the hockey thread

[ManNamedTruth]

Hey US hockey fans. Are any of you planning on following the IIHF World Junior Championships? The US have a good team this year. I've been watching the Canadian tune-ups over the past week. Tonight "we" are playing the Czechs (3-1 Canada going into the 3rd period). Taylor Hall is playing great (he's the projected #1 pick in the 2010 NHL draft).

Maybe if it's televised, I think last year they had it on the NHL network. Would be very fun to watch, was last year. Let's agree on cheering against Russia!

The Winter Classic should be a fun game, if Philly would start playing like they're supposed to!

Philly plays the same way all the time, like undisciplined goons!

[capt. scotty]

I'd probably check out the world championships some (assuming theyre on NHL network again), but for whatever reason NHL network isnt included in my package anymore. I still get NFL network, but not NHL. Seems like stupid marketing on the NHL's part if you ask me.

In other news, we snotted Ottawa 8-2 last night...Geno with a hatty. Hopefully he turns the corner, he's had a rough season so far

[.Walt]

Philly plays the same way all the time, like undisciplined goons!

I love the way Philly plays. I could understand why you guys wouldn't like'em, but that's what I love about them. I wish Mickey would come in a talk some shit, that was fun last year. I wonder if StickyIcky is a Red Wings fan. He seems like a guy who would talk some junk.

I don't think the NHL network is covering any Juniors, but maybe when it nears the championship. It wasn't on last night.

[ManNamedTruth]

Philly plays the same way all the time, like undisciplined goons!

I love the way Philly plays. I could understand why you guys wouldn't like'em, but that's what I love about them. I wish Mickey would come in a talk some shit, that was fun last year. I wonder if StickyIcky is a Red Wings fan. He seems like a guy who would talk some junk.

I don't think the NHL network is covering any Juniors, but maybe when it nears the championship. It wasn't on last night.

They just can't match our level of skill, they in turn get frustrated and act like goons. Hartnell even bit Letang in the playoffs last year. I don't see Mickey coming in and talking shit anytime soon. Pens eliminated the Flyers the last 2 years in the playoffs. And if I remember correctly, the year before that we swept them during the regular season. Currently the Flyers are struggling as well so that all adds up to Mickey having no room to talk trash.

[Jaimoe]

The problem with the Flyers is discipline and goaltending (they haven't had good goaltending since Hextall). Talent-wise, the Flyers are loaded, but Gagne was injured for most of the year and Carter is underachieving, so much so he's probably played his way off Team Canada for the Olympics. The Pens play are really balanced brand of hockey and Staal has really turned it up a notch this year and has added another scoring threat that wasn't there last year on a consistent basis - he's still a kid for crying out loud (and there's still one more Staal ready to play in the NHL, but he's only 19 and a late bloomer). However, I wouldn't want to face the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs, provided they get into the "dance".

[.Walt]

Went with a hockey theme this year for my brother. Got him a sweet Zetterberg jersey, because he always drafts him in our fantasy hockey leagues. Also got him and his fiancee tickets to Ohio State @ U of Neb Omaha. 2nd row, just left of the penalty box. Should be a good game, both teams aren't doing bad. I know UNO played Minnesota State recently, and I think they split. I wonder how big of a fan base Omaha has?

But after we opened presents, I proceeded to kill him in Ice Hockey on nintendo.  8-)

[Jaimoe]

But after we opened presents, I proceeded to kill him in Ice Hockey on nintendo.  8-)

In my best Don Cherry voice: "ICE HOCKEY?!!! What are you... European???? It's just called hockey!"

Speaking of "ice hockey", the IIHF World Juniors Chapionships start today. Canada and the US are in the same pool; the Canucks play at 3:30 against Latvia, which will be a slaughter. The US have a good team and are legit medal threats. I read an interview with John Tavares this week and he said he's watching the games on Long Island on NHL Centre Ice.

[.Walt]

Yeah, I was watching the NHL network last night, and they will be showing some US games. Going to fun watching some Gophers play. I see my boy James van Riemsdyk will be playing. Sweet!


NHL network had some TV on last night. The making of the Winter Classic was fun to watch.

