Friday, April 09, 2004
What Don Cherry inspires..
When you've been a team of thugs for years, is it any surprise that your fans want to get in on the action? (0) comments
A good friday
It's Good Friday and all is good in Ottawa.
Much loathed sports radio embarrassment The Dandyman has been taken off the air (hopefully permanently) because of his comments about Tie Domi.
And based on the good karma resulting from his indefinite suspension, the Sens went into Toronto and beat the Leafs. It is really unfortunate that many Maple Leaf fans aren't knowledgeable enough to understand that they didn't lose the game because of the refs. They lost because they weren't the best team on the ice.
I've read numerous postings by Leaf fans complaining about the refs costing their team the game last night. To be fair, there are lots of Leaf fans that aren't doing that. But the ones that are complaining are either completely unknoweldgeable about the NHL or completely blinded by the blue and white goggles. They are also the fans that give Leaf fans the worst reputation of any group of NHL fans.
The refs missed plenty of calls against the Leafs and there weren't even many questionable calls against them. Just because Bob Cole and Harry Neale can't figure out what the Leafs did to get penalized doesn't make it a questionable call.
Even the heavily-biased CBC crew replayed numerous missed Toronto infractions including the slash on Chris Neil, the highstick on Martin Havlat, Ron Francis tackling Petr Bondra and Ed Belfour whacking Todd White with his stick.
Hopefully, the Sens will continue to prevail over the Leafs but one game doesn't mean I should be breaking out the broom for Wednesday's game at the Corel Centre just yet. Two years ago, the Sens went into Toronto and dominated the Leafs only to lose the series in 7 games. (0) comments
Much loathed sports radio embarrassment The Dandyman has been taken off the air (hopefully permanently) because of his comments about Tie Domi.
And based on the good karma resulting from his indefinite suspension, the Sens went into Toronto and beat the Leafs. It is really unfortunate that many Maple Leaf fans aren't knowledgeable enough to understand that they didn't lose the game because of the refs. They lost because they weren't the best team on the ice.
I've read numerous postings by Leaf fans complaining about the refs costing their team the game last night. To be fair, there are lots of Leaf fans that aren't doing that. But the ones that are complaining are either completely unknoweldgeable about the NHL or completely blinded by the blue and white goggles. They are also the fans that give Leaf fans the worst reputation of any group of NHL fans.
The refs missed plenty of calls against the Leafs and there weren't even many questionable calls against them. Just because Bob Cole and Harry Neale can't figure out what the Leafs did to get penalized doesn't make it a questionable call.
Even the heavily-biased CBC crew replayed numerous missed Toronto infractions including the slash on Chris Neil, the highstick on Martin Havlat, Ron Francis tackling Petr Bondra and Ed Belfour whacking Todd White with his stick.
Hopefully, the Sens will continue to prevail over the Leafs but one game doesn't mean I should be breaking out the broom for Wednesday's game at the Corel Centre just yet. Two years ago, the Sens went into Toronto and dominated the Leafs only to lose the series in 7 games. (0) comments
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Defecating in their own nest
That's what Leaf fans in Ottawa are doing according to former Sens owner, Bruce Firestone - defecating in their own nest.
The entire article is here.
But here are some good quotes from the article:
What prompts someone to cheer against their home team? Well, here is my list of why I think they do it:
1. The Stockholm Syndrome
2. The Inferiority Complex
3. Feelings of Inadequacy
4. Money and Power
5. Inability to Learn
...
You can be old at 30. Once you say to yourself, ‘I know everything, no one can teach me anything new’ … that’s it, you’re old.
Maybe Ottawa-based Leaf fans can’t learn anything new? They certainly are fanatic enough.
...
we received a call at Terrace offices that greatly upset my colleagues and me—it was from an Ottawa-based Leaf fan who said: “Do you hear this, Mr. Firestone? That’s the sound of me breaking my shotgun. If you don’t put my Leafs back on TV, I am going to come down there and shoot you and any of your staff that get in my way.”
...
No one loves the Sens more than I do but if I lived in Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Vancouver or even Toronto, I would hope the home team does well because it helps the community which nurtures us.
(0) comments
The entire article is here.
But here are some good quotes from the article:
What prompts someone to cheer against their home team? Well, here is my list of why I think they do it:
1. The Stockholm Syndrome
2. The Inferiority Complex
3. Feelings of Inadequacy
4. Money and Power
5. Inability to Learn
...
You can be old at 30. Once you say to yourself, ‘I know everything, no one can teach me anything new’ … that’s it, you’re old.
Maybe Ottawa-based Leaf fans can’t learn anything new? They certainly are fanatic enough.
...
we received a call at Terrace offices that greatly upset my colleagues and me—it was from an Ottawa-based Leaf fan who said: “Do you hear this, Mr. Firestone? That’s the sound of me breaking my shotgun. If you don’t put my Leafs back on TV, I am going to come down there and shoot you and any of your staff that get in my way.”
