make sure the Pens got every chance to get back in it, which, of course, they did. I think the reffing was a direct cause of the Ovechkin hit -- he was out there, yes headhunting you can call it -- but it was clear he was frustrated with the officiating.
There were so many ridiculous calls, I can't even recount them. The first penalty -- a cross check vs Clark, was a joke. Clark bumps into Talbot from behind, and Talbot goes down like he was hit by a train. Should not have been a penalty, and should have been a dive. Pens of course score to tie game. Later on, there was another egregious call on Fedorov on what was a nice clean back check.
Meanwhile they missed tons of other calls, as if realizing that they had expended their quota on ticky-tack BS calls, suddenly they couldn't call anything, lest even the impotent Commissioner's office think perhaps they had too much effect on the game.
Re: the many late hits that are occurring, it seems the policy of the NHL is you can hit the guy late, as long as you don't hit him hard. I can't tell you how many times I see a defender clear a puck coming out of his zone, and he gets hit by the forechecker 3, 4 and sometimes 5 strides later. Never a call. Meanwhile, if you hit late, say 1/2 a stride late, but draw blood or cause a spectacular fall, you draw a whistle. Same goes for play in the crease -- you can cross check as long as you don't knock the guy down.
Versus reported that the crew that worked the Pens game last night is the same crew that drew the wrath of the Dux for their Red Wings-slanted calls the previous game. So it's clear these are Bettman's dirty workers -- let's hope they miss their next flight so we can get an enjoyable game.
Gonchar knee on knee...Pens complain that they didn't think of it first.
If the Pens want to whine about this hit, especially Orpik then you can immediately ignore them completely. Cracks me up that there's this concept that players have where they aren't trying to hurt each other. At least Pronger is honest about his intention to intimidate.
Truth is, it wasn't even a penalty. Ovechkin doesn't stick his leg out at all. Ovechkin's weight is fully on that right leg.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Bettman's Chickens are Roosting
Ha ha dummy.
You suspend Brashear but not Holmstrom to protect your favored Red Wings. Wisniewski is pissed off and you better hope he doesn't make it back into the series, cause once on the ice, no way these two stay apart given their styles of play. Nice going.
And here is where it all leads ... just a measly 200-400 thousand people watching the games on Versus. (Apparently NBC is done with its coverage and is turning to GOLF this weekend). How freaking pathetic.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-05-07-nhl-ratings_N.htm
I also can't see how its worth $70 million annually to Versus to pay for the rights. Wouldn't a fishing show or infomercial make for better economics?
But the bottom line is that even pro bowling outdraws NHL playoff hockey -- how much lower of an indictment can you get?
And even more sadly, on NBC, the NHL draws on a par with arena football, which was the butt of every sports joke until the WNBA came along.
Nice going, Bettman. Now that George Bush is finally gone, I don't need someone around who reminds me of him. Get lost please. Or stick around and do everything the opposite of your instincts.
You suspend Brashear but not Holmstrom to protect your favored Red Wings. Wisniewski is pissed off and you better hope he doesn't make it back into the series, cause once on the ice, no way these two stay apart given their styles of play. Nice going.
And here is where it all leads ... just a measly 200-400 thousand people watching the games on Versus. (Apparently NBC is done with its coverage and is turning to GOLF this weekend). How freaking pathetic.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-05-07-nhl-ratings_N.htm
I also can't see how its worth $70 million annually to Versus to pay for the rights. Wouldn't a fishing show or infomercial make for better economics?
But the bottom line is that even pro bowling outdraws NHL playoff hockey -- how much lower of an indictment can you get?
And even more sadly, on NBC, the NHL draws on a par with arena football, which was the butt of every sports joke until the WNBA came along.
Nice going, Bettman. Now that George Bush is finally gone, I don't need someone around who reminds me of him. Get lost please. Or stick around and do everything the opposite of your instincts.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Woywitka or Seidenberg?
