Hockey Night In DSP

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:50 am

Leafs drop another game, this time to Atlanta, and thoroughly embarrassed themselves in the process.

Let's hope that this doesn't turn into the same kind of slump that ruined their season last year, but I have hopes for Maurice righting the ship.

On a related note, I saw a commercial starring Pat Quinn last night in which he was hawking those strips that you put on your nose when you go to sleep to reduce snoring. He actually said, "I'm a stripper." It was kinda funny coming from him, but kinda sad at the same time.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:50 am

Feanor wrote:Gagne scored a brilliant short handed breakway goal last nigh in the Flyers 3-2 over the Islanders:

http://www.nhl.com/video/app?component= ... &sp=SGoals

Mike Rathje is probably going to retire due to a chronic injury. Sounds like's he sick of taking drugs to be able to play and still being in pain on the ice.

Rathje's chronic injury is that he's big and slow and can no longer play in the new NHL!

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:23 am

He has a nerve trapped in his back leg muscle.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:59 pm

I honestly believe the injuries are really hampering Rathje moreso that simply the fact that he is big and slow. I thought that during the first half of last season, the Pitkanen-Rathje pairing was arguably the best pairing I've ever seen as a Flyers fan (that spans about 12 years). It's just a shame because now he is really, really terrible, and simply can't move.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:09 pm

This guy is putting on a show for BOS every night. He was the difference against the recent series with TOR and he's doing it with saves like this on St. Louis last night. T. Thomas Wow.

http://www.nhl.com/video/app?component= ... &sp=SSaves

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:55 pm

Can you stick long links like that in the URL code? Keeps the thread looking tidy.

It took me a few edits to get it right with my link to the Gagne goal. but it worked in the end.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:01 pm

Feanor wrote:Can you stick long links like that in the URL code? Keeps the thread looking tidy. It took me a few edits to get it right with my link to the Gagne goal. but it worked in the end.

Feel free to do for me.

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:22 pm

I saw this on TSN a few days ago. It's hilarious, if you know Kerry Fraser.

Read Duthie's column, then click the video link to see the piece.....

Made me laugh as much as the Forsberg in bed commercial... (i'm a simple guy...)

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/james_duthie/

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:40 pm

Hmm, Ok...

Link

But that doesn't fix the thread.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:46 pm

Gang:

That is F'ing hilarious! Really shows what a good guy Fraser is, too. Very few cats would go along with this story, let alone with the gusto Fraser showed.

Fraser is a great ref, too.

Thanks for the link. Very funny!

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:59 pm

Ya, TSN has had some good stuff. Jay Onrait and James Duthie usually write columns on the site that are pretty funny.

What ISN'T funny is Smytty breaking his thumb tonight........

I wonder how long he'll be out..........

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:13 am

Well, so far the Hawks are 3-0 under Savard and they're playing much better hockey. The biggest thing that stands out to me is the fact that the sloppy passes have gone down and the defensemen are finally joining in the attack. I still stand by the fact that Yawney needed to go regardless of what some hockey writers say. Tallon was being questioned about his moves since taking over and now it looks like the coach of the team is trying to utilize the talent he has. The Hawks have some speed and Yawney totally took that out of their game. It remains to be seen how good of a coach Savard will be but he has the team playing to their strengths rather than playing not to lose. There's been a big difference in the Hawks in just 3 games under Savard. I really can't wait until Havlat returns.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:25 am

F*ck. First Chops (Moreau), then Hemmer and now Smytty, all out with injuries. And Roloson looked like Ty Conklin in his last two games.

This is a real gut check for the Oil. The next four to six weeks, and how the remaining players cope mentally with the loss of two big stars, will determine the fate of this season.

It's time for the healthy guys, especially struggling vets like Pisani, Stoll and J. Smith, to get going. NOW.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:28 am

ScoopBrady wrote:Well, so far the Hawks are 3-0 under Savard and they're playing much better hockey. The biggest thing that stands out to me is the fact that the sloppy passes have gone down and the defensemen are finally joining in the attack. I still stand by the fact that Yawney needed to go regardless of what some hockey writers say. Tallon was being questioned about his moves since taking over and now it looks like the coach of the team is trying to utilize the talent he has. The Hawks have some speed and Yawney totally took that out of their game. It remains to be seen how good of a coach Savard will be but he has the team playing to their strengths rather than playing not to lose. There's been a big difference in the Hawks in just 3 games under Savard. I really can't wait until Havlat returns.

Go Hawks!! Keep winning. We here in St. Louis will gladly take the #1 pick again in 2007! Not to mention the #1 pics that Tkachuk, Brewer, and maybe even Guerin will bring us at the deadline.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:51 am

Interesting post at James Mirtle's blog that shows why the Sabres are good and why they'll be good for years to come:

http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2006/12/reas ... -good.html

There's a lesson here for all free-spending NHL teams.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:08 pm

He was golden in St Louis, I would say perhaps his best years were spent there. One of the NHL best snipers gets his number retired tonight: Brett Hull's #16.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 5:16 pm

10spro wrote:He was golden in St Louis, I would say perhaps his best years were spent there. One of the NHL best snipers gets his number retired tonight: Brett Hull's #16.

