First, don't forget to check out the latest
Julie Loves Hockey videos as we get to know the Bruins a little bit better. Part 3 is due up on Thursday.
Second, some thoughts on the WJCs...
- I love that when Canada takes a penalty, the game presentation crew plays Pink's "So What" Incase you're not familiar with the song, in essense it says: So what...I'm still a rockstar and you're a tool - very appropo, no?
- Canandian fans are getting a two for one at ScotiaBank Place as they root for Canada and whomever is playing Team USA. Since the games are technically neutral ice, having the fans adopt other teams to cheer for makes them much more interesting to watch.
- I like the Germans! Maybe it's because I'm German. Maybe it's because I like their uniforms. Maybe it's because they've got some spunk and I like the way they play or a combination of the aforementioned...whatever it is, I'm a fan...they're fun to watch! What's great is that their goaltender, Grubauer, is not draft eligible until 2010 - woah!
- I won't talk much about the Canadians because Pierre McGuire and Gord Miller did enough of that during the telecast - but I did want to bring up a particular incident halfway through the third period against Germany - Esposito gets hammered along the boards by Reul, who plays in the QMJHL against some of these guys. It wasn't exactly "dirty" as he didn't gun after him or leave his feet or anything like that. It was a play for the puck, but it was most definitely a hit from behind and that is not cool. He received a 5 minute penalty and a game misconduct. Canadians Subban and Della Rovere had a few choice words for the Germans as they stood at center ice and voiced their displeasure towards the bench. Towards the end of the incident, Della Rovere pointed to the crest on his sweater for added emphasis. (This is where I wish there was an ice level mic, so you'd know EXACTLY what they're saying...I'm sure it was VERY interesting.) First off, I'm a big fan of their passion, but hopefully that move was't an example of the Sean Avery school of hockey, because that is also not cool.
- I'm a big fan of Matt Rust. He's just a mucker and grinder to the nth degree and we all know how much I love that type of player. He's just willing to do anything to get the job done. Big fan!
- The big boys for the United States have stepped up to the plate in a major way - James van Riemsdyk - Colin Wilson - Jordan Schroeder (draft eligible 2009) are kicking butt and taking names. What a great combination of size, speed and skill!
- A lot has been said about Canada's 15-0 shellacking of Kazhakstan and how this tournament should only include 8 teams while the IIHF is talking about explanding the tournament to 12 teams in an effort to include more countries. Here's where I stand - The purpose of including more teams is to develop better hockey programs in other countries with the theory being they will improve over time by playing better opponents. Let's skip over Kazhakstan for the moment and take a look at Germany... Blown out by the Americans 8-2, they played much better and had a much tighter contest against Canada despite the 5-1 final. So did Canada just have a "bad" game or did Germany step it up and play that much better against a tough opponent?? I'm inclined to believe the latter. We seem to determine success by medals won, but the point is to develop better hockey players and you can't tell me that the Germans (and Czechs who were blown out by Canada 8-1 and then played a much tighter game against the Americans) aren't better players for the experience...To further prove my point, international scouts are talking about how Germany is the next hockey hotbed...First Russia, then Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Germany...maybe in 2015 we'll be talking about how great the players coming out of Kazhakstan are? Now, I'm not saying they're going to be winning medals any time soon, but remember the purpose of this tournament is to develop better players. Winning medals is a byproduct!
Moving on to some college hockey comments:
- I didn't realize how much I liked the shootout until I started watching a lot more college games and remebered how much I hate ties. The CCHA has adopted the shootout for league games this year and with two of this weekends tournaments decided in a shootout, a strong case is being made for it to be implemented throughout the college ranks. I fully support that move, but I hope they go the way of the AHL and require five rounds rather than three.
- Wisconsin wins the Badger Showdown for the first time in three years. It was against Lake Superior and Alabama-Huntsville, which isn't much to write home about but it continues the Badgers impressive run as of late. More on this later...
- Cornell wins the Florida College Classic agaisnt Colgate & St. Cloud - well done.
- Michigan rolls over Michigan Tech and Michigan State in the Great Lakes Invitational winning both games by at least 4 goals. Steve Kampfer was back in the lineup for the Wolverines after missing the start of the season after being injured in an off-ice incident earlier this year. Good to see him back!
- In non-tournament action - Princeton beat Minnesota State 5-2 - Lee Jubenville, Hobey Baker nominee from last year, is still MIA this year...
- Let's get back to Wisconsin...The Badgers started the season 0-6-1 losing to BC, UNH, Denver, Minnesota and North Dakota before turning things around and going 10-1-2 since then defeating Michigan and Michigan State in the process. They've got a tough stretch to finish off the season with weekend series against Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota and Minnesota State. Personally, I'd like to see them kick butt and take names throughout the rest of the season, but it won't be easy.
- I also wanted to mention that Tyler Bozak from Denver, the most sought after free agent and most likely to sign with an NHL team after this season, is out for at least the next month with a lower body injury. Yes, college hockey has gone the NHL route in regards to injuries where they don't have to tell you anything. Injured earlier this month, surgery was not required...just time to heal...let your imigination wander between the thigh and calf and let me know what you come up with ;) Fortunately because of the semester break, he won't miss too many games.
In other news pertaining to the NHL:
- Jonathan Quick of the LA Kings was named Third Star of the Week behind Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Atlanta's Bryan Little. Yup...I'm still touting the UMass pride! ;)
- If you haven't already done so, you should check out
Brian Metzer's log about Shero going in a different direction in 2006. It brings up the question GMs are faced with every year - do you draft the best player available or do you draft to fill a need?
- HUGE game tonight between CHI and DET not only as a Winter Classic preview but more importantly in the standings. Should the Blackhawks win both games in regulation, they'd take over first place in the Central Division. This is all good stuff for the NHL!!
- Let's talk Winter Classics of the future...First, I'm am a HUGE fan of this becoming a yearly event. Second, I am also a HUGE fan of it being held in Boston or at the very least involving the Bruins. What I'm not a fan of is picking poor venues. I'm not talking about how old or new a venue is or how many amenities it does or does not have. What I'm talking about is the fan's ability to actually VIEW the event in person. I liked the football stadium setting in Buffalo for a few reasons the most important being the fact that it was the same shape as the rink and everyone was equidistant (that's an SAT word for you...). The only "bad" seats were those in the lower bowl. Which brings me to another point...pick a place where the field in sunken. Having a rink on the field is not the problem...it's the dashers and the glass that cause bad sightlines for the fans sitting in the lower sections. Easily rectifiable!! Just pick the right venue...one with more stadium style seating (think Roman Coliseum) so you can actually look down upon the event. I can understand that using football stadiums is rather difficult with January 1st still being part of football season and it's potential to interfere with the playoffs and I'm not rejecting the baseball stadium idea, because I am a fan of it, I'm just saying that they should be mindful that this is more than just an television event and that people are actually going to the game to watch it. That said - I still LOVE the Winter Classic! :)
That's all for now...
I hope you and yours had a wonderful 2008 and will have an even better 2009!
Talk soon!
Jules
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