Toast: . . . . Mon, Feb 1, 7:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Two games to go at MLG...

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 5:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...from the rumor mill....a Barnes for Barnaby swap, Pgh-Buff....HMMMMmmmmmm....

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 5:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'd be sorry to lose Barnes, but Pens could use a bit more of the Barnaby feistiness...however hasn't he caused some dissension?

: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 5:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
More proof that Nike sucks: Fake fans. Check it out at this button

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
that damn company epitomizes much of what is wrong with the corporate world. oh happy day when the world wakes up... on a brighter note, Wings earn their first point in NJ since '93-'94. hard to believe...

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 6:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
AND, I wonder why hockey players are so superstitious: Pre-game last night the Murph was reluctant to talk about tying Tim Horton's consecutive games streak for defenseman and sure enough on his first shift of the night gets his head smashed into the boards by one large Oliwa butt, out with concussion.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 6:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Sieve...gee I miss Murph....don't worry he will break that record!...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 8:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
If I were the Pens I think I'd make that trade.... Get a grinder to bring a little scrappyness...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 8:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for my Yotes, the flames in town and the offensive minded sharks on Thursday. No tickets but I think tonights game is a walk up and walk in affair, now that the NBA is back and all the people with extra time on their hands (Suns Fans) are back to watching their Suns. Good for me as I can get the tickets I want now without knowing if I can go to the game three weeks in advance.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 8:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep I loath Nike now...however I am unable to complete my Nike Boycott...got rid of my swoosh tennis shoes, immediately my ankle tendinitis returned in spades...so I am still stuck in their shoes...made for 2c an hour by some vietnamese undoubtedly...

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think all fans who wear Nike hockey items are fake. Five years ago, most of the people around here with their cute little Nike #88 Flyers jerseys wouldn't have known a hockey puck if it was shoved up their a...hmm..nose. If they can't tell me which NHL team had that big scary picture of the queen in their arena, I shrug em off like a bad goal.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That C league game I played on Saturday was quite an experience. It was strange being able to wait for shots to hit me. Kinda like playing a AA league game in slow motion. The defense wasn't very good (to put it mildly), but I had a lot of fun.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile... what gives with my Oilers? They dig themselves a hole, make a great comeback, and blow it in O.T. AGAIN. Paging Mr. Joseph... Mr. Curtis Joseph please report to the Skyreach Centre

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Tripp...

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh yes the C Experience...waiting for the puck to arrive....

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And oh BTW speaking of comebacks, player of the month is Patty WAAHHH himself 7-0-0 I think in January. Maybe he still has a bit of sawdust left in him?

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I am scheduled for my Shellacking of the Week tonight....turns out after this 4 of the next 6 games coincide with my B league...so I guess I will be shellack-free for a time! This is not sad news.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 10:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
D'oh... sorry smottsie, just missed you earlier. I hope all is well. Try to enjoy the siege of your goal tonight

J.T.: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 10:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
re: Nike. I gotta agree with ya on this one Smott. I've boycotted them for a couple of years now (the sweatshops, the advertising, the fleecing of the inner cities, Reggie White, etc, etc) but after one running injury too many I've been forced into Nike as "what works." Sucks...

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 10:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...well time is coming for me to make some decisions....just got a call from the 5th, yes FIFTH team that wants to put me on the roster....this in addition to the 3 teams that I already play for. So, YUCK! Too much hockey too little time. Also that annoying detail called work....Anyway too many of these teams are C level, I would like to play higher if possible. However, 2 of the 3 B+ teams are not nearly good enough to compete, so I'll be in for shellackings. On the other hand, one good whitewash every week or so is OK, atleast you see a bunch of rubber. I lean towards the one good B team, my one fave C team, and one of the Shellack troops just to get some volume of shots. That's 3/week. But 5 Caps left without me!

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 10:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi JT, yes I shopped around a lot durin gmy Boycott, wound up in a very comfy pair of New Balance....then boom 4 weeks later I am hobbled with tendinitis. Back to the Nikes....sigh....

J.T.: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 10:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, it's not the manufacturer as much as the shoe. If you're really intent on avoiding Nike, go to a good running store and they can set you up with something. Unfortunately for me, Nike is the only manufacturer making a 12.5. Sigh.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 11:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Believe it or not my tendinitis is worsened via tennis. For running I am happy w/my Adidas Falcons....

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 11:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I believe that.... my friend is a tennis pro in Myrtle Beach (tough life), and his legs and elbow are in terrible shape. He has more braces and wraps to wear on his joints than I'd know what to with.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 12:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh yepper even in Myrtle life as a tennis pro is not easy...on your feet all day, hours of clinics w/screaming kiddies, baking sun, aching elbow etc etc....and all for maybe 20$ an hour! If you've got a piece of the club's income, then OK, but for many pros it's not too much of a living...

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 12:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I only wear the ankle brace at the moment but inside my tennis bag is usally: knee, elbow, wrist braces, lower back & thigh wraps. Yikes, I'm a mess!

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 12:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Jeez... Robo-smott :-)

: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 1:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...don't leave home without'em!

Fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 1:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm not into the Nike Boycott.... Just seem to be happy with the product's I have purchased from them... Their Shoes are more comfortable and last longer than most others... Their Sweat bands take more washings than other brands will.... Their Batting gloves for softball and under the catch and Blocker seem to last longer and fit better than others that I've tried.

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 2:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
yeah, those kids just out of diapers make a hell of a product for $2.50/wk. What do you figure cost is on one of their $200 pair of shoes? $15? come on 4q...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 2:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just because it says Jordan does not make it worth $200. I perfer the ACG hiking shoes at around $75... Fit and feel good. As for what they pay people in other countries.... Well, our grandfathers and their grandfathers wouldn't put up with that crap, therefore we have people who paint the underparts of cars for $95000 a year and a meal costs us $5.00 at Mc Donalds... Pay is relative to the costs around you. If you want me to do the same job in NYC that I do here in phoenix, I'd be wanting quite a bit more cash as the cost of living is quite a bit more. Nike does not make these people work in their factories for $2.50 a day... They do not run into town every morning with guns and round up their workers for the day. Say you go into business to compete with Scott... Making Pads for the masses. You are paying your sewing guy five bucks an hour. It takes 40 hours for these craftsmen to make a set of pads or $200 in costs at five an hour.... and you are the only employer in the town. YOu sell the pads for $250 making $50 profit.... Then the next week there is a knock at your door and there are fifty people who want to be your sewing guy.... You give them a try and realize that they all can perform with the same quality. But here is the kicker.... when you say you have room for only three sewing people, they start bidding to get the job and work in their home town. Next thing you know you can have three sewing people at 1/5th the cost of the original guy... Assuming you don't have a personal relationship with your current employee (say he is just Joe Blow off of the street) In firing your 3 workers at $5 per hour and hiring 3 at $1 per hour, your yearly income goes up form $7800 per year to $29,200 a year.... You are the boss remember which do you prefer???? And these people are coming to you remember.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 3:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Or say there is a glutt of great goaltenders in the NHL... All can have a sub 2 GGA in the league, both first liners and backups..... How long do you think they will get a mill a year to stop the puck, when there are five others that can do the job for $200,000 a year. Basic economics

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 3:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I got the news about the all-star team. The coach told me that he wanted me as an alternate because the other goalie had played longer than me, and the it was the other goalies last year. I understood about the last year thing, but the more experience? Man, I hate that. Just because he's played longer doesn't mean he's better. The other goalies names are Barret, and Denis. Barret the guy with more experience, and Denis is the one who's playing his last year..... I am better than both these goalies, but I am friends with Denis, and he deserves it since it is his last year. But Barret? He isn't a much like guy because he is a big mouth..... I got a call from Dave Porter(my assisntant coach), he said he wanted me to play for the all-stars in a Midget B tournament in Eugene Oregon. I am thinking about it, but I need to found out about the goalie situation. Denis is going on the trip. But I don't want him to sit on the bench every game, or for me to sit on the bench, and playing half a game each is boring. Hell, I don't know. I need to talk to Dave about this to found out what is going on.

snowman: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 8:54PM PST (-0700 GMT)
After the 2nd time filling in with a team and getting more rubber than a tire factory, I heard one of the guys from the opposing team mention something to one of our guys about ".....You ought to learn how to play some defense.." Since I am just subbing I not saying much....since they are not a permanent team just a mercenary job I didnt feel a right to blast them ....frustrating!!

snowman: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 8:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
One of the "D"in the lockerroom after says I would be having nightmares of flying pucks that night!!!

snowman: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Pens did a number on the Dom tonight I see.... Jagr on a tear....looks good!!

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Feb 2, 9:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Man did we get worked tonight. Outshot 26-10, down 3-1 after the first, we manage to win. 4 wins in a row 2.00 gaa, 90.1% save. Lot of work lately. Playing for four teams.

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Uh oh, 4q.

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
A very nicely explained scenario of business profiteering. And in the instance of the business owner barely making enedsm eet himself, of courset here is an argument to cut costs. However when the bosses are pulling in gzillions of dollars a year, I begin to depart from your theory.

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just because workers are willing to eat dirt to work in your factory, doesn't mean they should have to. And merely because you can make them work for 1c and hour instead of a decent wage, doesn't mean you ought to. If paying them a reasonable wage means you only make 10 trillion bucks this year instead of the 15 trillion you could squeeze out of their poor hides, I say you suck it up and find a way to live on only 10 trillion. Nike unfortunately, has no such intention. But some companies do, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream for example has a ratio of the higherst paid to lowest paid that it will not break. Ben & Jerry themselves only make something like 10X the salary of their lowest paid workers. So profit-making and humanity, can in fact, coexist. Given the current backlash, you'd think Nike might take note of this.

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Eeeek it's scary up here on the soapbox!! (Hops down.) Whew!

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OK guys here's my weekly Shellack details: lose 10-5, saw 67 shots. Not quite up to my personal best 77 shots from last Fall...but still a workout.

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes and my Guins light up Dom last night! What gives? Is Hasek looking more normal lately?...Also, is this just a half-baked idea or does it seem to me the Europeans are less in awe of Hasek than the N Americans?...Just wondering...

