SB Nation User Blog: PPP

More Christmas Spirit!

PPP — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:35:07 -0000

As if today's announcement of a month filled with giveaways here wasn't enough, to show that the Christmas spirit is alive and well my arch-nemesis HF10 passed along an e-mail that will no doubt interest at least some of you here:

The email auction for 2 tickets to the Leafs begins today. It's simple, just send your bid amount to ms.duchesne@sympatico.ca. The highest bid received in by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5th wins. Bids are not limited to Beaches Co-op parents, so please solicit bids from those Leafs fans surrounding you - the ones who can't live without the opportunity to land great seats. We've been told the Leafs shoot on this end twice. The seats are located in the second row of the Red section in a corner. . The specific details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ticket Price: $195.30/ticket
Section: 111
Row: 18
Seats: 1&2

If you have any questions about the process or tickets, please contact genevieve.brown@sympatico.ca. Remember Christmas is coming, and there's no better gift for a Leafs fan in your life.

All proceeds go to The Beaches Co-Operative Playschool which counts MiniHF10 as a student and BigHF10 as a proud supporter. Early Childhood Education is a wonderful cause so you get ridiculous seats at a Leafs game and a warm glow in your heart.

The game, in case you are wondering, is against the Florida Panthers which led HF10 to close with this:

Apologize to the Barilkosphere for the lousy opponent ... although it's a chance to boo McCabe again, if someone was so inclined.

Welcome Five For Howling To SBN

PPP — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:08:15 -0000

Welcome Five For Howling To SBN

Mirtle, in a determined effort to get every team covered at SBN as quickly and as well as possible, has delivered a Coyotes blog. Clearly he wanted it up and running before Thursday.

Contest Time!

PPP — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:57:56 -0000

Here at Pension Plan Puppets Incorporated we realize that the quality of the site depends as much on the people that contribute comments, fanposts, fanshots, and general hilarity and insight as it does on the combined awesomeness of Chemmy and I seen here:

That's why we set a 6th straight record for visits and page views in November. Chemmy and I want to continue making this the best site possible so we wanted to figure out a way to thank the current community and encourage lurkers and newcomers to join in the fun (please read this first). So we've pulled together a great batch of giveaways that'll be given out in a few ways, some still to be determined, but here are the details for the main contest:

How to Enter

Step One: Register. If you're already registered then the easy part is over.

Step Two: Make 20 comments in the month of December. Make 'em count through either sheer hilarity or brilliant insight because posting "First" 20 times will not count and will likely result in me sending someone to your front door like the ending of Jay and Silent Bob.

Step Three: Write two fanposts in the month of December. This part might seem daunting but we'll post four themes (one every Monday) to try to inspire you to greatness. Before putting yours together give this piece by Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue a read. Make sure to label the fanposts "Christmas Contest" so that we can easily find them.

This week's theme: Festivus! Write a post Airing Grievances with a certain player/GM/Coach/mittenstringer or about what Feats of Strength you want to see a player/GM/coach perform.

Step Four: ...

Step Five: Profit! Actually, step five is a random draw of all qualified entries.

Prizes

Grand Prize: Chemmy will present some art-house pictures of this but thanks to his diligent quest for cheap jerseys the top prize will be a Mats Sundin Jersey! It's a CCM Mats Sundin replica jersey. You can own a jersey of the greatest Leaf in the team's history just by commenting!

Second Place: Thanks to an extensive network of superb agents I was able to procure not only a Wendel Clark bobblehead doll from his banner raising night but also one of the stylish moustaches that Chemmy and I are modelling in the picture above. I know, I am freaking awesome.

Third Place: The aforementioned undercover agent was also able to transmit our thid prize, a Tomas Kaberle bobblehead doll.

As I mentioned, there are a few other prizes and presentations that we'll make throughout the month for exceptional Fanposts and good comments so spread the word!

Legal mumbo jumbo blahblahblah the skill testing question is going to be awesome.

Do we need any more proof that Mats is about to stab us in the chest? This is what I found on...

PPP — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:21:17 -0000

Do we need any more proof that Mats is about to stab us in the chest? This is what I found on icejerseys.com when I searched for Sundin Jersey.

The Omen Struggles With Facts

PPP — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:05:44 -0000

The Omen Struggles With Facts

Like a Manchester United fan that thinks soccer started in 1992 or a Chelsea fan whose memory only extends to 2005 Damien Cox decided to ignore NHL history.

Like those that ignore history, he fell victim to proper fact-checking. Of course, rather than admit that he had screwed up he tries to grab as many people as possible in order to throw them under the bus.

Hint: when talking about NHL history remember that the league started in 1917 and not 1945.

NNN: Burke Walks On Water

PPP — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:50:34 -0000

I am still not entirely sure how this was a goal while every time the Leafs looked at Carey Price crooked they got two minutes. Ah well, 4-2 bitches! Anyway, here's what the dying medium had to say about the game:

Burke, realizing the team has been inundated with speculation about what he might do with the roster, visited the dressing room prior to the game for a quick introduction to the players and a much-needed message to the Leafs.

