The stumbling, bumbling New York Islanders have marked yet another notch on the old coaching stick, apparently sending Mike Stirling off to semi-retirement half way through the NHL season. A little company for Ed Olcyck at the Unemployment office, as those teams floundering in the standings begin to hit that panic button and look for a solution, any solution to shake things up.
Inside sources on Long Island have given the media the heads up on an announcement Thursday, that Mike Milbury GM of the sad sack Isles will claim coach number eight with the departure of Stirling.
Milbury is one of those rare GM's who never seem to be held accountable for the troubles their teams face, like his counterpart in Boston, Milbury has faced more than enough controversy while at the helm of the Islanders and yet somehow lives to trade and fire another day.
He's traded away enough front line players (hello Todd Bertuzzi, Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Mike Peca, Ziggy Palffy, Roberto Luongo among many) to take a normal team deep into a playoff run. In return he's acquired such legendary laggards as Alexi Yashin, a guy who has shown much promise over the years, but little in the way of heart to go deep into a post season. The most telling of events of late the trading of then Captain Peca to Edmonton and handing the C over to Yashin who has not produced the required leadership such a move would expect.
It's expected that Milbury will promote from within to fill the spot on a temporary basis, with farm coach Brad Shaw the most likely candidate. It's said that Milbury will be offering Stirling another position somewhere in the organization. The only question is does Shaw or anyone else really want the job, rumours on Long Island have it that Brent Sutter of Junior gold medal fame might be offered the job in the offseason (run Brent, run, run run away) but would he want to walk into a mess like this, lets face it job security is not exactly job one at Islander central.
Over the years Milbury has removed almost a coach a year from behind the bench on Long Island, including removing himself from the position twice. In surely what must be a record for instability or incompetence.
The good news for Stirling if he's looking for silver linings, is that the last coach Peter Laviolette landed on his feet quite nicely. Laviolette left Mike and the mayhem of the Islanders, for what appears to pass for sanity in North Carolina. Laviolette's Hurricanes are presently the darlings of the NHL having recently dispensed with the Detroit Red Wings to move to one point behind Ottawa in the Eastern conference.
Funny, good enough for first in Carolina, but not good enough to coach a most underperforming team in New York. Something makes me think that the troubles on Long Island don't rest with the many versions of the coaching staff.
Update and correction: Update, Jan 12/06. Charles Wang owner of the New York Islanders announced that Mike Milbury would relinquish the General Managers chair as soon as a suitable replacement could be found. Milbury will move upstairs as they say, to a position overseeing all of Mr. Wangs entertainment properties. Correction. In the above item, we stated that Brad Shaw would replace Mr. Stiriling from the Islanders farm club, correctly he takes over from his assistant coach position.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The Turning Point?
It was a game that started with a Morrison and ended with a Morrison, a storybook finish to a full day of hockey stories to warm enough hearts to last a winter.
Before it reached that happy ending for the local fans though, it had all the ingredients of yet another calamitous outing by the home side. The Canucks desperate for a win and a dose of self confidence quickly fell behind in their match with the Calgary Flames on the finale to Hockey Day in Canada.
The Flames appeared to be in control of the game for the first period and most of the second, taking a 3-1 lead into the third on the strength of Mikka Kiprusoff in the Flames nets and some strong play by captain Jerome Iginla and rookie sensation Dion Phaneuf.
It was the third period though that proved to turn the tide for the Canucks, who got back into a physical style of play with twenty minutes to go. Big hits in the Calgary end led to turnovers and a rash of penalty calls to the Flames late in the game aided the Canucks on their way to the 4-3 overtime win.
Led by Sami Salo with two goals, the Canucks battled their way back into this divisional rivalry, showing some grit and determination missing in many of their recent efforts. Anson Carter once again took advantage of some pretty passing from the Sedin brothers as he tallied his fifteenth goal for Vancouver this year helping to bring the Canucks back from the early depths of the game.
The winner went to Brendan Morrison, who took a rebound off of a Sami Salo blast from the point and put it into the net to secure the victory. Ironically it was a miscue by Phaneuf that resulted in the winning goal, unable to cover the Morrison side of the net in time to stop the winning shot. In a nice bit of book ending, the Morrison goal ended a game that begun with his Mother, Grandmother and children taking part in the opening face off. A script written in Hockey Day heaven that one.
Beyond the optics of a feel good ending to a feel good day though, is a feeling that this game could be the one to take this club out of the funk it has found itself in the last month or so. Far too often in the last couple of weeks there have been statements about the fragility and lack of confidence the team has exhibited of late. Today, the Canucks took the game by the horns and just plain got to work in that third period. The hits, the return to the corners and a more physical nature in front of the oppositions net, is going to do more for this team than all the psycho analytical tripe that has been bounced around the last couple of weeks.
Should the Canucks be able to capitalize on this important win, the turning point for the season could have taken place on Hockey Day in Canada, a day in which amazing things can seem to happen.
Before it reached that happy ending for the local fans though, it had all the ingredients of yet another calamitous outing by the home side. The Canucks desperate for a win and a dose of self confidence quickly fell behind in their match with the Calgary Flames on the finale to Hockey Day in Canada.
The Flames appeared to be in control of the game for the first period and most of the second, taking a 3-1 lead into the third on the strength of Mikka Kiprusoff in the Flames nets and some strong play by captain Jerome Iginla and rookie sensation Dion Phaneuf.
It was the third period though that proved to turn the tide for the Canucks, who got back into a physical style of play with twenty minutes to go. Big hits in the Calgary end led to turnovers and a rash of penalty calls to the Flames late in the game aided the Canucks on their way to the 4-3 overtime win.
Led by Sami Salo with two goals, the Canucks battled their way back into this divisional rivalry, showing some grit and determination missing in many of their recent efforts. Anson Carter once again took advantage of some pretty passing from the Sedin brothers as he tallied his fifteenth goal for Vancouver this year helping to bring the Canucks back from the early depths of the game.
The winner went to Brendan Morrison, who took a rebound off of a Sami Salo blast from the point and put it into the net to secure the victory. Ironically it was a miscue by Phaneuf that resulted in the winning goal, unable to cover the Morrison side of the net in time to stop the winning shot. In a nice bit of book ending, the Morrison goal ended a game that begun with his Mother, Grandmother and children taking part in the opening face off. A script written in Hockey Day heaven that one.
Beyond the optics of a feel good ending to a feel good day though, is a feeling that this game could be the one to take this club out of the funk it has found itself in the last month or so. Far too often in the last couple of weeks there have been statements about the fragility and lack of confidence the team has exhibited of late. Today, the Canucks took the game by the horns and just plain got to work in that third period. The hits, the return to the corners and a more physical nature in front of the oppositions net, is going to do more for this team than all the psycho analytical tripe that has been bounced around the last couple of weeks.
Should the Canucks be able to capitalize on this important win, the turning point for the season could have taken place on Hockey Day in Canada, a day in which amazing things can seem to happen.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Tellqvist with the save, the save, the save, the save.....
It was the Mikael Tellqvist show in Edmonton, as the Maple Leaf back up, appearing in his first start in five games, shut down the fast skating Edmonton Oilers. Facing 38 shots the Maple Leaf goaltender made spectacular save after save, to give his Toronto team mates a split on their venture into Alberta.
With a 1-0 loss to Calgary on their minds from Friday night, the Leafs might have been forgiven for a bit of deja vu as yet another Alberta team poured on the offense. While the Oilers were setting up camp in the Leaf end of the rink for most of the night, the Leafs offense sputtered at times putting only 19 shots on Oiler goaltender Ty Conklin. However, three of those shots made their way into the Edmonton net, and as things turned out three would be more than enough with Tellqvist in the nets.
The first in the eighth minute of play when Edmonton defender Marc-Andre Bergeron had trouble containing a play on the blue line, the puck went up to Bryan McCabe who had just exited the penalty box, his shot did not result in a goal but the rebound went to Matt Stajan who did not miss on his opportunity. He was followed onto the Leafs scoring sheet by Darcy Tucker and Chad Kilger.
Uncharacteristic give aways would be the undoing of the Oilers in this one, a missed check here, a sloppy pass there all combining to give the Leafs enough of a break to keep the Oilers off balance. The Oilers mounted a comeback with goals from Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth, but in the end the stellar play of Tellqvist ruled the day for the Maple Leaf Nation.
The 3-2 win shows signs of life for the Leafs who had been having troubles prior to Christmas, with their injuries starting to heal and the close games going their way now, Maple Leaf fans are beginning to breathe again, dreams of a playoff run once again dancing through their heads.
The Leafs now take their traveling road show into BC and a match up with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at GM Place, bringing to an end their venture into the western territories for the year, barring a Stanley Cup appearance in May.
With a 1-0 loss to Calgary on their minds from Friday night, the Leafs might have been forgiven for a bit of deja vu as yet another Alberta team poured on the offense. While the Oilers were setting up camp in the Leaf end of the rink for most of the night, the Leafs offense sputtered at times putting only 19 shots on Oiler goaltender Ty Conklin. However, three of those shots made their way into the Edmonton net, and as things turned out three would be more than enough with Tellqvist in the nets.
The first in the eighth minute of play when Edmonton defender Marc-Andre Bergeron had trouble containing a play on the blue line, the puck went up to Bryan McCabe who had just exited the penalty box, his shot did not result in a goal but the rebound went to Matt Stajan who did not miss on his opportunity. He was followed onto the Leafs scoring sheet by Darcy Tucker and Chad Kilger.
Uncharacteristic give aways would be the undoing of the Oilers in this one, a missed check here, a sloppy pass there all combining to give the Leafs enough of a break to keep the Oilers off balance. The Oilers mounted a comeback with goals from Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth, but in the end the stellar play of Tellqvist ruled the day for the Maple Leaf Nation.
The 3-2 win shows signs of life for the Leafs who had been having troubles prior to Christmas, with their injuries starting to heal and the close games going their way now, Maple Leaf fans are beginning to breathe again, dreams of a playoff run once again dancing through their heads.
The Leafs now take their traveling road show into BC and a match up with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at GM Place, bringing to an end their venture into the western territories for the year, barring a Stanley Cup appearance in May.
You Can shoot on Huet, but you can’t score!
The injury depleted Ottawa Senators took their show into Montreal for Hockey Day in Canada, only to find that Montreal was not going to be gracious hosts. With goals from Saku Koivu, Francis Bouillon, Mathieu Dandenault and Radek Bonk, (scoring his first goal in 43 games) the Habs had their fans dancing in the aisles early in the game.
The Canadiens out played and out hit the Senators, storming to a 4-0 lead in the first period, chasing Ray Emery from the game and giving the pride of St. Martin D'Heres, France, Cristobel Huet a taste of life on the winning side of the NHL, his second straight win over Ottawa. A feat that had the Hab faithful chanting his name thoughout the game.
Huet put forward some solid play on behalf of his Canadien team mates, turning aside 40 shots from a frustrated Ottawa squad. The lone Ottawa goal a sneak in on the right wing from behind the net, more a case of a check not being picked up than anything else. Huet’s appearance in the net has begun to feed that favourite game in Montreal of who’s leaving town, the name apparently at the top of the conspiracy list, none other than Jose Theodore.
From the opening whistle the Habs took control of the play, the normally solid studs of defence in Ottawa of Chara, Redden and Phillips could not control the Canadiens who for the first period resembled those fast skating teams of the Beliveau era.
The play slowed down in the second and third periods, but the damage had already been done to Ottawa, a team which has shown some serious inconsistent play since the injury parade began to build up over the last month or so.
Ottawa’s Emery was left on his own once again, a similar scenario that played out less than a week ago, when the Thrashers took the game to the Sens and made Emery play through a stretch of terribly defense and anemic offense. In that game, Emery was a last second replacement for an injured Domenic Hasek. This time Bryan Murray had the option of rescuing Emery from the onslaught and put Domenic Hasek into the nets for the remainder of the game.
With Alfredsson, Havlat and Spezza missing from the offensive arsenal, the Sens are having much trouble in generating a steady flow of offense. Bryan Murray will have to retool his approach for the short term while the bruises, tears and sprains all begin to heal.
While it’s nowhere near the time for panic in Ottawa, the short term pain is probably still ahead for a bit yet. For Montreal, there are signs of coming out of the darker moments of a frustrating season.
The Canadiens out played and out hit the Senators, storming to a 4-0 lead in the first period, chasing Ray Emery from the game and giving the pride of St. Martin D'Heres, France, Cristobel Huet a taste of life on the winning side of the NHL, his second straight win over Ottawa. A feat that had the Hab faithful chanting his name thoughout the game.
Huet put forward some solid play on behalf of his Canadien team mates, turning aside 40 shots from a frustrated Ottawa squad. The lone Ottawa goal a sneak in on the right wing from behind the net, more a case of a check not being picked up than anything else. Huet’s appearance in the net has begun to feed that favourite game in Montreal of who’s leaving town, the name apparently at the top of the conspiracy list, none other than Jose Theodore.
