Hockey Talk

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Sat, 2009-02-14 16:49

al-Qa'bong

Quote:
I dont think the Habs are any dirtier than the other teams. I dont think it stops dirty lumber play altogether...

It isn't stickwork so much as weasely things like slewfooting and slamming guys from behind, face-first into the end wall.

How about that ex-Saskatoon Blade, Mike Green? He's tied with the NHL record for consecutive games in which a defenceman has scored a goal. I actually now root for the Washington Capitals when their games are televised.

His old Blades teammate, Devin Setogouchi, is doing OK scoring with San José now, too.

Sat, 2009-02-14 17:35

#53

Fidel

One of the reasons the Habs signed Laracque was because other teams were taking liberties with the Habs' smaller forwards. Komisarek was spending too much time in the box for trading rough stuff with the other team's designated goons when he was needed on the ice.

Sat, 2009-02-14 20:28

#54

al-Qa'bong

So now, like typical weasels, these twerps run around backstabbing, thinking that Laraque will protect them.

Sat, 2009-02-14 20:48

#55

Fidel

The other reason is that Laracque is a classy kinda guy. He's not going to do anything dirty other than hammer the snot out of the goons straight up style, in the middle of the ice, on live tv. That prospect tends to take all the fun out of taking runs at Koivu, Plekanec, AK-27, Tanguay etc

Sat, 2009-02-14 20:52

#56

Jingles

Quote:
I almost have to agree with Don Cherry here. If fighting is removed from the game, then chippy play would be the rule. Sure basketball was improved with rule tightening and paving the way for skilled players like Jordan, Pippen, Malone etc. But hockey is a faster sport and a lot more physical.

Don Cherry has shit for brains.

The argument that Hockey is somehow different from other sports is a form of special pleading, and falls apart upon examination. First, there is no evidence of "players policing themselves", unless you mean Bertuzzism. So you get cheap shot retaliation for cheap shot instigation. Who polices that?

Second, the notion that no fighting would lead to increased stick work is cited, but where is the evidence to back that up? There isn't any. The playoffs managed quite well without fights, and the cheap shots seem proportional to the amout of time Pronger is on the ice. Indeed, the playoffs are the answer to all the spurrious arguments for fighting in hockey. Every argument you can muster for fighting gets shot down when it comes to playoff time.

Thirdly, the idea that hockey is somehow different from other professional sports in its speed, intensity, or physicality is sheer nonsense. Football is more physical, and Rugby even moreso. You cannot seriously argue that hockey players have more intensity in play than any other pro athlete. That's just insulting to other athletes to be compared in focus and drive to a Hemsky, or to any TML.

Until they get rid of fighting, hockey will remain a sport with the respectability of roller derby.

Fighting should be punished by an immediate ejection from the game, a suspension, and finacial penalties for the coaches and players, like grown-up professional sports do.

The only reason Cherry wants fighting in the game is because he is a reactionary goon with no skills, and violence is the only thing he understands or respects. He sees fighting as a "Canadian" trait that separates the tough players from the "effete", highly skilled European players. It's tied into his whole 1950's understanding of masculinity. That the CBC gives him a soapbox to push his pro-murder politics is shameful and embarrassing. His politics are the simple, whether hockey or Afghanistan: goon it up. That, and his bizzare homoerotic fetish for boys in uniform who fight really lowers the debate. He is a blight on hockey, and by extension the whole human race. We are all stupider because Don Cherry exists.

Did I mention I hate Don Cherry?

Sat, 2009-02-14 20:57

#57

Fidel

Ya I dont care for Cherry either. He's a bigot and mouthpiece for the phony war. And I dont think all that military pomp we've been seeing at the start of games has any place in hockey either

Sat, 2009-02-14 23:47

#58

al-Qa'bong

Quote:
That prospect tends to take all the fun out of taking runs at Koivu, Plekanec, AK-27, Tanguay etc

Speaking of weasels...

CANADIENS FORWARD PLEKANEC SUSPENDED FOR TWO GAMES

Quote:

Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec has been suspended for two games without pay by the National Hockey League.

Plekanec slew footed Edmonton Oilers defenseman Denis Grebeshkov in the second period of Wednesday night's 7-2 Canadiens loss.

Plekanec was assessed a minor penalty for tripping on the play, and Grebeshkov has a high ankle sprain that will sideline him for at least two weeks.

What a filthy bastard

Backstabbing, Hab's style

Rat-weasel Kostitsyn tripping Luke Schenn

Ol' Georges is certainly going to have his hands busy protecting these chickenshirt rats.

