21: The Perfect Valentine

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

Who of us wouldn’t want to trade places with Jeff? His Red Wings set an NHL record for consecutive home wins, his Frozen Tide keep rolling and he’s able to combine his passion for hockey with Glee and musical theater.

Just a couple of days ago, the Detroit Red Wings gave themselves and their fans a great Valentine’s gift: setting the NHL record for consecutive home game wins with their 21st victory.

They haven’t lost at home since November 3, and they’ve now bested the 20-game record that both the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers and 1929-30 Boston Bruins held.

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

The home crowd, of course, ate this up, shouting “21! 21!” during the final minutes of the game. The Joe Louis Arena fans were acknowledged by the Red Wings as the players stood at center ice and raised their sticks to the fans after the final buzzer sounded. It seems like the team is keeping their wits about them by not basking in the glory of the streak. Said coach Mike Babcock after the game: “I’m proud of the guys, they’ve worked hard—and now let’s get on with it.” I couldn’t agree more. Continue reading →

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-All Star Weekend

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

The All-Star Game isn’t over until we say so. Scott files the last word on the Thrilla in Ottawa. And Scott is an All-Star himself, a fiesty center for a NYC team, the Scapegoats.

I figured since “my guy,” Rangers’ forward Marian Gaborik, won the MVP award at this year’s NHL All Star Game, perhaps I should say something about the event. The NHL All Star Game does not tend to be an exciting event. The game itself is a diet version of an average hockey game. There is little to no checking involved since no one wants to get hurt over this meaningless game (as opposed to the MLB ASG in which the winning conference gets home field advantage during the championship game at the end of the season).

It is a high scoring game but that is more due to the lack of physicality, as I just mentioned, which then lends to the goalies not having as much of a chance of stopping the puck. So the high scoring is a result of an overwhelming advantage for the players and not so much a result of “exciting play.” Players due make an attempt to showcase their talent during the game but in my opinion I believe the Skills Competition is where we really get to see the stars’ abilities on display.  Continue reading →

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Counting Points

Posted on February 6, 2012 by

Brian’s Devils face the Rangers Tuesday evening and we get a post All-Star Game report. While the Devs are 4-0 since the break, Brian isn’t so sure his boys are Cup contenders and he suggest cleaning house. Yes, even Zach.

I’ve been a bit crankier than normal these first few weeks of 2012. I hit the holiday party scene pretty hard – too much food with the family, immediately followed by too much drink to get over spending so much time with the family. I’ve been doing the diet thing. Jennifer Hudson and me – we’re counting points, y’all! I Believe!

A dieting Brian isn’t always a sane or kind Brian, so perhaps I was hasty when I wrote a really long post (still unpublished) saying the Devils were going nowhere this season and that Parise wasn’t going to re-sign so Lou should trade him now.

Meanwhile, in Newark, something has been brewing since the All-Star Break. The Devils are 4-0 with all the wins coming against current playoff teams (and Montreal.  Sorry, @mattsko, I don’t know how I could mistake the Habs for a playoff team). 

Leading the second-half charge has been Ilya Kovalchuk, which gives the PB boys a reason to run the odd Kovy pillow fetish pic (though I wish they’d show the one which flashes his hairy legs and a one helluva calf muscle). During the four-game winning streak, Kovalchuk has 10 points (3G, 7A) and the winning shootout goal in the Rangers game.  

There have been times in his career when people (fans usually) have questioned Ilya’s passion for the game.  Continue reading →

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Out In The Locker Room

Posted on February 2, 2012 by

In the first two installments, Zach talked about the hockey experience and his road from the junior ranks to high school play. Zach is out to many players on his team but not all. He shares how he and his teammates manage.

While you’re making the transition from peewees to playing high school hockey, somewhere along the line you realize you’re gay. Did it impact your play?

Zach: I’ve kind of known since I was at a very young age.  I remember in second grade, I was attracted to one of my friends, and it’s just…  That’s just kind of like you don’t voice that feeling.  You’re just kind of like…  When all your buddies are talking about their crushes and all these other girls, you’re kind of sitting around and in your own mind wondering why you think you like him more than you like her, you know what I mean?

As far as the relationship of that to hockey, it’s kind of just always been something that’s always been left under the table. I haven’t really mentioned at all, I haven’t really said anything about it. But eventually, that curiosity leaks out. You don’t keep that in. 

You eventually start talking to people and doing things, and…  I think right around that transition time is really when I was kind of like, “Ok, I’m up in the big leagues now.”  I want to say that hockey actually helped give me that kind of epiphany like “All right, I’m in high school now.  I should start doing high school things.”  Continue reading →

Posted in The Thin Blue Line | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Transition Game

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

Beyond the Beltway, our very own Ted Starkey, has a nice following. Ahead of the All-Star break, Vinny, our Isles correspondent, spoke with Ted about all things Caps: Ted’s ownership, team culture, Ovi, Sasha, Bruce, white home jerseys,  and the DH32 - Turgeon hit. Our thanks to both gentlemen.

