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The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 17 2017 05:25 PM

Guys I have to admit my fling with ice hockey is becoming a real thing. Anyone watching the NHL? I am in the habit now of DVR in Islanders games and watching closely. The Isles to my untainted eyes are pretty good, fast and exciting so far, and subleties of the game are beginning to reveal themselves as I watch. Late last year when I first started watching I was excited about rookie Josh Ho-Sang but he's awful compared to Mat Barzal, a rookie this year who after Tavares is usually the second best player on the ice. This guy is fun to watch like HoSang, only not a complete fuckup who turns the puck over 10x a game.

Lefty Specialist Nov 17 2017 05:30 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

This is the one with the hard black rubber cylinder, right?

Ceetar Nov 17 2017 06:12 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I'm having trouble with the random nature of when games are on. With baseball it's like "7pm, just flip on SNY every day" but the Isles are off for days and then I forget. Plus bedtime and bedtime routine from like 7:45-9+ is prohibitive.

Nymr83 Nov 17 2017 06:13 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Ceetar wrote: I'm having trouble with the random nature of when games are on. With baseball it's like "7pm, just flip on SNY every day" but the Isles are off for days and then I forget. Plus bedtime and bedtime routine from like 7:45-9+ is prohibitive. DVR? do they have the equivalent of late-night "Knicks in 60"?

Ceetar Nov 17 2017 06:29 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I always feel weird about DVRing games, especially as I'm always on Twitter and such and it'd be spoiled. Plus by the time I get them to sleep and do other chores It's almost bed time. I'm sorta in the weeds here. I should just see if the MSG Go app actually works and watch instead of reading Curious George for a 80th billion time.

d'Kong76 Nov 17 2017 06:37 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Nymr83 wrote: do they have the equivalent of late-night "Knicks in 60"? Do you get 'Knicks in 60?' I miss it, don't get the Rangers' one either this year.

d'Kong76 Nov 17 2017 06:43 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Guys I have to admit my fling with ice hockey is becoming a real thing. Anyone watching the NHL? I'm a casual Rangers' fan at best. Like I probably said last year I find it much more enjoyable if watching with one or a couple of my puck-headed friends but to tune into it on my own feels a bit tedious or something. Also, the hockey season really feels like a pre-season (because it is) and the playoffs are much more entertaining. There's really nothing more exciting than the last 5 minutes of a tied game than in playoff hockey.

Ceetar Nov 17 2017 06:46 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

MSG Go does, in fact, work. also has Isles Fast Forward.

d'Kong76 Nov 17 2017 06:57 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Makes ZERO sense that I could watch on a 10" tablet and not on a tv.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 17 2017 09:18 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Yeah the Islanders are on a different Channel every night it seems. Plus my cable company when you search the word Islanders only gives you the listings for the games that are on the pay channels. Big pain in the ass. The DVR thing works ... You can watch a whole game in about 1:00 ... but you're right you have to stay away from Twitter. I ruined one game this year that way already. How about that Barzal though? If he keeps it up he will win that trophy they give to the best rookie whatever they call it.

Ceetar Nov 17 2017 09:22 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Yeah the Islanders are on a different Channel every night it seems. Plus my cable company when you search the word Islanders only gives you the listings for the games that are on the pay channels. Big pain in the ass. The DVR thing works ... You can watch a whole game in about 1:00 ... but you're right you have to stay away from Twitter. I ruined one game this year that way already. How about that Barzal though? If he keeps it up he will win that trophy they give to the best rookie whatever they call it. For #spoiler reasons, let's not mention the trophy or recent winners until tomorrow. edit: although technically it's a different trophy than what the Learned league question is asking about, and everyone in here's submitted already.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 17 2017 09:32 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Barzal tends to douchy post-goal behavior but check him out: [youtube:giz6py17]F25lYsNzS0E[/youtube:giz6py17]

Ceetar Nov 19 2017 02:35 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Islanders dominated the Lightning so hard for two periods I had to look up the standings and was shocked to see they were the best team in the league. They let them creep back but ultimately a real nice 5-3 win.