Both were drafted in 2001. Woywitka: 1st round, #27 overall, Seidenberg: 6th round, #172 overall.
stats:
Guess whose stats are whose?
stats:
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
| 152 | 6 | 29 | 35 | 2 | 106 |
| 295 | 14 | 70 | 84 | -28 | 113 |
Guess whose stats are whose?
thoughts...
I like the blank screen. Sometimes I don't understand business. I don't see how there's more money in a blank screen than if perhaps, they just turned the switch, sent the feed to the LA basin and maybe sold a few commercials.
I have to admit, I'm a little torn about who I'm rooting for in the Detroit v. Anaheim series. Both teams play hockey the right way: intelligently. Mostly, I just want them to trade wins back and forth and a 7th game. It's hard for me not to think that if the Flyers were playing either team that they wouldn't be swept.
I have to admit, I'm a little torn about who I'm rooting for in the Detroit v. Anaheim series. Both teams play hockey the right way: intelligently. Mostly, I just want them to trade wins back and forth and a 7th game. It's hard for me not to think that if the Flyers were playing either team that they wouldn't be swept.
Bettman suck my unwashed, semi-hard dick
I eagerly awaited watching tonight's Dux-Red Wings game, if only to see what breaks Bettman would bestow upon the aging and injured Red Wings, to keep them in the series and away from elimination, down 2-1.
Having Tivo'd the Blackhawks game, I jumped to the Dux game live. Stopped watching the Blackhawks at end of 2nd with game tied 1-1. An entertaining game, not spectacular, but entertaining in a way that neither team makes a difference to Bettman, and so the game plays out much more organically and so you really feel like anything can happen.
As opposed to what I feared I might see in tonight's Dux game, with the Red Wings sort of facing a do or die situation. I could see Detroit going +12 on powerplays. But fortunately, Bettman's other stumbling has spared me this indignity, cuz here in LA the game is FUCKING BLACKED OUT. Versus is showing a black screen and the local cable channel that carries the Dux games is televising a meaningless Angels game instead (the ratings are undoubtedly better). They are beating the Blue Jays, by the way, by 3-0, at the end of three, in a critical game. With 132 games to play, the Jays lead the AL East by a mere game and a half over surging Boston, who have beaten the Yanks into early season submission.
Meanwhile, the Angels are mired near the basement of the AL West, awash in early season injuries (and deaths) that have depleted their starting rotation, looking up at the favored Texas Rangers, some 2 games ahead with 136 left to play.
Looks pretty desperate for both teams.
Fuck you Bettman, you sniveling piece of shit fuck. And to the idiot threatening Ovechkin, please google the commissioner's office in toronto instead. Ovechkin is exactly what the NHL needs.
And what's up with Malkin? He goes from Gagne-like to Forsberg II last game and goes crazy. He still seems susceptible to hitting, and that would be my plan, but the boy finally stepped it up last night for sure. Did you see that Gagne is getting laser eye surgery -- his contacts have been bothering him. I hope he got an out of town doctor, cuz he and/or Carter/Briere, as well as Jones and Carle all have to be dealt with.
Having Tivo'd the Blackhawks game, I jumped to the Dux game live. Stopped watching the Blackhawks at end of 2nd with game tied 1-1. An entertaining game, not spectacular, but entertaining in a way that neither team makes a difference to Bettman, and so the game plays out much more organically and so you really feel like anything can happen.
As opposed to what I feared I might see in tonight's Dux game, with the Red Wings sort of facing a do or die situation. I could see Detroit going +12 on powerplays. But fortunately, Bettman's other stumbling has spared me this indignity, cuz here in LA the game is FUCKING BLACKED OUT. Versus is showing a black screen and the local cable channel that carries the Dux games is televising a meaningless Angels game instead (the ratings are undoubtedly better). They are beating the Blue Jays, by the way, by 3-0, at the end of three, in a critical game. With 132 games to play, the Jays lead the AL East by a mere game and a half over surging Boston, who have beaten the Yanks into early season submission.
Meanwhile, the Angels are mired near the basement of the AL West, awash in early season injuries (and deaths) that have depleted their starting rotation, looking up at the favored Texas Rangers, some 2 games ahead with 136 left to play.
