A hockey video game weekend

Some nice video game goals from the weekend






barbone

Weekend Wrap Up OR When will we see some double OT?

Penguins are up 2 games to 1 over the Senators. Crosby's doing it all, as usual. Lets take a look at the shift that pretty much defines him as a player:




Ken Daneyko said some interesting about this - that Spezza should actually back of Sid a little, so that he can't get turned out so quickly.


Flyers are up 2 games to 1 over the Devils.

Parise did some magic Friday night



And then the Devils wasted a throwback Marty effort last night as Carcillo won the game in OT.

The Red Wings/Coyotes series has to be the fastest series. The yotes are up 2-1. I love this goal:



Capitals and the Canadiens had a wild one Saturday night as the Caps tied up the series 1-1.



Some people are saying that Gomez, by fighting, actually sparked the Caps. However, the Canadiens were already on their heels at this point, giving up 2 straight goals. I'm fine with Gomez trying to re-energize his team. He can't stop this Backstrom shot. No one can.



Bruins and Sabres are tied up at one game apiece. Same with the Predators and Hawks and the Canucks and Kings

The Sharks are being so spring shark-like:

Weekend Wrap Up OR What I missed because the power went out

There were a ton of good fights this weekend. Here they are in no particular order:



Owen Nolan - Love that he's still playing and fighting



Rick Rypien is fearless!



Not a great fight, but I love when the players take off their buckets



This counts a "loss" for Boogaard, right?


I'll briefly talk about the Ovechkin hit: You can't hit a guy in the numbers. If you see numbers it means that the player has beat you. Let it go. The only reason that the call (5 min and a game) is up for discussion is because the refs don't call it consistently enough. You want players to let up on those dangerous hits - then the refs need to make consistent calls. I don't know if Ovy should get suspended, but the right call on the ice was made. Shut up, Mike Milbury.

Heres a great pass from Ovy, from Friday versus the Lightning:



Pat Eaves has dangerous speed and Ryan Miller should really stop even thinking about using a poke check:



Formula for a great save = highway robbery + late in game x team has lead... as done by Halak



It was Ottawa's only goal, but boy was it pretty. Vintage Jason Spezza:



Steve Mason has a slow glove hand, apparently:





Heres a nice passing play from the Isles, to put away the Leafs last night:




What did I miss?

-Bress

What you missed last night while you helped out the girl across the hall who got locked out her apartment

Senators beat the Sabres, 4-2: The Senators are playing very well and their best players are lighting it up. Spezza scored 2 ridiculous goals. The first was short side on barely any release and the second was sick shot to the top corner. And Alfie scored the other 2. Meanwhile, Brian Elliot is coming into form nicely. Ottawa has escaped that clusterfuck of teams all battling for the 3 play-off spots.

Flames beat the Hurricanes, 4-1: Eric Staal got his face beaten up this game - a high stick and then his own man's skate after Mark Giordano dumped the cane into the bench. If Curtis Glenncross scores a hat trick, you should be winning.

Oilers shut-out the Flyers, 1-0: Oilers scored with 16 seconds left - heartbreaking. Also, because the Flyers had like 17 on-the-doorstep opportunities that they missed.

Blues beat the Hawks, 3-2: The Hawks goal were beauties. Kane went top shelf on the backhand on a breakaway and the pass from Toews to Hossa for the 2nd was pure filth.

Ducks beat the Wings, 3-1: Who's the starter and who's the back up in Detroit?

Weekend Wrap Up OR Some girls are out-of-control hot

So yea, there was a big trade on Saturday and then a smaller, but then canceled trade yesterday. Remember 2 years ago when Dion Phaneuf was actually untouchable or he at least would have attracted a top pick and prospect and scorer in a trade? Well, not he went to Toronto for 40% of the Leafs scoring (not as impressive as I just made it sound) and Jamal Mayers and Ian White. Who knows how this trade will turn out, but my first instinct is that its pretty even.
I think Burke's better trade was the one for Giguere. Not because of Giguere's possible return to form, but because he somehow convinced Brian Murray to take Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. Jason Blake! True story, Blake was supposed to be traded to the Ducks at the deadline the year they won the Cup, but Garth Snow didn't get the paper work to the NHL on time.


