Tuesday, October 30, 2007

I'm Sorry, Could You Say That Again?



You know I never thought of Jaromir Jagr as either being particularly tough or particularly funny but last night he was both. In case you missed the game, Jagr mishandled a puck on a breakaway, got in the face by that selfsame puck moments later and then watched as Vincent Lecavalier scored on a penalty shot for the Lightning. After the game, some not particularly kind member of the press asked the Rangers Captain what he was thinking after seeing Leclavier score.

Jagr's reply? "I was still looking for my teeth."

Thursday, October 25, 2007

How Cool is This?!



For the first time that I know of, Wollman Rink is being opened up for hockey. And not just any hockey. Pond hockey! Good old fashioned shinny, Tuesday nights at 9:30 pm. Click on the link for more details and see you on the ice!

'Tis the Season



Bryant Park opens up tomorrow morning at 8 am! I'm sure the recent rain won't have helped but at least it's gotten colder. I haven't skated on the pond yet but I only work a few blocks away so I'm looking forward to being able to get in a daily skate.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Let the Games Begin!


Believe it or not, Lasker Rink is open for business! Who cares if it still feels like labor Day weekend as long as we get to play some hockey!

Adult Co-Ed Evaluations are tomorrow, Thursday, October 25 from 7-8:15 pm. Click on the link above for more details.

Pardon the Interruption



Sorry about that folks. My company launched a new comic book and a new website this past week (check out www.the99.org if you're interested) so the past week has been extra hectic. Like the Ottawa Senators, I promise to come back from the layoff sharp and strong as ever!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Sean Avery Talks to the New York Times

Thanks to Ritch at American Hockey Fan for the heads up on this. By the way, if you're a "sandpaper" player for your team, you may not want to say things like "I just got a lovely cashmere throw from a friend who works at Calvin Klein". Esa Tikannen would have made a carrer out of making fun of all the metrosexual stuff Avery let's spill in this piece.
Sean Avery - New York Rangers - Hockey - Money -Wealth - New York Times

Friday, October 12, 2007

Funny Tim Robbins story

From the Islanders Point Blank Blog. Anybody, who has seen Tim Robbins on skates knows that he can give Zdeno Chara a run for the money in the height department. Always knew Al Arbour was hard core. NYI Point Blank

Breaking Ritchie Duncan's Heart



I've written before about my pal, Ritch Duncan. He's a fellow Mighty Squirrel, a top notch hockey blogger, and an all around good guy. And I'm about to shatter his dreams.

For the past couple of days Ritchie has been blogging on American Hockey Fan about the marketing efforts to launch the new NHL store in Manhattan. Ritchie is going up there today to get his first glimpse at that most beloved of hockey icons, the Stanley Cup.

Except, not really. The Cup that is generally brought out to these events is a replica cup created in 1995. Why would the league create a copy of hockey's holy grail? Blame the Rangers.

You see back in 1994 the boys got a little raucous and managed to break Lord Stanley's mug in to three different pieces. After the repair effort the league decided that it might be better not to have so much wear and tear on their beloved trophy so the replica was created.

For the record, I was lucky enough to drink out of the Stanley Cup during that amazing June in 1994 and then see the cup up close again later in that summer (I had friends who worked for the Rangers organization and they had it at their house!). The next summer, another friend of mine who was a die hard Devils fan dragged me to Jimmy Dowd's bar to see the cup. At that point I didn't mind seeing him get all gushy about a fake trophy. After all, he was a Claude Lemieux fan who had dragged me to Brick, NJ.

But Ritchie man. He deserves better.

Because in this new hockey world of hi tech sweaters, hockey themed Starbucks and franchises in Nashville every real hockey fan should be able to see the embodiment of everything we love about the sport.

And it doesn't get any more real than that.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Bachelor of Hockey


With Rangers tickets hard to come by and Devils single game tickets not even on sale yet, folks are probably wondering how they can see some top quality hockey for a reasonable price. Luckily the city's college hockey season kicks off this week. Fordham open up against the Ramapo Saints at the Ice Hutch this Friday at 8:45 pm. meanwhile, back in the city NYU take on the University of Scranton at Sky Rink at 8:30 pm. Columbia open up next Friday with a tilt against St. Thomas at the Palisades Mall. Game time is 9:20 pm. All three matches offer a chance to see some quality hockey at a fraction of NHL prices some make sure to check them out!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Game Time Decision

Looks like Time Warner weren't the only folks having last minute negotiations with the NHL ...

