NHL: 2008 - 2009 season is upon us

[phesina]

Gretchen, just WHAT is the deal with the octopi? I gather you're supposed to throw one on the ice after the Red Wings score, but why?

There was a feature on the Ch. 4 evening news tonight about a guy who owns a fish market ("o-FISH-al headquarters") near the arena. He is well-stocked with the cephalopods for all the loyal fans. He demonstrated the proper way to grasp the critter to throw it.

[Grace]

Grace, there was a news story that was just on tv tonight. It would almost impossible for Detroit fans to buy octopus in Pittsburgh for the Stanley Cup series. You'd have to show some sort of Pittsburgh or Pa. idenification to buy it.

Ahhh, but there are many places to buy in Detroit. Then all one has to do is cook it before leaving for Pittsburgh . . . . .

[RICHARD]

The octopus has eight legs and the 8 is the number of games needed to win a SC trophy back in the days when there was a handful of teams.

Now that the playoff format has changed - I think you need to win 12? - the octupi still represents a successful run at the trophy and people think that tossing an octopus on the ice after a goal is the reason to do so, but it's totally a different meaning.

The ban has been in effect for the SC series in different cities for years!

http://proicehockey.about.com/od/his...it_octopus.htm

[Grace]

The octopus has eight legs and the 8 is the number of games needed to win a SC trophy back in the days when there was a handful of teams.

Now that the playoff format has changed - I think you need to win 12? - the octupi still represents a successful run at the trophy and people think that tossing an octopus on the ice after a goal is the reason to do so, but it's totally a different meaning.

The ban has been in effect for the SC series in different cities for years!

http://proicehockey.about.com/od/his...it_octopus.htm

The magic number is 16. So one would need two octopuses to toss. Come to Michigan, Richard, and I'll give you lessons on how to toss one . . . . . . I promise it will be fun

Then we could go to Greektown and have some calamari and ouzo.

[RICHARD]

Then we could go to Greektown and have some calamari and ouzo.

Oh hell.......contact a bail bondsman and leave a deposit. just in case?

Oh, can we bring Peter Puck with us?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnCO33mBUpA

[cassiesmom]

Soooo... The Hawks lost last night. (SIGH) But it has been a lot of fun watching them, and watching Chicago become a town interested in them again. Hey, I just today found out that one of the Hawks is from the same town as PT's own Fritz03, Bowmanville, Ontario (that's Bryan Bickell). No word on Havlat or Khabibuhlin's injuries. Chicago is a town that is very good at waiting Until Next Year because of our Cubs! So, Hawks - Until Next Year, thanks for a great year!

[RICHARD]

Goodbye Peter Zezel,

Thanks for the thrills and memories.

[Grace]

Wings 3

Penguins 1

[Puckstop31]

Wings 2nd goal, game 2....


DANG, they are good. And lucky. ANd good at hiding the cheating. But thats all part of being good.

Hossa TOTALLY got away with a slash setting up that goal. Oy. But Malkin allowed that goal, checking the "hated" Holmstrom down on top of Fleury. I'm sure he went down easy...


These Wings are good. REALLY good. All the more reason to root against them. LOL It is getting SO old watching this.

Come on Pens... Where is the transition speed we are so used to seeing? The Wings are 1-3-1 on D... STRETCH passes in the neutral zone. Take a chance, you have too... Left winger at the top, looking for that pass.

I love this game.

ETA... Pens, get Stall to play like a power forward... Take the chances. Bull Stall to the net. Make the Wings play him and get some interference calls.

[Puckstop31]

This series will be the worst nightmare of the new rules. Past few seasons, its called to the letter... Until OT in the playoffs and.or the finals.

I would have called interference 7 times already.... On Kronwall 3 times. On Malkin, twice.

This would be WAY more fun with a lot of special teams play, eh?

[Puckstop31]

Were I a betting man... I'd put $500 on this to be a sweep. A dominating one at that. Oy.


I am in AWE of just how good the Red Wings are.

[Grace]

RED WINGS - 3

Penguins - 1

[sparks19]

I agree.

the pens can hold their own in the first period and partway through the second... but after that? they are just running on empty and the redwings still have a full tank.

The pens are goign to have to pull off some kind of miracle to win this

[Puckstop31]

Watching the post game...

Zetterberg got away with covering up the puck in the crease. Oy. Its true what they are saying about "bounces" for the Pens. A millimeter here and there... Its 3-1 Pens.

Not making excuses Grace... Just a very educated observation. The Wings are VERY, VERY good. But this means they are VERY good at the "gamesmanship" part of the game too. LOL

Come on Pens... What do you have to lose? Forecheck 2-2-1. GO for it. STRETCH the neutral zone. Heck... Cherry Pick the left winger from time to time. Make the Wings do something REactive. Oh and go 5/7 hole on Osgood. Stop trying high glove/blocker. It ain't working and he is looking for it.

[Grace]

Watching the post game...

Zetterberg got away with covering up the puck in the crease. Oy. Its true what they are saying about "bounces" for the Pens. A millimeter here and there... Its 3-1 Pens.

Not making excuses Grace... Just a very educated observation. The Wings are VERY, VERY good. But this means they are VERY good at the "gamesmanship" part of the game too. LOL

Come on Pens... What do you have to lose? Forecheck 2-2-1. GO for it. STRETCH the neutral zone. Heck... Cherry Pick the left winger from time to time. Make the Wings do something REactive. Oh and go 5/7 hole on Osgood. Stop trying high glove/blocker. It ain't working and he is looking for it.

My only response to your comments - did you happen to see Matt Cooke and/or Hal Gill last evening? Penalties that weren't called? It works both ways. I prefer that the refs let them 'play the game'.

The Wings are good - and have been good for 2 decades now. That is not a reason for me to suddenly cheer for some other team. One reason why they are so exceptional -

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