Looks pretty desperate for both teams.
Fuck you Bettman, you sniveling piece of shit fuck. And to the idiot threatening Ovechkin, please google the commissioner's office in toronto instead. Ovechkin is exactly what the NHL needs.
And what's up with Malkin? He goes from Gagne-like to Forsberg II last game and goes crazy. He still seems susceptible to hitting, and that would be my plan, but the boy finally stepped it up last night for sure. Did you see that Gagne is getting laser eye surgery -- his contacts have been bothering him. I hope he got an out of town doctor, cuz he and/or Carter/Briere, as well as Jones and Carle all have to be dealt with.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
no bias
um, first over time...
Caps have been called for 8 penalties. The Pens have been called for 2. Granted, the one in OT was a delay of game but during that power play, the Pens crashed the Caps' net (goaltender interference and no call).
Caps have been called for 8 penalties. The Pens have been called for 2. Granted, the one in OT was a delay of game but during that power play, the Pens crashed the Caps' net (goaltender interference and no call).
Detroit v. Anaheim
I didn't notice any quick whistles other than that last one.
You would think that the league would favor the Red Wings, but the Ducks do play a very fun game to watch and one that supposedly the Flyers tried to emulate after the Ducks won 2 years ago.
I don't disagree that Datsyuk and Zetterberg haven't been dominating, but I don't think that anything is wrong with them physically. Last year, when they were so damn dominant, I think they did play together on the same line. I see Datsyuk making great passes and plays, but generally either the other player is not in position or fumbles the puck.
I think it is odd that the Pens > Flyers > Caps > Pens...
You would think that the league would favor the Red Wings, but the Ducks do play a very fun game to watch and one that supposedly the Flyers tried to emulate after the Ducks won 2 years ago.
I don't disagree that Datsyuk and Zetterberg haven't been dominating, but I don't think that anything is wrong with them physically. Last year, when they were so damn dominant, I think they did play together on the same line. I see Datsyuk making great passes and plays, but generally either the other player is not in position or fumbles the puck.
I think it is odd that the Pens > Flyers > Caps > Pens...
emery bored
The goal tending position is probably the one area that has not been a disappointment in the last two seasons.
To me, this is classic avoidance behavior. Instead of admitting that you have a problem (salary cap, toughness issues amongst forwards and defense, team intelligence...) you fix something that isn't broken.
To me, this is classic avoidance behavior. Instead of admitting that you have a problem (salary cap, toughness issues amongst forwards and defense, team intelligence...) you fix something that isn't broken.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Refs continue ruining hockey
Dux vs Red Wings was another mostly entertaining game despite more meddling by the refs that had a material effect on the outcome.
Long whistles all night in front of Hiller, and short whistles in front of Osgood, until the very end, when Detroit scores the disallowed game tying goal because the overactive official blows and blows his whistle.
The other disgrace was not stopping play with Wisniewski hurt, perhaps seriously, by a puck to the chest, then, with the Red Wings with an extra skater on a delayed penalty, Holmstrom cheap shots him right out front, rendering him nearly incapacitated. Of course, that doesn't get called, and with Wisniewski doubled over, not moving except for his bleeding, with his back to the play right in front of the ref, he allows play to continue for another full minute, until play stops on its own, so a cart can be brought out to dispatch Wisniewski to the hospital. Wisniewski could have easily been hit by a shot as he was doubled over trying not to be unconscious.
Also disgraceful was the continued penchant for Detroit diving (Hossa, Chelios) AND getting calls, while Detroit (esp Chelios, Holmstrom and Datsyuk) was also permitted to hit after the play and slash with abandon.
Zetterberg and Datsyuk not playing like their dominant selves. Looks like something's wrong with Datsyuk. I think they should be reunited. Love that Chelios just can't do it anymore. OTOH, he had an impact on the game tonight with his diving. He gets props cuz playing hockey at 47 compared to Moyer pitching at 46 is much more impressive.
