So, first off, congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings for a stellar post-season to capture Lord Stanley's Cup. They're an impressive team, with a great group of players who deserve every moment. And kudos to New Jersey, a group of experienced, talented players who turned heads all post-season.
With that in mind, with the NHL Awards being on Wednesday, as well with me being from Ottawa, I was overjoyed with the hardware the Senators took home. Erik Karlsson won the Norris Trophy as top defenceman, and he was up against Nicklas Lidstrom and Zdeno Chara, a former Senator. With Lidstrom retiring, I think it would've been a great homage to send him out with another trophy. Karlsson is a young player with a ton of potential, and he will have his time once again, and hopefully with the Stanley Cup.
I wanted coach MacLean to win the Jack Adams award, but reading up on how Ken Hitchcock took the struggling St. Louis Blues, and leading them to a 43-15-11 record after replacing Davis Payne, is really something.
With the NHL draft coming later tonight (its 2:15 EST as I'm writing this), I'm excited to see who will be drafted. In my opinion, its much more open this year, meaning there isn't a clear-cut player who we all know will go number 1 overall. It will be an exciting few days of NHL transactions that are going to unfold.
Friday, 22 June 2012
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Game 5 in New Jersey
The Devils managed a 3rd period push to save themselves for another game. Game 5 is in NJ on Saturday, and I really hope this is the start of a comeback. What a story that would be eh? Coming back from 3 games down in the final to win the Stanley Cup.
I was in disbelief, but very impressed, at the speed of LA's power play this evening, scoring almost immediately off the draw. But Martin Brodeur would let that be the only puck go by him.
It's a shame that the NHL isn't following the every-second-day game rotation, but it works because people can sit back and watch it on a Saturday, plus I wouldn't be able to watch it on Friday anyways.
Let's see if LA can follow the trend of winning the Cup on the road.
I was in disbelief, but very impressed, at the speed of LA's power play this evening, scoring almost immediately off the draw. But Martin Brodeur would let that be the only puck go by him.
It's a shame that the NHL isn't following the every-second-day game rotation, but it works because people can sit back and watch it on a Saturday, plus I wouldn't be able to watch it on Friday anyways.
Let's see if LA can follow the trend of winning the Cup on the road.
Stanley Cup in Los Angeles
The new NHL champions could be crowned as early as tomorrow, with LA having a 3-0 threshold on New Jersey for the Cup Final. It would be great to see the Kings win it for the first time in they're existence. Although I love and respect Martin Brodeur, I would love to see him hoist it one more time. As for a return next season, I would love it, but wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if he decided to hang the skates for a final time. I loved that his father was able to watch him play in game 2, but a shame they lost in overtime.
But you have to be impressed with Los Angeles and how they've preformed this post season. They're perfect on the road, and only 2 loses out of the 17 games they've played. An amazing record for an 8th seed that people predicted to be eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks. Speaking of the Canucks, if Los Angeles can win game 4, this'll be the third year in a row the Canucks have lost to the cup champion team (Chicago in 2010, Boston in 2011, and LA in 2012). Must be bad luck somewhere in Rogers Arena, or maybe the Sedins have the wrong skates on.
Back on track, it'll be nice to sit down with some friends, watch the game, have a few beers and watch the cup potentially be won at home since Detroit won it in 2008 (people can quote me if I'm wrong). Hope you all are able to watch and enjoy what may be, the last NHL game this season before September comes.
Cheers!
But you have to be impressed with Los Angeles and how they've preformed this post season. They're perfect on the road, and only 2 loses out of the 17 games they've played. An amazing record for an 8th seed that people predicted to be eliminated by the Vancouver Canucks. Speaking of the Canucks, if Los Angeles can win game 4, this'll be the third year in a row the Canucks have lost to the cup champion team (Chicago in 2010, Boston in 2011, and LA in 2012). Must be bad luck somewhere in Rogers Arena, or maybe the Sedins have the wrong skates on.
Back on track, it'll be nice to sit down with some friends, watch the game, have a few beers and watch the cup potentially be won at home since Detroit won it in 2008 (people can quote me if I'm wrong). Hope you all are able to watch and enjoy what may be, the last NHL game this season before September comes.
Cheers!