[Jaimoe]

Covered live on 13 different networks, Team Canada's Olympic roster was just announced (and of course, so did the second-guessing):

Goal:

Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils), Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks)  

Defense:

Dan Boyle (Sharks)
Drew Doughty (Kings)
Duncan Keith (Blackhawks)
Scott Niedermayer (Ducks) - team captain
Chris Pronger (Flyers)
Brent Seabrook (Blackhawks)
Shea Weber (Predators)

Pronger was named one of Niedermayer's assistant captains.

Forwards:

Patrice Bergeron (Bruins)
Sidney Crosby (Pens) — an assistant captain
Ryan Getzlaf (Ducks)
Dany Heatley (Sharks)
Jarome Iginla (Flames) — another assistant captain
Patrick Marleau (Sharks)
Brendan Morrow (Stars)
Rick Nash (Blue Jackets)
Corey Perry (Ducks)
Mike Richards (Flyers)
Eric Staal (Canes)
Joe Thornton (Sharks)
Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks)

Coach: Mike Babcock (Red Wings)
GM: Steve Yzerman

Notable omissions:

Defense: Mike Green (Captials), Dion Phaneuf (Flames), Jay Bouwmeester (Flames), Stephane Robidas (Stars)

Forwards: Mike Richards (Stars), Martin St. Louis (Bolts), Vinny Lecavalier (Bolts), Steve Stamkos (Bolts), Shane Doan (Coyotes), Patrick Sharp (Blackhawks), Jeff Carter (Flyers), Simone Gagne (Flyers), Marc Savard (Bruins), Milan Lucic (Bruins** injured), Mike Fisher (Sens), Jordan Staal (Pens)

[capt. scotty]

I realize youre stacked, but how the hell does Mike Green not make that team?! I know Keith and Doughty are having great years, but still not as good as Green. I dont think Seabrook shouldve made it over any of the omissions you listed.

Outside of Seabrook, Bergeron is definitely the biggest surprise to me. I wouldve taken St. Louis or Savard over Bergeron and Staal in a heartbeat. Eric Staal is finally turning his season around, but on a team with that much firepower, I think theyd be better off with either of the 2. Or Brad Richards who is having a great season.

[Jaimoe]

Yzerman and his staff picked players that play their positions - there'll be no centres playing wing etc..., so Savard is out as is Richards, Lecavalier and Stamkos.

Doughty was picked over Green because he's a better all-round defenseman - Green and Phaneuf are high risk with defensive zone flaws. Seabrook is going to partner with Keith, just like he does in Chicago.  

BTW, the US announce their team after the New Year's Fenway Park game between Boston and Philly.

[capt. scotty]

Yeah, but Bergeron and Eric Staal are both centers, right?
..and now that I look at it, you actually have 7 centers that made the team of the 13 forwards (plus Marleau whose played a lot of center in his career but I think he's on Thornton's wing this year). That doesnt add up really based on what youre saying with playing positions, although I think basically all of the most talented guys made the team (except Bergeron and Staal).

I figured thats why those other D-men made it over Green, but Staal isnt exactly great all around either...and Green is the best offensive D-man in the league.

Do you have any problem with who did and didnt make the team?

Glad Fleury made it, hopefully Brodeur will let him get on teh ice  ;D

[Jaimoe]

Yeah, but Bergeron and Eric Staal are both centers, right?
..and now that I look at it, you actually have 7 centers that made the team of the 13 forwards (plus Marleau whose played a lot of center in his career but I think he's on Thornton's wing this year). That doesnt add up really based on what youre saying with playing positions, although I think basically all of the most talented guys made the team (except Bergeron and Staal).

I figured thats why those other D-men made it over Green, but Staal isnt exactly great all around either...and Green is the best offensive D-man in the league.

Do you have any problem with who did and didnt make the team?

Glad Fleury made it, hopefully Brodeur will let him get on teh ice  ;D

Bergeron plays wing and so does Staal. When healthy, Staal is still one of the best power-forwards in the league. Bergeron made the team because he's versatile - he can adjust and play any role. Team Canada never picks the best players across the board; they pick what they think will be the best team.

BTW, I really like this team and have almost no problems with the omissions.

[Jaimoe]

Last night's Canada-US world junior game was a real barn-burner. Canada was down 4-2 in the 3rd, but tied it up late and then won in a shoot-out. The US plays the Finns in the quarter-finals. Canada and Sweden are through to the semis. Russia plays the Swiss in the other quarter-final and the winner plays Canada. I think the US will beat the Finns by a few goals.