Besides that, nothing else really changed in the NHL. The Caps keep winning and the Islanders and Bruins keep losing.

Sheldon Souray made sure he won't be traded by breaking his wrist/hand in this fight with Iggy:



Those old school Flame jerseys are awesome.

Here is an example of great hand-eye coordination from Jason Spezza:


Heres Bress' tip of the weekend:




Crosby popped the water bottle in the shoot-out, but Malkin's move was better:



What did I miss?

-Bress

Summer of Couch

Its been a tumultuous summer for me. I won't bore you with the details. Here we are about 2 weeks before the season is about to start. This post will not be a preview or a prediction, but a bunch of things (some crazy) that have been swirling around my head the past few months.

When hockey season ended, my broken leg did not heal magically. I was still all movement-inhibited, except there wasn't much on TV ... except for baseball. This was before the Mets epic injury mammoth (bug doesn't do it justice). Anyway, so I'm watching baseball a lot and just kept thinking, what if NHL players could only use wood bats..er sticks.
Stay with me for a sec - The reason that pro baseball only uses wood bats is a safety issue (they don't want pitchers getting killed by line drives). Granted, that logic doesn't work for the NHL. The only thing getting harmed by the one-piece wonder sticks are goalie GAAs. But wouldn't it be nice to see players battle for a puck and not see a stick break and then not see the expected slashing call? If the NHL went to wood sticks only, would we see a huge decline in scoring? Probably not, Jason Spezza does alright. I guess the trade off would be that no curve would be illegal. How about that? What if players could use either a wood stick or a composite, but the wood stick would have no limitations? Chara would have a 7 foot tall piece of lumber. Kovy might have a Sherwood Original that looked like a spoon. Its not logical and its unnecessary, but this is what you think about when you are couch-ridden with a broken leg for most of the summer.

Are you still reading? Ok, here's more

There will probably be another work stoppage/strike/lockout in 2012. Its not just because of the Paul Kelly firing. But once the Hossa deal was "investigated" by the NHL, you had to know something was up. Here's the thing: The NHL owners "won" the last CBA. They got their salary cap. They got players to roll back salaries (remember that 24%) and put 55% of their pay in escrow. The owners got a lot of stuff. They players didn't fare too badly. They still get paid damn well. And that should be enough. But owners are still losing money (I'm not going to comment on the Coyotes or the Islanders) and so the system still isn't good enough. Some GMs (with their owners blessing, I'm sure) found "loopholes" in cap system. Remember, a loophole is still legal. So, teams are locking up players for a longer deals in order to have a lower cap hit. I fail to see the problem. Its a good thing that fans get their favorite players on their team for long periods of time. Its something that fans can look forward to. It gives their team an identity. I get that front-loading contracts gives cash-heavy teams an advantage, but there will always be some advantage. In a nutshell, the reason there will be a work stoppage is because the players don't like the CBA because of the cap and the escrow and the owners don't like it because it wasn't airtight enough. Have fun watching the KHL in 2012. I know Ovy is sneaky happy.

There's more, but its only Monday. I need to spread myself out. I'm still on the DL, so I'm sure more crazy thoughts will come to me.

-Bress

What you missed last night while you were learning that hot weather outdoor drinking is its own animal

Because I was at a golf tournament (watching, not playing) and didn't get home (hungover and sunburned), until 1 am last night and my only hockey intake was NHL on The Fly this morning, well then it looks like I'll be picking out the one high-light that you should know about from each game.

Devils beat the Blackhawks, 3-2: Yes Marty got win number 552, but the highlight of the night was Patrik Elias's backhand pass to Gionta that got Mr. Elias to be the all-time point leader for the Devils.

