Hockey Ramblings

Un"Rule"y...get it?

2011-02-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Todays worst rule in hockey, which will probably change many times, until the game never reaches perfect, is the "shoot the puck over the glass from your defensive zone delay of game penalty". It took longer to write that sentence than the delay it creates. In fact, it takes longer to send someone to the penalty box than it is to grab a new puck and drop it.

It may not be that simple, but if you get penalized for "intentionally" shooting the puck over the glass then you should get a penalty for "intentionally" icing the puck. You ice the puck for the same reason. You are getting buzzed in your own zone and need to clear it/get a whistle/get a line change.

Awhile ago (and not the only example) Aaron Rome (Vancouver Canucks) was on his stomach, swung his stick around on the the ice, in attempt to knock it of the opponents stick. As it was rolling in front of said opponent, it went of the shaft (which was parallel to the ice) and popped over the glass. His only objective was to remove the puck from the opponent and by chance, it left the rink. Did he intentionally clear the puck? He was not in real trouble, he was not at the end of a shift, he was just making a hockey play. Apparently there is no discretion for ref's to make a judgement call. It is maddening. Will it take that play, losing someone a playoff series or worse a Stanley Cup, for it to be changed? Let's hope not.

Yes, they are trying to speed the game and deter players from clearing it over the glass, but was it ever really a problem. It would have continued to go unnoticed to 99% of hockey watchers. The "big dogs" in suits who want to make there mark on the game in some way as they could never actually play the game, were the only ones who thought this rule was needed. How many times do you remember a puck being shot over the glass before the rule was implemented? Never. It went over the glass, they got a fresh puck, dropped it, and kept playing. It did not overtly affect the game, it was just something that happened once in awhile.

If they need to implement something to save face on instituting a ridiculous rule to begin with, they don't have to get rid of it. All they need to do, is treat it like icing. If you shoot the puck over the glass then no line change, you have to stay out. Not allowing a line change will speed the game up more than anything. Puck goes over glass, players line up at face-off dot, linesmen grabs a puck hands it to other linesmen, they drop it and play goes on. It will also reduce the times we have to hear a ref announce a penalty then seconds later hear the P.A. announcer, announce the same thing, but that is another story.

Z

Dose of Doan

2010-04-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Shane Doan may be the best player, playing in this years playoffs, that nobody is talking about. In two games, nobody has made their mark like he has. After 9 hits in the first game, including many bone-crushers, he continued that pace in game 2, but this time added a goal and an assist. There may not be a more all around effective player right now.

He has not been in the playoffs since 2002, and is making every shift count. There is some criticism that he is playing over the line, but as one of the classiest players in the league, he is representing what the NHL playoffs are all about. He can play offense, defense, fight, hit, and lead his team with grit, determination, and class. He epitomizes playoff hockey. Don't be fooled if you think this is going to change anytime soon... and it shouldn't.

Z

Playoffs are Back

2010-04-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

One part of me thinks that living in a hockey market like Phoenix, is a little sad sometimes, but at least there is hockey at all. I grew up in Edmonton and enjoyed the Oiler's as a youngster in the 80's, so maybe I was spoiled. The other part of me is happy that I am in a market like Phoenix, because I can enjoy the perks of actually being able to get tickets to any game at any time of year.

The other day I jumped on craigslist to see what there was in the world of game 1 Coyote tickets. There were a bunch to choose from, so I scrolled through checking seats and prices and stumbled upon some that caught my eye. These were 20 rows up in the corner left of Jimmy Howard of the Red Wings. Now, in any Canadian city, I am sure these tickets would have been hundreds of dollars and to actually get them would be a real chore. Anyway, for $75 each, my wife, a friend, and myself, enjoyed a classic playoff game.

The place was electric, everyone in white, screaming, chanting, and heckling. The action was fast, the Red Wings, a skilled veteran team, showed off their talent, with crisp passing, finesse, stick handling, and plenty of shots. The Coyotes on the other hand, a team that surprised everyone this year, and probably continue to, showed the heart, team work, chemistry, and relentless pressure, that has got them to this point. They out hit the Red Wings in a big way, which caused some key turnovers, they won most of the battles for loose pucks and capitalized when they had to. The top scoring defense core in the league had 5 points on the 3 goals and one of the worst power plays in the league went 3 for 4.

It looked like the Coyote game plan was to play with an edge and hit everything that moved. It seems like they realized this is a long series and if they can apply relentless pressure and physical play, they can ware down the aging, and often injured Red Wings. The Coyotes won game one, but it looked as though they were setting themselves up for games in the future as well.

