Archives for June 2006

Before I get to draft day, I read the Bruins have qualified 9 players. They are Andrew Alberts, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Boyes, Nick Boynton, Milan Jurcina, Nathan Robinson, Martin Samuelsson, Jordan Sigalet and David Tanabe. I find it depressing that Colton Orr isn’t on that list. I am still really bummed about him being a Ranger. He’s a guy that was a poster boy Bruin, and they let him go. Sad. Here’s hoping they sign UFA Georges Laraque July 1. I know I have a better chance of becoming President, but I can dream.

Speaking of guys being let go, that brings me to draft day. I really like the move to ship Rayzor off to Toronto. I said all Summer before his Rookie Season I didn’t feel he was ready for the NHL. I was pleasantly surprised by him putting up the kind of season that he did, but I think some true colors were shown in the playoffs. Then the lockout came, and he didn’t play much. He started this season as the Bruins go to guy, and from opening night, did not look good. Eventually Rayzor lost the job to Hannu Toivonen, and even later on Tim Thomas. I think Rayzor’s confidence is way down, and a fresh start with a new team may be just what the doctor ordered. Apparently the kid they got back, Tuukka Rask, is supposed to be legit. I saw him a bit at the World Juniors, and I must say he looked pretty darn good to me. The Bruins have a bit of a log jam in goal right now with Toivonen, Thomas, Sigalet, and now Rask. Brian Eklund was not offered a contract, and will be free to seek employment elsewhere. I think Toivonen and Thomas do the heavy lifting in Boston, while Sigalet and Rask tend the farm. Look for Sigalet and Rask on a possible call up to get a look in the show if Thomas’ game goes to shit.

The big Bruins news on draft day, was the number 5 overall pick, Phil Kessel. Last year a scout said if Kessel were available he’d take him over Sidney Crosby. For two years, Phil was the consensus number one pick. There was no question about it. Then the World Juniors came along this year, and his stock fell off in a big way. Scouts didn’t like how he didn’t make anyone around him any better. That is a problem when you are a center. Hell, just ask Jonathan Cheechoo. He had a career year thanks to Joe Thornton. The word on Kessel is he can beat you one on one, and is a good finisher, but needs to work on playmaking, and hockey sense without the puck. Some say the latter is an issue because he is flakier than a Toaster Strudel, and if that’s the case, Phil will not handle the media here in Boston well. If he returns to the can’t miss prospect he once was, and can translate that to the NHL, people around here will be asking Thornton who? In no time at all.

Check this out.  I like it. It’s not as cool as the Goonblog logo, but it is an improvement over the old Barney looking asshole they had before. Not a lot of time today. Stupid working. Dumb rent. Talk amongst yourselves. I’ll give you a topic.

If your last name was Pants, would you make everyone call you Smarty?

What an incredible finish to the 2006 season. I am sitting in Goonblog HQ watching the Red Sox kill the Nationals. It is making me miss hockey already. I can’t be happier with the outcome from last night. I wrote off the Oilers when Roloson went down, and boy was I wrong. Then, I wrote off Carolina when they lost two straight, and looked bad doing it. Again, dead wrong. Last night’s tilt was what it’s all about. That was two teams battling for something they have wanted their whole lives. Sadly only one team could win, and it was the beloved Hurricanes.

I think for the Oilers, they have nothing to be ashamed of. If you told me at the start of the playoffs the Oliers would take Carolina to 7 in the finals, I would have locked you up and taken away the key. I thought they had a chance to beat Detroit, but I was pretty sure they’d lose to the Ducks. They just kept coming, and believing in themselves. Yes sir, the Oil, and the Oil faithful have plenty to be proud of.

So, another NHL season is in the books. Personally, I thought regular season play was just OK. I didn’t like the lack of emotion, and physical play was way down. The Spring however more than made up for my luke warm regular season reception. I thought the playoffs were very exciting from start to finish, with great series in both conferences. Last night was the culmination of a great Spring. Congratulations Carolina, hurry back.

Back and to the left. This is like watching the Zapruder film. I’m glad Edmonton has had a chance to catch their breath after that early Hurricanes goal, and if that net crash (admittedly) had resulted in a goal it may have sucked the momentum right out of them. My AC is blaring, and my energy bill is going to be longer than a Pronger shift, but this is a glorious way to spend a Monday evening.

 THIRD PERIOD

You can’t see me right now, but I’m doing the cabbage patch: Rem Murray, it’s your birthday.

Sigh. I prefer when "pulling his goalie" is a euphamism for masturbation. 20 seconds left, and Torres is starting fights. Go down swinging, boys. An exciting end to the season, and good, honest, lighthearted fun. Regardless, a pox on your families, Carolina.

I have Brass Bonanza cranked. The left side of my face is painted blue, the right, green. I just feverishly masturbated to my Mike Liut card. Goonblog HQ is rocking!!! Unfortunately, I think it may be all for nothing. I really like the Oil tonight. I think they have taken the Whale’s game away from them, and have all the Mo. If New England wants to win, the need to stay out of the box, and take advantage of any power plays they get. For Alberta, stay the course. They are a better club 5 on 5, and they know it. Face off in minutes away. I will say this. If the Whale wins it, Cam Ward is the Conn Smythe winner. I will be back after the first. Ref? Dave? If you are out there, let’s hear your thoughts.

