NHL: 2008 - 2009 season is upon us

[Grace]

It's not been just the one game. There were more than a few incidents in games 1 and 2. Remember Malkin and the "instigator" penalty that in normal situations would be an automatic one game suspension? But the NHL forgave him almost immediately.

The words "goon squad" are not mine - they come from a Pittsburgh reporter.

3 game misconduct penalties in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period - how dignified is that? If you know you are going to lose, why do you attempt to do great bodily harm to your opponent? There were none against the Wings in games 3 and 4 - both of which we lost.

[JenBKR]

It's not been just the one game. There were more than a few incidents in games 1 and 2. Remember Malkin and the "instigator" penalty that in normal situations would be an automatic one game suspension? But the NHL forgave him almost immediately.

The words "goon squad" are not mine - they come from a Pittsburgh reporter.

3 game misconduct penalties in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period - how dignified is that? If you know you are going to lose, why do you attempt to do great bodily harm to your opponent? There were none against the Wings in games 3 and 4 - both of which we lost.

You are entitled to your opinion, and I am entitled to mine. I'm not going to argue with you. However, I have seen then Pens all year, not just this series. I don't agree with attempting to hurt the other team, and I am not condoning that. I'm not happy that they did that either. That is not typical of them (well most of them, there are a few players that I have gotten upset with before for doing stupid things like that).

Sorry, I have to stick up for my team. No team in the league is perfect, including the wings.


EDIT: I didn't like the way I came across so I edited my post. I know that there is a lot of dislike for the Pens, and I tend to get upset and take it personally. I don't really understand the dislike for them, but I shouldn't take it personally. They have been a very special team to me since I was in 6th grade, watching them win the Cup with my father. So..I apologize for getting hotheaded.

[Grace]

And there is one team in particular that I could make comments about, but I choose not to mention it. Isn't that 'dignity?'

I would consider that as "class" - as in being one classy lady

[JenBKR]

I would consider that as "class" - as in being one classy lady

Thanks Grace, I appreciate that. I will just say that the team I was speaking about is in the same conference as the Pens and they have an intense rivalry. That does make for some fun games though!

[Grace]

Thanks Grace, I appreciate that. I will just say that the team I was speaking about is in the same conference as the Pens and they have an intense rivalry. That does make for some fun games though!

I'm quite sure I know which team you mean, but I will not mention it.

Back to the word "dignity" - using that in connection with the sport of hockey is oxymoronic, don't you think. Unless one goes back 40 - 50 years, to the Montreal Canadiens of Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard.

[Grace]

This is really going to p*ss people off -

From the Detroit News -

Monday, June 8, 2009
NBC blocks Joe Vision broadcast of Red Wings-Penguins
Terry Foster / The Detroit News

Detroit -- There will be no "Joe Vision" broadcast of Tuesday night's Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals because NBC would not rescind its exclusive rights to the telecast.

The game will not be shown at Pittsburgh's outdoor plaza either.

At issue is television ratings, and a large crowd at Joe Louis Arena could be hundreds -- if not thousands -- of television sets not tuned into NBC.

"It is certainly something we wanted to show but were unable to secure the rights," said Steve Violetta, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs for the Wings.

NBC representative Brian Walker did not immediately return a phone message for comment, but NHL media relations vice president Frank Brown confirmed the situation while expressing sympathy to Red Wing fans.

"We are very much in tune and very sensitive to the great experience that fans have by coming to a great venue and watching a great hockey game," Brown said. "That said we need to be sensitive to the business end of things and that business is ratings driven."

[RICHARD]

I'm quite sure I know which team you mean, but I will not mention it.

Back to the word "dignity" - using that in connection with the sport of hockey is oxymoronic, don't you think. Unless one goes back 40 - 50 years, to the Montreal Canadiens of Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard.

Don't forget Gump Worsley.


Watch, the Burgers will bombard NBC with calls and the game will air.

But, then again, you really can't trust a network that promotes Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow

[JenBKR]

I'm quite sure I know which team you mean, but I will not mention it.

Back to the word "dignity" - using that in connection with the sport of hockey is oxymoronic, don't you think. Unless one goes back 40 - 50 years, to the Montreal Canadiens of Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard.

So true! Too much testosterone perhaps

This is really going to p*ss people off -

From the Detroit News -

I know, NBC has been doing that in Pittsburgh too. They haven't been able to show any of the NBC games outside the arena. NBC just wants the ratings, and that's all they really care about

[Grace]

I know, that in the past, the Joe has shown the game - perhaps before the games were on NBC?

Anyway, they would charge a flat fee of $5, and all the money went to charity.

NBC - the Scrooge Network

[RICHARD]

It's 2:35 PST..On days when there is a big game I think about the players and try to think about how THEY feel hours from the opening faceoff!


Under pressure?

[Grace]

It's 2:35 PST..On days when there is a big game I think about the players and try to think about how THEY feel hours from the opening faceoff!

Under pressure?

Well, Bernie Smilovitz just interviewed Zetterberg on the local news, and Z is definitely not showing any pressure. Maybe because he's Swedish?
Hopefully that is the case, as our team is chock full of them -Swedes, that is.

[Grace]

Cup Trivia.

In order to have ones name engraved on Lord Stanley's Cup, a player must play in 41 regular season games or one game in the Finals.

The NHL makes exceptions for players who do not meet the standard because of injury or other extenuating circumstances.

That is why you will find the name of Vladimir Konstantinov on the 1998 list - even though he has not played a game since game 4 of the finals in 1997. Vlady was the inspiration for the Wings 1998 victory.

Their motto for 1998 was Believe - верить

[Grace]

Penguins 2

Wings 1

See you Friday night in Detroit.

[RICHARD]

Cup Trivia.

In order to have ones name engraved on Lord Stanley's Cup, a player must play in 41 regular season games or one game in the Finals.

The NHL makes exceptions for players who do not meet the standard because of injury or other extenuating circumstances.

That is why you will find the name of Vladimir Konstantinov on the 1998 list - even though he has not played a game since game 4 of the finals in 1997. Vlady was the inspiration for the Wings 1998 victory.

Their motto for 1998 was Believe - верить

I forgot about him............Thanks for the reminder.

Isn't that what the SC is about?

60 minutes.

[Puckstop31]

A game of bounces... And weird calls.... And a mistake by Nick Lidstrom. He pinched in when he should have hung back on the winning goal.

All we can hope for is a game as good as this one was in a few days. This was, by far, the most competitive game of the series. Fun to watch.


My prediction for game 7. 2-1 Wings, early in the first overtime. (I hope I am wrong....LOL)