41Forever Nov 19 2017 03:10 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

We have a kick-butt minor league team. The staff is really nice, letting me bring my journalism students to a game one night to sit in the press box and interview the mascot and Zamboni driver. Learned a lot of really cool stuff from the Zamboni guy, who has to care for the ice in addition to driving the rig. He's like the groundskeeper. Here's something cool I learned. To get the lines and logos and things on the ice, they flood and freeze a layer of ice, paint all the stuff that gets painted on there with a special paint, then add a new layer of ice on top of that. They leave it there most of the season -- until Disney on Ice comes to town and requires a paint-free sheet.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 20 2017 03:39 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Ceetar wrote: Islanders dominated the Lightning so hard for two periods I had to look up the standings and was shocked to see they were the best team in the league. They let them creep back but ultimately a real nice 5-3 win. That was a great win followed by last night's mistakes. Islanders look like a team that's well-built for wide open, fast play and when they checked a lot they get way off their game. Three other problems the Islanders appear to have: 1) Halak gives up too many soft goals 2) They lose too many faceoffs 3) Guys like Barzal and Ho-Sang at times pass too much and shoot too little

Ceetar Nov 20 2017 03:44 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Three other problems the Islanders appear to have: 1) Halak gives up too many soft goals 2) They lose too many faceoffs 3) Guys like Barzal and Ho-Sang at times pass too much and shoot too little Haven't watched enough to be sure of anything myself, but I haven't ever really thought Halak was very good. And hopefully #3 is something that will work itself out with time and familiarity with themselves/teammates.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 20 2017 04:39 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

They look good enough that an acquisition of a hot/good goalie could really help them. Agreed that we can expect the young guys to better find their place as time goes on.

seawolf17 Nov 20 2017 05:44 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

The "let's do that hockey" sketch from SNL this weekend is genius. [youtube:dwh14oa4]8Ij4a6x_mPs[/youtube:dwh14oa4]

Ceetar Nov 23 2017 03:43 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

[indent:35t89dce][/indent:35t89dce][video:35t89dce]https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/DPSO6uiU8AA6u_h.mp4[/video:35t89dce] [tweet:35t89dce]https://twitter.com/BradyTrett/status/933528208288256000[/tweet:35t89dce]

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 23 2017 04:12 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Yes that was something. Crazy that it had to come down to over time given how badly they outplayed the Flyers.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 08 2017 03:48 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

[tweet:1nl6z3sy]https://twitter.com/IslesBlog/status/938961046227873792[/tweet:1nl6z3sy] Scary moment! Isles came back with 2 goals in final 5 minutes to tie Penguins but lose in OT. I didn't realize till I started watching hockey again that they changed the rules so that a regulation tie = 1 point even if you lose in OT or a shootout. This has probably been the case for years but I wasn't paying attention.

Ceetar Dec 08 2017 03:52 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

yup, Overtime Loss is 1 point. It creates weird third period stuff during a tie, as both teams want to protect that point and play defensively.

d'Kong76 Dec 12 2017 02:47 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Not a fan of the shoot out to decide a tied OT game in regular season. Especially when it doesn't go my way.

Ceetar Dec 12 2017 03:19 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

d'Kong76 wrote: Not a fan of the shoot out to decide a tied OT game in regular season. Especially when it doesn't go my way. me neither, hate that the Rangers got a point.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2017 03:55 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I dunno. It's not perfect but it does offer some resolution instead of a tie. I kind of like that. Isles completely took out the Caps last night, resounding victory. They are a long step away from being a great team but no doubt they are good to very good most nights and Barzal is a phenomenon. That should get them to the playoffs.

