For The <3 Of the Game- Hockey

It's Begun......

It's begun...... and who would have thought teams like New Jersey, Vancouver and Detroit would be the teams without a win and teams like St Louis, Colorado and Columbus would be thriving so early.
Now as a die-hard Vancouver fan I refuse to believe this is a sign of things to come. With the Canucks, losing their first three against Calgary, Columbus and Colorado, heads are being turned in Roberto Luongo's direction. Of course that captain insists that things are about to change, but what else are you suppose to say when your preformance has been less then brilliant.
Then again it is only a week into the season, but some number are just too hard to ignor. Vancouver has 13 goals against, last in the league....... yes even worst then Toronto at 12 goals against.
Now on a more positive note, Philadelphia, the Rangers, Washington, Calgary and San Jose, all have 10+ goals for; in just 10 games. And where as some players can go all season without a point, every player on Calgary's current roster has at least one point. Adam Pardy had 1 goal and 9 assist in all of last season, and now, has 1 goal and 2 assist in 3 games. Considering he's generally about a 60-65 (ish) games per season, kind of player thats putting him on pace for about 60 points this season. Unlikely, but possible.
We all know that stars shine bright, no matter what the season, and this one being no exception. The sky must be really clear in Washington because a few stars are brighter then others. The Great 8, Alex Ovechkin already has 5 goals, 4 assists and is a +6. Nicklas Backstrom has 8 assists and is a +5 rating. Alexander Semin has netted 4 goals and has 2 helpers and big # 21, Brooks Laich, has 3 of each, goals and assists.
Soon the 09-10 season will be in mid-flight and everyones true colors with come through. Who will be the surprise breakout player? Which rookie will step up? Which new acquisition will prove to be a smart deal and which one will be a disappointment? Will a budding Chicago squad make it to the cup finals and lose, making it three straight season, with 3 different teams, Hossa's been close enough to taste victory and be denied the chance to drink from Lord Stanley's cup? Who know, but it's sure going to be fun finding out. Let's all just sit back and enjoy!!! =]

Labels: Calgary Flames, nhl, Vancouver canucks, washington capitals

Free Agency! It keeps us on our toes! [part one]

New Teams

Mattias Ohlund-------------------from Vancouver to Tampa Bay

Marian Hossa---------------------from Detroit to Chicago

Ty Conklin------------------------from Detroit to St Louis

Dwayne Roloson------------------from Edmonton to NY Islanders

Mike Knuble----------------------from Philadelphia to Washington

Jaroslav Spacek-------------------from Buffalo to Montreal

Nikolai Khabibulin----------------from Chicago to Edmonton

Ian Laperriere--------------------from Colorado to Philadephia

Mike Cammalleri-----------------from Calgary to Montreal

Mike Komisarek------------------from Montreal to Toronto

Sami Pahlsson--------------------from Chicago to Columbus

Mathieu Garon-------------------from Pittsburgh to Columbus

John Madden---------------------from New Jersey to Chicago

Brian Gionta----------------------from New Jersey to Montreal

Martin Havlat--------------------from Chicago to Minnesota

Nik Antropov---------------------from NY Rangers to Atlanta

Adrian Aucoin--------------------from Calgary to Phoenix

Tyler Arnason--------------------from Colorado to NY Rangers

Mikael Samuelsson---------------from Detroit to Vancouver

All those in just the first three days......and i failed to mention a lot of other less effecting signings!

Labels: free agency, nhl

Asia Hockey League

I found this little article about a new hockey league in Asia. It sounds pretty crazy but they seem to have it under control and organized. Check it out!

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497976

They say a picture is worth. ...... .. ..

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes only one word comes to mind....Love <3

click thumbnail for full image

Labels: nhl

Ohlund Article- 03/02/09

http://www.vancouversun.com/Sports/forever+Canuck+classy+Ohlund+plays/1247539/story.html

interesting Ohlund Article about the possiblity of leaving Vancouver!

Labels: Mattias Ohlund

What Sound Does A Blackhawk Make?

~What sound does a blackhawk make?

It sounds something like 19000+ crazy fans screaming inside The United Center in Chicago!!

Deafening, I would assume.

Now unfortunately game 6 of the Hawks-Flames series, in which the Blackhawks dominated, was in Calgary, so everyone left with their hearing intact.

Calgary fans only had one occasion to cheer, when Bertuzzi scored his first and last goal of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, at the beginning of the 3rd period. The Flames were already down by three and Dustin Byfuglien eventually potted an empty netter to make it 4-1 and finish the Flames season.

Chicago, finally back in the playoffs, with more then just fighting words, a legitimate chance.

Youth is proving to be quite an asset. Experience is sparse upfront, but strong between the pipes. It's possible that 17 players on the Hawks roster could have made their post season debut this season.

Their Playoff experience looks something like this:

Nikolai Khabibulin--1 Stanley Cup Ring
---57 games----31 wins----25 loses----6 shutouts----.921Sv----2.29 GAA

with Winnipeg, Phoenix and Tampa Bay

Andrew Ladd--1 Stanley Cup Ring

---17 games----3 goals----2 assists----4 PM

with Carolina

Sami Pahlsson--1 Stanley Cup Ring

---64 games----7 goals----16 assists----50 PM

with Anaheim

Martin Havlat

---51 games----14 goals----20 assists----34 PM

with Ottawa