...
No one loves the Sens more than I do but if I lived in Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Vancouver or even Toronto, I would hope the home team does well because it helps the community which nurtures us.
(0) comments
The most startling event of the past week....
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
War of the Scum
Tie Domi is threatening to sue an Ottawa radio "personality" over comments about Domi committing spousal abuse.
As an Ottawa resident this could be one of those battles where it is a win-win situation.
The personality in question is known locally as the Dandyman and there isn't a more worseless piece of crap living in Ottawa. For him to accuse someone of wifebeating isn't surprising given his background, just look at Christopher's attack on Adriana on the most recent episode of the Sopranos.
However, when radio guys start getting this kind of bad publicity, it inevitably leads to their dismissal. Especially, now that Mark Maheu, who got the Dandyman his gig as a result of a prior business "arrangement", has left the CHUM group.
So if this leads to the Dandyman being taken off the air and Domi being placed in the witness relocation program, I'll be a happy man. (0) comments
As an Ottawa resident this could be one of those battles where it is a win-win situation.
The personality in question is known locally as the Dandyman and there isn't a more worseless piece of crap living in Ottawa. For him to accuse someone of wifebeating isn't surprising given his background, just look at Christopher's attack on Adriana on the most recent episode of the Sopranos.
However, when radio guys start getting this kind of bad publicity, it inevitably leads to their dismissal. Especially, now that Mark Maheu, who got the Dandyman his gig as a result of a prior business "arrangement", has left the CHUM group.
So if this leads to the Dandyman being taken off the air and Domi being placed in the witness relocation program, I'll be a happy man. (0) comments
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Going into the second season with subpar stats
Patrick Lalime has had a subpar season this year. He's also headed into the playoffs as the Sens' starting goalie if he's healthy. Lots of Sens fans are questioning whether he can do the job.
I'd like to point out some stats.
A GAA of 2.47 and a save percentage of .903. You might think those are Lalime's stats from this season but they are actually his stats from two years ago which are worse then his stats this year. His stats for the playoffs that year? A GAA of 1.38 and a save percentage of .946.
Oddly enough the Sens upset the favoured Flyers that year in the first round.
Oh, and Ed Belfour hasn't won a playoff series in almost three years. (0) comments
I'd like to point out some stats.
A GAA of 2.47 and a save percentage of .903. You might think those are Lalime's stats from this season but they are actually his stats from two years ago which are worse then his stats this year. His stats for the playoffs that year? A GAA of 1.38 and a save percentage of .946.
Oddly enough the Sens upset the favoured Flyers that year in the first round.
Oh, and Ed Belfour hasn't won a playoff series in almost three years. (0) comments
Monday, April 05, 2004
Playoff Thoughts, Round 1
Here are my predictions for the first round. Just like anyone else's predictions, they're a crapshoot.
Tampa Bay - New York Islanders:
Tampa Bay in 5
Boston - Montreal
Boston in 5 (6 if Thornton doesn't play)
Philly - New Jersey
Philly in 7
Toronto - Ottawa
I refuse to make predictions for any series with Ottawa. If I pick Ottawa, I'm biased and if i pick their opponent I'm hoping for a little reverse psychology.
Detroit - Nashville
Nashville in 6
San Jose - St Louis
San Jose in 5
Vancouver - Calgary
Calgary in 6
Colorado - Dallas
Dallas in 7
Other thoughts going in to the first round:
The only team that can stop Tampa Bay from coming out of the East is Ottawa.
I think San Jose could end up coming out of the West with Nabakov being the big goaltending star of the playoffs.
My playoff dream prediction ( I don't think it will happen, I just wish it would)
First Round:
Tampa Bay over the New York Islanders:
Boston over Montreal
New Jersey over Philly
Ottawa over Toronto
Nashville over Detroit
San Jose over St Louis
Calgary over Vancouver
Colorado over Dallas
Second Round:
Tampa Bay over New Jersey
Ottawa over Boston
Nashville over San Jose
Calgary over Colorado
Third Round:
Ottawa over Tampa Bay
Calgary over Nashville
Finals:
Ottawa over Calgary
The only reason I picked Calgary coming out of the west over Vancouver is to give Ottawa home ice advantage in the finals (with a possible extra home date). (0) comments
Tampa Bay - New York Islanders:
Tampa Bay in 5
Boston - Montreal
Boston in 5 (6 if Thornton doesn't play)
Philly - New Jersey
Philly in 7
Toronto - Ottawa
I refuse to make predictions for any series with Ottawa. If I pick Ottawa, I'm biased and if i pick their opponent I'm hoping for a little reverse psychology.
Detroit - Nashville
Nashville in 6
San Jose - St Louis
San Jose in 5
Vancouver - Calgary
Calgary in 6
Colorado - Dallas
Dallas in 7
Other thoughts going in to the first round:
The only team that can stop Tampa Bay from coming out of the East is Ottawa.