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Game 1 and my inability to watch it
Folks, game 1 of the cup final tonight. My prediction? Well, it can go ether way. I love LA and they're talent, but I've been a huge Martin Brodeur fan since I was a wee-little boy. As much as I want New Jersey taking their 4th cup in 17 years, I think the Kings have been patient... And by patient I mea 45 years patient.
I might not be able to catch it because I am currently in the waiting room of the doctors office. For the past few days my throat/mouth has been in a peril of pain and swolleness. I thought it was time to give in and check in with the professionals. I think my home remedies of Halls cough drops and ginger ale serves its purpose, but not in this case.
I might not be able to catch it because I am currently in the waiting room of the doctors office. For the past few days my throat/mouth has been in a peril of pain and swolleness. I thought it was time to give in and check in with the professionals. I think my home remedies of Halls cough drops and ginger ale serves its purpose, but not in this case.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Stanley Cup Finals and I'm an adult
A little while has passed, and quite a bit has happened in the hockey world, and my personal world.
New York defeated Washington in quite the hard-fought series. As much as I wanted the Capitals to win (because NY took out Ottawa, and it would be quite the underdog story for Braden Holtby), it would be cool to see a Lundqvist/Kings final. But, I want New Jersey to take it to the Cup final. Give Brodeur one more. That would be a sweet way to retire; do the ol' Scotty Bowman "sign your papers during the ceremony" sherrah. Although he does have a couple Stanley Cups, some hardware, including two Olympic medals, one more can't hurt?
And, today, I officially became an adult. I'm still trying to comprehend it actually. I can now legally vote, own a credit card, buy lottery tickets, all that jazz.
18 years ago my mother gave birth to possibly the greatest thing since the telephone (who are we kidding). All jokes aside, I'm blessed I've been able to spend 18 wonderful, amazing years with an amazing group of supportive and wonderful people. Many thanks to those who have made my life a blast to live!
New York defeated Washington in quite the hard-fought series. As much as I wanted the Capitals to win (because NY took out Ottawa, and it would be quite the underdog story for Braden Holtby), it would be cool to see a Lundqvist/Kings final. But, I want New Jersey to take it to the Cup final. Give Brodeur one more. That would be a sweet way to retire; do the ol' Scotty Bowman "sign your papers during the ceremony" sherrah. Although he does have a couple Stanley Cups, some hardware, including two Olympic medals, one more can't hurt?
And, today, I officially became an adult. I'm still trying to comprehend it actually. I can now legally vote, own a credit card, buy lottery tickets, all that jazz.
18 years ago my mother gave birth to possibly the greatest thing since the telephone (who are we kidding). All jokes aside, I'm blessed I've been able to spend 18 wonderful, amazing years with an amazing group of supportive and wonderful people. Many thanks to those who have made my life a blast to live!
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Canucks throwbacks
Going back to my graphic work for NHL 04, doing a new set of jerseys that I will have available for download. Its the Vancouver Canucks alternate jersey worn in 1996/97. Don't get confused with the ones worn a year before when some teams expanded with third jerseys; the ones in 1995/96 had straight black socks, clashing with the pants. The year later added stripes to the socks, and made the foreground colour a dark-red to match the uniform.
The gradients were a bit difficult to work with. Not so much on the chest and back, mainly the arms. Duplicating the layer with the gradient style added caused it to not show. Had to re-add it. Nonetheless here it is. I like the outcome, managed to get the C in the logo to fit inside the yellow bar without too much trouble.
The gradients were a bit difficult to work with. Not so much on the chest and back, mainly the arms. Duplicating the layer with the gradient style added caused it to not show. Had to re-add it. Nonetheless here it is. I like the outcome, managed to get the C in the logo to fit inside the yellow bar without too much trouble.
Capitals-Rangers off to a game 7
Washington managed to hold off the Rangers to a 2-1 win. Tons of things caught my eye this game;
- Braden Holtby needs to get control of his rebounds. If they're low shots, there isn't much he can do rather than try to get control of them. If they're up at his chest, no excuse. Cover it with your glove, and if it ends up coming down, tackle that son-of-a-gun.
- Rangers need to get to those rebounds. They're taking shots, and leaning back and waiting what happens. Crash the net, get in Holtby's face, and clean up the garbage.