Sun, 2009-02-15 01:02

#59

Fidel

My god youre right. It looked like attempted murder. I really hope Grebeshkov is not out for two weeks, and that his ankle heals a lot sooner miraculously.

Sun, 2009-02-15 12:46

#60

al-Qa'bong

Spoken like one who has never experienced slew-footing.

It's one of the lowest things you can do in hockey. Your buddy Laraque would never do it.

By the way, MIKE GREEN HAS SET A NEW RECORD FOR SCORING IN CONSECUTIVE GAMES BY A DEFENCEMAN!

Quote:
Mike Green set an NHL record for defensemen by a scoring a goal in his eighth consecutive game as the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 on Saturday.
Green made it 4-0 during a power play at 5:33 of the second. He was mobbed by his teammates who left the bench. Boston's Mike O'Connell had a seven-game goal-scoring run in the 1983-84 season.

Sun, 2009-02-15 13:56

#61

Fidel

Oh give me a break! A lot of what we see in hockey is tit for tat.

Sun, 2009-02-15 13:58

#62

al-Qa'bong

You've basically made my point.

[correction; now that you've edited your post, the point has been lost]

Stickwork is relatively obvious and the target may often see it coming, whereas the slewfoot is a sneaky, out-of -sight move against which there is little defence. Check out the Don Cherry videos of touch icings for some choice injury footage.

Quote:
Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins is one or two crushing hits away from early retirement and more examples than that of skilled players having their bells rung by no-talent bums with alternative roles to play

Mike Van Ryn (see above Youtube video) would agree.

Sun, 2009-02-15 14:07

#63

Fidel

Cherry knows about the chippy play. He apprenticed under Eddie Shore in the AHL. Shore was as vicious as they came in the late 20's and 30's with the Bruins.

Sun, 2009-02-15 16:26

#64

Jingles

Hopefully, once Phoenix, Tampa, Nashville, Panthers, and other financial black hole teams finally fold, the talent pool will improve. The loss of a few teams means that remaining teams can be choosier with the remaining lineup slots.

Sun, 2009-02-15 18:59

#65

500_Apples

I wonder how much it takes for Carbonneau to be fired.

Sun, 2009-02-15 19:00

#66

500_Apples

al-Qa'bong wrote:

Mike Van Ryn (see above Youtube video) would agree.

Van Ryn should know better than to give his back to an opposing check.

Sun, 2009-02-15 19:03

#67

500_Apples

Catchfire wrote:

Boy the Habs are terrible. And my fear from last season that Price might be damaged goods is beginning to tell. 3 goals or more in 7 of 9. Ouch.

Generally goalies tend to allow more goals and have a lower save percentage when their covered by a weak defense.

Price is very good but don't expect him to stop 9 breakways out of 10.

Sun, 2009-02-15 23:03

#68

al-Qa'bong

500_Apples wrote:
al-Qa'bong wrote:

Mike Van Ryn (see above Youtube video) would agree.

Van Ryn should know better than to give his back to an opposing check.

Have you been a defence lawyer in rape trials?

Sun, 2009-02-15 23:13

#69

Scott Piatkowski Scott Piatkowski's picture

al-Qa'bong wrote:
By the way, MIKE GREEN HAS SET A NEW RECORD FOR SCORING IN CONSECUTIVE GAMES BY A DEFENCEMAN!

Mike Richards of the Flyers has also established a record with his third short-handed goal scored while his team was down 5 on 3.

Mon, 2009-02-16 10:54

#70

500_Apples

al-Qa'bong wrote:
500_Apples wrote:
al-Qa'bong wrote:

Mike Van Ryn (see above Youtube video) would agree.

Van Ryn should know better than to give his back to an opposing check.

Have you been a defence lawyer in rape trials?

It's called having eyes. Kosto was going to hit VR from the side, and then Van Ryn gave him his back. Very easy to see. It's unfortunate that these tactics worthy of the Italian Football team are becoming a part of the game.

Fri, 2009-02-20 05:48

#71

Catchfire

Un criminel lié à trois joueurs du Canadien

Quote:
Un des suspects dans l'opération Axe contre le crime organisé, Pasquale Mangiola, accusé de trafic de drogue, est un grand ami des frères Andrei et Sergei Kostitsyn, deux joueurs du Canadien de Montréal, a appris La Presse de plusieurs sources policières.

