Happy Boxing Day! My apologies for the long layoff. I have been on doggie duty for the last ten days. MOL has been working strange hours, and as such, I’ve had to take care of Milan Lucic. We’ve been watching a lot of hockey together, but when I try to use the computer all she wants to do is chew on the screen, so blogging has been tough. My Christmas was great. This year was a very relaxing affair. It was nice to not have to run around. Anyway, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! I’ll be back next week with some goon stuff.
Archives for December 2008
Get well soon Brian
Best wishes going out to Phoenix tough guy, Brian McGrattan today. Brian entered the league’s substance abuse program willingly yesterday for an undisclosed reason. Hopefully he’ll be able to get the help he needs and get his career back on track. I had the chance to speak with him a few years ago when he was in Lowell with the Binghamton Senators. While I admit I was terrified of the man due to his sheer massiveness, I found him to be a pretty cool guy to talk to. I really shouldn’t be surprised. Most of the guys that do the work he does are the nicest guys on earth. For your viewing pleasure, I have posted a fight between Brian McGrattan and Shawn Thornton. I believe this is the first time these two guys have ever fought in their careers. Simply amazing considering how much time they both spent in the AHL. Anyway, get well soon Brian. Hopefully we see you back on a NHL roster soon.
Milan and I love Old Time Hockey
It’s been a big hockey weekend so far. Last night Milan Lucic and I watched the Bruins game, and some of the Calgary game. Then Milan woke up at 7 AM, so I took her out for a walk (she was super good by the way) and came in the house to find Youngblood on On Demand. It had been years since I’d seen it, and as I was telling Dean Youngblood’s skating was done by Peter Zezel, and why we hated him, I did my normal morning routine of looking at box scores. I was pretty happy to see two Old Time Hockey games last night in the NHL.
The beloved Bruins and Thrashers had 4 fights in the 7-3 Boston win. What makes this all the more interesting is these two teams face off again tonight at The Garden. It started about 3 minutes in last night in Atlanta. Eric Boulton and Shawn Thornton got into it after the Bruins went up 1-0. They were talking about it off the opening draw but decided against it. After the early lead taken by the Bruins, Thornton obliged Boulton’s request to have a go. It was a pretty good scrap that I score as a draw. Boulton fought again later in the game, and I score it a win for Boston’s Milan Lucic. Zdeno Chara’s fight was fairly lame that I guess was a draw, although I am not 100% sure any punches were thrown. It was more of a wrestling match, and obviously Jack Edwards mentioned Z’s dad was a former wrestler. He’s the biggest homer ever, and I love it. The fourth fight was Shawn Thornton again having a go with Atlanta’s hulking Boris Valabik. Looking at the tale of the tape on this fight, Thornton has to get credit for giving up the huge size advantage to the massive Valabik. I was quite impressed with the big Slovak. He handled Thornton nicely, and it was a clear win for him.
Not to be outdone on the score sheet, New Jersey and the New York Rangers had a slug fest at the Rock last night. They had 4 dust ups themselves, across all weight classes. Round one was the heavyweight division with Colton Orr and Mike Rupp getting into it. I liked this fight, and I score it a win for Rupp. He threw and landed more than Orr did. The next fight was in the light heavyweight division featuring two former Lowell Devils teammates in New Jersey’s David Clarkson, and the Rangers Aaron Voros. This could be the fight of the night. A lot of punches trade by each guy. I score it a draw, but nominate it for fight of the night.
Next up we have Travis Zajac getting fed 3 hard rights from Dan Girardi after Girardi leveled him. High marks to Zajac for standing up for himself. Quick tip: Let someone else do your dirty work. Yikes that was ugly. The final tilt was Jamie Langenbrunner of New Jersey against Ryan Callahan. Not a bad scrap that I score a win for Callahan. He threw and landed more.
So, we had two games, and 8 fights between them. These are classic examples of why I love fighting. Look at the Bruins and Atlanta first. There isn’t much of a rivalry there, and why would there be? They are not in the same division, and haven’t ever had a reason to dislike each otheruntil maybe last night. The Thrashers were sending a message to Boston: you may be beating us on the ice, but we are not taking it lying down. I love games like that, and it’s a big reason why I love fighting in hockey. I would not be surprised if these two have a fight off the hop in the Garden tonight.
