the hockey thread

[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

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

I'll pass on the recap from someone in orange/black colored glasses  :)

[StaggerLee]

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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

[Jaimoe]

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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

Crosby isn't made of glass. That's silly. Is Pronger made of glass since he's always injured? This is Crosby's first real injury, including his CHL days. Tim Connolly, Marion Gaborik and Andrei Markov are made of glass. The equipment today is like concrete and any hit to the head can cause a concussion. He also got face-planted into the unmoving glass. Unlike the Sedins, Semin, Jagr and other sweethearts, Crosby plays an agressive in-your-face game and he was bound to get injured at some point. Sucks for hockey. I play hockey and I can tell you the shoulder-pads are light body-armor; same with the elbow- pads.

[ophidiophobia]

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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

Crosby isn't made of glass. That's silly. Is Pronger made of glass since he's always injured? This is Crosby's first real injury, including his CHL days. Tim Connolly, Marion Gaborik and Andrei Markov are made of glass. The equipment today is like concrete and any hit to the head can cause a concussion. He also got face-planted into the unmoving glass. Unlike the Sedins, Semin, Jagr and other sweethearts, Crosby plays an agressive in-your-face game and he was bound to get injured at some point. Sucks for hockey. I play hockey and I can tell you the shoulder-pads are light body-armor; same with the elbow- pads.

How is that NFL guys can get a concussion one week then play the next week, but Crosby has been out almost a year with his? I'm not an NHL fan but I don't understand the difference.

[StaggerLee]

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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

Crosby isn't made of glass. That's silly. Is Pronger made of glass since he's always injured? This is Crosby's first real injury, including his CHL days. Tim Connolly, Marion Gaborik and Andrei Markov are made of glass. The equipment today is like concrete and any hit to the head can cause a concussion. He also got face-planted into the unmoving glass. Unlike the Sedins, Semin, Jagr and other sweethearts, Crosby plays an agressive in-your-face game and he was bound to get injured at some point. Sucks for hockey. I play hockey and I can tell you the shoulder-pads are light body-armor; same with the elbow- pads.

Jaimoe you make me laugh.  Is pronger made of glass?  He took a stick to the eye ball.  A stiff breeze blew and crosby concussed himself.  What can I say I am a penguin hater.

[Jaimoe]

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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

Crosby isn't made of glass. That's silly. Is Pronger made of glass since he's always injured? This is Crosby's first real injury, including his CHL days. Tim Connolly, Marion Gaborik and Andrei Markov are made of glass. The equipment today is like concrete and any hit to the head can cause a concussion. He also got face-planted into the unmoving glass. Unlike the Sedins, Semin, Jagr and other sweethearts, Crosby plays an agressive in-your-face game and he was bound to get injured at some point. Sucks for hockey. I play hockey and I can tell you the shoulder-pads are light body-armor; same with the elbow- pads.

How is that NFL guys can get a concussion one week then play the next week, but Crosby has been out almost a year with his? I'm not an NHL fan but I don't understand the difference.

NFL is a different kind of bird isn't it? You'll see the mess that is concealed concussions in the NFL gain more prominence in the near future. It's already going this way. And with the NHL, the recent series of related deaths of current players as well as early retirements of stars such as Keith Primeau, have led the the NHL to re-evaluate concussions and treatment.

[Jaimoe]

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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

Crosby isn't made of glass. That's silly. Is Pronger made of glass since he's always injured? This is Crosby's first real injury, including his CHL days. Tim Connolly, Marion Gaborik and Andrei Markov are made of glass. The equipment today is like concrete and any hit to the head can cause a concussion. He also got face-planted into the unmoving glass. Unlike the Sedins, Semin, Jagr and other sweethearts, Crosby plays an agressive in-your-face game and he was bound to get injured at some point. Sucks for hockey. I play hockey and I can tell you the shoulder-pads are light body-armor; same with the elbow- pads.

Jaimoe you make me laugh.  Is pronger made of glass?  He took a stick to the eye ball.  A stiff breeze blew and crosby concussed himself.  What can I say I am a penguin hater.

No, but besides the eye, he gets injured far too much. His knees are his achilles.

