Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Dec 15, 7:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I say do away with the default # of messages. Scrolling can be a pain but it is a lot easier to go back to where you want to pick a part of a convo then guessing how many messages you need to go back.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, Dec 15, 7:55PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heres a little FYI. I talked with Don Strauss (owner of Armadilla masks) today and for all you Flyer fans and those who just admire Bezzers mask there is hope. You too can own a mask just like John for the intro price of $3000.00 and thats just 1 of the 2 versions of that mask he wears. I didn't know this, but apparently John has 2 of those masks painted differently. One in the orange metal flake with a chrome cage and a second which is a Chrome mask with a black cage. I guess the type of mood john is in that evening decides which one he wears. So run down to the bank with your pics of Bezzers in hand and show the loan officer what it is you need all that money for. :-)

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah, our Chat returns! Thanks, Chris.....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm yes, painted masks....after several years and a bunch of ideas I still have not come up with one for my mask, though there have been several suggestions from pals (Catwoman, Queen of Hearts, etc etc....) But I am mulling over the idea of an xmas present to myself, so perhaps I will investigate pain jobs with Matt....

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all, had a fun one this weekend - get a call to sub in another league, finish 1st period go to skate to other end - ref holds me back says "shootout". i said what? Apparantly last time these 2 teams played there was a protest and they needed to settle the game.. won the shootout 3-1, and the game 6-2, got a 2 for 1. Tripp - Minard is on fire here with Milwaukee.. 3 games fri/sat/sun, 2-1, 1.0 GAA, .975 SV% so, I don't think they'll be needing me... hahaha

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile Pens nip Lightning 3-2 in OT after dominating for 2 periods. Schwaab played unbelievable or the game would not have been in doubt. THen the poor guy lets a bouncer go 5-hole in OT. Is there a lesson in there Chatsters?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey G35 what up?

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
g'morning smott..... ltns

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
how's the happy homeowner?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Nice going! 2 wins in one night! I am due for my shellacking tonight, last game of session. Hope the #2 team is picking me up for the next go around but we shall see. Meantime not much hockey between now and 2nd week Jan, ick will I have to start running more frequently???

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Homeowner just got the notice for school taxes YUCK!! If it ain't one thing it's another....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Still need to get a tree and hope the cat doesn't eat it.....

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
finally got Fri morn p/u with the guys from the pro-shop started for this fri.... we'll see how bad i get it after they see my Battram blocker... yikes!!

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
yea, out league is off till the 3rd, but i have p/u on fri and sun morn the next 3 weeks... aren't all your taxes on 1 bill?

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
got my tax bill yesterday myself.... $4100.00 :(

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Can pay quarterly which I may have to do, being such a pauper!

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 5:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep I may need to get to some p/u myself....

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 9:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Final games for 2 of my teams in one league tonight. Both have playoff implications. One team controls their destiny and one (tied for fourth) needs some help. 3 games tomorrow and only one team is absolutely in the playoffs. This league has 2 weeks left and 2 teams have to win out to make it. This pressure may kill me. Ahh, but that's why we play the games. Haven't put on my roller blades for a week. Oh, almost forgot, the playoffs for my 7-0-3 team are this saturday. 7 games in 4 days. This is actually the first season where I haven't had doubts about what teams I will play on next season. Previous 3 seasons, there was always at least 1 team that felt I must be the reason they were losing. Well, one of the teams I joined was 0-10-0 last season and this season they are 4-2-3 with 1 game left. The team I got booted from has been making overtures to me and I am really enjoying making them sweat. Not too vindictive is it?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 9:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
gb you are CHAT IRONMAN!!! I'd need a stretcher to play that many games!

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 10:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Poor guy probably hasnt put on dry equipment all season!

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 11:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow! Maybe Minard finally started concentrating on hockey. He was (maybe still is?) kind of a wild man. He wasn't exactly what you'd call dedicated to the sport. I actually felt kind of bad for him. Hopefully he's all straightened out these days.

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 11:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of equipment, I bought a black Koho Roy blocker from the SFSL sale page... and the thing has this white "custom built for SFSL" tag sewn on to it. I spent the better part of the morning with a black marker, trying to cover the stupid thing up. Nice blocker, though. A little heavier than the Vaughn 4000 I was using. But the first time some wiseass winger gets smart with me, those rubber dots on the top part blocker are gonna sting. :-)

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 11:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...not that I'm protective of my crease, or anything

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 11:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
protective?? naw, just markin your turf...

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 11:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Am still breaking in my Battram blocker.. is a bit weird getting used to the big angle flare.. and to where the puck goes off it.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 12:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, definately give Matt a call on the paint. I'm waiting for a loaner mask to come in so I can send mine in to Matt for some paint and a little custom cutting on the mask itself. The price he offers is comparable if not better to all the other big name painters. I have a rec game tonight to attend, so you can expect a shallacking report later on. I'm figuring another 50 + shot night.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 12:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, definately give Matt a call on the paint. I'm waiting for a loaner mask to come in so I can send mine in to Matt for some paint and a little custom cutting on the mask itself. The price he offers is comparable if not better to all the other big name painters. I have a rec game tonight to attend, so you can expect a shallacking report later on. I'm figuring another 50 + shot night.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 1:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yah me too a busy night. This is my Shellack League where my personal record 77 shot game was recorded....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 1:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yah me too a busy night. This is my Shellack League where my personal record 77 shot game was recorded....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 1:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Eeeek! It happened to me!

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 1:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Has anybody here been to a goalie camp from "Gold in the Net"? I am thinking about enrolling in a camp set for the end of May here in southern California. Any input would be appreciated. Now to bring the quality of Simmons products back into discussion, has anybody used them for just painting their masks? I have a relatively new Itech Profile 2000 I would like to get painted.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 2:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And in world news, the U.S. has launched a "Substantial" attack against Iraq.

C5: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 7:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Played last night in what I thought was going to be a pickup game. Instead, I was the only goalie and me and about 12 guys played 'half court' I guess you'd call it. At least it was fun.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 7:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
This just in..... a "substantial" shallacking occured earlier this evening. A total of 57 shots where launched against said goalie while an astounding 9 were returned in retaliation. Like Potvin, I too declared my free agent status tonight and am looking for a team with both "d" and "o". I guess that would constitute a hockey team eh?

deke: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 9:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP: It would be nice to find such a team in a "rec" league. Builds character I suppose.

deke: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 9:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP: It would be nice to find such a team in a "rec" league. Builds character I suppose.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 16, 11:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, back from the games. Won both. First one 6-5, second one 6-4. I felt like I didn't play that great, but my teammates kept saying I was the reason they won. That felt real good. So, 3 teams of five in the playoffs with other 2 still very much alive. I wonder if the rink has been listening to my not so subtle hints about a goalie maybe winning MVP? Ah to dream.

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 5:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp - you'll never guess who is IHL goalie of the week - yup- Minard. 3-1 1.25 / 138 out of 143. Mr Grass - how long did it take you to get used to your blocker?

Beatts: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Go Leafs Go !! Sorry FourQrts...We had to send the "Yotes" back with their tail between their legs !! First time this year that a team has popped 5 by them !!

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
gb, way to go! CdP, good luck finding a team, heh heh, my Shellack Troops are yours if you want! Actually, in a real stunner, moi & said Shellacks actually won our first and only game this session, 6-5 with a goal before the buzzer. LAst game, meaningless, and the other guys had 5 skaters, but hey. I complain not. We only had 7 anyway.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow Yotes finally give up more than a pair. Well it had to happen. Meanwhile Sean Burke stands on his head and Pens go down to the lowly Panthers, ick. Should have buried about 6 but Sean very good all night.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
BTW the other goalie last night had Boddam pads. HUGE. He was about 6'3" and the pads came up to his ears. THey were bigger than all of me combined! He couldn't move but hey who needs to? I felt like a gnat scrambling around all night in my teensy Louisvilles.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh, and another Rulesbook question, where is Toastie when we need him? Grass-meister, yoo hoo. Anyway, semi-break last night, I stop the first guy, puck in the crease, first guy ploughs me into the back of the net while the trailer taps in the rebound. Ref calls no goal, no penalty either. Believe he said man in the crease, no goal. Actually, the man was in my lap but I guess that's the same.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyway I kind of thought it should have been one or the other, either a penalty for Goalie INterference, or, if ref rules no interference, just incidental contact while the guy was legitimately chasing the puck, then it should have been a goal.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As usual, I felt that the clearly-stated rule re Effort To Avoid The Goaltender, was overlooked in this case!

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But, no goal, no complaints. STiff neck yes, but complaints, nah.

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm...puck is in the crease first, so they have every right to go in after it, but not through you though. If the goal was waived off, I'd say based on the description there should of been a penalty.

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My semester has come to an end, I am about to reintroduce myself to my bed for a full night sleep every night for the next week! Woo hoo! And apparently I should be back on-line from home in a few days, I will be catching up on a lot of email!