Au lever du jour, le 12 février, les enquêteurs de la police de Montréal ont frappé chez Mangiola, 38 ans, comme chez une cinquantaine d'autres suspects, pour lui passer les menottes. Il fait face à six accusations de complot, de possession et de trafic de cocaïne, ainsi que de port d'arme à feu prohibée.

Selon la police, Mangiola était un intermédiaire entre les trois gangs criminels ciblés dans le projet Axe, soit le gang de rue des Bleus, le gang des Syndicate et le groupe criminel des frères Lavertue, présent dans le sud-ouest de Montréal. Tous ces groupes sont à la solde des Hells Angels.

[...]

Mangiola et les deux Frères K, comme sont surnommés les deux joueurs, étaient souvent vus faisant la fête ensemble dans des bars et restaurants huppés du boulevard Saint-Laurent à Montréal. Mangiola allait parfois les cueillir au Centre Bell, après des matches.

Selon nos sources, Mangiola jouait un rôle important dans la vie du duo. Il avait pris les frères Kostitsyn sous son aile, les guidant dans les aléas de leur vie de nouveaux arrivants à Montréal, les conseillant pour trouver logement et voitures. Mangiola avait aussi accès aux relevés de cartes de crédit des deux joueurs. Il faisait des achats pour eux. Et, bien sûr, il discutait passionnément de questions reliées au Canadien et au jeu des deux attaquants.

Des centaines de conversations de Mangiola ont été enregistrées à son insu dans le cadre de l'opération Axe. Les frères Kostitsyn faisaient fréquemment appel à Pasquale Mangiola quand ils avaient besoin de quelque chose. Comme des bouteilles de vodka, des voitures de luxe, des femmes ou autres.

Alexei Kovalev was recently chastised for allegedly spilling to a Russian newspaper that the Habs' 'younger players' were letting off-ice problems affect their (horrible) play of late. He was left home for it.

Fri, 2009-02-20 10:44

#72

Scott Piatkowski Scott Piatkowski's picture

Sergei played for the London Knights, so it figures

Fri, 2009-02-20 12:12

#73

500_Apples

Catchfire wrote:

Alexei Kovalev was recently chastised for allegedly spilling to a Russian newspaper that the Habs' 'younger players' were letting off-ice problems affect their (horrible) play of late. He was left home for it.

Ugh, that Russian media report was released AFTER Kovalev was made to stay home, additionally I'll note it's unsubstantiated and was dissavowed the next day.

Kovalev told to go home - http://habsinsideout.com/main/15647
February 17th

Kovy ostensibly criticizes young players in Russian newspaper,
http://habsinsideout.com/main/15671
February 18th

Russian paper study denied
http://habsinsideout.com/main/15719
February 18th

Generally the cause has to precede the effect.

Fri, 2009-02-20 12:14

#74

Caissa

If the Habs don't make the playoffs this year Gainey and Charbonneau should start looking for new jobs.

Fri, 2009-02-20 18:47

#75

Fidel

I thought Lafleur's comments were on the mark but unwarranted. Kovy is UFA this summer, but I dont think they want to trade him. Kovy can snap out of scoring funk in a snap, and he tends to do so come playoff time. They need another Scotty Bowman to keep them on tight leashes. Some scandal regarding the Kostitsyn brothers and Roman Hamrlik and Pasquale Mangiola entrepreneurial business type on La Presse radio. My Francais isnt so good.

Recharged Kovalev will play tomorrow

Sat, 2009-02-21 00:41

#76

al-Qa'bong

Bah, so some Russkie Habs hang out with gangsters, what's new?

What about the really important news this week, that The Big Swede is returning to Toronto on Saturday?

The Leafs Lunchniks were debating what the ratio of cheers to boos would be when Sundin hits the ice. They seemed to agree on about 75% cheering to 25% booing.

If I had my way, the crowd wouldn't do anything; they'd be silent and pretend that the Swedish meatball wasn't even in the rink.

Sat, 2009-02-21 00:50

#77

Fidel

Gainey says criminal elements have long tried to enter the inner circle of hockey in Montreal. At least the Habs arent doing steroids like some sports celebs have been outed for over the last several years.

The Leafs? I think that team needs a scandal or something to excite the fans.

Sat, 2009-02-21 01:06

#78

al-Qa'bong

Are you kidding? Leaf fans get excited when the team wears their third sweaters, or when they think of all the draft picks the Leafs traded away who are now solid NHL players.

Maybe that's scandalous in itself.

