The puck drops for the 2016/17 NHL season in a few hours. Edmonton is on the road in Calgary for the first game. I won't be able to see it as I will myself be on the road at the time, possibly only will get to watch it sometime over the weekend. This will be the second season with Connor McDavid as an Oiler. Here's hoping he has an even better season than last (when he scored over a point per game but missed almost half the season due a broken clavicle due those dirty Flyers).
There has been quite a bit of activity in the Northern hemisphere summer at Oilersland. Probably the most controversial move was the trade of Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson. So, we now have a strong right D and lost a top winger. Me, I liked the trade once I got my head around it. On the assumption that Larsson is as good as they say he is, the team will benefit more than they'll lose on the exit of Hall. And I must say that I wasn't a great Hall fan. He was good, yes, but spent too much time being a hero on his own and then getting shitty when it didn't work out. Not my kind of player.
We picked up Milan Lucic to compensate on the left wing. I think I'll prefer him to Hall. Maybe not as individually brilliant as Hall but pretty damn good none-the-less, but he's a team player and sticks up for his mates (I hated him when he was in Boston). We can do with a bit of grunt up front and we got it with Lucic on the first line.
Nail Yakapov is also gone, traded for picks to the Blues. As much as I enjoyed watching him play, he was frustrating due always going offside, bouncing off the guys he hit, missing the goal from point blank (not good for a 'sniper'). The fact he wanted to be traded was probably the icing on the cake and he's gone. I hope he works it all out, but am relieved he won't need to be covered.
Looking at the opening night roster, it's a long way advanced from this time last year. We have a D, we have two killer lines leading the forwards, we still have a good number one goalie. There are still a lot of prospects and rookies (three or four?!) on it, including this year's number 4 overall draft pick (Pool Party!), but I am most glad to see Slepyshev on the list. I first noticed him before I knew he was an Oiler, in a Weber Cup game a couple years ago playing for his Russian KHL team. He was ferocious and fast. He only played one or two games with the Oilers last year. I think he's looking good at the moment. I am looking forward to seeing him unleash that ferocity (hopefully against Calgary).
Oh well, another Oilers season begins. It's hard not to be optimistic at this time of the season. For an Oilers fan, that usually ends within the month, but I'm hoping this year will be different. They do say, hope dies last but I'm hoping there's more to it than that this time around.
My prediction? We'll go close to the playoffs, maybe grab a wildcard spot if injuries don't cripple us like they did last year. We wait...
Fridge
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 October 2016
Friday, 1 May 2015
Beard Martyr and Playoff Picks
In this time of Playoff Beards and such like, it pays to remember those who are prepared to make the great sacrifices for their bearded selves. Such as the Truck driver sacked by BHP Billiton for refusing to shave off his goatee losing an unfair dismissal claim. What is this world coming to?
Those who can shave off their NHL playoff beards after the first round include Nashville, St Louis, Vancouver and Winnipeg in the West, and N.Y. Islanders, Ottowa, Pittsburgh and Detroit in the the East. So I only scored 2 out of 8 :(
Which goes to show what being an optomist can do for you.
These are my picks for the second round
Tampa Bay over Montreal
NY Rangers over Washington
Annaheim over Calgary
Chicago over Minnesota
Hopefully I improve my average.
Saturday, 25 April 2015
A HUGE Sunday!
Last Sunday was a big day. I got to watch my first Pee Wee game as one of my grandsons played his first ever hockey game. The Puck God then smiled on Edmonton and the ping pong balls of the draft lottery fell our way, securing first pick in what sounds like the best draft in over a decade or three. And then I got to play till I puked with some friends down at Noarlunga for the first shinny of the year. What a day!
Pee Wee Penguins!
Blake played his first ever game, accounted well for himself. You could see him learning the ropes as the minutes passed. Will be really cool to watch him develop. Nancy recorded almost the whole game. I pulled out his bits and put them together onto three youtube clips (below), having finally worked out how to do so in HD. I hope he enjoys and wish him all the best.
First Period
Second Period
Third Period
Puck God guides the Ping Pong Balls
In the NHL all teams who don't make the playoffs have a chance of winning the first pick in the upcoming draft. This is done by way of a lottery, with the thirtieth placed team having the best chance of winning, the seventeenth having the least chance. The Oilers had ended up 28th, giving them a 11/5% chance. This would be the fourth first in six years if the Puck God smiled on them. The prize was the right to draft Connor MacDavid. Things started looking up in Edmonton from the moment we won the pick. This kid is amazing.
Play till you puke!
To cap off a great day I made my way down to Noarlunga for the first for the year of the occasional shinnies that are organised amongst my peers in C Grade. Unfortunately there were a lot less of us than had originally stuck their hands up, six actually. Which meant playing 2 on 2 for an hour was absolutely exhausting (especially as am coming off a lung complaint over the previous week), so I got to feel that strange pride that comes from playing till you puke.
A Great Afternoon to end off a Great Day!
Ice 23
Pee Wee Penguins!
Blake played his first ever game, accounted well for himself. You could see him learning the ropes as the minutes passed. Will be really cool to watch him develop. Nancy recorded almost the whole game. I pulled out his bits and put them together onto three youtube clips (below), having finally worked out how to do so in HD. I hope he enjoys and wish him all the best.
First Period
Second Period
Third Period
Puck God guides the Ping Pong Balls
In the NHL all teams who don't make the playoffs have a chance of winning the first pick in the upcoming draft. This is done by way of a lottery, with the thirtieth placed team having the best chance of winning, the seventeenth having the least chance. The Oilers had ended up 28th, giving them a 11/5% chance. This would be the fourth first in six years if the Puck God smiled on them. The prize was the right to draft Connor MacDavid. Things started looking up in Edmonton from the moment we won the pick. This kid is amazing.
Play till you puke!
To cap off a great day I made my way down to Noarlunga for the first for the year of the occasional shinnies that are organised amongst my peers in C Grade. Unfortunately there were a lot less of us than had originally stuck their hands up, six actually. Which meant playing 2 on 2 for an hour was absolutely exhausting (especially as am coming off a lung complaint over the previous week), so I got to feel that strange pride that comes from playing till you puke.
A Great Afternoon to end off a Great Day!
Ice 23
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
My Annual NHL Post Season Post
Oilers - what can I say? They ended up second last in their Division and Conference, and third last in the League. I think they had about 43 players grace the ice with their presence though the season, which is quite a few. I followed things as well I could from the other side of the world, found it all very interesting, found a few players I like. Will be interesting to see how it evolves in the off season. Better luck next year.
Playoffs - sixteen teams have made the playoffs. Here's my picks for the first round:
Redwings over Tampa Bay
Ottowa over Montreal
Islanders over Washington
Rangers over Pittsburgh
Vancouver over Calgary
Winnipeg over Anaheim
Chicago over Nashville
St Louis over Minnesotta
About half of my picks are educated guesses, and a quarter are sentimental favourings, so it will be interesting to see how it pans out in the next couple weeks.
Playoffs - sixteen teams have made the playoffs. Here's my picks for the first round:
Redwings over Tampa Bay
Ottowa over Montreal
Islanders over Washington
Rangers over Pittsburgh
Vancouver over Calgary
Winnipeg over Anaheim
Chicago over Nashville
St Louis over Minnesotta
About half of my picks are educated guesses, and a quarter are sentimental favourings, so it will be interesting to see how it pans out in the next couple weeks.
Monday, 13 April 2015
The Week and a Bit that was.
April 2nd (Easter Thursday) was Blake's first hockey training with his new team mates and opponents. He'd been wary due the fact that he had a school sports day beforehand, but made it and did his best and did quite well. He will account for himself well in this league, didn't embarass himself despite being one of the youngest, smallest and least experienced players out there.
April 3rd (Good Friday) I went down the school in the late morning before my day was going to get busy. I realised very quickly that Good Friday was not going to be the day to be shooting record scores. In fact, my heart wasn't in it at all and for the first time ever I abandoned my shooting drills through lack of interest. Instead, I just lazily skated around the court for about twenty minutes of low intensity half hearted drills. Then I skated home.
As a side note, we had two groups of visitors, afternoon and evening. In the afternoon I met Vic, a Canadian who had (of course) once played hockey. In the evening I met Neil, who had played ice hockey some time in the eighties in Adelaide. First time ever I met these guys, first time ever I've met two people in one day who have a hockey history independent of mine.
April 4th (Easter Saturday), I confirmed my willingness to play inline hockey at Gawler in the winter season. On the assumption I'll play 2nd Division again, I opted to stick with the Wheelers as first preference but stated could change teams, divisions, days available (eg can play either Saturday or Sunday) to suit the coordinator's needs.
I also got confirmation that will be in the first Noarlunga Shinny of the off season, two weeks later. There are more skaters than spots available for these shows, is great to be in at the start. I won't be attending them too frequently, but it is really nice to know that I'm able to play with this group of comrades. It will be fun to play and compare tales of our respective seasons and experiences.
April 5th (Easter), take a friend (Steve) to watch the C Grade All Stars game at the Ice Arena. It was his first ever game and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. He ended up watching the whole of what turned out to be a good competitive game.
April 8, I walked around with a grin for the rest of the day once I learned that Edmonton had beat the LA Kings 4-2, making things very tough for LA to get into the playoffs (they subsequently failed to do so). I was too tired after a busy day at work to go skating that night, so for the second Wednesday in a row didn't go to the Ice Arena.