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And my wonderful girlfriend has surprised me with Leaf tickets for Saturday night! Get to see Cujo vs. Richter, although I must admit Cujo has turned out to be better than I thought. Doesn't give up the killer bad goal too often. Richter - still grossly overpaid in my mind. But how about Hasek - three Vezinas in a row maybe. That guy is just unbelievable.

snowman: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast- sounds like you have been as busy as me. The past 2 months I have put no less than 60 hrs a week in at work. Lots of OT

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That reminds me, for the last game at the Gardens, there are 500 tickets available. Going to be a contest held to see who can get the right to buy them. A report here in Toronto indicates that one fan was offered $7000 for a pair of reds...wow. The closing of the last classic rink in hockey.

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OUCH! Way too much. I have been doing the same, full-time job plus about 20 hours of class a week. Sacrificed sleep too much, it has affected my hockey lately too. No legs.

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I should clarify, 9 hours of class plus workload. Next semester...one class, capping lessons and no more missed hockey. Time to be selfish again!

snowman: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
No legs....brain is fried...could be a big reason for shoddy league performance.

snowman: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Good news is I finally get relief in Januray

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have found that too - been letting in a lot of long range bombs...that is a focus issue. Also giving up a lot more late goals, that is fatigue (or old age setting in).

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Why so busy at work?

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
On the plus side, only on three teams, two A and a B team. Hopefully will get to play more tournies this winter, I love those. Might have an opportunity to go to Montreal again in April, not sure yet. If the team goes in 35+, I am out. If they go 30+, I am in. I am lobbying for 30+ naturally.

snowman: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I see myself doing stupid plays that I look at after and tell myself you know better than to do that....totally mental

snowman: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have a partner out on leave. No replacement until last week....but I have to train them

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 7:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah - same thing on the ice for me. I do something, and then think - boy, that was dumb. Just braindead at times...and it is frustrating because I have been real sharp on the bang bang stuff - but give me time to think...DUH!

snowman: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well off to work again.....later

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
See ya.

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh, time to go. Back pretty soon, I hope.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Goodness another Toast sighting! Becoming less rare...

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm thanks for the ruling Toastie, always our Chat Rule-Meister! Actually I felt like the guy went right through me, so penalty in order....this guy also plays on my B team, he is sneaky and aggressive. You know the type, comes on at 90 mph, shoots from 6 feet and keeps on coming. You stop it and boom you wind up in the net. You don't stop it and boom you're in the net anyway. Maybe I need to gain some weight. :-D

J.T.: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes, but you can't have your Toast and eat it too.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 9:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
BTW Toastie any word on those Lousivilles your pal might be selling??

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 1:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
the weekend is shaping up nicely... fri morn p/u with the pro-shop, sat nite sub, sun morn p/u.... ahhhh will be a sore one come monday. Oh any of you hear of the new forwards stick? I think it was a Louisville Rubber.. apparantly i'm going to get tested by it tommorrow morning... if it was anything like when he was testing the bubble shafts... ouch, my hands gonna be sore.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 1:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
A Rubber? What is that, for Safe Shooting? :-D

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 3:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
i'll let you know tommorrow.... i guess it's some sort of graphite/rubber composite... who knows.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 8:57PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi folks. I've been gone a while...busy at work and playing on a new roller team with some ex-RHI guys. Watching the Kings game now and Salo looks bad...Storr looks rusty but solid against a bad Islanders team in obvious need of Ziggy Palffy (who just signed).

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 9:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP...the Graf skates are top notch. I almost bought them instead of the 5000's I eventually went for. The deciding factor is that I was told that Graf's are kind of uncomfortable unless they are properly custom fit with the oven (an actual oven Graf supplies to "qualified" dealers they heat the boot with and custom fit perfectly to your foot). Since I can't get much stuff locally (gotta get it mail order), I had to pass because there's nobody here to fit them to my odd-size feet. Anyway, if you can get them sized, I'd say you DEFINITELY should get them...if/when I finally take my road trip to Canada, I'm getting a pair.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 9:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
GB...on the paint job...there are a few places I found to get it done when I was ordering my mask. I ordered my mask from SFSL and eventually decided to have them do it and it turned out great. But I found a few places: Miska at button , Flying Lizard at button , Herm at www.glenhill.com/hermdesigns and Mask Fx at button Also, the Hockey News always has guys advertising in the back pages. There's also a guy I play with who does a really good job and did a Wile E. Coyote design for me...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 9:38PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...also, for any roller players out there looking for inline goal skates (x-mas present to yourself?), go to button Bauer 5000's for $250. Garner (button has CCM 755's for about $275 US.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 9:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I just found a couple more mask painters: Blueline at button , Rod 'N Van at 519-452-1665 and Dale Oftedahl at 209-555-2123...probably too much info but what the hell, I'm just sitting here watching the Kings blow another game they should win and flipping to the 'Nucks/'Lanche game that's actually a pretty decent game.

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 0:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Candidate for shellac of the week. Outshot 48-9 lost 5-0. Actually had to have teammates call time out because I was beat. 2nd game 2-1 victory to put 4th of 5 teams into the playoffs. 5th team will have to wait until after the new year.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 10:36PM PST (-0700 GMT)
4 out of 5 gbf not too shabby!

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 17, 10:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
For moi, now in a 2 week lull till leagues start again...hmmm may have to find a pickup game or two....also need to get my pads a bit reconditioned, a little leather oil on the old Lousivilles, they are soaking up too much water lately....

: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 10:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
g35 -- I found it didn't take long at all to get used to Scott's blocker. My biggest issue was keeping the wing against the body. Only took a couple of goals to help me focus...

Grass: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 10:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ooops! Twas Grass in stealth mode... Tis one of those weeks... Seems whenever CNN heats up, my work to sleep ratio approaches infinity... and spelling effectiveness goes to zero,,,

Goal35: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 11:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks Grass... that's been the hard thing for me, that and when your scrambling and the puck hits the wing... where did it go? Smott - i'd say the rubber shaft is going to be a bust.. hehehe good thing for me it threw of his slapshot, he did't like it because the shaft is rubberized and to much grip.. hands didn't slide when he went to shoot.

C5: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 6:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello from Canada! Watching the Devils/Flames game-- loving it! My brother, his wife, and beer. What more could I ask for? OK, chat post-- anyone wanting to pix of goalies on this chat press this www.catsfive.net/hockey/chat.html ...

zen: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 8:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wolfman, received your e-mail, sending feelers out to the troops if only to get feedback to the concept. Short term does not look good but I am holding out for the long view. I will need details/ direction and If you can provide some it would be most appreciated. I will e-mail you early next week............

wolfman: . . . . Fri, Dec 18, 9:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ok zen,I'll wait for your email.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 8:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For all the chatsters who have been thinkng of getting a big screen TV........DO IT. I had a 50" delivered yesterday and caught some of last nights action. It was almost like being at the arena with the surround sound and the images. It is really awesome to watch. How about them Stars? Lets not forget those Flames either. Dom was looking like the magician last night, pulling saves out of no where.

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 8:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah yes the Magic of Dom - arms, legs, face, some portion of anatomy appearing out of nowhere (back turned often just for effect) to stop the puck heading into the previously gaping net. Best instincts in the NHL, maybe in history.

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 8:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Give him time to think and he becomes human however. Average on medium-long shots for instance. If I was a coach I'd fine anybody who wastes time tryng to beat him in close.

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 8:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile I've only seen the Stars a couple times this season, but after watching them positively suffocate the Wings last night I have to grudgingly admit they're a threat for the Cup. Maybe Hull has given them that little bit of extra spirit/heart/belief that seems to be missing in the playoffs. We shall see.

Tripp: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 11:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I just wanna see someone...ANYone...beat the Wings this year. The fact that Osgood has 2 rings ticks me off. I give him credit for not caving in under the pressure last year... but if you don't get beat three times from 80+ feet out in the first place, you don't have to deal with that pressure.

: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 2:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Los Angeles will win the Stanley`s Cup this year! (Vladimir Vujtek #79, please come back to Pori!)

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Dec 19, 8:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
LA? You must be joking, right? How about them Canes? Kidd was looking like his old self tonight. Dom on the other hand was in unfamiliar waters it seemed. Guess it was a little bit of that human factor creeping in there.

wolfman: . . . . Sun, Dec 20, 9:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
We lost last nite 6-5.They scored with 22 seconds left. It ended up in a brawl with me in the middle. I got flattend 3 times earlier in the third by cheap shots so we decided to get even. Now I'm out for a bit with a groin injury. I can hardly move today, I guess I shouldn't have decked that guy.HAHA

wolfman: . . . . Sun, Dec 20, 9:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
There was no penaltys called on any of the cheap shots on me and I didnt get one for decking that guy. The refs didnt seem to take much interest in keeping the game in check.

smott: . . . . Sun, Dec 20, 4:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm yes I confess I hate those kind of games, played one recently in a fast A league and felt like I'd wandered onto a 4-lane highway. Bunny in the headlights and all that.

smott: . . . . Sun, Dec 20, 4:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Pens blank Caps last night, Kovalev scores on another great effort, guys has ridiculous moves. Pens now have 7 decent forwards, so who has to play 3rd line? Lately it's been Barnes, only their 2nd leading scorer. He ain't happy. So, hmm.