Vinny: What do you think of the Ovi suspension and subsequent hubbub after he removed himself from the All-Star game?

Ted: While I did think Alex Ovechkin would get some sort of suspension for his hit on Zbynek Michalek, I was surprised of the length of the suspension. I thought he would get a game or two based mostly on his prior history – most notably the hit on Brian Campbell in 2010 – but did think three was a bit excessive for the play.

What really surprised me was no discipline or fine on Michalek for his elbow to Jason Chimera, as people have seen, that can be a dangerous play and thought that definitely merited at least a fine. To do nothing on that play really sent a mixed message, in my opinion.

As for the All-Star Game, I think the suspension overlapping the event put him in a tough spot, either having to answer questions about the suspension there or not going at all. For a weekend that’s supposed to be fun for the players who go, I really understand why he’d want to skip it and don’t have a problem with it.

Vinny: Do you believe Alex Semin stays longterm as a Washington Capital? Is Mike Green’s tenure with the club nearing a conclusion as well? And what’s the latest on the Tom Poti situation?

Ted: The Alex Semin case will be interesting for the Capitals, as they’ve signed him to a one-year deal for back-to-back years and now will have to decide again to bring him back.

For a while, he appeared to be the likely candidate to get moved to create cap room for a potential deadline deal – if they could find a taker – but now with Mike Green on long-term injured reserve, they certainly don’t have to move him in that case. I could see Semin coming back if he would accept less money from his $6.7 million deal this season, but the KHL will likely make him a good offer to go back to his native Russia.

I don’t see a whole lot of market for a winger who doesn’t bring a whole lot in terms of marketing by not speaking English and a bit reserved, and one who still has to prove he can carry a club on his own – although this stretch certainly gives him a chance to prove that.

I think there is reason to be worried about Green’s future, as even after spending time rehabbing, he did not look good at all in his one full game against Calgary, even admitting afterwards he wasn’t happy with his performance.  He seems to be struggling with a long-term problem, and the team is hopeful surgery will correct the issue. But he has played very limited time since last February, so there will be concern with the rest of the year and when he becomes an RFA this summer.  Continue reading →

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All The King’s Men

Posted on January 29, 2012 by

Greg is back, even if his LA Kings are not. Pancakes, go-go boys, bitter beer face, and gay face. Are there any topics we won’t tackle? Oh, and Staples section 320, row 8, is a killer.

Jonathan Quick

The Kings are definitely not who we thought they were.  They cannot score.  Their power play is downright AWFUL.  Jonathan Quick has been spectacular this season however the team has been largely inconsistent, which cost a very nice man (Terry Murray) his job last month. Good news is the players are still pretty good-looking, so if this hockey thing doesn’t work out I’m sure most of them could be models.  Whether it be for John Varvatos on the runway or whether it be on the menu at IHOP. Yes, that’s right…Dustin Penner hurt himself while eating his wife’s “delicious pancakes”

   Good lord I hope this wasn’t a euphemism for something that no gay man wants to hear about.  I’d look up old Flapjacks’ stats, but they are incredibly disturbing considering his huge salary.  He’s underachieving and incredibly overpaid. 

Fact is, Dustin Penner missed a game because of a bad back that he aggravated whilst eating pancakes.  Were he in my group of friends, he would have immediately been crowned “fattest of the fat 2012”. Regardless, Penner is a total beard-o-sexual and I would buy him beer and a short stack any day. 

Continue reading →

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Wanted: #1 Goalie

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

Joseph files on the humongous big problem his Flyers have in net:

Sitting here while gearing up for the NHL All-Star Weekend, a series of events that I have always enjoyed but have grown fonder of in light of last year’s changes, I find myself lost in reflection of the Flyers’ season thus far. 

The first 48 games contributed to a dramatic storyline that saw the hardship we hoped would be avoided this year roar up from many seasons of continuous heartache. While the emergence of a solid rookie class has surprised all in Philly, the loss of Chris Pronger for the season (and career?), the constant revolving door of concussions and other injuries, and the disappointment of Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes are all reasons to be concerned. 

Granted, the rookies have filled in nicely and, while some would argue that the Flyers haven’t missed a beat with the injuries, I would rather say that they held up quite nicely and exceeded expectations (with some faltering, as is to be expected).

No, I don’t look at the defense and scream “get back!” this year, and getting the puck on net is, thankfully, not an issue.  Should a puck be fired at our own net, however, I cover my eyes like I’m 8 and I just walked in on my parents having sex. This year, I once again turn to the goalie carousel emerging before the All-Star break and leading us into the second “half” of the season. 

Signed to a $51 million dollar, 9-year contract in the off-season, the NHL’s #1 free agent goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, has played, at best, like Kris Humphries in a room of Kardashians… slow, dumb, and repeatedly confused. I’ve had it, and I’m here to make my stand. Let’s proceed.

Continue reading →

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