From the opening whistle the Habs took control of the play, the normally solid studs of defence in Ottawa of Chara, Redden and Phillips could not control the Canadiens who for the first period resembled those fast skating teams of the Beliveau era.
The play slowed down in the second and third periods, but the damage had already been done to Ottawa, a team which has shown some serious inconsistent play since the injury parade began to build up over the last month or so.
Ottawa’s Emery was left on his own once again, a similar scenario that played out less than a week ago, when the Thrashers took the game to the Sens and made Emery play through a stretch of terribly defense and anemic offense. In that game, Emery was a last second replacement for an injured Domenic Hasek. This time Bryan Murray had the option of rescuing Emery from the onslaught and put Domenic Hasek into the nets for the remainder of the game.
With Alfredsson, Havlat and Spezza missing from the offensive arsenal, the Sens are having much trouble in generating a steady flow of offense. Bryan Murray will have to retool his approach for the short term while the bruises, tears and sprains all begin to heal.
While it’s nowhere near the time for panic in Ottawa, the short term pain is probably still ahead for a bit yet. For Montreal, there are signs of coming out of the darker moments of a frustrating season.
Brick by Brick, row by row
It's a slow march to history for the Winnipeg Arena, demolition has begun on the grand old barn of sport for Manitobans as the Polo Park sports facility begins its path to the history books.
Winnipeggers have been dropping by the home of many memories to watch the demolition crews go about the process of removing a building that brought much joy and a fair amount of heartbreak to the Winnipeg sports scene.
The crews began their work a number of weeks ago, but it wasn't until this week that the crowd could see the true beginning of the end for the Arena. The walls have come tumbling down, exposing the seats and inner memories of the legendary Maroons Road rink.
Many of those stopping by to watch think back to the days of the Jets, the Blizzard of White Nights when Manitobans would dress in their Winnipeg white Jersey's creating a sea of white in the old arena. NHL Playoff runs, Junior championships and bonspiels all at one time or another held the spotlight in the building with the picture of the Queen smiling down on them. Soon all that will be left of the site will be the memories and ghosts of the games gone by.
Demolition is expected to take place through until May when the site will be finished and the land turned over to some other use. The entertainment mecca is now many miles to the east in the downtown area, but for generations of Manitobans the greatest moments in sport belong forever to the Winnipeg Arena.
Winnipeggers have been dropping by the home of many memories to watch the demolition crews go about the process of removing a building that brought much joy and a fair amount of heartbreak to the Winnipeg sports scene.
The crews began their work a number of weeks ago, but it wasn't until this week that the crowd could see the true beginning of the end for the Arena. The walls have come tumbling down, exposing the seats and inner memories of the legendary Maroons Road rink.
Many of those stopping by to watch think back to the days of the Jets, the Blizzard of White Nights when Manitobans would dress in their Winnipeg white Jersey's creating a sea of white in the old arena. NHL Playoff runs, Junior championships and bonspiels all at one time or another held the spotlight in the building with the picture of the Queen smiling down on them. Soon all that will be left of the site will be the memories and ghosts of the games gone by.
Demolition is expected to take place through until May when the site will be finished and the land turned over to some other use. The entertainment mecca is now many miles to the east in the downtown area, but for generations of Manitobans the greatest moments in sport belong forever to the Winnipeg Arena.
It's Hockey Day in Canada
With impeccable timing, Hockey Day in Canada is back to warm the hearts of even the most casual of hockey fans.
The CBC has turned a novel little idea into a day long celebration of a game that defines a nation. Hockey Day in Canada returns to the Mother Network today, set on the shelf last year due to the NHL lockout, the CBC brings the celebration back in all its glory.
Hockey Day headquarters this year is Stephenville, Newfoundland the western Newfoundland town picks up the torch from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan which last hosted the conclave of all that is good about hockey back in January of 2004. Stephenville will make the perfect host for this years production, a town that has been hit by more than its fair share of bad economic news of late will band together to ensure the success of the day. The focus on the small Western Newfoundland city has already brought a measure of excitement to the place, the locals ready to put their best foot forward to showcase their hometown.
Hockey has always been a part of Newfoundland lore, back in the day the Newfoundland Senior league was THE LEAGUE in the province, the rivalry between the townies of St. John's, the Baymen of the Eastern coasts and the West Coasters has produced some legendary hockey over the years. And if the stars fall into place it may once again thrive as it once did. It's a rich hockey heritage that Newfoundlanders will bring to the show today, a love of hockey that matches any city or town in the land.
This years event features the usual trifecta of Canadian based hockey teams, with the Senators and Canadiens kick starting the celebrations at 2 pm EST, 11 am PST, the first of three NHL games featuring Canadian teams. The 7:00 pm EST 4 pm PST game brings the Maple Leafs and Oilers together, while the nightcap showcases the Canucks and Flames live from GM Place.
In between the CBC will transport us near and far across the nation, checking out minor hockey games in such locales as Florenceville, New Brusnwick, Parry Sound, Ontario, Winkler, Manitoba, Calgary, Alberta and Burnaby, BC. The focus as always will be on the young players, youth hockey and its volunteers and parents. It is effectively a thirteen and a half hour salute to those that give of their time for the love of a game.
Hot on the heels of Canada's Juniors celebration of a World Junior Hockey Championship, it should be a great celebration of a sport that has such special meaning to the nation. The broadcast will trace the path of many of today's hockey pros and how their formative years in minor hockey across the land, brought them to the level they are at today.
Hockey Day usually proves to be one of the most successful of projects put together by the CBC, an event that for one day anyways shows the public broadcasters true strengths in making a contribution to local communities across the land.
Such was the value of the day that last year when the CBC bailed on the project TSN stepped in and did a very admirable version of the celebration, all be it without the professional content. That in itself was testimony to the importance of the game to the national fabric.
The CBC however is the original producer and the folks there are more than happy to be back in the director's chair to bring the spectacular to televisions across the land. They created the franchise so to speak, it's been their story to tell over the years, each year creating memorable moments from such locations as Iqualuit, Nunavut, Windsor, Nova Scotia, Red Deer, Alberta and Toronto Ontario and of course Shaunovan last time.
Nobody lives hockey as much as Canadians do, Hockey Day is as close to a national holiday as the sport ever gets. Enjoy the festivities.
The CBC has turned a novel little idea into a day long celebration of a game that defines a nation. Hockey Day in Canada returns to the Mother Network today, set on the shelf last year due to the NHL lockout, the CBC brings the celebration back in all its glory.
Hockey Day headquarters this year is Stephenville, Newfoundland the western Newfoundland town picks up the torch from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan which last hosted the conclave of all that is good about hockey back in January of 2004. Stephenville will make the perfect host for this years production, a town that has been hit by more than its fair share of bad economic news of late will band together to ensure the success of the day. The focus on the small Western Newfoundland city has already brought a measure of excitement to the place, the locals ready to put their best foot forward to showcase their hometown.
Hockey has always been a part of Newfoundland lore, back in the day the Newfoundland Senior league was THE LEAGUE in the province, the rivalry between the townies of St. John's, the Baymen of the Eastern coasts and the West Coasters has produced some legendary hockey over the years. And if the stars fall into place it may once again thrive as it once did. It's a rich hockey heritage that Newfoundlanders will bring to the show today, a love of hockey that matches any city or town in the land.
This years event features the usual trifecta of Canadian based hockey teams, with the Senators and Canadiens kick starting the celebrations at 2 pm EST, 11 am PST, the first of three NHL games featuring Canadian teams. The 7:00 pm EST 4 pm PST game brings the Maple Leafs and Oilers together, while the nightcap showcases the Canucks and Flames live from GM Place.
In between the CBC will transport us near and far across the nation, checking out minor hockey games in such locales as Florenceville, New Brusnwick, Parry Sound, Ontario, Winkler, Manitoba, Calgary, Alberta and Burnaby, BC. The focus as always will be on the young players, youth hockey and its volunteers and parents. It is effectively a thirteen and a half hour salute to those that give of their time for the love of a game.
Hot on the heels of Canada's Juniors celebration of a World Junior Hockey Championship, it should be a great celebration of a sport that has such special meaning to the nation. The broadcast will trace the path of many of today's hockey pros and how their formative years in minor hockey across the land, brought them to the level they are at today.
Hockey Day usually proves to be one of the most successful of projects put together by the CBC, an event that for one day anyways shows the public broadcasters true strengths in making a contribution to local communities across the land.
Such was the value of the day that last year when the CBC bailed on the project TSN stepped in and did a very admirable version of the celebration, all be it without the professional content. That in itself was testimony to the importance of the game to the national fabric.
The CBC however is the original producer and the folks there are more than happy to be back in the director's chair to bring the spectacular to televisions across the land. They created the franchise so to speak, it's been their story to tell over the years, each year creating memorable moments from such locations as Iqualuit, Nunavut, Windsor, Nova Scotia, Red Deer, Alberta and Toronto Ontario and of course Shaunovan last time.
Nobody lives hockey as much as Canadians do, Hockey Day is as close to a national holiday as the sport ever gets. Enjoy the festivities.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Perfection!
Their coach hasn’t lost a game since he became involved in the program. This year’s team did not lose a game through an entire tournament. The Nation didn’t miss a game for two weeks. It was the perfect mix, with the perfect outcome for the land that lives and breathes hockey.
Thursday night a joyous crowd at GM Place and an exuberant nation cheered on their teenage heroes to another Gold Medal in the World Junior Hockey Championships.
A team which the “experts” had already suggested was too young to expect too much out of, settled in to hockey Sutter style and just went out and over two weeks took what they believed was rightfully theirs.
Led by a calm and collected goaltender named Justin Pogge, Team Canada held off an early Russian flurry of shots, time and time again Pogge stood his ground, refusing to yield a shot to the twine behind him. He faced fifteen shots alone in the first period, holding down the fort while his fellow team mates tried to get their legs. With each successive save, his team began to feed off of his strength and eventually wear they began down the Russian machine, playing their typically hard nosed, all for one and one for all style of play.
Scoring twice late in the first period the Canadians then began to take control of the play, the energy in the stands and the good vibes of a nation tuned in at home willing them on with every shift.
The Russians would battle back, refusing to sit down and watch the play and if not for a bit of unfortunate luck might have made a dent on the scoreboard. A goal which surely was in but not counted, certainly took a bit of steam out of the Russian squad, but championship teams can overcome such difficulties. The Canadians never really let the Russians get back into the game as time wound down. Yes that goal should have counted, but to suggest that the Canadians would fold after it and relinquish medals within their reach, is a disservice to the display of team work put on by those in the Red and White.
By the time the night was finished four Canadians would score five goals to seal the victory for the home side, Steve Downie, Blake Comeau and Kyle Chicpchura scored singles, Michael Blunden netted two to round up the scoring parade, Downie’s goal was the first and as things would turn out was the eventual winner,
The Canadian win was a fine example of team work over individual effort, checks were picked up, players taken out, and hits were taken in front of the Russian net, all in the cause of showing the Russians and by extension the hockey world that Canada understands the game better than any.
The 5 – 0 final score is probably not indicative of the play of the game, Russians hit crossbars and posts and probably should have been rewarded with a few goals, but the style of play from Canada dictated the game by the end of the first period. The Russians forced to play the more physical hockey that Canada showcased, could not adapt as quickly as they needed.
More importantly, the Russians became a team of individuals as the game progressed; the Canadians stuck with the Sutter plan and after sixty minutes of play were rewarded with a victory and their coach a place in the record books.
As Team Canada's Ryan O'Marra put it, "we had more emotion, more passion and more inensity. We played Canadian hockey". Sutters lessons, were learned well by these young men.
Sutter’s win was his twelfth straight victory as bench boss of the nation’s youngest and proudest. The win provided back to back championships for a country that now probably expects to win each and every time they step on the ice.
In his day job, coach Sutter is the guiding force behind a team called the Rebels, on this Golden January night in Vancouver he was the motivational guide of a band of Patriots. To a player, they saluted their coach at games end; a guy that it seems is much more than just a coach.
The job is his again next year should he wish it, the perfect candidate for what is becoming the perfect job in sport. Sutter understands his responsibilities quite well; he has a love of junior hockey that goes well beyond what happens between the boards and on the ice.
He not only makes individuals into a team, he shapes young teens into young men. He and his team embodied all that is good about sport in Canada, the dedication, the desire and yes the results. But you know nice as they are, the gold medals are merely the icing on the cake here.
Thursday night a joyous crowd at GM Place and an exuberant nation cheered on their teenage heroes to another Gold Medal in the World Junior Hockey Championships.
A team which the “experts” had already suggested was too young to expect too much out of, settled in to hockey Sutter style and just went out and over two weeks took what they believed was rightfully theirs.
