It takes a moment of epic magnitude to capture the hearts of an entire nation, not just sports fans. Even others around the world can be greatly inspired. While some of us were not born yet when one of the most memorable moments in American history took place, those that did not witness it have had plenty of ways to learn a lot about why it was.
As the 2010 Winter Olympic Games take place just 30 miles north of the border in Vancouver, undoubtedly I reflect back to 30 years ago today. That would be February 22, 1980. I was just a very little boy back then and hadn't even learned about the game of ice hockey yet. On this day, thanks to one of the greatest motivators and taskmasters as a head coach in the late Herb Brooks, he helped shape a group of 20 college age boys into men. He would make them into hockey players, those that not only dreamed of international glory, but were made true believers that anything can happen.
Brooks led the 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team to one of the most monumental upsets since Winter Olympic competition began. Dubbed as "The Miracle on Ice", it would be their 4-3 comeback victory over Russia at the Olympic Center (re-named Herb Brooks Arena in 2005) in Lake Placid, New York. The world will never forget the name of this village of 2,600 people nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, a 5-hour drive north of New York City.
The Russians were considered the best hockey country in the world and were a powerhouse with their dominance in the Winter Olympics. Having won every gold medal since 1956, many teams feared them. As it turned out, Brooks had his American squad not be.
Want to see game highlights of the "Miracle on Ice" game from February 22, 1980? Five years ago, ESPN Classic re-aired it. This is a very condensed 7½ minute version
of the game. (video courtesy: ABC Sports)
Despite Vladimir Krutov putting Russia (back then as the Soviet Union) ahead 1-0 and Sergei Makarov giving them a 2-1 advantage, leading scorer Mark Johnson pounced on a long rebound of Dave Christian's shot and tied the game as the clock ran out to end the first period. It would then lead to a controversial goaltender change as Russia head coach Viktor Tikhonov pulled legendary netminder Vladislav Tretiak in favor of backup Vladimir Myshkin. It would turned out to be Tikhonov's biggest mistake of his hockey career.
Despite Aleksandr Maltsev putting Russia back in front 3-2 in the second period, the Americans did not give up. Brooks had given a well-noted inspirational pregame speech, but here he warned his players that they'll never rest in their grave had they lost this game. Johnson would score again to knot the game at 3-3 with 11:21 left in the third period and captain Mike Eruzione would score the eventual winning goal with exactly 10 minutes remaining for a 4-3 United States lead.
Tension mounted and excitement built higher and higher as that game clock wound down. The crowd screaming and yelling, the birth of the "USA! USA! USA!" chants were born and goaltender Jim Craig held the fort to prevent Russia from ever scoring again that day. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the livecall made by Al Michaels on ABC Sports will be tattooed on the minds of Americans forever were said. "Five seconds left in the game... DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?! YES!"
The dream came true, despite all the political unrest of a superpower "Cold War" between the United States and Russia, our 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team not only set off a celebration of what is still regarded today as the greatest sports moment in history, but it helped make struggling Americans in a deep recession believe in themselves in many aspects of life.
The United States would later win that improbable gold medal two days after the "Miracle on Ice" with a 4-2 win over Finland.
The story of this game has been documented in the print media such as being featured on the March 2, 1980 cover of Sports Illustrated, then a 1981 television movie called Miracle on Ice as well as a 2001 HBO documentary Do You Believe in Miracles? and finally Disney's movie presentation of Miracle was released on February 6, 2004 starring actor Kurt Russell in the leading role of Herb Brooks.
Kurt Russell delivered a memorable re-creation of Herb Brooks' pregame speech in the 2004 release of Miracle.
(video courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures)
Miracle provided the Hollywood ending.
(video courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures)
Unfortunately, Brooks tragically died in a car accident on August 11, 2003 while driving on Interstate 35 in Forest Lake, Minnesota. It was before Miracle made it to movie theaters. But Americans will never forget what he did to enable the Americans to defeat the heavily favored Russians. A life size statue was erected outside the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota in his honor that same year. He would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006.
Regardless if you are an American or from any other country, you have to be impressed with not only the fact the United States won, but HOW they did it 30 years ago today.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Six teams to open 2010-2011 season in Europe
The National Hockey League announced earlier today that a record six teams will open the 2010-2011 season in Europe. NHL.com writer Dan Rosen fills us in on the details:
The NHL is expanding its foray overseas for the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere games.
What started as an experiment with the Kings and Ducks going to London to start the 2007-08 season has turned into three major events on the NHL schedule to start the 2010-11 season.
"The Premiere Games are a highly anticipated part of our season launch, and we are extremely pleased that six teams -- more than ever -- will open their season in Europe," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "With these games, nearly half of our Clubs will have participated in Premiere -- a testament to how excited our teams are to be playing before our outstanding fans in Europe."
A record six teams will be opening next season in three different European cities.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild will play two regular-season games against each other at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on Thursday, Oct. 7 and Friday, Oct. 8.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks will square off for two games at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9.
The Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes will play each other at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10.
The NHL has played regular-season games in all three arenas before, but never all in the same season.
"The 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Games, featuring six participating clubs this year, represents our continued commitment to growing hockey outside of North America, further displaying the talent of the NHL players internationally," said Mike Ouellet, NHLPA Chief of Business Affairs. "Fans in Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic will have the opportunity to watch some of their own home-grown players competing in these regular season NHL games, which will certainly be a great experience for everyone involved."
This season, the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues opened in Stockholm, while the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks did the same in Helsinki. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators opened the 2008-09 season in Stockholm on the same days the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning were playing in Prague.
"I think it's going to be a great experience, to go back and play in your home country," Hurricanes defenseman and Finland native Joni Pitkanen told NHL.com. "I think it's good because we have three Finns (Pitkanen, Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen), and we're playing the Wild and they have the same (Niklas Backstrom, Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen)."
As the current rosters stand, 18 players could be going back to their home countries with their respective NHL teams.
Backstrom will probably be the most recognizable player in Helsinki by local media and fans alike. He is a Helsinki native and a national team goalie. Koivu, Miettinen and Ruutu are also headed to the Olympics for Finland.
Coyotes' forwards and Czech natives Petr Prucha and Radim Vrbata already played in Prague two years ago when Prucha was with the Rangers and Vrbata was with the Lightning.
They could be going back with fellow countrymen Martin Hanzal, Robert Lang and Zbynek Michalek. Boston could be represented by Czech natives David Krejci and Vladimir Sobotka.