Goal35: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 6:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
g'morn all, am feeling a bit of my age today after playing p/u fri morn, then sub sat night where they only had 6 skaters, (held on for a 4-3 win),then up sun morn for 2 hrs of p/u with alot of A players.... am a bit sore for a short old fat guy.. haha - i don't have smotts stamina..

Beatts: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 7:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I scored last night !! ...Mind you I don't think I get the point when it goes into my own net... :~( We won 6-2 so it was kind of funny...Guy winds up from the centerline (It seems) and misses the net by four feet. As I turn to play the puck it shoots like a rocket out from the boards hits my skate and in a painfully slow-motion like roll it trickles into the net....Arrgh Bummer of a way to lose the goose-egg. The second goal they scored I had smothered the puck and the ref let them wack away at it 6 times before they pushed me into the net. I was a wee bit pissed but we were winning so I just grinned and beared it. The team we played are a good bunch of guy's who are not very good so what the hell, give'm something to talk about

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 7:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
aww man, lay off the ill will towards the Wings. : >) I could see if they were thrashing everybody, but heck , any team over .500 has been killing them. Another ALMOST dynasty...

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah let's not write off the Wings so quickly. Or crown the Stars. (Or Yotes!) Season is still young. But much more parity out East.....maybe 8 points separates top 8 teams....

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well guys so much for my hockey off-time! Managed to injure myself while playing tennis yesterday, can ya believe it?? Tweaked my ankle (existing tendinitis but man I stretched it bad) on a carpet court, call it the astroturf-syndrome.

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here I figured I'd have a couple weeks off around Christmas to rest up from hockey and let the nagging stuff heal, maybe play a safe non-contact racquet sport, and bammo! Hopping around like a stork on one leg, ice bag all afternoon, then the steelers go and blow it to Cincy!! A dark day for smottsie, and all of the Burgh! Steelers need a quarterback, an offensive coordinator, and some recievers. Yuck.

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And anyway, who was that picking teh LA for teh Cup?? Chewin' on mushrooms or what???

snowman: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott- steelers need all the above plus 2 more good lineman

snowman: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
First monday morning off from work in 2+ months and I made it out to the rink by 7am for some icetime. Played well for still being half asleep and not having a caffeine boost yet.

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey snowman!

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Glad to hear your out getting some puck-time! Closest I am to ice at the moment is the icepack currently strapped to my ankle!!

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 8:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes injuries plus rookies played havoc w/the offensive line. On the other hand, quarterbacks are supposed to hit the broad side of a barn. And receivers, on those rare occasions when the ball hits them in the chest, are supposed to hang on. Maybe they were just too startled! Heh heh....

Beatts: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 9:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Eh Smottsie your 'guins are in T.O. to play my beloved blue shirted heroes....I'll say 4-2 Leafs...What's your prediction..(I actually think Pittsburgh might win but I can't bet against my team !)

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 10:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm well it's a close call, Pens-Leafs 1-1 thus far. I'm afraid I have to pick the blue-shirts given teh scoring slump Pens are in, their PP is horrible lately after a red-hot start. They are nothing if not consistent, my Birds! But, if Titov breaks out of his slump, or Kovalev continues to shoot more htan once a game, anything could happen!

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 10:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Boy you guys really bleed blue huh? You should be happy this year! Leafs really on the edge of the new trend towards speed & aggressiveness and yes goal-scoring!

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 10:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile Felix conitnues to sit at home??

Beatts: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 12:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
It's hard to believe that the leafs are the league highest scoring team ?? Man, it's amazing what a new coach can do...And it show how bad my instincts are, I had my team wrote off in August...I believed they wouldn't top their point output from last year, heck they should beat that by mid-January ( I hope )

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 12:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, sorry to hear about the ankle blow out. Hope you dont have to miss any real sports. hee hee, kidding. Celebrated the 4mo. anniversary of my knee blow out yesterday. Have gotten used to the day after gameday aches, dont know if they'll ever go away...

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 1:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
News Flash Sieve, we are getting older not younger, heh heh heh! My guess is that those postgame aches ain't gonna get any better with the passage of time!

smott: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 1:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And yes it does seem that tennis has injured me at least as much if not more than hockey, though I have yet to get a concussion playing tennis! I suppose that's a positive. But long-lasting, chronic, knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist and yes ankle stuff all came from tennis. Though I did tear a knee ligament once in hockey, that has pretty much healed completely. But the tennis stuff will be with me forever....

Tripp: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 1:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of Felix, I tried one of those Koho trappers on today. Man, is that a comfy glove. The cuff was kinda weird, but the glove felt great. If Santa checks his list, maybe I'll get one for X-mas. If he checks it twice, fuhgettaboudit.

Tripp: . . . . Mon, Dec 21, 1:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Jeez smott, take care of yourself will ya? I never thought tennis was that rough!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 5:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm yah whodathunk tennis would beat me up like this? Actually ankle pretty good today after 2,000 ibuprofins since Sunday, now I'm looking at my running shoes and going "hmmmm..."

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 5:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile OUCH geez my Birds get roasted by the Leafs! Barrasso goes down with yet another hip injury (apparently his wife slapped him around in between periods) poor rusty Skudra comes out in the 2nd and gets lit up like a Christmas tree for 5 unanswered.....YUCK!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 5:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Cujo terrific, if he keeps playing like that you guys in T.O. may forget about Felix....Pens had a few chances but No Soup.

Beatts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 7:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Felix ?? Who's that.....Good old Kaspy goes down with a knee injury again....

: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 7:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello?

: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 7:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello?

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 7:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ended the playoffs Sunday with a double header... Looked huge in the first after the first five minutes (The refs let them have a goal with one of their players lying in the crease which of course put me off my game for the first five minutes due to the yelling i was doing.. Let in two more softies before I got my composure and started playing again) After those.... NO Soup for them win 11-3 to advance to the finals later that night...... Played very well and didn't need much D.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The second was a little different. The other team has a blue line full of ringers, But I was still on my game..... They finally figured out half way through the second that they were not gonna score from long slapshots on the ex catcher (Glove hand was huge). But they spent the entire game in our zone so I was perdy tired. We are holding them off into the third up by one with about 5 min left. Then my defensive whiz checks out for a blow.... My so called D in the game lets their best player charge in from left to right about 5 feet in front of the goal.... tie game. I pull the two defenders back and tell them to just ride those types and keep them from crossing in front of the goal and let me play an angle on them..... 34 seconds later same player, same defenseman, right to left un molested same result. Down by one... Then two quick penalties on us puts us down two skaters, but the glove comes to the rescue on numerous occasions.... Lose by one... For which I credit MCM for the awesome glove. Not to bad to finish my second season ever playing hockey with a record of 11-2-0 and a lifetime of 24 - 2 - 1 in league play

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 8:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
GOt my delivery from Scott while I was out of twon in Prescott Az. last week so I have yet to even see them.... Pick them up after work today ....... So Excited to break in the new pads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 8:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
town

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 8:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Good going 4q! Once again you're IRONMAN

Fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 11:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Not *IronMan* as my old bones have made me pay for the sunday night excursion by aching yesterday and today (and probably on into the week). But it was fun (except for the losing part). And the countdown is on until the Dom is in town to play the yotes. Jan 11th at 7:00 PM... For which I have tickets but will be traveling about 6hrs round trip from a job site to see the game, then Smott, I'll be giving away tickets to the Yotes/Pens game on the 13th (6 driving hours for yotes aames is enough in a week I don't need to make two trips). 19 days to the Dom....

Fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 11:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
So if the game is on the Duce Look for a Goalies Domain Sign right above the home goal.... HEHE

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 11:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Try to weasel some royalties out of ESPN. After all , the accounts, pictures and posts herein may not be retransmitted or rebroadcast without the expressed written consent of The Goalies Domain.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 12:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
COOL WE'LL BE ON THE DEUCE!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 1:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well my Bankrupt Birds host LA tonight. Boy they have been inconsistent lately, horrible vs Fla, good v Caps, then positively awful last night vs the Blue Heroes up in T.O. Barrasso injured again and Skudra swiss cheese as backup. Maybe JS Aubin will get called up we shall see.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 1:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here is a wierd one, last night versus Anaheim, Colorado pulled Patrick Roy for Craig Billington to give the Av's power play a rest. During the power play Colorado scored the game winning goal. Billington was in the game for 1:52, didn't face a shot, and got the win. What a way to earn your paycheck.

Tom: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 6:24PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Looks like new people since the last time I came here.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Dec 22, 9:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey smott... talked to my pal Hillsie. He has the flu something fierce. But he got called up to the bankrupt Burgh to back up Skudra. Was he on the bench vs the Kings?