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...hmmm GH sorry to hear you're ALternate on the AllStar team, but I guess you need to live w/coaches decision. Make sure to ask them what areas they want to see improvement in, to get you on first string next year. That might not be easy, but suck it up, show them you want to learn & improve and listen to their advice. As for teh trip to Oregon, well playing a whole game is better than half of course, but if it'shigh level stuff, I say get every minute of ice time you can!

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Boy am I opinionated this morning! :-D

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 6:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hello ms. S, your guys scoring five take a lot of the punch out of your bid for S.O.T.W. : >)

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 7:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q, the economics of it I get. They have a business college at good old Kent. Forget wages, how about working conditions, ample break times, and decent shifts? Family benefits? I don't know for fact, but can take a pretty good guess...

Fourqts: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 7:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I know this isn't the economics board but I still have to deferr to the fact that the workers at the plants are not coerced to perform their services. Onto the real topic.... JAR for the pens with five points on five goals.... WHOA! And my Yotes Sputter against the flames... Two goals in the first period.... Two goals through overtime

C5: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 7:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Who do the Europeans have that they can point to and say, "Yeah, we've got lots of Haseks over here!" Smott, about Nike, I'm a left-leaning centrist, but I gotta tell you that I've seen the Nike factories in Vietnam, and they do receive what is over there a living wage. Everyone decries how industry and manufacturing are leaving this country, but in most cases, they are leaving not just for money reasons but also because they can't find enough dedicated workers. It's all part of our economy's transformation from an industrial basaed to a technology/service-oriented one. Nike, as much as I loathe them, does not employ children. The REAL problems are what's going on in Guam, Tiawanese women lured to Guam thinking it's the "USA", forced to work 14 hour days for pennies, factories located on compounds they are not allowed to leave, often for years. Their goods are sold in Wal-Mart with the "Made in the USA" label. Now THAT is exploitation. MY problem with Nike is not their products-- I think we'd all agree that their products are good-- but their marketing. They are crossing too many lines, in my book. I wish they'd stay outta hockey.

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 8:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Not to feed the fire here Smott but Nike Earnings per share this year were about $1.38 or about 2.9% of the price of a share on the market today. As for the Corp Officers pulling in the dough... I'd Say they do ,but a company selling 9.5 billion last year, I'd say they deserve a healthy salary. Nike net income is only 4% of revenues. As for being out of hockey... With the purchase of Bauer, I think they are here to stay... Is it good or bad for hockey... A little of both I think

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 8:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Geez ceasefire guys! You all make good points...I guess when it comes to dividing the profits, I lean more towards Ben & Jerry's than Nike is all. Glad to hear 2$/a day doesn't count as exploitation in Vietnam, too. But if I was Phil Knight I couldn't live with myself. If you could, then fine.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 10:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ok, truce. wonder what the record is for pts. in a week. Jags got like 13-ish. He is sleeping!!!

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 10:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What the hell? Did I stumble onto the MacNeil/Lehrer chat again?

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh more like Crossfire Tripp! "and from the left...."

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...hmm yes is Jagr leading the league in points? Kid of scary his assist production lately...we have a 4th line grindernamed Kip Miller who has 5 goals/5 games since playing with Jags' line! Hmmm maybe even I could be a 30-goal scorer on that line!....

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile Barnes for Barnaby hmmm I don't really like it...Stuey has 30 goals Barnaby has what 4?...He may be feisty but I'm not so sure that is a good deal....

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I see WAHHH got another win too....

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah WAAHH got a win... at the expense of my pal Byron. WAAAAH's looking really good lately. On another note.... how dumb does that Potvin/Berard deal look at the moment?

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm yes Felix hasn't earned any of his cat food has he?

Fourqts: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 11:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes the Avs are looking much improved. But the Whaaaa is still the Whaaaa, But I like the new (this year) pads..

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...but maybe a little cat litter!!

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Have not seen the new pads up close...much different?..

C5: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
This is going to sound silly, but I think Jagr saw what Bure's up to and thinks, hell, I could do that... not to mention, getting a phone call from his dad saying, "Why aren't you rocking the league like you know you can???"

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hiya C5....yep Jagr is sure starting to cut loose lately. Always in Mario's shadow, reluctant to be a leader but that seems to be changing. His line got 4 of the 5 against Dom last night.

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...just think, talent like Kovalev, Straka, Titov...on the second line.

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
heeeeyy now, smottsie. I saw one of the 5 was an empty netter. Can't technically count that against the Dominator, can we? Gotta give the fellow netminder the benefit of the doubt, eh? BTW, they have a good pic of WAH's new pads at the SFSL website, if you're so inclined. They do look a bit different than the old pillows.

C5: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
5 on Dom... it's going to happen, especially when a D gets so used to knowing he's back there. I can think of teams that would KILL to have that kind of presence... Canucks, Oilers, Islanders come to mind immediately...

C5: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 12:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp, post a button link for that?

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 1:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
sure thing... there's no real link to the WAH pads, but click on 1999 Lefevre, and there they are. They also have the new Vic's, Louisvilles and Brian's. button

: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 1:12PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yah Tripp sorry, last one was an EN....maybe the Sabres D is getting too complacent. Of course up til now they've been able to just stand around in their own end, applaud Dom, win anyway....

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 1:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
oooop c'est moi!...YIKES checked out teh Roys...they are bigger than me!!

GoalieHawk: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 1:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott----- The thing is my stats are better than both of the other goalies. I am not sure that Pat Campell knows a lot about hockey. Hell, his own son is on the all-star team. I'm not sure if I am going to be in Oregon next year. Remember, I have a try-out for the Utah Valley Golden Eagles. It doesn't make a lot of since to me. I have guys on the all-star team that say I should be the starter. They even told me they are going to talk to Pat Campell about it. It's just a bunch of bullcrap. This all-star team isn't very good at all, and the coaches and the gm does a poor job. The games we play are last minute. They would call me and say to come down to play about 5 hours before the game starts. Also, it's 15 bucks to play..... When I got called to play a game on Sunday afternoon I said okay. Then they called back later and said not many players were coming so we're going to mix the Mountian View Predators(all-stars/Midget B) team, and their goalies wanted to play too. So I had to split time, again..... I don't need this. How can they expect a good team effort when you call the guys to play last minute. Some of the players on this team aren't that good. This all-star team is just a big letdown. I was on the team, then weeks past and they don't call me, they play games without me, and then they don't even tell me I'm the alternate. Just a bunch of bullshit. Pat Campell talked to me before a game on Sunday to talk to me about this. Nice timing. Why can't he call me about this so we have time to talk, instead of a one minute chat before I play a game..... I don't need this.

Bonn: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 4:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott: I was at the Habs/Penguins game last Sunday, and I was looking forward to seeing how good Jagr really is. I've never been a fan of his, but I usually enjoy watching a gifted player, whether I like him (his hair) or not. I can't believe a floater like him can make it in the NHL. There's no questioning the guy's abilities when he has the puck - impressive to say the least - but his complete lack of effort when there wasn't a chance for some offence was pathetic. It's scary to think how good the guy would be if he had any heart at all. Just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 5:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm...a couple of points please. On the opinion side, I don't like Nike, but that is perhaps because they epitomize what the late 20th century has become, and a tree hugging, love thy planet, can't we all just get along type guy like me isn't exactly at home in the bottom line world.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 5:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And now for my instigator penalty...I have been sitting on the sideline with a clothes' pin on my nose to reduce the aromatic assault of bovine feces. However, I must breathe, so her goes. I teach kids how to drive, and by listening to them you can tell those who know what they are talking about, and those who have grossly inflated opinions of their driving abilities. Pains me to see that here too...see ya.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 5:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
BTW, those who have been here for more than a year know what I am referring too, I just don't have as much patience as my friend smottsie. So there is some history colouring my opinion...

Chris: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 5:46PM PST (-0700 GMT)
OK, some changes here. First off, I restored the caht to its original state, and now all the posts will be viewed initially. Secondly, I'd like to thank C5 (catsfive@hotmail.com) for creating the great banners now randomly rotated with each refresh. As of now, there are six, however, you may be looking at a few more in the future, we'll see...

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 7:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Buffalo lost 5-3 again! 4 against Dominic. 1 EN.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Feb 3, 7:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Caps beat TB 10-1! Schwab stopped 21 of 26, Ranford stopped 15 of 20. Toronto ran into the Rocket tonight. Goal and 2 assists. This guy is increasing offence in the league all be himself.

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 4:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm wow Bonn never thought of Jagr as being without heart...yes at times he'll float in the zone (somebody named Mario used to do that too) and wait for open space to happen. Actually I don't have any quibbles with what he does in the O zone. It was his D I used to worry about, but that has picked up immeasurably last 2 years....

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 4:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Patience Toastie patience. 9 out of 10 people have inflated opinions of their abilities, youngsters or not...

C5: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 6:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OK, chatsters! SHHHH-- don't ask how, and don't tell the unwashed, non-goalie masses, but I have access to a LOT of cool hockey photos! Occasionally when I see a GREAT pic I want to share it with you folks, and when I do, you'll find the best of the best here at this button ... The images are LARGE so that you can use them as wallpaper if you want. These are the exact images that the newspapers and online services download! WARNING: The images are watermarked as to their source, so PLEASE don't share the images with too many people or upload them anywhere! Let's keep this amongst ourselves.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 is da man with da picts..... Time to do a little graphic editing to create a collage of tenders. Maybe, this way some of the talent from the picts will be subliminally incorporated into my game (As I definitely spend more time in front of this machine than I do on the ice...).... Or maybe I'll try to keep a finger on the screen at all times, in hopes that I may gain some talent by osmosis. Thanks for the picts C5..... And Toast may I offer a fan to alleviate your discomfort?

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
c5, I dig that pic of Richter. Looks like Washington crossing the Potomac. hehe. Also looks like a goal. On the monstrous pic of Freddie B., check out how he laces his toe. like he's weaving a basket. Is that normal? I wouldnt know, I'm a strap guy.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hey 4Q...