Ceetar Dec 12 2017 04:15 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I dunno. It's not perfect but it does offer some resolution instead of a tie. I kind of like that. Isles completely took out the Caps last night, resounding victory. They are a long step away from being a great team but no doubt they are good to very good most nights and Barzal is a phenomenon. That should get them to the playoffs. with 8 teams they're practically a lock at this point. ;-) I agree on the shootout/resolution thing. it doesn't really bother me I just like when the Rangers get no points. Hockey is hard and grueling and I get why they don't just keep playing on and on. And OT and the shootout are very exciting and dramatic and that plays well. I'd kinda like to see more than a 5 minute OT, but at 3 v 3 that might be too much.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 12 2017 07:15 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

d'Kong76 wrote: Makes ZERO sense that I could watch on a 10" tablet and not on a tv. If your TV isn't app-streaming enabled, or more than five years old, it should have a USB port, no? Jack it in, and enjoy a scrappy Ranger team that's been steadily gaining on douchey Barzal and the Potvins since that disastrous first month of the season (occasional SO losses notwithstanding). We've unearthed yet another backup-keeper gem in Pavelec.

d'Kong76 Dec 12 2017 07:20 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: d'Kong76 wrote: Makes ZERO sense that I could watch on a 10" tablet and not on a tv. If your TV isn't app-streaming enabled, or more than five years old, it should have a USB port, no? Jack it in, and enjoy a scrappy Ranger team that's been steadily gaining on douchey Barzal and the Potvins since that disastrous first month of the season (occasional SO losses notwithstanding). We've unearthed yet another backup-keeper gem in Pavelec. I know, I have issues with not just using my cable box remote haha. I'll work on that in 2018. Pavelec was the cat's shit last night!!

Frayed Knot Dec 12 2017 08:26 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I didn't realize till I started watching hockey again that they changed the rules so that a regulation tie = 1 point even if you lose in OT or a shootout. This has probably been the case for years but I wasn't paying attention. I don't think this was ever NOT true. IIRC (and perhaps I'm not) awarding the point to the OT loser was a necessary selling angle to get the original (early-'80s?) five minute OT approved by the needed majority of clubs even though this had the net effect of making regulation games worth just 2 points total and OT games worth a total of 3 The logic was that teams who "earned" a tie and therefore a point with a late goal didn't want to get that point taken away if they lost in OT Then, when the shoot-out OT was tacked onto the regular OT, they simply kept the same rule. The biggest crime in all this (besides shoot-outs sucking and being basically random) is, as Ceets points out, it encourages conservative/'no lose' type of tactics late in the game. With half the league making the playoffs and the result in the playoffs bearing little resemblance to reg season finishes, a point/game pace gets you to the tourney so teams play for the tie and hope for the bonus point by winning the OT and/or shoot-out coin flip more often than they lose it. What they really need to do is adopt the Soccer version of 3 points for a win, none for a loss, and maybe split an OT/SO games 2 & 1 to the winner/loser. That's no more convoluted than the current system and it would at least give an incentive to TRY and win. But, as player/referee/announcer Bill Chadwick used to say about hockey: the proof that this is the greatest game ever invented is that it consistently survives despite the idiots who run it.

Ceetar Dec 12 2017 08:55 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I think it used to be 3 points for a win 1 for a tie. still has issues.

Frayed Knot Dec 12 2017 09:10 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

No, I'm sure the NHL never gave 3 points for a win. My only question is whether or not a point was always awarded to the OT and/or SO loser. I believe it always was but it's possible there was a short span when it wasn't. Like I said, the advantage of awarding 3 for a win and 2 & 1 for an OT result would be that it would standardize each game's booty at 3 points total rather than have some games worth more than others, and it at least should incentivize more open 3rd period action. Perfect? probably not, but better than their current system.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2017 10:54 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I dunno. If its that big a swing perhaps you'd see the 1-0 1st period lead turn into 48 minutes of boring defensive hockey.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 13 2017 03:53 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Frayed Knot wrote: No, I'm sure the NHL never gave 3 points for a win. My only question is whether or not a point was always awarded to the OT and/or SO loser. I believe it always was but it's possible there was a short span when it wasn't. Like I said, the advantage of awarding 3 for a win and 2 & 1 for an OT result would be that it would standardize each game's booty at 3 points total rather than have some games worth more than others, and it at least should incentivize more open 3rd period action. Perfect? probably not, but better than their current system. OT losers did NOT get a point until, like, the early aughts. Only post-OT ties got the point. And after five or six seasons-- ten years or so ago-- the tie was phased out entirely.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 16 2017 04:56 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Josh Ho-Sang got himself sent back to Bridgeport. He's got enough moves and style to be a player and at times has been a big help but he gets pushed around a lot, falls down too much and gives away the puck WAY too much. The Post thinks the Islanders should trade him and a few draft picks for a RH-swinging defenseman. I wonder if we can't get a real goaltender too.