Guardian: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello everyone. It's been a long time since I've posted anything, and there seem to be lots of unfamiliar (to me) handles here. Great stuff! New blood to rejuvenate the chat (although Smott, as always, spends a good deal of time reminding us just how _old_ she is . . . don't believe her guys, it's just a defense strategy she uses to discourage potential online suitors from showing up in real life on her newly acquired doorstep, flowers in hand. BTW, where's Toast?). Since moving to Iowa I haven't got to play a game, so the pads haven't been strapped on since June. I _did_ wear my equipment (everything but the skates) to teach a class once. It was an appropriate thing to do, given the subject matter (I won't go into that), but the questions from the students were a bit much, e.g "If you're a goalie, why do you have a stick?" These kids are in college, and they don't know?! Anyway, this is quite the ramble. Enjoyed Dominic Roussels's performance last night against AVs a great deal. If he didn't get the donut, he would have had to wait _another_ year for a win. I did _not_ enjoy Forsberg's play. Ususally I'm not a fan of spearing, but I think that Ruslan Salei gave Forsberg what he deserved. Merry Christmas everyone. I hope all your equipment dreams come true (OK, and your other ones too).

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Guardian long time my friend! Hope you're well though Iowa hardly sounds like a hockey hotbed! Hmm as for potential suitors, who's discouraging them??? THough they need to get along with my cat....of course at my age I believe I'm more likely to be killed by sniper fire than to get married, so....

: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Guardian -- I too have worn my gear to teach a class! I was one of several instructors for an advanced project management course. One of the sections that I had to present was on goal setting and achievement a la MBO (management by objectives). I titled the section "Goaltending" and did my best "Saturday Night Live" Edith Anne shtick: "What's all this talk about goals? The last thing I want is to allow goals..."

Grass: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
(In case it wasn't obvious by the rambling, 'twas Grass above...)

Grass: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ms. smott -- where I'm working these days, death by stray gunfire is a very real possibility. Got to love working in the murder capitol of the nation.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and what was with that ridiculous play Patty WAH made last night? The 360 spinorama-clear right onto the tape of the onrushing forward! Bing, game-winner. Soembody needs to tell that guy he isn't Gretzky.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
heh heh, hiya Grass, well I live in quiet old Pittsburgh so gunfire is kind of an event...

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp yes the Pens did call up Hillier last night. Barrasso day to day with the infamous hip strain....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 5:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and speaking of quiet, not a peep heard from Pens offense last night despite an all-Czeck and all-Russki line. LA blanks'em YUCK!!!

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 6:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all. ok,ok... I'm a believer... Prarie Dogs manhandled the Wings last night (no longer an uncommon event). BUT(T), have you ever seen a one handed goal like the one Shanny scored last night? Awesome! Mm-mmm good!

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 7:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I continue to take a wait & see attitude when it comes to the Yotes but gee they are looking solid. Missed Shanny's goal. Who was tending for Yotes?

J.T.: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 7:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass, we in DC no longer have the highest murder rate though. Seems our neighbours in Baltimore now have the honour.....that's what we get for getting rid of Hizzoner.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 7:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I always thought it was Richmond for homicides...?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 7:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...goodness what a cheery Yuletide Chat!

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For Hiller freidns/fans, this from Halifax Herald: Cole Harbour goalie Craig Hillier has been called to The Show. The NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins recalled Hillier after Tom Barrasso injured his hip in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hillier, a first-year pro who played last season with the OHL's Ottawa 67s, has a 3.43 goals-against average in 1,068 minutes with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. The Penguins drafted him 23rd overall in 1996 and signed him last May to a contract estimated to be worth 2.1 million US. In Pittsburgh, Hillier, 20, joins goalie Peter Skudra, who let in four goals on the first nine shots he faced in Monday's loss. Skudra played the final two periods of the game. He also played Tuesday night when the Los Angles Kings beat the Pens 3-0.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, it was Khabby applying his clarino etc. to 35 of Detroit's 37 shots. I'm not sure the Wings sans injuries and suspensions can beat those guys... the stars/moon must be out of alignment.

Fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes the Yotes (AKA Prarie Dogs) looked mighty fine in the Joe last night and Boolin was in goal and played well I might add. But If you saw the game you see that the D finally clamped down again. All the shots were from outside... Push them to the corners and the tender has to play a lot less area as we all know and preach to our D. And I finally had a look at the Yotes third jersey..... How horrible.... It has gecko's on the shoulders and a desert sunset lookin think..... Some Artsy fool came up with this one..... I don't think it will sell too well.

Fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Another thing about Arizona fans.... It seems that teppo has fewer all star votes than Palffy (SP) and Bure..... What the hell is that. Teppo gets no respect. And another goal last night. I think he will surpass last years goal output by year end (he needs two I think). Meanwhile I'm on nhl.com voting for the yotes three four times a day..... Write in Jimmy Waite for the north Americans!!!! But have to vote for the Dom for the Worlds

Fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I picked up my Battrams (Bold's with the roller plastic installed) last night... They look awesome.... Now comes the tough part... I need care insrtuctions and break in instructions please......

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm you love yer Dogs!!

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 8:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry no instructions on breaking in roller stuff...??

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 9:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
as for instructions theses are the Ice Pads..... So anything will help

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 9:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
4QTS, you can check out scott's page for break in and care instructions for your new pads. His pads are somewhat STIFF at first so don't let that scare you. They break in after you've worked them over as well as played in them. I've really flexed the knee on my pair over and over again to get them to the point that I like. The foam is really tight and dense when new but it does soften up. Enjoy the new pads!!

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 10:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks for the Halifax Herald article on Hills. I dunno why I get the hunch that it was my Goalies Domain X-mas present. Probably because I'm a freak. Thanks again

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 10:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
4Q, as for breaking in the pads, there is always the ah bondage technique, that is, lengths of rope tied around the pad. First flex the pads as far as you can, both in the knee and the toe, then wrap that rope around them and cinch up as tight, maintaining the bend in knee/toe. Store them this way any time you're not wearing them. It works...

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 11:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bondage? perk I usually just kneel on the floor and watch TV in my pads for an hour or so, so I can see exactly where my knees indent the pads. Then I stand em on the floor and flex em a few times. Then push em down as far as they'll go and tie em up. I wouldn't go with the Irbe method and have the team bus run em over, though... Crazy goalies.

Beatts: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 12:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Whats with Skudra pads ?? They have to win the ugliest goalie pad contest...same as his glove bleecchh..

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 12:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I dunno, Beatts. I think Skudra has some competition from his own teammate "Tommy B. man of action" Those pads are bad. And lest we forget Archie Irbe!

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 12:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Don't forget about the picnic blanket pads!

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 12:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm with Sieve.... Kidd's pads are just horrid..... Worse than those hand made things from Barr and Irbe

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 23, 1:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
WHOA boys I LIKE that Skudra glove!! In fat I have the same one, blocker too!! Heh heh what's all thks hostility towards large white beached-whale pads?....

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 5:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ho hum another shutout for Dom....8-1-1 in December, that seems to be his month, just like last year! Can anybody challenge the guy for Vezina??

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 5:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And speaking of yawns, 3 more shutouts last night in the NHL....good thing they changed the rules to increase scoring....

Beatts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Dom didn't deserve that shutout, That goal that was called back by Wendel Clark was bogus...I don't think he even had his pinky toe in the crease, but alas he gets the goos-egg....ooo I hate him...

Beatts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry freakin christmas....hehehe

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh yes merry merry.....arwe you working xmas eve like me?.....atleast there's food everywhere....

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Didn't see Wendel's call-back goal....I guess Dom is lucky as well as good...hard to beat!

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas all..... And just as we are speaking well about the Prarie doggs the blow a game to the horrible Hawks.... Go figure. And Waite was shakey..... 4 goals on 9 shots in the second..... whoa.... Did they leave all their defensemen in Detroit to help out the preds?????

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah well your Prairie Pups are bound to have an off-game now & then, probably thinking about what they'll find under the tree! My flightless Birds have stunk up the joint lately, scoring twice in the 3 losses they've had in the last 4 games, ick. Barrasso clobbered by his wide again, out a week, RObbie Brown out 2 months broken ankle, and now Morozov out indefinitiely with 2nd concussion in 5 weeks. Your Dogs are not so bad! Last time I checked they weren't bankrupt either heh heh heh.....

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I know Dom is maybe not that popular but I checked stats today and he is leading in every category, GAA, wins (18) SO (6) SA% (um .945 geez). Can we all say DOMINATOR? If only he looked like he wasn't making all those saves by accident!

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 8:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas chat peoples. Hope you all get sub-2 GAA's under the tree.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 8:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh Sieve in related news, I'll be asking for a 6 x 4 piece of plywood! :-D

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 8:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I was thinking plexiglass myself

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 8:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I was thinking plexiglass myself

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 8:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry DP

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 9:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas all... may under your tree's be filled with the gear you had on Santa's list...

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 9:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Got my pads, Got a helmet, just need to get my jersey in the mail..... Oh and the Plexiglass is being cut..... Dominator Shominator, me and the plastic are headed to the NHL..... Even though I'm only three inches tall. You know what they say about goalies with big feet.... Oui, Oui we do...