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Kudos to Toast, I agree completely. I worry that some younger players should spend more time in school than playing hockey. We all fall victim to typos and the occational brain fart, but I wonder if English is primary language of our young Icarus here.

HolyGawk: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 9:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I don't need this. I'm the best chatster here

Bonn: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 9:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott: It wasn't just floating in the neutral zone, waiting for a break-out pass that was bothering me about Jagr. It was that if he got knocked down in the O zone he'd get up very slowly, kind of the way I move when I have hangover, and just kind of coast back. As well, when he went to change, he'd start coasting on the far side of the ice, and just glide slowly over to the bench. If I'm a coach, that sort of stuff drives me crazy! I guess the 4 points would temper my disdain slightly, but I just don't like that lack of work ethic. I also got the impression that he changed pretty much whenever he felt it was time to, and not when Constantine wanted him to. Any idea if something is going on there?

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 9:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I read one article that mentioned Jagr's distint lack of respect for his coach. He has openly criticized him after games (recently I believe) and seems uninterested in his coach's drills at practice. All this was to support some trade dream the writer was having about Jagr.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As such, it could have all been a large load...

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Howdy, all. Yet another crazy game last night. Stopped 41 of 44 en route to the 4-3 win against the first place team. Lots of long range, unscreened shots. Are those the best, or what? The other team's goalie had one of those new WAAH blockers. I didn't even think they were on the market yet. It was really nice, though.

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile, at the Winter Asian games... I wonder what some of these GAA's are. Next time you have a bad game, think of these shellackings!!!!! (from the Toronto Sun) <<  Eighteen-year-old scoring machine Nikolai Antropov has struck double digits again. Toronto's first pick in last summer's NHL entry draft scored 10 times during Kazakhstan's 40-0 romp over Mongolia at the Winter Asian Games in Yongpyong, South Korea. But the 6-foot-5 centre by no means is running away with the tournament scoring title. China's Pan Zhigiang scored eight in a 35-0 victory over Kuwait. Last year Antropov had 11 goals and 15 assists during a 63-0 rout of Iceland at the Pool D world championship.>> there was also a 92-0 game!!!!!!! Eeeyow!

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah yes Vile you may be recalling some stuff written about Jagr in the TOronto Sun, not known for their verification before printing.....

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But it's true that COnstantine's style does not match Jagr's very well....and yes he did openly criticize King Con last year right before the playoffs, a really really stupid immature move and one that contributed to the Pens' flat first round exit. By all reports (except the Sun of course) this year he has grown up a bit and is a better team guy. Of course he only has to put up with it another year or so before the Birds are forced to trade him, as the higher contract $$ kick in....

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Funny story here in Dallas...

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
We have a local AM station that runs an all-sports format. The morning show and the afternoon show has a Charity Hockey game against each other. Ken Hitchcock (Dallas Stars Head Coach) coached the afternoon guys and Daryl Reagh (Color guy for Stars local broadcasts and FOX nat'l broadcasts) coached the morning guys. This was the second year they've done this. Last year, it was the first time most had been on skates. But this past year, they have been playing in an Instructional league I am in, and the game was vastly improved.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Now they can't talk enough about the greatness of hockey and how much fun it is to play. I imagine there will be at least a short term surge in Adult league enrollment.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 10:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I guess I can't really do the story justice, but imagine listening to hockey insider talk delivered with barely hidden southern accents.

J.T.: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 11:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyone have a link for these Asian games? It's just too funny seeing scores like that.....I could probably play as well as some of those guys, and seeing I haven't been in net in 15 years..... ;-)

C5: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 1:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
JT, that's SO cool, I can't believe that. I've always held that all you need to do is take someone to one of those shopping mall ice rinks somewhere and put them in the day-glo rentals to get them to truly, truly appreciate the skill even the most rudimentary players (read: those at my level) have. I think it's an American reflex whereby anyone different is automatically worthy or famous somehow, but I happened to have to go out into the packed lobby of the local skating rink, fully dressed, and little kids were coming up to me, asking me all kinds of questions, kicking my pads, and asking me if I was scared to play hockey. That's where the appreciation comes from. Just a little contact and they're hooked.

C5: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 1:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q, I have been after my friend (who works at a major 24 hour news outlet located here in Atlanta) to hook me up with these pictures, and finally, after about two years, he came through. Did you notice that one of the goalies there-- Roussel, I think-- is wearing these newest Koho pads, just like Roy? I am posting more pix there this afternoon, so check there when you read this.

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 1:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yup is there any sport that hooks you like hockey?

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 2:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I've seen a few goalies with those new WAH pads. I think Thibault, Moss, Giguere and Braithwaite all wear them in some colour scheme or another. The old WAAHH's were a little bit bulky for my liking, and I heard those Lefevre pads are a real @#$! to break in. Especially for the lighter weight fellas such as myself

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 2:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
wow, get away for a few days and bam... snowman & smott - deja-vu with the shellackings... 2 games, outshot 126-45.. and Mr Toast.... eloquent as always... :) As far as Wah, watched the other night - did he get a new glove design? that thing looked absolutely huge... was a nice treat here in Milw, we got Kay Whitmore on loan to the Admirals, seeing as we were playing with #3 &4 goalies and the rotation with Nashville. Can tell the guy is a vet, working with the young D, talking constantly to them, positioning them, his movements seemed so compact and relaxed.. bye bye Minard... :)

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 4:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I concur with the pad descriptions....the Roy pads I had were WAY too bulky and hurt my knees. However I love the Wah glove, best one I ever had, it inhales pucks from anywhere. It was an adjustment for me to get the startled look off my face when finding pucks ensnared in the webbing....instead of bouncing back out into traffic....heh heh heh...

GoalieHawk: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 6:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... Did any of you see ESPN SportsCenter this morning? About what happened during a WCHL game? I saw the game footage. It looks pretty bad. I can't believe he did that, he is so stupid! It caused a bench clearing brawl. The police viewed the replay and sent his dumbass to jail. Read the story at button

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 7:32PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 I understand your in Atl, found out the team we're playing is Life university running eagles. Ever hear of them and are they any good? I unfortunatly have to work so I won't be going on this road trip. Some times I wish hockey could be my job. If only I could have my cake and eat it too :-)

Scoop: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all, long time no chat.... well I just sold my Battrams and picked up a set of Vaughns. GoalieHawk, before you jump to conclusions about the incident in the WCHL you need ALL of the facts and ALL of the footage. The clip that you see on sportscenter doesn't tell the whole story. If you'd have seen the incidents that happened previous you would see that this type of problem was inevitable.

: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:38PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, a sport that hooks you besides hockey? Uh... sex comes to mind.... that's about it... maybe impeachment...

C5: . . . . Thu, Feb 4, 8:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That was me (of course)... CDP, yes, I know OF those guys. Life University is a medical school, mostly chiropractic, so expect some really cool guys mixed in with the egotistical a$$hole types. They're good, I hear, but I wouldn't know.

TDog: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 2:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all!! Sorry I haven't been able to come around, just have been way too busy. Even too busy to play hockey. Hopefully some of you remember me ~¿~. Anyways, I just re-designed my web site, check it out at www.hockeygoalie.com

TDog: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 2:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I dont know how much I'll be able to check in here, but I'm going to try to check in at least once a week.

TDog: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 2:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tell me what you think of my site. Please e-mail me your comments

J.T.: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 5:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, appreciation is the name of the game. I got endless crap last year from my boss for taking so much time off to train for last year's ironman. He gave me the big "what a waste of time, it's not like it's that hard" thing. So, I offered to pay for him to do a mini triathlon with me. 0.5 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. (The ironman he was putting down is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run.) Well, justice was served when the lifeguards had to rescue him 2 minutes into the swim....ah....appreciation. America, where everone is an expert in everything....

J.T.: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 5:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And along those lines, I am far from an expert. 2 months and maybe 15 skating sessions back, I'm finally starting to feel like I don't totally embarass myself at public sessions. Of course I got berated by some rather good-looking members of the opposite sex for "showing off" Uh, yeah, whatever...

C5: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 7:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
JT, yeah! Make him put his money where his mouth is. I couldn't handle a .5 mile swim, no way, not without dog paddling and taking about 30 minutes to do it, anyway. I like swimming. Whenever anyone is putting stuff down (like your ironman obsession) it's because they're scared of it.

smott: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 7:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Chatsters...yep I saw the replay of teh W incident....pretty ugly...I gues sthere comes a time when that stuff crosses the line into criminal behavior! I'd like to see what came before...and I guess the refs were letting stuff get out of hand all along?...

J.T.: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 7:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm not scared of anything....except maybe Smott. ;-)

smott: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 7:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yah RIGHT! :-D

snowman: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 8:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Regarding the Wchl incident. Did anyone see the clip where they were asking people about the incident and this older lady sat there with a smile of sorts saying "that is part of hockey!"

fourqts: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Alright now i wanna know how to do a button

Bonn: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 8:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop: Just wondering why you got rid of your Battrams. Any problems, or was it just time for a change? All: I saw one clip of the WCHL incident, but I'd be interested to hear what happened to cause it. I'm also curious to hear what ended up happening to the guy who got speared in the face.

J.T.: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 8:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh no! She yelled at me! (skating away and cowering in the chatroom corner)

smott: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 8:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
BOO! Heh heh heh....

smott: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 8:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Uh oh scared him away!...Last I heard of teh W incident the spearee had some broken teeth and stitches in/around the mouth. BAsically he ate the stick. Yum.

C5: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 10:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
*** C5 has been gagged for three posts ***

smott: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 10:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q - just cut and paste the URL into the chat text box, and voila it will post here in the log as a button!

smott: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 10:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey C5...hmm tonight my Birds go up against Bure. He seems to have really given them what they need - the confidence of having a gamebreaker on your bench! Goaltending still suspect though I think....perhaps Barrasso will be back tonight...that boy is more fragile than I am....