Frayed Knot Dec 19 2017 07:42 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Islanders awarded right to build new arena at Belmont Park Long way away from reality, yadda, yadda and they and the Brooklyn arena still have to go through a negotiation process before either can get out of the current lease.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2017 07:59 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I get the impression both sides can't wait for the Barclays thing to end and that the Isles would sooner play in Nassau Vets again while waiting for this thing to get built. But, I don't see how this benefits me as Belmont is not an easy train ride (yet) while Barclays is. OTOH, I might go to 1 game this year so what does it matter. Islanders just need to stay on the same channel every night, that would be an improvement. Twitter Isles fans are all ecstatic, calling the new owners the best in franchise history for getting this done. Calvin deHaan out for the year!

Ceetar Dec 19 2017 08:13 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I'm excited about the prospect of Belmont. Brooklyn isn't great for parent-me living in NJ, but Valley Stream, where I grew up, is literally one town over and it's where my parents still are. I don't know how this shakes out for the average fan, though Nassau Colliseum was not public transit friendly and mostly catered to LI drivers.

Frayed Knot Dec 19 2017 08:18 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I get the impression both sides can't wait for the Barclays thing to end -- Yup. Played out as a bad marriage almost from the honeymoon. ... and that the Isles would sooner play in Nassau Vets again while waiting for this thing to get built. -- Is that thing still standing? I assumed it had either been knocked down or had simply fallen down by this point. Islanders just need to stay on the same channel every night, that would be an improvement. -- That's not likely to happen no matter where they play. In MSG Network land, the IceLanders rate about 9th in priority (behind the Liberty and probably amateur curling as well) as to who gets the 'best' station when there are one or more conflicts. ... Nassau Colliseum was not public transit friendly and mostly catered to LI drivers. -- It ENTIRELY catered to L.I. drivers

Nymr83 Dec 19 2017 08:23 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Why are the Islanders in a TV deal with MSG, owner of the Rangers? Wouldn't they be better off signing on with SNY or YES?

Ceetar Dec 19 2017 08:43 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Nymr83 wrote: Why are the Islanders in a TV deal with MSG, owner of the Rangers? Wouldn't they be better off signing on with SNY or YES? Hockey can conflict with baseball though and there's no overflow station for those. at least with MSG they end up somewhere even if they're 4th. and while MSG doesn't hold them in high regard, if they're the top ratings drawer they'll get top billing.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2017 09:08 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

There's some folks out there who believe the push back to LI is a Dolan strategy to re-marginalize the Islanders in the event something happens and they wind up winning too much regard in the city, not that Rangers fans would go for them but that the undecided get on the bandwagon. As mujch as the core Isles fans want them on LI they weren't a great draw at NVMC (which has been re-done).

Nymr83 Dec 19 2017 09:42 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Ceetar wrote: Nymr83 wrote: Why are the Islanders in a TV deal with MSG, owner of the Rangers? Wouldn't they be better off signing on with SNY or YES? Hockey can conflict with baseball though and there's no overflow station for those. at least with MSG they end up somewhere even if they're 4th. and while MSG doesn't hold them in high regard, if they're the top ratings drawer they'll get top billing. I'd suspect they will always get lower billing than the Knicks and Rangers because MSG is more concerned with showcasing its own product. maybe the Liberty too.