[.Walt]

Went to the MN State vs R.I.T. game last night. My buddy got us free tickets. Since school is on break, there wasn't a big crowd, but got a nice win anyway. Sweeeeeeep!

Nice to see former MN State player David Backes make Team USA. Congrats!

Also, Jaimoe thanks for not correcting me on Van Riemsdyk.

[Jaimoe]

Went to the MN State vs R.I.T. game last night. My buddy got us free tickets. Since school is on break, there wasn't a big crowd, but got a nice win anyway. Sweeeeeeep!

Nice to see former MN State player David Backes make Team USA. Congrats!

Also, Jaimoe thanks for not correcting me on Van Riemsdyk.

BTW, a huge upset went down last night when the Swiss beat the Russians in OT in the World Junior quarter-finals. The US whopped the Finns in the other game. Today's semi-final match-ups are the US vs Sweden and Canada plays the upstart Swiss. The US will be the slight underdogs. Prediction: Look for a Canada-US final.

I like the US Olympic team, but Brian Burke may regret not including NJ's Andy Greene. He's one hell of a young player and leads all US defensemen in scoring (he also plays 24 minutes a game for the best defensive team in the NHL).

[Jaimoe]

Hey Yustin, Walts, capt.headdy and the few other US hockey fans. Here's the TSN link which should allow you to watch tonight's US-Sweden semi-final game at the World Juniors:  http://www.tsn.ca/

Canada is on right now.

In case you need some encouragement or education regarding the significance of the World Juniors, it is the biggest and most important international hockey tournament outside of the Olympics and World Championships. The World Junior Tournament features the best U-20 players in the world (although some NHL teams don't give up their 18-19 year-old rookies such as NYI's John Tavares, NYR's Michael del Zotto, Colorado's Matt Duchene and Philly's James Van Reimsdyk, although St. Louis loaned Canada their rookie defenseman Alex Pieterangelo). The US has some standout college players on their roster. Canada's Taylor Hall will be the #1 pick in the 2010 NHL draft.

I really want a Canada-US final!

[.Walt]

Looks like you got your wish! US v Canada. And it looks like we got our wish...no Mother Russia!

I think I mentioned it before...in my money fantasy league my roommate is all about having Russians on his team. I have a bunch of Americans. So far on the year I'm 2-0 against the Russians. But anyways, I was looking for a neutral hockey-mind to give me their thoughts about Russians, so I've been youtubing "Don-Cherry-Russia" and man!, he hates Russians more than I do, or he really loves Canada that much, or both. I love it!

[Jaimoe]

Looks like you got your wish! US v Canada. And it looks like we got our wish...no Mother Russia!

I think I mentioned it before...in my money fantasy league my roommate is all about having Russians on his team. I have a bunch of Americans. So far on the year I'm 2-0 against the Russians. But anyways, I was looking for a neutral hockey-mind to give me their thoughts about Russians, so I've been youtubing "Don-Cherry-Russia" and man!, he hates Russians more than I do, or he really loves Canada that much, or both. I love it!

Don doesn't trust Russians and doesn't think they play honourably. However, he does like Pavel Bure, Yashin, Ovechkin and
Ilya Kovalchuk. Don thinks in a Cold War "us against them" kind of way. He also doesn't like Swedes, but he liked Sundin.

Don does love Americans and has defended the US on many occassions on HNIC, even when the rest of the world was dumping on you guys. But Don is a true patriot. Have you seen the way he honours our dead Afghanistan soldiers at the end of every Coach's Corner? It's extremely emotional. Last Saturday's made me cry since a journalist was killed along with four soldiers... plus he also honoured a policeman that was murdered by a deranged RCMP officer in Ottawa.

I can give you an unbiased opinion on Russia and their Olympic team. They will be dangerous, but they could have been better, but Russian politics got involved, which means that they picked many non-NHL players; i.e., they chose KHL players instead.

Oh yeah, Tuesday's game will be great, as long as the IIHF chooses good referees.  

[capt. scotty]

Thanks for posting that link Jaimoe, although sadly when I tried to access the feed, it came up blank and said "Canada Only!"  ;D >:(

I probably try to find a feed on justin.tv or something on Tuesday, hopefully