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 11:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wchl incident. Player continued playing the game. Offender given the gate. He was arrested at his hotel after the game when the victim (?) decided to press charges. What happened before it? History. The Wchl is an eight team league where people play each other about eight times a year. Many times they are back to back games (and sometimes) home and home. The league is 3 years old and serious (?) rivalries have sprouted up. Being here in San Diego and having the team that has won all three Taylor Cups, we get to see some of the hatred first hand. The biggest problem I have with the WCHL is that they seem to think that all the fans want to see is fighting. The Gulls even sell a t-shirt of Chad Wagner (the upstanding citizen who punched an opponent during the hand shake after the MLRH championship game). Personally I find that most of the fights seem staged and kind of hokey. To answer the earlier question about what actually happened to precipitate the mentioned incident, I believe it involved creative stick work. Oh, by the way, if you go to the WCHL site, there appears to be NO mention of the incident. Imagine that.

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 1:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here is the link to the article on ESPN's site. Apparently the victim had slashed the istigator in the mouth in a previous game. button

Goal35: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 2:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
one of the guys I play with on fri's played in that league against him (the spearee), guess he's a cheap shot artist, and was getting paid back for a tooth losing incidient a few games before, guess injury wasnt bad, he barely missed his next shift

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 6:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Dean Trboyevich of the Anchorage Aces was suspended today by the WCHL for the remainder of the season, any playoff games the aces play and placed on probation for all of next season. The full story is at button .

GoalieHawk: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 10:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop----- Yeah, you're right. But I saw enough to know it was a stupid thing to do..... Why do things like this happen in the minors? Last year a player died from getting hit in the chest with the puck. Another stick incident. Just curious, but why don't you ever see anything like that in the NHL?

GoalieHawk: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 10:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
gbfreeman----- Actually it does mention the suspension at the WCHL site.

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 10:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Goaliehawk, if you look at the time of my post, there was no mention at that time. They only put up information after the suspension was announced, not when the guy was arrested. The point I was trying to make was that the league seems to be glorifying the goons until something happens, and then they didn't seem to want to say anything about. Sort of a "have your cake and eat it too" scenario.

C5: . . . . Fri, Feb 5, 11:08PM PST (-0700 GMT)
You guys won't belive this... I'm at a friend's house, he works at a shipping company, P&O Nedlloyd containers, and I just found out that they're building a Princess Line cruise ship with an ICE RINK in it. He knows that because... catch this... the other day he shipped a ZAMBONI to Italy, for the cruise ship to use to clear the ice. Can you believe this??

smott: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 6:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Talk about havin' your cake and eating it too! Now we Chatsters can go on a cruise vacation and not miss any ice-time!! Heh heh heh....

smott: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 6:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My Birds blank the Panthers...Bure steps on a puck and twists his knee, Jagr scores 2 and Barrasso gets the cheerio....

Tripp: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 9:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Actually you DO see stuff like that in the NHL. Remember Chris Pronger in the playoffs against Detroit? His heart actually stopped for a few seconds after he was hit in the chest with a slapshot. I'll never forget that as long as I live. Scary stuff

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 9:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Kids, adding some more pix to the BIG NHL goalie picture archive (almost better than hockey cards!) at this button ... One question (critique) Do you guys think the images are too big? That's always been one of my complaints, that the images are too big. But the images are HUGE. Would it be better if I reduced them to 1024 wide before posting them? Let me know. I'm finding some good goalie pix (I collect them). In a few years, or whenever I get a CD's worth, I'll be offering the CD's to chatsters, filled with goalie pix.

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 9:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I meant, the images on the 'net are too small. These ones... I have one of Ozzie and you can see his face, it's very, very cool.

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 10:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Latest additions to the BIG goalie page: Dafoe, Hasek, Burke, Roy, Essensa, Joseph and more. Check it out, goalies!

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 10:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
(And, not to mention, the new pic of Roy shows off his pads very nicely.

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 10:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
(And, not to mention, the new pic of Roy shows off his pads very nicely.)

fourqts: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Chris looks like the alternating banner also cured the scorll back issue we all had a problem with..... Props to the Crease Webmaster....

fourqts: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
c5 no additions on the page as now.... But do you have more room for goalies crease rats..... Finally got a few picts developed.... And even with a free plug for scott.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, got the error 404 when I tried to view the pics, ie Dafoe and ozzie. Temp problem or SNAFU?

Tripp: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, I had the same problem as CdP with the Dafoe pic. Just wanted to let ya know that it wasn't a one time thing

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 12:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Drat! Working from home sucks, even at 56kbs, when you're uploading 400kb images. Check this button by the time you read this, page is nearly finished. 4Q, send any pix of chatsters to my email, catsfive@hotmail.com, or if they're too bit (over a meg) send 'em to mnicol@udc.com, and I'll put them on the chatster page at this button ...

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 12:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
(CatsFive is waiting for 3com to hurry up with that that 8 mb ADSL USB device! YEAH BABY!)

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 1:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, WHOA, those are some BIG pics. Good detail but they must be a pain uploading that huge of a file eh?

smott: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 5:55PM PST (-0700 GMT)
WOO DOGGY!! C5 that's some huge pics!!!!

smott: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 5:56PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I may need to wait til I get on a faster modem (at work) to download a couple! Heh heh BTW niiiice Barrasso pic!

GoalieHawk: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 8:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I had a game tonight. Awwww, I felt great out there! I was challenging the shooters, and my stance felt solid. Thanks for the advice goalies, and an extra thank you to Smott........ gbfreeman----- Your message was on the same day mine was. But who cares.

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Quick vote. Do you want smaller image sizes, or are those ones of any use to you guys?

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The detail is great, though. I'm addicted to it. Check out Barasso's face! And Ozzie!

C5: . . . . Sat, Feb 6, 11:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Played AA hockey tonight, and man, are both my knees sore! Got stung on BOTH knees, and the left has a nifty welt. The shots you see on AA hockey are something else. Tonight I SEWED my knee pads half-way under the knee pads that came with the R5's, so they should stay nice and snug with no exposed skin next game. I was filling in with a team called "Green Machine" against the Firebirds, the AA team I was playing with before. They are in second place, and we beat them 6-4! The Green Machine doesn't even have a winning record. They're 7-10, but they played awesome.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 7:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, I think if you made them a bit smaller they would still look good but be easier to handle. I tried using one as a screen saver and it's so big that only a portion of the image fills the screen. Lets try them at a smaller size and see how it goes. Awesome pics

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 7:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For those of you who liked Roys pads when he was with the Habs(KOHO) they have the same style blue and red pillows up for grabs at Perani's web site for a $600.00.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 9:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OK, I have reduced all the images. They should be up by early this PM. CDP, what did you use to make them into a SCR? Does it handle multiple images? I'd like a program like that.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 9:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ordered some clavicle protection, as there are far too many head-hunters in my league. It's strange, but I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to replace my aging BROWN pads. They're white with black cheaters and knees, and are chafing here and there. I have white duct tape protecting the low outside near the toes, and the toe straps are gone, but I still find that concentrating on technique and not my pads makes me a better goalie. For instance, I have what I consider the best glove available, the Koho 550, and yet the other day when making a glove save I twisted the wrong way and the puck burrowed between my glove and pant. It's just bad technique. A friend of mine is lending me some goalie videos and I'm pretty excited about that, so we'll see.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 9:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh, and have you other goalies done this? I am changing sticks. I usually use the Hextall patterned Sherwood 970. Love that stick. It's got a long paddle and isn't too light, where you lose it when you're moving around. But yesterday I also ordered four Fiset-pattern 970's. The paddle is an inch shorter and the blade has a slight up-turned curve. I have noticed that I am getting better at stick handling (read: from a rating of 1/10 to 2/10) and so maybe that'll help. I guess what I'm thinking is that I have gotten some good habits about stick placement on shots, concentrated on that real hard for a long time (the older chatsters will remember me complaining about five-hole all the time), so I think I'm ready for another stick. My point in telling y'all this? I guess I can see how goalies develop VERY particular attitudes towards their equipment.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 10:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, I have microsoft scenes screen saver and it lets you load your own images into different categories. I ditched the sports scenes that came with it and just use my images. It's real user friendly and goes for about $20 give or take. I'm using sherwood 870's right now, since thats what the team trainer had in stock. Heavier than my Heaton III's but same paddle height and very durable. I really believe that goalies develop a "taste" for certain equipment or arrangements of equipment to suit their needs. But I believe that you can give any type of equipment to a good goalie and they will stop the puck regardless. Last night they showwed Fuhr's equipment in the locker room. He had 3 different C/A's for what ever mood he was in. One looked like it was a combo of 2 different C/A's and was pretty bare bones and the others looked like they were standard and then beefed up in areas.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 10:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I've personally gone from one extreme to another on sticks. I've even gone so far as to shape my own blades and shorten shaft lengths and cut down paddles. My choice of sticks has changed drastically from last season to now. I'm using a deeper crouch now and a shorter paddle helps me maintain blocker,catcher balance. I went back to a straight blade for awhile to work on stick handling and am now using a curved blade again. I think the process of trying different brands,styles ect. opens your eyes to what does and doesn't work for you specifically. Some people swear by toe bridges or buckles. I find that I can use both no big deal. The one thing I've really gotten anal on is the most important piece of equipment if you think about it, skates. Since I actively started looking for more info on this I have learned so much that I am convinced that a correctly sharpened pair of skates will improve anybodys game and make a world of difference. Try this little test at home with your skates. PLace your skate on a flat surface(table) blade to surface. Your skate SHOULD stand up by itself. If it does not and falls to the inside/outside then that edge is lower than the other edge and hence will not get as much bite as the higher edge. This is a result of an uneven grind and even just from use. After you get your skates sharpened they SHOULD stand on their own, if not make the grinder do it again or find someone who can do it right. If you can slide a piece of paper under the blade and make your skate stand then it's not real bad but obviously not good and will affect your skating. If one piece doesn't fix it then your playing at a big disadvantage and owe it to yourself to get a proper grind.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 10:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, on the pad wear problem, try the next best thing to duct tape....shoe goo! It costs a few bucks but goes a long way. No need to tape pads up every game since it's waterproof and flexible and no sewing since it's basically a smear and forget operation, plus it is fairly durable.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 10:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I see the Yotes won last night but who is picking those jerseys? Talk about outright UGLY. Don't they have somebody with a little common sense making decissions in Phoneix? That jersey even beats Floridas other jersey for uglyness

: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 11:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP... What's a C/A? Shoo Goo? Absolutely! Fortunately, the pads aren't in that bad of a shape, yet, and I don't look like Mike Liut out there just yet, or I'd use that stuff religiously! Back when I was a roller goalie ( button ) I would use Liquid Nails (kinda the same stuff) on my skate toes to keep them from rubbing through. Just apply that stuff a few times a season and you're cruising. The duct tape was applied dry and believe me, I have yet to have to re-apply it. Talk about reverse engineering alien technology? Forget computers-- try Duct tape! The stuff's incredible.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That was me... A new pic of Fuhr and Khabbibulin have been added to the picture page. Perosnally, I don't mind any of the jerseys in the NHL. Although, I'm not wild about the Sharks' logo, and Vancouver's Jersey's are pretty boring.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 11:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Goalies added to the picture page ( button ): Roussel, Roy, Roloson, Hebert, Khabby, Kidd, Potvin, Dunham, Joseph, Hodson, Fuhr and a couple new ones of existing goalies. From now on I'll do this once a week, hopefully.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 11:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm sorry to have taken over the chat, goalies! I forgot to add: Parent, Schwab, Skudra and Thibault... all excellent pix. I have many, many more, but am only adding the good ones, based on lighting, clarity and photo composition...