Michalek and Krejci will play for the Czech Republic in the Olympics.
Douglas Murray would be the only Swede playing for the Sharks, but the Blue Jackets could have Kristian Huselius, Fredrik Modin, Sammy Pahlsson and Anton Stralman. Murray, Pahlsson and Modin are slated to play for Sweden in the Olympics.
"It's going to be huge games," Pitkanen said. "Once in a lifetime experience."
In regards to team-by-team coverage, only the Carolina Hurricanes held a live press conference to make the announcement.
video courtesy: Carolina Hurricanes
Also, each team focused on the common theme of participating players who are from the countries where they'll play those NHL Premiere games.
"To show your family and friends who you grew up with and who have been supporting you, helping you on the way here, it's a nice thing to show them some NHL hockey," Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom told Glen Andresen, the Managing Editor of Wild.com.
"My father likes hockey, but he's never been here to watch games. He's never flown in his life," Backstrom's teammate Antti Miettinen said. "He doesn't like airplanes, so I'm excited that he'll probably be there. To play in front of friends and family is going to be great."
The Minnesota Wild's Finnish players react to the news they will have that "once in a lifetime" chance to play an NHL game in their native country. (video courtesy: Minnesota Wild)
Even Wild head coach Todd Richards offered his perspective on the significance of his team starting next season in Finland.
"From a team-building standpoint, I think it's great that you're on the road and you get to spend some time with one another," Richards said. "I look at it as a great experience and a chance for your team to get out and be with one another."
Minnesota Wild head coach Todd Richards spoke to the media about his team opening next season overseas.
(video courtesy: Minnesota Wild)
Overall, this experience for these six teams will be something really special. It has for the other participating teams who have played such games in Europe in each of the last three years.
All six teams have posted their own news releases of the announcement.
Boston Bruins official news release (February 9):
Bruins to open 2010-2011 NHL season in Prague
Carolina Hurricanes official news release (February 9):
Hurricanes to open 2010-2011 season in Helsinki, Finland
Columbus Blue Jackets official news release (February 9):
Columbus Blue Jackets to open 2010-2011 season vs. Sharks in Stockholm, Sweden
Minnesota Wild official news release (February 9):
Hei Suomi!
Phoenix Coyotes official news release (February 9):
Phoenix Coyotes one of record six NHL teams that will face off in Europe to open the 2010-2011 regular season on October 7-10
San Jose Sharks official news release (February 9):
Sharks off to Sweden
The NHL is expanding its foray overseas for the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere games.
What started as an experiment with the Kings and Ducks going to London to start the 2007-08 season has turned into three major events on the NHL schedule to start the 2010-11 season.
"The Premiere Games are a highly anticipated part of our season launch, and we are extremely pleased that six teams -- more than ever -- will open their season in Europe," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "With these games, nearly half of our Clubs will have participated in Premiere -- a testament to how excited our teams are to be playing before our outstanding fans in Europe."
A record six teams will be opening next season in three different European cities.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild will play two regular-season games against each other at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on Thursday, Oct. 7 and Friday, Oct. 8.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks will square off for two games at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, Oct. 8 and Saturday, Oct. 9.
The Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes will play each other at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday, Oct. 9 and Sunday, Oct. 10.
The NHL has played regular-season games in all three arenas before, but never all in the same season.
"The 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Games, featuring six participating clubs this year, represents our continued commitment to growing hockey outside of North America, further displaying the talent of the NHL players internationally," said Mike Ouellet, NHLPA Chief of Business Affairs. "Fans in Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic will have the opportunity to watch some of their own home-grown players competing in these regular season NHL games, which will certainly be a great experience for everyone involved."
This season, the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues opened in Stockholm, while the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks did the same in Helsinki. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators opened the 2008-09 season in Stockholm on the same days the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning were playing in Prague.
"I think it's going to be a great experience, to go back and play in your home country," Hurricanes defenseman and Finland native Joni Pitkanen told NHL.com. "I think it's good because we have three Finns (Pitkanen, Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen), and we're playing the Wild and they have the same (Niklas Backstrom, Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen)."
As the current rosters stand, 18 players could be going back to their home countries with their respective NHL teams.
Backstrom will probably be the most recognizable player in Helsinki by local media and fans alike. He is a Helsinki native and a national team goalie. Koivu, Miettinen and Ruutu are also headed to the Olympics for Finland.
Coyotes' forwards and Czech natives Petr Prucha and Radim Vrbata already played in Prague two years ago when Prucha was with the Rangers and Vrbata was with the Lightning.
They could be going back with fellow countrymen Martin Hanzal, Robert Lang and Zbynek Michalek. Boston could be represented by Czech natives David Krejci and Vladimir Sobotka.
Michalek and Krejci will play for the Czech Republic in the Olympics.
Douglas Murray would be the only Swede playing for the Sharks, but the Blue Jackets could have Kristian Huselius, Fredrik Modin, Sammy Pahlsson and Anton Stralman. Murray, Pahlsson and Modin are slated to play for Sweden in the Olympics.
"It's going to be huge games," Pitkanen said. "Once in a lifetime experience."
In regards to team-by-team coverage, only the Carolina Hurricanes held a live press conference to make the announcement.
video courtesy: Carolina Hurricanes
Also, each team focused on the common theme of participating players who are from the countries where they'll play those NHL Premiere games.
"To show your family and friends who you grew up with and who have been supporting you, helping you on the way here, it's a nice thing to show them some NHL hockey," Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom told Glen Andresen, the Managing Editor of Wild.com.
"My father likes hockey, but he's never been here to watch games. He's never flown in his life," Backstrom's teammate Antti Miettinen said. "He doesn't like airplanes, so I'm excited that he'll probably be there. To play in front of friends and family is going to be great."
The Minnesota Wild's Finnish players react to the news they will have that "once in a lifetime" chance to play an NHL game in their native country. (video courtesy: Minnesota Wild)
Even Wild head coach Todd Richards offered his perspective on the significance of his team starting next season in Finland.
"From a team-building standpoint, I think it's great that you're on the road and you get to spend some time with one another," Richards said. "I look at it as a great experience and a chance for your team to get out and be with one another."
Minnesota Wild head coach Todd Richards spoke to the media about his team opening next season overseas.
(video courtesy: Minnesota Wild)
Overall, this experience for these six teams will be something really special. It has for the other participating teams who have played such games in Europe in each of the last three years.
