Hockey

[Stephane Dumas]

The Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit Red Wings farm team in the AHL had won their 1st Calder cup championship.
http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2013/06/grand_rapids_griffins_win_the.html#incart_m-rpt-2

[Henry]

The Boston Bruins now lead the series 2-1 over the Blackhawks, but as they say, it isn't over til the fat lady sings. So now I'm hoping for a Hawks win tonight in Game 4.

EDIT: The Hawks have tied the series at 2-2 with a 6-5 win at Boston. It is the first time since 2004 that the first four games of the Stanley Cup Finals have been split.

[Henry]

It's over! The Chicago Blackhawks are your new Stanley Cup champions...and it's the second straight year that a team from a previous home city won it (2012 Los Angeles Kings)

[ET21]

It's over! The Chicago Blackhawks are your new Stanley Cup champions...and it's the second straight year that a team from a previous home city won it (2012 Los Angeles Kings)

[Desert Man]

Congrats on the Blackhawks' 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years! I know the Bruins won the 2011 cup... yet the Bruins aren't the same team they were. This season was shortened by the lockout, which meant a less strenuous move for the NHL's top teams to enter the postseason.

The NHL should bounce back to its' former glory after the lockout...whenever the commissioner Gary Bettman refocuses on traditional ice hockey fan bases again. He announced not long ago the Coyotes should relocate for another place next season. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22550073/gary-bettman-says-coyotes-could-move-before-next-season Bettman was partly responsible for expansion of the sport in the sunbelt in the 1990s, while the league neglected small yet die-hard sports markets of Hartford, CT and Quebec city.

And back to my earlier discussion on the Roller Hockey International of 20 years ago, the Bullfrogs-L.A. Blades regional rivalry. I wanna see the Kings-Ducks rivalry to become more of a classic one in the NHL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vG-4sFQqg

[CanesFan27]

It's ironic that an Anaheim Ducks fan says that the league needs to refocus on traditional hockey markets.

[Roadmaestro95]

Congrats on the Blackhawks' 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years! I know the Bruins won the 2011 cup... yet the Bruins aren't the same team they were. This season was shortened by the lockout, which meant a less strenuous move for the NHL's top teams to enter the postseason.

The NHL should bounce back to its' former glory after the lockout...whenever the commissioner Gary Bettman refocuses on traditional ice hockey fan bases again. He announced not long ago the Coyotes should relocate for another place next season. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22550073/gary-bettman-says-coyotes-could-move-before-next-season Bettman was partly responsible for expansion of the sport in the sunbelt in the 1990s, while the league neglected small yet die-hard sports markets of Hartford, CT and Quebec city.

And back to my earlier discussion on the Roller Hockey International of 20 years ago, the Bullfrogs-L.A. Blades regional rivalry. I wanna see the Kings-Ducks rivalry to become more of a classic one in the NHL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vG-4sFQqg

Since he's making room for western teams because of (f***ing) realignment, maybe there should be a home for hockey in Seattle? Or put a team in Saskatoon?

[Brandon]

Congrats on the Blackhawks' 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years! I know the Bruins won the 2011 cup... yet the Bruins aren't the same team they were. This season was shortened by the lockout, which meant a less strenuous move for the NHL's top teams to enter the postseason.

The NHL should bounce back to its' former glory after the lockout...whenever the commissioner Gary Bettman refocuses on traditional ice hockey fan bases again. He announced not long ago the Coyotes should relocate for another place next season. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22550073/gary-bettman-says-coyotes-could-move-before-next-season Bettman was partly responsible for expansion of the sport in the sunbelt in the 1990s, while the league neglected small yet die-hard sports markets of Hartford, CT and Quebec city.

And back to my earlier discussion on the Roller Hockey International of 20 years ago, the Bullfrogs-L.A. Blades regional rivalry. I wanna see the Kings-Ducks rivalry to become more of a classic one in the NHL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vG-4sFQqg

Since he's making room for western teams because of (f***ing) realignment, maybe there should be a home for hockey in Seattle? Or put a team in Saskatoon?

