the hockey thread

[ManNamedTruth]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

Really? It's the opposite here, we'd rather watch the game on our local affiliate rather than listen to that douche Pierre McGuire.
Pens coach Dan Bylsma is sporting a sweet 'stache .

[ManNamedTruth]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

HNIC is covering tonight's Pens-Isles tilt. Sid's return is front page news (at least front page sports section) across the country. I've got the game on at work. Go Isles!

BOOOO! Sorry but your Bruins are one and done, Pens are easily favored to win the Cup as long as we stay healthy.

[Jaimoe]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

HNIC is covering tonight's Pens-Isles tilt. Sid's return is front page news (at least front page sports section) across the country. I've got the game on at work. Go Isles!

BOOOO! Sorry but your Bruins are one and done, Pens are easily favored to win the Cup as long as we stay healthy.

Easily? Even when the Habs, Islanders and Oilers were winning their string of Cups, nobody ever said they were "easily favoured". Same with other minor dynasties such as Detroit and New Jersey. I'd say the Pens are the fav in the East, but anything can happen in the playoffs and I don't expect Washington to be this bad for too long. The Bruins are built for the playoffs too. Whatever happens, the Eastern Conference will be a war come playoff time and I won't be surprised if any of the usual favs bow out early.

[capt. scotty]

Awesome to have Crosby back, and almost better to see ESPN giving him his due over MNF at times for sportscenter...The Pens are as deep as ever, adding Sid makes us really dangerous. I was somewhat of a Fleury hater 3-4 years ago, but he rarely gives up the soft goals anymore, appears more focused, and looks like he realizes his potential and is confident. At this point of the year, Im still more in NFL/NCAA football mode, but college FB only has another couple weeks, and with Crosby coming back (almost unexpectedly since his announced first game was only yesterday) has me ready to dig in for hockey season. As a Pens fan, Im giddy.

[Hawkeye]

This might be the year for me to get into hockey, with the NBA season looking bleak.  I've enjoyed going to games for a few years...I used to live in Dubuque, IA, and they've had a decent minor league system for years.  I saw a Columbus Bluejackets game 2 years ago when I moved to Ohio and decided that they would be my pro team.  Went to a game last weekend, and they beat the Jets 2-1.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit this as a dude, but I really don't know all the rules.  Offsides and icing, in particular.  Everything else seems to make sense.

I have memories of playing some street hockey as a child (when the roller-blading phase was going strong) and playing Blades of Steel on the NES.

Anyhoo, here's to a good hockey season 

[Jaimoe]

This might be the year for me to get into hockey, with the NBA season looking bleak.  I've enjoyed going to games for a few years...I used to live in Dubuque, IA, and they've had a decent minor league system for years.  I saw a Columbus Bluejackets game 2 years ago when I moved to Ohio and decided that they would be my pro team.  Went to a game last weekend, and they beat the Jets 2-1.

I'm a bit ashamed to admit this as a dude, but I really don't know all the rules.  Offsides and icing, in particular.  Everything else seems to make sense.

I have memories of playing some street hockey as a child (when the roller-blading phase was going strong) and playing Blades of Steel on the NES.

Anyhoo, here's to a good hockey season 

Icing is fairly simple:

(from Wiki)

Icing occurs when a player shoots the puck across both the center red line and the opposing team's goal line without the puck going through the goal crease. When icing occurs, a linesman stops play if a defending player (other than the goaltender) touches the puck before an attacking player is able to. Play is resumed with a faceoff in the defending zone of the team that committed the infraction. Icing is not enforced for a team that is short-handed. If the goaltender makes a move from his net to play the puck, the icing is immediately waved off (in contrast to minor league and international hockey, where the goaltender must play the puck for it to be waved off). Icing can also be waved off if, in the officials' opinion, the defending team had a viable opportunity to play the puck before crossing the goal line. After an icing, a TV timeout cannot be called.

Following the 2004–2005 lockout, the icing rule insists that the team in violation of icing the puck is not allowed to make any line changes before the following faceoff.

Offside is called when a player on the attacking team enters the offensive zone before the puck (unless the defensive team brings the puck into their own zone) and then the offside player touches the puck. If a player crosses the line ahead of the puck but his team is not in possession of it, the linesman will raise his arm to signal a delayed offside; when all players from the offside team leave their offensive zone ("tag up" in the neutral zone) the linesman washes out the delayed call. When an offside violation occurs, the linesman blows the play dead, and a faceoff is conducted in the neutral zone.

And any hockey fan (and sports fan for that matter) needs to watch Slap Shot over and over. One of Paul Newman's most underrated performances.