It was the first playoff game I had been to in a long time and I couldn't have been more pleased, as a hockey fan, with the game that was played by both teams. I will be honest, I am not a fan of either team to any great extent, but living in a city you can adopt a like for a team, especially a team nobody thought would be in the position they are.

Now tonight I can sit back and take in some other rounds on TV (go Canucks), and remember the great experience I shared with my wife and friend, in a place where nobody thinks hockey should be.

Z

Non-Playoff Hockey is still Hockey

2010-04-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

At this point in the season we all look at the schedule and see who's battling for that final playoff spot or the important playoff seed that could determine home ice advantage for your favorite team. That is what makes this time of year as a hockey fan so great. One thing we sometimes underestimate are the teams that are not in the playoffs.
There isn't much build up or fan fare, and no major implications to these games, but when you have a team that underachieved all season, there are jobs at stake. It is also a time when coaches will give young guys a chance to throw the jersey on. Maybe these guys aren't vying for the Stanley Cup, but they are vying for a job next season or a contract extension. It is there chance to prove themselves. This includes young players, but maybe more importantly some veteran's that underachieved and may find themselves on the outside of franchise plans for the future. These players and teams throw it all on line, for a chance at a job or better salary at contract time. They have nothing to lose and sometimes put forth a better effort than they have all season.
So when you look at the match-ups for the next few nights, don't just discard the teams out of the playoffs, you may miss an exciting hockey game, and maybe a couple of playoff spoilers.

Z

Mike Green for President

2010-04-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe President is a stretch, but at least give the guy a Norris Trophy. Over the past few seasons, Green has put up more than impressive numbers for a D-man. Actually he has put up impressive numbers for a forward.

Over the past three seasons, including this one, Green has 67 goals, 135 assists, for 202 points in 222 games. That includes over a point a game this season and last. Now you say, "Isn't the Norris for the best "Defense" man in the league?" Yes. He plays in all situations, including the penalty kill. And a major stat to back up this claim. He was +24 last season and is +35 this season. That is among the best, especially on a run and gun team. People say, the team scores so many goals, it is easy to rack up the plus, but with such an offense, your defense has even more pressure to perform. To put up those numbers once could be a lucky season, but to have gotten better each year in the league and continue to put up the same numbers is impressive, and that doesn't take into account the intangibles he brings to the team.

The point is, people always claim he is a liability on the defensive side of things, but if someone has over a point a game from a position that should not result in such stats, and if someone has one of the best plus/minus in the league, and plays shy of 30 minutes each game in all situations. It is time for the "experts" to stop calling out his "defensive liability" and look at the facts... facts that should warrant some hardware on his mantle.

Z

Ten All-Time Funny Hockey Quotes

2010-04-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

Here are ten great funny and/or clever quotes in the history of hockey, there are many more, but these are among the best in no particular order.

”Goal-tending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you.” - Jacques Plante

”I know my players don't like my practices, but that's OK because I don't like their games.” - Harry Neale.

”Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play.” - Harry Neale

”The three important elements of hockey are: fore-check, back-check and paycheck.” - Gil Perreault

Every day you guys look worse and worse. And today you played like tomorrow.
John Mariucci, to his U.S. Hockey team.

”Goaltenders are 3 sandwiches shy of a picnic. From the moment primitive man lurched erect, he survived on the principle that when something hard and potentially lethal comes toward you at great velocity, get the hell out of it's path.” - Jim Taylor

”They say you're not a coach in the league till you've been fired. I must be getting pretty good.” - Terry Simpson

Dick Cavett asked Gordie Howe why hockey players always wear a cup but not helmet. he replied:
"You can always get someone to do your thinking for you"

"All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity."
Gordie Howe

"When hell freezes over, I’ll play hockey there too."
Author Unknown

There are many more, feel free to comment with you favorites.

Calgary Flickering Flames

2010-04-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

With 5 games left in the season, the Calgary Flames are sitting 2 points out of a playoff spot. This comes as a surprise to many people, and it should. With the off-season acquisition of Jay Bouwmeester, who was added to an already deep D-core, one of the best goalies in the league and a group of lunch pail forwards who come to work everyday and grind the other team out of the arena. What happened? They were projected to be a top 6 team in the league.

They have a sniper, who also happens to be there leader, who also happens to do everything on the ice including fight when he needs to, but who does he play with, no one. On every great team there are great players, what makes the great teams great is that those great players are playing with other great players (say that 10 times fast). Iginla is on an island. They have not been able to find someone to play with him for many years. Well actually they did have Tanguay who was an upper tier player, gone after 1 season. They did have Cammalleri, who actually outscored Iginla, so why not let go him after one season. Iginla has not had the stability of a solid line mate his whole career and it is unfortunate for him.