Very clear who Bettman wanted to win tonight. With the Ducks up 2-1, and NHL fave Pitts on the ropes, the next game will probably be even more poorly reffed. Maybe I shouldl quit complaining and just bet big on Detroit.
Long whistles all night in front of Hiller, and short whistles in front of Osgood, until the very end, when Detroit scores the disallowed game tying goal because the overactive official blows and blows his whistle.
The other disgrace was not stopping play with Wisniewski hurt, perhaps seriously, by a puck to the chest, then, with the Red Wings with an extra skater on a delayed penalty, Holmstrom cheap shots him right out front, rendering him nearly incapacitated. Of course, that doesn't get called, and with Wisniewski doubled over, not moving except for his bleeding, with his back to the play right in front of the ref, he allows play to continue for another full minute, until play stops on its own, so a cart can be brought out to dispatch Wisniewski to the hospital. Wisniewski could have easily been hit by a shot as he was doubled over trying not to be unconscious.
Also disgraceful was the continued penchant for Detroit diving (Hossa, Chelios) AND getting calls, while Detroit (esp Chelios, Holmstrom and Datsyuk) was also permitted to hit after the play and slash with abandon.
Zetterberg and Datsyuk not playing like their dominant selves. Looks like something's wrong with Datsyuk. I think they should be reunited. Love that Chelios just can't do it anymore. OTOH, he had an impact on the game tonight with his diving. He gets props cuz playing hockey at 47 compared to Moyer pitching at 46 is much more impressive.
Very clear who Bettman wanted to win tonight. With the Ducks up 2-1, and NHL fave Pitts on the ropes, the next game will probably be even more poorly reffed. Maybe I shouldl quit complaining and just bet big on Detroit.
Monday, May 4, 2009
barf
I guess I'm rooting for the Caps, mostly because I'm tired of the favoritism afforded the Penguins and their seemingly impunity for dirty play. I don't hate Crosby anymore and I think he's definitely matured into a good gritty player.
It is stuff like Kunitz cross checking Varlamov in the head during the last minute of the game.
It is stuff like Kunitz cross checking Varlamov in the head during the last minute of the game.
Mondays Musings
1) 3 OT game is NBC's nightmare. I noticed they were supposed to be televising the National Equestrian championship final during the overrun. Imagine you are an equestrian competing on national TV for your "sport's" ultimate achievement, and you get bounced for a hockey marathon that hardly anyone is watching. Both teams looked like they were skating in mud at the end of the second OT.
Speaking of equestrian, and despite my dissing of the Derby, did you see the replay of the horse that won? That little fucker came from 17th and through a lot of traffic -- the overhead replay made it look like a video game. It was like it was a car vs horses, and he won going away.
2) As if NHL on TV isn't already a dicey prospect, Bettman's idiot cabal managed to take the starch out of both games yesterday with ridiculous goal reviews. In Detroit, another kicked goal spawned yet more discussion as to what constitutes a "direct kicking motion." If I have to hear that phrase one more time, I am going to cut off my leg and send it to Bettman. In the meantime, please define "vague kicking motion." Once again, NHL, let's focus on blows to the head and running over goalies, and quit with the photo finish arbitrary callings of offsides and goals. If they're close, tie goes to the offense -- stop pretending refs standing 10-40 yards away can get split second, hair margin calls right. How many times do they miss the initial infraction and call the retaliation? How many dives do they fall for (I am talking about you, Hossa)?
And in Carolina, a last second apparent goal was waived off not because replays didn't show it going in, but because the idiot ref decided that it didn't, which had to be a guess at best, and the Toronto Tsars decide that the goal wasn't so apparent as to warrant an overrule. BS. It only took about 20 real time minutes to get their decision.
