Hockey is back and I couldn't be happier!
I'll start with the Premier Games because I like what they've become...just another hockey game. When the NHL started this five years ago, it was a novelty and they tried to make it all about these four games by not starting the rest of the games for another week. That was no bueno. They tried to cater to the North American fan, but that completely defeats the purpose of playing games there...to increase awareness of the sport and the league internationally.
Finally, after year's of tinkering, it's finally settled into what it is...a spectacular event for European fans and a really good excuse for North American fans to visit Europe. I love the afternoon hockey. I love the opportunity for the European players to have their family and friends see them play. I love the various pre-season games across the continent and I love that the buildings are sold out. From the team perspective it's a lot of work and a lot of hassle, but you can't put a price on team bonding and it is therefore, well worth it.
What I'm not a big fan of is the idea floating around that these games might move to the middle of the season instead of the start of it. I think everyone gets the short end of the stick if that happens. The teams won't have much time to get adjusted to the time change. They won't be able to play any exhibition games, which means fewer cities/countries/fans will be able to enjoy the games. I obviously don't have a vote in this decision, but if they asked me, I'd emphatically vote no. Going over in the middle of the season doesn't accomplish the objectives of crossing the pond in the first place.
Moving on....As part of the pre-game banner raising ceremony in Boston on Thursday, the Bruins skated around the TD Garden ice kissing the Cup and raising it over their head. Some thought it was in poor taste, but I happened to love it. Since it was won on the road, the Bruins faithful never got to experience that and I thought it was a nice way to include the fans in the ceremony. That said, many people commented that their 2-1 loss to the Flyers that night was the Hockey God's way of punishing them. To me, that would only be the case if they lose out on a playoff spot by a point or two. We shall see....
Finally, I'm really impressed with how many rookies are making their teams right out of camp. While there are more than a handful of 18-year-olds who made the jump this season, it is easy to overlook the guys who played in college last year who successfully made the transition as well - Da Costa (OTT), Frattin (TOR), Gardiner (TOR), Smith (NSH), Faulk (CAR), Read (PHL) and Atkinson (CBJ). What's even better is that these guys are being put into positions to succeed and given time on the top two lines or defensive pairings and even on the power play - excellent news for my fantasy team of Former College Hockey Studs who could use some new (less expensive) options!
This week, I'm heading back up to Boston to see the Bruins game against Colorado on Monday and then visiting Vermont, Dartmouth, my beloveds at UMass, American International, Boston College and Denver while they're in town to play both BC and BU next weekend.
Episode 2 - Michigan State, Colgate, Wisconsin, Northeastern, Holy Cross, Ferris State
Week 1 Highlights
All Episodes:
Episode 1 - Minnesota-Duluth, Boston University, Western Michigan, Robert Morris, Michigan, Rensselaer, Minnesota State
Julie
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