April 11, Go skating down the school in the morning and put a couple hundred shots on target. Interspersed with about eight drills of limited duration involving puck carrying and handling. Didn't push it hard either at the school or on the hill climb home due the fact that I hadn't skated for over a week and was a little light on hydration. For my efforts, scored a record 35% shooting rate for the first hundred shots!
7/10/12/6, 8/8/6/3 (30%)
So, despite very little skating, not a bad week and a bit. I have had a good rest. Perhaps as a result, have noticed my knee is almost back to full mobility - there is no discomfort or pain produced in any of the postures and angles that previously did so. Just in time for the commencement of my off season campaign.
Inline 25 and 26
April 3rd (Good Friday) I went down the school in the late morning before my day was going to get busy. I realised very quickly that Good Friday was not going to be the day to be shooting record scores. In fact, my heart wasn't in it at all and for the first time ever I abandoned my shooting drills through lack of interest. Instead, I just lazily skated around the court for about twenty minutes of low intensity half hearted drills. Then I skated home.
As a side note, we had two groups of visitors, afternoon and evening. In the afternoon I met Vic, a Canadian who had (of course) once played hockey. In the evening I met Neil, who had played ice hockey some time in the eighties in Adelaide. First time ever I met these guys, first time ever I've met two people in one day who have a hockey history independent of mine.
April 4th (Easter Saturday), I confirmed my willingness to play inline hockey at Gawler in the winter season. On the assumption I'll play 2nd Division again, I opted to stick with the Wheelers as first preference but stated could change teams, divisions, days available (eg can play either Saturday or Sunday) to suit the coordinator's needs.
I also got confirmation that will be in the first Noarlunga Shinny of the off season, two weeks later. There are more skaters than spots available for these shows, is great to be in at the start. I won't be attending them too frequently, but it is really nice to know that I'm able to play with this group of comrades. It will be fun to play and compare tales of our respective seasons and experiences.
April 5th (Easter), take a friend (Steve) to watch the C Grade All Stars game at the Ice Arena. It was his first ever game and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. He ended up watching the whole of what turned out to be a good competitive game.
April 8, I walked around with a grin for the rest of the day once I learned that Edmonton had beat the LA Kings 4-2, making things very tough for LA to get into the playoffs (they subsequently failed to do so). I was too tired after a busy day at work to go skating that night, so for the second Wednesday in a row didn't go to the Ice Arena.
April 11, Go skating down the school in the morning and put a couple hundred shots on target. Interspersed with about eight drills of limited duration involving puck carrying and handling. Didn't push it hard either at the school or on the hill climb home due the fact that I hadn't skated for over a week and was a little light on hydration. For my efforts, scored a record 35% shooting rate for the first hundred shots!
7/10/12/6, 8/8/6/3 (30%)
So, despite very little skating, not a bad week and a bit. I have had a good rest. Perhaps as a result, have noticed my knee is almost back to full mobility - there is no discomfort or pain produced in any of the postures and angles that previously did so. Just in time for the commencement of my off season campaign.
Inline 25 and 26
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Purple prose for the Blue and Orange
Edmonton won their third game in a row! They haven't been victorious outside of Edmonton since some time last month. And they haven't been winning much (at all(!)) against Western Conference teams all season. With only six games left in the season and no playoffs for a record 9th year in a row the win probably doesn't mean a lot in the big picture unless you're a Colorado fan (they have a bare theoretical pathway to the playoffs if they win all their remaining games and others lose theirs).
Or an Oilers fan. It means a lot to us, especially those of us here in the antipodes. Back in their native land, it has brought out the most extreme purple prose I've seen all season. Here's an example...
We can’t look away from games of this magnitude. Indeed, they command a heightened alertness in our souls. We gaze deeply into them like some sort of change in the cosmos. A kind of eclipse over our lives.
Ken Price posting at Copper and Blue
What can I say but GO OILERS GO!
Or an Oilers fan. It means a lot to us, especially those of us here in the antipodes. Back in their native land, it has brought out the most extreme purple prose I've seen all season. Here's an example...
We can’t look away from games of this magnitude. Indeed, they command a heightened alertness in our souls. We gaze deeply into them like some sort of change in the cosmos. A kind of eclipse over our lives.
Ken Price posting at Copper and Blue
What can I say but GO OILERS GO!
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Beards, and a (weak) Chuck Norris joke.
From Oilers Nation:
#77
MessyEH!
Wanye wrote:
DOES ANYONE ELSE CORRELATE EBERLES HOT STREAK TO HIS SEXY BEARD? PLEASE PROVIDE STATISTICAL PROOFS IN YOUR COMMENTS
A rugged beard creates 100% more awesomeness. This awesomeness transcends the galaxy, to effect everything.
14s beard is such a beard.They only come around once every 2 thousand years. Moses had such a beard. Jesus had a kick ass beard. Now one Jordan Eberle has found the power of the beard.
From ancient scripture
"One beard to rule them all, One beard to find them, One beard to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."
Chuck Norris is jealous of Ebs epic beard right now.
I can only agree with the sentiments (albeit, Chuck Norris could only ever envy Chuck Norris, I'm sure!).
14s beard is such a beard.They only come around once every 2 thousand years. Moses had such a beard. Jesus had a kick ass beard. Now one Jordan Eberle has found the power of the beard.
From ancient scripture
"One beard to rule them all, One beard to find them, One beard to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."
Chuck Norris is jealous of Ebs epic beard right now.
I can only agree with the sentiments (albeit, Chuck Norris could only ever envy Chuck Norris, I'm sure!).
A finals week off - Part 1
The Wheelers' win last Saturday night marked the start of a two week break from competitive hockey, with the next game being the Grand Final next Saturday night. I've learned that a week off can be a dangerous thing, especially when about to play a winner take all final. So I've made an effort to remain hockey focused during this past week. This has been both on and off of my skates. This post is about the off-skate hockey week I've had.
Last Sunday, I watched the last two periods of the Redwings v Kings Game at the Ice Arena. This was the second of their first round playoff series of three games. The Kings had won the first. This game, the Wings won. After this game I watched the first period of the Flyers v Sharks. It didn't seem as high a standard as what I'd just seen, though I did think that Jana was playing an excellent game in D for the Sharks.
On Monday, I watched the Edmonton Oilers score four goals in ten minutes to beat the Leafs 4-1. As an Oilers Fan it was good to watch, that ten minutes. Their season has been awful, though I have gotten to appreciate it in all its depths due the fact that I am subscribed to NHL and have therefore watched maybe twenty games online, some of them live. Tomorrow I might watch them play the Flyers.
On Thursday I went back to the Ice Arena to watch the deciding game between the Redwings and Kings, along with about 150 other viewers. That's pretty good for a C grade game. It really felt like playoff hockey and was a great game to watch. Redwings won out 2-1 and went through to the finals against the Flyers. Renee scored the game winning goal in the third, I thought she played a great game. In fact, it was great to see a bunch of players I've played with and against over the past year having a really good game.
Friday, I watched Winnipeg defeat the Blues 2-1. I had thought it would be a tight defensively strong game, which it was. And it was pretty exciting at the same time, the goalies (particularly Pavalec for the Jets) really shone. Both the style of game and skater were markedly different from Edmonton's smaller framed more agile set of play and player. If Edmonton can one day make 'it' work, they'll be fantastic (yawn). Until then, I have a soft spot for the Jets and if they make the playoffs they'll be who I follow.
Today (Saturday) I drove the hippy van to Gawler to watch the Semi Final between the Shufflers and the Rockers. To my surprise, the Rockers with only four skaters came out clear winners over the full strength Shufflers. Paul scored 5 of the Rockers 8 goals against the Shufflers only getting 3. The Pfeiffers were there also to scout it out. I think we are agreed that we are playing the preferable opponent next week, but we'll have to be on our A game again. Should be good.
When I got home this evening I had the house to myself so started to watch a bit of A League soccer (Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory) when realised the third Mighty Ducks movie was on another channel. So I've just watched the third Mighty Ducks movie. A bit of an eye opener. I did like the philosophy of the D presented as the team's core - being confident without the puck, not too careful, not too careless. A bit disturbing to see the portrayal of juvenile hockey concussions (meant as comedy when filmed, with what we know about head injuries twenty years later it has becoming horrible viewing), or the romanticism of the 'Bash Brothers' as the way to deal with physical opponents. Anyways, a good film.
Finally, United drew 2-2 against the Victory.
Last Sunday, I watched the last two periods of the Redwings v Kings Game at the Ice Arena. This was the second of their first round playoff series of three games. The Kings had won the first. This game, the Wings won. After this game I watched the first period of the Flyers v Sharks. It didn't seem as high a standard as what I'd just seen, though I did think that Jana was playing an excellent game in D for the Sharks.
On Monday, I watched the Edmonton Oilers score four goals in ten minutes to beat the Leafs 4-1. As an Oilers Fan it was good to watch, that ten minutes. Their season has been awful, though I have gotten to appreciate it in all its depths due the fact that I am subscribed to NHL and have therefore watched maybe twenty games online, some of them live. Tomorrow I might watch them play the Flyers.