Led by a calm and collected goaltender named Justin Pogge, Team Canada held off an early Russian flurry of shots, time and time again Pogge stood his ground, refusing to yield a shot to the twine behind him. He faced fifteen shots alone in the first period, holding down the fort while his fellow team mates tried to get their legs. With each successive save, his team began to feed off of his strength and eventually wear they began down the Russian machine, playing their typically hard nosed, all for one and one for all style of play.
Scoring twice late in the first period the Canadians then began to take control of the play, the energy in the stands and the good vibes of a nation tuned in at home willing them on with every shift.
The Russians would battle back, refusing to sit down and watch the play and if not for a bit of unfortunate luck might have made a dent on the scoreboard. A goal which surely was in but not counted, certainly took a bit of steam out of the Russian squad, but championship teams can overcome such difficulties. The Canadians never really let the Russians get back into the game as time wound down. Yes that goal should have counted, but to suggest that the Canadians would fold after it and relinquish medals within their reach, is a disservice to the display of team work put on by those in the Red and White.
By the time the night was finished four Canadians would score five goals to seal the victory for the home side, Steve Downie, Blake Comeau and Kyle Chicpchura scored singles, Michael Blunden netted two to round up the scoring parade, Downie’s goal was the first and as things would turn out was the eventual winner,
The Canadian win was a fine example of team work over individual effort, checks were picked up, players taken out, and hits were taken in front of the Russian net, all in the cause of showing the Russians and by extension the hockey world that Canada understands the game better than any.
The 5 – 0 final score is probably not indicative of the play of the game, Russians hit crossbars and posts and probably should have been rewarded with a few goals, but the style of play from Canada dictated the game by the end of the first period. The Russians forced to play the more physical hockey that Canada showcased, could not adapt as quickly as they needed.
More importantly, the Russians became a team of individuals as the game progressed; the Canadians stuck with the Sutter plan and after sixty minutes of play were rewarded with a victory and their coach a place in the record books.
As Team Canada's Ryan O'Marra put it, "we had more emotion, more passion and more inensity. We played Canadian hockey". Sutters lessons, were learned well by these young men.
Sutter’s win was his twelfth straight victory as bench boss of the nation’s youngest and proudest. The win provided back to back championships for a country that now probably expects to win each and every time they step on the ice.
In his day job, coach Sutter is the guiding force behind a team called the Rebels, on this Golden January night in Vancouver he was the motivational guide of a band of Patriots. To a player, they saluted their coach at games end; a guy that it seems is much more than just a coach.
The job is his again next year should he wish it, the perfect candidate for what is becoming the perfect job in sport. Sutter understands his responsibilities quite well; he has a love of junior hockey that goes well beyond what happens between the boards and on the ice.
He not only makes individuals into a team, he shapes young teens into young men. He and his team embodied all that is good about sport in Canada, the dedication, the desire and yes the results. But you know nice as they are, the gold medals are merely the icing on the cake here.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Canada to defend gold medal in Junior finale
Team Canada no longer qualifies as the underdog at the World Junior Championships, with a convincing 4-0 defeat of Finland on Tuesday night, the Canadians advanced to the Gold Medal match for the fifth straight year. Set to defend their Gold Medal championship of 2005 on Thursday night against a familiar foe, the Russian juniors.
Justin Pogge picked up his second shutout of the tournament, turning aside 19 shots as Canada played text book Sutter hockey, playing the man, reducing the turnovers and taking advantage of the scoring opportunities as they became available.
This Team Canada certainly takes the team approach to heart, rarely out of position, there are no real me first players in the line up, Canadians never ventured too far up the official scoring standings in the tournament, keeping to the defensive style of play designed by Sutter and spreading out the scoring among the many forwards and defensemen brought to the training camp.
The win was Brent Sutters 11th straight World Junior victory, undefeated in International play, it's a mark that puts him at the top of the winningest Junior coaches list all by himself. A hard task master at times, he seems to be able to seek out the commitment from his charges and get them to play the style of hockey that Canadians have become know for. Hard aggressive in your face kind of play, with solid defense and impressive goaltending when required.
Finland's goaltender Tuuka Rusk faced 43 shots in the defeat, 20 hours after he faced 53 shots from Team Sweden, suffice to say defensive play is not a strength that the Finns have grabbed onto just yet. Interestingly enough for Toronto Maple Leaf fans, both Pogge and Rusk have been drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving them a pretty impressive looking tandem a few years down the line.
Finland will take on the USA in the Bronze medal game, after the Americans were out hit and out scored by a well rested Russian squad. The Russians put five goals behind American Goaltender Cory Schneider, though to be fair to the American he was left on his own far too often to face a heavily talented Russian squad. The US defencemen tried their best to stem the flow of the Russian attack, but with sloppy and at times non existent back checking from their forwards they were far too often out numbered in their own end.
The Americans appeared to run out of steam at key times, owing in part to their need to go through the quarter finals against the Czech Republic on Monday night. They never seemed to have much jump in the Russian match up, frequently beat to the puck and guilty of sloppy passing and confusing play in their own end at times.
The game deteriorated towards the end as both teams seemed to be more interested in running each other into the boards and taking cheap shots, than in finishing the game off in any kind of offensive showcase.
At one point things threatened to get out of hand as the players clutched, grabbed and pushed around Russian goaltender Anton Khudobin's crease area, but eventually cooler heads prevailed and the game ended at a score of 5-1, without further incident.
The Vancouver crowd appeared to be heavily pro Russia on this night, something not seen very often in a Canadian arena. The main target of the fan's wrath was American defenceman Jack Johnson who plays with a fair amount of attitude. Most recently involved in a last minute incident with Canadian Steve Downie, Johnson heard boos for the bulk of the evening every time he touched the puck. The crowd would cheer loudly each Russian goal and gave the popular Na na na song serenade to the Americans as the game wound down.
While one can understand the crowd cheering on the Russians who play a wonderful style of hockey, the unseemly anti Americanism at times seems a tad bush league. The Americans after all play pretty well the closest style of hockey that Canadians would recognize, to boo them constantly and cheer the huge hits on some of their finesse players doesn't quite seem to be the timbre of a true hockey fan. One day we'll just have to get over our various complexes in regards to our neighbour to the south and accept a hockey game for what it is, just a great example of two styles of hockey clashing on the ice. In the end, an awful lot of Canadians earn a living playing our game in American cities, to boo them as we did in this tournament doesn't seem to say very much about us as hockey fans.
The loss will be a bitter disappointment to the American side, which had come into the competition perceived as one of the favourites. And as the tournament got underway the positive press reports proved to be true as the Americans dominated most of the competition, however a turning point came with a 2-2 tie against the Swiss and then the loss to Canada on New Year's eve.
The Canada/Russia match up is probably the best scenario TSN could have hoped for, though to be honest either an American or Russian match up against Team Canada would have proven to be a ratings winner. Saturday nights Canada - USA game topped the ratings over even Hockey Night in Canada. The renewed rivalry between Canada and Russia though will make Thursday night just a little bit extra special and probably reward TSN with another excellent night. It will make for an interesting comparison of styles the free wheeling, fast breaking Russians against the defensive minded and tough hitting Canadian team.
Strap on your helmet and settle in, this one could be a beauty!
Justin Pogge picked up his second shutout of the tournament, turning aside 19 shots as Canada played text book Sutter hockey, playing the man, reducing the turnovers and taking advantage of the scoring opportunities as they became available.
This Team Canada certainly takes the team approach to heart, rarely out of position, there are no real me first players in the line up, Canadians never ventured too far up the official scoring standings in the tournament, keeping to the defensive style of play designed by Sutter and spreading out the scoring among the many forwards and defensemen brought to the training camp.
The win was Brent Sutters 11th straight World Junior victory, undefeated in International play, it's a mark that puts him at the top of the winningest Junior coaches list all by himself. A hard task master at times, he seems to be able to seek out the commitment from his charges and get them to play the style of hockey that Canadians have become know for. Hard aggressive in your face kind of play, with solid defense and impressive goaltending when required.
Finland's goaltender Tuuka Rusk faced 43 shots in the defeat, 20 hours after he faced 53 shots from Team Sweden, suffice to say defensive play is not a strength that the Finns have grabbed onto just yet. Interestingly enough for Toronto Maple Leaf fans, both Pogge and Rusk have been drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving them a pretty impressive looking tandem a few years down the line.
Finland will take on the USA in the Bronze medal game, after the Americans were out hit and out scored by a well rested Russian squad. The Russians put five goals behind American Goaltender Cory Schneider, though to be fair to the American he was left on his own far too often to face a heavily talented Russian squad. The US defencemen tried their best to stem the flow of the Russian attack, but with sloppy and at times non existent back checking from their forwards they were far too often out numbered in their own end.
The Americans appeared to run out of steam at key times, owing in part to their need to go through the quarter finals against the Czech Republic on Monday night. They never seemed to have much jump in the Russian match up, frequently beat to the puck and guilty of sloppy passing and confusing play in their own end at times.
The game deteriorated towards the end as both teams seemed to be more interested in running each other into the boards and taking cheap shots, than in finishing the game off in any kind of offensive showcase.
At one point things threatened to get out of hand as the players clutched, grabbed and pushed around Russian goaltender Anton Khudobin's crease area, but eventually cooler heads prevailed and the game ended at a score of 5-1, without further incident.
The Vancouver crowd appeared to be heavily pro Russia on this night, something not seen very often in a Canadian arena. The main target of the fan's wrath was American defenceman Jack Johnson who plays with a fair amount of attitude. Most recently involved in a last minute incident with Canadian Steve Downie, Johnson heard boos for the bulk of the evening every time he touched the puck. The crowd would cheer loudly each Russian goal and gave the popular Na na na song serenade to the Americans as the game wound down.
While one can understand the crowd cheering on the Russians who play a wonderful style of hockey, the unseemly anti Americanism at times seems a tad bush league. The Americans after all play pretty well the closest style of hockey that Canadians would recognize, to boo them constantly and cheer the huge hits on some of their finesse players doesn't quite seem to be the timbre of a true hockey fan. One day we'll just have to get over our various complexes in regards to our neighbour to the south and accept a hockey game for what it is, just a great example of two styles of hockey clashing on the ice. In the end, an awful lot of Canadians earn a living playing our game in American cities, to boo them as we did in this tournament doesn't seem to say very much about us as hockey fans.
The loss will be a bitter disappointment to the American side, which had come into the competition perceived as one of the favourites. And as the tournament got underway the positive press reports proved to be true as the Americans dominated most of the competition, however a turning point came with a 2-2 tie against the Swiss and then the loss to Canada on New Year's eve.
The Canada/Russia match up is probably the best scenario TSN could have hoped for, though to be honest either an American or Russian match up against Team Canada would have proven to be a ratings winner. Saturday nights Canada - USA game topped the ratings over even Hockey Night in Canada. The renewed rivalry between Canada and Russia though will make Thursday night just a little bit extra special and probably reward TSN with another excellent night. It will make for an interesting comparison of styles the free wheeling, fast breaking Russians against the defensive minded and tough hitting Canadian team.
Strap on your helmet and settle in, this one could be a beauty!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Rookie of the Month for December
January 3-- He's becoming the key ingredient for a young and still learning squad of players, but Alexander Ovechkin gives everybody the impression he's quite possibly the next big name to watch for. Ovechkin leads all NHL rookies in scoring and holds down 13th place overall with his 46 points, almost evenly split with 24 goals and 22 assists thus far in the season. For all his hard work.
His play elevates the Capital attack whenever he's on the ice, the Caps young wunderkid gets a point on 54% of all the Capital scoring. Take away his play on the left wing and there's a very good chance that the Capitals scoring potential drops dramatically.
Frequently mentioned in the same breath as Sidney Crosby, Ovechkin seems determined to remind NHL observers that there is more than one name to watch, and more than one name to consider for the Calder trophy.
His play elevates the Capital attack whenever he's on the ice, the Caps young wunderkid gets a point on 54% of all the Capital scoring. Take away his play on the left wing and there's a very good chance that the Capitals scoring potential drops dramatically.
Frequently mentioned in the same breath as Sidney Crosby, Ovechkin seems determined to remind NHL observers that there is more than one name to watch, and more than one name to consider for the Calder trophy.
Players of the Week for January
Below are the players of the week for January. selected for their achievements in NHL action. Click on the names for biographies and statistic material on each recipient.
January 30 Forward, David Vyborny, Columbus
January 30 Goal, Marty Turco, Dallas
January 23 Forward, Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
January 23 Goal, Henrik Lundqvist, N.Y. Rangers
January 16 Forward, Eric Staal, Carolina
January 16 Goal, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
January 9 Forward, Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta
January 9 Goal, David Aebischer, Colorado, and Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia
January 2 Forward, Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
January 2 Goal Manny Fernandez, Minnesota
January 30 Forward, David Vyborny, Columbus
January 30 Goal, Marty Turco, Dallas
January 23 Forward, Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
January 23 Goal, Henrik Lundqvist, N.Y. Rangers
January 16 Forward, Eric Staal, Carolina
January 16 Goal, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey
January 9 Forward, Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta
January 9 Goal, David Aebischer, Colorado, and Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia
January 2 Forward, Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
January 2 Goal Manny Fernandez, Minnesota
Finger on the button
The latest loss by the Vancouver Canucks has many of the locals in a semi state of panic. With Monday night's 4-1 defeat to the bottom dwelling St. Louis Blues, the Canucks should be thankful they are on the road, the reaction to their recent efforts is bordering on hysteria in Canuck land.