All six teams have posted their own news releases of the announcement.
Boston Bruins official news release (February 9):
Bruins to open 2010-2011 NHL season in Prague
Carolina Hurricanes official news release (February 9):
Hurricanes to open 2010-2011 season in Helsinki, Finland
Columbus Blue Jackets official news release (February 9):
Columbus Blue Jackets to open 2010-2011 season vs. Sharks in Stockholm, Sweden
Minnesota Wild official news release (February 9):
Hei Suomi!
Phoenix Coyotes official news release (February 9):
Phoenix Coyotes one of record six NHL teams that will face off in Europe to open the 2010-2011 regular season on October 7-10
San Jose Sharks official news release (February 9):
Sharks off to Sweden
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Davis Payne replaces Andy Murray as Blues head coach
The National Hockey League has seen the first head coach receive the axe in this brand new decade.
Earlier this morning, the St. Louis Blues announced that they have fired head coach Andy Murray and replaced him with Davis Payne on an interim basis. Payne was in his first season as head coach of the Blues' primary minor league affilite, the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.
The Blues own the worst home record in the NHL with a 6-15 mark through 21 games played at Scottrade Center this season, including three non-regulation losses. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference and nine points out of the final playoff spot. St. Louis blew a 3-0 third period lead in their last game on Thursday night before falling 4-3 to the visiting Vancouver Canucks in overtime. It was their fourth consecutive loss.
Payne will make his Blues head coaching debut tonight as his team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks.
St. Louis Blues official news release (January 2):
Davis Payne named interim head coach
Earlier this morning, the St. Louis Blues announced that they have fired head coach Andy Murray and replaced him with Davis Payne on an interim basis. Payne was in his first season as head coach of the Blues' primary minor league affilite, the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League.
The Blues own the worst home record in the NHL with a 6-15 mark through 21 games played at Scottrade Center this season, including three non-regulation losses. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference and nine points out of the final playoff spot. St. Louis blew a 3-0 third period lead in their last game on Thursday night before falling 4-3 to the visiting Vancouver Canucks in overtime. It was their fourth consecutive loss.
Payne will make his Blues head coaching debut tonight as his team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks.
St. Louis Blues official news release (January 2):
Davis Payne named interim head coach
Friday, January 1, 2010
USA Hockey unveils roster for 2010 men's Olympic team
Immediately after the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic concluded, USA Hockey announced their men's roster for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Seen live on NBC's broadcast of the third National Hockey League's outdoor game in league history today at Fenway Park between the Philadelphia Flyers and host Boston Bruins, kids dressed in USA Hockey jerseys were lined up on the ice surface and each turned around to the camera to show the announced roster player. The final player to be introduced by Bruins public address announcer Jim Martin was goaltender Tim Thomas.
video courtesy: NBC and NHL Productions
Here are the 22 NHL players selected to represent the United States next month. The Olympic hockey tournament will take place from February 16th to February 28th. For an in-depth look at the 2010 men's Olympic team, check out complete player biographies within the 2009 orientation camp guide.
FORWARDS
David Backes
Dustin Brown
Ryan Callahan
Chris Drury
Patrick Kane
Ryan Kesler
Phil Kessel
Jamie Langenbrunner
Zach Parise
Joe Pavelski
Bobby Ryan
Paul Stastny
DEFENSEMEN
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Mike Komisarek
Paul Martin
Brooks Orpik
Brian Rafalski
Ryan Suter
GOALTENDERS
Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Tim Thomas
Among the notable veteran NHL players that did not make this year's team would be Scott Gomez of the Montréal Canadiens, Bill Guerin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars, Brian Rolston of the New Jersey Devils and Keith Tkachuk of the St. Louis Blues.
Does this mean that this is marking a changing of the guard to the younger generation of American players?
"We don't have the big-name recognition like we did at the 1996 World Cup, but we do have what we feel is a deeper and broader pool than ever before. We've put some exciting young players in the League the last 3-4 years - the (Phil) Kessels and (Patrick) Kanes of the world," Team USA general manager Brian Burke explained.
Burke added, "We've got some grizzled veterans who have participated and competed - the Tkachuks, Modanos and Guerins. We have to figure out what the balance is. We're not closing the door on that (older) generation, but we're not promising anything either. If it's time to turn the page, we're prepared to do that."
Team USA general manager Brian Burke talks to NHL Network's Bill Clement and Brian Duff about the decision-making process in finalizing the 2010 men's Olympic team.
(video courtesy: NHL Productions)
With this group of players in which only four have had prior Olympic experience (Drury, Gomez, Langenbrunner and Rafalski), what does Team USA head coach Ron Wilson want from them?
"We want to play a fast, aggressive, forechecking style that tries to get the puck and control the puck all the time," Wilson told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale. "We hope, in the few days we have with the team before the Games, we're able to solidify that style of play and execute it on the ice."
As an underdog against the favored hockey powers Canada and Russia, can the United States capture their first Gold medal since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey team?
"As I've said before, no bold predictions, no bulletin board material, we're there to win," Burke said.
Seen live on NBC's broadcast of the third National Hockey League's outdoor game in league history today at Fenway Park between the Philadelphia Flyers and host Boston Bruins, kids dressed in USA Hockey jerseys were lined up on the ice surface and each turned around to the camera to show the announced roster player. The final player to be introduced by Bruins public address announcer Jim Martin was goaltender Tim Thomas.
video courtesy: NBC and NHL Productions
Here are the 22 NHL players selected to represent the United States next month. The Olympic hockey tournament will take place from February 16th to February 28th. For an in-depth look at the 2010 men's Olympic team, check out complete player biographies within the 2009 orientation camp guide.
FORWARDS
David Backes
Dustin Brown
Ryan Callahan
Chris Drury
Patrick Kane
Ryan Kesler
Phil Kessel
Jamie Langenbrunner
Zach Parise
Joe Pavelski
Bobby Ryan
Paul Stastny
DEFENSEMEN
Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson
Mike Komisarek
Paul Martin
Brooks Orpik
Brian Rafalski
Ryan Suter
GOALTENDERS
Ryan Miller
Jonathan Quick
Tim Thomas
Among the notable veteran NHL players that did not make this year's team would be Scott Gomez of the Montréal Canadiens, Bill Guerin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars, Brian Rolston of the New Jersey Devils and Keith Tkachuk of the St. Louis Blues.
