SB Nation User Blog: chockster

Former Cap Brendan Witt hit by car; plans to play tonight

chockster — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:45:51 -0000

Former Cap Brendan Witt hit by car; plans to play tonight

"New York Islanders defenceman Brendan Witt was hit by a car in Philadelphia on Tuesday, according to Newsday. But Witt reportedly picked himself up off the road and, after a few profanities, assured everyone he was all right before continuing on his way, prompting one witness to say, "it was like seeing Clint Eastwood, but in hockey." — TSN

No Outdoor Classic in Hershey. Really.

chockster — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:20:14 -0000

Hershey Bears fans are not the only AHL fans scratching their heads, wondering why the first outdoor minor league hockey game would be hosted in Syracuse, N.Y. The rival Manitoba Moose (you know — the ones who lost to the Bears in the Calder Cup Finals?) were approached, too. But according to their general manager, the math didn't add up.

The (Syracuse) Post-Standard reported that putting on the game can cost as much as $900,000. You think sponsors will come in droves and the league will deliver a load of cash like it's the Winter Classic? Sorry.

The Crunch is paying as much as $550,000, which includes about $400,000 for installation of the temporary rink. Sponsorship helps out with about $350,000, including $100,000 from Time Warner. Gov. David Paterson helped secure a $75,000 grant from the Empire State Development Corp., and also cleared the way for the Crunch to use the Fairgrounds without paying a user fee. — Syracuse.com

Still not a bad chunk of change from sponsors, but a grant from the state and not having to pay to use the fairgrounds does not hurt either.

According to the Syracuse story, Hershey and Toronto were in the running — it was just a matter for the clubs to find a way to make it work logistically and financially, and the concessions Syracuse were able to get in addition to sponsorships, pushed them over the top. The two were a natural fit because having a football or soccer stadium beside their arenas.

You got to imagine Hershey would love this seeing they have 10 championships (one championship being a requirement for Ted Leonsis to commit the Capitals to the big-league version). But hey, you have to figure out how to make money off of it first.

It's refreshing that this is not a story about how a team was stiffed for an event due to ratings and markets. So while I patiently wait for Hershey's turn (and a good deal on Winter Classic tickets in Boston), I already purchased two tickets to the inaugural Outdoor Classic to see why Syracuse and the Land of "Slapshot" has to offer. I couldn't pass up $40 tickets and a weekend 5-hour drive up I-81 or the advertised hot tubs at the game.

I'm just hoping for some Old Time Hockey.

Michael Nylander Watch Game 5: 1 goal, +1, 3 shots

chockster — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:54:27 -0000

Michael Nylander Watch Game 5: 1 goal, +1, 3 shots

Nylander led the Grand Rapid Griffins to start a third-period comeback against the Houston Aeros, 3-1.

Friday's game was the final game of Nylander's conditioning stint, finishing with one goal, five power-play assists and a plus-one rating in five games. The Griffins were undefeated in the Nylander era.

Your move, comrades.

Michael Nylander Watch Game 4: 1 shot on goal

chockster — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:34:42 -0000

Michael Nylander Watch Game 4: 1 shot on goal

Grand Rapids Griffins won 2-0 against the Houston Aeros with Michael Nylander starring as a non-factor, at least according to the scoresheet. Let's hope his defensive play shined as we're without video highlights. Hey, anything to sell him to Russia.

Nylander Watch Game 3: 2 assists

chockster — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:47:13 -0000

Nylander Watch Game 3: 2 assists

Nothing written about him in the game summary, so just the scoresheet for tonight. Nylander also had two shots and was a plus-1 in addition to his 2 assists. Doesn't hurt he faced the Abbotsford Heat for the second time in three nights.

Next up: Houston Aeros on Oct. 29-30.