Callers to the Dan Russell show on CKNW following the Canucks rather effort free game against the Blues, suggested many options for GM Dave Nonis to consider. The three most favoured suggestions were to get Roberto Luongo without delay, fire Marc Crawford and make a blockbuster trade to shake up the roster before the rot sets in.
Vancouver fans are dedicated to the art of the bandwagon and when things go wrong in Canuckland they are quick to make changes for the sake of the change. It was a common refrain heard by Brian Burke as he put together the current core group of Canucks during his reign, but this is the first time that Nonis has had to hear from chorus as things go wrong.
Injuries have taken their toll on this team this year so far, a starting goaltender gone for the season, defencemen in and out of the line up with alarming frequency giving the Canucks blue line a very Manitoba like feel of late.
The Big guns on offence have been terribly inconsistent all season, if Bertuzzi is having a good game then it seems that the Sedins will be taking the night off. If Markus Naslund has a successful night, you can pretty well guess that nobody else on the team has decided to put it into drive that night. It's hard to put a finger on what is wrong with this team right now and more importantly what its going to take to shake things up and get some more desired results.
The long January road trip is just underway and already it's shaping up as a trip that may bring the Canucks back home falling further and further behind the pack in the Northwest. With losses in Minnesota and St. Louis over the weekend and trips to Dallas and Chicago on the way. It could be a nasty reception waiting for them when they return home for the weekend and Hockey Day in Canada festivities with the Flames. With 11 road games in January, the Canucks had best find a way to win a few here and there, the trick will be to try and come home at least .500 by the end of the extended road trip and get back to their winning ways at GM Place.
Absence isn't making the heart grow fonder in Vancouver, the more they lose on the road the more the fans get nervous. The dominant team of the early season run has given way to a tentative squad, one that squanders chances and can't seem to find the right combinations to make things happen.
It's all making for a dark start to the New Year for the fans, a start that has many Canuck fans making resolutions for change sooner than later.
Callers to the Dan Russell show on CKNW following the Canucks rather effort free game against the Blues, suggested many options for GM Dave Nonis to consider. The three most favoured suggestions were to get Roberto Luongo without delay, fire Marc Crawford and make a blockbuster trade to shake up the roster before the rot sets in.
Vancouver fans are dedicated to the art of the bandwagon and when things go wrong in Canuckland they are quick to make changes for the sake of the change. It was a common refrain heard by Brian Burke as he put together the current core group of Canucks during his reign, but this is the first time that Nonis has had to hear from chorus as things go wrong.
Injuries have taken their toll on this team this year so far, a starting goaltender gone for the season, defencemen in and out of the line up with alarming frequency giving the Canucks blue line a very Manitoba like feel of late.
The Big guns on offence have been terribly inconsistent all season, if Bertuzzi is having a good game then it seems that the Sedins will be taking the night off. If Markus Naslund has a successful night, you can pretty well guess that nobody else on the team has decided to put it into drive that night. It's hard to put a finger on what is wrong with this team right now and more importantly what its going to take to shake things up and get some more desired results.
The long January road trip is just underway and already it's shaping up as a trip that may bring the Canucks back home falling further and further behind the pack in the Northwest. With losses in Minnesota and St. Louis over the weekend and trips to Dallas and Chicago on the way. It could be a nasty reception waiting for them when they return home for the weekend and Hockey Day in Canada festivities with the Flames. With 11 road games in January, the Canucks had best find a way to win a few here and there, the trick will be to try and come home at least .500 by the end of the extended road trip and get back to their winning ways at GM Place.
Absence isn't making the heart grow fonder in Vancouver, the more they lose on the road the more the fans get nervous. The dominant team of the early season run has given way to a tentative squad, one that squanders chances and can't seem to find the right combinations to make things happen.
It's all making for a dark start to the New Year for the fans, a start that has many Canuck fans making resolutions for change sooner than later.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Thrashed!
The game started shortly after 3 o'clock in Atlanta and by about 3:25 it appeared that the Ottawa Senators had left any New Years resolutions to keep on winning, back in the Canadian capital.
The return of Dany Heatley was not an enjoyable reunion for the player now in Senators colours as the Atlanta Thrashers handed the Sens a serious lesson on Monday afternoon.
From even before the game the situation for the Sens was tough, as Domenic Hasek (who was hooked up to a microphone which he forgot to turn off!) advised Sens backup Ray Emery that he was going to start just minutes before the game. Hasek hurt his back prior to the warm up and Emery was hurriedly put through the pre game paces to face the Thrashers.
Unfortunately for Emery, his team mates decided that the day after the New Year should be a stat holiday as the Thrashers out skated, out hit, out hustled and as the total of 8-3 shows out scored a Sens team that seemed to test the patience of head coach Bryan Murray.
Former Sen Marian Hossa acquired in the off season trade for Heatley gave the home side cause for celebration as he added two goals and an assist to the 8 goal total, with Vyacheslav Kozlov picking up three other goals while Ilya Kovalchuk and Serge Aubry picked up goals, as did Greg de Vries the oft forgotten part of the trade that rocked Atlanta.
Chris Neil and Chris Kelly put markers on the board for the Sens. Whiled Dany Heatley scored one goal for the Sens as well, to remind the folks in Georgia that he too can still score goals. But on this night he and his fellow Sens couldn't score enough of them to make a difference.
Emery had a rough night in the nets making only 19 saves on 27 shots, but while he did not have his best night, he certainly had lots of company on that bus. The Sens came out flat and never seemed to get their game into gear. The Thrashers full value for the thrashing on this night!
The return of Dany Heatley was not an enjoyable reunion for the player now in Senators colours as the Atlanta Thrashers handed the Sens a serious lesson on Monday afternoon.
From even before the game the situation for the Sens was tough, as Domenic Hasek (who was hooked up to a microphone which he forgot to turn off!) advised Sens backup Ray Emery that he was going to start just minutes before the game. Hasek hurt his back prior to the warm up and Emery was hurriedly put through the pre game paces to face the Thrashers.
Unfortunately for Emery, his team mates decided that the day after the New Year should be a stat holiday as the Thrashers out skated, out hit, out hustled and as the total of 8-3 shows out scored a Sens team that seemed to test the patience of head coach Bryan Murray.
Former Sen Marian Hossa acquired in the off season trade for Heatley gave the home side cause for celebration as he added two goals and an assist to the 8 goal total, with Vyacheslav Kozlov picking up three other goals while Ilya Kovalchuk and Serge Aubry picked up goals, as did Greg de Vries the oft forgotten part of the trade that rocked Atlanta.
Chris Neil and Chris Kelly put markers on the board for the Sens. Whiled Dany Heatley scored one goal for the Sens as well, to remind the folks in Georgia that he too can still score goals. But on this night he and his fellow Sens couldn't score enough of them to make a difference.
Emery had a rough night in the nets making only 19 saves on 27 shots, but while he did not have his best night, he certainly had lots of company on that bus. The Sens came out flat and never seemed to get their game into gear. The Thrashers full value for the thrashing on this night!
Crosby comes a callin'
The Sidney show makes a Toronto stop on Monday night as Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins skate into the Air Canada Centre to face off against the Leafs and no doubt the aura of Donald S. Cherry. The game is the first of a two game visit to the old home and native land for the young Pittsburgh star.
Crosby has been facing some pretty tough criticism from the Hockey Night In Canada analyst, the most recent broadsides coming when he was named an Alternate Captain on the Pens by new coach Michel Terrien.
Cherry's impressions of the young phenom have not been particularly glowing, going back to a goal scored in Junior and a string of incidents where Crosby complained to referees about his treatment on the ice.
Despite Cherry's hesitations though, stats are bearing out the success the young Nova Scotian is having in the NHL, as he heads into Toronto Crosby is the second leading rookie scorer and on many nights seems to be the only offence the Pens can muster as they muddle their way through the NHL season.
Another percolating issues is Team Canada's decision to leave Crosby's name off the Olympic Team roster for February's Turin Olympic hockey tournament. Crosby may put on a bit of a show for the Rogers Sportsnet Ontario audience Monday, perhaps giving the Hockey Canada officials second thoughts about their decisions.
Regardless of the motivations, Monday should be a big game for the Penguins and their young star, there will be more than the usual attention generated by an early January match up and with the media concentration of Toronto it could prove to be the most intensely watch game for the Pens so far this year.
Crosby has been facing some pretty tough criticism from the Hockey Night In Canada analyst, the most recent broadsides coming when he was named an Alternate Captain on the Pens by new coach Michel Terrien.
Cherry's impressions of the young phenom have not been particularly glowing, going back to a goal scored in Junior and a string of incidents where Crosby complained to referees about his treatment on the ice.
Despite Cherry's hesitations though, stats are bearing out the success the young Nova Scotian is having in the NHL, as he heads into Toronto Crosby is the second leading rookie scorer and on many nights seems to be the only offence the Pens can muster as they muddle their way through the NHL season.
Another percolating issues is Team Canada's decision to leave Crosby's name off the Olympic Team roster for February's Turin Olympic hockey tournament. Crosby may put on a bit of a show for the Rogers Sportsnet Ontario audience Monday, perhaps giving the Hockey Canada officials second thoughts about their decisions.
Regardless of the motivations, Monday should be a big game for the Penguins and their young star, there will be more than the usual attention generated by an early January match up and with the media concentration of Toronto it could prove to be the most intensely watch game for the Pens so far this year.
Headlines of January
The stories making the news on a daily basis.
January 31 Thin ice for Quinn?
January 30 Bad News For Canada, Worse News for Vancouver
January 29 Pronger's Buzzer beater leads to OT
January 28 Canucks win one in Colorado
January 27 One final deal with the Devil
January 26 Canucks skid continues in the Motor City
January 25 Habs Bullish on Bulis
January 24 Farewell to the Magnificent One
January 23 Leafs turn it around: Lose only by a goal!
January 22 Quinn on the hot seat
January 21 Dominated by more than the Dominator
January 20 Back to Back battle of Ontario
January 19 A positive that's really a negative
January 18 Palffy packs it in
January 17 Doan on offence
January 16 Bertuzzi's game back on track
January 15 Marty's milestone
January 14 Julian Jettisoned
January 13 What could have been for the Maple Leaf Nation
January 12 Celebrating Messier
January 11 Preparing to hang Mark Messier
January 10 Welcome Home, now get out of here!
January 9 Wingnut on the wing
January 8 Woeful Hawks lose again
January 7 Crosby blows gaskets in Pens losses
January 6 Leafs streak stopped at six
January 5 "We Played Canadian Hockey!"
January 4 Collapsing Canucks
January 3 Gold Medal Bound
January 2 Underdogs No More
January 1 Heatley returns to Dixie
January 31 Thin ice for Quinn?
January 30 Bad News For Canada, Worse News for Vancouver
January 29 Pronger's Buzzer beater leads to OT
January 28 Canucks win one in Colorado
January 27 One final deal with the Devil
January 26 Canucks skid continues in the Motor City
January 25 Habs Bullish on Bulis
January 24 Farewell to the Magnificent One
January 23 Leafs turn it around: Lose only by a goal!
January 22 Quinn on the hot seat
January 21 Dominated by more than the Dominator
January 20 Back to Back battle of Ontario
January 19 A positive that's really a negative
January 18 Palffy packs it in
January 17 Doan on offence
January 16 Bertuzzi's game back on track
January 15 Marty's milestone
January 14 Julian Jettisoned
January 13 What could have been for the Maple Leaf Nation
January 12 Celebrating Messier
January 11 Preparing to hang Mark Messier
January 10 Welcome Home, now get out of here!
January 9 Wingnut on the wing
January 8 Woeful Hawks lose again
January 7 Crosby blows gaskets in Pens losses
January 6 Leafs streak stopped at six
January 5 "We Played Canadian Hockey!"
January 4 Collapsing Canucks
January 3 Gold Medal Bound
January 2 Underdogs No More
January 1 Heatley returns to Dixie
Another New Years Eve Classic!
Saturday night's match up between Canada and the USA at the World Junior Championships produced another one of those great New Years eve memories.
Like the Russia - Montreal match up of the seventies, it was one of those much anticipated matches that didn't disappoint by the time the final buzzer had gone.
Two evenly matched teams, a referee that let the team play and the built up competitiveness that always arises when these two hockey nations get together produced yet another treat for New Years eve revellers across North America.
Canada approached the game with a full speed ahead attitude, taking the body through the game in a tough punishing physical affair, that saw both team not afraid to go into the corners and move bodies to get to the puck.