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 10:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey there everyone... Merry Christmas, happy Hannukah, Kwanzaa. Peace on Earth goodwill to all men... even slow-witted defensemen who mess you up as often as they help ya.

wolfman: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 12:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas to all :)

wolfman: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 12:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas to all :)

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 1:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry X-mas all. What s this talk about bondage? I thought I was on the wrong chat for a second. In defense of the KIDDer, those are hurricane warning flags on his pads, kind of a team thing I guess. How about ROO? Ya have to admit he was in the zone the other night, kind of neat to watch from a goalies point of view cause you know what it's like to be there and what he's probablly thinking to boot

Toast: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 3:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Happy Holidays!! Should be back online from home by Sunday...looking forward to rejoining as a regular...

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 6:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey I'm hiding out from my relatives, and I saw SFSL has the '99 Brians pads if anyone wants to take a peek. Ahh well, merry Christmas everyone!

Grass: . . . . Thu, Dec 24, 7:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas all!

TheCat37: . . . . Fri, Dec 25, 12:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
merry Xmas everyone. are there any other goalie chat boards like this one? thanks

Guardian: . . . . Fri, Dec 25, 7:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Happy Festivus for the rest of us, and a happy Christmas to you and yours. Cat37, as far as I know, there are _no_ other goalie chat boards like this one. I mean, there are other goalie chat boards, but none with the same collection of great people _and_ great goalies (who are patient with those of us, like myself, who aren't great goalies).

TheCat37: . . . . Fri, Dec 25, 11:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
yea the people here are cool. i like smott and trip and carpdepuck. do you guys frequent any other internet boards? i learn alot here. i'm still young and trying to learn

fourqts: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 0:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Took a quick look at the brians on SFSL and noted that they loog an awful lot like scotts pads at about double the price.... I had to wait a while (14weeks) but they appear to be quality pieces.... Open Hockey tomorrow and then we'll see if they are really five holeless

fourqts: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 0:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
look

Scoop: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 2:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all..... long time no post.... hope to see ya soon Toast... well the Battram pads are doing OK, not great... I have played about 50 hrs in them and they are still very stiff... on the plus side, they were comforatable after the first couple of wearings... they are short on the top thigh area, something that is probably my fault when I did the measuring etc.....they are very well built, although I have had to have a repair made when a "thread" unraveled...maybe took a skate blade, don't really know.... I guess my overall opinion with the experiance is I am very happy with the customer service and will be satisfied with the product if they will ever break in. I know this will probably double post so please excuse it

Scoop: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 2:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all..... long time no post.... hope to see ya soon Toast... well the Battram pads are doing OK, not great... I have played about 50 hrs in them and they are still very stiff... on the plus side, they were comforatable after the first couple of wearings... they are short on the top thigh area, something that is probably my fault when I did the measuring etc.....they are very well built, although I have had to have a repair made when a "thread" unraveled...maybe took a skate blade, don't really know.... I guess my overall opinion with the experiance is I am very happy with the customer service and will be satisfied with the product if they will ever break in. I know this will probably double post so please excuse it

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 6:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Happy Day after Xmas dear Chatsters....hope the tree yielded all that you wished for!....

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I fear I gave in to temptation and went running Thur & Fri, now my ankle is a tiny bit sore again. So, hmmm. Perhaps another couple days rest. But what to do???

Guardian: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scoop, I'd say I have the exact same feeling. I've played about the same amount (50hrs) in my Battrams, before moving to the wilds of Iowa and having a hockey hiatus. My pads aren't broken in well either, but they are starting to get there. It's strange, seems like some people's have softened up faster, while ours have a longer break-in time. I wonder if that has to do with style of play, or what? I didn't really do anything to the pads to speed the process, like flexing, etc. "I just found that I only have five years left to live, so I'm moving to Iowa, where it will feel like fifty."

Guardian: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Good morning Smott!

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 6:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OOps sorry I missed you Guardian....hmm well after playing in my scruffy Louisvilles for awhile now I must say that I like pads to be softer/more flexible rather than stiffer. The harder they are the more torque they seem to place on my knees in the fly....at this rate I may only buy used pads in the future, to make sure they are already broken in......

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm I'm off to watch my Birds host Ottawa tonight....they've had some snoozers against the Sens last year....Rob Brown out 2 months w/broken ankle, Morozov out w/another concussion...Barnes should go back up to 1st-2nd line....

smott: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...in related news, maybe the Pens will score a goal tonight....

Toast: . . . . Sat, Dec 26, 8:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
NEWS FLASH...I am online!!! Happy New Year.

smott: . . . . Sun, Dec 27, 9:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...actually Pens score 2, enough for an OT win on a whopping um 17 shots. Sens put everybody but Skudra to sleep. 13-1 shots in the 3rd, ick. But Jagr buries his only shot of the game past poor Tugnutt, just waking up from his 3rd period nap....

Heidt: . . . . Sun, Dec 27, 1:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anybody got a helmet painted by Todd Miska?

Tripp: . . . . Sun, Dec 27, 7:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I've had 2 masks painted by Miska. They're both awesome. If you have the coin, Todd won't disappoint you. Quick turnaround, too. Under 3 weeks start to finish.

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 7:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Played Open Hockey Sat and Sun in Batt pads.... And I agree with the other posts that they are stiff to begin with.... I just cannot close the five hole right now (rather than flexing the pads just prop me up.....) I'm getting a huge workout playing though.... By the time they break in I'll have richter legs.... Bt the best thing in the world for us roller players are those little scrape pads..... For the first time I can mimic an NHLer and slide across the crease.... It is fraekin the shooters out bigtime.... Had like five post to post saves last night and the guys were just awestruck.... They do not expect you to move when you go down.... Props to scott for that little bit of inventiveness.

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 7:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the quality.... Again I cannot say enough... I looked at all the big brands and was deciding between reactor fives and louisville butterflies when the chat swung me toward scott's stuff... I've seen no better stiching and overall appearance than my pads..... As i noted before I had to wait quite a while but I think after I get a season uer my belt and they break in (and I'll be constantly flexing them ad watching TV with them on and in the fly till i can regularly close the fiver) they will be a great investment.... Also found out a neat little trick over the weekend.... For all those annoying scoff marks on my blocker and in my glove, Just rub on some shoe polish and everything is back to looking new... As my equipment is mostly black finding the polish was easy, now with the white on my pads had to pick up some white polish for that first scuff that will eventually come.....

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 7:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
under

Sieve: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 9:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi all. personally, I like all the scuffs... the more the merrier. Wings on a 5gm lose streak. Longest since '90. Maybe scotty is starting to wish he hadnt come back for one more go round. Naaaaaaaa

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 9:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Maybe I was right in calling the tender OzBad...

gbfreeman: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 12:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Okay, here goes. With all the tv shows and major publications having their best of the year shows, how about a goalie's domain "best of". Would it be Dom's performance in Nagano, The U.S. womens performance in the Olympics (or the performance of all of the women), Vladymir (sp?) Konstantinov's appearance on the ice after the Wings repeated (complete with Washingtons truly classy response to him), or would it be something else?

gbfreeman: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 12:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
On another subject, with the lack of NBA games (YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!) it would seem that the NHL would go gangbusters to get games on every night of the week. However, it seems most nights that there is a good game happening, ESPN or ESPN2 is showing figure skating (taped), billiards, or fishing. I have heard the arguments that it dilutes the walkup gate for NHL games, but that argument doesn't hold water with the creation of "NHL Open Ice" on satellite. If you go with the argument that showing more games impacts the number of people who subscribe to DSS, USSB, et al, you may be able to back up the argument with hard numbers. The NHL and NHLPA have made great strides to appeal to inner city and lower income families and kids with their programs to provide equipment and camps to schools and communities. That said, most of the people they are reaching out to can't afford a satellite dish or even tickets to games. The average price for an NHL game is slightly above $40 per ticket. The nuclear family will spend approx $160 dollars for tickets alone. Add parking, food, a program, and a trinket from the game and you are well above $200 dollars. I don't really remember where I was going with this rant. I think it has to do with saving the game we follow with such passion.

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 1:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Best Of is easily Dom Vs. Canada in the shootout. The only problem with it was we would have had to stay up till like 2:30 to catch the game live and then the replay was just excerpts...... Boo to the TV coverage... Best Free agent signing has two contenders.... Joseph to the Leafs for the huge dollars and the team gaining confidence in their tender and playing very well. Second would have to be Lumme to the Yotes putting the Yotes D among the best in the League.....(Maybe I'm partial)... Bigest disapointment of the hockey year has to be the lack of huge television presence in the absence of the NBA..... They shold be all over the place, You have Buffalo Vs. New Jersey tonight that could go against a football game that has no playoff implications...... Give us a choice please. With a close second being the All star voting with Bure playing no games and Palffy (sp) with a whole week under his belt having more votes than Teppo Numminen (sp)... Disappointments.