FIRST PERIOD

WOW! What a first period! That is exactly the way the Whale needs to play to win the Cup. I am 100% confused by the play at the end of the period. Why is that not a penalty shot? The goaltender can freeze the puck to cause a stoppage on a delayed penalty. However, it is illegal for a position player to cover the puck in the crease. Staios did just that causing a whistle; however, it is illegal for Staios to cover it where he did. Why is that not a penalty shot (for the penalty on Staios) and the original minor called on Moreau? Are the officials saying they blew the whistle because they lost sight of the puck, and not because Alberta covered it illegally? I am verey confused. I think another Heineken Light may help.Hopefully the rest of the tilt is as good. Back after the second.

SECOND PERIOD

This is by far, the best game of the series. After six great tilts. The Kraft Dinner, Whiskey Sour, and three Heineken Lights tonight. It comes down to this. As Paul Crewe would say, "Let’s do it for Brindy. Dougie Weight, Commie, and Rosie." Go Canes.

Remember back in the late 80’s when Billy Crystal was still kind of funny? He made a movie with Gregory Hines called "Running Scared." Basically it was a tale of two veteran Chicago Detectives nearing the end of their careers and all they knew was how to be veteran Chicago Detectives. Well, the Captain decides they are "holding on too tight" (classic cop movie cliche by the way) and demands the boys take a vacation. GASP! After they get a taste of the good life for a week or so in Florida, they return to Chicago with a new outlook on how to be Veteran Chicago Detectives. The motto for the rest of the film is, "Be careful, but not too careful." There is even a scene where they call for backup, and the whole Chicago Police Department shows up because they had never called for backup before. It was assumed it was a very big deal. Hilarity ensues. Finally the movie culminates with the boys getting the drug dealer, the drugs, and Billy Crystal wins back his ex wife, all while not being careful. Fade to black, end credits. I think in a lot of ways the Whalers are having a Running Scared moment right now, and if they aren’t careful, they are going to lose the whole series.

Hartford’s game is fast and chaotic. They need to play with more reckless abandon while 5 on 5 if they want to survive this series. If it wasn’t for the steady power play action the other night, that game doesn’t even get to overtime.  Alberta is a team with nothing to lose right now. The momentum is all on their side. They are down 3-2 in the series, and can play the style they have been playing. Take it to the Whale, and get right in their face. What do the have to lose? They are going back home. If they win, they live to fight another day. If they lose, they put up a great effort  in front of the home crowd, and get saluted for a season no one expected. In theory. If they lay an egg, this is all out the window.

I personally hope it goes 7 games for two reasons. I love 7th games. Who doesn’t? I love the all the marbles mentality, and it’s usually the best game of the series. The second reason is I will be back in Newport this weekend for a bachelor party on Saturday night. I am pretty sure we will have other things to watch. My mother reads this blog, so I need not elaboarte. I think you guys get the idea. If it goes 7, I will be able to take it in at Goonblog HQ, while deflecting the same questions from MOL since the start of the series. "Who do you want to win?" "Isn’t this over yet?" "When is the LAST POSSIBLE GAME?" That’s really the one I get the most. Not a big fan that MOL. So Hartford, in Alberta, be careful, but not too careful. Alberta will be coming out like two Veteran Chicago Detectives that realize all they want to be is Veteran Chicago Detectives on Saturday. Don’t get caught Running Scared.

I got this video from Tweener. Apparently Penguins in the early 90s weren’t as cute and cuddly as they were in that movie from last year.

My internet service here at Goonblog HQ has been down more times than Jenna Jameson in the past couple of weeks. Or so I thought. Turns out. I am a moron. The problem was all on my end. At any rate, what a Game 1 in the WHA Finals. The Whale needs 3 more wins to capture their first Cup, and if Cam Ward plays the way he did tonight the rest of the way, I think he should win the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP. He robbed Sean Horcroff twice at point blank range. Both saves were game savers, and after both Ward stayed calm like he always does. Wardo is going to be a great goaltender in the NHL for quite some time.

What about the other end of the ice? The Oilers have been riding Roli the Goalie like Seattle Slew since acquiring him from the Wild at the trade deadline. If he is down for a long time, they are in serious trouble. Note to the Oiler dressing room. It might not be a bad idea to take shoe laces, and anything sharp away from Ty Conklin tonight. That is a tough way to lose a game, especially for a guy that has had confidence problems all year. This will not help. My prediction. Whalers in 6.

UPDATE: Craig McTavish just came on TV and said Roloson is hurt bad, and WILL NOT be back in the series. Terrible news for the Oil.

I am back from Indy. Second closest finish EVAH! Great race. I will get into that. Stayed tuned. Our internet was down here for a week, and I have been drying out a bit. I think I have pieced enough of the weekend together to write about it. Alas, I am out the door for a wedding in Newport. I will be back tomorrow with a full report on Indy, the WHA Finals, and maybe some fight stories from the wedding. Drop by tomorrow. Have a good weekend all.