It was the kind of hockey that North Americans have become used to and the kind of hockey that make the North American brand the exciting kind of hockey we've come to enjoy.
The two goaltenders put on a show as well, keeping their respective teams close to each other throughout the game. Toronto prospect Justin Pogge probably has Maple Leaf fans hopeful for the future, as he time and time again turned aside the American attack. At the other end of the rink American Cory Shneider was key to his teams success as well, keeping the Canadians total at 2 for most of the game. Only an empty net marker in the last minute gave Canada the 3-2 lead and the win, as the Americans pulled Schneider in a bid to go for a win, a tie being of no use to their tournament aspirations.
The physical play took an ugly turn in that last minute as Canadian Steve Downie was knocked to the ice by an unwarranted elbow delivered by the USA's hard nosed Jack Johnson. Johnson was expelled from the remainder of the game, but no further action was taken by the tournament committee who did not assess him with a suspension for the flagrant foul.
Downie is expected to suit up on Tuesday when Canada next sees action, as they and Russia take their 4-0 records on to enjoy a bye into the semi finals.
The Americans now turn their attention to Monday night and a quarter final match with the Czech Republic, the winner destined for a semi final game with Russia. Finland plays Sweden in the other quarterfinal, with the winner moving on to play Canada.
There may yet be some entertaining hockey to come as we skate our way towards the gold medal game, but for excitement and hard hitting thrills, it's going to be awfully hard to top the game provided for us on New Years Eve.
Like the Russia - Montreal match up of the seventies, it was one of those much anticipated matches that didn't disappoint by the time the final buzzer had gone.
Two evenly matched teams, a referee that let the team play and the built up competitiveness that always arises when these two hockey nations get together produced yet another treat for New Years eve revellers across North America.
Canada approached the game with a full speed ahead attitude, taking the body through the game in a tough punishing physical affair, that saw both team not afraid to go into the corners and move bodies to get to the puck.
It was the kind of hockey that North Americans have become used to and the kind of hockey that make the North American brand the exciting kind of hockey we've come to enjoy.
The two goaltenders put on a show as well, keeping their respective teams close to each other throughout the game. Toronto prospect Justin Pogge probably has Maple Leaf fans hopeful for the future, as he time and time again turned aside the American attack. At the other end of the rink American Cory Shneider was key to his teams success as well, keeping the Canadians total at 2 for most of the game. Only an empty net marker in the last minute gave Canada the 3-2 lead and the win, as the Americans pulled Schneider in a bid to go for a win, a tie being of no use to their tournament aspirations.
The physical play took an ugly turn in that last minute as Canadian Steve Downie was knocked to the ice by an unwarranted elbow delivered by the USA's hard nosed Jack Johnson. Johnson was expelled from the remainder of the game, but no further action was taken by the tournament committee who did not assess him with a suspension for the flagrant foul.
Downie is expected to suit up on Tuesday when Canada next sees action, as they and Russia take their 4-0 records on to enjoy a bye into the semi finals.
The Americans now turn their attention to Monday night and a quarter final match with the Czech Republic, the winner destined for a semi final game with Russia. Finland plays Sweden in the other quarterfinal, with the winner moving on to play Canada.
There may yet be some entertaining hockey to come as we skate our way towards the gold medal game, but for excitement and hard hitting thrills, it's going to be awfully hard to top the game provided for us on New Years Eve.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Climbing to the top in the Alps
Canada's Spengler Cup entry has once again made it to the tournament final, as Team Canada defeated Sparta Prague on Friday by a score of 8-2. Made up mostly of Canadian players who toil away in the European leagues, Team Canada consistently finishes in the top three of the tournament participants. Most recently winning the gold medal in 2002 and 2003.
Last year the Canadian team came up short as the European club teams were stocked with locked out NHLers who came home for the season. This year however, it's back to the top of the heap as coach Marc Habschied continues to get the best out of his gypsy like lineup of players.
Few are household names in Canada anymore, some probably rekindle fond memories of days in junior or college hockey or a cup or two of coffee in the NHL, but for the most part they are guys who still love the game and find that Europe makes a rather comfortable place to play the game and pick up a paycheque.
The final goes Saturday when the Canadians will play HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Elite League for the tournament championship. The games have proven to be a popular feature on Rogers Sportsnet, which has played all of Canada's games on a tape delayed basis across the nation all week long.
Saturdays final will be aired on Sportsnet at 12:30 Pacific, 3:30 Eastern.
Last year the Canadian team came up short as the European club teams were stocked with locked out NHLers who came home for the season. This year however, it's back to the top of the heap as coach Marc Habschied continues to get the best out of his gypsy like lineup of players.
Few are household names in Canada anymore, some probably rekindle fond memories of days in junior or college hockey or a cup or two of coffee in the NHL, but for the most part they are guys who still love the game and find that Europe makes a rather comfortable place to play the game and pick up a paycheque.
The final goes Saturday when the Canadians will play HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Elite League for the tournament championship. The games have proven to be a popular feature on Rogers Sportsnet, which has played all of Canada's games on a tape delayed basis across the nation all week long.
Saturdays final will be aired on Sportsnet at 12:30 Pacific, 3:30 Eastern.
The Players should be the show
Thursday nights Canada - Norway match at the World Junior Championships featured one performer who received far too much air time on the world's television sets. That is if anyone was left to watch after the two hour and fourty five minute marathon.
Russian referee Rafail Kadyrov got more exposure than a beleaguered Liberal Party PR guy on Thursday, as he sent a steady parade of players to enjoy the confines of Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum penalty boxes. Kadyrov called 52 penalties on the night, many of them late in the third period as the game seemed to get completely away from his control, mainly due to his inconsistency in the previous two periods.
Kadyrov called fourteen penalties in the first period alone, making the game a long tedious drawn out affair that seemed to never come near its end. Things were so bad on the ice, that the Canadian fans began booing penalty calls against the Norwegians such was the state of play at the hands of the Russian official.
As for the actual play of the game itself, Canada which won the game 4-0, seemed to come out far too tentative in the first period, allowing the Norwegians to control blocks of the play. The Canadians got away from their crashing style, no doubt concerned about the refs constant admonishments and punishments. It proved to be frustrating for the Canadians, who were afraid to even look at a Norwegian lest they be banished from play. Regardless though, when Canada does not play its game, it does not look like a team that would be able to repeat it's Golden achievement of last year. Norway was shellacked by the USA in the tournament opener by a score of 11-2, to hold Canada to only four goals must have seemed like winning the Gold for them.
Canada will need to get their heads back into the proper frame of mind for the New Years Eve showdown with the USA, should they come out with the same tentative play, they will make quick work for an energetic and talented American squad.
Then again the entire play of that game could be dictated by the calls of the officials. It has long been a concern of hockey fans the rather haphazard approach to officiating taken by the IIHF, one game can bring the game to it's best potential the next makes it a most horrendous spectacle to view, one hardly inclined to win over old fans, let alone attract new ones.
Suffice to say, tapes of the Norway -Canada effort won't be used to sell the speed and offensive power of the game to the uninitiated.
The game is supposed to be about the players, young men playing at a high tempo, full of sharp passing, exciting scoring opportunities countered by stellar goaltending, featuring dominant defensive work and physical play. Nowhere has it been a sport designed to showcase the abilities to raise a hand and send a player off the ice over and over and apparently over again. Lets hope the rest of the tournament features a lot less of the officials and a lot more of the players.
Russian referee Rafail Kadyrov got more exposure than a beleaguered Liberal Party PR guy on Thursday, as he sent a steady parade of players to enjoy the confines of Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum penalty boxes. Kadyrov called 52 penalties on the night, many of them late in the third period as the game seemed to get completely away from his control, mainly due to his inconsistency in the previous two periods.
Kadyrov called fourteen penalties in the first period alone, making the game a long tedious drawn out affair that seemed to never come near its end. Things were so bad on the ice, that the Canadian fans began booing penalty calls against the Norwegians such was the state of play at the hands of the Russian official.
As for the actual play of the game itself, Canada which won the game 4-0, seemed to come out far too tentative in the first period, allowing the Norwegians to control blocks of the play. The Canadians got away from their crashing style, no doubt concerned about the refs constant admonishments and punishments. It proved to be frustrating for the Canadians, who were afraid to even look at a Norwegian lest they be banished from play. Regardless though, when Canada does not play its game, it does not look like a team that would be able to repeat it's Golden achievement of last year. Norway was shellacked by the USA in the tournament opener by a score of 11-2, to hold Canada to only four goals must have seemed like winning the Gold for them.
Canada will need to get their heads back into the proper frame of mind for the New Years Eve showdown with the USA, should they come out with the same tentative play, they will make quick work for an energetic and talented American squad.
Then again the entire play of that game could be dictated by the calls of the officials. It has long been a concern of hockey fans the rather haphazard approach to officiating taken by the IIHF, one game can bring the game to it's best potential the next makes it a most horrendous spectacle to view, one hardly inclined to win over old fans, let alone attract new ones.
Suffice to say, tapes of the Norway -Canada effort won't be used to sell the speed and offensive power of the game to the uninitiated.
The game is supposed to be about the players, young men playing at a high tempo, full of sharp passing, exciting scoring opportunities countered by stellar goaltending, featuring dominant defensive work and physical play. Nowhere has it been a sport designed to showcase the abilities to raise a hand and send a player off the ice over and over and apparently over again. Lets hope the rest of the tournament features a lot less of the officials and a lot more of the players.
Whaling season once again?
There is a move afoot in New England to bring back professional hockey to the Hartford area, a part of the USA that once was the home of the Whalers. Long the thing of die hard fanatics, suddenly the long lost dream doesn't seem quite so far fetched.
The talk has picked up steam in the last few weeks with discussions taking place to determine the fate of the Hartford Civic Centre, a local developer would like to develop land and build a new 16,000 seat arena for the city and with that carrot return NHL hockey to the Connecticutt city.
The Whalers left for Carolina eight years ago, claiming that the fanbase in Hartford was not strong enough to support the NHL. Of course since that time, the fans in Carolina have not exactly been busting the doors down to view the Hurricane, so by comparison Hartford probably is a better long term bet than the southern markets that continue to struggle eight years later.
Hartford is just the latest city to throw its hat into the ring in a bid to bring NHL hockey to town. In the last two months the likes of Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Winnipeg and Hamilton have all expressed a wish to bring the game to their hometown.
Needless to say the flickering light of a return by the NHL has the locals pretty excited about the idea. Many are dusting off their green, blue, silver and white uniforms ready to head out for another Whaling season.
The talk has picked up steam in the last few weeks with discussions taking place to determine the fate of the Hartford Civic Centre, a local developer would like to develop land and build a new 16,000 seat arena for the city and with that carrot return NHL hockey to the Connecticutt city.
The Whalers left for Carolina eight years ago, claiming that the fanbase in Hartford was not strong enough to support the NHL. Of course since that time, the fans in Carolina have not exactly been busting the doors down to view the Hurricane, so by comparison Hartford probably is a better long term bet than the southern markets that continue to struggle eight years later.
Hartford is just the latest city to throw its hat into the ring in a bid to bring NHL hockey to town. In the last two months the likes of Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Winnipeg and Hamilton have all expressed a wish to bring the game to their hometown.
Needless to say the flickering light of a return by the NHL has the locals pretty excited about the idea. Many are dusting off their green, blue, silver and white uniforms ready to head out for another Whaling season.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Time for a sale in Buffalo?
It's a few days past Boxing Day, yet the goaltender shelves are still full at Sabres are Us.
Darcy Reiger the lucky holder of a trifecta of goaltending talent, continues to field offers from far and near about the services of one of his three roster goaltenders. Mika Noronen, Martin Biron and Ryan Miller are the three in demand, with one of them eventually bound for parts as to yet unknown.
The early betting is on Biron being the one to shuffle off from Buffalo, with a salary of 2.1 million he makes considerably more than both Miller and Noronen and with his experience would make a fine addition to the likes of a Vancouver Canuck, Edmonton Oiler or Colorado Avalanche roster, to name just a few of the rumoured destinations of the last little while.
Reiger was planning on making a move earlier in the fall, but when Miller became injured all trades were on hold. While Miller has returned to his pre injury form, Reiger is still hesitant to make a deal until he's sure that Miller is both physically and mentally ready to go the distance for the rest of the year. Salary cap issues and free agency status will also play key factors in any decision that Reiger eventually makes, not to mention value of the trade in return for the services of any of his hot goaltenders.
It's not expected that the Sabres will carry the three guardians of the net much longer though, making the New Year a ripe time for a new start and a new destination for somebody.
Darcy Reiger the lucky holder of a trifecta of goaltending talent, continues to field offers from far and near about the services of one of his three roster goaltenders. Mika Noronen, Martin Biron and Ryan Miller are the three in demand, with one of them eventually bound for parts as to yet unknown.
