the hockey thread

[Jaimoe]

US announces captain and alternates; some familiar names:

http://sports.ca.msn.com/top-stories/cbc-article.aspx?cp-documentid=26894909

[Jaimoe]

Canada smoked the Ruskies 6-3 and the US nipped the Finns 3-2.

[ManNamedTruth]

So the Winter Classic game might be ruined by the weather. After a cold month of December in the teens here in Pittsburgh, it's supposed to be in the 50's on New Years and chances of rain. They're talking about postponing it til sunday (witch would coincide with the Steeler game), or even possible moving it indoors after all.  >:(

[.Walt]

So the Winter Classic game might be ruined by the weather. After a cold month of December in the teens here in Pittsburgh, it's supposed to be in the 50's on New Years and chances of rain. They're talking about postponing it til sunday (witch would coincide with the Steeler game), or even possible moving it indoors after all.  >:(

I hope that won't happen. That would suck.

[.Walt]

Well, the Wings vs Wild game sucked (lost 4-1). But I had fun regardless of the score. It was the first time I was able to walk around the arena and check out all the college and high school jerseys, and all the cool hockey exhibits. About 12 minutes left in the game we were able to move up and sit some really good seats.  Great time.

[capt. scotty]

So the Winter Classic game might be ruined by the weather. After a cold month of December in the teens here in Pittsburgh, it's supposed to be in the 50's on New Years and chances of rain. They're talking about postponing it til sunday (witch would coincide with the Steeler game), or even possible moving it indoors after all.  >:(

I hope that won't happen. That would suck.

Yeah, walked outside today and it felt like it was in the upper 40's or maybe 50's. Either way, surprisngly warm. You'd think they have some sort of cooling system under the ice though where even if its 50 degrees they could pull it off, no?? Either way, its looking sketchy

[.Walt]

So the Winter Classic game might be ruined by the weather. After a cold month of December in the teens here in Pittsburgh, it's supposed to be in the 50's on New Years and chances of rain. They're talking about postponing it til sunday (witch would coincide with the Steeler game), or even possible moving it indoors after all.  >:(

I hope that won't happen. That would suck.

Yeah, walked outside today and it felt like it was in the upper 40's or maybe 50's. Either way, surprisngly warm. You'd think they have some sort of cooling system under the ice though where even if its 50 degrees they could pull it off, no?? Either way, its looking sketchy

Yeah I would think they would too. I watch the Kings games, and they have an outdoor rink next to the Staples Center, and I'm sure LA is its usual perfect weather.

[ManNamedTruth]

So the Winter Classic game might be ruined by the weather. After a cold month of December in the teens here in Pittsburgh, it's supposed to be in the 50's on New Years and chances of rain. They're talking about postponing it til sunday (witch would coincide with the Steeler game), or even possible moving it indoors after all.  >:(

I hope that won't happen. That would suck.

Yeah, walked outside today and it felt like it was in the upper 40's or maybe 50's. Either way, surprisngly warm. You'd think they have some sort of cooling system under the ice though where even if its 50 degrees they could pull it off, no?? Either way, its looking sketchy

They're more worried about the possibility of rain than the temp.

[capt. scotty]

It would be kind of sweet if they made it a roller hockey game instead.

[Jaimoe]

Canada vs US on Monday night in the World Junior semi-finals. It's going to be a dandy. Don't be surprised to see the HBSC Arena in Buffalo filled to over-capacity with 80% dressed in red and white. However, I think the Yanks are the slight favourite. 

[capt. scotty]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

[.Walt]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

Yeah, that's pretty cool!


Jaimoe, what's the word on Evgeni Nabokov? I picked him up in my fantasy league, but I'm thinking about dropping him. Have you heard anything?

Also, Canada played 100x better than the USA tonight. Probably could tell that from the score, but good lord did the US play shitty. You were right about the crowd being mostly Canadian, holy! Good luck against the Russians!

[Jaimoe]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

Yeah, that's pretty cool!


Jaimoe, what's the word on Evgeni Nabokov? I picked him up in my fantasy league, but I'm thinking about dropping him. Have you heard anything?

Also, Canada played 100x better than the USA tonight. Probably could tell that from the score, but good lord did the US play shitty. You were right about the crowd being mostly Canadian, holy! Good luck against the Russians!

I don't think I've seen the Canuck Jrs ever plays so well as a team. Some hockey writers and TV analysts suggest it was their best game since the tourney began in the mid '70s ( the team with Gretzky only won bronze). One factor for the poor US's play was that they were in the far easier round-robin pool and faced only one tough challenge until the playoffs. Another was the US expected to win and didn't prepare for a team that had lots to prove. Canada has 15 NHL 1st-rounders on the team, but were still considered underdogs.