Tripp: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 12:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey, no worries C5! You're the mayor. Those are some awesome pics. On the subject of pad repair, I use a dab of rubber cement inside the torn area and pinch the leather together. It's waterproof, and seems to hold up pretty well. I use the paddle-down style around the net, and have problems with the toe and thumb of my blocker wearing through. Maybe I'll look into that shoe goo

deke: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 12:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP - I saw most of the Blues game last night, but missed the segment on Fuhr. Did they get into any discussion about his equipment preferences, as in, "why Franklin?" On his C/A, is he still using Brown, or has that changed too?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 1:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, C/A stands for chest/arm combo. Furh is still using Brown C/A's but no reason as to why he wears Franklin.

Grass: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 1:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 -- If you can find it, there was an excellent picture in the Washington Post of Ollie playing air guitar with his stick. (It was during last year's playoffs.) They ran it in the paper, but not on the web site. If you (or your friends) have access to archived shots, I would love to get a copy!

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks, Tripp! Since I've been looking at all these images I can see now why sometimes the online services don't pick the right images for their stories. Sometimes there aren't any of a particular star mentioned in a story. Like when Hasek gets a shutout and you look online, but the only pics are of Barnaby and Dykstra. You're like, WHAA?? But there's no appropriate pic online that day. I am friends with the guy who runs CNNSI.COM and he agrees with me that since all online services have access to the AP wire story, it all depends on who has the best pics. He's done some amazing work, and now CNN.SI is run almost with very few people.

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass, hmm, I'll look. I haven't figured out how to get old pix yet.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tommy B looking MAV- A -LOUS tonight. If that guy could only stay healthy the Pens might go some where. Roy throws the donut against Dallas and Colorado is on a huge winning streak. Perhaps they are peaking early or only a look of whats to come?

deke: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 - If you do figure out how to get old pix, I'd love to have Richter's save on Bure on the penalty shot in the Cup finals. I know, I should have underlined "old". Thanks.

netminder: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hey cdp - who do you play for?

deke: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP - I finally broke down and ordered a Battram catch glove. Should be here in 4-5 weeks. Thanks for your input, I'll let you know how it works out.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
No sweat Deke, just give time for break in. Mine just keeps getting better the more use it gets.

netminder: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP - My team was in a tournament with Life a few years back - so I'm wondering who you play for? An ACHA team?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:35PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I play for a local post (military) team in NC. I've also had the opportunity to work with the local CHL team. Where abouts are you from?

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey, guys. Can't get old pix yet. It's weird.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Perhaps your team would be interested in playing my post team? Depending on where your at, we might be able to work something out as far as traveling is concerned.

netminder: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I play for a middle of the road ACHA Div. II team in California - U.C. Berkeley (Cal). Pretty low-skill hockey, but it's fun to play for a school in front of some fans.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ca is a little far for us on the east coast since we're just a bunch of Army guys playing on our dime. Unless of course you have financial backing to travel. We played Navy and they had a travel budget and the whole 9 yards so they came to us. We walked away from that one looking good, we swept them something fierce. But they are a good team worth playing again.

netminder: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
We don't go much past Colorado and even that's a stretch. Mostly we stick on the west coast, Pac-10 schools, Utah, etc. Maybe someday...

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
run it by who ever makes the calls and maybe it will fly. If it does I can pass you some phone numbers for further coordination. it's worth a try eh?

netminder: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 3:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'll let 'em know but don't hold your breath. Our $10,000+ deficit this year makes long travel unlikely. Would be fun, though...

deke: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 4:34PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I recently bought a pair of in-lines, primarily for fitness and strengthening skating muscles. I notice some scary lower-back twinges after blading. Anyone have any thoughts for stretching or other warm-up for this rapidly aging body?

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 9:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP, right on! Drub those swabs! Navy can't even drive their own boats lately, eh? :-D

C5: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 9:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Deke, I suggest you keep up with that. The twinges are your muscles saying, "Hey! Remember us??" to the brain.

deke: . . . . Sun, Feb 7, 10:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 - I'm sure you're right. That's why I bought the inlines. I just don't want to end up flat on my back wondering what happened.

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 5:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ok smott, go ahead and say it. Wings are exceedingly mediocre. GOOD game by TB. Does anyone have any experience with Hespeler sticks? I got one yesterday after a guy was nice enought to put a puck through the bottom of my Hextall SherWood.

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 6:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah hmm Sieve I thought the WIngs were a lot better than mediocre yesterday - definitely deserved to win but TB said NO SOUP. More than anything they seem to lack spark. Tired? Or maybe just getting a little bit old finally?

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 6:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for Barasso - you'd think the idiot Fox announcers would look up the pronunciation of his name. BarOSSO? For cripes sakes he's been in the league what 16 years? Haven't they heard of him? Perhaps I'm just down on Fox annoucners, but honestly, it's their job to get this stuff right.

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 6:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyway - Wings shut down Jagr beautifully - as usual Scotty's gameplan was solid. But it goes to show that Pens are no longer a one-line team. Kovalev is really blossoming, and jeepers can that guy SHOOT!!

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey GH glad to hear you're on your game....keep focusing on what you're working on to improve....sounds like it's paying off!

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 6:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
yes smott, you are right about shutting down Jagr. I think he had one shot. Amazing considering his level of play lately. Wings D was solid except a couple of crucial brain farts. One by larionov of all people... Shanny probably had ten shots, he just cant buy a goal. and Fedorov, aww nevermind... : >()

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 6:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yup if Sergei had buried that early breakaway no telling what would've happened...

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 7:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Whoa lots of chats over the last two days.... And the osmosis thing does not appear to be working.... Got beat like a rented mule (Barry M. quote) last night. 11-1 halfway through the third then the skaters think "Well hell if we can't beat them we may as well beat 'em up".... So they call the game.... Might be nice sometime to have a ref who will not lose control of the game.... Non-checking roller (supposedly) and they lost it in the first five minutes.

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 8:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for my play.... It could have easily been like 20-1 the way the D was hanging me out. Had a few nice stops, but they were just all around the net all of the time. It seems, as I get onto the ice a little, that people who play Ice seem to understand defense a little better than the roller folk.... I always seem to get at least one in a pickup ice game that will just pick up rebounds and clear the puck.... I don't see that too much in roller.

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 8:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the Yotes jersey..... I think that it is made to appeal to the upper class folk in Scottsdale (where they are attempting to build a new arena. I'll stick with Roenick's comment on the look of the thing. When asked how he likes the new jersey, he says "there is nothing like it in the NHL".... When asked if he likes the green background he replies "there is nothing like it in the nhl". I laugh

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 8:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the Picts C5.... Nice as always.... I'll check on the size in a while.... For a screen saver to do picts, I use one called AVI screensaver... It allows both picts and video clips to be displayed... I have like 20 meg of video clips from the coyotes that I run on it.... Pretty sool... It will play as many videos or picts in order and just recycle through them. Got it at shareware.com or can email it if you like.

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 8:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh YES for God's sake who came up with that jersey???? That must be the ugliest thing I've ever seen in any sport, never mind just the NHL which if I may say so, has some pretty ugly stuff....The poor Puppies, how can they concentrate on the game, playing in those things???

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 8:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and one more random thought, after watching Kovalev flash some of the brilliance yesterday that was so lacking in NY...and noticing that Nedved's production has nose-dived...could it just be that the Ranger's system is stifling these creative Europeans? Who knows. But Constantine's regime, though defensive-oriented, has plenty of opportunity for O. And they give Kovalev lots of ice-time, which he says is a nice change for getting benched whenever he makes a mistake. I think the Nedved-Kovalev comparison will be interestign to watch as the year plays out. Right now the Pens got the better deal I think.

Bonn: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 9:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve: I am currently using an OSGOOD pattern HESPELER, and I like it well enough. It's fairly light, and has stood up well to lots of abuse. I think I'll stick with it if I can continue to find a supply of them locally. My only complaint is that the top of the shaft is shaved down too thin and I ended up taping it up a lot to thicken it up.

Bonn: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 9:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
If no one has already come to this conclusion, I'd say Fuhr wears Franklin gear because they ante up the most money in endorsements. He's shown over the years that he'll wear anything if you pay him enough - he's the one that was pissed when the league wouldn't let him put PEPSI adds on his pads.

: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 9:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What a bitch. No, I mean FUHR. Pepsi ads? Thank goodness the NHL put a stop to that. At least the boards aren't black with little puck designs or something. Speaking of black, I gotta stop playing with teams that wear black. Lost the puck last night on a fluke deflection, and couldn't see it through the (black) trees.