[StaggerLee]

Well Pronger is certainly no spring chicken.  In all honesty I feel bad for Crosby, he is young and is teetering on having to end his hockey career.  But I also hate Crosby.

[Jaimoe]

Well Pronger is certainly no spring chicken.  In all honesty I feel bad for Crosby, he is young and is teetering on having to end his hockey career.  But I also hate Crosby.

He's by far the best in the NHL, so its bad that he's out - we haven't even witnessed Crosby in his prime yet, which is frightening. I hate the Pens too, except for Staal. I only like Crosby when he suits up for Canada. Pronger has a history of injuries of the non-soft variety. Connolly is as soft as jello.

[Crispy]

His knees are his achilles.

Okay, I can't help it. Does that make everything below Pronger's knee his foot?

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

Well Pronger is certainly no spring chicken.  In all honesty I feel bad for Crosby, he is young and is teetering on having to end his hockey career.  But I also hate Crosby.

He's by far the best in the NHL, so its bad that he's out - we haven't even witnessed Crosby in his prime yet, which is frightening. I hate the Pens too, except for Staal. I only like Crosby when he suits up for Canada. Pronger has a history of injuries of the non-soft variety. Connolly is as soft as jello.

Its pretty silly to be comparing Crosby and Pronger. Two different players playing two very different styles of hockey with different roles, at very different points in their careers.

I hate Crosby with the fire of a thousand hells, but I hope his career isn't over.

[Jaimoe]

Well Pronger is certainly no spring chicken.  In all honesty I feel bad for Crosby, he is young and is teetering on having to end his hockey career.  But I also hate Crosby.

He's by far the best in the NHL, so its bad that he's out - we haven't even witnessed Crosby in his prime yet, which is frightening. I hate the Pens too, except for Staal. I only like Crosby when he suits up for Canada. Pronger has a history of injuries of the non-soft variety. Connolly is as soft as jello.

Its pretty silly to be comparing Crosby and Pronger. Two different players playing two very different styles of hockey with different roles, at very different points in their careers.

I hate Crosby with the fire of a thousand hells, but I hope his career isn't over.

I'm only comparing them in terms of types of injuries. I've followed Pronger since his junior days. He's a unique type of d-man for sure. Crosby has developed his own unique brand; he's physical, but in his own way. He's no Wendel Clark or Rick Tocchet type of power-forward, but he plays hard and is far more talented.

[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.

Sorry for your luck Scotty; but it looks like Crosby, aka Glass Joe, will be riding the pine for another extended stretch.

Oh and one thing I forgot to mention.........

Crosby isn't made of glass. That's silly. Is Pronger made of glass since he's always injured? This is Crosby's first real injury, including his CHL days. Tim Connolly, Marion Gaborik and Andrei Markov are made of glass. The equipment today is like concrete and any hit to the head can cause a concussion. He also got face-planted into the unmoving glass. Unlike the Sedins, Semin, Jagr and other sweethearts, Crosby plays an agressive in-your-face game and he was bound to get injured at some point. Sucks for hockey. I play hockey and I can tell you the shoulder-pads are light body-armor; same with the elbow- pads.

Funny how the Philly fans "hate" Crosby, even now. Why, because he's the best hockey player on the planet? I understand the rivalry, and I hate the Flyers, but the only player I could say I hated in recent memory is Hartnell. I actually liked/respected Richards. Its like hating "Cindy" Crosby is ingrained in all of yinz brains.

I guess Giroux is made of glass too  :-*

[Taterbug]

BIG BIG game tonite !  Hawks at Wild.  Should be a barn burner.  GO Blackhawks 

[Jaimoe]

BIG BIG game tonite !  Hawks at Wild.  Should be a barn burner.  GO Blackhawks 

Go Wild. My good friend's first-cousin is Wild head coach Mike Yeo. Gotta love that Toews kid; he's one of the leagues true all-round superstars.

[Taterbug]

BIG BIG game tonite !  Hawks at Wild.  Should be a barn burner.  GO Blackhawks 

Go Wild. My good friend's first-cousin is Wild head coach Mike Yeo. Gotta love that Toews kid; he's one of the leagues true all-round superstars.

The Wild are tough, I root for'em when the aren't playing the Hawks. My Dad lived up that way and was a huge Northstars & Wild fan.  Mike Yeo is a helluva rookie head coach, sittin in 1st place isn't bad. 

