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Shootouts, Ugly Uniforms, Quinn and Beliveau |
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There was lot of great feedback and comments on my outdoor rink blog from last week. It even gave Paul Stewart some piggybacking material for a copycat blog (just kidding, Stewy!).
I thought I would give a quick update on the weather conditions up here in Ottawa. The weather has not cooperated, so only the experienced rink builder would have been able to get a rink going.
When it is -30 outside anyone that is brave enough to go outside can build a rink, but when the weather fluctuates you really do have to pamper your ice surface. The weather since our big snowfall has been very much up and down with some freezing rain thrown in, which if you have a good solid base can be very beneficial. The key to building a rink over the past week would have been your ability to keep the kids off the rink but as I mentioned last week – that's very much easier said than done!
I’ll keep you posted, I am very much looking forward to my first time on our outdoor ice. Now on to this week's topics....
Record-Breaking NHL Shootout
I remember when they introduced the shootout to the game. None of the former players or avid fans liked it even a little. I was no exception. However, at the risk of being asked to turn in my "My Old-School Hockey" card, I have to admit that I've come around to the other side.
Actually, it started fast with me. I remember the very first shootout here in Ottawa. I liked it, and I found it very exciting. It beat two teams nonchalantly skating off the ice after a tie. Boring! The shootout at least had some drama to it once I gt to see it. liked it then and I continue to like it. I really think that most people whatever category that you are in like it as well. Some of you just don't want to admit it!
I always get asked what my thoughts are on the shootout and my answer has always been the same:“As a fan, I enjoy it and I look forward to it. As a former player, I think it is great but it is something that I would never have had to worry about!"
Given my lack of goal-scoring ability, I would have never been selected to shoot. I would have just found a spot on the bench, got comfortable and cheered my teammates on. I would never have the feeling of wondering “is coach going to pick me?”
Well, all that changed with recent the shootout between Florida and Washington that went 20 rounds. I didn’t see it live but when I heard about it, the first thing that I thought of was that I would have had to shoot! I will assume that I would have been the 18th (last) skater picked.
That would've set me up for the best one-liner toteammates, radio and TV commentators and reporters alike: “I had to pick you, Marshy. The rules wouldn’t allow me to pick the spare goalie!”
It was amazing to me how many messages/texts I received from friends and family – all were asking me what move I would have used. My move.... skate in, shoot as hard as I can, hope the goalie makes a mistake.
My favourite Shootout story comes from minor hockey. I was coaching a spring hockey team – these teams are put together after the regular season is over. Usually these teams compete 4-6 tournament throughout Ontario in April and May. I really did not know the players or their abilities, as it was our first season together. In tournament play we always have shootouts because you have to stick to a time limit in a tournament. So it was in a semi-final game, and it was tied after a 5-minute overtime.
I asked the players, "So, who wants to shoot?"
The first one to volunteer was Griff.
I went over to him and asked him quietly, “Griff, are you any good?”
His reply was priceless.
“I’ve never missed, coach,” he said.
Nice confidence for an 11-year-old, I thought.
Griff made me look good as a coach. He jumped over the boards and scored. We won the game and the tournament!
LA Kings Stadium Series Uniforms
WOW! Not sure what to say about them, I think my son Patrick said it best “They’re so ugly, they’re cool!” All I know, is that every tough guy that ever played the game is rolling over in his grave right now!
Imagine the trash talking that would be going on. I will definitely tune in to the game now just to see how the uniform looks during a game.
I wonder what unies the San Jose Sharks are going to wear? It will be interesting to see if the two teams collaborated on their uniforms and they have something similar.
I guess the closest thing that I have to compare this to is the infamous Cooperalls that the Flyers (and later the Whalers) wore in the early 80’s. I did not like them at all, I never liked the way my equipment felt while I was wearing the Cooperalls – therefore I always felt unsafe or vulnerable
when I wore them.
I liked the feel of the socks, I always put my shin pad on first, then my sock on over my shin pad. I then taped my socks at the knee and just above the ankle this ensured that the shin pad would stay nice a tight to my leg. With Cooperalls, I had to use Velcro straps to fasten my shin pads – they were always sliding around, never tight enough and very unsafe.
I blocked a lot of shots and the nylon materials of the Cooperall always threw my timing off, especially at the start of each period. At the start of the period the ice is still very smooth and the nylon material slid on the ice - the cloth socks gripped the ice. So many times in blocking shots
I would slide right through the shot and get hit where I wasn’t supposed to get hit. Additionally, the pants where now like football pants tight to your body which for some reason did not work at all when hitting the boards. I really liked the loose fitting pant that I had worn my whole career.
Injuries were up during the Cooperall era. Real glad that experiment did not last beyond two years.
World Junior Championships
It’s World Junior time and I wish that every hockey fan had the ability to watch this entire tournament. It is very exciting, top notch hockey played by the best teenagers in the world. There is so much at stake for these kids not only country pride but their individual careers as well. In my
opinion, at this level, it is always more exciting when you have country vs. country rather than team vs. team. This tournament has happened every year since 1974 and it is the highlight of every Canadian hockey fan each holiday season.
With TV ratings pretty much the same as Stanley Cup TV ratings and the New Years Eve games between the USA and Canada have created many classics over the years. The top 3 prospects for this years NHL draft will be playing in the tournament: Connor McDavid for Canada, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin for the USA.
A strong tournament for these players will mean that their country will have a good opportunity to win gold and will further strengthen their high ranking in the NHL draft. A weak tournament will have their country finish out of the medals. In some cases, I've even kids' stock in the draft plummet because of a bad tournament.
For the record, I participated in the World Junior Championships twice and I have a Silver Medal (1976) and a Bronze Medal (1977) to show for it. Great stories and memories.
Two NHL Legends Pass Away
With the recent passing of Pat Quinn and Jean Beliveau, not only did the hockey world but the world in general lose two great men. The tributes, the stories, the videos clips from their respective careers were tremendous. I knew Pat Quinn well, because I had him as a coach in Philadelphia. I had also met Jean Beliveau on a number of occasions.
Both were very special men. You knew this just by talking to them. I have two thoughts with respect to these gentlemen.
Although Pat was a solid NHL defenseman, he is best known for his coaching success. I believe that, every coach whether they are in the NHL, Junior, the College ranks or a minor hockey coach should watch or read all of the tributes that were said about Pat in his passing and learn from them.
Learn how he coached his teams, how he treated his players, how he disciplined his players – the word respect was used often. He respected us and, in return, we respected him. You will be a better coach by learning from Pat.
Every modern day athlete, however young or old, in whatever sport should take the time to understand Jean Beliveau. In understanding Mr. Beliveau, you will become not only a better athlete but a better person. The world needs role models and unfortunately we do not have enough of them.
Far too many athletes have put aside values and morals to get ahead in their respective sport. In understanding Jean Beliveau, you will be one step closer to becoming that role model that everyone can also look up to.
In fact, if I owned a sports team or I was a sports manager, a player agent or a parent of an athlete - a Jean Beliveau book or video would be a must for all to see.
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