Hockey is back!

Title says it all!

Hockey never left. I supported a lot of local hockey this winter. Don't you live in Canada?

Hockey Day in Minnesota today! Outdoor high school games, wind chill is about -25! Gophers and Sioux late afternoon, then Wild vs Avs at night! It's been here all year, but the NHL tops it off!

Just got done watching the Pens - Flyers game. It felt weird to be watching puck again. Forgot what it felt like.

I didn't even realize it was back.. Nor did I realize it was ever really gone. I guess that's just because I live in the South. Not much hockey at all around here.

And NHL Center Ice has a free preview until the end of January. So, I get to watch my Devils in Colorado! ...for now, anyway

Your 2013 Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils began their predetermined rise to glory with a solid win tonight. And the Rangers stunk it up as usual. That is all.

Go leafs go!

My wings looks like no one gave them the memo the season started.

Wild all the way!

Awwwe Yeah!!!! Jackets with a big shootout win in Nash-vegas. It's January and we're still in the playoff hunt.

whats hockey?

[quote name='TMadigolf' timestamp='1358656164' post='6263035']
Awwwe Yeah!!!! Jackets with a big shootout win in Nash-vegas. It's January and we're still in the playoff hunt.
[/quote]

That's what I was thinking! The leafs are all set to win out and make a cup run with some dude named Ben scrivens in the cage!

Seriously though, can we get a real goalie? And a first line C? And Brian Burke back? And maybe conn smythe to give a rousing world war one speech to rile the boys up so we can win something already?

[quote name='prsgtrman' timestamp='1358659326' post='6263265']
whats hockey?
[/quote]

This:

[attachment=1497101:image.jpg]

Red Wings, Rangers, Flyers, Kings, Capitals and Canucks all drop their openers. Wouldn't have bet money on that happening.

Some high scores yesterday. Cam Ward was pulled after giving up 4 goals on 11 shots. We may see goalies have a tougher time transitioning back to game speed than the skaters. I watched 2 full games yesterday and a period of another. The play (at least in the games I saw) was a little sloppy. Seemed like everyone was nervous, not really clicking with their linemates, a lot of missed passes, etc. I shouldn't be surprised though given the fact that they had so little time to skate together before the first game.

The thing that cracked me up though was reading in the paper this morning about how the Florida Panthers game was supposedly standing room only. I watched that game. I could count the number of people in the stands. It was pathetic. There were literally entire sections that were nothing but empty seats. But then the attendance in the box score this morning is listed at about 2,500 above the max. Please.

After that game I tuned into the Vancouver game. The difference is night and day. In Vancouver, every seat was full, everyone decked out in their Canucks colors, everyone singing along with O Canada. But I guess that's hockey in the south versus hockey in Canada.

[quote name='MattTheTaff' timestamp='1358668201' post='6263587']
[quote name='prsgtrman' timestamp='1358659326' post='6263265']
whats hockey?
[/quote]

This:

[attachment=1497101:image.jpg]
[/quote]


LOL - I remember the first time I ever saw field hockey. It was the Olympics and CBC was talking about Team Canada's "match" coming up next. What a disappointment. Very painful to watch.

[quote name='bppry' timestamp='1358652179' post='6262633']
My wings looks like no one gave them the memo the season started.
[/quote]

Sad to say, but it may be like that all year. The best part of the lockout was the cancellation of the Winter Classic. It would have been the worst one yet, by a mile.

I hope Seattle can get a team in the near future. I love sports and could easily see myself getting into hockey if 1) it was available on TV and 2) If I had a team to root for. If the Vancouver games had ever made it into the Portland Or, southwest washington TV market chances are I would be a fan of the team and thus be a fan of Hockey. COME ON NHL!!!

[quote name='baseballfrk8998' timestamp='1358639651' post='6261623']
I didn't even realize it was back.. Nor did I realize it was ever really gone. I guess that's just because I live in the South. Not much hockey at all around here.
[/quote]
then i guess im the only happy texan that Hockey is back. Go Stars!!

Pens look amazing. They're going to be tough to stop. Here's a Pens video I watch before each game: (NSFW, on ice trash talk)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MNA0_n32Hc

I committed myself to not supporting the NHL after the owners locked out the players. Of course, Bettman has overseen 3 lockouts (I think), and I figured it was over for me. Then of course, I watch my favorite Pens play the Rangers, and now I am back again... I am so weak.