Oilers beat the Blues, in the shoot-out, 4-3: Dwayne Rolloson - he made some great saves, but its his salt that I loved - he's trying the be the west coast's Tim Thomas.

Canucks beat the Stars, 4-2: Tic-tac-goal - Bernier, from Mason Raymond, from Kevin Bieska. Yea, it was gorgeous.

Coyotes win over the Sharks, 4-3: Doan's GWG - off a broken faceoff play, Doan gets the puck, drives to the net, and scores falling down, with under a minute left in the game.

Rangers beat the Canadiens, in the shoot-out, 4-3: Kovalev's one timer - I don't know how Markov found him at the side of the net and I don't know how Kovalev put it in while falling, but its all impressive.

Senators beat the Sabres, 4-2: Spezza's sauce - On a 2-on-1 with Alfie, Spezza laid the perfect saucer pass onto Aflie's tape.

Maple Leafs beat the Lightning in the shoot-out, 4-3: Blakes goal - the fake pass at the blue line, and then skating around the offensive-zone and eventually tucking in the wrap-around. You might fight teammates Jason Blake, but you also score.

Penguins beat the Thrashers, 6-2: Malkin - 5 points. He'll score, he'll pass. whatever, he does it all so well.

Capitals shut-out the Panthers, 3-0: Kozlov's wrister - its just that good. one step in to the right and its in the back of the net.

Red Wings beat the Flyers, 3-2: Marty Biron's short side - it got beaten twice last night. The first was by Datsyuk after he faked Carcillo out of his shorts.

Wild win over the Avalanche in the shoot-out, 3-2: can a shoot-out goal be the highlight? if so, then Zidlicky's goal was great. patience and top shelf.

What you missed last night while you were looking for a new head coach to inspire your hair style

Hurricanes shut-out the Rangers, 2-0: The Hurricanes are the hottest team in the NHL right now. Its that simple. They are fucking fast, exploded for goals, and Cam Ward can still show that Conn Smythe form. They also probably have the sneakiest hottest fanbase in the league and definitely the hottest ice girls/cheerleaders/whatevers. As Nemmy said last night, "the talent [the girls in the stands] behind Tortorella [was] so much better than the talent in front of him." Is Joe Corvo on the 2010 US team? He's got a rocket of a one-timer and skate damn well and knows when to jump up in the play.

Senators beat the Maple Leafs, 2-1: CuJo played really well in this game. I mean acrobactic saves, saving his own ass off poor rebound control (thats my inner Maguire), but it wasn't enough. Here are some thoughts/questions about Spezza's illegal stick:

• How does having the toe in a point like that give him an advantage?
• If there is only one measurement a season or so, why even have the rule?
• Here the "toe" of Spezza's stick:

Kings beat the Canucks, 3-2: I wish I lived on the west coast and had some job/gig that ended at by 3pm. Then I could get home and watch the east coast games on the center ice package, watch the local games and not be going to bed so darn late. That. Would. Be. Awesome.

What you missed last night while you were blowing off meetings to go look at apartments in Park Slope

New guys with new teams last night and below are the haikus to describe how that went.... or something else, completely.


Flames beat the Flyers, 5-1:
Flames new additions
had a great night. Flyers' new guys -
not sure if they played.

Maple Leafs beat the Capitals, 2-1:
Gerber's helmet now
looks stupid. He should go to
all white or sell ads.

Senators beat the Oilers, 4-2:
Spezza scored quickly and
new additions mike and chris
scored. MacT was mad.

Rangers beat the Islanders, 4-2:
Antropov got a point
There are a thousand new guys
on the Islanders.

Wild comeback and beat the Sharks in OT, 4-3:
Where is Nabakov?
Sharks came out on fire and
then a bad bounce/loss.

Coyotes beat the Bruins, 2-1:
Upshall scored for his
new team. The Bruins have lost
9 of the last 12

Kings comeback to beat the Stars in OT, 5-4:
Handzus capped his hat
trick with the game winner. Its
wild in the west.

Predators win over the Blue Jackets, 4-2:
Weber fought again.
Thats 3 fights in 3 games. And
the preds have won them.