Yep, I'll be there tonight, section 116 Row F, just 6 rows from center ice directly behind the penalty box with my youngest son. I'll try and snap some pics. It's going to be a great night, with many former Blues in the building including Brian Sutter who hasn't been back for many years. He's going to get a thunderous ovation as well. He's probably the most beloved player in Blues history.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:12 am

If anybody wants to see Hull's #16 banner being raised I just posted the video I took from last night. The best night we've had hockey wise for sometime in St. Louis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIHBLIOVD9U

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:16 am

One of the steadiest faceoffs leaders in the game, winner of three Stanley Cups, Joe Nieuwendyck retires due to recurring back problems.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:38 am

The Oil is on a mini-roll, beating Vancouver, 4-0, on Monday and Carolina, 3-1, last night.

It's amazing how a team suddenly will remember its defensive responsibilities when its top two offensive players are out of the lineup. The Oil has been a very tight defensive vessel the last two games, quite the contrast from the despicable loss against Columbus last Saturday night.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:13 pm

pk500 wrote:The Oil is on a mini-roll, beating Vancouver, 4-0, on Monday and Carolina, 3-1, last night. Take care, PK

That was an ugly loss for 'Nucks fans. Not only because of the shutout but losing three players in the same game. Things are not looking good here, we are already challenged offensively and the injuries don't help. I also don't see anyone in the farm team that can contribute immediately. Fans are growing impatient, Morrison, Bulis, Kesler, Cooke, are these guys alive? Six regulars out.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:12 pm

10spro wrote:
pk500 wrote:The Oil is on a mini-roll, beating Vancouver, 4-0, on Monday and Carolina, 3-1, last night. Take care, PK
That was an ugly loss for 'Nucks fans. Not only because of the shutout but losing three players in the same game. Things are not looking good here, we are already challenged offensively and the injuries don't help. I also don't see anyone in the farm team that can contribute immediately. Fans are growing impatient, Morrison, Bulis, Kesler, Cooke, are these guys alive? Six regulars out.

James:

Hard to rip the 'Nucks for their performance against the Oil. Vancouver outplayed Edmonton offensively, but the Oilers were as responsible in their end as they have been all year. Gave up a lot of shots, but only a few were really dangerous.

Vancouver might be the worst-shooting team I've seen this year in the NHL. Hughson gave an interesting stat -- the Canucks are averaging a goal only every 14 shots. That means they have to get at least 40 shots to have a chance at scoring three goals. Not good.

The one thing I noticed during the Vancouver-Edmonton game was just how passionless Vigneault seems behind the bench. When the Oil scored to take a 3-0 lead, the camera panned to Vigneault on the bench. All he mustered was a pretty limp, "Let's go."

Contrast that with Savard, who was encouraging his players repeatedly from what I saw of the Wild-Hawks game Tuesday night on OLN. He was cheerleading the entire squad and coaching players individually behind the bench.

Sure, Savard is new, and there's that euphoric enthusiasm you get with a new coach. But Vigneault seems half-dead behind the bench. During Burrows' disputed no-goal late in the third period against the Oil, Vigneault barely made a peep behind the bench. It sure looked like Roli reached behind to sweep the puck out of the goal area.

If that was MacT, he would have gone nuts on McGeough and the other ref if the goal was disallowed. Instead, Vigneault looked so dispassionate and detached.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:39 pm

Yeah, thankfully for me, I missed that game PK, as I was out of town, but that has been the story so far this season for VAN. They outplay a lot of teams, outshoot them as well but their aim is just aweful. Coach Vignault in a press interview was questioning where "their skills" have gone? A lot of one goal games that could have turned into wins, but no cigar.

The situation is a bit alarming in a HOT crazy hockey driven town like any CAD city, but because this year the team is so inept at scoring or taking advantage of the many chances they have, that season pass holders are starting to sell their tickets.

I certainly miss the shoot and run days of M. Crawford, the beautiful passes, the pretty plays but that team was so underachieving it was maddening. If they score 5, they would be outscored by one more. Where was the D? I still remember a game at GM place last year where your Oilers outscored us 7-6.

Do the fans want to see that team again? I am not sure. They were flashier, no doubt about it, but very irresponsible on defense. The current team bores me to death especially when they can't convert on their chances but they are tighter on D. We'll see, but with the latest injuries, I am not too optimistic at this point and we might miss the playoffs again this year. Then again the NW conference is as tight as the Sedins twins and anything can happen.

Glad that you get Sportsnet in your area and can follow J. Hughson. I like him better with J. Garrett on his side, than when he calls the games on CBC, they just seem much insightful and they read each other like a book.

If you get a chance, follow Chris Cuthbert on TSN, I love his broadcasts too, and if you missed it, they've been calling the plays from center ice right in between both benches, a first ever time experience in the NHL broadcast.

Good win for your Oils last night, and J. Stoll, what a warrior blocking two shots that just about killed him during a PP.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:50 pm

PK I am sure you'll be watching that day.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Oiler ... 5-sun.html

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:09 pm

For the love of God, Maple Leafs, put an end to the skid you're in and try to hold onto a lead while you're at it. Please.