: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 9:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
more power to Fuhr.... If Franklin wants to toss him some dough and he can stand their gear.... more power to him.... As for the gear.... I tried on a set of their top end pads and they felt like I had just tied a couple of cement bags to my legs..... HEAVY

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 9:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
more power was me

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 9:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Was watching some of the "Frozen In Time" Hockey classics on classic sports ESN...gee it was nice when there were no ads on the boards - you could follow the puck a lot better...

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...which reminds me to gripe about one of my current rinks - some rocket scientist decided to paint the dasher board dark blue instead of yellow....I am always losing the puck as it goes zipping around teh boards, then gettign an unpleasant surprise when it pops out someplace unexpected...

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn, good to hear. It feels lighter than the Sherwoods I am using and the Osgood blade is just about identical to the Hextall design. I noticed the shaved shaft, but dont use tape on it (shaft) other than the knob. Looking forward to getting that nice white paint marked up.

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...not that my eyes are getting old, no, no way... :-D

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
heck smott, I have a hard time seeing the ref's arm raised in the other zone on a delayed penalty. I'll usually hear my bench guys screaming at me first...

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
lo sieve and smott

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hey 4q, are you guys talking about a Coyote's third jersey or did they change altogether?

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh gosh I HOPE it's only the 3rd jersey...couldn't stand seeing that thing on a regular basis....

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, gotta go check it out...

Tripp: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 11:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Interesting point, smott. It seems like the Rangers system stifles everyone except the other team. Luc Robitaille was fresh off a 60+ goal season, didn't do squat in NY, among the leaders in goals again in LA. Kevin Stevens has 100 point seasons in the Burgh, and hasn't done jack in NY. I know Mario and Mario Jr. were responsible for a lot of Stevens' points, but you'd think Gretzky could get him a nice pass or two. And Tony Amonte and Doug Weight have done a pretty fair job of scoring in their respective cities. As a matter of fact, one of them is the only guy to lead his team in scoring for the past 5 years.

Tripp: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 11:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Completely agree on the Yotes new threads. U-g-l-y they ain't got no alibi they're ugly...hey hey they're ugly

Scoop: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 11:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all..... Bonn, I switched from the Battrams for reasons that are hard to explain. They were very well built, they seemed to "fit" perfectly with the exception that they felt small. Scott built them to the measurements I provided but after playing in them awhile I couldn't get it out of my head that they were too small. Probably all in the head, but.... I had no problem selling them....the pads were high quality and I would STILL recommend Battrams to anyone looking for a good set of pads. I got a screaming deal on the pads I am using now. It's a good thing that I am not hung up on colors because these are the ugliest set of pads I have ever seen! You chatsters were talking about the new Phoenix jerseys being ugly, well these pads are in Phoenix colors and look bad.....(as in not good).... as for the WCHL incident I just want to go on record that I don't condone what our local boy did but I just point out that these types of incidents are inevitable in a league that has never taken control of itself. ANyway....

smott: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 12:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop please don't tell me you're wearing green pads....

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 1:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop I know what you mean about the pads. I too thought they were too small but I busted the tape measure out and they meet specs. I think it's because the material is very tightly stretched over the foam. I've subjected mine to a few foot stompings in the shin area too loosen the innards up a little. Really well built though, same goes for the gloves.

JAKE: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 2:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Another old chatser to be heard from. Smott not only are scoops new pads mostly green they also have that god awful sort of purple scattered about them. Other than that they don't look to bad. Scoop walked into rink with them slung over his sholder while i was playing and i was so stuned i almost let a dump in go in the net. Scoop will verify this. I plan to give him no end of greif about them. All in good fun of course.

Bonn: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 2:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I missed most of the Coyotes' jersey discussion, but I just assumed you were talking about their regular jerseys. I gather from the last few comments that they've managed to make their third jersey even uglier than the first two...I wasn't sure it was possible.

C5: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 3:46PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi, Jake! Scoop, that's eggplant?? Yotes colors? Are these Vaughns? Did you guy them from a Web site? Are they 33"? I saw a pair for sale somewhere and thought, hey, I'd like those... But no soup for me just yet. Just got back from the dentist where they rebuilt my front tooth. Yes, I've been going around LOOKING like a hockey player, which, for a goalie, isn't a good thing. BTW, my dentist is the same one that "Boom Boom" still uses! The dentist said, "Well, I'm not at liberty to tell you about his mouth, but let's just say he was an old-time hockey player, and I've got a lot of work in there!" Heh heh heh

: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 3:46PM PST (-0700 GMT)
button to see the jersey

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 3:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And Dno't be baggin on the Yotes normal jerseys.... I think they are nice looking..... But the third is horrible. I like the acid coyote emblem alot... but the whole desert scene and the lizards on the shoulders in the third have to go

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 3:54PM PST (-0700 GMT)
But you have to admit one thing...... Players are superstitious and therefore you have to wing the fact that they have won 100% of the games that they have worn them

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 3:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
as for Scotts pads feeling small, I think that they are right on in the sizing..... But will agree with the very stiff comment..... I use them as my seat to watch games in an attempt to break them in. On another note, Whoever is watching the Yotes Game on Sunday night..... Maybe they will show a shot of the booard right at the end of the second period...... If it is timed right you will see "Stacy, Will You Merry me, Joel". Giving up a sunday night league game for this.....

gbfreeman: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 5:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop, I have to agree on the assessment of the WCHL. Have you seen the refs seem to be totally biased against the home team? Some of the penalties that the gulls get seem to be really ticky tack penalties. Then, the teams seem to get in the mind set that if they are going to get called, they might as well get their moneys worth. Then all hell breaks loose. This is the only league I have seen with a bench clearing brawl during a playoff game. San Diego was playing Bakersfield and a Fog (old name) player was called for a penalty. After he went to the box a skirmish broke out and he left the box. The Gulls goalie (Sergei Naumov) saw this, skated over, and planted the guy. After all was said and done, both goalies and a majority of the players were tossed. Bakersfield had 2 on the bench and San Diego had 1. It was kinda sad.

gbfreeman: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 5:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the jersey discussion I would like to give some other candidates for worst third jersey. LA Kings with their picture of an angular monarch. Calgary Flames with their acid trip dragon. Mighty Ducks with their green cartoon duck raising his stick in celebration. For best, I think the Rangers lady liberty, Boston's bear head, and the Blackhawks mostly black jersey. On the subject of jerseys, does anyone like the alternate color jerseys that starter is putting out now. The blackhawks in YELLOW! Colorado with a baby blue background.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Mon, Feb 8, 10:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott----- Yeah. I look back two or three years ago and remember how I acted in this chat. Just immature, I guess..... The way I am cutting down the angles boosts my confidence. I haven't relized, but after I was challenging the shooter I felt huge! Confident, and even if the puck didn't hit me, I knew it would go wide..... I don't cut down the angles right away. I wait for a bit and when he makes his drive to the net, I come out. It has worked perfectly in the last two games. In fact, the only goals the other team have scored where garbage goals. Like screened, tipped, or rebounds that I can't react too..... I'm just having fun out there. I work hard all game and I talk to my team mates even when they are at the other side of the ice to stay in the game. My team is 12-0-0! We secured first place!..... About the all-star thing. I am going to the Meltdown ice hockey tournament in Eugene Oregon. I talked to the coach and he said I would play 2 games, and Denis will play 2 games. If we play the championship game, then whoever played the best gets to play. But I know we aren't going to the championships, because the all-stars are a weak team. But that's okay, because I like a lot of shots, and who knows, maybe will make the championship game..... I feel that I can learn from this. Sooner or later if I make the team in Utah I am going to have to sit on the bench. I need to learn how cope with sitting on the bench, and do other things. Like scout the other goalie, talk to Denis, and other things. I think it will be fun..... Thanks again Smott. You were a big help.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
YIKES gbf do you really like that Boston Winnie-the-Poo jersey??? Ick....maybe I am just too Old School as ESN likes to say....mostly favor the original 6...though I do like the Chicago and the Philly black jerseys....

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi GH yes you're right as you get better at angles you'll feel bigger! (Sometimes even I feel large!) Remember - be sneaky! Use your quickness - you don't have to bolt out at the guy right away - but when you see him put his head down to shoot, take that extra jump forward and shut everything down, when he looks up after the shot there shouldn't be any net visible.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And yep we have all noticed that you've grown up a lot since last year. Keep up the good work - and good luck with the Oregon tourney....

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'll agree with the like of the bruin third, but I'b biased in that our team uses the blank to start our new jersey's. As for the way out color scheme's availiable.... no thanks. next they will offer pink!!!!! AS for the best looking third, I'll have to vote for the Phili jersey (which they may wear out here net tuesday).

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for my pups..... and they deffinitely looked like pups last night..... Vernon shuts them down. Great save on Tkchoke in the third..... But it was Tkchoke who shot it right into the glove...... Sometimes it is nice to be lucky. But we'll see in the next week if The Doggs are planning on challenging the stars for the divisional lead. Thurs Kings, Sat Avs, Sun Ducks, Tues Phili...... I think they need to get through this streak without a loss and at least 3 wins or they will be relegated to a best playoff seeding of fourth...... Which will not help them all that much in the playoffs. On the up side, mike Sullivan returned from broken ribs last night and played huge on the pen kill.... Welcome back Sully

JAKE: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well ladies and gentlemen of the chat, it looks as if i should'nt have dissed Scoops new pads, as two of the teams we play for played one another last nite. Scoop and his group stomped a mud hole in our respective butts. Final score 4to2. OH well maybe I'll learn to keep my big mouth shut in the future.....naw.