Does this mean that this is marking a changing of the guard to the younger generation of American players?
"We don't have the big-name recognition like we did at the 1996 World Cup, but we do have what we feel is a deeper and broader pool than ever before. We've put some exciting young players in the League the last 3-4 years - the (Phil) Kessels and (Patrick) Kanes of the world," Team USA general manager Brian Burke explained.
Burke added, "We've got some grizzled veterans who have participated and competed - the Tkachuks, Modanos and Guerins. We have to figure out what the balance is. We're not closing the door on that (older) generation, but we're not promising anything either. If it's time to turn the page, we're prepared to do that."
Team USA general manager Brian Burke talks to NHL Network's Bill Clement and Brian Duff about the decision-making process in finalizing the 2010 men's Olympic team.
(video courtesy: NHL Productions)
With this group of players in which only four have had prior Olympic experience (Drury, Gomez, Langenbrunner and Rafalski), what does Team USA head coach Ron Wilson want from them?
"We want to play a fast, aggressive, forechecking style that tries to get the puck and control the puck all the time," Wilson told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale. "We hope, in the few days we have with the team before the Games, we're able to solidify that style of play and execute it on the ice."
As an underdog against the favored hockey powers Canada and Russia, can the United States capture their first Gold medal since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey team?
"As I've said before, no bold predictions, no bulletin board material, we're there to win," Burke said.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Phoenix Coyotes hope to build on success of franchise record 10 straight home wins
The best possible script through the first half of the 2009-2010 National Hockey League season seems to have been written for the Phoenix Coyotes.
Earlier tonight, Phoenix bounced back from a gut-wrenching 3-2 shootout loss in San Jose with a huge 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Jobing.com Arena.
"The party's on, eh?" Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett chuckled with a smile. "That's the way it goes."
Most importantly, with the win, the Coyotes set a new franchise record by winning their 10th straight home game. It would surpass the previous mark of 9 in a row between December 27, 1992 to January 23, 1993 when the team was the Winnipeg Jets.
Lauri Korpikoski scored the deciding shootout goal and backup goaltender Jason LaBarbera made 28 saves to propel Phoenix to victory. LaBarbera kept the puck out of his net on all three Vancouver shootout attempts to improve his season record to 3-3 in 7 starts with a .924 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against-average. It was his first career home win in a Coyotes uniform after his previous two were both in Columbus earlier this season.
LaBarbera may not play much as was the case last season when he was with the Canucks, but he doesn't seem to mind with this group of Phoenix Coyotes.
"It's not easy, but to be honest, it's just fun to come to the rink," LaBarbera told Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic. "It's easy to come and be prepared and be focused. If you're losing, it's miserable coming to the rink, and it's easy to lose your focus."
He added, "We have such a great group here, such a close bunch. I like to come to the rink. We like to be around each other. It makes it much easier, doesn't matter if I'm playing or not."
Ed Jovanovski and Petr Prucha also scored for Phoenix, a team that has won 12 of their last 16 games overall since November 27th. Mikael Samuelsson and Kyle Wellwood tallied goals for visiting Vancouver.
There is no doubt under Tippett in his first season behind the bench, the team has bought into his coaching system and as a result, he appears to have a hard-working and fundamentally sound hockey club that is building more confidence from each game.
"I'm just proud of how hard the guys competed," Tippett said during the postgame press conference. "I mean you've got Vancouver on a winning streak, sitting here last night watching our game on TV. We played a hard, hard game in San Jose and we come back here and the guys muster up that kind of effort, it makes our whole coaching staff very proud."
video courtesy: Phoenix Coyotes
Note the word PROUD in that last quote. When you hear your bench boss say that, you know that not only are you getting your job done, but you're performing well at a high level where you believe you can win every single game you play.
That is something you rarely if ever heard from any head coach over the last several years during this playoff drought in the desert.
Following a tumultuous summer and autumn of uncertainty over the immediate future of the franchise, we observers can say that the Coyotes are undoubtedly off to an outstanding start to their season.
Fans across central Arizona and the hockey world are finally starting to take notice in the hockey team.
"It is so awesome. They have been through so much. And they are showing what a strong team they really are. I love our COYOTES!!!"
- Cathy Jean Turley
"They just keep shocking the doubters! And will continue to do so... playoffs baby... They're special alright, in very good way. These folks better wake up! This team's for real."
- Brian Hart
"The 'Yotes and their fans deserve this record breaking event. It's wonderful to get tangible reinforcement that all their hard work is paying off. We're so proud of them and so proud to be fans."
- Monique Reaux
"If I had to sum up how I feel about the record breaking feat last night at Jobing.com Arena, I would have to say that, as a Coyote fan since day one of this organization, there's no better feeling than to have the organization begin to write their own history and records so that the fans of the Jets who seem to have a deep-seeded loathing for the Desert Dogs can stop saying that 'we' have stolen 'their' history."
- Jim Appenauer
"After a 'perfect storm' of horrible problems over the summer, Coyotes fans finally have something wonderful to look forward to! We have an awesome home record this season, the crowds are getting better and the Coyotes organization is doing everything they can to bring the fans back to the arena.
It is great to honor the history of the Jets organization, but breaking the home winning streak is some new Coyotes history I am extremely proud to be a part of! The town is buzzing with talk of the Coyotes - in a GOOD way - for the first time in years!"
- Heather Schroeder
President of the Phoenix Coyotes Booster Club
"This is a huge accomplishment for the Coyotes and their fans. The Valley is starting to wake up and take notice of our team. I feel this is just the beginning of an era of good things to come for the Phoenix Coyotes!"
- Heather McWhorter
President of the Save The Coyotes Coalition
It may be evident in the number of fans in the seats at the Coyotes' home rink in Glendale, Arizona, just 13 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. Since 10,030 showed up last Wednesday night to see starting goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov blank the Anaheim Ducks for a 4-0 victory, the team hosted 16,131 patrons on Saturday night to see a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Tonight's game drew 13,976 fans into the building despite a noticeable contingent rooting for the Canucks.
"Please tell your friends," Coyotes television and radio host Todd Walsh said at the conclusion of last Saturday's pregame ceremony honoring team captain Shane Doan's 1,000th NHL game. "There is something happening out here. And to quote a certain coach in these parts, sorry Dave Tippett. As you said on opening night in Los Angeles, it's something special. These men have proven that thus far this season."
But the biggest question of all as the new calendar year being almost here would be, can Phoenix learn from last season's second half collapse and remain a consistent winning hockey team for the remainder of this campaign?