The second part is they acquired Bouwmeester, a top level d-man who can work a power-play and give you a few points, while maintaining great defense. He went over 50 games between goals this season. Not to say he was a total bust, because he adds a lot more to a team than just a few points from the point. That being said, he is getting paid elite player money and should produce like that.

Goal-tending is their strong point and Kiprusoff is as solid as they come. He single handedly took them to the finals in '04. What has been different in the years following? Well the year they wen to the finals he only played in 38 games that year. He was fresh. Every year since he has played 74 games twice and 76 games twice. He has nothing left in the tank when the most important time of the year rolls around. They need a sold back up to relieve him of some games throughout the season.

So basically they have no good draft picks this year, they are near the cap, they have a star player who is lonely, they have a great goalie who is overplayed, and a D-core that should be much better. There stats aren't terrible, the team just can't score goals, which in turns puts added pressure on the D. Not included in this post is anything about the many other underachieving players contributing to the problem.

They grossly under achieved in the Sutter brother regime. The fans are tired of it. One Sutter hires another Sutter and calls up another Sutter to play, not a big deal, but it may start to look a little bias in the fans eyes. Something has to change in the organization. Usually it is easy to fire a coach or GM if a team underachieves, but in this case it is justified. To much turn over in the dressing room results in poor chemistry and lowers confidence within the organization.

A major shakeup may be in order. At least one Sutter will be gone, and why not trade Iginla who's stock is still high, for a good player and some draft picks and start rebuilding.

Will they make the playoffs? That is up to the Colorado Avalanche who sit 2 points up with game in hand and a game against the Flames. Flames seem to be winning lately and the young Av's seem to be faltering, so we can only wait and watch, probably until the last day of the season. Should be exciting.

Z

Coming Soon

2010-04-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Have not been up on the blogging and twitter, etc, for awhile, actually most of the season. Bad time to have to be away from a hockey blog. I am back in action now and will try to post many blogs in the near future. In the meantime, please feel free to read my old ones and answer any poll questions that may come up. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook and I will return the favor. I will happily link your blog to mine aswell.

Thank you.

Avalanche Warning

2009-11-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

After a few weeks into the season, many great stories have been told already. Maybe the most surprising to everybody is the Colorado Avalanche. Why have they been so good? Only Miss Cleo knows the real answer. Maybe it's because they are young, fast, relentless, and maybe naive enough to not understand pressure yet. They had no expectations from anyone in the hockey world and maybe they were underestimated by their peers and surprised them. That all being said, the Avalanche may start falling soon.

For all the reasons they are doing good are all the same reasons I truly believe they will be fighting for the last playoff spot and just missing out this year. Call me crazy, but right now there are teams currently out of the playoffs like Vancouver, Detroit and Anaheim, that should make the playoffs. That means that 2 or 3 teams currently in the top 8 will need to exit. Those teams should be Phoenix, Colorado and possibly Dallas. The Av's are only 6 points up on 8th and they have yet to face adversity this season, and they will.

A hot goalie in Anderson, has been the main key. The Av's average 26 shots per game (29th in the league) and give up 33 (25th in the league), that is not a good combo and will show as time goes on. With that hot goalie comes a guy who has never been regular starter, a guy who has started over 30 games once (31) and a guy who has put up decent numbers in his appearances, but very limited appearances at that. He started 17 of 18 games played this season. This workload on an unproven number 1 is going to tell the whole story, come the second half of the season. If the Av's want to help Anderson out they need to shore up in front of him and rely a little more on a solid back up in Budai.

As much as the Av's are fun to watch and have been a great story for the first part of the season, I wouldn't keep my hopes up if I were an Av's fan. They will be better in a year or two if Anderson proves he can start a whole season, and when the young guys grow, go through some adversity, and learn what playing in the NHL is all about. I hope they can continue, because the surprising underdog's often write the best story.

Big Z

Hey Stevie Y; Selection isn't that hard, is it?

2009-11-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

Every four years the nation of Canada hangs in the balance of one person. A person who holds the greatest responsibility in a country. A person who will be hero or goat based on one result, gold or not gold. The lucky person this year is Steve Yzerman. He holds the cards and has to decide which ones to lay on the table. The ones he chooses will decide gold or no gold. Sure he has scouts and advisers to help, but if gold is won, he will be heralded as a genius, but if they get Silver or worse he will be the one answering all of the questions and facing all the blame. Not fair, but realistic. The now Hall of Famer will have legacy, no matter what, of one of the greatest players ever, but does not want the blemish of letting down an entire country. I thought since Stevie Y is so bogged down with big decisions, I would help him out.
The Canadian team for the 2010 Winter Olympics (according to me and not in a particular order).