On Thursday I went back to the Ice Arena to watch the deciding game between the Redwings and Kings, along with about 150 other viewers. That's pretty good for a C grade game. It really felt like playoff hockey and was a great game to watch. Redwings won out 2-1 and went through to the finals against the Flyers. Renee scored the game winning goal in the third, I thought she played a great game. In fact, it was great to see a bunch of players I've played with and against over the past year having a really good game.
Friday, I watched Winnipeg defeat the Blues 2-1. I had thought it would be a tight defensively strong game, which it was. And it was pretty exciting at the same time, the goalies (particularly Pavalec for the Jets) really shone. Both the style of game and skater were markedly different from Edmonton's smaller framed more agile set of play and player. If Edmonton can one day make 'it' work, they'll be fantastic (yawn). Until then, I have a soft spot for the Jets and if they make the playoffs they'll be who I follow.
Today (Saturday) I drove the hippy van to Gawler to watch the Semi Final between the Shufflers and the Rockers. To my surprise, the Rockers with only four skaters came out clear winners over the full strength Shufflers. Paul scored 5 of the Rockers 8 goals against the Shufflers only getting 3. The Pfeiffers were there also to scout it out. I think we are agreed that we are playing the preferable opponent next week, but we'll have to be on our A game again. Should be good.
When I got home this evening I had the house to myself so started to watch a bit of A League soccer (Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory) when realised the third Mighty Ducks movie was on another channel. So I've just watched the third Mighty Ducks movie. A bit of an eye opener. I did like the philosophy of the D presented as the team's core - being confident without the puck, not too careful, not too careless. A bit disturbing to see the portrayal of juvenile hockey concussions (meant as comedy when filmed, with what we know about head injuries twenty years later it has becoming horrible viewing), or the romanticism of the 'Bash Brothers' as the way to deal with physical opponents. Anyways, a good film.
Finally, United drew 2-2 against the Victory.
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Age doth not weary him...
I've
got a lot of experience and there's a lot of young guys. It's even
making me excited a little more. It's kind of a new life. At my age,
I feel like I know a lot of things what to do, but I just cannot do it
anymore. It's a lot easier to tell them what to do because they've still
got the legs and hands to do it. I just know things, but I cannot do
them anymore.
— Jaromir Jagr after making his Panthers debut in a win against the Sabres on Saturday
NHL.com likes its quote for the day. Today, the above was the quote (it'll probably be different by the time you look at it). I think it shows the value of continuing to play the grizzled veterans, for them as well as the organisation.
Not that I'm kidding myself, being a few years senior to Jaromir. With my combined total of 60 ice and inline hockey games (as of tonight) I am only now beginning to experience the sense of 'play' on the ice, and only now feeling a sense of comfort within my body and its abilities. But there are still things us older players can show some of the younger guys.
So, as long as we can hold our spot on the basis of our ability, we should be able to keep on playing. And so should Jaromir.
Saturday, 27 September 2014
Live Centre - Core Stability - Upcoming Team Allocation
After posting here on Wednesday I did go ahead as foreshadowed and sign up to NHL Game Centre Live. I took out the annual subscription (which will now automatically renew on my birthday unless I cancel it). So now I can watch any game any time through the coming season, last season's games, and any of about 800 classic games from the last fifty years that they have in 'the vault'. All for about $100. Hopefully the Oilers will put on a better show than last year so I can get my full value!
This morning, I started on the next phase of my off ice program (the first phase having been the last couple months of strength work). Using 'The Anatomy of Core Stability' as my guide, I tried out their 'begninner' workout to start the hard work of working on my core. It took about a half hour, didn't hurt at the time (though feel like turning to Jelly between knees and belly at the moment). In short, consists of plank, side planks, scissors, quadraped, body saw, straight leg raise, and side lying hip abductions. I'm thinking maybe three times a week, possibly four, to compliment a couple strength circuits. We'll see how it goes as the competitive seasons warm up.
Speaking of which, on Monday evening there are team and jersey allocations at the Ice Arena, as well as meet the coach sessions for us Div II C graders. I wonder if I'll still be a Knight?
Finally, a beautiful day today. Will be taking B to his final Ice Blast session this afternoon. With any luck, will also be able to get at least a hundred shots off at goal later at some point.
This morning, I started on the next phase of my off ice program (the first phase having been the last couple months of strength work). Using 'The Anatomy of Core Stability' as my guide, I tried out their 'begninner' workout to start the hard work of working on my core. It took about a half hour, didn't hurt at the time (though feel like turning to Jelly between knees and belly at the moment). In short, consists of plank, side planks, scissors, quadraped, body saw, straight leg raise, and side lying hip abductions. I'm thinking maybe three times a week, possibly four, to compliment a couple strength circuits. We'll see how it goes as the competitive seasons warm up.
Speaking of which, on Monday evening there are team and jersey allocations at the Ice Arena, as well as meet the coach sessions for us Div II C graders. I wonder if I'll still be a Knight?
Finally, a beautiful day today. Will be taking B to his final Ice Blast session this afternoon. With any luck, will also be able to get at least a hundred shots off at goal later at some point.
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Happy CKA Ice Arena Birthday Skate
Happy Birthday to Me! Also cause to celebrate, it's the second anniversary of me on the ice (got my skates and went out on them for the first time two years ago today). So, it was a buzz this morning when I finally got to open the parcel my sister brought back from her skating trip to St Petersberg (Russia) earlier this year. She'd given it to me with the strict instruction to not open it until my birthday. Which I finally got to do this morning.
It's a almost perfectly fitted Kontinental Hockey League hockey jersey in the home colours of the CKA St Petersberg Hockey Club. Basically, royal blue with red 'CKA' and a star, outlined in white, on the chest, and a white band with thick red centre strip around the waist at top of 'hem', elbows and across shoulders. There's also a small red star on the upper forearms. On the back of the top, 'Kovalchuk 17', one of the great players (still playing with them). The CKA stands for something like 'The Army Club' and refers to the club's origins in the officer's training schools of Leningrad. It used to be known at the Kirov Club in the forties. Very very cool top.
Then it was off to work.
Then I came home and so I put on my CKA top and went out for a birthday dinner with family. I spent much of the meal talking hockey with my daughter's partner, much of the time listened to avidly by my 5 y.o. grandson. Everyone is pleased with my MVP award and I guess that's a good buzzy boost to me before I get brought back to ice level when hockey season starts. It was a great pizza birthday meal with good company.
And then, once I'd confirmed that the big ice was available to public skating, it was off to the ice arena for an old fashioned Wednesday night skate. Got about 80 minutes of skating. Caught up with quite a few familiar faces, including the fellow (Phil) who's ankle I broke earlier this year. We got to trade stories and experiences and tie up loose ends from our respective perspectives on that traumatic moment. He's well over six foot tall indeed, so the whole thing seems almost surreal (I'm 5'6").
Turns out his ankle broke when he landed on it with his bum. He was in a cast for six weeks and then into a moon boot. He reckons he was back on the ice two days later with a much weakened leg. He's been skating every second day ever since and, to my eye, looked pretty good. He reckons he's come back a better skater than he was because he had to think about it so much, reading and watching videos and all the non skating ways we train ourselves to do things. Good luck to him, he seems a nice enough chap.
The ice was possibly the worst I've seen there, full of holes and divots. Not sure why. The figure skaters blamed the hockey players. I actually think they got caught out by the warmer weather we've been having recently as usually hockey does not cause that much damage to the ice. It was potentially dangerous enough that there had to be quite a few witches hats put over the various hazards.
Partly for this reason, partly because of all the bits of chit chat that happened, partly because I'd had a big day at work, partly because it's my birthday, I mainly just cruised around doing whatever maneuvers I felt like doing as they came to mind. A handful of sprints, maybe three dozen stops, a dozen three turns, and countless transitions and tight turns, backwards undercuts and accelerations. Went over a couple of times, once sprinting and once transiting. No harm. And the CKA jersey felt great!
And finally, after admiring the lovely handmade cards I've received from nephew and grandson, I'm going to sign up to NHL Live Centre so I can watch all the oiler's games I want to over the coming NHL season. First game is October 9.
Can't wait!
It's a almost perfectly fitted Kontinental Hockey League hockey jersey in the home colours of the CKA St Petersberg Hockey Club. Basically, royal blue with red 'CKA' and a star, outlined in white, on the chest, and a white band with thick red centre strip around the waist at top of 'hem', elbows and across shoulders. There's also a small red star on the upper forearms. On the back of the top, 'Kovalchuk 17', one of the great players (still playing with them). The CKA stands for something like 'The Army Club' and refers to the club's origins in the officer's training schools of Leningrad. It used to be known at the Kirov Club in the forties. Very very cool top.
Then it was off to work.
Then I came home and so I put on my CKA top and went out for a birthday dinner with family. I spent much of the meal talking hockey with my daughter's partner, much of the time listened to avidly by my 5 y.o. grandson. Everyone is pleased with my MVP award and I guess that's a good buzzy boost to me before I get brought back to ice level when hockey season starts. It was a great pizza birthday meal with good company.
And then, once I'd confirmed that the big ice was available to public skating, it was off to the ice arena for an old fashioned Wednesday night skate. Got about 80 minutes of skating. Caught up with quite a few familiar faces, including the fellow (Phil) who's ankle I broke earlier this year. We got to trade stories and experiences and tie up loose ends from our respective perspectives on that traumatic moment. He's well over six foot tall indeed, so the whole thing seems almost surreal (I'm 5'6").