- The Rangers goal with 0:30 seconds remaining shouldn't have counted. There was a Ranger forward right in his space (when I said crash the net, I didn't mean literally), granted he was pushed. The shot went wide, but Holtby couldn't get his blocker out to try to get a piece. It ends up going off a player, and in. Classic goalie interference.
- Washington is way to cocky. On the scoreboard, they were showing previews to purchase tickets for next round. That's a huge slap in the face to the Rangers, and I'm sure they took it as motivation cause they scored following the faceoff. If there are hockey gods (hopefully not on the Rangers side), New York will win at home and play New Jersey (who thought of that?).
But speaking of the conference finals, Los Angeles vs. Phoenix, and New Jersey vs. WAS/NYR. I definitely didn't have this in my pool.
- Braden Holtby needs to get control of his rebounds. If they're low shots, there isn't much he can do rather than try to get control of them. If they're up at his chest, no excuse. Cover it with your glove, and if it ends up coming down, tackle that son-of-a-gun.
- Rangers need to get to those rebounds. They're taking shots, and leaning back and waiting what happens. Crash the net, get in Holtby's face, and clean up the garbage.
- The Rangers goal with 0:30 seconds remaining shouldn't have counted. There was a Ranger forward right in his space (when I said crash the net, I didn't mean literally), granted he was pushed. The shot went wide, but Holtby couldn't get his blocker out to try to get a piece. It ends up going off a player, and in. Classic goalie interference.
- Washington is way to cocky. On the scoreboard, they were showing previews to purchase tickets for next round. That's a huge slap in the face to the Rangers, and I'm sure they took it as motivation cause they scored following the faceoff. If there are hockey gods (hopefully not on the Rangers side), New York will win at home and play New Jersey (who thought of that?).
But speaking of the conference finals, Los Angeles vs. Phoenix, and New Jersey vs. WAS/NYR. I definitely didn't have this in my pool.
"Our worst day, is their everyday."
Just settled to watch the Capitals-Rangers game on CBC, and Ron MacLean made a good point.
These two teams, their cities rather, were victims of the terrible 9/11 attacks back in 2001. It never dawned on me, that almost 11 years ago, this act shook the whole world. Ron went on the credit all emergency personnel, volunteers, virtually anyone who helped aid those who needed it that day.
Then he said something that got to me;
"Our worst day, is their everyday."
Coming from a family where my grandfather, and two uncles served and fought for our country, makes me think that we don't give enough credit where credit is due. The ones who put their life on the line, so we can keep living ours, is something some of us, myself included, seem to forget about.
Just a quick thought I had before puck drop.
These two teams, their cities rather, were victims of the terrible 9/11 attacks back in 2001. It never dawned on me, that almost 11 years ago, this act shook the whole world. Ron went on the credit all emergency personnel, volunteers, virtually anyone who helped aid those who needed it that day.
Then he said something that got to me;
"Our worst day, is their everyday."
Coming from a family where my grandfather, and two uncles served and fought for our country, makes me think that we don't give enough credit where credit is due. The ones who put their life on the line, so we can keep living ours, is something some of us, myself included, seem to forget about.
Just a quick thought I had before puck drop.
NJ tops Philadelphia
So once again, I missed a pivotal game in the semi-finals. I was at my church recording some music during the NJ-PHI game, but a quick look at NHL.com let my eyes to see that the Devils had defeated one of the Cup favourites. So tomorrow night, I can finally sit down to (hopefully) watch Washington force a game 7 at the Verizon Center.
I did get the chance to watch some IIHF action. Having two spares in a semester really pays off around this time. I caught the 2nd and 3rd periods of the Slovakia-Switzerland match, and the third period of the Russia-Germany game. A few things caught my eye while watching these games;
- International play is much more intense. This might be due to the fact its an international tournament and not a league game (I've never watched a DEL/KHL/Sm-liiga/Elitserien match), the larger ice surface, or the fans, which are alot like soccer fans (which I've been to my fair share of games)
- A lot more scrums and pushing & shoving after the whistle
The last time I watched an international game was the 2010 Olympic gold medal game (didn't pay attention to much IIHF play last year). But that could be because its the Olympics, with the majority being NHL'ers.
I'm gonna miss hockey once the playoffs are done. Kinda regret starting this blog so late in the hockey season, but better now than never, I'll be prepared for next season!