Sat, 2009-02-21 01:31

#79

Fidel

We have to admit the Leafs have loyal fans. The way I look at games nowadays is that you have to appreciate the game and the talented players who are playing no matter who wins. I used to care just about the end result final score. I've actually enjoyed watching hockey in recent years, especially Leafs-Habs matchups.

Sat, 2009-02-21 02:25

#80

Sven

Fidel wrote:

The way I look at games nowadays is that you have to appreciate the game and the talented players who are playing no matter who wins.

There is a lot to be said for that. The "Toronto Maple Leafs" or the "Boston Bruins" or the "Montreal Candiens" are just businesses now. The older I get the less enthusiastic I can get for "the old home team". But, it is a true delight to see the exceptional athleticism of top-tier athletes playing the game of hockey.

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sat, 2009-02-21 02:37

#81

Sven

I'm a season ticket holder for the Minnesota Wild. The older I get, the less enthusiastic I get for supporting "the old home team". The NHL is a business (and has been for many, many decades). Again, I do like the wonderful displays of physical prowess on the ice. But, for pure, unadulterated pleasure, nothing beats watching our nephews play in mites or in other levels of amateur hockey. No money is involved. Just a team of kids having fun. At the pro level, there is no such thing as "loyalty", other than loyalty to one's individual career. Again, pros are fun to watch because of their prowess, but cheering for a particular team because it's a person's "home team" gets sillier and sillier the older I get.

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sat, 2009-02-21 23:05

#82

remind

Just stopped by to see if there was any concern about privacy issues, in respect the Hab players drug connections? There does not seem to be.

Sat, 2009-02-21 23:17

#83

Sven

al-Qa'bong wrote:

I don't know, cheering for any pro team in any sport is silly if you think too much about it...

That is so true.

That being said, I just came back from watching the Wild play Detroit (Wild won 5-2 in a very well-played game by both teams). It was fun just watching those superb athletes. The fact that the Wild won was okay, too.

At the arena tonight, they announced yet another sell-out crowd (the Wild have sold out ever single game since the franchise was created in 2000--which makes it the longest sell-out streak in the NHL--Minnesotans, like Canadians, do love their hockey).

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sat, 2009-02-21 23:28

#84

al-Qa'bong

remind wrote:
Just stopped by to see if there was any concern about privacy issues, in respect the Hab players drug connections? There does not seem to be.

I dunno, we seem to be minding our own business.

Sat, 2009-02-21 23:28

#85

Sven

al-Qa'bong wrote:

remind wrote:
Just stopped by to see if there was any concern about privacy issues, in respect the Hab players drug connections? There does not seem to be.

I dunno, we seem to be minding our own business.

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sat, 2009-02-21 23:29

#86

al-Qa'bong

I don't know, cheering for any pro team in any sport is silly if you think too much about it, but I think there's something to be said about cheering for one team and one team only, no matter if they win or lose. That's why I respect Cubs and Red Sox fans, and think Oilers fans in the 80s or those who jumped on the Senators' bandwagon a couple of years ago were phony soulless poseurs.

When I was a kid (before 1967) I grew up with three calendars with the Maple Leafs posing with the Stanley Cup tacked to my bedroom wall. Back then it seemed as if they should win the Cup every year or so, with maybe Montréal or Detroit interrupting their championships. It was easy to be a fan then. It hasn't been as easy for most of the last 40+ years, but I can't imagine rooting for any other team.

Sun, 2009-02-22 01:43

#87

Fidel

Those Sharks are looking fairly formidable. I hope they arent bumped early in the playoffs this spring. And I doubt they will.

In the East, Devils are gunning down all the top teams lately, and Brodeur coming back an' all. Bruins pretenders to the throne?

I still think my Habitants will be spoilers. Hopefully, and as Bob Gainey said, the party is over. Now get to work you scurvy dogs and score!

Sun, 2009-02-22 03:15

#88

Sven

Whoever wants to win the Cup will have to swin through the Shark Tank. My guess? Only the Sharks survive that.

I can't remember if I posted this link before but it's for all you "Leaf-ers" out there: [u]"Go you Leaf-ers!!"[/u]. This joker is, apparently, the son of a wealthy bidness man in T.O. His seats are down by the glass next to the visitor bench (I've seen this guy personally as our company's tix are directly behind him--and he behaves exactly like you'll see in the youtube vid). My guess? If he didn't have his dad's money, he'd have a tough time finding a job as a school janitor.

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sun, 2009-02-22 07:59

#89

George Victor

Sven:

"...he'd have a tough time finding a job as a school janitor."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

But that job means "not a snob."