Sidney Crosby - this is a given, no explanation necessary.
Joe Thornton - with his size and play down low on an NHL size ice surface he will be dominant, and he is the best play-maker in the league.
Patrick Marleau - was on the bubble, but has played himself on the team with his start this season, has great speed, great shot and grit.
Danny Heatly - finishes of the San Jose Line, pure sniper, is having a great season with the best passer feeding him the puck, no reason to split them up in Vancouver
Rick Nash - goes fairly unnoticed on Columbus, but is a force, a sniper, a big fast forward who also is a great penalty killer. Can play in all situations and flourishes on the big stage.
Jarome Iginla - some say he had a slow start to the season, but it doesn't matter, he can even be one of the captains. A leader, a goal scorer, speed, and gritty.
Cory Perry - being on NHL ice size can play more of a factor than in other Olympics. He brings size, skill and a power forward style, with touch and finesse with the puck.
Ryan Getslaf - he and Perry compliment each other and have great chemistry, probably one if the top five players in the league, has had a slow start, but he will be just fine.
Ryan Smyth - having a resurrection in LA (not that he really went away), Team Canada staple and a must have to compliment all the pure skill with his big game intangibles.
Mike Richards - a tough center who is one of the top 2-way players in the league. Will balance out a high skill offensive team with defensive responsibility and some offense as well, a great penalty killer to top it off.
Vincent Lecavalier - not having the best season so far, but he is an asset and adds real offensive and defensive depth and can fit on any line in any role. His all around game is to valuable to leave out.
Shane Doan - much like Smyth he has big game abilities and has a lot of experience on Team Canada. Brings grit and natural goal scoring and leadership. Is not a liability in any situation.
Jonathan Toews - he is a tough one, and leaves a guy like Spezza out, but he has serious big game intangibles, and adds speed, skill, and is a passing of the guard so to speak. He may be the healthy scratch until a spot opens.

Mike Green - Like having a 4th forward on the ice, but also good defensively, a big mobile D-man and a power play specialist.
Chris Pronger - Big, defensive stopper, with some offensive ability. Scares and hurts other players with physical sometime dirty play. You want him on your team, not to play against him.
Dan Boyle - Big shot, offensive defense man, powerplay specialist
Jay Bouwmeester - Big, mobile, puck moving defenceman, can skate with anyone and defend anyone
Scott Niedermeyer - Will be the Captain of team Canada with tons of experience and great all around skill
Brent Seabrook - a shut down defense man, young and steady, will be a 6th or 7th D-man.
Drew Doughty - A young high skilled D-man, another player deserved of having the torch passed down. Another 6th or 7th D-man.

Martin Brodeur - Until he proves otherwise, Marty is the goalie for the job. He is the greatest goalie in history and he won't be one of the 2 starters only if he chooses that, which of course he won't.
Roberto Luongo - He is the A in 1 and 1A with Marty. They will share duty throughout the tournament and the hottest goalie will be playing when it counts most.
Marc-Andre Fleury - He is number 3 and a great number 3 at that. Should one goalie go down, Canada won't miss a beat with Fleury. With Cam Ward playing himself out and now getting hurt, the job is Fleury's

Line 1 - Nash - Crosby - Iginla
Line 2 - Heatly - Thornton - Marleau
Line 3 - Perry - Getslaf - Lecavalier
Line 4 - Smyth - Richards - Doan
Toews

D 1 - Pronger - Green
D 2 - Bouwmeester - Boyle
D 3 - Keith - Niedermeyer
Doughty

In many cases it seems that players like Draper and Maltby (in the past) would get consideration because of their great penalty killing or other specialized skills. I don't agree with that, I think you put your best on the ice and put them in situations to excel. There are great penalty killers that offer a lot more as well, and are not one dimensional like a Draper for example. I know I did not go out on a limb with any of these players, but the thought put into it factored PK, grit, size, speed, shutdown players, experience, etc were all factored in.

There will be a lot of debate and to be honest Canada can put a second team in and probably win 2 medals, so there are a lot of players left out that deserve to be there.

Big Z

No Hitting in Hockey?