As to Hatton, talk is of him retiring. Apparently, many thought he was seriously hurt after the last knockdown. And Mayweather pussed out by signing on for a game, but declining Marquez, thus ensuring no match vs Pac any time soon. Meanwhile, Moseley pitching himself as next candidate, but boxing watchers say Cotto has better shot since he and Pac have the same promoters. As well as Moseley looked vs Margarito, I don't think he fares as well against a much faster opponent like Pacquiao, and think that fight might just send him into retirement like Hatton. Hatton's got courage, like you said, tho, and probably will stick around for a few more fights. Probably too bad for him.
Speaking of equestrian, and despite my dissing of the Derby, did you see the replay of the horse that won? That little fucker came from 17th and through a lot of traffic -- the overhead replay made it look like a video game. It was like it was a car vs horses, and he won going away.
2) As if NHL on TV isn't already a dicey prospect, Bettman's idiot cabal managed to take the starch out of both games yesterday with ridiculous goal reviews. In Detroit, another kicked goal spawned yet more discussion as to what constitutes a "direct kicking motion." If I have to hear that phrase one more time, I am going to cut off my leg and send it to Bettman. In the meantime, please define "vague kicking motion." Once again, NHL, let's focus on blows to the head and running over goalies, and quit with the photo finish arbitrary callings of offsides and goals. If they're close, tie goes to the offense -- stop pretending refs standing 10-40 yards away can get split second, hair margin calls right. How many times do they miss the initial infraction and call the retaliation? How many dives do they fall for (I am talking about you, Hossa)?
And in Carolina, a last second apparent goal was waived off not because replays didn't show it going in, but because the idiot ref decided that it didn't, which had to be a guess at best, and the Toronto Tsars decide that the goal wasn't so apparent as to warrant an overrule. BS. It only took about 20 real time minutes to get their decision.
As to Hatton, talk is of him retiring. Apparently, many thought he was seriously hurt after the last knockdown. And Mayweather pussed out by signing on for a game, but declining Marquez, thus ensuring no match vs Pac any time soon. Meanwhile, Moseley pitching himself as next candidate, but boxing watchers say Cotto has better shot since he and Pac have the same promoters. As well as Moseley looked vs Margarito, I don't think he fares as well against a much faster opponent like Pacquiao, and think that fight might just send him into retirement like Hatton. Hatton's got courage, like you said, tho, and probably will stick around for a few more fights. Probably too bad for him.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
pac man vs. hitman
I respect ricky hatton. Fighting the best pound for pound fighter, twice.
I don't think he will win, though. It will likely be a great fight. Hatton supposedly will be committed to defense, yet these two are pedal to the metal fighters. This could easily be the fight of the year or even the best fight in recent memory.
I don't think he will win, though. It will likely be a great fight. Hatton supposedly will be committed to defense, yet these two are pedal to the metal fighters. This could easily be the fight of the year or even the best fight in recent memory.
Big Sports Saturday: NHL vs. Phillies
So far the Phillies game is better than the NHL Playoffs (Caps v. Pens). Best playoffs of the 4 major sports, huh?
I don't think either the Pens or the Caps played very well today. The goalies were both pretty shaky.
Varlamov didn't even move on Crosby's goal.
I don't think either the Pens or the Caps played very well today. The goalies were both pretty shaky.
Varlamov didn't even move on Crosby's goal.
Top of the tenth
Mets are threatening. Runners at the corners. I wonder if that NY Times article jinxed the Phils. DOUBLE PLAY!
Big sports Saturday 2
Is there any other kind of Saturday?
Looking forward to see how the Caps v. Pens shakes out. I will admit that I am not as down on Crosby as I have been in the past. Much of my dislike for Crosby has been in reaction to his being anointed the chosen one to save hockey by morons like Bettman and Don Cherry, and the obvious favoritism that has been bestowed upon him by the refs. I just have to scratch my head when the supposed experts parrot that either he, malkin or even ovechkin is the best player in the league. It is a kind of disinformation that is floated by the powers that be, to serve some marketing purpose. Of those 3, it is clear who the league wishes would rise to the occasion, simply because of his North American heritage. The other two are obviously Russian. Malkin can barely speak English and Ovechkin's only other fault in the league's eyes (other than being Russian) is that he doesn't happen to play for a team that might fold...at least not imminently.