Ceetar Dec 19 2017 09:53 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Nymr83 wrote: I'd suspect they will always get lower billing than the Knicks and Rangers because MSG is more concerned with showcasing its own product. maybe the Liberty too. if it's close maybe. if twice as many people are watching the Islanders as the Knicks, they'll go with the ratings. It's not like they won't still push all the same ads and such for their own product. Though I guess arguably you'd still want to try to trick Islanders fans into getting 'caught' on MSG and see an interesting Knicks game and forget to click past or something.

Nymr83 Dec 19 2017 10:10 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Ceetar wrote: Nymr83 wrote: I'd suspect they will always get lower billing than the Knicks and Rangers because MSG is more concerned with showcasing its own product. maybe the Liberty too. if it's close maybe. if twice as many people are watching the Islanders as the Knicks, they'll go with the ratings. It's not like they won't still push all the same ads and such for their own product. Though I guess arguably you'd still want to try to trick Islanders fans into getting 'caught' on MSG and see an interesting Knicks game and forget to click past or something. i definitely agree they'd be more likely to 'bump' the Rangers than the Knicks for that reason. i'm sure plenty of people flip channels looking for sports and it is more beneficial to be on the main MSG for that reason though.

Edgy MD Dec 20 2017 04:50 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

[tweet:33o946tc]https://twitter.com/UniWatch/status/943521288609517573[/tweet:33o946tc] As a Met fan, I'd love to say I'm excited, but ... that looks like a butt. A big, round, butt.

Frayed Knot Dec 20 2017 05:14 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Only if he puts them on backwards.

Frayed Knot Dec 21 2017 10:29 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Well that was quick: The New York Islanders made their homecoming official Wednesday, announcing a deal with the state to pay for a new arena at Belmont Raceway and face off once again in Nassau County. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hocke ... -1.3712171 According to the governor’s office, the $1 billion redevelopment of Belmont Park will be privately funded by the Islanders and the Oak View Group, whose investors include Madison Square Garden Co., owned by James Dolan, and Mets owner Sterling Equities, which was founded by Fred Wilpon. The Islanders will have a 49-year lease with renewal options, valued at $40 million. The Islanders hope to break ground on an 18,000 seat arena in the spring of 2018, with the building expected to open in 2020.

Frayed Knot Jan 01 2018 08:15 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Not that you can go wrong with firemen & cops, but it would have been cool to get one or several of the Mets to drop the ceremonial opening puck for today's 'WINTER CLASSIC' at CitiField Known Ranger fan and Henrik Lundquist biddy Matt Harvey is apparently watching the game ... but is doing so from his vacay in Mexico.

d'Kong76 Jan 01 2018 08:41 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I'm sure it's brighter there than it appears on tv, but I can't help but think the Wilpons are cheaping out on the wattage or something to save some winter-classic dough.

Frayed Knot Jan 01 2018 10:07 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Nah, that was just the TV cameras having trouble with the half-sun/half-shadow effect that was covering the ice in the early part of the game. Open those lenses up too much and the other side would have been washed out via the glare, close them down and the shadow side looks overly dark. As good (and expensive) as those cameras are, they aren't as good as the human eye at dealing with the contrast. Shortly into the game that effect went away. btw, Ace Frehley warming up the crowd in the pre-game time slot. And, yes, he went with BACK IN THE NEW YORK GROOVE while wearing a Rangers jersey (and a whole lot else - 14 degrees even at 1 PM). and then the Goo Goo Dolls -- apparently from Buffalo ... who knew? -- played between periods.

Edgy MD Jan 01 2018 10:44 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Frayed Knot wrote: and then the Goo Goo Dolls -- apparently from Buffalo ... who knew? [fimg=400]http://www.stevenazarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/HorshackSM.jpg[/fimg]

Frayed Knot Jan 02 2018 02:46 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

One thing I either never knew as a lapsed hockey fan (or maybe I did know but had forgotten) was that the OT period had morphed from 4-on-4 down to the even more gimmicky 3-on-3. And then -- and I definitely didn't know this -- if a penalty is called during this time (as there was in today's game) instead of the penalized team losing a player the other side gets to add one making the resulting power play a 4-on-3 situation. I suppose that makes sense as 3-on-2 would be really silly even by NHL standards, but it's still weird having there be more players on the ice as the result of a penalty than there were before. and I think I conflate the Goo-Goo Dolls with Kajagoogoo

