A friend has an epic story about meeting him in a bar in Chicago before a rugby game.

My friend will defend Burkie to the death - said he was just a great guy.
- Atomic Wedgie

Love Burkie. My avatar pic and location show my respect for that guy.

He was very nice to us, had lots of time. We asked many questions, he didn't answer them. LOL..
- bixll

I haven't been to Harbour 60 in 100 years.

I think the last time I was there was almost 20 years ago, after a Leafs-Red Wings game. All the Russian players from both teams ate at a big table next to us.

I don't want to sound like a grumpy old man here (narrator's voice: but in fact, Wedgie loved sounding like the grumpy old man he really is), but that rubbed me the wrong way.

Can’t blame Price for any of those goals either... two absolute rockets from Nylander, a deflection in tight from JT, a bad luck bounce off the official leaving him out of position, and a 2 on 1 where his d man bought into JT’s sell
- Dozzer

Exactly. Sloppy game, but still had my heart rate going.

Wait, he scored 31 goals last year and you’ve been dumping on him all summer. He does score.
- Canada Cup

No i haven't. My tone hasn't changed.

When he scores, or is creating offense he's good. But sometimes he takes games off, and doesn't play a strong defensive game.

Theres a lot of players who're better than Willy, and make less. Its more of a question of Dubas's negotiation skills than a critique of Willys game.

Oh man, I am sure there are lots of Leafs fans that could do without the play by play and colour guys we have had to put up with also.
- Aetherial

It'd be the second best thing they could do over putting Bonsie back on TV.

Can’t blame Price for any of those goals either... two absolute rockets from Nylander, a deflection in tight from JT, a bad luck bounce off the official leaving him out of position, and a 2 on 1 where his d man bought into JT’s sell
- Dozzer

Hasek wouldnt have stopped the OT goal - a thing of beauty it was after a so-so performance. It was nice to see Rielly get it after getting absolutely chopped in the face on an earlier scoring chance.

I haven't been to Harbour 60 in 100 years.

I think the last time I was there was almost 20 years ago, after a Leafs-Red Wings game. All the Russian players from both teams ate at a big table next to us.

I don't want to sound like a grumpy old man here (narrator's voice: but in fact, Wedgie loved sounding like the grumpy old man he really is), but that rubbed me the wrong way.
- Atomic Wedgie

The Russians being at the restaurant?

Exactly. Sloppy game, but still had my heart rate going.
- bixll

It’s so damn nice having hockey back... the WJC was nice... but it’s not the same

Oh ffs, you guys are whining about the refs despite having won the game.

I'm just trying to show other stuff happened too.

I've read about the Rielly high stick misscall 200 times since yesterday.

Danault receive a stick in the face in the first without a call too. poop happens.

And again, it's not that I disagree that the crosschecks are against the rulebook, just that you see these plays everygame. What made them so special?
- Scabeh

general and pervasive Habs dislike.

Leafs v Habs aside... I have always despised the crosschecking. It is especially bad because every once in a while it gets called...

and then we get moron bruins fans and announcers going about a good veteran team knowing how to push the limits.

WTF is that. The NHL is infuriating with the way they decide to make a call or not. It is literally the only sport that does this.

To be honest, I was very surprised by the Habs. They played well together and they were first to the puck a lot.

Suzuki has a lot in the tank. He didn't get tired. Looks like he may have another gear too.
- bixll

It's an interesting division - you can make a case that six of the seven teams could finish first.

Exactly. Sloppy game, but still had my heart rate going.
- bixll

It's been a whole lotta fun.

I won't lie, I needed that.

It’s so damn nice having hockey back... the WJC was nice... but it’s not the same
- Dozzer

Agreed.. Things will not go as the experts say. For example. Avs lost last night. Kadri was -4 by the way. Edmonton lost, top 2 scorers in the did not score.. going to be an odd year my friend.

Hasek wouldnt have stopped the OT goal - a thing of beauty it was after a so-so performance. It was nice to see Rielly get it after getting absolutely chopped in the face on an earlier scoring chance.
- winsix

Yeah I thought Rielly had a real good game tbh... but man I hope Keefe manages the ice time for these guys a bit better moving forward... Matthews towards the end barely looked like he knew where his legs were ffs

general and pervasive Habs dislike.

Leafs v Habs aside... I have always despised the crosschecking. It is especially bad because every once in a while it gets called...

and then we get moron bruins fans and announcers going about a good veteran team knowing how to push the limits.

WTF is that. The NHL is infuriating with the way they decide to make a call or not. It is literally the only sport that does this.
- Aetherial

Nah Basketball does it even more, if you consider basketball a sport.

general and pervasive Habs dislike.

Leafs v Habs aside... I have always despised the crosschecking. It is especially bad because every once in a while it gets called...

and then we get moron bruins fans and announcers going about a good veteran team knowing how to push the limits.

WTF is that. The NHL is infuriating with the way they decide to make a call or not. It is literally the only sport that does this.
- Aetherial

Completely agree.

Yeah I thought Rielly had a real good game tbh... but man I hope Keefe manages the ice time for these guys a bit better moving forward... Matthews towards the end barely looked like he knew where his legs were ffs
- Dozzer

29 min for Rielly in the first game.

The Russians being at the restaurant?
- bixll

Two teams, one table.

I'm happy with what I saw.

It's only one game, but I could see Anderson being a fan favorite if he plays like this on most nights.

Romanov played over 20 min in his first game and didn't look out of place.

Things are looking up.... but we lost.

- Scabeh

You got a loser point

better than Edmonton!

So obviously I've been one of the worst culprits in political talk...

99% of what we've talked about is the gross incompetency of the Trump presidency. And a huge part of that was the failure to take COVID-19 seriously.

That lack of leadership has affected - and will continue to affect - hockey.

So I don't think that the politics in this thread has been completely unrelated to hockey.

And quite honestly, without the political talk here for the past 9 months, Ek would have had a hard time paying the bills.
- Atomic Wedgie

There's no doubt there's been crossover, on top of what you've outlined there's been athletes discussing and having demonstrations on social justice topics which have become a pretty political hotbed.

And because your favourite movie can't be discussed for the entirety of a calendar year which has seen sporting shut down like never before.

Like people have said about certain posters, if you don't like it keep scrolling. Unless, you know, awful posters and politics are at different standards...

Agreed.. Things will not go as the experts say. For example. Avs lost last night. Kadri was -4 by the way. Edmonton lost, top 2 scorers in the did not score.. going to be an odd year my friend.
- bixll

Most assuredly it will be

As for Kadri... didn’t know about the -4 but I’m not surprised... that giveaway at his own blue line was bruuuuuuutal

Mine is a legit quote, so it should be alright.
- GreatGigInTheSky

So is mine.

Two teams, one table.
- Atomic Wedgie

680 NEWS Toronto
@680NEWS
Some Ontario police forces are 'overwhelmed' after residents flooded them with 911 calls about the province's stay-at-home order that went into effect Thursday.

They say the order is not an emergency.

So is mine.
- Aetherial

29 min for Rielly in the first game.

- Scabeh

They keep that up his legs are gonna look like redwood trunks by the end of the season