The early betting is on Biron being the one to shuffle off from Buffalo, with a salary of 2.1 million he makes considerably more than both Miller and Noronen and with his experience would make a fine addition to the likes of a Vancouver Canuck, Edmonton Oiler or Colorado Avalanche roster, to name just a few of the rumoured destinations of the last little while.
Reiger was planning on making a move earlier in the fall, but when Miller became injured all trades were on hold. While Miller has returned to his pre injury form, Reiger is still hesitant to make a deal until he's sure that Miller is both physically and mentally ready to go the distance for the rest of the year. Salary cap issues and free agency status will also play key factors in any decision that Reiger eventually makes, not to mention value of the trade in return for the services of any of his hot goaltenders.
It's not expected that the Sabres will carry the three guardians of the net much longer though, making the New Year a ripe time for a new start and a new destination for somebody.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Canucks retake the Northwest
After having fits against teams from Alberta, the Canucks were probably a little concerned to see the Nashville Predators come into town and immediately take a two goal lead. But with an antsy home crowd waiting to see how they would respond, the Canucks came out flying in the second period and took control of the game and their home crowd.
Things didn't look promising after the first however, as the Canucks let the Predators take the play to them in the first twenty with the Nashville cats taking advantage of Canuck miscues and some nervous moments by Alex Auld. With a goal in the net after thirty eight seconds there were murmurs in the GM Place crowd while Nashville carried the play in the first.
But once the Canucks got untracked it was a pull out the stops second and third periods with the Canucks battling back to tie the game in the second and again in the third before finally taking the lead for good on Richard Park's first goal in seventeen games. After that it was up to Alex Auld to hold down the fort, a job he did well as the Canucks were outshot 35-32 by Nashville.
The key to the Canuck's 4-3 victory in the third was a return to a more physical style of play, something that they had been getting away from in the early going. Led by Ed Jovanovski the Canucks played the man at almost every opportunity, knocking them off the puck and giving them cause to think about those journeys to the front of the net.
With the win the Canucks sneak one point ahead of their rivals in Calgary and Edmonton for first place in the Northwest Division. The Canucks now head out on a lengthy road journey, with 14 of their next 18 games to be played in opposition rinks.
Things didn't look promising after the first however, as the Canucks let the Predators take the play to them in the first twenty with the Nashville cats taking advantage of Canuck miscues and some nervous moments by Alex Auld. With a goal in the net after thirty eight seconds there were murmurs in the GM Place crowd while Nashville carried the play in the first.
But once the Canucks got untracked it was a pull out the stops second and third periods with the Canucks battling back to tie the game in the second and again in the third before finally taking the lead for good on Richard Park's first goal in seventeen games. After that it was up to Alex Auld to hold down the fort, a job he did well as the Canucks were outshot 35-32 by Nashville.
The key to the Canuck's 4-3 victory in the third was a return to a more physical style of play, something that they had been getting away from in the early going. Led by Ed Jovanovski the Canucks played the man at almost every opportunity, knocking them off the puck and giving them cause to think about those journeys to the front of the net.
With the win the Canucks sneak one point ahead of their rivals in Calgary and Edmonton for first place in the Northwest Division. The Canucks now head out on a lengthy road journey, with 14 of their next 18 games to be played in opposition rinks.
Shootout at the Shark Tank
Wayne Gretzky returned to his spot behind the Phoenix bench on Wednesday, welcomed back to the pack with a 5-4 thriller by his Coyotes. Gretzky who had taken a ten day leave of absence to be with his dying mother, provided the inspiration for a team that came from behind to take the win from the Sharks.
The slumping Sharks have lost five of their last six games, keeping things tight in the Pacific Division. Looking lost for portions of the game the Sharks provided no support for starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov who was chased out of the game early in the third period after giving up four goals on eight shots.
The Coyotes started Brian Boucher in the nets as the slumping Curtis Joseph was relegated to a back up role after struggling in his last two games. Boucher held up his end of the night by facing 30 shots for the Coyote win.
The power play once again played a pivotal role in a game as the coyotes benefited from three consecutive penalty calls against the Sharks, leading to the Coyotes taking the lead for good. The pulled the Coyotes even over the last ten games with five wins and five losses, leaving them nine points out of first in the Pacific Division, 9th overall in the Western Division.
The slumping Sharks have lost five of their last six games, keeping things tight in the Pacific Division. Looking lost for portions of the game the Sharks provided no support for starting goaltender Evgeni Nabokov who was chased out of the game early in the third period after giving up four goals on eight shots.
The Coyotes started Brian Boucher in the nets as the slumping Curtis Joseph was relegated to a back up role after struggling in his last two games. Boucher held up his end of the night by facing 30 shots for the Coyote win.
The power play once again played a pivotal role in a game as the coyotes benefited from three consecutive penalty calls against the Sharks, leading to the Coyotes taking the lead for good. The pulled the Coyotes even over the last ten games with five wins and five losses, leaving them nine points out of first in the Pacific Division, 9th overall in the Western Division.
Peter Piper, picked a peck of pickled peppers.....
Spengler Cup 2005
It's a tournament that is getting a bit more attention in North America, due in part to the fact that so many Canadians and Americans make a living out of playing hockey in Europe.
The Spengler Cup is underway and continues until December 31st. Team Canada is in the mix with four other European Club teams with all the Canadian games on Rogers Sportsnet . Paul Romanuk is handling the play by play and keeping a blog on the tournament.
The tournament's official website is here, the results of the competition are listed below, winners in Green!
HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk wins the 2005 edition of the Spengler Cup!
Dec 31 Final HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 8 vs Team Canada 3 (Gold Medal game)
Dec 30 Semi final EHC Eisbaren Berlin 8 HC Davos 5
Dec 30 Semi final Team Canada 8 HC Praha 2
HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk receives bye into final
Dec 29 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 4 HC Praha 3
Dec 29 Team Canada 6 vs EHC Eisbaren Berlin 1
Dec 28 HC Davos 4 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 1
Dec 28 EHC Eisbaren Berlin 3 HC Praha 2
Dec 27 Team Canada 4 HC Davos 2
Dec 27 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 4 EHC Eisbaren Berlin 3 (shoot out)
Dec 26 HC Davos 5 HC Praha 3
Dec 26 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 2 Team Canada 1 (shoot out)
The Spengler Cup is underway and continues until December 31st. Team Canada is in the mix with four other European Club teams with all the Canadian games on Rogers Sportsnet . Paul Romanuk is handling the play by play and keeping a blog on the tournament.
The tournament's official website is here, the results of the competition are listed below, winners in Green!
HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk wins the 2005 edition of the Spengler Cup!
Dec 31 Final HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 8 vs Team Canada 3 (Gold Medal game)
Dec 30 Semi final EHC Eisbaren Berlin 8 HC Davos 5
Dec 30 Semi final Team Canada 8 HC Praha 2
HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk receives bye into final
Dec 29 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 4 HC Praha 3
Dec 29 Team Canada 6 vs EHC Eisbaren Berlin 1
Dec 28 HC Davos 4 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 1
Dec 28 EHC Eisbaren Berlin 3 HC Praha 2
Dec 27 Team Canada 4 HC Davos 2
Dec 27 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 4 EHC Eisbaren Berlin 3 (shoot out)
Dec 26 HC Davos 5 HC Praha 3
Dec 26 HC Mettallurg Magnitogorsk 2 Team Canada 1 (shoot out)
Monday, December 26, 2005
Canada's Holiday Tradition gets underway
Vancouver, Kamloops and Kelowna welcome the world. Follow the results of the tournament here on HockeyNation. Winners are highlighted in Green!
Canada wins the World Junior Hockey Championship!
Jan 5 Canada 5 Russia 0 (Gold Medal Game)
Jan 5 Finland 4 USA 2 (Bronze and runner up game)
Jan 4 Latvia 4 Norway 0 (Relegation game)
Jan 4 Switzerland 3 Slovakia 3 (Relegation game)
Jan 4 Sweden 3 Czech Republic 1 (5th place game)
Jan 3 Canada 4 Finland 0 (Semi Final)
Jan 3 Russia 5 USA 1 (Semi Final)
Jan 3 Slovakia 4 Norway 3 (Relegation match)
Jan 2 Switzerland 5 Latvia 2 (Relegation match)
Jan 2 USA 2 Czech Republic 1 (Quarter Final)
Jan 2 Finland 1 Sweden 0 (OT) (Quarter Final)
Dec 31 Canada 3 USA 2
Dec 31 Sweden 6 Slovakia 0
Dec 31 Russia 7 Czech Rep 2
Dec 31 Finland 4 Switzerland 1
Dec 30 USA 2 Switzerland 2
Dec 30 Czech Rep 5 Slovakia 3
Dec 30 Sweden 10 Latvia 2
Dec 30 Finland 9 Norway 1
Dec 29 Canada 4 Norway 0
Dec 29 Russia 3 Latvia 1
Dec 28 Canada 4 Switzerland 3
Dec 28 Sweden 3 Czech Republic 2
Dec 28 Russia 6 Slovakia 2
Dec 28 USA 6 Finland 5
Dec 27 Switzerland 2 Norway 0
Dec 27 Slovakia 7 Latvia 4
Dec 26 Canada 5 Finland 1
Dec 26 USA 11 Norway 2
Dec 26 Russia 5 Sweden 1
Dec 26 Czech Republic 5 Latvia 1
Canada wins the World Junior Hockey Championship!
Jan 5 Canada 5 Russia 0 (Gold Medal Game)
Jan 5 Finland 4 USA 2 (Bronze and runner up game)
Jan 4 Latvia 4 Norway 0 (Relegation game)
Jan 4 Switzerland 3 Slovakia 3 (Relegation game)
Jan 4 Sweden 3 Czech Republic 1 (5th place game)
Jan 3 Canada 4 Finland 0 (Semi Final)
Jan 3 Russia 5 USA 1 (Semi Final)
Jan 3 Slovakia 4 Norway 3 (Relegation match)
Jan 2 Switzerland 5 Latvia 2 (Relegation match)
Jan 2 USA 2 Czech Republic 1 (Quarter Final)
Jan 2 Finland 1 Sweden 0 (OT) (Quarter Final)
Dec 31 Canada 3 USA 2
Dec 31 Sweden 6 Slovakia 0
Dec 31 Russia 7 Czech Rep 2
Dec 31 Finland 4 Switzerland 1
Dec 30 USA 2 Switzerland 2
Dec 30 Czech Rep 5 Slovakia 3
Dec 30 Sweden 10 Latvia 2
Dec 30 Finland 9 Norway 1
Dec 29 Canada 4 Norway 0
Dec 29 Russia 3 Latvia 1
Dec 28 Canada 4 Switzerland 3
Dec 28 Sweden 3 Czech Republic 2
Dec 28 Russia 6 Slovakia 2
Dec 28 USA 6 Finland 5
Dec 27 Switzerland 2 Norway 0
Dec 27 Slovakia 7 Latvia 4
Dec 26 Canada 5 Finland 1
Dec 26 USA 11 Norway 2
Dec 26 Russia 5 Sweden 1
Dec 26 Czech Republic 5 Latvia 1
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Have A Holly, Jolly Christmas!
To all those who drop by our humble little space on the world wide web, we offer our best wishes for this Christmas Day.
May the glad tidings of this season, carry on through the year like a playoff run for the ages.
Merry Christmas and enjoy the days off from the stats pages and the television clicker. Remember game time is back this Boxing Day with both the NHL and the World Junior Championships.
So take these two quiet days, to recharge those batteries, open up some presents, drink a little egg nog and re-introduce yourself to the family.
All the Best from the HockeyNation!
About the artist! Check out John Fewings website for more excellent cartoons by this great Canadian talent!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Flames win shootout thriller in Vancouver.
It was one of those barn burner types of games where you got the feeling that the last shot was going to be the one to win it. And it almost was the last shot, that did win this one for the Calgary Flames.
Tony Amonte potted the clinching goal in the shoot out as he deked out Canuck goaltender Alex Auld to bring the Friday night NHL match up to an end. Steven Reinprecht had scored earlier in the shoot out to put the Canucks on the bubble before Amonte put away the insurance marker. The final game before the Christmas break had everything we’ve come to expect from a Calgary Vancouver match up. Lots of fast paced action, some hard hits, and solid passing and fore checking and despite the high score some great plays in the net at both ends of the rink.
The 6-5 win stopped a Calgary winless skid at two, while the Canucks once again found that visitors from Alberta did not come bearing gifts of the season for the residents of GM Place. The points for Calgary tighten up the race in the Northwest, as Calgary pulls to within one point of second place Vancouver, which trails the first place Oilers by one point as the teams take their two day Christmas break.
The game featured a Calgary team that just wouldn’t stop coming at the Canucks. Every time the Canucks would get a goal it seemed as though it was answered by the Flames shortly after the puck was dropped and the announcement made on the PA system.
The two teams renew acquaintances again on Boxing Day, as the Canucks try to figure out what it will take to reverse their inability to come out ahead on the scoreboard against Alberta teams.