Turns out his ankle broke when he landed on it with his bum. He was in a cast for six weeks and then into a moon boot. He reckons he was back on the ice two days later with a much weakened leg. He's been skating every second day ever since and, to my eye, looked pretty good. He reckons he's come back a better skater than he was because he had to think about it so much, reading and watching videos and all the non skating ways we train ourselves to do things. Good luck to him, he seems a nice enough chap.
The ice was possibly the worst I've seen there, full of holes and divots. Not sure why. The figure skaters blamed the hockey players. I actually think they got caught out by the warmer weather we've been having recently as usually hockey does not cause that much damage to the ice. It was potentially dangerous enough that there had to be quite a few witches hats put over the various hazards.
Partly for this reason, partly because of all the bits of chit chat that happened, partly because I'd had a big day at work, partly because it's my birthday, I mainly just cruised around doing whatever maneuvers I felt like doing as they came to mind. A handful of sprints, maybe three dozen stops, a dozen three turns, and countless transitions and tight turns, backwards undercuts and accelerations. Went over a couple of times, once sprinting and once transiting. No harm. And the CKA jersey felt great!
And finally, after admiring the lovely handmade cards I've received from nephew and grandson, I'm going to sign up to NHL Live Centre so I can watch all the oiler's games I want to over the coming NHL season. First game is October 9.
Can't wait!
*
Off ice this week (so far) I have limited myself to double and triple circuits of upper and lower body respectively (with 12 reps) on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Looking at maybe keeping it to twice a week for these cycles for the next period, stepping up with core development to fill the gap. Hopefully, starting that on Thursday eve with plank, side planks, and glutes. Will see how we go.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Good luck Tyler!
One of my favourite hockey blogs for over a year now has been Mc79, a statistical analytical oiler fan blog. The guy that wrote all the posts and did all the number crunching was Tyler Dellow, a mad oilers fan living in Toronto. I learned a lot from his stats, more from his writing. I was lucky to be introduced to this aspect of the game by this guy. I think his site had the most readable content in the field, and thus the most accessable. The fact that he's an oilers fan just made it all the more relevant. And the fact that the content was pretty good? Well, that just made the whole exercise even more valuable.
The other night I went to check his blog. It wasn't up any more. It's been going for about ten years. There'd been no warning. This was weird. My first thought was 'oh no, something bad has happened to Tyler.' I nosed around a bit on a few news sites. I learned there that something else had happened.
Tyler has in fact been hired as an advisor to the Oilers' coach, Dallas Eakins! I presume part of the deal was he take down all the freely available analysis he's posted over the years. 'Great!' to the first, 'Bugga!' to the second. For him, personally, I am very happy. For me, and all the other readers of his site like me, I am sad. For us readers who are also Oilers fans, I guess it all cancels out and I'll wait and see how it pans out.
In the meantime, I just want to say a big THANKS to Tyler for introducing me to a whole 'deep' level of this game I've come to love, and say that I really hope it all works out for you!
The other night I went to check his blog. It wasn't up any more. It's been going for about ten years. There'd been no warning. This was weird. My first thought was 'oh no, something bad has happened to Tyler.' I nosed around a bit on a few news sites. I learned there that something else had happened.
Tyler has in fact been hired as an advisor to the Oilers' coach, Dallas Eakins! I presume part of the deal was he take down all the freely available analysis he's posted over the years. 'Great!' to the first, 'Bugga!' to the second. For him, personally, I am very happy. For me, and all the other readers of his site like me, I am sad. For us readers who are also Oilers fans, I guess it all cancels out and I'll wait and see how it pans out.
In the meantime, I just want to say a big THANKS to Tyler for introducing me to a whole 'deep' level of this game I've come to love, and say that I really hope it all works out for you!
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Game Day - USA (7) d Canada (4)
Warning: this is a bloody long post!
You will recall that Nancy, B and myself went to Melbourne for the weekend. The centrepiece of our trip was seeing the Douglas Weber International Ice Hockey game at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday Night between Canada and the USA. With representative teams mainly drawn from AHL, CHL, WHL, etc, and a smattering of NHL players in their offseason (and an Italia Liga member also), the game was probably technically an 'exhibition game'. It was the fourth match in a series of five games, played in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth (two games).
Last year, Nancy and I had been to the Melbourne game and had seats right up the back. We had still thoroughly enjoyed the game, sufficiently so that we returned in 2014. Last time we'd come with my Sister and Brother in Law. This year we came with one of our grandsons, B. It was his tenth birthday on the Sunday, so it formed part of what will hopefully have been a memorable weekend. This year, we had seats in the front row, to the left of the Canadian bench, roughly at the point where the boards start their curve around the end. Prime seats indeed!
Being winter, the roof was closed over the arena. The promoter billed it as being 20,000 people, but that's a bit more than the Arena actually holds. More like 15,000. Still, it was packed to the rafters. That's a lot of people to have in a room!
The video below catches something of the exhuberance of our evening. We had a great night! The video shows no actual hockey footage. Not for copyright reasons (though using it here for private useage would be okay), but because we were too busy watching the game. And making sure a stray puck didn't come over and hit us (there was no net or barrier above the boards between most of the audience and the ice). I think about four pucks went over the barrier in the evening. As you'll see in the video, B got one! And a player's sweater! What more could an almost ten year old boy who's about to start ice hockey classes the following week want to see out single figures!
In rough order of progression through the video, you will notice the following:
I was very excited to be going. I was decked out in my Canadian gear and, as we caught the absolutely jam packed tram a few stops to the sporting complex (next stop, the MCG), I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few others similarly dressed. We were outnumbered by the casuals and the NHL jersey wearers, but it was still a buzz to this little half Canadian. The first thing we did when we got in was get B a Hockey Team Canada tee shirt and me a flag and program.
Now we were ready to find our seats. As mentioned previously, we were front row. You can see them in the second still in the video. They were expensive, but not inordinately more to the seats in the back row. It's a pretty special event to us, so the difference was worth it. As you'll know if you've ever done it, the closer you are to the ice the more intense the experience. And so it was.
There followed a bit of pregame pyrotechnics with some cool figure skating to accompany it, followed by the introduction to the members of each team. You can hear the politically incisive social commentary of a typical 'middle-australia' crowd as the two teams emerged. I myself recognised a few players from each team, generally their NHLers but also several from the WHL. It was pretty cool to see them emerge. I was, however, a bit disappointed to not be seeing Nathan Walker out there (he'd been well-billed as the (so called) first Aussie raised youngster to be drafted into the NHL). Never the less, excitement was mounting.
Then followed the national anthems, Star Spangled Banner first, Oh Canada followed. I've always thought the Stars and Stripes to be a stirring anthem (I think most people do). Canada's is also pretty strong (though a bit dull the first time or two you listen to it, perhaps), and I was even able to recall most of the words and sing along (unfortunately you can (just) hear me on the video). Loved it. Imagine this, though:
Then, while the teams returned to a fairly complex warm up drill (involving three per side horseshoe with some reasonably complex drill in the middle) the MC conducted an interview with Australia's current favourite hockey son - Nathan Walker. He was dressed in coat and tie. In a way, it was kinda saddening because it only reminded me how I'd been very looking forward to seeing him play. It was also distracting because I wanted to hear what was said above the hubbub of the crowd as the teams got into high gear. It was also probably a bit distracting to Walker to be so apparently ignored. But I and many others gave him a big cheer as he was leaving the press box. We, not being far from the tunnel down which he disappeared, got to wave him off. I stuck my thumb in the air when for a moment our eyes met. I wanted to pass him all my good wishes in that moment. It was pretty damn cool for me to see him raise his thumb at me in return with a big grin on his face. As time sped up back to normal I even turned around to Nancy and said that he'd seen us! I've never before been so outwardly starstruck, though the experience was actually something quite different. And it was nice to see that Nancy had caught the exact moment on a blurry shot from her phone. How cool is that!
Almost as he left the Arena, the game began.
The first period was a tough one, I suspect several of the players were 'finding their legs' to at least some degree. It wasn't long, however, and we'd been treated to a couple Canadian goals. And a scuffle that turned into a fight with matching five minute majors the result. And an American come back goal. We were all buzzing with the energy of the spectacle before us when the siren sounded. B had offered some people in the row behind some of the sweets he'd brought in. In turn, one was kind enough to take a few pictures of him. All of a sudden, we and those around were forming a community of a kind. 2-1 Canada at the end of the first.
Durning the first intermission I bumped into Rebecca and Paul from the Vikings. A little weird to see them in their finery rather than hot and sweaty in their sweaters. Very very nice to see such faces! There were more around, apparently, and I know a few C graders who'd gone, but these were the only faces I knew that I met.
The second period was fast and dramatic, Canada scoring once and the USA twice to tie the score at 3-3 at the start of the second intermission. The teams seemed reasonably well matched. The individual players were becoming more evident to us through their skating and playing styles, as well as their temperments. B had decided he liked what he saw in #91 for Canada, David Rutherford. I was pretty impressed by his skating style (especially later when he seemed to be pushing off from both toes in a high speed heel to heel - how does one do that?! Nancy likened his skating to 'dancing over the ice'.). Etem had silky stick skills. The other memorable player for me was the American captain, Kopotka (#28). You could tell by the boo's he got that he had struck a chord with his relentless, tireless, aggressively harrassing play. I was pretty impressed by his level of 'compete'.