"(Burke) said, 'Don't try to do to much because I'm here,' " said Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala, who was stellar for a second consecutive game.

Mark Zwolinski

Is that all that they had to say? Of course, the hidden message was "do more or play in Phoenix". And how about that Vesa Toskala! Ron Wilson thinks that he figured out the problem and it should settle the debate about whether he was playing too deep or too far out:

"I don't know why, but he was passive before, sitting back in his crease. ... Now he's getting up in his crease and he's getting bumped, which is a good sign."

"Kudos to him for finding his game and getting it back."

I don't like to say "I told you so"...I love it. PPP 1, Chemmy 0.

Considering the story in this morning's FTB about how Burke has dressed down some particularly bad reporters the media in Toronto must be walking on eggshells. It probably doesn't help that Coach Ronny is quick with a barbed tongue too:

"I think Brian did a good job to relax them," Toronto coach Ron Wilson said. "I hate to be blunt, but you [reporters] have been asking them dumb questions, like if they think they are going to be traded.

"Brian assured them that wasn't going to happen. That was one of the best things he could have done. He told them to relax and play their game."

Tim Wharnsby, Globe and Mail

Kevin McGran distinguished himself by asking Burke if he thought that the moves to get Schenn and Grabovski were good ones. The Leafs dynamic duo will be in cruel quip overload before long.

Toronto's Nik Antropov scored his club's second goal when he was hit on the chin by a clearing attempt from Philadelphia goalie Martin Biron early in the second period.

Dear Brian Burke,

Please don't trade Antro.

Please.

Signed,

PPP

p.s. that Kaberle character is tradeable enough for both of them.

Flyers center Mike Richards admits to getting a little extra incentive when playing on Hockey Night in Canada.

So it wasn't surprising that the team captain scored two goals - one shorthanded - and played one of his strongest games of the season last night in front of 19,387 fans at the Air Canada Centre and a nationally televised audience in his homeland.

Sam Carchidi, Philadelphia Inquirer

That is the kind of thing that the Leafs' face in every home game and on every Saturday night. It's like the Patriots having to always play an opponent that is giving their best effort. Some times it can be too much. Not Saturday though as the Leafs' 13th general manager began his quest for immortality.

FTB - Habemus General Manager

PPP — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:12:34 -0000

When the College of Cardinals selects a new Pope they release white smoke into the air to signal that their closed door deliberations have been completed. In Toronto that can't work because there is always a white haze over the city. Instead, the first act on day one of 1 AB (Anno Burkem) was to hold a press conference. Thanks to MF37 for pointing out that the press conference from yesteday was available online. Watch it and reach your own conclusions about what Burke is saying. Here are some links to read while you ponder what he might do:

Arch watches a lot of wrestling . I totally visualized that entire scene although in my version Burke brings down Peddie from the owner's box, pretends to raise his hands in triumph, then gives him the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow, and tells us fans that it was a double-cross and he's going to give us a Cup.
Even Oilers fans know what this signing means. Although Burke wouldn't be tricked into calling himself Benedict XVI. Makes sense, there is no way a German could lead the Leafs.
Jared has advice for Brian Burke.
Burke sounds kind of crazy. I like it.
Godd and Kim also have some good advice.
This reads like a Garrioch story. Lots of qualifiers but no proof whatsoever.
Alec has some thoughts on day 1 of the Burke Era.

Brian Burke Date 1: Flyers

PPP — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:25:18 -0000

Gagne instead of that? Forget it.

REMEMBER YOUR SPG PICKS

Preview: Maple Leafs versus Philadelphia

PPP — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:52:55 -0000

Pre-Game: 6:00 p.m., Leafs TV
Broadcast: 7:00 p.m., CBC, AM640, NHLN-HD (US)
Post-Game: 10:00 p.m. Leafs TV
Post Video: mapleleafs.com

Tonight is the first meeting of the year against the Philadelphia Flyers. Here's what happened last time these two teams met:

One of the awesomest games of the year and I fell asleep on the couch at 3-0. If they could recreate it for my benefit I would appreciate it. The Leafs have actually wo 10 of their last 13 games against the Flyers which I find hard to believe because in my mind they always beat us.REMEMBER YOUR SPG PICKS

Official Preview

The Flyers are having a pretty good season with points in their last 9 games and are led by two players that are and will be constantly used to bash in Leaf fans' brains.