After he was stopped by LaBarbera in the shootout to end the game, Samuelsson expressed his belief that the Coyotes are a much more competitive team than years past.
"If you think you're coming to Phoenix for an easy two points, that's not the case now," he said.
"You see it time and again, especially since the lockout, you have these teams that people don't expect to play well," Coyotes defenseman Adrian Aucoin said four days ago. "You don't need superstars, you just need everyone to play really well. You don't need anybody to be great, but you need everybody to be good. So I don't think it's that surprising."
Now exactly halfway through the regular season schedule, the Coyotes are 25-16 with 53 points in 41 games. That includes three losses in either overtime or after a shootout. They're one of only eight teams that have reached the 50-point plateau and sit just two points behind the Western Conference-leading San Jose Sharks and overall league lead.
Now 10 straight home wins and counting, Coyotes general manager Don Maloney likes the team's chances of duplicating the first half success in the second half of the season.
"What pleases me is that we played so many tight games in the first half, so playing in 3-2, 2-1, 1-0 games is not going to faze us in the second half," Maloney said. "I think we're built for the long haul."
In an Arizona Republic poll, 96% of nearly 3,700 votes feel the Coyotes will make the playoffs. It certainly is remarkable how a few extra wins can suddenly boost the confidence of a team and the fans. Only time will tell if that comes true.
For complete highlights from this memorable game, check out the video clip below.
video courtesy: Canucks PPV/NHL Productions
Earlier tonight, Phoenix bounced back from a gut-wrenching 3-2 shootout loss in San Jose with a huge 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Jobing.com Arena.
"The party's on, eh?" Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett chuckled with a smile. "That's the way it goes."
Most importantly, with the win, the Coyotes set a new franchise record by winning their 10th straight home game. It would surpass the previous mark of 9 in a row between December 27, 1992 to January 23, 1993 when the team was the Winnipeg Jets.
Lauri Korpikoski scored the deciding shootout goal and backup goaltender Jason LaBarbera made 28 saves to propel Phoenix to victory. LaBarbera kept the puck out of his net on all three Vancouver shootout attempts to improve his season record to 3-3 in 7 starts with a .924 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against-average. It was his first career home win in a Coyotes uniform after his previous two were both in Columbus earlier this season.
LaBarbera may not play much as was the case last season when he was with the Canucks, but he doesn't seem to mind with this group of Phoenix Coyotes.
"It's not easy, but to be honest, it's just fun to come to the rink," LaBarbera told Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic. "It's easy to come and be prepared and be focused. If you're losing, it's miserable coming to the rink, and it's easy to lose your focus."
He added, "We have such a great group here, such a close bunch. I like to come to the rink. We like to be around each other. It makes it much easier, doesn't matter if I'm playing or not."
Ed Jovanovski and Petr Prucha also scored for Phoenix, a team that has won 12 of their last 16 games overall since November 27th. Mikael Samuelsson and Kyle Wellwood tallied goals for visiting Vancouver.
There is no doubt under Tippett in his first season behind the bench, the team has bought into his coaching system and as a result, he appears to have a hard-working and fundamentally sound hockey club that is building more confidence from each game.
"I'm just proud of how hard the guys competed," Tippett said during the postgame press conference. "I mean you've got Vancouver on a winning streak, sitting here last night watching our game on TV. We played a hard, hard game in San Jose and we come back here and the guys muster up that kind of effort, it makes our whole coaching staff very proud."
video courtesy: Phoenix Coyotes
Note the word PROUD in that last quote. When you hear your bench boss say that, you know that not only are you getting your job done, but you're performing well at a high level where you believe you can win every single game you play.
That is something you rarely if ever heard from any head coach over the last several years during this playoff drought in the desert.
Following a tumultuous summer and autumn of uncertainty over the immediate future of the franchise, we observers can say that the Coyotes are undoubtedly off to an outstanding start to their season.
Fans across central Arizona and the hockey world are finally starting to take notice in the hockey team.
"It is so awesome. They have been through so much. And they are showing what a strong team they really are. I love our COYOTES!!!"
- Cathy Jean Turley
"They just keep shocking the doubters! And will continue to do so... playoffs baby... They're special alright, in very good way. These folks better wake up! This team's for real."
- Brian Hart
"The 'Yotes and their fans deserve this record breaking event. It's wonderful to get tangible reinforcement that all their hard work is paying off. We're so proud of them and so proud to be fans."
- Monique Reaux
"If I had to sum up how I feel about the record breaking feat last night at Jobing.com Arena, I would have to say that, as a Coyote fan since day one of this organization, there's no better feeling than to have the organization begin to write their own history and records so that the fans of the Jets who seem to have a deep-seeded loathing for the Desert Dogs can stop saying that 'we' have stolen 'their' history."
- Jim Appenauer
"After a 'perfect storm' of horrible problems over the summer, Coyotes fans finally have something wonderful to look forward to! We have an awesome home record this season, the crowds are getting better and the Coyotes organization is doing everything they can to bring the fans back to the arena.
It is great to honor the history of the Jets organization, but breaking the home winning streak is some new Coyotes history I am extremely proud to be a part of! The town is buzzing with talk of the Coyotes - in a GOOD way - for the first time in years!"
- Heather Schroeder
President of the Phoenix Coyotes Booster Club
"This is a huge accomplishment for the Coyotes and their fans. The Valley is starting to wake up and take notice of our team. I feel this is just the beginning of an era of good things to come for the Phoenix Coyotes!"
- Heather McWhorter
President of the Save The Coyotes Coalition
It may be evident in the number of fans in the seats at the Coyotes' home rink in Glendale, Arizona, just 13 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. Since 10,030 showed up last Wednesday night to see starting goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov blank the Anaheim Ducks for a 4-0 victory, the team hosted 16,131 patrons on Saturday night to see a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Tonight's game drew 13,976 fans into the building despite a noticeable contingent rooting for the Canucks.
"Please tell your friends," Coyotes television and radio host Todd Walsh said at the conclusion of last Saturday's pregame ceremony honoring team captain Shane Doan's 1,000th NHL game. "There is something happening out here. And to quote a certain coach in these parts, sorry Dave Tippett. As you said on opening night in Los Angeles, it's something special. These men have proven that thus far this season."
But the biggest question of all as the new calendar year being almost here would be, can Phoenix learn from last season's second half collapse and remain a consistent winning hockey team for the remainder of this campaign?