Tripp: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 5:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have to say Dom's performance rates right up there. Bure scoring 5 goals in one Olympic game was cool, but he's disqualified for being a holdout. Olie gets honorable mention for beating Dom and taking a so-so Caps team to the finals on his back

Tripp: . . . . Mon, Dec 28, 10:38PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Should we put smott's picture on the back of a milk carton? This is the first time in a long time that there hasn't been a smott thought. HHmmmmm

Goal35: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 6:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Went to the Badger Showdown finals yesterday where my lifeless Badgers dropped a 3-2 sleeper in OT to Cornell after losing the 1st game Sun to 2-6-3 Yale... the Yale/Bowling Green game was pretty fun to watch... end to end, lots of hitting.... 1st time in 10 yrs of tourn that Badgers finish 4th....

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
GO BIG RED!!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh sorry G35 but you're talkin' to an Alum a former Lady Red myself.....smottsie here back from the milk carton.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm as for Best Of...I would certainly put Dom's donut in the shootout as right up there, especially the upside-down behind-the-back stonage of His Ericness. Don't try this at home Chatsters but of course we all do!

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hiya ms. smott!

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...were it that I had Sir Dom's ability to 'sense' the puck and stop it with the back of my elbow...

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...reminds me of something that Yoda teaches... ...use the force chatsters!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As much as I pull for women's hockey, can't really rate the women's victory as an all-time great, in a tourney where there are only 2 teams of consequence....however, they had been chasing the Canadian women for like 6 years and I think never beaten them in a final, so it was a major boost for them. As for being exemplary athletes and wokring hard playing as a team however they all deserve medals for giving the US something to be proud of, in the face of the US men's team drunken sour grapes room-trashing....

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
GRASS!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Merry Christmas Sir G! Hope you're not at work but I suspect you are...I confess I'm still in jammies w/coffee (and a cookie!) reading the NY Times and POst online....daily fix as it were.

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
(I'm thinking that ms. smott does not buy into the old "boys will be boys" axiom...)

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Guilty as charged! But, I plan to leave REAL SOON as it is an important day at Stately Grass Manor. It is not every day does one of my favorite girl friends turn five!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah missed him...hmmm and thanks Tripp for mentioning Ollie's playoff surge...something that is still somewhat missing from Dom's game at Cup-time it seems, though not much, plus he spoils us with amazing regular season performance (like how about now??) and gets our expectations way up. However, I really do believe Buff is the one to beat this year at least in the East. Also Godzilla has been average (too busy counting tha 12 mil maybe) while Dom continues in his everyday awesomeness....

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Did you get my mail with the Santa funny in it? (Still not sure of the new e-mail connections.)

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
....heh heh yes unfortunately US boys being boys left a bad taste in all our mouths!(Especially given the graciousness of our Japanese hosts...) I prefer grown-up men. So far nobody on the US Olympic squad has stepped forward.....

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...Yes your mail was hilarious!! Almost posted it here just for a lark. Chatsters, Grass has proposed that Santa CLaus is really a she, for a number of reasons, including that such a warm/fuzzy well-organized holiday couldn't possibly be run by a guy....

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I also think Ollie has been just average (oh, to be so average!) But he certainly hasn't had much help in front...

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...not to mention that no self respecting guy wears anything close to that much red (with or without fur trim!)

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for helping the NHL...well hmmm I confess I'm somewhat pessimistic, a la Toast, I think 2-6 teams may go bankrupt in the next year or two....one reason teh NHL has backed away from teh Pens, they do not want to set an example taking over a bankrupt team, then have everybody declare.

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For those of you interested in the team that puts up with Grass: button is our webspace.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...really Brass? Thought all guys like to wear red velvet and tall boots.... ;-D

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ooops, that was Grass....not Brass!

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
and for the adventuresome, there is a pic of grass in the net that can be found with a bit of exploring...

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have been call Brass before, but it has never been good...

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...as for NHL on TV, I do find it hard to believe that Billiards and figure skating bring higher ratings/ad dollars than hockey. But the fact is the TV money is not there, especially in smaller markets (don't we know it here in Pgh!). Ticket revenues certainly aren't going to do it, too many teams have low attendence, because after all who can afford 70 bucks a ticket? So, the money just ain't there for the smaller market teams, period. And nobody seems to have figured otu a way to market the sport that well....unfortunately I think better TV coverage is one of the ways to do it....but that takes more investement from the networks, which I doubt will happen.

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ms. smott -- have a wonderful new years (if we don't chat before). I think it is time for this one to go an spend some quality time with Al on her b-day...

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I should mention that my latest trip to see the Pens our seats cost a mere 20 bucks! HOwever we couldn't see the scoreboard, and those darn oxygen masks made it hard to have any conversation!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
....HAPPY BIRTHDAY to little Allison, our fave Grass-ette!

Grass: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I'll pass on your well wishes!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
SEE ya!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...also re the NHL/TV, I am coninually annoyed at the down-play it gets on ESPN...we get baseball stories (in December!) basketball stories (ah they're on strike) etc etc before finally a tiny smidgen of ice-highlights. Then often we see a clip of a fight. I'm sure if they searched the tape archives they could come up with a goal or two. Or a nice save. But nope, we get the meatheads.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for ice, I have been off it for 2 weeks now! No games 'til Jan 9 and boy am I going to suck unless I get some pickup/shinny time between now & then....ankle still kind of sore and wondering if I can fit the tape job & brace inside my boot. We shall see.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Injuries so annoying. With all this time off and no hockey I should be running probably twice/day. What am I doing? Net surfing and eating cookies. Two weeks of this and I'll be waddling to the rink when leagues start up again....

Vile: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
On the topic of tickets, my season tickets are on $17 a piece, $22.50 regularly. They are about half way up the second level in the corner. Last night, tho, I had won some tickets in a company fundraiser in the $95 section, that being 3/4 of the way up at the blue line. All in all, the seats were not so much better that I would pay so much more than my regular seats.

Vile: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for more expoure for Hockey... maybe they should continue the Mighty Ducks Movie franchise :)

deke: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'd have to agree that t.v. is the key. Living in a non-NHL city my only access to the league is through the tube. The closest markets are Calgary and Vancouver, both too far to drive more than a couple times a year. On occasional trips back to N.Y. I'll pay what I have to to get into the Garden, but of course that's easier to justify once every couple of years.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott still looking to be rid of a pair of yotes pens tickets for the 13th if you plan a vacation quick.... Mid Level second row..... Not to bad seats to see the pans get Whacked (That is if the Yotes find their form again). Destruction of the Red wings then losses to Chicago and LA???? I guess consistency is not in the yotes vocab.....

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And yes TV is the key..... I'd never payed attention or played hockey until last pre season NHL.... Went to a few yotes games in a week and was hooked on the speed and electricity of the game...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Now my hockey expenditures have been about $4500 in buying equipment and league fees and NHL games and merchandise... Add to that all the Beers I consume before, during, and after Yotes games and you have quite a pretty penny that hockey related companies have coaxed out of my pocket....

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
It is also nice the way teams are offering partial season tickets..... I'm not in town enough to go to all 40ish home games so I buy "Ice Packs"... 11 game ticket packs for my wife and myself..... Also allows me to get playoff tickets before the single seat buyers get them.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But I, as well, am disgusted with coverage of billards and figure skating with the NHL in full swing and NFL game meaning nothing (And was boring while I watched between yotes periods). I think someone somewhere just wants to keep hockey a big secret..... SSSSHHHHHHH!!!! Don't tell anyone....

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Smott, you think ESPN plays down NHL coverage? Try watching the local news here in San Diego. They can't even spell hockey. We have the 3 time Taylor Cup champion San Diego Gulls (West Coast Hockey League) here and they don't get any coverage either. I've tried everything, talking to the owner of the local cable access channel about covering road games, talking to the owner of the Gulls (Ron Hahn, a great guy), and petitions, but no dice. The local sports idiot Ted Leitner only shows hockey when there is a fight. The he has some smartassed comment about it. He gave NO coverage to the Olympic hockey (men or women) until the U.S. men (boys) decided to redecorate and then that was all he could talk about. Also, Chris Chelios did step forward as captain of the team and pay for damages to the dorm rooms since he knew that the prima donnas on his team didn't have the balls to step forward and clear the rest of the teams name.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 8:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Fourqts, how do you like that seamless glass. Ask Jeremy Roenick (if he's come out of the funk yet). Got to be real fun getting checked into a brick wall

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I like the look of the seamless glass from a fans standpoint. But I thing both JR and Bodger are not big fans of the seamless glass after last night.....

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The local WCHL team has the regular glass and it is distracting if you spend the bucks on good seats....

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Getting back to the Yotes game last night.... Has everyone seem the Dallas Drake boarding of Bodger replay? MAN! Dally nailed him..... I bet he went into the locker room laughing to JR saying..... "I got him for you JR".... Dally knocked him into next week then pounded Robitille (SP) with a couple of good rights.....