Edgy MD Jan 02 2018 03:16 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

The Goo-Goo Dolls are to the 90s what Bryan Adams was to the eighties, and maybe what, say Eric Carmen was to the seventies. They really wanted to rawk, or at least let on that they did. They even hunted down Paul Westerberg and got him to cut a few tracks with them. But then they had success with a ballad, and got stuck in a rut of success with ballad after ballad.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 02 2018 04:33 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I mean, they once did an okay cover of "Bitch," but I would never call the Goo Goo Dolls' oeuvre "rock." "Pop rock," or whatever "alternative" was. Even pre-ballad, they were sonically wussier than, say, Sebadoh. You know what does rock, though? The Rangers' performance in outdoor games, which now stands at 4-0 (2-0 in Winter Classics, 2-0 in Stadium Series games). Also rocking? The gimmicky 3-3 overtime format, which increases the odds of a tiebreak via actual play, rather than shootout.

41Forever Jan 02 2018 03:03 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Edgy MD wrote: The Goo-Goo Dolls are to the 90s what Bryan Adams was to the eighties, and maybe what, say, Eric Carmen was to the seventies. They really wanted to rawk, or at least let on that they did. They even hunted down Paul Westerberg and got him to cut a few tracks with them. But then they had success with a ballad, and got stuck in a rut of success with ballad after ballad. I think they were almost a punk band when they started. Was never a big fan, but I do think "Iris" is great. I don't get the appeal as a fan of the stadium games. Outdoor hockey is cool, but even the best seats are miles from the ice. I'm guessing that just being a part of it is fun.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 05 2018 04:58 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Was a fan of Superstar Car Wash, but they lost me soon after. The Islanders have really hit a rough spot. It's as though they're incapable of winning if they don't score 5 goals a night, but they're always capable of scoring 5 a night. It's a tough bargain for them. Trying to play a more defensive or physical game interferes with their passing and scoring strength. They need a superstar goalkeeper to sustain themselves. And then maybe go all-in on the offense. Three fights tonight against the Flyers!

Frayed Knot Jan 09 2018 02:51 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

The NHL is now less than 50% Canadian born. American players, virtually non-existent until the 70's, now make up over 1/4 of the league with various European countries comprising around another 25%

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 09 2018 03:40 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Something I picked up in the BEST GAME book; the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA opened the door to Europeans. They hired a buttload of Russians and Swedes (to accompany Bobby Hull) while the NHL had no interest. Another thing I didn't realize, the WHA Jets became the and still are the Phoenix Coyotes; the current-day Jets are the former expansion Atlanta Thrashers. That was an insane Islander-Devils game the other day. Islanders won in the 5th round shootout 5-4, but only after blowing a 2 leads then needing 2 goals late in the 3rd period to tie, then fighting off a power play (on a bullshit tripping call on Taveras) during 3-on-3 overtime! Here's Halak "celebrating" the goal that got them down 4-2: [tweet:3kpou1db]https://twitter.com/IslesBlog/status/950112010452205568[/tweet:3kpou1db]