We decided not to rush out for the second intermission, but remained in our seats and just enjoyed the atmosphere for a while before wandering out to get some fresh air. While we were so seated one of the rink officials wandered by beneath our seat, suddenly reached up and offered B the game puck from the second period. Chipped and all! He was pretty rapt! Not long afterwards (on our walk for some fresh air) he got a moment with the Melbourne Mustang's mascot and Nancy got another classic photo. A game puck from an international game, no wonder B looks like he does as he was accosted by the horse!
While outside we got talking to a young fella (twenties) from Melbourne who was really nice. He and his mate were up the back back row. We knew that the woman who'd taken B's photo and her fella were not returning for the third period. We told this nice guy where we were and invited him and his mate to the otherwise empty seats. They were there for puck drop - it was like santa had become real in July to them. It was really nice to help co-ordinate with the universe in providing so much pleasure to a couple former hockey players.
The third period was a bit depressing, as a half Canadian. The yanks put on another three quick goals at one point, the first resulting from a monumental goalie/defence passing stuff up in Canada's half. That was pretty gutting. I think they were in shock for long enough for the next goal to be scored (also a bit soft, though can't remember the detail). The goalie, though, started making some brilliant saves as the blizzard continued. It seemed that Kopotka and his cronies could dominate the slot in the Canadian zone at will. Conversely, the Canadians barely got the puck in front of the American goal, let alone a shot onto it for the whole quarter. They did however score a quick breakaway goal against the run of play with about three minutes to go. Hope rose. Only to be crushed shortly after by another American goal. And another. Final score, 7-4.
I was satisfied that if the game had been rigged (being an exhibition game, and so as to make the climactic game a 'live' one in Nathan Walker's home town of Sydney, one couldn't blame them if it was), it wasn't through giving teams 'orders'. I was too close to the players to not see the will to win, the warlike approach to competition, the grief of the goalie if they were scored against. If the game was 'rigged', it would have been by co-ordinating the lines between the teams. Surprisingly, it didn't matter. It was a great game. And the crowd loved it.
Before lining up for aftergame photos and presentations of sweaters etc, the players had one last scuffle. I think only the first had been of a majorly serious level, but there had been no lack of aggression in the game (nor the resulting penalties). The crowd was a bit bemused, but entertained at this swansong mano a mano.
The aftergame rituals were new to us, we don't usually hang around. However, having front row seats, we did this time. After the teams had presented themselves for photos and applauded what was left of the crowd, they again lined up in the centre. Then, spectators who'd paid big dollars for various of the player's game jerseys got to come out and meet 'their' players and receive their jerseys. A few of the players were signing signatures by going to the barriers for the fans to hand down whatever was to be signed. B, of course, being a kid, 'had' to do that - 'because you have to if you're a kid!'
A player by the name of Harvey had been pretty popular in our corner. Pretty feisty bugga. B had him about to sign his tee shirt when Harvey decided he'd get a texta from thirty metres away. And then he had to work his way down again toward B, signing as he went. By this time the organisers were trying to close it all down, started to shepherd him towards the tunnel exit. Harvey (bless him) shrugged the official off with a barely disguised snarl, pointed to B and said he'd made a promise, continued signing things before eventually getting to B and signing his tee shirt. B was pretty chuffed. Sweet, I thought.
Things got better, however, when Rutherford (aforementioned #91) came over, also signed B's tee shirt. This was extra cool because he had been B's favourite player almost from the start. B had been cheering him by name throughout (although it was only in the final period that he had noticed us specifically, looking up at B's call of "Rutherford, you're awesome!" and returning a look of identification to the subsequent raised thumb from the corner). B was by this time approaching ecstasy as he held up his tee shirt.
But Rutherford didn't immediately leave. Instead, he looked at B and said, 'do you want my sweater?' In response to B's puzzled look, he continued, "here, I'll give it to you," and proceeded to take it off and hand it up (signing it as he did so), "just don't tell anyone." The look of B as he turned around to the crowd was priceless. The cheers they awarded him equally so. It's moments like these of which hockey is made.
It wasn't much later and we were out of there. A nice walk along the Yarra into town, with a bit of a moment half way to check out the photos and videos that had been taken. Then, an impulse ride on horse and carriage through the parklands at midnight for a bit of a magical wind down from a magical evening.
Three times that night I had to explain to some poor non hockey goer in the city why there were thousands of people wearing Canada gear. "There was an Ice Hockey game," I'd say by way of explanation. They invariably nodded their heads sagely, only demonstrating the link between Canada and hockey - even in Australia. It is kinda appropriate that this unofficial 'Canada Night in Melbourne' is inextricably linked with a hockey game!
Exhausted, we finally got back to our apartment. The next day, the sweaty sweater and the chipped puck were proof it had not been a dream.
Most excellent. Hope to do it all again some time!
You will recall that Nancy, B and myself went to Melbourne for the weekend. The centrepiece of our trip was seeing the Douglas Weber International Ice Hockey game at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday Night between Canada and the USA. With representative teams mainly drawn from AHL, CHL, WHL, etc, and a smattering of NHL players in their offseason (and an Italia Liga member also), the game was probably technically an 'exhibition game'. It was the fourth match in a series of five games, played in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth (two games).
Last year, Nancy and I had been to the Melbourne game and had seats right up the back. We had still thoroughly enjoyed the game, sufficiently so that we returned in 2014. Last time we'd come with my Sister and Brother in Law. This year we came with one of our grandsons, B. It was his tenth birthday on the Sunday, so it formed part of what will hopefully have been a memorable weekend. This year, we had seats in the front row, to the left of the Canadian bench, roughly at the point where the boards start their curve around the end. Prime seats indeed!
Being winter, the roof was closed over the arena. The promoter billed it as being 20,000 people, but that's a bit more than the Arena actually holds. More like 15,000. Still, it was packed to the rafters. That's a lot of people to have in a room!
The video below catches something of the exhuberance of our evening. We had a great night! The video shows no actual hockey footage. Not for copyright reasons (though using it here for private useage would be okay), but because we were too busy watching the game. And making sure a stray puck didn't come over and hit us (there was no net or barrier above the boards between most of the audience and the ice). I think about four pucks went over the barrier in the evening. As you'll see in the video, B got one! And a player's sweater! What more could an almost ten year old boy who's about to start ice hockey classes the following week want to see out single figures!
In rough order of progression through the video, you will notice the following:
I was very excited to be going. I was decked out in my Canadian gear and, as we caught the absolutely jam packed tram a few stops to the sporting complex (next stop, the MCG), I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few others similarly dressed. We were outnumbered by the casuals and the NHL jersey wearers, but it was still a buzz to this little half Canadian. The first thing we did when we got in was get B a Hockey Team Canada tee shirt and me a flag and program.
Now we were ready to find our seats. As mentioned previously, we were front row. You can see them in the second still in the video. They were expensive, but not inordinately more to the seats in the back row. It's a pretty special event to us, so the difference was worth it. As you'll know if you've ever done it, the closer you are to the ice the more intense the experience. And so it was.
There followed a bit of pregame pyrotechnics with some cool figure skating to accompany it, followed by the introduction to the members of each team. You can hear the politically incisive social commentary of a typical 'middle-australia' crowd as the two teams emerged. I myself recognised a few players from each team, generally their NHLers but also several from the WHL. It was pretty cool to see them emerge. I was, however, a bit disappointed to not be seeing Nathan Walker out there (he'd been well-billed as the (so called) first Aussie raised youngster to be drafted into the NHL). Never the less, excitement was mounting.
Then followed the national anthems, Star Spangled Banner first, Oh Canada followed. I've always thought the Stars and Stripes to be a stirring anthem (I think most people do). Canada's is also pretty strong (though a bit dull the first time or two you listen to it, perhaps), and I was even able to recall most of the words and sing along (unfortunately you can (just) hear me on the video). Loved it. Imagine this, though:
Then, while the teams returned to a fairly complex warm up drill (involving three per side horseshoe with some reasonably complex drill in the middle) the MC conducted an interview with Australia's current favourite hockey son - Nathan Walker. He was dressed in coat and tie. In a way, it was kinda saddening because it only reminded me how I'd been very looking forward to seeing him play. It was also distracting because I wanted to hear what was said above the hubbub of the crowd as the teams got into high gear. It was also probably a bit distracting to Walker to be so apparently ignored. But I and many others gave him a big cheer as he was leaving the press box. We, not being far from the tunnel down which he disappeared, got to wave him off. I stuck my thumb in the air when for a moment our eyes met. I wanted to pass him all my good wishes in that moment. It was pretty damn cool for me to see him raise his thumb at me in return with a big grin on his face. As time sped up back to normal I even turned around to Nancy and said that he'd seen us! I've never before been so outwardly starstruck, though the experience was actually something quite different. And it was nice to see that Nancy had caught the exact moment on a blurry shot from her phone. How cool is that!
Almost as he left the Arena, the game began.