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts, I don't know about drakes hit. It really looked like a REALLY CHEAP shot. Kinda reminicent of the Lemieux/Draper incident. I may be missing something what with the announcers constantly stating during the replay of the Roenick hit that is was his ankle that was injured (when even the greenest hockey spectator saw J. R. 's head hit the glass), but the roenick hit appeared to be relatively clean (in the flow of play). To quickly change the subject, have you played with either the Rough Rider puck or the ProPuck? Most people here are playing with the Jofa pucks and they let the runners wear down to nothing. If I see another bouncing, rolling puck heading my way I may scream. Both Rough Rider and ProPuck claim that their pucks run flatter, but I haven't had the chance to see either in action.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Nor I, THe league uses IDS pucks where you can change the runers.... If the shoot one in that is bad, I'll put it in the net and tell them to get a good one.... Like a pitcher with a bad ball sort of..... If you want to shoot at me use a normal puck in good condition or go shoot at an empty net.... Maybe I'm a jerk at times.... But one that is taken care of flies truer and prepares me better i think... As for the Dally hit... I never claimed it was clean. but in the replay the guy looked back over both shoulders before heading for the puck.... So I think he knew dally was there, but i think misjudged dally's rate of closure.... or forgot that dally, even though he is relatively small, loves to throw the body.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the comparison to the draper incident, I'm guessing that you aare saying mario???? I'm very new to the whole hockey thing so if it is a historical thing, I wouldn't have a clue as to what you are thinking. The hit on JR I think was clean.... The Dally hit deserved the major and the game which he got.... I don't think he will be suspended because th estick was down and it did not involve removing the legs... my opinions

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 10:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts, sorry about the assumption on the lemieux/draper hit. Claude Lemieux cross checked Chris Draper from behind a couple of years ago. It was by the players bench and Draper got his face smashed against the top of the boards and major damage was done to his face (cuts, broken bones). It was what started the Red Wings/Avalanche rivalry that has seen TWO fights that escalated to the point that the goalies were fighting. Roy lost to Vernon in the first one, and , if I recall correctly, fought Osgood to a draw. Drakes hit was dangerous, what with the head being driven into the boards and all. I think that will be the deciding factor in a suspension, not where his stick was. Colin Campbell has been hard on people going to peoples heads (Matt Johnson of the Kings, Rob Ray). That is, of course, unless your last name is Lindros.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 10:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I've noticed campbell is out to get people who play footsie.... Sweeping... And If it is decided dally did drive the head into the boards... suspend him... agreed... It may hurt my team in the short run but if something is not done to protect some noggins I think the talent in the league will thin.. ALA Ducks and rangers last year... You'd think they could design a better helmet to help out a little.

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 10:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi gang, oh Gbf, very gracious giving Ozz the draw. I think Patty edged him though. Ozzie got the 2 for takedown at the end. Saw replay of Drake hit. Good call Gbf, cheap. But not as bad as the Coward Lemeix's, BUT(T) had Drapes' face not landed just so it would have been the same as any other cheap shot in the back, not a multi day hospital stay. What I'm trying to say is any cheap shot CAN be that ugly. Just the (un)luck of the draw. Whew, sorry...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 10:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyhow During the ensuing fights after the Drake hit, Storr and Boolin were flinging the puck back and forth.... You think this is because they were bored or the simple fact that tenders don't like the puck in their zone..... EVER! Was kind of funny to watch them flip it back and forth like..... Ho-Hum lets get the game going again....

Goal35: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smottsie... i told that sad tale for your benefit, knowing you be an alum.. :)

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 11:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts, they have done extensive studies on the use of better helmets and the use of a mouth piece to reduce head injuries. That said, the NHLPA will NOT allow the NHL to mandate helmet specs. Oh the power of Gretzky! Tony Granato had a life threatening head injury a couple of years ago and now wears a helmet with a huge amount of padding. Pat LaFontaine and Brett Lindros were forced into retirement because of head injuries. That kid in the Islanders organization lost an eye when a skate cut it. You would think intelligent beings would look at these incidents and say that better helmets and face shields should be mandatory. Some will change such as Paul Kariya who now wears a better helmet and a mouth piece. It may take the retirement of Dale Hunter, Wayne Gretzky, Esa Tikkanen, and Marty McSorley to finally get the really inferior helmets out of the Pro game. One thing that really worries me is that kids see these guys wearing these flimsy, often modified (by removing the padding) helmets and wear them to be like their idols at personal risk. Wow, a goalie caring about the safety of one of the unwashed masses who decide to skate out.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 11:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts, if you ever get a wild hair to see the Mustangs play the Gulls here in San Dog give me a buzz. We could see about seats behind the net about 2 rows from the ice. Spectacular view.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 11:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
GB.... I was gonna roadie to SD if I had a job in Yuma again this year as I did last year.... But as it sits right now.... that is a no go for me at the present... But If I do plan a trip there I'll let you know GB..... Mustangs Tickets are easy to get and cheap..... So If you are headed to PHX let me know as well.... And If I have or can get Yotes tickets I could do that as well.... But with no NBA it is getting harder to walk up and walk in. Last year I did that alot... but this year they are selling it out regularly..... I do get to go see the rangers and Richter on Wed. night though.... then when I'm in Lake Havasu City over the following two weeks, I have Panthers Tickets on the 5th, the Sabres on the 11th, and the Pens on the 13th. just gonna roadie back once just to see the DOM. but will leave the distribution of the other games to the boss that lets me buy equipment. That is unless Smott decides to roadie to watch her Pens and play a little pickup.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 11:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of DOM, not so dominating last night. 4 goals on the first 6 shots against NJ. Pulled in the second period. If I don't find a pickup game soon I'm going to burst and the wife will probably leave me. You realize you don't have a life outside of hockey when you can't play. Going from 5-8 games a week to none for 2 weeks is killing me. I am actually thinking of buying ice skates today and going to the ice arena near my house that has a 10:30 PM pickup game. Weighing the joy of playing against the agony of being dead on my feet tomorrow. Found out that the league one up from mine is having makeup games tomorrow and am thinking of showing up hoping that one of the goalies doesn't show.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 12:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Between leagues for me and there is pickup every night.... Good for breakin in the new Pads... Bad for the Wife thing... As I'm out of town the next two weeks, she wants me around, whereas I want to get in some hockey.... Tonight and tomorrow she gets her way. Dinner with the fam and the rangers tomorrow. DOH... GOnna have to play on NY eve If i can get away with it.... Probably not. But with mom and sis and wife going shopping Friday I may be able to slip away. As for heading to Ice... I may just give it a go in the summer as to escape playing in the heat.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 12:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Holy chat, Batman! I had to scroll back about 70 messages just to get to my last post. That's kinda funny about Storr and Boolin flpping the puck at each other during the stoppage. I did that once just to tick the other goalie off. We shot it back at forth about 5 times... and then he charged down and proceeded to beat the crap outta me. Aahh memories

Beatts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 12:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ol' Beatts here has to vent, so bear with me....I bought a Koho 400 Goalie stick two weeks ago from Canadian Tire (Something like ACE any hardware store you would find in the states) Anyways, I use it three times and the thing breaks....It broke as I was clapping the stick as we scored, NOT HARD either. I don't use that stick during warmups so it never seen any hard slapshots. Not really thinking I threw it over the boards and went to my backup. BTW it broke right where I hold on to it, basically in the middle of the stick. So I went and bought the exact same brand yesterday. (I love the curve so I thought what the hell.) anyways, I skate onto the ice take warmup (with my old backup stick) and when the game starts the puck is dumped into my end. I go and shoot it and the $%#^ thing breaks halfway up the shaft. Ohhh I'm pissed. NOW, to make a long story short, I take it back first thing this morning and am prompty told "Sorry, we don't honour broken sticks" So I said " Here's the receipt, I just bought it yesterday !" ..."Sorry, We don't..." ya ya ya , I'm F-ing peaking by this point. I pay 60 dollars for this stick which had absolutely no marks on it and they say sorry ?? I don't think so. I then do my best raving lunatic impersonation causing a big scene and they give me a Phone number for Koho....What would you do in this case ??? I told them it was the store's responsibility and if they didn't do something, my brand new broken stick would be through their front window. (Then I told them they would have to call the window manufacturer...because it was THEIR problem not mine.) The same logic they were giving me. So, to make a long story short, the manager comes out, I tell him my story, he phones Koho, They are now sending me Two new Sticks....That's all I wanted in the first place, but, some snot-nosed kid thinks that I would just accept the fact that it broke and walk out with my tail between my legs...ARRGGHH !! Merry $%^%ing Christmas. hehe Whew !! I feel better now...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 1:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That is cool that you can go to the local Ace hardware and get a stick...... Here in Az. I have to drive across town to get the sticks I like (or order them from Canada). Even The Coyotes Training facility does not carry the Dom stick even though they love Bauer there.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:01PM PST (-0700 GMT)
YIKES!!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I left a nice quiet Chat this morning and look what happened!!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
How nice to see so many Chatsters in rare form!....Beatts I know where that's at with the sticks....I gave up on Vic and have ever since had Koho Roys....

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...hmmm I have to assume your Koho 400 is a different model, my Roys are very tough, even though I have been known to whack them across goalposts etc....

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
G35 heh heh thanks for the Big Red mention....did they win the tourney? Oh goodness the memories....4 years of watching Brian Hayward was an education.