Personally, I'd suggest both.  Move the Coyotes to Saskatoon.  Move the Ducks to Seattle.  Why do we need to have two LA teams?  Ditto for moving the Islanders to Quebec and the Devils to Halifax.  Why do we need three NYC teams?  One team per market is enough.

[agentsteel53]

Congrats on the Blackhawks' 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years! I know the Bruins won the 2011 cup... yet the Bruins aren't the same team they were.

I don't think that's how it works.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Heraclitus

[Alps]

Congrats on the Blackhawks' 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years! I know the Bruins won the 2011 cup... yet the Bruins aren't the same team they were. This season was shortened by the lockout, which meant a less strenuous move for the NHL's top teams to enter the postseason.

The NHL should bounce back to its' former glory after the lockout...whenever the commissioner Gary Bettman refocuses on traditional ice hockey fan bases again. He announced not long ago the Coyotes should relocate for another place next season. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22550073/gary-bettman-says-coyotes-could-move-before-next-season Bettman was partly responsible for expansion of the sport in the sunbelt in the 1990s, while the league neglected small yet die-hard sports markets of Hartford, CT and Quebec city.

And back to my earlier discussion on the Roller Hockey International of 20 years ago, the Bullfrogs-L.A. Blades regional rivalry. I wanna see the Kings-Ducks rivalry to become more of a classic one in the NHL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vG-4sFQqg

Since he's making room for western teams because of (f***ing) realignment, maybe there should be a home for hockey in Seattle? Or put a team in Saskatoon?

Personally, I'd suggest both.  Move the Coyotes to Saskatoon.  Move the Ducks to Seattle.  Why do we need to have two LA teams?  Ditto for moving the Islanders to Quebec and the Devils to Halifax.  Why do we need three NYC teams?  One team per market is enough.

Y'all ain't from around here. NJ has more than enough fans to support the Devils, and that lets the NY market be on its own.

[CanesFan27]

Congrats on the Blackhawks' 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years! I know the Bruins won the 2011 cup... yet the Bruins aren't the same team they were. This season was shortened by the lockout, which meant a less strenuous move for the NHL's top teams to enter the postseason.

The NHL should bounce back to its' former glory after the lockout...whenever the commissioner Gary Bettman refocuses on traditional ice hockey fan bases again. He announced not long ago the Coyotes should relocate for another place next season. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22550073/gary-bettman-says-coyotes-could-move-before-next-season Bettman was partly responsible for expansion of the sport in the sunbelt in the 1990s, while the league neglected small yet die-hard sports markets of Hartford, CT and Quebec city.

And back to my earlier discussion on the Roller Hockey International of 20 years ago, the Bullfrogs-L.A. Blades regional rivalry. I wanna see the Kings-Ducks rivalry to become more of a classic one in the NHL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3vG-4sFQqg

Since he's making room for western teams because of (f***ing) realignment, maybe there should be a home for hockey in Seattle? Or put a team in Saskatoon?

Personally, I'd suggest both.  Move the Coyotes to Saskatoon.  Move the Ducks to Seattle.  Why do we need to have two LA teams?  Ditto for moving the Islanders to Quebec and the Devils to Halifax.  Why do we need three NYC teams?  One team per market is enough.

Do yourself a favor and look up Saskatoon Blues.  It's been tried

[hotdogPi]

Two questions about hockey:

1. Why do people love watching the fighting in hockey if it's not the point of the game, and there's even a penalty for it?

2. Why Toronto Maple Leafs and not Leaves?

[NE2]

3. Why Georgia?

[Big John]

3. Why Georgia?

The NHL had 2 failed attempts there.  No need for a 3rd.

[Alps]

Two questions about hockey:

1. Why do people love watching the fighting in hockey if it's not the point of the game

It's not?

[signalman]

1. Why do people love watching the fighting in hockey if it's not the point of the game, and there's even a penalty for it?

It may not be the point, but it's definitely a huge aspect.  Hockey is an aggressive sport, just by its nature.  Many feuds are formed both on and off the ice.  Then tempers flare, and fighting ensues.  I don't think the penalty is much of a deterent for the player.  It also excites the crowd.  It's like a NASCAR race.  Crashing isn't the point, but they sure do happen.  Fans go to races hoping to see a crash, although most hope the driver doesn't get hurt.