On the Rangers Beat: Cablevision OKs Center Ice

Thursday, October 4, 2007

I'm Sore Today

Why? Because it's Thursday and I've been doing this for the last two nights ...



Seriously, Blue Streak is awesome. They offer a trial session for free and everyone should check it out. You'll hurt afterwards but boy will you have fun!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Dave Andrews Gets It, Even if Paul Holmgren Doesn't

globeandmail.com: Globe on Hockey - Duhatschek: The AHL lowers the boom on Steve Downie

TV Timeout Over



Looks like Time Warner's deal with the NHL worked out after all. I was able to call up and order CENTER ICE no problem this week. I'm still surprised that they waited to offer it so close to the start of the season but if it means I get to watch HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA on Saturday night then I'm a happy camper.

Time Warner is also offering the NHL NETWORK this season but I didn't bite. I've been able to see the channel when I've gone back to Canada (where it's been offered for a couple of years) and like a lot of similarly themed channels it's content poor. Sure it's great to see classic old games and the occasional behind the scenes piece but if you've got CENTER ICE, MSG, FSN, and SNY and VS. on offer already where are you going to find the time to watch more hockey? If you're a complete puckhead then go for it but the rest of us won't be missing much.

Besides if you're that obsessive, you can watch CENTER ICE ONLINE, ISLANDERS TV, DEVILS TV, and other team channels on your computer. No Rangers online channel yet as they have not succumbed to Gary Bettman's vision of "one league to rule them all" and think the NHL is equivalent to the Soprano family for even thinking of asking them to share rights and revenues. I'm not completely sold on watching games online yet but I hope it will be something that hockey fans outside of the US and Canada can take full advantage of. It could also come in handy if NBC decides to cut away from the conference finals again.

For all the complaints about the League not being on ESPN, we are definitely spoiled for choice in NYC. I wish people would stop thinking that Stan Fischler is this city's answer to Don Cherry but I'm always excited that we get to see as much hockey as we do throughout the season.

The Heartbreak Continues

Sean Avery's not the only hockey player getting dumped these days.

Kellie Pickler Drops Her Cheatin' Tootoo - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Fringe Benefits for the Islanders



Things are going well for Mike Comrie these days. In addition to centering the Islanders top line, the gossip sites tell us he's Hilary Duff's newest boy toy. How long before the Islanders try for a double header with La Duff? She could sing the national anthem, take a break while the game goes on and then use Miroslav Satan, John Sim and the rest of the team as her backup dancers.



If nothing else it gives the lunch bucket Islanders a little celebrity glam off the court. Especially now that Elisha Cuthbert and Sean Avery have supposedly called it quits.

Note to the Devils: This doesn't mean that Patrick Elias should start dating Ashlee Simpson

Monday, October 1, 2007

Paul Holmgren still doesn't get it

ESPN - Downie and out: Suspended winger sent to AHL - NHL: "Downie will be ineligible to play until his case is reviewed by AHL commissioner David Andrews. The AHL can uphold or alter the suspension or dismiss it. Regardless of the AHL's call, Downie will still need to sit out 20 NHL games. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren told reporters Friday that the team plans to have Downie serve the NHL suspension in blocks, calling him up from time to time to serve the 20 games. Downie has not played an NHL game with the Flyers and was expected to start the season in the minor leagues. But injuries this week to forwards Scottie Upshall, R.J. Umberger and Joffrey Lupul boosted the chances that the 20-year-old prospect could have started the year with the big club. 'He can go the American League and play,' Holmgren was quoted as saying in the Philadelphia Daily News. 'Our plan is to make this suspension go away as quickly as possible. And because of our cap situation, we're probably going to have to get creative.' Holmgren added that the 20-year-old forward would be recalled to the big club on days the AHL team is not playing."