[quote name='poizster' timestamp='1358807910' post='6272729']
I hope Seattle can get a team in the near future. I love sports and could easily see myself getting into hockey if 1) it was available on TV and 2) If I had a team to root for. If the Vancouver games had ever made it into the Portland Or, southwest washington TV market chances are I would be a fan of the team and thus be a fan of Hockey. COME ON NHL!!!
[/quote]

Depending on your cable provider, you may have a free preview of NHL Center Ice (the NHL's cable package) through the end of the month. Check if you do. And if so, get watching!

[quote name='Petethreeput' timestamp='1358825288' post='6274387']
I committed myself to not supporting the NHL after the owners locked out the players. Of course, Bettman has overseen 3 lockouts (I think), and I figured it was over for me. Then of course, I watch my favorite Pens play the Rangers, and now I am back again... I am so weak.
[/quote]

I'm also a Pens fan. Looking good after 2 games!

My feeling on the lockout is that if they are going to lock me out of hockey for half a season than I'm going to lock them out as a paying customer for half a season. I will still watch any games that are on channels that I already have but I won't be buying Center Ice this year (had it the last 3 years; they should give it away free this year IMO). I won't be attending any games this year even though there's an NHL team that plays 20 minutes from my house. I won't be buying any NHL merchandise.

Next year we can start fresh again and they can win me back. But I'm taking an "eye-for-an-eye" approach. They take half a season from me, I'm taking half a season from them.

Gary Bettman needs to go. 3 work stoppages in 19 years. If you're averaging a strike every 6 years you're not doing something right. The current deal is for 10 years but there's an opt-out clause after 8. So prepare yourself for another strike in 8 years. It's inevitable.

I think hockey has turned a corner, but not in a good way. Bettman and his cronies (not all owners, only some) have realized that much like the oil tycoons (with their ever rising oil prices generating record profits), they can do whatever they want with zero consequences. Notice how this time around there was no acknowledgement to the fans (the previous lockout featured some form of "thanks" written in the ice). The NHL simply does not care about anything but their bottom line. And as evidenced by sold out games for many of the league's season openers over the weekend, they won't be experiencing any of the heartache that they caused the fans by way of failing to recoup their losses in game revenue.

[quote name='prorobo' timestamp='1358831519' post='6274871']
I think hockey has turned a corner, but not in a good way. Bettman and his cronies (not all owners, only some) have realized that much like the oil tycoons (with their ever rising oil prices generating record profits), they can do whatever they want with zero consequences. Notice how this time around there was no acknowledgement to the fans (the previous lockout featured some form of "thanks" written in the ice). The NHL simply does not care about anything but their bottom line. And as evidenced by sold out games for many of the league's season openers over the weekend, they won't be experiencing any of the heartache that they caused the fans by way of failing to recoup their losses in game revenue.
[/quote]

So true. It's kind of a gray area. As I flipped through the games on opening night, one side of me was happy and excited to see so many cheering fans filling the seats. That hockey atmosphere was back and it was a good feeling.

But on the other hand, if all the fans just act like sheep and continue to throw money into the league's pockets even after being screwed, what will ever change? What kind of message will be sent to Bettman and the owners? By having sellout crowds, the message they are getting is "we can do whatever we want because this flock of sheep will always come crawling back with money in their hands."

So I don't know which way to think.

The only way to change their attitudes is if they start seeing some real hits in profits. That's why I adopted my "eye-for-an-eye" approach.

I'd be curious to know if any teams raised their ticket prices for this year. I know many teams are offering some great deals. I think I heard in Tampa you could get season tickets for $200 (sitting in the rafters). Any teams actually have the balls to raise prices this year?

The crazy thing is that the last 3 seasons prior to the strike were the 3 most profitable seasons in NHL history (measured as a 3-year lump sum compared to any previous 3-year lump sums). So just when the league was really thriving they went on strike.

Jackets with 3 pts in 2 games... Gonna be the best 2 game stretch of the season.

Yes! Going to see the Canes (hopefully) defeat the Lightning tonight in their home opener.