As a human being, a vastly superior type to those season ticket holders who gush - and are too gauche to understand its meaning or their role.

Sun, 2009-02-22 11:08

#90

Sven

George Victor wrote:

But that job means "not a snob."

As a human being, a vastly superior type to those season ticket holders who gush - and are too gauche to understand its meaning or their role.

Let me spell out my intent explicitly for you:

Here's a jerk and a moron who has a lot of money solely because of his father. If he did not have that money from his father, it is likely that he would have difficulty finding even a low-skilled job because he doesn't appear to possess the intellectual wattage to perform even a relatively simple job.

Would it have made more sense to say: "...he'd have a tough time finding a job as a brain surgeon"? No, because a brain surgeon requires a very high degree of intellectual skills (which is precisely the opposite of the degree of intellectual skills this knob appears to possess).

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sun, 2009-02-22 11:18

#91

George Victor

Ah, missed the subtlety of meaning in your comparison.
The seating plans were all background to provide context.

Sun, 2009-02-22 11:37

#92

Sven

al-Qa'bong wrote:

I've noticed on TV broadcasts of Leafs home games that there's often a huge area of vacant seats right around the players' benches.

Yep, those are usually corporate-funded seats. And, most businesses, nowadays, are taking a serious look at such expenditures.

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sun, 2009-02-22 11:38

#93

al-Qa'bong

I've noticed on TV broadcasts of Leafs home games that there's often a huge area of vacant seats right around the players' benches.

I assume these are expensive corporate-owned season ticket seats, and the rich folks who own them didn't feel the need to shmoose clients on those nights.

The intellectual wattage of whoever made that video likely couldn't power any but the smallest of appliances: "rythum isn't a prerequisite."

By the way, I don't see the need to mock janitors for their alleged stupidity. They may not be brain surgeons Sven, but then, are you?

Sun, 2009-02-22 12:55

#94

Pogo

Aren't Leaf games sold out? Aren't empty seat just no shows?

Sun, 2009-02-22 13:28

#95

Sven

Pogo wrote:

Aren't Leaf games sold out? Aren't empty seat just no shows?

In the case of the Leafs, I think you're absolutely correct. Those tickets have already been purchased for this season and empty seats are, indeed, no shows.

I can't understand why there are empty seats in a case like this. Seats should never (or very rarely) be "no shows". I mean, if you can't go to a game and you either can't or won't sell the tickets, then just give the damned things away (there are plenty of people who would love a chance to see a Leafs game from those seats).

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Mon, 2009-02-23 19:41

#96

al-Qa'bong

The Rangers have fired coach Tom Renney.

With the Flightless Birds' firing of Mickey Therrien last week, there have been two coaches fired right after their teams have been beaten by the Leafs this year.

Incidentally, all four coaches whose teams started the regular season playing games in Europe have been fired.

Mon, 2009-02-23 20:40

#97

remind

al-Qa'bong wrote:

remind wrote:
Just stopped by to see if there was any concern about privacy issues, in respect the Hab players drug connections? There does not seem to be.

I dunno, we seem to be minding our own business.

Ya funny thing that eh, !!!!

___________________________________________________________ "watching the tide roll away"

Mon, 2009-02-23 22:11

#98

al-Qa'bong

What's your point?

Most of us here aren't interested in talking about that nonsense. Why do you keep bringing it up? This is a discussion forum, not a gossip site.

Sun, 2009-03-01 13:24

#99

al-Qa'bong

While it's always a good thing to see the Senators take a whuppin'...what's wrong with the Leafs? Are they trying to play themselves out of a good draft pick this year?

Sun, 2009-03-01 14:02

#100

Sven

remind wrote:

Just stopped by to see if there was any concern about privacy issues, in respect the Hab players drug connections? There does not seem to be.

al-Qa'bong wrote:

What's your point?

You would have a higher likelihood of successfully receiving an intelligence answer to that question if you directed your question to a unicellular organism.

_______________________________________

[b]Eleutherophobics of the World...Unite!!![/b]

Sun, 2009-03-01 14:37

#101

Fidel

Habs miraculously held off the Sharks last night. 46 shots on Halak. We need Tanguay and Latendresse. And Lang's return would be a nice addition for the playoff, if they make it. If recent contests are any indication, the Habs will be there. Schneider's return has been nice a surprise.

Sorry to see him go - Begin to Dallas for Janik. The papers described that one as Habs adding depth to the blue line? I think Gainey could be clearing cap room for a possible power forward by trade deadline. We can hope, cant we?

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