Bonn: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The only really good third jerseys I have seen are the Leafs' old-style jersey, and the Kings' anniversary jersey they wore a couple of years ago - it was their original purple jersey, with the big crown on front - cool. I am amazed that anyone likes the Bruins' third, but at least it isn't black. Who dictated that if you make a third jersey, it has to be black? I'd really like to see a team come out with predominantly green uniforms like Michigan State, or the old North Stars uniforms. Old School, Old School, Old School.

deke: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn: I agree with your assessment and taste on the third jerseys but I must put in a vote for the Rangers' third, the blue background, not the white.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Yotes is mostly green Bonn..... But I think some drugged up artist reject got his hands on it and made it what it is..... And everyone thought the desert and hockey didn't get along....... They sure as hell don't on that jersey. Here is the funny part.... All the stores had the third out before christmas..... And the regular home and aways were selling out..... But all the ugly thirds were sitll on the racks. So they drop the price super low and still no takers..... Now the Yotes wear them in one game and the price is right up there with the regulars and idiots are buying them now.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott----- Yeah, I've noticed my additude change too..... I try to surprise players coming at the net. I love to poke check when they are coming around a corner from behind the net. It gets em everytime. I am trying now to rely more on skating and positioning, rather than reflexes. Although I still love to use my reflexes..... My hamstring is getting a bit better, but sometimes during the day I feel a slight sharp pain in my upper hamstring. But it's alright...... Now, I have a question about the butterfly save. I can't flare out my legs like Patrick Roy can. I don't think my knees were geneticly made to do that. I am wondering, why I can't though. I can do the half butterfly just fine. But when I drop to my knees I can't flare out. Mike Richter can't do it either. Just wondering if there is a way I can.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 9:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here's a quick fix for you GH. Next time you put the pads on tighten the calf(4th) strap tight as well as all those lower(ankle,boot,buckle) the top calf strap needs to be about one hole looser than what your used to. The thigh strap should be about 1-2 holes looser than used to and the finial top thigh strap put it on the 3rd hole from the end. This will give you a lot of play in the knee area but keep the pad snug to your lower leg. This allows you to get the pad "square" to the shooter when in the fly. As far as how far apart your legs go is based on flexibility.Remember too that Roy is a big boy and those legs are longer than yours and will appear out there more than you or I could possibly hope for.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 9:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well GH you're still a youngster so I guess there's time to develop a little flexibility in the knee joint - but not much. Typpically that kind of funny double-jointed stuff is something you are born with. I am the same way - half fly is OK, but full fly not so great.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 9:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep good point CdP you can uset he strap looseness to cheat a tad and get the pad flatter that way.

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 9:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for black jerseys - marketers say black is cool so that's what they make! I will say - Pens had it first!

Grass: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Howdy all -- Had an interesting game last evening... Playing a team that stomped us 7-4 last time. Basically the same teams on both sides of the ice. (meaning: no ringers added, no regulars out sick) The bad guys work on the "hang around center ice waiting for the breakaway pass" offense model. (Using the "let's hope the goalie can handle the pressure" defense model.) It generally works for them, they were tied for second place in the league!

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Grass - um did you win the game?....

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Suspense

Grass: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For some reason, the hockey gods were smiling on us last night. The first period ended 4-1 in favor of the good guys. By the end of the second, we are up 10-3. And the other goalie (who was not playing badly, just not getting much help) is REALLY getting hacked off! So much so that he breaks his stick on the cross bar half way thru the second period. To make matters worse, during the second intermission, he slams his stick into the boards inches away from the ref (who has his back turned to make nice with the cute score keeper). Needless to say the ref was caught unaware and almost wet himself. Quickly gaining his composure, the ref offers the goalie a two minute unsportsman penalty, to which our not-so-happy goalie objects. This results in the ref offering our hero the rest of the night off!

Grass: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As he was leaving, I tried to explain that 10-3 wasn't so bad, I'd managed at 16-0 last year... He didn't think that was so funny, and tried to remove my helmet with his stick. Fortunately, my reflexes were better than his stick work!

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'd have returned with a little of my own stick work grass..... But I do admit I hate the nights where your forwards are calling for you to pass them the puck on the red line the whole night (especially when you are not in control of the puck because it is on the stick of an opponent as he/she cruises in on a three on none). I've got into the habit of just skating out of the crease, and letting the other team have a freebie as I go bitch out my team for sitting at the red line (generally in pickup games)... Spouting off that practice entails not only offense but also performing a little defense once in a while. They must at least try to put up a little resistance or I'm not getting any quality practice

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Geez!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 10:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass glad your bean is intact!

smott: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 11:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Gee wow what a hothwead - I usually don't get hacked off until maybe 15, 16 goals!... :-D

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 11:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Geez, Grass, holy cow. You shouldn't have to put up with that. I think most die-hard hockey players and fans understand that what happens on the ice stays on the ice, no matter what. If you truly feel it was serious, you should tell someone, and not feel guilty about it. That's a serious breach of hockey etiquette (if there is such a thing-- maybe it's the hockey code). My rules: Don't break your sticks on the crossbar-- yours or anyone else's. They're expensive. Second, don't piss off the refs. Third, keep it on the ice.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 12:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Words to live by, C5. The only one I'd add to my list is "treat the other team with a little respect". Of course you play your hardest to win and you don't want to take any crap, but no cheap stick fouls or giving a John (yeah, I know he was a legitimate businessman) Gotti-style beating with the waffle board. With the way hockey is getting, the guy you're putting 10 stitches in today could be your teammate tomorrow.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 12:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of which... facing a 2 on 1 last night... I managed to somehow get my pad on a pretty crisp one timer. As I'm down on my right knee with my left leg fully extended watching the puck roll to the corner and admiring my work, I get plowed into the post. Right between the legs. So as I'm laying there flat on my stomach like a wishbone, trying to figure out if I still had every part of my anatomy that I came to the rink with, the ref comes up to me and goes "jeez. Lucky these are breakaway nets, or that really could have hurt!". Luckily I was gasping for breath and was in too much pain to fire a wiseass remark at him. Ggrrrrrr

Bonn: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 1:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott: Perhaps my memory is fading, but I'm pretty sure Boston had black uniforms a long time before Pittsburgh. I also think Vancouver switched to their black and orange halloween uniforms from the blue and green, before Pitt switched from their double-blue motif. To be honest,I don't give a rat's ass what marketers say...I'm sick to death of black uniforms. Some are nice, but there are way too many.

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 1:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah, but black matches everything. And it's good for the basement teams to wear black and blue-- matches their faces?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 2:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Another piece of info for the masses. For those of us that aspire to get our legs out like the DOM.........forget it. Unless of course your double jointed in the knee. Dom has been able to do a kneeling split since he was a boy. Hope I didn't bust any bubbles. That is all :-)

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 4:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
(What's a kneeling split?) I remember babysitting for a friend a few months back, playing with the two year old, and he tripped or something and there he is, sitting with his legs all askew and I'm thinking, "GOD!! What I wouldn't give to be that flexible." You KNOW you're a sick puppy when you view everything in goalie terms.

Scoop: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 5:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, the pads are Vaughns, built for Jimmy Waite.... apparently he switched to Koho. I don't know if that color is called eggplant or not...

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Got a question for you all. I need to know the rule for NCAA hockey on number of players AND goalies your allowed to dress. Going form CHL, USA and NCAA hockey rules has left me some what confused. I seem to remember somrething to the effect of 18 and 2 or 20 and 2. If anyone knows or knows where I can find NCAA rules online I'd appreciate it.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, a kneeling split is just that. Kneel down on your knees and try doing the splits, ie: moving your legs 90 degrees to your knees. Kinda creepy just thinking about it eh?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heres another piece of info for ya. I took a hacksaw to a "Roy" KOHO 500 on the paddle section to shorten it to 25". The interior of the paddle section is a dense foam type of material. It looks like hard resin but is actually some sort of dense foam that you can press your nail into and leave a mark. I guess thats how they cut down on the weight. The handle it self is wood and conects further down into the paddle I assume. However, I think I've found the ticket. With the factory curve(pretty wicked) and the shaved down paddle I was launching pucks at the net at the other end today and was coming real close to the net. Gimme a few more tries and I'll zero it in :-) Another interesting thing. I usually take 2" off of the end of my sticks. This one I didn't, and with the cut down paddle the handle seems all that much longer. This AM at practice during drills rushing the net parallel to the goal line I was poke checking the guys farther out than they were used to the goalie being able to. I think I've found a new weapon hehehehee (evil laughter)

Beatts: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all, just starting to come down from my 102 deg. Temp. Started Wednesday night till yesterday....I actually missed two nights of hockey ( A first for me ever !!) My wife was proud, I was miserable.. But I did get a chance on Saturday to go to the Maple Leafs Fan Skate At MLG...Awesome !! I always wanted to skate on that ice !! Here I am, sicker than a dog with the biggest smile on my face...kid'in the candystore look.. I took some great pictures of the dressing room, T.V. Studio and while I was skating, if anyone is interested..I also brought the Movie camera and skated around with it bobbing up and down... Fufilled one of my life--long dreams.....Next stop, Pamela Anderson's House....hehe

deke: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 6:57PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP - I don't have the answer to your question but you can call the NCAA to get the 1998-99 Rule Book at 913-339-1900 (circulation dept.) or call 913-339-1969 and they may be able to answer your question over the phone.

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Beatts, uh, the Pamela Anderson thing, it's been done... uh, I think I have seen an MPEG or two around the 'net somewhere... ;-)

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop, oh, cool, VERY cool. How much did you pay, if I could ask? Maybe they're the same pads as pictured in the pic of Waite on the 'net?

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Holy cow. I just found this: DAN BOUCHARD Former Atlanta Flames goalie and now Life College Ice Hockey coach, Dan Bouchard, talks with one of his goalies before a game at The Cooler in Alpharetta, Ga., Saturday, Jan. 30, 1999. Bouchard, who played 14 seasons with the Flames, has helped Life College win the past two American Collegic Hockey Association division two titles. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal Constitution, Anitta C. Charlson) RR AP S GA AJC101 HKC DAN BOUCHARD The pic is at this button

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That pic was taken where I play hockey, and I recognize that goalie. Don't talk to him much, but I once played against him and won, but it wasn't his fault.

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 7:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just added a few goalies to the picture page ( button ): Two VERY good pix of Roy, one of which really shows off his equipment, a good one of Barasso doing his job so most excellently, and a couple in the misc. section below, Michaud and Braun. All images are X 1024 at their largest. Enjoy!