[ManNamedTruth]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

HNIC is covering tonight's Pens-Isles tilt. Sid's return is front page news (at least front page sports section) across the country. I've got the game on at work. Go Isles!

BOOOO! Sorry but your Bruins are one and done, Pens are easily favored to win the Cup as long as we stay healthy.

Easily? Even when the Habs, Islanders and Oilers were winning their string of Cups, nobody ever said they were "easily favoured". Same with other minor dynasties such as Detroit and New Jersey. I'd say the Pens are the fav in the East, but anything can happen in the playoffs and I don't expect Washington to be this bad for too long. The Bruins are built for the playoffs too. Whatever happens, the Eastern Conference will be a war come playoff time and I won't be surprised if any of the usual favs bow out early.

Well whenever you say things like "Go Isles!", who are a shitty team and really had no chance on the night of Sid's return, than I'm more liable to say things like "easily favored". But really I do think we have a great team, you can look at what we did when we had Sid last year and that streak we went on. Even with all the injuries we had we still hung on and almost won a playoff series. Add to that James Neal (who's off to a great start) and Steve Sullivan and I think we have the makings for another cup run, barring injury from our superstars.

[Jaimoe]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

HNIC is covering tonight's Pens-Isles tilt. Sid's return is front page news (at least front page sports section) across the country. I've got the game on at work. Go Isles!

BOOOO! Sorry but your Bruins are one and done, Pens are easily favored to win the Cup as long as we stay healthy.

Easily? Even when the Habs, Islanders and Oilers were winning their string of Cups, nobody ever said they were "easily favoured". Same with other minor dynasties such as Detroit and New Jersey. I'd say the Pens are the fav in the East, but anything can happen in the playoffs and I don't expect Washington to be this bad for too long. The Bruins are built for the playoffs too. Whatever happens, the Eastern Conference will be a war come playoff time and I won't be surprised if any of the usual favs bow out early.

Well whenever you say things like "Go Isles!", who are a shitty team and really had no chance on the night of Sid's return, than I'm more liable to say things like "easily favored". But really I do think we have a great team, you can look at what we did when we had Sid last year and that streak we went on. Even with all the injuries we had we still hung on and almost won a playoff series. Add to that James Neal (who's off to a great start) and Steve Sullivan and I think we have the makings for another cup run, barring injury from our superstars.

I'm surprised something minor as Go Isles would get you going. They are a bad young team with a few good players and one budding superstar (John Tavares). I've never cheered for the Pens and they are also a rival of the Bruins, so yes, I was pulling for the Islanders. The game sucked (blowout, the Isles had no intensity etc...), but it was good seeing Sid back. I like many of the Pens, especially Staal. He's my fav of the overly talented Staal brood.

[ManNamedTruth]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

HNIC is covering tonight's Pens-Isles tilt. Sid's return is front page news (at least front page sports section) across the country. I've got the game on at work. Go Isles!

BOOOO! Sorry but your Bruins are one and done, Pens are easily favored to win the Cup as long as we stay healthy.

Easily? Even when the Habs, Islanders and Oilers were winning their string of Cups, nobody ever said they were "easily favoured". Same with other minor dynasties such as Detroit and New Jersey. I'd say the Pens are the fav in the East, but anything can happen in the playoffs and I don't expect Washington to be this bad for too long. The Bruins are built for the playoffs too. Whatever happens, the Eastern Conference will be a war come playoff time and I won't be surprised if any of the usual favs bow out early.

Well whenever you say things like "Go Isles!", who are a shitty team and really had no chance on the night of Sid's return, than I'm more liable to say things like "easily favored". But really I do think we have a great team, you can look at what we did when we had Sid last year and that streak we went on. Even with all the injuries we had we still hung on and almost won a playoff series. Add to that James Neal (who's off to a great start) and Steve Sullivan and I think we have the makings for another cup run, barring injury from our superstars.

I'm surprised something minor as Go Isles would get you going. They are a bad young team with a few good players and one budding superstar (John Tavares). I've never cheered for the Pens and they are also a rival of the Bruins, so yes, I was pulling for the Islanders. The game sucked (blowout, the Isles had no intensity etc...), but it was good seeing Sid back. I like many of the Pens, especially Staal. He's my fav of the overly talented Staal brood.

I'm just having some fun, not taking this seriously at all.

[Jaimoe]

hockey thread is back from the dead

my roomie is a boston fan and he is rather pissed that VS dropped the MTL/BOS game for sid. i'd be upset if i was a BOS fan too, but i completely understand.

in other news, there aren't as many sweet movember staches as i was expecting. wonder if sid will be sporting his epic fail stache this evening...

