Nhl 2011-12

[Iamthegame]

the bruins let me down tonight but the pre-game stuff was good... It seems so hard for the team raising the banner that night to win, my 1 favorite team beat the hawks when they raised their banner last year.... but tomorrow is another day, cheering the kings to beat the evil rangers lol, and then at night cheering on my red wings... can't think of who else is playing, but my favorite teams are, 1. red wings, 2. bruins, 3. lighting, 4. capitals... anyway I'm always will to talk hockey but not on here much because there is so much to look at lol

 

[Iamthegame]

wings won last night and hoping they win tonight again against the avalanche... gotta go back and forth between bruins and wings... bruins playing better than they did on opening night lol

 

[Thad1527]

Here in Philadelphia, we were a little unsure at the start of the season about our Flyers. We lost several of our beloved players. Our captain, Mike Richards, was traded to Stacy's LA Kings. On the same day, Jeff Carter (pictured, just because I think he's hot) was traded to Columbus.

But you know what? It seems to be working out well. The Flyers have started 3-0. Ilya Bryzgalov, the expensive new goalie, already has more shutouts that the entire Flyers goaltending squad had all last season. (They had none.) We're liking Wayne Simmonds, who we stole from the Kings. Jagr still has the skills. Max Talbot (Sidney Crosby's buddy from the dryer commercials) has added enthusiasm to the Flyers. Even Voracek, acquired from Columbus, has helped. (I truthfully thought he'd be a major bust. I am hoping to be won over.)

 

[Thad1527]

See my blog for my personal hockey news.

I try to visit a new-to-me NHL arena every season. More than one, if possible. Last season was Minnesota (in April) and Washington (in October). The year before was Montreal (in November); the year before was Atlanta (glad I got that one in before they left!...in April) and the year before, Dallas (early) and Columbus (late).

 

[ignite32]

The capitals seem like a team to beat. Great start of the season, I think they can go far this year

 

[Thad1527]

Last Friday, I was inside Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh to see the Penguins defeat the Dallas Stars, 3-1.

At the time, it was a battle between the #1 and #2 teams in the NHL. I hadn't expected that.

I do believe these two teams are the overachievers in the league this year! Nobody outside Pittsburgh would have thought that the Pens could do so well without Sidney Crosby. And nobody anywhere was expecting much from the Stars: all the preseason articles I read predicted them near the bottom of the pack.

I have a new addition to my favorite players list: James Neal of Pittsburgh. He came to them from Dallas last season and has found his place. He scored twice on Friday, and I've seen the Pens on TV twice since; he's the real deal.

 

[King Gumby VIII]

Not sure if the Caps would fire the coach during the season. It might take some more playoff failures before his job is on the line..

 

[Thad1527]

Yup. Sid's back.

I was at my favorite gay sports bar watching the Flyers lose to Carolina. OK, they had good excuses: Jagr, Pronger, and Coburn were all out. But they were down 2 goals in the third period and just fizzled. Top teams don't get excused.

 

[Skittles075]

The captain is back--and what a comeback! After watching last night's game, I had no words. Two goals, two assists, +3; watching Sid out there look as if he never took a break from the ice was nothing short of magic. His first goal was an awesome backhand, but that second goal made no sense! I am super stoked for this season; this, the awesome performance of Flower, Duper, and Geno, and the shutout was the perfect morale boost after a small losing streak. Hell, even Sully got a goal. Insane night!

 

[Thad1527]

Last Thursday, I saw the Chicago Black Hawks at Nassau Coliseum playing the New York Islanders. Great game! The Hawks won, 3-2, in overtime. The first half was all Hawks; the Islanders played poorly and Chicago controlled the play. However, the Isles found some scoring and managed to tie the game. Patrick Sharp, who scored one of the two regulation goals, scored in the overtime to grab the win. I'm not a fan of Ray Emery, but he did a good job in goal for the Hawks.
The Black Hawks are one of my favorite teams (I had my dream Stanley Cup final in 2010), and this was the first I'd seen them in person since 2006 in Chicago.

 

[Iamthegame]

will not having the kid be the excuse for losing to the mighty wings on tuesday? I feel bad but maybe he shouldn't have come back so soon... I'm sure we will never hear the end of it

 

[Ninja108]

The sad thing is, his career is more than likely over. You can't keep taking that many blows to the head and be fine.

 

[Thad1527]

No HBO here but the local broadcasters are keeping us up-to-date with Winter Classic preparations.

I wuv John Stevens. He is a winner...as a coach in 2005 he won the most prestigious Cup that season in professional hockey here in Philadelphia. Yup, it's the longest continuously awarded trophy in the sport. The Calder Cup, given to the American Hockey League champions. Stevens coached the Philadelphia Phantoms. (Oh? The only other remotely prestigious cup in hockey that year of the lockout was the Kelly Cup, won that year by the ECHL Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies.)