After he was stopped by LaBarbera in the shootout to end the game, Samuelsson expressed his belief that the Coyotes are a much more competitive team than years past.
"If you think you're coming to Phoenix for an easy two points, that's not the case now," he said.
"You see it time and again, especially since the lockout, you have these teams that people don't expect to play well," Coyotes defenseman Adrian Aucoin said four days ago. "You don't need superstars, you just need everyone to play really well. You don't need anybody to be great, but you need everybody to be good. So I don't think it's that surprising."
Now exactly halfway through the regular season schedule, the Coyotes are 25-16 with 53 points in 41 games. That includes three losses in either overtime or after a shootout. They're one of only eight teams that have reached the 50-point plateau and sit just two points behind the Western Conference-leading San Jose Sharks and overall league lead.
Now 10 straight home wins and counting, Coyotes general manager Don Maloney likes the team's chances of duplicating the first half success in the second half of the season.
"What pleases me is that we played so many tight games in the first half, so playing in 3-2, 2-1, 1-0 games is not going to faze us in the second half," Maloney said. "I think we're built for the long haul."
In an Arizona Republic poll, 96% of nearly 3,700 votes feel the Coyotes will make the playoffs. It certainly is remarkable how a few extra wins can suddenly boost the confidence of a team and the fans. Only time will tell if that comes true.
For complete highlights from this memorable game, check out the video clip below.
video courtesy: Canucks PPV/NHL Productions
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Welcome to opening night!
I posted this at The Program hockey blog, so I will add it to my own right here. Basically, I was asked to rate each game based on their matchups.
Were you bored stiff from watching Stanley Cup playoff game re-runs on NHL Network? Maybe relied too much on some archived games in your personal collection to keep your hockey fix going during those long summer days?
Have no fear because that long anticipated day has arrived. The start of the 2009-2010 National Hockey League season is finally here! With four games slated to begin the autumn month of October, there are some good matchups to get your hockey season off to a good start in your viewing pleasure. I will rate each game on a scale of 1 to 5 beer mugs. The more beer, the better the matchup. A pretty straight forward concept to remember, right?
WASHINGTON AT BOSTON, 7:00 PM Eastern Time
With a season filled with promise a year ago, the Southeast Division champion Washington Capitals were unable to get past the Pittsburgh Penguins last spring. Now they have a loftier goal in mind. That would be to get to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals and if it means dethroning the defending champions, so be it. With their superstar sniper Alexander Ovechkin, he will have to once again put up MVP numbers and more importantly have a supporting cast to make that happen. For example, without Semyon Varlamov picking up where he left off after Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals, free agent acquisitions Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison contributing regularly on the offensive side of the ice or Brooks Laich being an important center who netted back-to-back 20-goal seasons, it would be really tough to achieve that goal.
The Boston Bruins finished first in the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference last season with 116 points and were expected to go deep into the playoffs. But they failed to advance past the second round. Scott Walker ended any hope the Bruins could see their first Stanley Cup title since 1972. His overtime winning goal lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to an unlikely Game 7 victory in Boston. Another team in search of redemption. There will be no Phil Kessel in their lineup, but the Bruins will still have Marc Savard to make a serious contribution as one of their top forwards. And don't forget that Tim Thomas will be expected to have another solid season between the pipes.
Washington won 3 of the 4 meetings last season with Jose Theodore recording two of those Capitals victories. Savard and Alexander Semin each had 5 points in the season series for their respective teams.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 3½ mugs out of 5
MONTREAL AT TORONTO, 7:00 PM Eastern Time
For two teams that failed to make a serious impact on last season, each have something to prove the skeptics wrong about their expectations for the new campaign. The Montréal Canadiens slipped into the playoffs as the #8 seed in the East only to get crushed by the Bruins in the first round. Bob Gainey as general manager had made some major changes to the team roster over the summer by trading Christopher Higgins to the New York Rangers for Scott Gomez as well as some minor leaguers switching allegiances. The Canadiens also added Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri up front in free agent signings while also bringing in Hal Gill and Paul Mara to add size for their blueline. Plenty of high expectations as usual in Montréal.
Adding intrigue to this opening night matchup is defenseman Mike Komisarek trading in the blanc, bleu and rouge for the simple color scheme of the blue and white of the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the offseason free agent signings haven't knocked Leafs fans' socks off, it is still a period for the Leafs in which general manager Brian Burke is simply trying to improve the makeup of their roster. No sniff at the playoffs last season and this hockey hotbed certainly demands a lot more than what they got in the 2008-2009 season. Kessel will be a major contributor on the club, but will he have teammates that can regularly put the puck in the net? Will Toronto be a lot better on special teams than they were a year ago where they were absolutely dreadful?
These two Original Six teams split six meetings last season with each winning 2 out of 3 on the road. Jaroslav Halak won all three of Montréal's victories while Vesa Toskala had one win each home and away. Toronto won't have to worry about Alexei Kovalev being a Leaf killer as he burned them for 9 points in the 6 games. He signed with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent. Alexei Ponikarovsky finish with 7 points against Montréal in the season series.
Had these two teams had been better overall, I just might have given them another beer mug. If you live in either Montréal or Toronto, you'd likely disagree with me anyway. It's always a compelling matchup when you're in Canada and love your hockey.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 2 mugs out of 5
SAN JOSE AT COLORADO, 10:00 PM Eastern Time
For the San Jose Sharks, they have been a team during the last 4 years that achieved great regular season success only to end up with major playoff disappointment. Last season was no exception to that. After finishing with a franchise record and league-best 53 wins and 117 points during the 2008-2009 campaign, the Sharks fell flat on their collective face and lost to their Pacific Division rival Anaheim Ducks in six playoff games. Only defenseman Dan Boyle and former captain Patrick Marleau managed to score more than a single goal in that series.
Tonight, San Jose will face a Colorado Avalanche team that was on the opposite end of the regular season standings from a year ago. The Avalanche finished with an NHL-low 190 goals and earned just 69 points, undisputedly their worst season since moving from Quebec City to Denver in 1995. But they will have their newest sniper in the lineup this evening as forward Dany Heatley will make his Sharks debut. San Jose acquired Heatley during this summer from the Senators for forwards Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek plus a 2010 second round draft pick.