HNIC is covering tonight's Pens-Isles tilt. Sid's return is front page news (at least front page sports section) across the country. I've got the game on at work. Go Isles!

BOOOO! Sorry but your Bruins are one and done, Pens are easily favored to win the Cup as long as we stay healthy.

Easily? Even when the Habs, Islanders and Oilers were winning their string of Cups, nobody ever said they were "easily favoured". Same with other minor dynasties such as Detroit and New Jersey. I'd say the Pens are the fav in the East, but anything can happen in the playoffs and I don't expect Washington to be this bad for too long. The Bruins are built for the playoffs too. Whatever happens, the Eastern Conference will be a war come playoff time and I won't be surprised if any of the usual favs bow out early.

Well whenever you say things like "Go Isles!", who are a shitty team and really had no chance on the night of Sid's return, than I'm more liable to say things like "easily favored". But really I do think we have a great team, you can look at what we did when we had Sid last year and that streak we went on. Even with all the injuries we had we still hung on and almost won a playoff series. Add to that James Neal (who's off to a great start) and Steve Sullivan and I think we have the makings for another cup run, barring injury from our superstars.

I'm surprised something minor as Go Isles would get you going. They are a bad young team with a few good players and one budding superstar (John Tavares). I've never cheered for the Pens and they are also a rival of the Bruins, so yes, I was pulling for the Islanders. The game sucked (blowout, the Isles had no intensity etc...), but it was good seeing Sid back. I like many of the Pens, especially Staal. He's my fav of the overly talented Staal brood.

I'm just having some fun, not taking this seriously at all.

I know. Good win for the Leafs tonight. I'm hoping they make the playoffs since its been too long and it'll be more fun with a local and Original Six team to cheer for (other than my Bruins).

[Ruckus]

For those that have the time, I highly recommend the NY Times' 3 part piece on Derek Boogaard.  Exemplary sports journalism.

[capt. scotty]

For those that have the time, I highly recommend the NY Times' 3 part piece on Derek Boogaard.  Exemplary sports journalism.

Didnt watch this yet, but heres a link http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/boogaard-video.html?src=me&ref=sports#chapter/1

Also didnt have a chance to read more into the realignment either, but from what I hear, it makes a lot of sense but yet is puzzling when it comes to playoffs (play rivals 1st round or 2, then reseeds entire league for semifinals on... ???)

[Jaimoe]

For those that have the time, I highly recommend the NY Times' 3 part piece on Derek Boogaard.  Exemplary sports journalism.

Didnt watch this yet, but heres a link http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/boogaard-video.html?src=me&ref=sports#chapter/1

Also didnt have a chance to read more into the realignment either, but from what I hear, it makes a lot of sense but yet is puzzling when it comes to playoffs (play rivals 1st round or 2, then reseeds entire league for semifinals on... ???)

The Leafs aren't happy about realignment due to the brutal travel schedule. I like the notion of playing the Bruins, Sabres and Habs though.

[Ruckus]

For those that have the time, I highly recommend the NY Times' 3 part piece on Derek Boogaard.  Exemplary sports journalism.

Didnt watch this yet, but heres a link http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/boogaard-video.html?src=me&ref=sports#chapter/1

Also didnt have a chance to read more into the realignment either, but from what I hear, it makes a lot of sense but yet is puzzling when it comes to playoffs (play rivals 1st round or 2, then reseeds entire league for semifinals on... ???)

The articles, not the video

[StaggerLee]

Just gonna put this out there...

[capt. scotty]

Just gonna put this out there...

Is this so you feel better about losing to the Crosby-less Pens tonight?

[Jaimoe]

So, it looks like my company just bought the Leafs, Raptors, TFC. Bell Media (my company, that also runs TV networks including CTV and TSN) and fierce rival Rogers Communications (multi-media giant and cable company that runs Sportsnet and owns the Blue Jays) are now co-owners of MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment). They purchased $1.3 billion worth of the Leafs from minority owners (get this), the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund. Now, this is probably good news for me through my mom because she is a retired Ontario school teacher and I'm assuming she'll be getting some serious kickback.

However, I'll still be a Bruins fan.

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

Just gonna put this out there...

Is this so you feel better about losing to the Crosby-less Pens tonight?

What was that you were saying?  ;)

[capt. scotty]

Just gonna put this out there...

Is this so you feel better about losing to the Crosby-less Pens tonight?

What was that you were saying?  ;)

Forgot to DVR the game, so no comment

[peafunk31]

Just gonna put this out there...

Is this so you feel better about losing to the Crosby-less Pens tonight?

What was that you were saying?  ;)

Forgot to DVR the game, so no comment

I'm sure GTF, Stagger or myself would be happy to recap the game for you if you'd like. ;)