Of course, with the Pens new stadium, that will supposedly all change, but with the crappy economy, is Pittsburgh capable of supporting an NHL team?
Looking forward to see how the Caps v. Pens shakes out. I will admit that I am not as down on Crosby as I have been in the past. Much of my dislike for Crosby has been in reaction to his being anointed the chosen one to save hockey by morons like Bettman and Don Cherry, and the obvious favoritism that has been bestowed upon him by the refs. I just have to scratch my head when the supposed experts parrot that either he, malkin or even ovechkin is the best player in the league. It is a kind of disinformation that is floated by the powers that be, to serve some marketing purpose. Of those 3, it is clear who the league wishes would rise to the occasion, simply because of his North American heritage. The other two are obviously Russian. Malkin can barely speak English and Ovechkin's only other fault in the league's eyes (other than being Russian) is that he doesn't happen to play for a team that might fold...at least not imminently.
Of course, with the Pens new stadium, that will supposedly all change, but with the crappy economy, is Pittsburgh capable of supporting an NHL team?
Former Phils
Was just glancing at the box scores from yesterday and kept noticing how many ex-Phils were floating around. All of them seem to be doing pretty well for the most part:
Bourn (Astros) .284 avg hitting second
Geary (Astros) 4.91 era
Rowand (Giants) .266 avg
Dellucci (Indians) .800 avg (you read that right -- think he's only played 1 game)
Polanco (Tigers) .256 avg, 15 RBIs
Burrell (Rays) .253 avg
Rolen (Rays) .318 avg
Barajas (Rays) .319 avg, 12 RBI
Thome (White Sox) .220 avg, 13 RBI
Byrd (Rangers) .314 avg hitting second
Abreu (Angels) .356 avg
Wolf also doing ok for Dodgers.
Bourn (Astros) .284 avg hitting second
Geary (Astros) 4.91 era
Rowand (Giants) .266 avg
Dellucci (Indians) .800 avg (you read that right -- think he's only played 1 game)
Polanco (Tigers) .256 avg, 15 RBIs
Burrell (Rays) .253 avg
Rolen (Rays) .318 avg
Barajas (Rays) .319 avg, 12 RBI
Thome (White Sox) .220 avg, 13 RBI
Byrd (Rangers) .314 avg hitting second
Abreu (Angels) .356 avg
Wolf also doing ok for Dodgers.
Big Sports Saturday
Looks like TV will be on most of the day. Haven't decided whether to buy Pacquiao fight or just wait for next week. Told Todd didn't want to spend the money and he said he would pay for it.
Some predictions:
10 am: Pens vs Caps -- think Caps learn a lesson about falling behind from their Rangers series and make effort to get off to better start. Varlamov outplays Fleury and helps big time make that happen. Pens will have difficulty with Caps tougher checking style than Flyers, and faster forwards than Flyers had. Caps win 4-2. Note: Keep your eye on the Caps I want the Flyers to get -- Erskine, Fehr and Fleishmann.
12:30 pm: Mets vs Phils -- Oliver Perez pitching for his life and Moyer coming off a strong last outing. Phils bounce back to even series, 7-4.
3:00 pm: Kentucky Derby -- who cares? Horse racing ain't a sport. Race already marred by bad weather and the favorite was scratched this morning. Ha ha rich people. Hope your linen suits get ruined.
4:00 pm: NASCAR -- Richmond night race -- one of my favorite races of the year, but making predictions in NASCAR is a joke. Think you gotta look at Gordon, Hamlin and Johnson as favorites. Edwards does not bounce back from last week's unscheduled end of the race flight and struggles all night.
5:00 pm: Bulls vs Celtics -- refs undoubtedly will get highly involved to ensure Celtics advance. Look for too many calls on Bulls' Gordon, and not enough on Paul Push-Off Pierce, Rajon Right-Hand Rondo and Kendrick "The Hacker" Perkins. Will be pulling mightily for Bulls, but afraid refs too much to overcome. Celts win, 104-100.