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Simon Gagne	21	13	17	30	14	8	2	4	0	0	49	26.5

As we all know, Gagne was selected in the same draft as Nik Antropov...but later. So you would think that every team's fanbase was subject to hearing about how awesome Gagne has become right? Wrong. Anyway, he's second in league scoring and seemingly fully healed from his concussion problems and other assorted injuries. Pencil him in for two goals. As for the other one that got away:

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Jeff Carter	22	16	6	22	3	16	3	2	3	0	107	15.0

Oh yeah, remember when Kaberle was almost traded for Jeff Carter and the Flyers' first overall pick but he didn't want to waive his no-trade clause because all of his buddies would still be around? Well, now they are almost all gone and Jeff Carter has 16 goals. That's as many points as the very awesome Nik Antropov has this year. Shoot me now.

Tonight will mark Brian Burke's first game in charge as he was introduced today at 2pm. Check out the official site for video of the press conference so that you can avoid the media spin. Today marks the beginning of three months of evaluating the players in the system to determine who will be moved and who will form the nucleus of the Leafs' 2013 Stanley Cup Champions team. He will report only to the head of the MLSE board, Mr. Richard Peddie, and will likely do so only at budget time.

This is the beginning of a new era in Leafs' history. If, five and a half years from now, Burke is above the man that gave him his start in NHL management on this chart then he will likely have built a Stanley Cup contender. From that point on, it's as much about luck as possible and for us it's about time that luck start being good.

NNN: Coattailers Have No Guts

PPP — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:30:26 -0000

It's the 14th time in 21 regular-season games the Senators have been held to two goals or less. It's no coincidence the club has a 3-11 record in those games.

Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun

Hey, remember a few years ago when Leafs fans would tell sens fans that their team's terrible record in one goal games meant that they had no heart or clutch players. Remember how we were right? Well, senators fans, do you know what that stat means? You still have no secondary scoring and the top line is playing hide-and-seek in November rather than waiting for April and early May. That's bad.

The Leafs deserve credit. What they lack in talent, they make up for in hard work and when they did give up chances, Toskala stood tall.

The senators deserve credit. What they lack in talent, they sometimes make up for in hard work and when they did give up chances last night, Auld stood tall which is frustrating because he normally stinks.

Burke and Wilson, good pals and former hockey teammates at Providence College, colourful USA Hockey cowboys running the most famous hockey organization in English Canada. Just picture these two media hounds tossing gasoline on the embers of a once-great rivalry like Ottawa and Toronto.

The possibilities are enormous.

Wayne Scanlan, Ottawa Citizen

What a surprise. People in Ottawa are hoping to ride the Leafs' rebuild back to relevance. Dear Ottawa, no one cares about you.

It was a moment to sum up much of the Senators' first weeks of the season. In the second period, Heatley took a pass from Spezza and ripped a one-timer at Vesa Toskala. When he saw the Leafs goaltender make the save, Heatley swung his stick at the boards in frustration, a full two-hander, then finished off the stick at the bench.

That was the biggest hissy fit since the last time Naomi Campbell went through airport security. Normally when Heatley is splitting something in half the price tag is in six figures.

Holy crap that sucked. Holy crap that was sweet. Live blogging is hard. Brian Burke is now officially second guessing himself. And who's the bag of dicks who told Toskala he's a real goalie?!?!

Senators Lost Cojones, Five For Smiting

It should have been a mostly sucky game for the sens as they struggled to beat a team that is in complete teardown mode while they are supposedly retooling for a run at the Cup. Unless that run is going to end at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto they might as well put away the jogging shorts.

The Sens have found success since they started growing mustaches.

The Senate Committee

The only success that the senators have found is in most resembling pedophiles. If Nick Foligno had to go to a community event with the glued on pubes that he calls a moustache someone would call the police. My fake Wendel moustache looked better than Chris Kelly's Rosie O'Donnell-like upper lip shadow.

No eruptions last night, but there were quakes of things to come. Ruutu decided that 6’4 Andre Deveaux, a brute recalled from the AHL to make his NHL debut last night, needed to be properly welcomed, tugging at him while sitting on the bench when Deveaux skated by, and pestering him on the ice, though he did not drop the gloves when Deveaux beckoned him.

SENShobo

It's tough for any eruptions to happen when the sens only fighters were a kid from the AHL that apparently was unaware of his duties and a player so detestable and spineless that even Sean Avery thinks that he's a huge douchebag. Dear Jarkko, if you are going to yap and stick your ugly mug in the face of the Leafs' fighters please have the testicular fortitue to drop the gloves and man up or admit that you are scared. Either way, shut your fucking trap before it gets wired shut.

The glove dropping was left to Dominic Moore, who took exception to Smith’s high hands on a hit behind the Leafs’ net, though Smith could have destroyed Moore with what ended up as little more than a nuisance hit. Smith, never one to back down, followed Moore in dropping his gloves, but only let him attempt a few jabs before hulking him to the ice to have a chat with the youngster.

Good on Moore for not taking any shit from Jason Smith. Also, good on Jason Smith for not killing Moore. That's leftover class from his time in Toronto and Edmonton because it's not rubbing off on him by being a senator.