Toews is a special player, now if we can get the power play working we might onto something this year.

[Jaimoe]

BIG BIG game tonite !  Hawks at Wild.  Should be a barn burner.  GO Blackhawks 

Go Wild. My good friend's first-cousin is Wild head coach Mike Yeo. Gotta love that Toews kid; he's one of the leagues true all-round superstars.

The Wild are tough, I root for'em when the aren't playing the Hawks. My Dad lived up that way and was a huge Northstars & Wild fan.  Mike Yeo is a helluva rookie head coach, sittin in 1st place isn't bad. 

Toews is a special player, now if we can get the power play working we might onto something this year.

Ironically, Yeo's cousin is a terrible hockey player. I should know since he's on my line.

[Jaimoe]

The World Junior Championship kicks off tomorrow/Boxing Day. The US are at least medal favs along with the Russians and Canucks. The Swedes beat Canada two days ago in a warm-up, so they should be watched too. I hope you hockey fans in the US can watch these games since they are even more intense and entertaining than the Stanley Cup playoffs; and the quality is just a notch lower since we are watching future NHL stars (most were drafted in 2011 or in 2010, but a few will be in next year's draft) and some current NHL rookies such as Devante Smith-Pelley from the Anaheim Ducks and Brett Connolly of TB Lightning.

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/

[Jaimoe]

Canada and the US are in the same pool. Canada beat the Finns 8-1 in their first game and the US lose to the Finns today 4-2. Ouch. More bad news is Anaheim's Devante Smith-Pelley broke his foot blocking a shot in the Finland game and is out 4-6 weeks. The underachieving Ducks need him, and so does Canada.

[Jaimoe]

After today's Winter Classic (go Flyers), I urge all of you to stay tuned to NBC. They are showing a feature on the first Summit Series: 1972's Canada vs Soviet Union. If you don't know what this is, then you are in for a treat. The series is historically important since it was the first meeting between the Soviets and Team Canada's NHL allstars. Unbelievable drama, great games, with pride and Cold War philosophy and posturing on the line. You won't believe what Flyers captain Bobby Clarke does and how violent most of the games are, with Phil Esposito being particularly petulant. This series changed the face of hockey and nothing has touched it since, with the US winning Gold in Lake Placid finishing a distant second.


Here are the rosters (many on both teams are Hall of Famers):

Forwards: Phil Esposito (C), Frank Mahovlich (LW), Peter Mahovlich (C), Gilbert Perreault (C), Yvan Cournoyer (RW), Bobby Clarke (C), Paul Henderson (LW), Ron Ellis (RW), Bill Goldsworthy (RW), Stan Mikita (C), Wayne Cashman (RW), Vic Hadfield (LW), Jean Ratelle (C), Marcel Dionne (C), Rick Martin (LW), Jean-Paul Parise (LW), Red Berenson (C), Rod Gilbert (RW), Dennis Hull (LW), Mickey Redmond (RW).

Defencemen: Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Gary Bergman, Bill White, Rod Seiling, Dale Tallon, Jocelyn Guevremont, Brian Glennie, Pat Stapleton, Don Awrey, Brad Park. (Bobby Orr was also on the roster, but did not play due to injuries).

Goaltenders: Tony Esposito, Ken Dryden, Ed Johnston.

Soviet Union

Forwards: Boris Mikhailov, Vladimir Petrov, Yury Blinov, Valeri Kharlamov, Alexander Yakushev, Yevgeni Zimin, Vyacheslav Starshinov, Vladimir Vikulov, Yevgeni Mishakov, Alexander Maltsev, Vladimir Shadrin, Yuri Lebedev, Alexander Volchkov, Vyacheslav Anisin, Alexander Bodunov, Alexander Martynyuk, Viacheslav Solodukhin.

Defencemen: Valery Vasiliev, Alexander Ragulin, Viktor Kuzkin, Vladimir Lutchenko, Gennadiy Tsygankov, Yuri Lyapkin, Yuri Shatalov, Aleksander Gusev, Vitaly Davydov, Yevgeny Paladiev.

Goaltenders: Vladislav Tretiak, Victor Zinger, Alexander Sidelnikov, Alexander Pashkov.