6:00 pm: Black Hawks vs Canucks -- Blackhawks playing well, and hope they can tie this series up to extend our viewing pleasure. But don't think it will happen -- Canucks on a roll and win 3-2. Note: keep an eye on Black Hawks coveted for Flyers -- Duncan Keith, Sammy Pahlsson and Troy Brouwer.
6:00 pm: Pacquiao vs Hatton -- Pacquiao is a 2-1 favorite, but would bet Pacquiao if I had any money. Hatton the naturally bigger man, but I think where Pacquiao surprised De La Hoya was not only his speed but his strength. Crucial tale of the tape? How about Pac man's 12" forearms compared to Hatton's 9.5" comparative twigs? I think Manny has speed advantage, and surprising pop that helps get his punches through even good defenses. Manny by KO in the tenth.
Read that 25,000 Britons had flown into Vegas for the fight. Last time Hatton fought, Vegas set a record for beer sales at the venues. Wonder how many out of town prostitutes have also made the pilgrimage.
Some predictions:
10 am: Pens vs Caps -- think Caps learn a lesson about falling behind from their Rangers series and make effort to get off to better start. Varlamov outplays Fleury and helps big time make that happen. Pens will have difficulty with Caps tougher checking style than Flyers, and faster forwards than Flyers had. Caps win 4-2. Note: Keep your eye on the Caps I want the Flyers to get -- Erskine, Fehr and Fleishmann.
12:30 pm: Mets vs Phils -- Oliver Perez pitching for his life and Moyer coming off a strong last outing. Phils bounce back to even series, 7-4.
3:00 pm: Kentucky Derby -- who cares? Horse racing ain't a sport. Race already marred by bad weather and the favorite was scratched this morning. Ha ha rich people. Hope your linen suits get ruined.
4:00 pm: NASCAR -- Richmond night race -- one of my favorite races of the year, but making predictions in NASCAR is a joke. Think you gotta look at Gordon, Hamlin and Johnson as favorites. Edwards does not bounce back from last week's unscheduled end of the race flight and struggles all night.
5:00 pm: Bulls vs Celtics -- refs undoubtedly will get highly involved to ensure Celtics advance. Look for too many calls on Bulls' Gordon, and not enough on Paul Push-Off Pierce, Rajon Right-Hand Rondo and Kendrick "The Hacker" Perkins. Will be pulling mightily for Bulls, but afraid refs too much to overcome. Celts win, 104-100.
6:00 pm: Black Hawks vs Canucks -- Blackhawks playing well, and hope they can tie this series up to extend our viewing pleasure. But don't think it will happen -- Canucks on a roll and win 3-2. Note: keep an eye on Black Hawks coveted for Flyers -- Duncan Keith, Sammy Pahlsson and Troy Brouwer.
6:00 pm: Pacquiao vs Hatton -- Pacquiao is a 2-1 favorite, but would bet Pacquiao if I had any money. Hatton the naturally bigger man, but I think where Pacquiao surprised De La Hoya was not only his speed but his strength. Crucial tale of the tape? How about Pac man's 12" forearms compared to Hatton's 9.5" comparative twigs? I think Manny has speed advantage, and surprising pop that helps get his punches through even good defenses. Manny by KO in the tenth.
Read that 25,000 Britons had flown into Vegas for the fight. Last time Hatton fought, Vegas set a record for beer sales at the venues. Wonder how many out of town prostitutes have also made the pilgrimage.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dux-Red Wings Game 1
Watching game on Versus.
Franzen would be the perfect beast for the Flyers. I'd give up anyone except Richards and Timonen for him.
Brown put a nasty hit on Hudler a bit (but not a lot) late after he got rid of the puck. But it was a vicious hit, tho hard to tell whether it was Brown's shoulder, elbow or stick, or Hudler's own helmet, that did the damage. Hudler was knocked silly and had a big gash over his eye. It recalled Brashear's hit against the Ranger's Betts, which resulted in a broken eye socket. Again, it wasn't clear exactly what of Brashear's hit Betts. It was similarly late. Brown was given a five minute match and a game misconduct.