I did get the chance to watch some IIHF action. Having two spares in a semester really pays off around this time. I caught the 2nd and 3rd periods of the Slovakia-Switzerland match, and the third period of the Russia-Germany game. A few things caught my eye while watching these games;
- International play is much more intense. This might be due to the fact its an international tournament and not a league game (I've never watched a DEL/KHL/Sm-liiga/Elitserien match), the larger ice surface, or the fans, which are alot like soccer fans (which I've been to my fair share of games)
- A lot more scrums and pushing & shoving after the whistle
The last time I watched an international game was the 2010 Olympic gold medal game (didn't pay attention to much IIHF play last year). But that could be because its the Olympics, with the majority being NHL'ers.
I'm gonna miss hockey once the playoffs are done. Kinda regret starting this blog so late in the hockey season, but better now than never, I'll be prepared for next season!
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
About myself
Where to start...
The first hockey game I watched was in 1999; Wayne Gretzky's last NHL game that he played in Canada. I was watching it with my grandfather, who was babysitting me as my mom and grandmother had gone to do some chores. All game I had been asking tons of questions;
"Why do their chests look so big?"
"Whats that picture on the tummy?" (Referring to the Senators "centurion" logo)
"Who is that waving to the crowd?"
That's when I learned who Wayne Gretzky was. The last regular season game he played in Canada, and this is when I learn about who he is. Granted I was born in 1994, and this being my first hockey game ever watched. Regardless, I was so intrigued and into the whole game, that's when I fell in love.
Did I play organized hockey myself? No. Growing up with only my sister, my mom, and seeing my dad once a month, money had always been tight, and had to pass on organized sports. That changed going into high school, where I joined hockey (bought the equipment myself) and soccer. I still don't play organized hockey, only pickup. Usually with some friends from church on Friday nights after our youth group.
I grew up and currently live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I am a die hard Senators fan, and have a soft spot for the Montreal Canadiens (my grandfather being from Quebec and cheering for them since he was a kid).
My grandfather was always someone I looked up to, but sadly, he passed in March of 2005. I believe it was because of the NHL lockout, that no games were played. That's my theory, which I plan to stick with.
I'm currently finishing my last year of high school, and hoping to go to school for radio and television broadcasting to become a hockey analyst/sportscaster. Since I couldn't play when I was younger, and my chance to make the big leagues is slim pickings, I want to get as close to the action as I can.
Journalism is a possibility, this would be a great start I find. Why not see where life takes me?
Thanks for stopping by. Come by soon, I plan to update this as often as I can.
-Nick
The first hockey game I watched was in 1999; Wayne Gretzky's last NHL game that he played in Canada. I was watching it with my grandfather, who was babysitting me as my mom and grandmother had gone to do some chores. All game I had been asking tons of questions;
"Why do their chests look so big?"
"Whats that picture on the tummy?" (Referring to the Senators "centurion" logo)
"Who is that waving to the crowd?"
That's when I learned who Wayne Gretzky was. The last regular season game he played in Canada, and this is when I learn about who he is. Granted I was born in 1994, and this being my first hockey game ever watched. Regardless, I was so intrigued and into the whole game, that's when I fell in love.
Did I play organized hockey myself? No. Growing up with only my sister, my mom, and seeing my dad once a month, money had always been tight, and had to pass on organized sports. That changed going into high school, where I joined hockey (bought the equipment myself) and soccer. I still don't play organized hockey, only pickup. Usually with some friends from church on Friday nights after our youth group.
I grew up and currently live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I am a die hard Senators fan, and have a soft spot for the Montreal Canadiens (my grandfather being from Quebec and cheering for them since he was a kid).
My grandfather was always someone I looked up to, but sadly, he passed in March of 2005. I believe it was because of the NHL lockout, that no games were played. That's my theory, which I plan to stick with.
I'm currently finishing my last year of high school, and hoping to go to school for radio and television broadcasting to become a hockey analyst/sportscaster. Since I couldn't play when I was younger, and my chance to make the big leagues is slim pickings, I want to get as close to the action as I can.
Journalism is a possibility, this would be a great start I find. Why not see where life takes me?
Thanks for stopping by. Come by soon, I plan to update this as often as I can.
-Nick
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