The Crane Pool Forum

Due to unpopular demand we haven't had a hockey thread this year.

Allow me to start with a book recommendation: Dave Hill is a comic/musician I like, also a hockey fan who wrote a silly but funny book about the sport:



Islanders were looking haggard early on; blowing multi-goal leads in the 3rd period, getting penalized on the power play, etc but seem to have found something with back to back OT wins over the Kings and Toronto (both good teams). The Islanders unlike recent vintage clubs don't defend all that well (apart from the goalies) but suddenly have a good power play, are relatively fast, and score a fair amount.

The Devils were supposed to be the best of the NY teams but they've gotten off to a slower start than the Isles. They have a lot of young talent including a potential MVP type in Hughes.

The Rangers are in 1st place in the division but I haven't seen them play much.

I assume that's not Dave Hill of Slade.

The cover appears to be in Islanders colors (but with a deeper blue). Is that part of his angle?

No he's a Rangers fan but has affection for other clubs too. He is screamingly funny, as a recent series of Henry Kissinger teeets shows.

Watching the dude on YouTube NOW!!!! and pissing myself.

The man is a genius. Guitar Center!

Youthful Swede Simon Holmstrom has been one of the Islanders' best surprises of the season. He now has 10 goals--five shorthanded. He's on pace to match Mario Lemieux's all-time record of 13 shorties. Isles 3, Oilers 1

Jaromir Jagr, 51, played 14 minutes and recorded an assist for his hometown team in the Czech league.
This kicks off his 36th season of professional hockey.

Was all excited as me + Lunchpail went to the Islanders game last night, only to see a 0-0 game through the first period turn into a 6-0 Penguins blowout in the second and a 7-0 final score. Islanders weren't rough enough on those guys.

Here's another funny bit from Dave Hill https://open.substack.com/pub/mrdavehil ... medium=web

I didn't really follow hockey until a few years ago when LittleDGW caught the hockey bug after spending a semester in Toronto. She works as a PA for Bridgeport, and has become a rabid Islanders fan. She's spending New Years in Pittsburgh with a few friends (one of whom works for the Penguins), and we already have tickets for 2/18 vs. the Ranger at the Meadowlands.

Struggling Islanders whack coach Lane Lambert, appoint hall of fame goalie Patrick Roy as New coach.

It was time for a change. Players either tuned him out or he taught the wrong lessons.

Roy is a bit of cantankerous sort, or at least can be.

"I saw a game with Patrick Roy a week or two ago, and he turned away more shots than a Mormon at an Irish wake!" — Dennis Miller, hosting the first-ever ESPY Awards, 1993.

Roy had a domestic incident, and more than a few off-ice punchups

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2024 10:38 pm Roy had a domestic incident, and more than a few off-ice punchups

At least one, IIRC, involving one of his kids' teams.

Fans are breathless for the new era.

Islanders are I think 3-3 or 2-3 in the Roy Era but definitely playing better. Last night they beat Toronto in Toronto, and looked just as good as them (and they're good).

Let's GO Rangers.

I thought it was supposed to start at 3. I imagine they'll drop
a puck by 4:30 after milkin' and milkin' and milkin'...

Anthem going on NOW.

Isles need this game more.

Early WWFesque scripted fisticuffs.

I'm on tape delay.

Oh lots of action

kcmets wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:02 pm Early WWFesque scripted fisticuffs.

I'm on tape delay.

That clown was making his NHL debut and penalized before the puck drops.

I know, Vince WWFesque.

I tune in seconds before the Rangers pull within one goal: 4-3 NYI, late 2nd

Definitely looking like an Islanders game now.

4-3 after two.

I'd like to go to one of these outdoor games. Certainly not at a
place that sucks like MetLife but rather a baseball stadium.