In the intermission, Jonesy was adamant that Brown will be suspended for the series and deservedly so, according to Jones. Hudler missed two or three shifts, and returned to the game, although it is hard not to think he is playing with a concussion.
The question in my mind is if the recipients of these checks had not sustained some visible damage, would the penalties have been as severe? Does Brown deserve less than Brashear, since his victim returned to play almost immediately, whereas Brashear's was out at least the rest of that series? Is the NHL cracking down on all shots to the head now, even the so-called "clean" shoulder shots at high speed into unseeing faces?
Cuz the bottom line is that broken eye sockets and head gashes are relatively easily repaired compared to concussions, many of which look like nothing at all at the time. Given the number of careers ended or hampered by concussions, I would like the NHL to move against all shots to the head, just like the NFL does with QBs. It should be the defender/checker's responsibility not to hit them in the head. And if a head shot leads to an injury, then maybe the assailant should be suspended for as long as his victim is unable to play.
Franzen would be the perfect beast for the Flyers. I'd give up anyone except Richards and Timonen for him.
Brown put a nasty hit on Hudler a bit (but not a lot) late after he got rid of the puck. But it was a vicious hit, tho hard to tell whether it was Brown's shoulder, elbow or stick, or Hudler's own helmet, that did the damage. Hudler was knocked silly and had a big gash over his eye. It recalled Brashear's hit against the Ranger's Betts, which resulted in a broken eye socket. Again, it wasn't clear exactly what of Brashear's hit Betts. It was similarly late. Brown was given a five minute match and a game misconduct.
In the intermission, Jonesy was adamant that Brown will be suspended for the series and deservedly so, according to Jones. Hudler missed two or three shifts, and returned to the game, although it is hard not to think he is playing with a concussion.
The question in my mind is if the recipients of these checks had not sustained some visible damage, would the penalties have been as severe? Does Brown deserve less than Brashear, since his victim returned to play almost immediately, whereas Brashear's was out at least the rest of that series? Is the NHL cracking down on all shots to the head now, even the so-called "clean" shoulder shots at high speed into unseeing faces?
Cuz the bottom line is that broken eye sockets and head gashes are relatively easily repaired compared to concussions, many of which look like nothing at all at the time. Given the number of careers ended or hampered by concussions, I would like the NHL to move against all shots to the head, just like the NFL does with QBs. It should be the defender/checker's responsibility not to hit them in the head. And if a head shot leads to an injury, then maybe the assailant should be suspended for as long as his victim is unable to play.
Carter's shoulder hurt; heart tests pending
When Richards' injury was revealed a day or two ago, the Flyers said no other players would require off-season surgery, which I interpreted to mean no one else was hurt. Now it is revealed that Carter had a shoulder injury as well.
Having hurt my shoulder (needed surgery) last year, I am guessing that taking faceoffs might be one of the more stressful things you can do to an ailing shoulder. Which might explain while Richards (in particular) and Carter were so awful in that respect vs Pens. But that begs the question of why Stevens kept throwing them out there, particularly in key situations.
While I still think Carter is too soft, perhaps the shoulder explains his lack of productivity in terms of points. But now I wonder about Stevens' smarts and ability to make in-game adjustments -- Philly never solved the problem of breaking out of their own end, and resorted to 50-yard backhand passes across their own blue line time and time again. Never want to see that again.
Having hurt my shoulder (needed surgery) last year, I am guessing that taking faceoffs might be one of the more stressful things you can do to an ailing shoulder. Which might explain while Richards (in particular) and Carter were so awful in that respect vs Pens. But that begs the question of why Stevens kept throwing them out there, particularly in key situations.
While I still think Carter is too soft, perhaps the shoulder explains his lack of productivity in terms of points. But now I wonder about Stevens' smarts and ability to make in-game adjustments -- Philly never solved the problem of breaking out of their own end, and resorted to 50-yard backhand passes across their own blue line time and time again. Never want to see that again.
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