While this stands to possibly be a game heavily favored for the Sharks, this is a night which the Avalanche will be without their long-time captain Joe Sakic on the ice. Sakic retired over the summer after an outstanding career in which recorded 1,641 points with the franchise, good for 8th all-time in NHL history. During his 20 years as a player, Sakic won two Stanley Cup championships as well. Tonight, the team will retire his #19 jersey in a pregame ceremony. Will that be the only highlight of the night for Colorado fans? Or will the Avalanche pull out a surprising opening night victory at the Pepsi Center?
The Sharks won all four meetings against the Avalanche during the 2008-2009 season. Colorado getting a victory tonight will already improve on what they couldn't do back then.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 3 mugs out of 5
VANCOUVER AT CALGARY, 10:00 PM Eastern Time
Right off the bat, we have two highly competitive teams that have fought for Northwest Division supremacy for at least the last two seasons. The Vancouver Canucks outlasted the Calgary Flames to claim the division crown in the final week by just a two-point margin last season. But each would fall to the Chicago Blackhawks in the postseason. Not exactly what was expected for these two clubs.
Vancouver fared well during the preseason with a 7-2 record in 9 games that actually don't even matter in the grand scheme of things. But it was a good tune-up for what counts for real in the standings. They knocked off Calgary twice in shootout fashion during the preseason, but does that really matter now? Only if the Canucks can rely on those two wins for their own confidence in such close games when Roberto Luongo is between the pipes.
Luongo's matchup against his netminding counterpart Miikka Kiprusoff is plenty enough for even the casual hockey fans to watch. If you tuned in to either The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada or the NHL Network in the United States back on Saturday night, you missed a goaltending duel in which Luongo prevailed in a five-round 2-1 shootout win. If it is anything like five nights ago, this could very well be the game of the night.
The Canucks did make some changes during the offseason as they brought in goaltender Andrew Raycroft to back up Luongo, Mikael Samuelsson and Sergei Shirokov as two new forwards plus Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome on defense. Can they make an immediate impact? Will Kevin Bieksa have another strong year on the blueline after posting 43 points during the 2008-2009 campaign? How will the Sedin twins do after signing identical lucrative new contracts? The pressure will certainly be on them if Vancouver is to go to the Western Conference Finals and beyond in 2010.
As for the Flames, they will need their captain Jarome Iginla to play big this season. Against a team such as the Canucks, he will have to fight his way for more room on valuable ice, create scoring chances and when possible, score a goal or two. If he does tonight, Calgary stands a solid chance in winning their season opener. Their defense undoubtedly gets a boost with the pre-draft trade acquistion defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to help out the likes of Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr and Cory Sarich.
Vancouver won 4 of 6 meetings last season and it is not expected to be much different in terms of highly competitive close games through this campaign.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 4 mugs out of 5
It may be just four games and only eight of the thirty teams playing on this October 1st, but these matchups certainly will be worth your time and interest. That said, LET'S PLAY HOCKEY!
Were you bored stiff from watching Stanley Cup playoff game re-runs on NHL Network? Maybe relied too much on some archived games in your personal collection to keep your hockey fix going during those long summer days?
Have no fear because that long anticipated day has arrived. The start of the 2009-2010 National Hockey League season is finally here! With four games slated to begin the autumn month of October, there are some good matchups to get your hockey season off to a good start in your viewing pleasure. I will rate each game on a scale of 1 to 5 beer mugs. The more beer, the better the matchup. A pretty straight forward concept to remember, right?
WASHINGTON AT BOSTON, 7:00 PM Eastern Time
With a season filled with promise a year ago, the Southeast Division champion Washington Capitals were unable to get past the Pittsburgh Penguins last spring. Now they have a loftier goal in mind. That would be to get to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals and if it means dethroning the defending champions, so be it. With their superstar sniper Alexander Ovechkin, he will have to once again put up MVP numbers and more importantly have a supporting cast to make that happen. For example, without Semyon Varlamov picking up where he left off after Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals, free agent acquisitions Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison contributing regularly on the offensive side of the ice or Brooks Laich being an important center who netted back-to-back 20-goal seasons, it would be really tough to achieve that goal.
The Boston Bruins finished first in the Northeast Division and Eastern Conference last season with 116 points and were expected to go deep into the playoffs. But they failed to advance past the second round. Scott Walker ended any hope the Bruins could see their first Stanley Cup title since 1972. His overtime winning goal lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to an unlikely Game 7 victory in Boston. Another team in search of redemption. There will be no Phil Kessel in their lineup, but the Bruins will still have Marc Savard to make a serious contribution as one of their top forwards. And don't forget that Tim Thomas will be expected to have another solid season between the pipes.
Washington won 3 of the 4 meetings last season with Jose Theodore recording two of those Capitals victories. Savard and Alexander Semin each had 5 points in the season series for their respective teams.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 3½ mugs out of 5
MONTREAL AT TORONTO, 7:00 PM Eastern Time
For two teams that failed to make a serious impact on last season, each have something to prove the skeptics wrong about their expectations for the new campaign. The Montréal Canadiens slipped into the playoffs as the #8 seed in the East only to get crushed by the Bruins in the first round. Bob Gainey as general manager had made some major changes to the team roster over the summer by trading Christopher Higgins to the New York Rangers for Scott Gomez as well as some minor leaguers switching allegiances. The Canadiens also added Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri up front in free agent signings while also bringing in Hal Gill and Paul Mara to add size for their blueline. Plenty of high expectations as usual in Montréal.
Adding intrigue to this opening night matchup is defenseman Mike Komisarek trading in the blanc, bleu and rouge for the simple color scheme of the blue and white of the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the offseason free agent signings haven't knocked Leafs fans' socks off, it is still a period for the Leafs in which general manager Brian Burke is simply trying to improve the makeup of their roster. No sniff at the playoffs last season and this hockey hotbed certainly demands a lot more than what they got in the 2008-2009 season. Kessel will be a major contributor on the club, but will he have teammates that can regularly put the puck in the net? Will Toronto be a lot better on special teams than they were a year ago where they were absolutely dreadful?
These two Original Six teams split six meetings last season with each winning 2 out of 3 on the road. Jaroslav Halak won all three of Montréal's victories while Vesa Toskala had one win each home and away. Toronto won't have to worry about Alexei Kovalev being a Leaf killer as he burned them for 9 points in the 6 games. He signed with the Ottawa Senators as a free agent. Alexei Ponikarovsky finish with 7 points against Montréal in the season series.