Frayed Knot Jan 09 2018 08:23 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Something I picked up in the BEST GAME book; the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA opened the door to Europeans. They hired a buttload of Russians and Swedes (to accompany Bobby Hull) while the NHL had no interest. That sounds about right. The Rangers signed two Swedish *Stars* a short time later to great fanfare in Andres Hedberg & Ulf Nilsson. The accompanying publicity from that then further kick-started the European invasion. The Swedes were first followed by the Finns (although I don't think either Neil or Tim ever played) Then, when the iron curtain started to rip, came the Czechs and later the Russians plus a small sprinkling of 'other'. Another thing I didn't realize, the WHA Jets became the and still are the Phoenix Coyotes; the current-day Jets are the former expansion Atlanta Thrashers. Of the four WHA (I always want to put a ? after WHA because that's how we used to pronounce it - as in: Wha Happened?) teams the NHL absorbed, only Edmonton remains where they were. Hartford left for Raleigh, NC; the Quebec Nordique to Denver; Win-a-Pig to Phoenix. I remember at the time some NHL exec saying that he didn't think there were more than 20 good hockey cities in North America and that they, the then 17-team NHL, didn't have them all, so that was part of the reason for sucking in the supposed best of the WHAs even though they later abandoned three of those four locations even as their league is now 50% larger (not sure it's better, but it's larger). Leaving Quebec City was a shame as that's a unique city in NA, although at least there Denver was a viable destination. Hartford simply suffered from being neither NYC or Boston yet not really being a market of its own. When they left Winnipeg some said that that metropolitan area didn't even fit the criteria for an IHL city so I was surprised when they went back, but after failing in Atlanta a second time (the first Atlanta team were co-expansionists with the Islanders but they're now in Calgary) there were only so many alternatives.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 09 2018 09:59 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Ironic that Phoenix has been an abject financial failure, went Chapter 11 and was taken over by the league like the Expos were. The returning Jets have been very successful at the gate even though they've never won a single playoff game. The Winnipeg fans weren't all that enamored with the Europeans anyway: They wanted the same Canadian lumberjacks every other team had.

Mets Willets Point Jan 10 2018 02:58 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I always think that games between San Jose and Winnipeg should be accompanied by a Leonard Bernstein soundtrack.

Edgy MD Jan 10 2018 03:28 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

And I think of San José vs. Phoenix as Burt Bacharach vs. Jimmy Webb.

d'Kong76 Jan 13 2018 07:20 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Got an Urban Ass Kicking going on here... 5-1 Icelanders. They just ran Lundqvist.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 13 2018 08:03 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I'm watching. Islanders look fantastic offensively yet typically in danger of giving up a few. If Halak wasn't also having a good day... Barzal cannot be stopped. He is one exciting player.

d'Kong76 Jan 13 2018 08:22 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Had the goalie thing completely bassackwards, Lundqvist was coming in after five goals, not leaving.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 16 2018 04:21 AM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Another thrilling Islanders game. They give you a show every night. A shitshow sometimes, but s show nonetheless. Tonight they were outshot something like 50-20, blew a pair of 2-goal leads, lost another defenseman to injury, and won in OT at Montreal.

Ceetar Jan 19 2018 06:57 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

fucking Islanders. Possibly the worst run team in the city.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 20 2018 04:50 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Yesterday I had the day to myself and stubhubbed an Islanders ticket. 7th row in the corner where the Isles shot twice. Hard to see down ice especially in the corner through the glass, but hockey is really great that close, definitely a much better experience than way up above the banners where I saw the Islanders a year ago and accidently started this weird love affair I have with them. Anyway being the Islanders they largely dominated but still lost, only 5 minutes of the game they weren't in charge resulted in 3 goals. Got to see Tanner Fritz' 1st NHL goal, he's a little guy with who gets by on outsized hustle and physicality. Barzal is amazin' but needs to know when to score goals instead of trying to assist on them from time to time. Isles remain exciting and I still think they could win a playoff series but they are playing with a palpable sense their defense is weak and occasionally spotty goaltending; they've never gotten past losses of deHaan and Kulemin to injury. Twitter fans are taking a page from their snotty Met counterparts and buying a billboard. Anyway, if you're going to go to the rink and watch your team lose, you may as well get close.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 27 2018 05:00 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