The first period was a tough one, I suspect several of the players were 'finding their legs' to at least some degree. It wasn't long, however, and we'd been treated to a couple Canadian goals. And a scuffle that turned into a fight with matching five minute majors the result. And an American come back goal. We were all buzzing with the energy of the spectacle before us when the siren sounded. B had offered some people in the row behind some of the sweets he'd brought in. In turn, one was kind enough to take a few pictures of him. All of a sudden, we and those around were forming a community of a kind. 2-1 Canada at the end of the first.
Durning the first intermission I bumped into Rebecca and Paul from the Vikings. A little weird to see them in their finery rather than hot and sweaty in their sweaters. Very very nice to see such faces! There were more around, apparently, and I know a few C graders who'd gone, but these were the only faces I knew that I met.
The second period was fast and dramatic, Canada scoring once and the USA twice to tie the score at 3-3 at the start of the second intermission. The teams seemed reasonably well matched. The individual players were becoming more evident to us through their skating and playing styles, as well as their temperments. B had decided he liked what he saw in #91 for Canada, David Rutherford. I was pretty impressed by his skating style (especially later when he seemed to be pushing off from both toes in a high speed heel to heel - how does one do that?! Nancy likened his skating to 'dancing over the ice'.). Etem had silky stick skills. The other memorable player for me was the American captain, Kopotka (#28). You could tell by the boo's he got that he had struck a chord with his relentless, tireless, aggressively harrassing play. I was pretty impressed by his level of 'compete'.
We decided not to rush out for the second intermission, but remained in our seats and just enjoyed the atmosphere for a while before wandering out to get some fresh air. While we were so seated one of the rink officials wandered by beneath our seat, suddenly reached up and offered B the game puck from the second period. Chipped and all! He was pretty rapt! Not long afterwards (on our walk for some fresh air) he got a moment with the Melbourne Mustang's mascot and Nancy got another classic photo. A game puck from an international game, no wonder B looks like he does as he was accosted by the horse!
While outside we got talking to a young fella (twenties) from Melbourne who was really nice. He and his mate were up the back back row. We knew that the woman who'd taken B's photo and her fella were not returning for the third period. We told this nice guy where we were and invited him and his mate to the otherwise empty seats. They were there for puck drop - it was like santa had become real in July to them. It was really nice to help co-ordinate with the universe in providing so much pleasure to a couple former hockey players.
The third period was a bit depressing, as a half Canadian. The yanks put on another three quick goals at one point, the first resulting from a monumental goalie/defence passing stuff up in Canada's half. That was pretty gutting. I think they were in shock for long enough for the next goal to be scored (also a bit soft, though can't remember the detail). The goalie, though, started making some brilliant saves as the blizzard continued. It seemed that Kopotka and his cronies could dominate the slot in the Canadian zone at will. Conversely, the Canadians barely got the puck in front of the American goal, let alone a shot onto it for the whole quarter. They did however score a quick breakaway goal against the run of play with about three minutes to go. Hope rose. Only to be crushed shortly after by another American goal. And another. Final score, 7-4.
I was satisfied that if the game had been rigged (being an exhibition game, and so as to make the climactic game a 'live' one in Nathan Walker's home town of Sydney, one couldn't blame them if it was), it wasn't through giving teams 'orders'. I was too close to the players to not see the will to win, the warlike approach to competition, the grief of the goalie if they were scored against. If the game was 'rigged', it would have been by co-ordinating the lines between the teams. Surprisingly, it didn't matter. It was a great game. And the crowd loved it.
Before lining up for aftergame photos and presentations of sweaters etc, the players had one last scuffle. I think only the first had been of a majorly serious level, but there had been no lack of aggression in the game (nor the resulting penalties). The crowd was a bit bemused, but entertained at this swansong mano a mano.
The aftergame rituals were new to us, we don't usually hang around. However, having front row seats, we did this time. After the teams had presented themselves for photos and applauded what was left of the crowd, they again lined up in the centre. Then, spectators who'd paid big dollars for various of the player's game jerseys got to come out and meet 'their' players and receive their jerseys. A few of the players were signing signatures by going to the barriers for the fans to hand down whatever was to be signed. B, of course, being a kid, 'had' to do that - 'because you have to if you're a kid!'
A player by the name of Harvey had been pretty popular in our corner. Pretty feisty bugga. B had him about to sign his tee shirt when Harvey decided he'd get a texta from thirty metres away. And then he had to work his way down again toward B, signing as he went. By this time the organisers were trying to close it all down, started to shepherd him towards the tunnel exit. Harvey (bless him) shrugged the official off with a barely disguised snarl, pointed to B and said he'd made a promise, continued signing things before eventually getting to B and signing his tee shirt. B was pretty chuffed. Sweet, I thought.
Things got better, however, when Rutherford (aforementioned #91) came over, also signed B's tee shirt. This was extra cool because he had been B's favourite player almost from the start. B had been cheering him by name throughout (although it was only in the final period that he had noticed us specifically, looking up at B's call of "Rutherford, you're awesome!" and returning a look of identification to the subsequent raised thumb from the corner). B was by this time approaching ecstasy as he held up his tee shirt.
But Rutherford didn't immediately leave. Instead, he looked at B and said, 'do you want my sweater?' In response to B's puzzled look, he continued, "here, I'll give it to you," and proceeded to take it off and hand it up (signing it as he did so), "just don't tell anyone." The look of B as he turned around to the crowd was priceless. The cheers they awarded him equally so. It's moments like these of which hockey is made.
It wasn't much later and we were out of there. A nice walk along the Yarra into town, with a bit of a moment half way to check out the photos and videos that had been taken. Then, an impulse ride on horse and carriage through the parklands at midnight for a bit of a magical wind down from a magical evening.
Three times that night I had to explain to some poor non hockey goer in the city why there were thousands of people wearing Canada gear. "There was an Ice Hockey game," I'd say by way of explanation. They invariably nodded their heads sagely, only demonstrating the link between Canada and hockey - even in Australia. It is kinda appropriate that this unofficial 'Canada Night in Melbourne' is inextricably linked with a hockey game!
Exhausted, we finally got back to our apartment. The next day, the sweaty sweater and the chipped puck were proof it had not been a dream.
Most excellent. Hope to do it all again some time!
*
Off ice, last night (Wednesday) I did an upper body circuit. Had been shown earlier in the day a couple new variations on various exercises I've been doing by a friend with a lot of experience. Started evolving the workout to build in what he'd suggested.
Today, I think I could feel that oh so slight and non painful tightness in the shoulders, upper back and arms that maybe is coming from muscle growth. If so, amazing! This is only my third week, afterall.
I made today a rest day. Tomorrow, core and lower body.
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
Big weekend coming, and more around the corner...
I didn't go skating tonight, could've been to Vikings training at Gawler (but only got home at about the time it started 40 minutes' drive away), could've gone down the ice arena later (but would've been on the small ice only). Could've gone to Ice Academy last night (but had childcare duties). So, it's good to know that I'll have a quality ice hockey weekend coming up.
Not that I'll be actually playing the game! No, rather, I'll be going with Nancy and B to the International Ice Hockey (exhibition) game at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. And, along with something like 17,000 people, will get to watch Canada v USA in one of five games they are playing around the nation at the moment. Mainly NHL and CHL/AHL players, it's good quality to watch. And we're front row in the Canadian corner, which makes it even better! Sure are looking forward to it.
Earlier that day me and B will go for a session at the Ice House rink, carting our skates all the way to Melbourne for the privilege. That will be fun, as always, and for B it will be the first time he has skated on a really full size rink with really smooth ice. This may well be the highlight of his tenth birthday weekend (the reason we're taking him)!
Speaking of B, the following weekend his 'Ice Blast' term begins (introduction to ice hockey in six 'lessons' that both stress the play aspect (half the time being ice games) as well as develop skills (a different aspect of basic skills for each of the first five weeks). The sixth and final week the boys will play a real ice hockey game and get a certificate. B is quite nervous about it. Me? I'm excited.
And speaking of playing Ice Hockey, C grade is getting closer, with some information leaking out of the organiser (while he waits for a committee to form around him). It is sounding like 2 Divisions, with 4 sides in Div 1 and six in Div 2. There might even be club involvement (ie affiliation to one of the higher grade established hockey clubs in Adelaide) in the Div 1 teams (if so, will pretty well make Div 2 a 'rec' league). Still a couple months away by the sound of it but I need to get onto registration!
Not that I'll be actually playing the game! No, rather, I'll be going with Nancy and B to the International Ice Hockey (exhibition) game at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. And, along with something like 17,000 people, will get to watch Canada v USA in one of five games they are playing around the nation at the moment. Mainly NHL and CHL/AHL players, it's good quality to watch. And we're front row in the Canadian corner, which makes it even better! Sure are looking forward to it.
Earlier that day me and B will go for a session at the Ice House rink, carting our skates all the way to Melbourne for the privilege. That will be fun, as always, and for B it will be the first time he has skated on a really full size rink with really smooth ice. This may well be the highlight of his tenth birthday weekend (the reason we're taking him)!
Speaking of B, the following weekend his 'Ice Blast' term begins (introduction to ice hockey in six 'lessons' that both stress the play aspect (half the time being ice games) as well as develop skills (a different aspect of basic skills for each of the first five weeks). The sixth and final week the boys will play a real ice hockey game and get a certificate. B is quite nervous about it. Me? I'm excited.