Had these two teams had been better overall, I just might have given them another beer mug. If you live in either Montréal or Toronto, you'd likely disagree with me anyway. It's always a compelling matchup when you're in Canada and love your hockey.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 2 mugs out of 5
SAN JOSE AT COLORADO, 10:00 PM Eastern Time
For the San Jose Sharks, they have been a team during the last 4 years that achieved great regular season success only to end up with major playoff disappointment. Last season was no exception to that. After finishing with a franchise record and league-best 53 wins and 117 points during the 2008-2009 campaign, the Sharks fell flat on their collective face and lost to their Pacific Division rival Anaheim Ducks in six playoff games. Only defenseman Dan Boyle and former captain Patrick Marleau managed to score more than a single goal in that series.
Tonight, San Jose will face a Colorado Avalanche team that was on the opposite end of the regular season standings from a year ago. The Avalanche finished with an NHL-low 190 goals and earned just 69 points, undisputedly their worst season since moving from Quebec City to Denver in 1995. But they will have their newest sniper in the lineup this evening as forward Dany Heatley will make his Sharks debut. San Jose acquired Heatley during this summer from the Senators for forwards Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek plus a 2010 second round draft pick.
While this stands to possibly be a game heavily favored for the Sharks, this is a night which the Avalanche will be without their long-time captain Joe Sakic on the ice. Sakic retired over the summer after an outstanding career in which recorded 1,641 points with the franchise, good for 8th all-time in NHL history. During his 20 years as a player, Sakic won two Stanley Cup championships as well. Tonight, the team will retire his #19 jersey in a pregame ceremony. Will that be the only highlight of the night for Colorado fans? Or will the Avalanche pull out a surprising opening night victory at the Pepsi Center?
The Sharks won all four meetings against the Avalanche during the 2008-2009 season. Colorado getting a victory tonight will already improve on what they couldn't do back then.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 3 mugs out of 5
VANCOUVER AT CALGARY, 10:00 PM Eastern Time
Right off the bat, we have two highly competitive teams that have fought for Northwest Division supremacy for at least the last two seasons. The Vancouver Canucks outlasted the Calgary Flames to claim the division crown in the final week by just a two-point margin last season. But each would fall to the Chicago Blackhawks in the postseason. Not exactly what was expected for these two clubs.
Vancouver fared well during the preseason with a 7-2 record in 9 games that actually don't even matter in the grand scheme of things. But it was a good tune-up for what counts for real in the standings. They knocked off Calgary twice in shootout fashion during the preseason, but does that really matter now? Only if the Canucks can rely on those two wins for their own confidence in such close games when Roberto Luongo is between the pipes.
Luongo's matchup against his netminding counterpart Miikka Kiprusoff is plenty enough for even the casual hockey fans to watch. If you tuned in to either The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada or the NHL Network in the United States back on Saturday night, you missed a goaltending duel in which Luongo prevailed in a five-round 2-1 shootout win. If it is anything like five nights ago, this could very well be the game of the night.
The Canucks did make some changes during the offseason as they brought in goaltender Andrew Raycroft to back up Luongo, Mikael Samuelsson and Sergei Shirokov as two new forwards plus Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome on defense. Can they make an immediate impact? Will Kevin Bieksa have another strong year on the blueline after posting 43 points during the 2008-2009 campaign? How will the Sedin twins do after signing identical lucrative new contracts? The pressure will certainly be on them if Vancouver is to go to the Western Conference Finals and beyond in 2010.
As for the Flames, they will need their captain Jarome Iginla to play big this season. Against a team such as the Canucks, he will have to fight his way for more room on valuable ice, create scoring chances and when possible, score a goal or two. If he does tonight, Calgary stands a solid chance in winning their season opener. Their defense undoubtedly gets a boost with the pre-draft trade acquistion defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to help out the likes of Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr and Cory Sarich.
Vancouver won 4 of 6 meetings last season and it is not expected to be much different in terms of highly competitive close games through this campaign.
Game matchup BEER RATING: 4 mugs out of 5
It may be just four games and only eight of the thirty teams playing on this October 1st, but these matchups certainly will be worth your time and interest. That said, LET'S PLAY HOCKEY!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Barclays Center officials want Islanders to consider Brooklyn as future home
Remember any talk in the recent past about the idea of the New York Islanders heading west to Brooklyn? It may not be a pipe dream for some fans.
According to Chris Botta of New York Islanders Point Blank, a National Hockey League source has told him that the team was approached by officials in charge of the Barclays Center project to consider their proposed arena as a future place to play. The state did approve the revised plans of the $800 million Atlantic Yards facility on Thursday (three days ago), but whether or not it will ultimately be built still is a question mark.
Here is something to keep in mind. As it stands right now, the Islanders are not allowed to play any home games within New York City's boundaries. The New York Rangers hold territorial rights to the five boroughs of the city.
As of now regardless of whether or not the Islanders would even be entertaining such an option to remain in the nation's largest metropolitan area, the Barclays Center's sporting events have been designed only to accommodate basketball games. It would need additional modifications to allow hockey games to be played there.
The primary focus for owner Charles Wang is to have the Lighthouse at Long Island project approved by Town of Hempstead and Nassau County officials. The most recent hearing was held at Hofstra University on August 4th (click here for WLNY-TV's report). A zoning hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd. If this major project is approved, then the massive Nassau Coliseum transformation can begin. But until then, the Islanders' long-term future on Long Island remains uncertain.
According to Chris Botta of New York Islanders Point Blank, a National Hockey League source has told him that the team was approached by officials in charge of the Barclays Center project to consider their proposed arena as a future place to play. The state did approve the revised plans of the $800 million Atlantic Yards facility on Thursday (three days ago), but whether or not it will ultimately be built still is a question mark.
Here is something to keep in mind. As it stands right now, the Islanders are not allowed to play any home games within New York City's boundaries. The New York Rangers hold territorial rights to the five boroughs of the city.
As of now regardless of whether or not the Islanders would even be entertaining such an option to remain in the nation's largest metropolitan area, the Barclays Center's sporting events have been designed only to accommodate basketball games. It would need additional modifications to allow hockey games to be played there.
The primary focus for owner Charles Wang is to have the Lighthouse at Long Island project approved by Town of Hempstead and Nassau County officials. The most recent hearing was held at Hofstra University on August 4th (click here for WLNY-TV's report). A zoning hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd. If this major project is approved, then the massive Nassau Coliseum transformation can begin. But until then, the Islanders' long-term future on Long Island remains uncertain.
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