As you guys all know, I think Rob Simpson is a goof. He must have nude pictures of someone somewhere, because he comes off like a total numnut on his in game reports on NESN. As such, I have never really paid much attention to his Rubber Biscuit show, also on NESN. I figure the 15 minutes a week I get of him on Bruins games is enough. However, when I heard that last weeks show was going to be about fighting, obviously I was firing up the DVR, and watching the show. I am glad I did.
For those not in the know, Rubber Biscuit is a half hour program on NESN. Basically what I can gather is it is a wacky behind the scenes look at the Bruins, both on the ice and off. Sounds like Simpson being Simpson, so I have basically avoided the whole thing. The fighting episode was perhaps the finest half hour in television history.
Basically, Rubber Biscuit takes the same stance Goonblog does on fighting, and fighting’s place is the game today. They also mixed in some awesome fight clips, and some quick interviews with Bruins legends, Ray Bourque, Jay Miller, Derek Turk Sanderson, Terry O’Reilly, and number 8, Cam Neely.
There was a common thread with all the interviews. Miller said he fought because he was a local kid and he felt like he was defending the honor of Boston, also, it was the only way he could stay in the show. O’Reilly said that back in his day, fighting was so common, and luckily for him it was, because it was, like Miller, the only way he could stay. Turk said the same thing. Even Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque fought. Said Sanderson. Bourque and Neely both said they did it when they had to. Neely as a product of his rough and tumble style, Bourque, to defend a teammate or retribution on a person that had taken some liberties with the interpretation of the rules.
What Rubber Biscuit said about fighting itself is there is a place in the game for it, in fact, a very big place. They looked at why the NHL in legislating fighting out, and the repercussion to the fans. Stating that people that aren’t watching the NHL now are never going to watch the NHL, no matter what kind of marketing they do. It made me think of basketball. No matter what the NBA does, I am never watching. I understand it is Sales, and Marketing 101, you need to grow the business through advertising, but if you change the product enough, you’ll drive away the existing customer base. See the drop in attendance as an example.
The show also examined the instigator rule. Paul Mara had said he wanted to do something about the cheap shot laid on a mate in Buffalo, but didn’t because he was afraid of getting his third instigator, and thus suspended for two games. It has always been my stance that without the instigator rule, the Todd Bertuzzi incident never happens.
All in all it was a fine program. This league is in deep trouble folks. The regular season has turned into a very long exhibition schedule, with no emotion or meaning to most of the games. Attendance is way down because North American hockey fans prefer North American hockey, not the Swedish Elite League. Rubber Biscuit really nailed the role of fighting in the NHL, and I suggest you catch it if you can
I agree, the guy is a total Tool. I hope it’s on again because I deleted it from the DVR with out ever watching it. My son records and watches every single sporting event and sports show on cable TV (well on his way to being a great catch for some lucky young lady in a few years)
Taz, I have it on DVR. I am trying to figure out a way to burn it to DVD. If I figure it out, I’ll send it. It really was a great show.
Clarkson and Leach went last night. Not much of a fight really. Curry didn’t play after the first. I think he had a hurt vagina.
They have a small preview on nesn site
Pretty intense game last night. Unfortunately I had to watch it at the Joshua Tree in Davis Square.
Chris – since that episode of RB was so good, are you going to let Simpson off the hook a little bit?
Ref-No Deal. Looks like it’s starting again in 5 minutes on NESN. I was going to come in today, but some other stuff came up. We’ll do it soon.
Again Miller, Neeley, O’Reilley. What else needs to be said. Bring the Boston Brawlers back.Shit, draft Mike Tyson to the Bruins, They wear helmets now, their ears should be safe!!!
I am off to Halftime Pizza. Will report back wasted later.
I hope you didn’t order anchovies,I’d hate to see you turn up as A PUCK!!!!
Red Thunder – noone and I mean noone will ever confuse Chris as a puck!
Dont forget Shoebottom, Byers and Nylan. Bring back the GOONS
Wholly Shit. Did you see what Simon did last night? If not here is the YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht6RyAI9370&mode=related&search=
I have a feeling he has played his last game in the show.
Killer – do not be haten on Simon. He tried to hit that little knat in the chest and the stick rode up. He laid on the ice like he was shot but ended up having a mere flesh wound. I say suspend each guy for 3 games. Simon for slashing and Hallweg for being a pussy.
Bruins have not scored in 2 games?
K Special: That’s your view of the play. I bet you a $1.00 Simon never laces em up in the show again. The B’s got 1 goal from BOCHENSKI last night. Maybe you should have your eyes checked?
Oh ya the only guy on that team that can light the lamp scored in the third. I had a few Molsons in me by then. Simon (if not suspended for the rest of 2007) will be a factor in the post season. Killllllaaaahhhh!!!!!!
Quick recap of the Bruins game last night. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Total shit. K Special, you are drunk. Simon smashed him in the face, and will be done at least for the regular season, and rightly so.
It’s ironic that on real sports with Bryant Gumbel this week on HBO they had a big special with Nolan and Simon. It was a nice story, too bad it won’t have a happy ending. The best part about the B’s game last night was the fight between a skinny kid in a Celtics jersey and about four kids in Bruins gear. Happened right in front of me and I missed Bochensky’s goal because of it. Celts jersey threw about ten quick rabbit punches all square. Decent fight.
Greg, Do you think Ted Nolan didn’t get a coaching job because he turned down the Sabres, then Tampa Bay, and no one wanted to make an offer to him becuase he wanted to much money or control or whatever, or is it racism?
Hey thanx for the quick connect to youtube. I havn’t had cable for awhile so I never get to see shit like that. Definite CHEAP SHOT
I think that after being coach of the year the Sabres should have offered more than a one year contract. I think he turned down the Tampa job out of stubborness. I really don’t know why any other team contacted him, it could be racism, but in this day and age of equal opportunity bullshit I find it hard to believe that any organization could have had a winning “minority coach” and didn’t jump all over it, especially here in the states. In the end, I think it came down to money.
New York Islanders forward Chris Simon was suspended indefinitely by the NHL today for striking New York Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg in the face with his stick.
Fellas I know why Ted Nolan did not get another job for a long time. Those things happen when you pork your starting goalies wife. Hasek asked to leave Buffalo because of Nolan and his extra activities. I got this info from a former Sabre winger.
K Special: did Nolan go 5 hole on her?
Killer he went multiple holes.
They failed to mention that on Gumbel’s show…
Just remember K Special can provide the inside scoop!!!
How do the Bruins loose to Philly and then take the wings to the wood shed like that??? The Wings have only lost three games at home all season. Just unreal. That was a very good Reich bout. He landed some nice pops to that dude grill piece. Chris, your boy Kobasew netted one for you. That was good to see.
I love the Kobasew goal. Right place right time. Good fight to start the game as well. Lots of time off for the Bruins. I just wish they were closer in points.