And speaking of playing Ice Hockey, C grade is getting closer, with some information leaking out of the organiser (while he waits for a committee to form around him). It is sounding like 2 Divisions, with 4 sides in Div 1 and six in Div 2. There might even be club involvement (ie affiliation to one of the higher grade established hockey clubs in Adelaide) in the Div 1 teams (if so, will pretty well make Div 2 a 'rec' league). Still a couple months away by the sound of it but I need to get onto registration!
*
I've kept up with the commitment to building a bit more muscle onto my frame, doing a upper body circuit tonight (late), and a core/lower body circuit yesterday (early). Somehow I am managing to keep to the schedule (though my 'off days' are a moving feast and I need to make constant adjustments to 'the plan' to match my busy life).
Tomorrow will be a rest day, and I hope to do a core circuit (ie. no equipment) on Friday and Saturday while in Melbourne.
By Sunday I expect I'll need a rest in any event!
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Go Nathan Walker!
Welsh born but Sydney raised Nathan Walker, 20, has been selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the annual NHL draft. He is apparently the first Australian (or, Australian resident?) to be drafted into an NHL franchise (though I thought there was another in the sixties, albeit he never actually played for the NHL team). This is a big thing and great for Ice Hockey downunder. Now our younger players know that it can be done!
Walker started skating at age 5 or 6, following in his older brother's sudden passion for ice hockey after the boys had watched Disney's 'The Mighty Ducks'. By the time he was 13 he and his family decided that he should go to the Czech Republic to pursue his dream, he simply wasn't getting enough ice time where he lived. Then followed a number of years competing in various teams within the Vitkovice franchise. Last year, he was invited to a tryout for a pro league team in the North America, the Hershey Bears in the AHL (not having been born in North America nor having played in a Canadian Major Junior League team, he was eligible for pro league selection despite still being a teen). The Bears are affiliated with the NHL's Washington Capitals, so Cap's got to have a reasonable look at Walker for the last season (in which he played 43 games, scoring 5 goals and 6 assists.
In the trading that surrounds the draft, the Cap's swapped their fourth and fifth round picks for another third (the 89th pick overall) and used that to select Walker. They said later that they had 'targeted' him and would take him if they could, ahead of the interest in him displayed by other clubs (he had been placed as high as a fourth round pick in various prognostications I've read over the past few months). Walker said that he had no idea of what if any designs the Capitals had on him going into the draft. In fact, he had phlegmatically responded to questions on the subject by saying, "I'm guessing they're probably thinking the same thing I am. Just wait and see how it all pans out.”
By all accounts he sounds a nice guy and very hardworking and fearless player. The US media is even describing him as 'NHL ready', something regarded as unusual in a draft pick during their first year. The reasoning varies, but seems to be a combination of his actual ability and work ethic, his age and thus physical development (he is a second year draftee, having not been chosen the year before, making him a year older than the 'cream' of the crop and the bulk of the others), and the fact that he rose to the occasion of playing regular games in a pro league season with and against fully developed 'men'.
He is scheduled to come back to Australia to participate in the International Ice Hockey tournament between American and Canadian teams in July. We should get to see him playing in the Stars and Stripes when we go to see the Melbourne game.
Good on him!
Notes (edit): The official Draft site of the NHL only gives information on Walker playing in the Czech Extraliga and in the AHL. It doesn't mention that he has played for the Sydney Ice Dogs in the AIHL or the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL. Nor, sadly, does it mention the fact that he has played 5 (?) times for Australia at the Ice Hockey World Championships. He was the first Australian to play professionally in Europe and the youngest player to ever score a goal in the Spengler Cup (2011). There's a Wiki page on him which is probably the best source of information.
Walker started skating at age 5 or 6, following in his older brother's sudden passion for ice hockey after the boys had watched Disney's 'The Mighty Ducks'. By the time he was 13 he and his family decided that he should go to the Czech Republic to pursue his dream, he simply wasn't getting enough ice time where he lived. Then followed a number of years competing in various teams within the Vitkovice franchise. Last year, he was invited to a tryout for a pro league team in the North America, the Hershey Bears in the AHL (not having been born in North America nor having played in a Canadian Major Junior League team, he was eligible for pro league selection despite still being a teen). The Bears are affiliated with the NHL's Washington Capitals, so Cap's got to have a reasonable look at Walker for the last season (in which he played 43 games, scoring 5 goals and 6 assists.
In the trading that surrounds the draft, the Cap's swapped their fourth and fifth round picks for another third (the 89th pick overall) and used that to select Walker. They said later that they had 'targeted' him and would take him if they could, ahead of the interest in him displayed by other clubs (he had been placed as high as a fourth round pick in various prognostications I've read over the past few months). Walker said that he had no idea of what if any designs the Capitals had on him going into the draft. In fact, he had phlegmatically responded to questions on the subject by saying, "I'm guessing they're probably thinking the same thing I am. Just wait and see how it all pans out.”
By all accounts he sounds a nice guy and very hardworking and fearless player. The US media is even describing him as 'NHL ready', something regarded as unusual in a draft pick during their first year. The reasoning varies, but seems to be a combination of his actual ability and work ethic, his age and thus physical development (he is a second year draftee, having not been chosen the year before, making him a year older than the 'cream' of the crop and the bulk of the others), and the fact that he rose to the occasion of playing regular games in a pro league season with and against fully developed 'men'.
He is scheduled to come back to Australia to participate in the International Ice Hockey tournament between American and Canadian teams in July. We should get to see him playing in the Stars and Stripes when we go to see the Melbourne game.
Good on him!
Notes (edit): The official Draft site of the NHL only gives information on Walker playing in the Czech Extraliga and in the AHL. It doesn't mention that he has played for the Sydney Ice Dogs in the AIHL or the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL. Nor, sadly, does it mention the fact that he has played 5 (?) times for Australia at the Ice Hockey World Championships. He was the first Australian to play professionally in Europe and the youngest player to ever score a goal in the Spengler Cup (2011). There's a Wiki page on him which is probably the best source of information.
Saturday, 14 June 2014
Stanley Cup - Kings win, how did I go?
I watched the final game of the Stanley Cup final series between New York Rangers and the LA Kings this morning with Ashton and Nancy. We didn't watch the whole thing as it does go for a long time (especially when it goes into a second overtime period) but we did get to see Dustin Brown raise the Cup for the second time in three years. Goes to show how hockey has progressed in California, and how it has infiltrated this household.
The Kings got there by playing the maximum twenty one games in the first three series (against San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago), notably coming back from 3 games down in the first against the sharks. Jonathan Quick, although a little inconsistent, came through on all the big games.
My own view on the Kings has shifted over the past years. In 2012 they struck me as a fairly dull team that relied over much on a brilliant young goal tender and ground their opponents down to win their games in an unexciting way. That view didn't change much through the shortened lock out season, and even the start of the season just finished. However, they evolved (or perhaps, showed their evolution more obviously) as the season unfurled itself and they began to display that there was more to them than the defensive brand that their scorelines tended to show (high possession, low scoring). Now, I'd say they're quite entertaining to watch, play a hard but skilled game, and aren't afraid to push both axes as far as they can. Without the ill-faith that goes with Boston...
How did my picks go from before the first round? I didn't pick ANY of the Western Conference first round winners and so couldn't pick the cup winner at all. In the East, I did ping the Canadiens and the Rangers to go far, but only mentioned the Rangers as my favourite to win the conference. So I'll take that as a contested pass. If I'd known it would be Rangers v Kings in the finals, I would have picked Kings on form as I interpreted it at the time.
Enough of me, however. Well done LA Kings!
The Kings got there by playing the maximum twenty one games in the first three series (against San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago), notably coming back from 3 games down in the first against the sharks. Jonathan Quick, although a little inconsistent, came through on all the big games.
My own view on the Kings has shifted over the past years. In 2012 they struck me as a fairly dull team that relied over much on a brilliant young goal tender and ground their opponents down to win their games in an unexciting way. That view didn't change much through the shortened lock out season, and even the start of the season just finished. However, they evolved (or perhaps, showed their evolution more obviously) as the season unfurled itself and they began to display that there was more to them than the defensive brand that their scorelines tended to show (high possession, low scoring). Now, I'd say they're quite entertaining to watch, play a hard but skilled game, and aren't afraid to push both axes as far as they can. Without the ill-faith that goes with Boston...
How did my picks go from before the first round? I didn't pick ANY of the Western Conference first round winners and so couldn't pick the cup winner at all. In the East, I did ping the Canadiens and the Rangers to go far, but only mentioned the Rangers as my favourite to win the conference. So I'll take that as a contested pass. If I'd known it would be Rangers v Kings in the finals, I would have picked Kings on form as I interpreted it at the time.
Enough of me, however. Well done LA Kings!
Monday, 12 May 2014
Extreme attitude
"I get my team to shoot at my head so I can work on my reflexes."
A recent quote from a Buffalo Sabres goal tender.
What can I say?!
A recent quote from a Buffalo Sabres goal tender.
What can I say?!
Thursday, 1 May 2014
NHL Playoffs - Round 1 done
Well, an interesting First Round of playoffs in North America. In the east, Montreal v Boston and N.Y. Rangers v Pennsylvania Penguins is the result. In the west, Chicago Blackhawks v Minnesota Wild and L.A. Kings v Anaheim Ducks. I'll be going for the Wild in the west and, in the east, the Habs.