Tony Amonte potted the clinching goal in the shoot out as he deked out Canuck goaltender Alex Auld to bring the Friday night NHL match up to an end. Steven Reinprecht had scored earlier in the shoot out to put the Canucks on the bubble before Amonte put away the insurance marker. The final game before the Christmas break had everything we’ve come to expect from a Calgary Vancouver match up. Lots of fast paced action, some hard hits, and solid passing and fore checking and despite the high score some great plays in the net at both ends of the rink.
The 6-5 win stopped a Calgary winless skid at two, while the Canucks once again found that visitors from Alberta did not come bearing gifts of the season for the residents of GM Place. The points for Calgary tighten up the race in the Northwest, as Calgary pulls to within one point of second place Vancouver, which trails the first place Oilers by one point as the teams take their two day Christmas break.
The game featured a Calgary team that just wouldn’t stop coming at the Canucks. Every time the Canucks would get a goal it seemed as though it was answered by the Flames shortly after the puck was dropped and the announcement made on the PA system.
The two teams renew acquaintances again on Boxing Day, as the Canucks try to figure out what it will take to reverse their inability to come out ahead on the scoreboard against Alberta teams.
No Doggin' it for Belfour
It was one of the stranger looking special ceremonies in recent times, there was Eddie Belfour with his wife, his son and er, his pet dog at centre ice accepting the accolades of the crowd. Too his credit the dog remained pretty composed with all the excitement as did the guy they call the Eagle.
Belfour was honoured before the Leafs/Bruins game on the achievement of his 448th win as an NHL goaltender. Belfour has moved into second place in all time NHL goaltending, passing the legendary Terry Sawchuk, as he continues to chase down the record held by Patrick Roy.
During the pre game ceremonies video clips were played of Tony Esposito and Vladimir Tretiak, two Chicago goaltenders that Belfour looked up to in his formative years in the Windy City. The good vibrations paid off as Belfour went on to have one of his best performances of the year as the Leafs edged the Bruins 2-1. Both Belfour and Bruins goaltender Hannu Toivonen put on a clinic on how to shut down the opposition. The Finn coming up on the short end of the scoresheet on this night, but not because of anything he did on the night.
Belfour faced 26 shots on the night, the only one to beat him was at the hand of Sergei Samsanov who scored on a two man advantage about four and a half minutes into the second period. After that it was a closed kennel as Belfour put on a performance to make Sunny the dog proud of the old man just before Christmas. Belfour has a fair amount to go to catch Roy's record of 551 wins, but with a little luck, Sunny will get to make one more appearance at centre ice.
With Sunny's newfound exposure as team dog and perhaps the most famous canine in Toronto since the Harold Ballard days, we can see a Fido endorsement just down the road. It should help keep both Sunny and Eddie in Kibbles and bits for the rest of the season.
Belfour was honoured before the Leafs/Bruins game on the achievement of his 448th win as an NHL goaltender. Belfour has moved into second place in all time NHL goaltending, passing the legendary Terry Sawchuk, as he continues to chase down the record held by Patrick Roy.
During the pre game ceremonies video clips were played of Tony Esposito and Vladimir Tretiak, two Chicago goaltenders that Belfour looked up to in his formative years in the Windy City. The good vibrations paid off as Belfour went on to have one of his best performances of the year as the Leafs edged the Bruins 2-1. Both Belfour and Bruins goaltender Hannu Toivonen put on a clinic on how to shut down the opposition. The Finn coming up on the short end of the scoresheet on this night, but not because of anything he did on the night.
Belfour faced 26 shots on the night, the only one to beat him was at the hand of Sergei Samsanov who scored on a two man advantage about four and a half minutes into the second period. After that it was a closed kennel as Belfour put on a performance to make Sunny the dog proud of the old man just before Christmas. Belfour has a fair amount to go to catch Roy's record of 551 wins, but with a little luck, Sunny will get to make one more appearance at centre ice.
With Sunny's newfound exposure as team dog and perhaps the most famous canine in Toronto since the Harold Ballard days, we can see a Fido endorsement just down the road. It should help keep both Sunny and Eddie in Kibbles and bits for the rest of the season.
The tonic for the Sens
Unaccustomed to losing skids this season, the Ottawa Senators probably looked forward to their trip to Long Island before the Christmas break.
The Sens scored four goals against the Islanders Friday night, on the way to a 4-2 victory the third time they've defeated the Islanders so far this season. Bryan Murray credited the Islanders with a tough game as they battled back to try and close the gap between themselves and the Sens.
Ottawa however, proved to be too strong once again and collected another two points, their 51st of the season and head into the two day Christmas break on a positive note. A timely thing for a team that seem to stumble down the last ten days or so. From the time they hit the west coast for a game against the Canucks and on through Calgary, Colorado and Philadelphia they seemed to more mortal than previously thought, having dropped three of their last four games the match up with Islanders gave them a chance to head into the Christmas break with something more than missed opportunities on their minds.
Friday night they split the scoring up as Patrick Eaves, Zdeno Chara, Andrej Meszaros and Dany Heatley counted markers as Ray Emery turned aside 25 shots on the way to the victory.
The Sens will meet the Islanders one more time this season, a return engagement in Ottawa next Friday night. After that the two teams won't see each other until any possible playoff match ups fall into place.
The Sens scored four goals against the Islanders Friday night, on the way to a 4-2 victory the third time they've defeated the Islanders so far this season. Bryan Murray credited the Islanders with a tough game as they battled back to try and close the gap between themselves and the Sens.
Ottawa however, proved to be too strong once again and collected another two points, their 51st of the season and head into the two day Christmas break on a positive note. A timely thing for a team that seem to stumble down the last ten days or so. From the time they hit the west coast for a game against the Canucks and on through Calgary, Colorado and Philadelphia they seemed to more mortal than previously thought, having dropped three of their last four games the match up with Islanders gave them a chance to head into the Christmas break with something more than missed opportunities on their minds.
Friday night they split the scoring up as Patrick Eaves, Zdeno Chara, Andrej Meszaros and Dany Heatley counted markers as Ray Emery turned aside 25 shots on the way to the victory.
The Sens will meet the Islanders one more time this season, a return engagement in Ottawa next Friday night. After that the two teams won't see each other until any possible playoff match ups fall into place.
Friday, December 23, 2005
So who's running this team anyways?
The ink had not even dried on Wayne Gretzky's Men's Hockey roster for Team Canada's Turin bound Olympic team and it was caught up in all sorts of intrigue.
The Canadian Olympic Committee had to make sure its messy fingerprints were all over the final decision. For some inexplicable reason, all of Wednesday's feel good announcements were left to the background on Thursday as the bureaucrats at the Olympic Committee decided to hold a cross country conference call to decide if a few of the more controversial selections were truly of Olympic mettle.
What was supposed to be a simple and short press release turned into a day long soap opera as apparently the Olympic handlers wrung their hands over the names of Bertuzzi and Doan and maybe even Heatley.
Word leaked out in BC first that the Olympic Committee was particularly disturbed with the inclusion of Todd Bertuzzi to the 26 man roster, his misdeed in the Steve Moore incident in the NHL of a few years ago, still apparently resonates in the halls of the COC.
The drama played out on the sports talk stations of the country through the day, becoming the thing of farce later in the afternoon. As even more details began to filter out, suggesting that if the Gretzky chosen team was over ruled by the Olympic body, then Gretzky would walk away from the National team. An incident which would have sent a domino theory of happenings that could have ended up with a mess of Olympian proportions and no doubt become the most intriguing story in Canadian hockey history.
By days end it seemed it all ended as it began, the Canadian team roster would proceed as announced, the only change in the situation the embarrassment of a clueless Olympic committee that managed to shoot their own messenger in the foot while at the same time alarming the nation's hockey fans.
The simple question to ask this bureaucratic buffoons is this; why did they not address their concerns to Gretzky and Co. in the weeks leading up to the selection of the team. By handling this situation in such a ham handed manner, they not only cut the legs of their hand picked Hockey manager out from under him, they also could have potentially have sewn the seeds of a hockey rebellion at home that would have had major ramifications for Canada's international hockey reputation.
There are many that don't feel that Todd Bertuzzi should have been included on the Canadian roster, they have valid concerns but in the end one has to decide that if he's been re-instated in the NHL then he should be available to play in International events. And if he's not to be allowed it should not be decided after he's been named to the team.
All we can say is it's a good thing none of the Committee members actually play the game of hockey, a disorganized group such as this would have a hell of a time getting out of their own end of the rink!
The Canadian Olympic Committee had to make sure its messy fingerprints were all over the final decision. For some inexplicable reason, all of Wednesday's feel good announcements were left to the background on Thursday as the bureaucrats at the Olympic Committee decided to hold a cross country conference call to decide if a few of the more controversial selections were truly of Olympic mettle.
What was supposed to be a simple and short press release turned into a day long soap opera as apparently the Olympic handlers wrung their hands over the names of Bertuzzi and Doan and maybe even Heatley.
Word leaked out in BC first that the Olympic Committee was particularly disturbed with the inclusion of Todd Bertuzzi to the 26 man roster, his misdeed in the Steve Moore incident in the NHL of a few years ago, still apparently resonates in the halls of the COC.
The drama played out on the sports talk stations of the country through the day, becoming the thing of farce later in the afternoon. As even more details began to filter out, suggesting that if the Gretzky chosen team was over ruled by the Olympic body, then Gretzky would walk away from the National team. An incident which would have sent a domino theory of happenings that could have ended up with a mess of Olympian proportions and no doubt become the most intriguing story in Canadian hockey history.
By days end it seemed it all ended as it began, the Canadian team roster would proceed as announced, the only change in the situation the embarrassment of a clueless Olympic committee that managed to shoot their own messenger in the foot while at the same time alarming the nation's hockey fans.
The simple question to ask this bureaucratic buffoons is this; why did they not address their concerns to Gretzky and Co. in the weeks leading up to the selection of the team. By handling this situation in such a ham handed manner, they not only cut the legs of their hand picked Hockey manager out from under him, they also could have potentially have sewn the seeds of a hockey rebellion at home that would have had major ramifications for Canada's international hockey reputation.
There are many that don't feel that Todd Bertuzzi should have been included on the Canadian roster, they have valid concerns but in the end one has to decide that if he's been re-instated in the NHL then he should be available to play in International events. And if he's not to be allowed it should not be decided after he's been named to the team.
All we can say is it's a good thing none of the Committee members actually play the game of hockey, a disorganized group such as this would have a hell of a time getting out of their own end of the rink!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Twenty six for Turin
The list has been handed in, the players advised. All that's left now is to head for Italy and go for the gold. Hockey Canada named it's roster for the Turin Olympics today, a list of twenty three names on active duty and three others standing by if needed, a group heavy on experience and featuring few real surprises.
The exclusion of Sidney Crosby has had a few fans chattering all night long, but the backlash against the rapid rise of the Nova Scotian of the last few weeks might have been a hint that he might not get the nod. The impression of the Pittsburgh franchise at the moment is one of a rather divided group, that's something the Olympic team would most definitely wish to stay away from in a short elimination tournament.
Crosby will no doubt get more than enough chances to take part in International hockey over the years to come, with many of the current players in what will surely be their last competition on the international stage, Crosby will be handed a torch just in time for the Vancouver Olympics of 2010.
Todd Bertuzzi and Dany Heatley made the grade and that seems to have a few folks concerned as well, many feel that the different situations the two have been involved in over the last couple of years should have weighed against their participation, the managers of Team Canada obviously saw things a little differently. The inclusion of the two will certainly not detract from the on ice effort, which in the end is pretty well all the folks on Team Canada were probably concerned about.
The goaltending situation looks fairly set, Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco will be the last line of defence for the red and white, with Brodeur expected to receive the bulk of the work.
No one could argue with the selection of Joe Sakic to be the captain of Canada's team, Sakic has long been a participant in the International arena, his quiet leadership will be prove to be a solid choice to help bring together a veteran line up.
The joyous nature of the announcement was overshadowed a bit by the sadness at the passing of Wayne Gretzky's mother Phyllis, earlier this week. Gretzky of course could not attend the announcement today as he was tending to family matters in preparation for the funeral, but he did issue a statement thanking Canadians for their kind words in his families time of sorrow. He also congratulated the successful aspirants to the quest for Olympic gold.
With less than two months to go until the puck drops in Turin, there will be lots of debate regarding the names selected today. The Canoe website has a good number of stories on today's development, available from this link!
The exclusion of Sidney Crosby has had a few fans chattering all night long, but the backlash against the rapid rise of the Nova Scotian of the last few weeks might have been a hint that he might not get the nod. The impression of the Pittsburgh franchise at the moment is one of a rather divided group, that's something the Olympic team would most definitely wish to stay away from in a short elimination tournament.
Crosby will no doubt get more than enough chances to take part in International hockey over the years to come, with many of the current players in what will surely be their last competition on the international stage, Crosby will be handed a torch just in time for the Vancouver Olympics of 2010.