[1995hoo]

....

2. Why Toronto Maple Leafs and not Leaves?

There are two stories. One says the team is named after the Maple Leaf regiment that served in World War I and that because than name was a proper noun, they made the plural by adding an "s." The other says they shared the name with a minor league baseball team that was active, and quite successful, in the 1910s/1920s.

The team was originally named the Toronto Arenas and then the Toronto St. Patricks; they became the Maple Leafs in 1927 when Conn Smythe bought the franchise.

[Stephane Dumas]

EA Sports made the prediction for the 2014 NHL simulation champions in their game: St. Louis Blues
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/09/26/nhl-14-simulation-has-st-louis-blues-winning-stanley-cup-four-of-seven-canadian-teams-in-post-season/

Yeah right..... they was right on 2010 (Chicago), missed by that much (Vancouver in 2011, Boston won), completelely off the track for 2012 (LA Kings, EA predicted Pittsburgh) and 2013(Chicago, EA predicted NY Rangers).

[ET21]

4 days!!!

[Alps]

EA Sports made the prediction for the 2014 NHL simulation champions in their game: St. Louis Blues
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/09/26/nhl-14-simulation-has-st-louis-blues-winning-stanley-cup-four-of-seven-canadian-teams-in-post-season/

Yeah right..... they was right on 2010 (Chicago), missed by that much (Vancouver in 2011, Boston won), completelely off the track for 2012 (LA Kings, EA predicted Pittsburgh) and 2013(Chicago, EA predicted NY Rangers).

I wouldn't call 2012 off track. Pittsburgh was in perhaps the best division I've ever seen hit the playoffs, and no one was able to come out alive. In 2013, the Rangers were really hurt by the strike, which I don't think EA took into account.

[amroad17]

1. Why do people love watching the fighting in hockey if it's not the point of the game, and there's even a penalty for it?

It may not be the point, but it's definitely a huge aspect.  Hockey is an aggressive sport, just by its nature.  Many feuds are formed both on and off the ice.  Then tempers flare, and fighting ensues.  I don't think the penalty is much of a deterent for the player.  It also excites the crowd.  It's like a NASCAR race.  Crashing isn't the point, but they sure do happen.  Fans go to races hoping to see a crash, although most hope the driver doesn't get hurt.

Quoting George Carlin, "Hockey is not a sport.  It's three activities going on at the same time.  You have skating, skaters hitting a puck with a stick, and fighting."  Rodney Dangerfield once said, "I went to the fights the other night and a hockey game broke out."

To me, hockey is an excellent sport.  One has to be very skilled to play this.  Sometimes fighting is necessary, after all, this is a very tough sport.  Compared to the 1970's and early 1980's, fighting during games today is a fraction of what used to go on.  In fact, in 1990 or 1991, there was an East Coast Hockey League game between the Greensboro Monarchs and the Hampton Roads Admirals in Greensboro, I believe.  The Admirals beat them 7-1 in a prior game, so when they met the next time, Greensboro had a goon at center for the opening face-off against one of the better players for the Admirals.  When the puck was dropped, the goon dropped his stick and gloves and slugged the Admiral center.  Needless to say, an incredible multi-player brawl ensued.  20 minutes later, order was restored with both teams combining for around 400 minutes in penalties one second into the match!  You sure would not see this today.  Now when two guys square off, the other players act like spectators at ringside.

[ET21]

Opening night!!!!!! 

[1995hoo]

Opening night!!!!!! 

Even the US government is shutting down to watch the NHL tonight!

[CanesFan27]

For those that have tailgated with us before (Jeff, Brian P, Froggie, Doug, Steve) there's a new bigger tent this year, a few additions to the liquor table, and some new food items.

I think Steve's cornhole trickshot that he created last year will become something of a regular game.

Taking all day Friday off...and we're setting up at the arena at 1.  Heck, they aren't going to make the playoffs this year - Debbie Yow killed nearly all the Saturday home games - so gotta get any tailgate you can in right?

[Henry]

The Blackhawks open their title defense with a win over the Capitals. One down, 81 to go...