I think San Jose could end up coming out of the West with Nabakov being the big goaltending star of the playoffs.
My playoff dream prediction ( I don't think it will happen, I just wish it would)
First Round:
Tampa Bay over the New York Islanders:
Boston over Montreal
New Jersey over Philly
Ottawa over Toronto
Nashville over Detroit
San Jose over St Louis
Calgary over Vancouver
Colorado over Dallas
Second Round:
Tampa Bay over New Jersey
Ottawa over Boston
Nashville over San Jose
Calgary over Colorado
Third Round:
Ottawa over Tampa Bay
Calgary over Nashville
Finals:
Ottawa over Calgary
The only reason I picked Calgary coming out of the west over Vancouver is to give Ottawa home ice advantage in the finals (with a possible extra home date). (0) comments
Sunday, April 04, 2004
March 2004 Roadie, Part 2 - South Florida
Watched the Sens squeek by the Florida Panthers on Wednesday in suburban Sunrise Florida. The game wasn't as exciting as the game two nights earlier against Tampa Bay but it was still exciting. It looked like Ottawa was going to have their way with Florida early on but Florida took advantage of their opportunities and looked like they might actually upset Ottawa but the Sens pulled it out at the end. Great games by Marian Hossa and Antoine Vermette. Vermette is looking so good right now that I'd almost rather have him in the lineup then Petr Bondra. If he gets the ice time next year, he could really surprise a lot of people outside of Ottawa.
Anyways, on to the Office Depot Center itself. It's a beautiful facility that has feels like a cross between an upscale shopping mall and a high tech office buiding. A unique and nice touch is having the concessions in food court areas off of the main concourse. Typically, concessions clog the concourses during intermission but the food courts are really good at alleviating congestion.
The arena has different coloured seats for each of the three bowls. The seat colours are muted and not tacky like the seats at the Ice Palace. The seats are also steeped higher then the Ice Palace although the bowls don't jut out over each other. In the building it almost looks like one big high bowl. The suites are found in a horseshoe pattern around the bowls which is kind of unique.
The game day presentation was pretty good although some of the bits on the video screen were repititive, notably the ones with the cartoon rat mascot. The opera singer that did the anthems wasn't my cup of tea but I'm spoiled by Lydon Slewidge, the best anthem singer in the league, at the Corel Centre. The music selection was good with props to them for playing the only Rush song I kind of like - Subdivisions.
The crowd was pretty good. Attendance was listed at over 15,000 and it probably wasn't overinflated by very much. It wasn't as loud as Tampa but the crowd was far from quiet. I was kind of surprised at how good the crowd was considering Florida's record.
Overall, I enjoyed seeing the Sens play at the Office Depot Center and I'd love to see another game there. Especially if I can spend a day or two browsing the mammoth Sawgrass Mills across the street from the rink. (0) comments
Anyways, on to the Office Depot Center itself. It's a beautiful facility that has feels like a cross between an upscale shopping mall and a high tech office buiding. A unique and nice touch is having the concessions in food court areas off of the main concourse. Typically, concessions clog the concourses during intermission but the food courts are really good at alleviating congestion.
The arena has different coloured seats for each of the three bowls. The seat colours are muted and not tacky like the seats at the Ice Palace. The seats are also steeped higher then the Ice Palace although the bowls don't jut out over each other. In the building it almost looks like one big high bowl. The suites are found in a horseshoe pattern around the bowls which is kind of unique.
The game day presentation was pretty good although some of the bits on the video screen were repititive, notably the ones with the cartoon rat mascot. The opera singer that did the anthems wasn't my cup of tea but I'm spoiled by Lydon Slewidge, the best anthem singer in the league, at the Corel Centre. The music selection was good with props to them for playing the only Rush song I kind of like - Subdivisions.
The crowd was pretty good. Attendance was listed at over 15,000 and it probably wasn't overinflated by very much. It wasn't as loud as Tampa but the crowd was far from quiet. I was kind of surprised at how good the crowd was considering Florida's record.
Overall, I enjoyed seeing the Sens play at the Office Depot Center and I'd love to see another game there. Especially if I can spend a day or two browsing the mammoth Sawgrass Mills across the street from the rink. (0) comments
Blog update: Site feed now available
Due to several requests and discovering how simple it is, I have enabled my site feed for this blog.
I think.
This post is a test to see if it is working.
Anyways, if it is working my site feed is here. If not, I'll probably delete this post and try again. (0) comments
I think.
This post is a test to see if it is working.
Anyways, if it is working my site feed is here. If not, I'll probably delete this post and try again. (0) comments
More McCreary
Over the past two postseasons, the Sens have a record of 18-12. When Bill McCreary is an official, the Sens record is 5-7. When McCreary is not a referee for the game, the Sens record is 13-5. McCreary has also refereed the Sens final game of the year two years in a row.
(0) comments