Then there are the Devils, and Rangers. This is a classic natural rivalry game that got out of hand on the scoreboard, and frustrations were reflected on the penalty sheet. These two clubs don’t like each other, and when the score gets out of hand, this kind of thing happens. I for one love it, and it’s what makes hockey so unique. What happens in other sports when the score gets high? They can either let up on each other, or run up the score. In hockey, you have the element of having to stand up for winning or losing. The mentality being, we are beating you on the scoreboard, now I’m sending you a message that we can beat you physically too. Or, ok, you are winning on the scoreboard, but I am not going down without a fight. It’s a factor that makes hockey unique, and probably the least understood part of the game for non fans. Last night’s games are what we fans talk about when we say Old Time Hockey and I loved every second of it. So did Milan Lucic the dog. Here’s hoping Atlanta hasn’t forgotten last night yet, and will be looking to settle a score early tonight, and here’s hoping Boston is ready for it.
Schmoopie Loopy Cute Face!
MOL and I would like to welcome the newest Goon to the Goonblog family, the wee Milan Lucic! A little background here. To say I am not a dog person is a gross understatement. I have never had a dog, nor have I wanted one. In fact, it is only after nearly two years of MOL begging and pleading that we finally would up with the little lady. I tried to take a hard line on this, but to MOL’s credit she never gave up. Imagine the most tenacious forechecker ever, and that’s MOL about this dog. I was 100% against us getting an animal, and was totally prepared to hate every second of it.
“You ate an entire wheel of cheese and then pooped in the refrigerator? No, I’m not even mad. That is amazing.”
That lasted about 42 seconds. As soon as I saw this little bundle of joy, I was hooked. She is my schmoopie loopy cute face, and I don’t care who knows it! I tried to be all tough when we met her, but she looked right at me and licked me (no peanut butter) and I melted. I have been making fun of Dave ever since he got his dogs, and how he’s always singing to them, and telling them silly stories about how they are the greatest puppies everwell, that’s me now. I am not unlike Ron Burgundy singing to Baxter. Guys, I tell you, I am a strange man. I think you all know this, but the way I act around this animal is weird. Even MOL has had to rein me in. Last night I was singing a song to her after her namesake scored in the Bruins game and I looked over at MOL to see her feverishly seeking phone numbers to places where I might be able to get a little rest if you know what I mean. Anyway, here she is in all her glory! Milan Lucic the dog!
I got your back Sean.
Let me see if I follow this. Last season, Patrice Bergeron was hit from behind by Randy Jones of the Philadelphia Flyers so hard he sustained a concussion a broken nose, and never played another game until this season. Randy Jones’ suspension? 3 Games. This season, Tom Kostopoulos hit Toronto’s Mike Van Ryn from behind giving the man a broken hand, nose, facial lacerations and a concussion. Van Ryn has just started skating again after missing almost a month of action. TK’s suspension? 3 Games.
So the other night while in Calgary, Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery made an off color remark about players in the NHL getting his sloppy seconds with regards to dating Elisha Cuthbert. Cuthbert just so happens to date Calgary Defenseman Dion Phaneuf. What is the reaction of the NHL? They suspend Sean Avery for 6 games. Unpaid! I am not defending Sean Avery here. What he said was in poor taste, and showed a lack of good judgment. Having said that, if the NHL was an organization that knew how to market itself, they would have plastered Avery’s comments all over the internet, radio, and television, then immediately starting a marketing campaign for the Stars at Calgary the next night. It would have been a great way for the league to get a casual fan to watch what could have been a very exciting hockey game. The NFL does it all the time by letting players air their trash talk. It gives the opposing team’s locker room bulletin board material, and when it happens, it’s all the press can talk about. Oh, look what so-and-so said about so-and-so. We better watch this matchup this Sunday! Don’t miss it. Instead, the NHL suspends someone for a non violent act off the ice, that really probably only hurt the feelings of Elisha Cuthbert because Mr. Bettman says I wanted it to be clear to the fans that this isn’t something that we tolerate — particularly fans with children who might have to explain to them what this statement was,” Bettman said.
We do tolerate violent hits from behind that would be a lot harder to explain to a child if and when someone gets killed on the ice, but we do not tolerate the use of the term sloppy seconds by a known agitator (who, by the way, had never been suspended by the league until today) who was just trying to get a rise out of the opposition? Really? It’s times like this when I am embarrassed to say I am a fan of the NHL.
Hello. I love you. Can I Borrow your Snowmobile?
Remember when I said I was waiting to get pictures of the Detroit game before I posted on the Thanksgiving weekend at the Garden? Well, you can forget I said anything. The pictures are really shitty, and I deleted them, so you’ll have to go without. Seems to me the new catch phrase is in this economy. As in in this economy we have to learn to live without pictures of a hockey game. See what I did? In this economy has replaced the Big Dig for Bostonians as the excuse du jour. Used to be, why did the Pats lose? Big Dig. Now, in this economy. Get it? I should hope so. Mr. Obama will fix everything thoughfear notDave, I’m moving in.