C5: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Cdp, OUCH! Thanks for the description. Reminds me of when those comedians describe child birth.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 8:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, that date for Bouchard is when our team was playing them. They are good. You were right on the money with the description. All of them were Dr. types, not a car under 50K in the parking lot. Typical rich guy stuff, ugly/geeky dude and a knock out in tow. Need less to say we put up a good fight but didn't win. We played them 2 different nights and lost both. But from what I understand the 2nd night was hangover hockey. Buddy said just about all of them were Canadiens. Had I known Bouchard was going to be there I would of tried harder to go. OH well, I have a feeling we'll be playing them again though :-)

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, Feb 9, 9:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Carpe De Puck----- Yeah, I keep the lower straps pretty tight and the higher ones loose. But I still can't flare out my legs. My friend, those of who that remember JOEY. He has perfect knees. He can flare out his knees straight down! He doesn't play hockey anymore. But he says he wants to play hockey again, but as a player..... I've tried stretching, but the ligements in your knee don't really do that. I am not sure if the knee was ment to bend sideways like that..... Smott----- You remember about a few weeks ago and I asked for ways to pump yourself up? Well, I found the listening to music does help. When I listen to music, I imagine the warm-ups, stopping the puck from different shots. Also, during the game. Getting a little ticked off a couple of times helps me stay in the game, and talking to my team mates helps too. What do you think?

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 5:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh sorry Bonn wasn't specific enough re the black jersey....I meant Pen's 3rd jersey was the first black one (could be wrong). It was so popular they ditched their regular away jersey and now the 3rd is permanent....

smott: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 5:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of my Fave Fowl - goodness but don't they roll a lucky 7 on the win streak and pull one out in OT after trailing late in the 3rd vs Habs. Kovalev was left alone 3 feet in fron tof the net. Since there was no one to pass to, he had to shoot. And voila!

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 6:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
c5, size does matter! love those big pics. keep 'em coming...

Beatts: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 7:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, being the Penguins superfan you must have one of their original baby blue jerseys ?? OOOwww they were bad !!

C5: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 7:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Seive, I agree! Those pix are fun. CDP, you played here in Atlanta, or, where? Don't any of you chatsters come to Atlanta without looking me up! :-)

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 8:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, yeah my team was there at Life on the 30th to play them twicw that weekend. I believe it was you who told me that they were Dr's. We didn't get as many people as we had hoped for show that morning due to military comitments, I believe we had 11 skaters and 2 goalies. For the second game we had 9 skaters since 2 had gotten thrown out with some of Life's team as well. Next time we'll go down there with a heavy team just in case we have the same problem

C5: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 8:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Email me next time you're in town and I'll show up to watch the game. And of course, if you happen to get 2 goalies injured... ;-)

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 9:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I see in the paper that Fred B. got an assist for the Calgary Phlegms Mon. night. Anybody see it on the reel? Just smack me if this news has already broke on the chat... : >)

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 11:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Gee... I'm so psyched for my game tonight. The opposing goalie's GAA is 12.47 and his team is averaging 2.2 goals/game offensively. Maybe I should take a lawn chair or a bench of some kind. These guys should probably be a C league team, but the guy that owns the rink has 2 kids on the team, so he puts them at the most competitive level to get more experience. I don't get it. These are the games where you really get to test your focus.

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...unlike Mike Dunham last night. He had about 50 launched at him...again. He's been playing very well this season. I'm glad to see him getting a chance after sitting behind wunderkind Marty for the past few years.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 11:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
same here Tripp, but He did get caught out of postion pretty bad on one of the goals last night. mostly though he got hung out to dry.

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 11:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Sieve... did you ever figure out a way to get the c/a pad and extra wrist strap in the glove to work out? I had the people at Vaughn put an extra strap in my new glove too, and I still haven't had any trouble with it. I really wish I knew what to tell ya

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 1:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi Day Tripper, well, I'm cranking the c/a wrist as tight as it will go and leaving the addl. strap on the snag real loose. Its working ok, but still tends to want to make the square block on the arm turn up when I turn my wrist. Hard to describe but it leaves the inside of my elbow exposed a bit. still working on it... thanks for asking.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 1:24PM PST (-0700 GMT)
may take the extra strap out or have a little extra sumpin' put at the inside of the elbow on the old Vaughn 1000 c/a...

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 4:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all. ESPN Sportszone main page has the survey "Which Western Conference goalie would you want to lead you to the Stanley Cup?". The choices are Belfour, Hebert, and Khabibulin. Belfour is currently leading. Guess they didn't see him play for the Blackhawks versus the Pens. Also, no mention of Roy or Osgood but they mention Hebert? Gotta go. First game of 4 in two nights (7 in 4 nights) starts soon.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 4:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
ESPN also has the first day of a four day retrospective of the Maple Leaf Gardens.

: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 7:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
HI EVERY BODY

: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 7:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
ANY ONE HER A GOLIE

: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 7:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
ANY ONE HER A GOLIE

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 9:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The catch to the question was who would you want to be your teams goalie that has not won a stanley cup in the past.... Western confrence only..... Ozzy and Roy are out..... The overwhelming winner was the eagle..... But my boy nikki got like 25%

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 9:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And my apologies to all that watched that horrible game through the first two periods.... But Nik had some huge ones and the undefeated streak in the thirds is at two now..... Maybe the other team laughs at them so hard they can't concentrate on the game

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 10:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ayyyy... winning our game 17-1 tonight, I'm down in the butterfly cradling the puck against my chest and POW!!! Blindside cross check in the back of the head. My brand new Itech mask is spinning around over in the corner. Good thing my head wasn't in it! Lucky the guy didn't chip it, or he'd be pulling a goal stick from his derierre. So I look up at the guy as I'm uncrossing my eyes and say "what the hell was that, dude? Not my fault you guys suck"... his answer "hockey's a rough sport. These things happen"

deke: . . . . Wed, Feb 10, 11:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp: So what was the referee doing while this mayhem was going on?

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 5:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
tripp, please tell me your guys revoked that dick's licence to walk upright...

smott: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 6:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmmm I would pick Khaby over Eddie, having watched him play so avg against the Pens in '92...

Guardian: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 7:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey everyone...here's a T.V. commercial parody that I'd love to see. It features those icons Bob and Doug McKenzie, reprising their role on one of the commercials for Molson Canadian that is often shown on ESPN. It goes like this: "Hey, we're the McKenzie brothers, and we're here to stop a heinous crime, eh?" "Yeah, they're sending a Canadian hockey franchise south of the border, instead of to Winnipeg where it belongs!" "Yeah, but we've got a plan, eh?" The rest of the commercial is much the same as the original, excepting that the trailer that our hereos unhitch is full of hockey players. If only SCTV was still around.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 7:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
HA !!! good one...

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 8:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But It seems to me that all the old records from Winnipeg are falling with but three desert year..... Hey I have a theory.... It is something like: support your team and they won't move away..... Give them the tax breaks, stadium, ect... that they need to stay competitive

Guardian: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 8:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, I'm not casting aspersions on Phoenix fans...good support for the team there (as there was in Winnipeg as well).

Bonn: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts: I take exception to your snide little remarks about Winnipeg supporting their team. Winnipeg averaged at least 13000 per game. The tax breaks issue is a federal thing, and not one that you can blame on the good people of Winnipeg. Nothing against the folks in Phoenix, but if the NHL wasn't so desperately seeking TV contracts with FOX, and Disney, I dare say there'd still be a team in Winnipeg. Fan support has never been the problem there - did you see the turnout for the World Juniour Tournament this year?

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I was trying to figure out how many active goaltenders have a Stanley Cup ring. Roy obviously has 3, Ozzy 1, Vernon 1, Richter 1, Marty 1, Tommy B 2... after this I am not sure. Fuhr has one I think, I can't remember the Oilers' goalies that well...

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn is dead on. Canada does not allow the kind of Sweetheart deals that US cities are using to lure away CAnadian teams. Last I ehard 3-4 months ago, Canadian officials actually filed a NAFTA grievance on the issue.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry Smott, but I think it is a little unfair to seriously condemn Belfour for the 92 loss to your Birds. That was a hot Penguins Team. Belfour has one of the worst heads in the NHL, and he can certainly lose it. But 6 years later... there has to be some statute of limitations. And the people that second guess the Belfour/Hasek thing that year... I seriously question the strategy of switching goaltenders in mid stride... especially the Cup finals. You almost never see performance based goaltender switches within the playoffs. It is just such a huge gamble... but I could talk about that for days. Besides, Hasek gets my vote for the biggest playoff jinx (but big part goes to his team's play in front of him)

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
To sum up, we shall see how Belfour does this year... he might earn some vindication or totally blow it. At this point tho, the Avs seriously worry me. If I had one active goalie I could choose for the playoffs, it would be Roy hands down. Boolin is great, but he is still an unknown quantity. Before he got hurt last year,Phoenix almost beat Detroit...

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Not trying to be snide about fan support..... And Yes teams near the west coast in the state def.. help the TV deals. No offense intended.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for tenders with rings.... Fhur has a couple I think with gretz and the oilers

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But last I checked Canadians still vote in officials and therefore I don't take it being a federal problem.... But I won't try to change good Hockey chat into a political arena. But with the high taxes in Canada, I'm surprised the teams up there have survived this long. It is like trying to box Tyson with one ear....oops i mean leg

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Back to the tender I'd chose to run into the playoffs..... If we chose from any.... I'd say Hasek or Cujo...... They both are capable of taking a game over with huge saves. Western Conf.... HMMMMMM

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My heart says Nik.... But he has yet to prove he can maintain the level that he is currently playing at.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I thought about Cujo, but he has not actually taken a team past the second round... that I can recall. He has engineered stunning first round upsets tho.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Next question: Should the yotes go out and get another center to run the second line in the playoffs..... The talk around here is that young Danny Briere is just not ready..... who would keep him in there and who would seek another center?

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
sup vile

: . . . . Thu, Feb 11, 9:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Back to cujo..... put him on the Stars and how well does he do.... From what I hear the Leaf's are about the only team th