Todd Bertuzzi and Dany Heatley made the grade and that seems to have a few folks concerned as well, many feel that the different situations the two have been involved in over the last couple of years should have weighed against their participation, the managers of Team Canada obviously saw things a little differently. The inclusion of the two will certainly not detract from the on ice effort, which in the end is pretty well all the folks on Team Canada were probably concerned about.
The goaltending situation looks fairly set, Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco will be the last line of defence for the red and white, with Brodeur expected to receive the bulk of the work.
No one could argue with the selection of Joe Sakic to be the captain of Canada's team, Sakic has long been a participant in the International arena, his quiet leadership will be prove to be a solid choice to help bring together a veteran line up.
The joyous nature of the announcement was overshadowed a bit by the sadness at the passing of Wayne Gretzky's mother Phyllis, earlier this week. Gretzky of course could not attend the announcement today as he was tending to family matters in preparation for the funeral, but he did issue a statement thanking Canadians for their kind words in his families time of sorrow. He also congratulated the successful aspirants to the quest for Olympic gold.
With less than two months to go until the puck drops in Turin, there will be lots of debate regarding the names selected today. The Canoe website has a good number of stories on today's development, available from this link!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Those that seek the gold at Turin!
Hockey Canada has released its roster for the 2006 Turin Olympics.
The Team Canada roster includes a few surprises, the exclusion of Sidney Crosby and the placing of Jason Spezza on the replacement squad or taxi squad.
For your browsing pleasure, here's the list.
The Team Canada roster includes a few surprises, the exclusion of Sidney Crosby and the placing of Jason Spezza on the replacement squad or taxi squad.
For your browsing pleasure, here's the list.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Canada's Hockey Mom passes away
Sad news out of Brantford, Ontario as Phyllis Gretzky lost her battle with lung cancer on Monday evening. Mrs. Gretzky, 64, had been sick for the last number of years, diagnosed with the disease in 2004. Being the mother of a high profile Canadian, her situation certainly received much more attention than the average family might expect. Such was the importance of her to her family and by extension to the nation.
Wayne Gretzky had flown back to Brantford over the weekend, which became a signal to many that time was short for his mother. Questions of his participation in the Team Canada process were left for a different day, as many hoped for a turn around in her condition. A turn around that sadly never came to pass.
Anyone who has played minor hockey, knows the importance of parents to a young hockey players life. They rise early to get them to practice, drive long distances to make games or tournaments, hold the fundraisers, take second jobs to pay for equipment, it's very much a family comitment in many cases. Phyllis Gretzky was no exception, Wayne has recounted how she would drive him to the early morning practices and while she seemed to stay very much in the background, "she was glue that held it all together".
We offer our condolences to the Gretzky family, while their loss is very much a private matter it's also in a way a national loss. It will bring back for many the sacrifices of parents the nation over to pursue our national sport, losing one of your biggest backers is a hard thing to try to understand.
Lets hope that the Gretzky's feel the support of an entire nation who truly understand as they face their time of sadness.
Wayne Gretzky had flown back to Brantford over the weekend, which became a signal to many that time was short for his mother. Questions of his participation in the Team Canada process were left for a different day, as many hoped for a turn around in her condition. A turn around that sadly never came to pass.
Anyone who has played minor hockey, knows the importance of parents to a young hockey players life. They rise early to get them to practice, drive long distances to make games or tournaments, hold the fundraisers, take second jobs to pay for equipment, it's very much a family comitment in many cases. Phyllis Gretzky was no exception, Wayne has recounted how she would drive him to the early morning practices and while she seemed to stay very much in the background, "she was glue that held it all together".
We offer our condolences to the Gretzky family, while their loss is very much a private matter it's also in a way a national loss. It will bring back for many the sacrifices of parents the nation over to pursue our national sport, losing one of your biggest backers is a hard thing to try to understand.
Lets hope that the Gretzky's feel the support of an entire nation who truly understand as they face their time of sadness.
And then there are those that just don't get it!
Well that was a quick expression of humanity at its best. In a previous posting, I recounted the glad tidings of joy exhibited by a guy named Tom Hedican of North Bay, a fellow that exhibited all that's best in people.
The digital bits had barely been circulated to the Blogger home site before another story made the rounds that makes you realize we still have a long road ahead of us.
Hockey fans in Chicoutimi presented their worst face over the weekend as Ted Nolan coach of the Moncton Wildcats brought his squad into Chicoutimi for a Quebec junior league match. Nolan who is of First Nation's descent was shocked and dismayed by the recpetion that greeted him as he coached his squad through the game.
The Chicoutimi crowd exhibited some reprehensible behaviour by uttering racial ephithets and making obscene gestures and racist gestures to the Moncton coach. Nolan, a former NHL coach of the year with Buffalo has seen a lot in his career, but nothing prepared him for the outright racism that he faced in Chicoutimi.
The folks there have more than embarrased themselves, they've shown a side of their culture that is not a pretty sight and should give them all a cause to ponder exactly their place in a modern society.
The management of the Sagueneens have been quick to get a press release out saying how disgusted they are at the behaviour of a number of their fans, but their disgust seems rather hollow. Nolan reported that the security guards at the rink were laughing at the comments and did nothing to expel those that were the worst offenders.
Management claim Nolan may have misunderstood some of the actions of the fans as racist, when they were apparently doing a tomahawk chop to celebrate a goal by one of their own players, Francois Verreault-Paul who is of aboriginal heriitgae. Now perhaps that is correct, know one really knows for sure but it certainly doesn't excuse the other actions by their fans, Nolan probably knows racism when he comes across it and it seems he feels that he has seen it and didn't like what he saw this weekend. The Sagueneens management may be talking the good talk about ridding sport of racism, but frankly they're nowhere near walking any kind of walk.
Nolan deserves much more than just an apology, but one wonders if the folks of Chicoutimi really get it anyways. They claim that the behaviour of their fans is not indicative of the beliefs of the people of their community, but you would have a hard time persuading Nolan of that at the moment.
The above posting first appeared on my A Town Called Podunk blog, my journal of current affairs, check it out for other items of interest.
The digital bits had barely been circulated to the Blogger home site before another story made the rounds that makes you realize we still have a long road ahead of us.
Hockey fans in Chicoutimi presented their worst face over the weekend as Ted Nolan coach of the Moncton Wildcats brought his squad into Chicoutimi for a Quebec junior league match. Nolan who is of First Nation's descent was shocked and dismayed by the recpetion that greeted him as he coached his squad through the game.
The Chicoutimi crowd exhibited some reprehensible behaviour by uttering racial ephithets and making obscene gestures and racist gestures to the Moncton coach. Nolan, a former NHL coach of the year with Buffalo has seen a lot in his career, but nothing prepared him for the outright racism that he faced in Chicoutimi.
The folks there have more than embarrased themselves, they've shown a side of their culture that is not a pretty sight and should give them all a cause to ponder exactly their place in a modern society.
The management of the Sagueneens have been quick to get a press release out saying how disgusted they are at the behaviour of a number of their fans, but their disgust seems rather hollow. Nolan reported that the security guards at the rink were laughing at the comments and did nothing to expel those that were the worst offenders.
Management claim Nolan may have misunderstood some of the actions of the fans as racist, when they were apparently doing a tomahawk chop to celebrate a goal by one of their own players, Francois Verreault-Paul who is of aboriginal heriitgae. Now perhaps that is correct, know one really knows for sure but it certainly doesn't excuse the other actions by their fans, Nolan probably knows racism when he comes across it and it seems he feels that he has seen it and didn't like what he saw this weekend. The Sagueneens management may be talking the good talk about ridding sport of racism, but frankly they're nowhere near walking any kind of walk.
Nolan deserves much more than just an apology, but one wonders if the folks of Chicoutimi really get it anyways. They claim that the behaviour of their fans is not indicative of the beliefs of the people of their community, but you would have a hard time persuading Nolan of that at the moment.
The above posting first appeared on my A Town Called Podunk blog, my journal of current affairs, check it out for other items of interest.
Robinson Resigns!
It was Lou Lamoriello leading practice Monday morning, as head coach Larry Robinson took on the title of former head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
Robinson resigned his position with the NHL club Monday, two days after his team suffered it's seventh loss in nine games, this season had been a challenging one for Robinson who took over the reins of the squad when Pat Burns stepped down to once again battle cancer.
Robinson frequently had criticized the character of his underperforming team and did not seem to be able to get his message across to the likes of Alexander Mogilny and Scott Gomez, two player who he benched on Saturday night out of frustration with their play as the Devils suffered a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The play of Gomez thus far has had his name mentioned in frequent trade talks of late as the Devils look to shake things up, however with today's development perhaps Gomez is safe in New Jersey for a while yet.
During the morning workout Lamoriello had no explanation for Robinson's departure, though Fox Sports is reporting that he stepped down due to stress and horrible headaches. The Devils GM hasn't put forward any names for a potential replacement as of yet as he tries to figure out his next move. Whoever gets tapped to take over the Devils will have their work cut out for them, the Devils have been on auto pilot for a number of years now, willing to go through the motions but not returning to the level of play that led them to the Stanley Cup.
With a record of 14-13-5 the season is surely not lost, but somebody has to get them moving. Robinson apparently watching his health suffer with this squad, decided he wasn't that guy!
Robinson resigned his position with the NHL club Monday, two days after his team suffered it's seventh loss in nine games, this season had been a challenging one for Robinson who took over the reins of the squad when Pat Burns stepped down to once again battle cancer.
Robinson frequently had criticized the character of his underperforming team and did not seem to be able to get his message across to the likes of Alexander Mogilny and Scott Gomez, two player who he benched on Saturday night out of frustration with their play as the Devils suffered a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The play of Gomez thus far has had his name mentioned in frequent trade talks of late as the Devils look to shake things up, however with today's development perhaps Gomez is safe in New Jersey for a while yet.
During the morning workout Lamoriello had no explanation for Robinson's departure, though Fox Sports is reporting that he stepped down due to stress and horrible headaches. The Devils GM hasn't put forward any names for a potential replacement as of yet as he tries to figure out his next move. Whoever gets tapped to take over the Devils will have their work cut out for them, the Devils have been on auto pilot for a number of years now, willing to go through the motions but not returning to the level of play that led them to the Stanley Cup.
With a record of 14-13-5 the season is surely not lost, but somebody has to get them moving. Robinson apparently watching his health suffer with this squad, decided he wasn't that guy!
Someone who gets it!
There's an interesting story out of North Bay, Ontario about a guy that actually gets this helping mankind thing about Christmas.
Tom Hedican, who works as a professional hockey coach in Europe is home in North Bay for Christmas. He came up with what seems like a terrific idea to help out the North Bay Food Bank while at the same time getting the young people of North Bay involved in helping those less fortunate.
Since his arrival back in Canada for the Christmas break, Hedican has been running hockey practices for the youth of North Bay, the only stipulation is that they must bring a donation for the North Bay Food Bank. He's volunteered his knowledge, while the kids bring the goods.
And so far it's been a major success. All of Hedican's planned sessions have been booked solid and his truck has been filled to the top with donations for the Food Bank. Hedican credits his respect for Bruce Springsteen for the idea, Springsteen regularly donates to Food Banks wherever he tours, his donations to the Toronto Food Bank the Daily Bread have been regular and apparently quite generous over the years. For Hedican it seemed a natural fit to combine his love of hockey with his need to help out.
It's something that seems so simple one, wonders if others have attempted it before. It makes everyone a winner in a season when far too many get left behind. You get the feeling that those kids that are learning the skills on the ice are probably taking a heck of a lot more than hockey lessons home with them this Christmas!
The above posting first appeared on my A Town Called Podunk Blog, my journal of current events, check it out for other items of a similar vein.
Tom Hedican, who works as a professional hockey coach in Europe is home in North Bay for Christmas. He came up with what seems like a terrific idea to help out the North Bay Food Bank while at the same time getting the young people of North Bay involved in helping those less fortunate.
Since his arrival back in Canada for the Christmas break, Hedican has been running hockey practices for the youth of North Bay, the only stipulation is that they must bring a donation for the North Bay Food Bank. He's volunteered his knowledge, while the kids bring the goods.
And so far it's been a major success. All of Hedican's planned sessions have been booked solid and his truck has been filled to the top with donations for the Food Bank. Hedican credits his respect for Bruce Springsteen for the idea, Springsteen regularly donates to Food Banks wherever he tours, his donations to the Toronto Food Bank the Daily Bread have been regular and apparently quite generous over the years. For Hedican it seemed a natural fit to combine his love of hockey with his need to help out.
It's something that seems so simple one, wonders if others have attempted it before. It makes everyone a winner in a season when far too many get left behind. You get the feeling that those kids that are learning the skills on the ice are probably taking a heck of a lot more than hockey lessons home with them this Christmas!
The above posting first appeared on my A Town Called Podunk Blog, my journal of current events, check it out for other items of a similar vein.
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