Having followed the first round as well as I could (a game a night on Pay Murdoch TV) for my first ever real playoff season has been interesting. My joy at Montreal beating the Lightning 4-0 and going through to the next round before anyone else was great. Sadly, because their series was over so quickly I only got to see one of their games. Hope the 11 day break won't have been too long. The best game I saw was that when L.A. beat San Jose to tie their series 3 all (surprising, as I'm no fan of Kings hockey, but they played lively and crisp and were good to watch). Hats off to LA also, for coming back from being three games to nil down to win that series 4-3. Only the fourth team in NHL history to have done so in a playoff series.
The biggest surprise, though, was how my attitude to several of the teams in general shifted. You might have gathered I'm not particularly fond of Boston and their angry bear style of play. But at least they do it with style. What got me, however, was how much I didn't particularly enjoy a bunch of other teams that play the monster game with their size. Namely, the loser teams of St Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets. So, my heart wasn't where my original wishlist predictions had originally put it going into the series. The other team that played the rough house style was the Philly Flyers, but there was enough teamwork class with them to make it entertaining (as they went down to NYR in a seventh game).
We'll see how my predictions stack up before the Conference Finals.
Paid up for Winter Vikings Inline Hockey season today. Go Wheelers!
Having followed the first round as well as I could (a game a night on Pay Murdoch TV) for my first ever real playoff season has been interesting. My joy at Montreal beating the Lightning 4-0 and going through to the next round before anyone else was great. Sadly, because their series was over so quickly I only got to see one of their games. Hope the 11 day break won't have been too long. The best game I saw was that when L.A. beat San Jose to tie their series 3 all (surprising, as I'm no fan of Kings hockey, but they played lively and crisp and were good to watch). Hats off to LA also, for coming back from being three games to nil down to win that series 4-3. Only the fourth team in NHL history to have done so in a playoff series.
The biggest surprise, though, was how my attitude to several of the teams in general shifted. You might have gathered I'm not particularly fond of Boston and their angry bear style of play. But at least they do it with style. What got me, however, was how much I didn't particularly enjoy a bunch of other teams that play the monster game with their size. Namely, the loser teams of St Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blue Jackets. So, my heart wasn't where my original wishlist predictions had originally put it going into the series. The other team that played the rough house style was the Philly Flyers, but there was enough teamwork class with them to make it entertaining (as they went down to NYR in a seventh game).
We'll see how my predictions stack up before the Conference Finals.
Paid up for Winter Vikings Inline Hockey season today. Go Wheelers!
Monday, 28 April 2014
Winter almost here
What passes for 'winter' in Adelaide is almost upon us, school has gone back for the second term of the academic year, we approach the public holidayless months between June and October, NHL approaching it's end of playoffs climax, all other northern leagues either wound up on onto their last game (KHL - Go Lev!). Summer Season C Grade and almost glory in the early autumn a receding memory.
More positively, the local leagues are starting up. Adelaide Adrenaline off to a late start in the AIHL, A Grade at the Ice Arena already played a round of games before the school break. Vikings registration for the winter season (terms 2 and 3 of the school year) is this coming weekend, games and presumably training probably commence the week following.
Ice Academy and Skating classes also begin this week. I won't be able to get to the Academy this week, but might as well pay for it at next opportunity. Might as well pay for B's classes at the same time (thanks, Uncle George and Aunty Ester). And IHSA membership (so I can play in Shinnies). And fees for the coming Vikings season with the small change.
Even with all of the equipment, not much change from a thousand dollars to play a couple seasons of ice hockey. About a quarter of that for inline. At least the gear is interchangeable between the sports at the level I play at (except the skates, of course, and (practically speaking) the hockey pants, along with ice hockey socks/inline cover pants).
More positively, the local leagues are starting up. Adelaide Adrenaline off to a late start in the AIHL, A Grade at the Ice Arena already played a round of games before the school break. Vikings registration for the winter season (terms 2 and 3 of the school year) is this coming weekend, games and presumably training probably commence the week following.
Ice Academy and Skating classes also begin this week. I won't be able to get to the Academy this week, but might as well pay for it at next opportunity. Might as well pay for B's classes at the same time (thanks, Uncle George and Aunty Ester). And IHSA membership (so I can play in Shinnies). And fees for the coming Vikings season with the small change.
Even with all of the equipment, not much change from a thousand dollars to play a couple seasons of ice hockey. About a quarter of that for inline. At least the gear is interchangeable between the sports at the level I play at (except the skates, of course, and (practically speaking) the hockey pants, along with ice hockey socks/inline cover pants).
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Game Changer
Getting home from work this evening I noticed that the sun is not far from sinking by the time I get there. Soon it'll be dark by the time I walk in the gate. No afterwork skating for a few months now. Sigh.
Maybe to make up for it, maybe because I had the house to myself, I watched two recorded games of NHL ice hockey. The first, a late season game featuring the Minnesota Wild defeating the St Louis Blues (both these teams in the present playoff round). Admire the courage of Curry, the Wild's goal tender in only his fifth game in years, as he fronted sixty good shots at goal (over forty being 'on' goal) and several milling pileups of bodies, skates and flashing sticks. Then it was the first game of the round 1 Rangers v Flyers series (Rangers win 4-2) where the New York home crowd sounded one of the most engaging I've heard all season.
Finally, sated, I listen to some guy on the radio talking about 'motivation', with a fair degree of societal futurism thrown in. And, after a while, I realise that behind his condescendingly cool intellectualism were a few kernels of wisdom. Neat aphorisms such as 'make progress visible' (to positively generate an inward strategic motivation) and 'enjoy the ride' (with scientific proof that the 'enjoy the ride' group rode more often and achieved their 'rewards' sooner than those who rode to achieve a 'goal'). An articulation, indeed, of the 'meta' that characterises my best personal training sessions.
The trick now? Build it into the drill (or even, into the stage of drill formation). Example: in the sets I drilled last night, half of them involved a back hand pick up, curl with puck on inside or outside, forehand shot at goal, and thus the necessary deke from backhand to forehand (often during the turn itself). Now, into each of these various elements can be injected additional degrees of disciple in training (eg. when deking from backhand to forehand on an inside turn, work on the deceptive qualities of puck appeariing to go one way and the body another - much as platton did in the C Grade final at Gawler (and every other game he played)).
Increased skating versatility generally is quite noticeable, as is (to a slightly lesser degree) agility with stick'n'puck by the end of the session if a specific skill is concentrated on for a drill or three. As I enjoy skating, it is easy for me to 'enjoy the ride'. Separation of the concept of 'practice' from 'training' might be occasionally useful also, with perhaps 'practice' being more oriented to fun, decisions, challenges, training more towards technique, skill and movement. In every training session should be practice/play, and in every play/practice session, training.
And through it all, training and practice in making decisions (the high level skill in any sport, especially such a fast team sport as hockey).
But, that's be another post.
The guy on the radio, btw, was James Fox, author of 'The Game Changer'. He was being interviewed by Tony Delroy on 'The Night Show' on ABC Radio.
Maybe to make up for it, maybe because I had the house to myself, I watched two recorded games of NHL ice hockey. The first, a late season game featuring the Minnesota Wild defeating the St Louis Blues (both these teams in the present playoff round). Admire the courage of Curry, the Wild's goal tender in only his fifth game in years, as he fronted sixty good shots at goal (over forty being 'on' goal) and several milling pileups of bodies, skates and flashing sticks. Then it was the first game of the round 1 Rangers v Flyers series (Rangers win 4-2) where the New York home crowd sounded one of the most engaging I've heard all season.
Finally, sated, I listen to some guy on the radio talking about 'motivation', with a fair degree of societal futurism thrown in. And, after a while, I realise that behind his condescendingly cool intellectualism were a few kernels of wisdom. Neat aphorisms such as 'make progress visible' (to positively generate an inward strategic motivation) and 'enjoy the ride' (with scientific proof that the 'enjoy the ride' group rode more often and achieved their 'rewards' sooner than those who rode to achieve a 'goal'). An articulation, indeed, of the 'meta' that characterises my best personal training sessions.
The trick now? Build it into the drill (or even, into the stage of drill formation). Example: in the sets I drilled last night, half of them involved a back hand pick up, curl with puck on inside or outside, forehand shot at goal, and thus the necessary deke from backhand to forehand (often during the turn itself). Now, into each of these various elements can be injected additional degrees of disciple in training (eg. when deking from backhand to forehand on an inside turn, work on the deceptive qualities of puck appeariing to go one way and the body another - much as platton did in the C Grade final at Gawler (and every other game he played)).
Increased skating versatility generally is quite noticeable, as is (to a slightly lesser degree) agility with stick'n'puck by the end of the session if a specific skill is concentrated on for a drill or three. As I enjoy skating, it is easy for me to 'enjoy the ride'. Separation of the concept of 'practice' from 'training' might be occasionally useful also, with perhaps 'practice' being more oriented to fun, decisions, challenges, training more towards technique, skill and movement. In every training session should be practice/play, and in every play/practice session, training.
And through it all, training and practice in making decisions (the high level skill in any sport, especially such a fast team sport as hockey).
But, that's be another post.
The guy on the radio, btw, was James Fox, author of 'The Game Changer'. He was being interviewed by Tony Delroy on 'The Night Show' on ABC Radio.
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