I'll investigate Nabokov; he's playing for a dangerous TB team, but their D is a little suspect so he'll see lots of pucks.

[capt. scotty]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

I actually heard it again last night and they said highest rated regular season game in 36 years  :o

[Jaimoe]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

I actually heard it again last night and they said highest rated regular season game in 36 years  :o

That's not saying much considering the low ratings hockey has always gotten in the US. Still, it's great that the game drew good numbers on a bowl night.

[.Walt]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

I actually heard it again last night and they said highest rated regular season game in 36 years  :o

That's not saying much considering the low ratings hockey has always gotten in the US. Still, it's great that the game drew good numbers on a bowl night.

Again that's pretty cool! I think it's saying something. I think hockey is growing in the States, and it seems to be growing fast rather than slow. I think having the game at night is way better. And if the NHL doesn't want to compete with bowl games, then move the date of the game. I don't think having it on new year's really matters. I think most people just like watching it once a year no matter what the day it is.

So who do you all wanna see next year? I'm ruling out any chance of a Canadian team playing it. And I also don't see the game getting played in or involving Minnesota. The Wild don't have star power, and the fanbase is solid here. I've been reading that a Kings @ Rangers game is probable. I think that would be alright. I'd like the Red Wings to host a game soon too. I wish they announced the teams a couple years in advance.

[Jaimoe]

So apparently this years winter classic was the highest rated regular season hockey game in like 20-some years, and also was watched by more people than the Fiesta Bowl with Oklahoma vs UConn...Not too shabby!!

I actually heard it again last night and they said highest rated regular season game in 36 years  :o

That's not saying much considering the low ratings hockey has always gotten in the US. Still, it's great that the game drew good numbers on a bowl night.

Again that's pretty cool! I think it's saying something. I think hockey is growing in the States, and it seems to be growing fast rather than slow. I think having the game at night is way better. And if the NHL doesn't want to compete with bowl games, then move the date of the game. I don't think having it on new year's really matters. I think most people just like watching it once a year no matter what the day it is.

So who do you all wanna see next year? I'm ruling out any chance of a Canadian team playing it. And I also don't see the game getting played in or involving Minnesota. The Wild don't have star power, and the fanbase is solid here. I've been reading that a Kings @ Rangers game is probable. I think that would be alright. I'd like the Red Wings to host a game soon too. I wish they announced the teams a couple years in advance.

It's disgusting that Canadian teams, even Vancouver, get shunned for this annual game. However, I understand why (ratings, Gary Bettman, the non-lucrative but high profile deal with NBC). Why can't one Canuck team such as the Leafs or Habs play the Rangers? Van wouldn't work as a host since it never gets cold enough to make outdoor ice in the city and surrounding area.

Hockey doesn't really grow in the States. 100 years and hockey is still more of a cult sport, a strong cult mind you, but it barely registers nationally. You can't push a winter sport into areas that don't have snow or winter sports for that matter (LA is a success, but the media hardly pushes the Kings). Carolina, Florida, Atlanta, Nashville and Phoenix are all in big trouble (especially the latter two franchises) and the Islanders have been digging their own grave for years. 

[capt. scotty]

The NHL's TV contract is up with Versus after next year..I think the Classic getting the ratings it did is just another step towards the NHL (hopefully) going back to ESPN in a couple years. Even if all their televised games are on ESPN2, I think its still a much better situation for the NHL

[bowl of soup]

But our Tampa team is relativly strong depite the work stoppage coming right after we won the cup.  That team seemed poised for a great run and Vinny was about to explode - then nothing.  Despite that the fans have hung in there fairly well in a big building and we're getting rewarded this year.  A 1 - 0 overtime win against the caps in your first game with the team while still wearing an Islanders lid Rolo?  You've got to be kidding me.

[capt. scotty]

But our Tampa team is relativly strong depite the work stoppage coming right after we won the cup.  That team seemed poised for a great run and Vinny was about to explode - then nothing.  Despite that the fans have hung in there fairly well in a big building and we're getting rewarded this year.  A 1 - 0 overtime win against the caps in your first game with the team while still wearing an Islanders lid Rolo?  You've got to be kidding me.

Im going to the game tonight, itll be the first time in the Pens new arena Consol Energy Center..Pretty psyched and glad its against a good team with a lot of offense like TB. $90 per ticket though and were in the upper level, yikes!