So, Friday morning I arrived at the Hammer’s mother’s place to find the family in various stages of hungover. Hammer being the leader can best be described as looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost on a particularly pale day. I mean, to say he was white is a bit like saying we like fights. A gross understatement to be sure. After getting a bit of a visit in, and some coffee down, we decided it was time to head to the Garden for the game. Hammer however, had to hurl first. With the hurling out of the way, we were off. It was me, Hammer, Mrs. Hammer and John David on our way to meet Dave and the lovely Alize at the Grand Canal at 10:30.
The slight problem in our plan The Grand Canal doesn’t open until 11, and Dave is perpetually late. As such, 10:30 at the GC turned into 11:15 at the Fours. Not really a big whoop, as Hammer could only get a few sips into his beer before he had to go for air. I was thinking there was no way he was going to make it. Once Dave and Alize showed up, everyone had another round, and we headed over to the game. Obviously, Hammer had to exit slightly before us and was standing out front jacket in hand, sweating like Patrick Ewing trying to read his contract. I guess he got a little on the Pats jacket.
Once in the game, JD and I headed for the balcony, and the Hungry for Hockey section, while the other 4 headed to the lodge. JD and I enjoyed a couple dogs, some nachos, and a spirited discussion on how much Andy Hilbert looks like Booger from Revenge of the Nerds. Good times indeed.
The game was excellent. It started poorly as the Bruins got down early 1-0. It was a good thing the new uniforms are so nice, because there play was looking ugly early. After kicking off the early morning cobwebs, they got to work and handled the Islanders 7-2. The game featured two decent fights, with Milan Lucic squaring off with Brendan Witt after Dennis Riverboat Gambler Wideman scored in the third. I am a little surprised Lucic didn’t get the Instigator on this. Looks to me like he started it after the whistle, but maybe they let it slide because of the cross check exchange the two were having in front of the net? Either way, I score it a win for Milan.
Bout 2 of the day featured Tim Jackman of the Islanders, and Boston’s Sheriff Shane Hnidy. It started after the play and was right below JD and I. Hnidy gets a very clear early advantage landing a few good right hands, but I feel the rest of the fight was all Tim Jackman. He landed some really hard rights, and cut Hnidy. I score it a win Jackman. Very entertaining fight. Kudos to both men for trying to get the boys going.
After the game ended we agreed to meet back up at the Fours. Apparently every fan in the building, and a couple of people that were not at the game, but at the bar, decided it was the right time to go to the Fours. Holy sardines. Off to the Grand Canal with the lot of us. It was a lot less crowded further down Canal St..hey I just got that. Grand Canal is on Canal StreetI am an idiot. Anyhow, I was impressed with Hammer’s rally. The man was positively a different person. There was color in his face. He could talk without looking like he was going to hurl. It was like witnessing a miracle. The rest of the evening featured a few beers and Dave explaining to the rest of us whilst giving Alize a wedgie, that in Canada giving someone a wedgie meant, Hello, I love you. Can I borrow your snowmobile? Easily the funniest moment of the day, and if it hadn’t of been for Hammer’s remarkable comeback, it would have earned Dave MVP honors. That nod goes to the artist formerly known as Casper. Well played Hammer. You should be proud.
As a footnote to the weekend, I was back in the Garden Saturday evening for the dismantling of the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Detroit Red Wings. George and I were seated in the Sports deck behind the Bruins goal they defend twice. If I may suggest getting your hands on some seats up there? What a good take. The view is really good of the game, plus you get a buffet, as well as a bar right behind you! Excellent times. Plus the Bruins killed Detroit and the guy next to us was a Wings fan. What a baby. He was all bent out of shape, and being a whiner. I am glad they lost. Anyway, hope everyone had a great holiday. MOL had dinner with mother, and it was lovely. Other than that, a little hockey and some relaxing. Excellent times eh?
Hi, I’m Kevin
I am waiting on a couple of pictures to be e-mailed to me from last night’s Bruins game against the Red Wings. Once I get those you will get a full review of the weekend’s games at the TD Banknorth Garden. Quick preview: There were wedgies, and snowmobile talk. Plus Hammer booting. Twice. Good times.
Until then, please enjoy this video Tweener sent to me. I must once again thank him for finding gems like this almost everyday and passing it on. What you are about to see is a beauty TKO from Manchester’s Kevin Westgarth on Philadelphia’s Jeff Szwez. As you can see, Szwez is out when Westy tags him hard with the left, but he gets in another hard right for good measure. Kudos to Szwez for getting right back up though. I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. Stayed tuned for the weekend wrap up, and as always stay goony!