2009-11-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Let's start by saying, the hit in an OHL game on October 30th, was a terrible result and we hope for nothing but a full recovery by Ben Fanelli.
The topic of high hits and head shots has been brought up many times over the years, but it takes a big incident for it to dominate the headlines again. Should changes be made? Maybe, but what changes can be made.
The problem with this particular situation is that the Fanelli hit was not a dirty hit. Liambis entered the zone with speed, stopped striding well before the hit and pounded Fanelli into the boards. There was no elbow, no charging and no elevation. Fanelli surveyed the situation while pursuing the puck and turned his body to reverse the puck, he was in a vulnerable position, but as long as the hit is within the rules, it is not the fault of the hitter. Another thing that is getting talked about is that he is a 16 year old kid. This is irrelevant, but was the biggest reason for the knee jerk reaction of many around the hockey and media world. It is not the responsibility of any player on the ice to know the age of every player on the ice and gauge his intensity and effort to coincide with that. If you put a jersey on in any league, you need to know where you are playing and the risk involved, you do not and should not get special treatment because you are younger. Again it was an unfortunate result, but within the rules. On the flip side Liambis was suspended for an entire year. Now he is getting punished for playing within the rules and his career may be over, all because none of the decision makers have the gall to do what is right and stand up for the game and the rules. It is easier to suspend a guy and make "most" people, who are reacting emotionally and irrationally, happy. Emotion needs to be taken out of the decision making process. It needs to be based on the rules and the rules do not say anywhere that punishment should be based on the result. It is the action that is punishable. In this case and many more the action is not even a penalty, let alone a suspension.
This was the biggest "case" of hard hits this year, but there have been others.
Why wasn't Jarome Iginla suspended for his trip of Edmonton's Sheldon Souray in game 3 of the season. Iginla used his stick to tap the skate of Souray to throw him off balance and he went crashing into the boards. That is a very dangerous thing to do and player have been doing it for years, usually on touch icing, but it happens often. Iginla probably did not mean to hurt Souray, but it happened on a play that is punishable with penalty and that is tripping. Which proves that tripping can be dangerous as well. Many players get hurt with stick infractions, be it tripping, slashing, high sticking, etc, but unless it is a vicious play like a slash to the head there is never a suspension. The point is why does there have to be a precedent set for hard hitting within the rules. A player gets suspended for a clean hit. Well actually the result of the hit. If suspensions for results are used than why does Iginla (as an example, he is not being single out) NOT get suspended for the result of a trip (which is a penalty) intentional or not. It seems there is a double standard and punishments are doled out to appease the emotional, knee-jerk reactions.

Big Z

The Fan (part 1)

2009-11-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

So there I was sitting in my seat at the Jobing.com arena in Glendale, AZ. The Chicago Blackhawks were in town and the arena was at least half full. The tickets cost me $30 each, and on Thursday home games that includes all you can eat (hotdogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and soda), so I was very excited.

You don't have any control over who you sit beside, so it is always interesting to see what type of fan you will get. The fans (about 4 of them) possibly season ticket holders, who clearly knew everything about hockey... well at least they thought they did, were to my right. I actually asked my wife to switch me seats after the first so I could hear them better. Now, I am not claiming to be a hockey expert, but I grew up in Canada and played for over 20 years at decent levels throughout my career. That being said I know my way around the game.

This type of fan, which is highlighted in part one of The Fan, is... (run on sentence time, take a breath) the fan who comments on every play, loud enough so everyone around them can hear their "expertise", complain about every penalty deserved or not when it is call on "their" team, think that every time a player on "their" team gets touched it should be a penalty on the other team, complain about every player on "their" own team until he does something good, and then still complains about that player a little more, mentions every few minutes what the team needs to do to succeed, yell's "why didn't he shoot" when he passed and "why didn't he pass" when he shot and proceeds to give a standing cheer when "their" team, who was leading by at least 2 goals the whole game, played well (but apparently couldn't do anything right all game, when the refs weren't screwing it up for them) and walk away saying "well we got the win, good game tonight". (and breathe)

No exageration, these guys commented on every play, I heard a few "great pass" when a D to D pass was made with no one near them (not sure it was "great"). My point is useless comments that don't really reflect on the game and are plays that you forget 5 seconds later, don't need to be commented on every few seconds. They were all complaining and talking which enable the buddy's to feed off of it and get a little louder to get his point across to his pals and 3 sections around them. The ironic thing is they looked like unknowing hockey guys, at least to those of us who know a little. They group into another category as well, which was I know every transaction "my" team has made and know who playes in the minors, so therefore I know everything about the game play on the ice, shift to shift.
I don't get it, but I sat there enjoyed the game with my four hotdogs, tray of nachos, peanuts, and 4 sodas with my wife (she had her own food), because after all it was my night to cook, so an "all you can eat" hockey game was my special treat.

Big Z