All-Purpose Hockey Thread II

I suspect it's more coincidence than anything. I would imagine the all-star date was set a couple of years ago. But you're right, there may be a total of 987 Americans watching the game.

 

A little generous with that count there, JR.

 

I meant 98.

I'm actually looking forward to the Youngstars and the Skills Competition tonight. The game itself is horrible--not as bad as the Pro Bowl--but almost.

 

Without Jeremy Roenick in the game, nobody will finish their checks. Clearly, the All-Star Game isn't real hockey.

 

People are looking at the schedule the wrong way. I can't stand this unbalanced setup. It gets old seeing the same five teams play for an entire season.

 

I'm with you.

The league thought it could create divisional rivalries which is hogwash in the regular season.

Real rivalries are created in the playoffs. Now, there are a few exceptions (Edmonton/Calgary, Toronto/Ottawa) but who gives a shit about the third game in two weeks against the Bruins?

 

The NBA plays the same amount of games and they've figured out a way to have every team play each other at least once.

Considering Bettman came from the NBA, you'd think he'd be able to figure that out as well (but maybe I'm giving him too much credit).

Saw these two items in the Free Press today:

Interesting comment from Montreal Gazette sports editor Red Fisher, on the All-Star Game:
"It has no credibility now. ... The game no longer is what hockey is all about. No hitting. No shot-blocking. Not even a hard stare."



And yet Former Wing Brendan Shanahan, on what else needs to be streamlined more: "I just don't understand how a cop can walk down the street in a bulletproof vest and look normal, and yet our goalies have to look like lacrosse goalies, or Michelin Men, in order to stop a puck."

 

I think the support for this unbalanced schedule comes from certain eastern teams who save a considerable amount on travel expenses. I suspect it's mostly an economic thing more than anything.

 

I agree with Shanny (even if I'm still not much of a fan of his), but the whole goalie pad/jersey downsize movement has absolutely no steam until someone other than the guys who get paid to score steps up and talks about it. And that's DEFINITELY not going to happen if anything is done to the nets.

 

Future Stars games starts with a goal about 3 seconds in.

 

And just like that we're tied. This game is going to give the commissioner wood.

 

I presume both sides are playing without goaltenders...[/dripping with sarcasm]