I know I'm talking to myself here but the Islanders were mathematically eliminated last night, the culmination of a complete collapse you can probably date to the Calvin deHaan injury mentioned above but exacerbated by concurrent injuries to Boychuk (who's been back) and Mayfield (who departed just as Boychuk returned). I also think the shenanigans about playing in 2 home addresses over the next couple of years might have entered their minds; Taveras either got hurt and didn't say anything or just got very tired, or maybe started worrying too much about his status: he will be a free agent and the Islanders have to decide whether he's worth keeping for the $$ he'll get. I also think their smart-ass fans turning on them did the team no favors. Like the pissed-off Mets fans they did a billboard campaign to fire the GM, who they felt didn't do enough, even though the move to get Eberle before the year was a three-run homer; a sure-fire rookie of the year arrived in Barzal; and fellow rookie Ryan Pulock looks like he will be a very dangerous guy for a while. I am in agreement that had the FO reacted sooner to the defensive deficiencies they needn't have fallen so far. They looked like a lock back in November. I don't know enough hockey to ascertain how culpable the coaching staff is but generally losing 14 of 16 down the stretch is something that would typically get a guy fired. He is right when he says they have generally been in most games but whatever winning instinct they needed just never developed. Islanders need 1 or 2 real good defensemen and improvements to the 3rd and 4th lines and more consistent goaltending this offseason.

Ceetar Mar 27 2018 05:47 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

there was the ho-sang demotion and the refusal to acquire any players too. There was a point a few weeks ago where they were really close to scoring the most points in the league and also giving up the most points in the lead. Now they face the potential of losing Tavares.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 27 2018 06:30 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Yeah but they got better when they demoted Ho-Sang, who got knocked off the puck too easily and turned it over like crazy. I thought they might bring him back when it became clear they were not going to fix the D, just lean in to becoming a who-gives-a-fuck team that tries to win 7-6 every night but I think there's something to respect for hockey tradition that stopped them short of truly committing to it. They were stuck in between. I don't know what happened to Ho-Sang since the demotion, but there was chatter he had a bad attitude since before he was drafted, and he was playing on the 4th line in Bridgeport.

Lefty Specialist Mar 30 2018 04:56 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Okay, this is pretty cool. A 36-year-old accountant is the emergency backup goalie for the Blackhawks and is forced to enter the game with 14 minutes left.....then stops all 7 shots on goal to seal the win. https://twitter.com/hashtag/FosterOfThePeople?src=hash

seawolf17 Mar 30 2018 05:25 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Lefty Specialist wrote: Okay, this is pretty cool. A 36-year-old accountant is the emergency backup goalie for the Blackhawks and is forced to enter the game with 14 minutes left.....then stops all 7 shots on goal to seal the win. https://twitter.com/hashtag/FosterOfThePeople?src=hash The whole NHL "emergency goalie" thing is one of my favorite things in all of sports.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 11 2018 04:17 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

This year's Minnesota High School Hockey Hair video: [youtube:2nydmrl8]dwDpSKDyKRU[/youtube:2nydmrl8]

G-Fafif Apr 21 2018 10:03 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

With the Devils eliminated from their first-round matchup versus the Lightning, the New York Metropolitan Area is guaranteed of setting a record for longest modern title drought in the Big Four sports, with nobody among the Mets, MFYs, Giants, Jets, Nets, Knicks, Islanders, Devils or Rangers having won The Big One since February 5, 2012, when the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI. The dry spell has reached 2,266 days, two weeks short of the previous longest, which was 2,280, between the MFYs winning the 1962 World Series and the Jets taking Super Bowl III. May 6 will make it 2,281 days. No parade is planned. (There were no NY World Series winners between 1905 Giants and 1921 Giants, making it 5,843 days for the shall way say premodern record, when there wasn't much in the way of a big-time Big Four professional sports scene here or anywhere.)

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 22 2018 07:09 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Islanders hire 75-year-old Lou Lamiorello to head up the hockey department. Most fans seem hopeful he whacks existing coach & GM

Frayed Knot May 22 2018 08:12 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Whacking coaches is something Lou has been known to do fairly frequently including at the tail end of seasons with teams on the verge of the playoffs. And of course the other big hockey news is the first-year expansion Vegas Golden Knights reaching the Stanley Cup finals.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 05 2018 06:10 PM Re: The ice was here, the ice was there. 2017-18 hockey thre

Islanders whack GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight, making the billboarders happy.