Penguins beat the Panthers, 4-1:
Crosby and Billy
team up and Crosby gets a
goal. Splits D and snipe.

What you missed last night while you were making sure you fax works and that your clocks were set to time.gov

So, similar to last year, I'll be do a quick analysis of every trade that goes down today.

Here are some quit hits about last nights game and what each team who played last night could use.

Canucks beat the Wild 4-2: The Wild should move Marian Gaborik. The Canucks need a puck-moving d-man.

Devils beat the Maple Leafs in OT, 3-2: I think the Devils should stand pat, with the Havelid acquisition. No reason to mess with the best team on ice the past week. The Maple Leafs will not get the picks or prospects they want for the garbage on that roster.

Flames beat the Senators, 6-3: The Flames always seem to need more scoring depth. The Senators obviously need some toughness as Jason Spezza was fighting last night.

Predators win over the Oilers in OT, 6-5: The Oilers need some veteran leadership after Moreau went down. The Predators could probably use scoring depth, like a 2nd or 3rd liner.

Red Wings shut-out the Blues, 5-0: Regardless of last nights result, I don't see the Wings going far in the playoffs without some real goaltending. The Blues should probably stand pat. They are in the hunt, but have a good a young squad and shouldn't give up anything to lose in the first round to said Red Wings or Sharks.

Stars beat the Sharks, 4-1: No need for the Sharks to add anything and mess up their great season. The Stars could use a stay-at-home-help-marty-out d-man.

Blackhawks win in OT over the Ducks, 3-2: The Ducks could stock pile some picks and prospects if they move their big guns. The Blackhawks need someone who has been through the play-offs to help out the kids.

Flyers beat the Bruins, 4-2: They Flyers could use some more cap room or they won't be able to add anyone. The Bruins need a small shake up. They have been faltering lately.

Penguins beat the Lightning, 3-1: The Kunitz deal is already paying off wonderfully for the Penguins and they get Sidney back soon. I'm not sure what else they want to do. The Lightning think they thet get back something for waivers, but they don't.

BJs beat the Kings, 5-4: The Jackets need a forward to help out Nash. The Kings should sit tight like the Blues and wait for next year.

Panthers beat the Thrashers, 4-3: The Panthers should hold onto Bouwmeester unless they can get a top 6 d-man in return. The Thrashers should blow their team up.

Hurricanes beat the Capitals, 5-2: The caps need a shake-up and probably a goaltender. The Hurricanes need to much.

What you missed last night while you were resting your sprained ankle

In honor of "Brian Burke" being outed on twitter, all recaps will be 140 characters or less.

Flames beat the Blue Jackets, 4-1: when Iginla and Cammalleri both score the Flames are probably unbeatable

Canadiens shut-out the Canucks, 3-0: not only did Halak get the shut-out, he also should get credit for starting a goalie controversy reminiscent of any flyers team

Oiler beat the Lightning, 5-3: Stamkos' snipe was really really nice. Also I hope Vinny isn't hurt after taking that shot off the ankle.

Senators win over the Hurricanes, 4-2: Spezza must have taught Comrie the ol' fake slap shot down the wing freeze the goalie go wide and score move

Flyers beat the Capitals, 4-2: Carter had a goal and an assist, but he really had two assists if you count the pass he put on Ovy's tape in the first

Kings beat the Wild in the shoot-out, 2-1: not a real deserving win as the kings goal went in off a Wild player and then Doughty lost the puck five-hole in the shoot-out

Ducks beat the Sabres, 3-2: Even though the promos said otherwise, Ryan Miller did not play

Bruins win over the Panthers, 6-1: Byron Bitz... what a name!

Thrashers beat the Avalanche, 4-3: 2 of the 3 worst teams in the league in an empty arena. on ice that was ruined by the circus. no i did not watch

Blues beat the Coyotes, 2-1: Holy crap there were so many games on last night

Predators beat the Hawks, 5-3: is this the last one?