Nylander Watch Game 2: -1; SO goal

chockster — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:13:39 -0000

Nylander Watch Game 2: -1; SO goal

The Griffins, who overcame the Abbotsford Heat by a 5-3 final in Friday’s home opener, scored three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead before Toronto’s Andre Deveaux tallied with 5:37 remaining to force overtime. But in the eventual shootout, Michael Nylander and Francis Pare scored for Grand Rapids in the third and sixth rounds while Thomas McCollum stopped five of six Marlies shooters to win his home debut.

CSN Caps Chat with Slava Malamud

chockster — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:31:22 -0000

CSN Caps Chat with Slava Malamud

It's pretty empty right now, but it's great to have a chance to interact live with an invaluable Caps and Russian resource.

[Brent] Johnson stopped 14 of 15 shots, but he tweaked a knee midway through the second period on a...

chockster — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:40:33 -0000

[Brent] Johnson stopped 14 of 15 shots, but he tweaked a knee midway through the second period on a collision with Toronto center Tyler Bozak. It occurred after Johnson stopped Bozak's shot, the rebound of which was stuffed into an open net by Maple Leafs winger Viktor Stahlberg.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Anyone playing NHL2K10 on Wii?

chockster — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:05:00 -0000

For people like me who have the Wii, we have the disadvantage of only being able to play NHL2K10, so this thread is to exchange friend codes and get a feel if anyone wants to start leagues or online gaming.

I bought the Wii Speak to see how well this works, so don't Wiive me behind. (Ha, ha. I know that's horrendous — it's late.)

So my Wii Friend Code is 6485659536580474.

I only played a couple games so far tonight, and it will take me longer than other hockey games to get used to. I'm trying to hold out from using the Classic Controller.

My initial thoughts on the game:

• Shooting and passing isn't as natural and accurate as it should be — especially with MotionPlus. My passes keep going into the defensive zone.

• On that note, use the tutorial to familiarize yourself with the new controls. They're different enough from 2K9 where you can't just pick up and use last year's controls.

• The Mii Superskills is hilarious and a nice add.

• Didn't see roster download available yet so I attempted to update myself and it didn't save the first time for whatever reason.

• Players skate painfully slow, which is odd because I felt like 2K9 was faster than most games and had a more realistic pace.

Which pads do you want Varly to wear this season?

chockster — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:19:56 -0000

It looks like Semyon Varlamov is in the trial mood of late to test how different goal pads will suit him this year having three sets (two actually worn) spotted so far. For goalies like myself, the right fit makes the difference. But aesthetics and originality count, and fans would agree.

Which will he wear and which do you want him to wear?

via assets.sbnation.com

Above, you have JP's photo from the first day of camp of last year's NikeBauer Supreme One95 leg pads and what appears to be either new One100 or Vapor blocker and glove, along with a Warrior stick.

via www.goaliestore.com

Here you have an employee of The Goalie Crease posting new Bauer Supreme One100 gear that he has in someone's living room. Other photos can be found here, including one featuring Varlamov's embroidered name (which isn't that hard to ask the factory to do). Though in this Flickr shot I found, he's wearing the One100 blocker with the Supreme pads at training camp.

You'll find a lot of Bauer stuff this year sans Nike now that Bauer is in production with its independent owners. Mainly a wordmark change. Bauer also owns Itech, so some Itech goalies will now be Bauer goalies. Chris Osgood made this switch in the playoffs.

via i1022.photobucket.com

And above is a one-time used edition of his Vaughn Velocity pads thanks to last year's Upper Deck collection. (Apparently nobody took photos of Rookie Camp Day 2 except for the Post, which lacks direct links to images.) He later switched to a mix of Hershey and Caps colors opting for the chocolate with navy blue. This year's edition is virtually the same with the exception that the blue and red are flipped, according to the Post's Dan Steinberg's photo.

I like variety of goal equipment designs for the team's back-up and starter. Having Jose Theodore wearing (and presumably keeping) the Velocity line, I'd like to see Varly go with the new Bauer line just to give me something different to look at.

It looks like Varly is definitely trying out various pads and maybe he'll stay with Vaughn and go with old faithful, though some argue only his catcher needs replaced.

What would you like to stare at for 60 games this season?