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and yah as soon as we fawn over Dom he sieves out huh? Oh well happens to the best of'em....and 4q don't worry about your Prairie Pups, just having a natural downswing for a couple games. They maybe played a tad over their head to begin with....but they are contenders, maybe even #2 seed....

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
My Birds meanwhile SUCK EGGS! Their PP non-existent, just like their O, depsite the likes of Kovalev, Jagr, Titov etc...also teh D has been suspect. And of course, Barrasso injured again. ICK!!!

smott: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...an dlet me issue a collective apology to anybody who happened upon the Steelers polluting network TV yesterday. If any hockey'd been on I'd a watched it!

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:12PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Want fun? Try getting a quality stick in San Diego on short notice. It is hit and miss if I can get the stick I am looking for. At 6'4" in bare feet and near 6'7" in skates most sticks just don't feel right. I have used Christian, Branches, Koho, and now Heaton in the last year. I really liked the Branches stick because of the feel for the puck and the durability, but no one seems to carry any except for youth. AAAARRRRGGGGHHH. Man has this chat been active today.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Don't make us come out of our crease or you get a load dumped on you!!!!!

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, luckily Fox Sports West was showing the Kings/Coyote game last night at the same time as the N(o) F(un) L(eague) game was on. Tonight ESPN2 is showing Flyers/Flames at 9 pm eastern. Show times like that make me glad to be in the Pacific time zone. I remember watching Blackhawk games when I was a kid in Indiana that would end after 12 midnight.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 2:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just got the skinny on JR and Tk-choke.... Tk-choke broken rib out for three weeks... JR mild concussion out for at least a week. No word on a Drake Suspension.

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 5:01PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Whew. The chat blitzkreig seems to be over. Lots of interesting stuff to read. That hooked on phonics is paying off!!!

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 6:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow, talk about moving fast! The Blackhawks traded Andre Trefilov to Calgary for future considerations today. Guess who's starting the Flames/Flyers game tonight? Trefilov. He actually looks pretty good. The Hawks also traded Paul Coffey to Carolina for Nelson Emerson. Whew. Also, fourqts, the league suspended Drake for 4 games today. Sitting here watching the game on ESPN2 and Trefilov looks spectacular. With the Blackhawks luck, he will turn into another Dominator (ex hawk).

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 6:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmmm. That means the Yotes lost their #1 line last night. Tkachuk broke a rib, Roenick got a concussion, and Drake got the gate. Guess we get to see how good the Coyotes really are. Maybe now is when the doubters get to eat crow. Also, if the Yotes make it throught this in good shape, the boost to their confidence will be huge. Just what could you do to this team if it overcomes this newest hurdle?

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 6:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Drake will miss games against the Rangers, Stars, Panthers, and Oilers. Hextall is flopping all over the ice and Theo Fleury just beat him 5 hole bad, angle, Hexxy slow to get to the post. OOOOH he looked bad.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 6:54PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Atlanta Thrashers got a goalie coach without having any goalies today. The hired Andy Moog. Really happy to see a guy I always saw as a class act get back into the league in some capacity. Anybody notice how nobody is talking about Felix Potvin anymore? It almost looks like the Maple Leafs were hoping that he would leave to get the press off of their backs.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 7:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Islander recalled Marcel Cousineau and he started the game tonight versus Tampa Bay. Seemed like a good idea as bad as the Lightning are. Oooops, Ranford gets the shutout win, Cousineau gets the loss stopping 14 of 17 shots. Ouch!

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
yep the entire first line is out for some time.... Get to see if Briere can step it up and be a first line center. Or do they just bump the lines up one and add a cummins debrusk and probably latowski line as fourth..... I think they will do OK with a solid defensive game they can not get destroyed..... Also the added Ice time will help the Briere , Doan, Isbister line as will the necessity of scoring.... We'll see first hand as I'm going tomorrow.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Dec 29, 9:51PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Okay, apparently my words here jinx goaltenders. No sooner do I extol the virtues of Trefilov's play than he lets in a goal from center ice. Hmmm. Maybe he isn't going to be the next Dominator and is shooting to be the next Osgood? Well back to that jinx thing. I personally think that all the goaltenders that I will play in the playoffs starting next week are fantastic and play the best I've ever seen.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 5:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tref looked super in first half. but yuck, i think that long goal might have even been a tad behind half court. also a blue line wrister to end it. Welcome to the Ozz Club for Men...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
At least give Ozzie credit, he bounced back to play well after those long goals, guy does have two Cup rings...albeit one as a backup. But how about maybe the hottest goalie on the planet right now - Roberto Luongo. This guy has the potential to be one of the best ever - period. Big, fast and technically sound...

: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
BTW, I saw the hit by Drake finally. Cheap, cheap, cheap...4 games is too light in my humble opinion. Drove the guy from behind - that is plain dangerous. Nice to see Collie is tougher than Burke, however ya gotta start dinging these guys with 15 - 20 games to make them wake up.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Good Morning Chatsters and my what a busy talkative day it was yesterday! I did manage to see about half of the Flyers-Flames....now does Trefilov do the splits so much because he gets himself out of position, or just because he thinks it looks cool? Anyway I like to watch the athletic goalies as much as the next girl, but honestly. Never saw a guy make the routine look like more of an adventure. Did not catch the end of the game but I see he put in his entries for the Ozzie Award to lose the game. Gee can't anybody help out my Pens? Hexy looked awful too. How much do they pay these guys?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...should be interesting to watch the Puppies minus their first line. I think they'll be OK. Terribly dangerous hit by Drake BTW.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile Mario Lemieux is rumored to be trying to buy part of the Pens, likely with current co-owner Howard Baldwin. Though where they'll find the folks willing to burn 100+ million or so is hard to say. Mario as always remains silent to the Press.

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
no, sorry smottsie that was for 3rd place after losing a 3-2 OT game to Bowling Green the night before.... and my hapless Bucky takes 4th in it's own tourny.... gawd...

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
....and before I leave, my first House Disaster last night Chatsters! Getting ready to install new kitchen counter, slide the dishwasher around a bit, not knowing how old/corroded and poorly sodered the ancient pipes are underneath, when boom you guessed it WATER FLYING EVERYWHERE!! Fortunately we swam to safety and I got the shutoff valve closed in a couple of seconds. But as it turns out a couple of seconds of free-flowing water is a LOT OF WATER! So a late night call to the plumber was in order. Like I'm really rolling in money for this stuff. Yuck.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey G35! Ah well the Red can't win every game....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I still miss the college games....with only 25-30 games a year to play, the guys were unbelievably charged up. So much instensity makes up for lack of NHL-skill in college games....A mere 5,000 or so in old Lynah Rink but geez we could make some noise!

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
question.... got my new issue of inside hockey yesterday with a pic of Kidd in his Italian restaurant gear on the front cover, noticed his Brian's pads had puck-foils on them, I thought those were illegal?

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ahhh, the joys of home ownership.... got one myself, my newer (6yr) old home has defective siding on it.... yee ha part of a multi million lawsuit with Lousiana Pacific

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Whada ya mean smott... the BADGERS are red.... :)

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yah well Badgers may be red but there's only one RED heh heh heh....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 6:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and as the late great Badger Bob Johnson would say IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR HOCKEY!!

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 7:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Watched my tape of the Yotes/Kings game last night and the replays of the drake hit..... My bad it was cheap... Sometimes the chrreing for the home team goes a little far.... Kinda like when your best D-man gets slapped with a penalty... You want to argue against it at first. And four games without a top line will be fun fun fun.... But good to see alot of hungry youngsters playing lots of minutes...

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 8:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here's an idea, make the suspensions a set number of games plus. Here is the plus. How about the number of games the person you hit with "intent to injure" misses due to injury? Do you think that would have been a deterent to Gary Suter last year? It might make people think twice about raising those elbows finishing a check. And in the "I'm going to kill you" category last night Janni Niinimaa (on a delayed penalty) banked the puck off of the boards in Montreals zone, sending it the length of the ice into his own net. Ouch

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 8:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, Trefilov used to be Dom's backup in Buffalo (pre Steve Shields) and probably developed some of his style there. Oh boy did he look bad after that outstanding first period. It didn't help that the Flames seemed to fall into a lead protect mode with over 20 minutes left in the game.

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 8:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I like the games plus, but it is still a judgmental call on the intent to injure. Should Bodger sit out for being involved in the JR concussion... Drake on the boarding for sure. Then do you include fights.... If you beat the hell out of someone and they sit a few do you have to sit as well.... I think they have to have some sort of tie to the injured player.. but what if the hit is career ending. Do you not allow the other to play in the NHL again? Questions questions.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
foutqts, most fights do not involve suspensions, so they would not fall under the games plus plan. Also, no penalty was called on the J.R. hit so games plus once again doesn't come into play. With the knowledge that Drake was probably going to be suspended, I am assuming that Phoenix asked the league office to look at the Roenick hit also. J.R. probably wouldn't have sustained the concussion except for the no-give glass. On the career ending hit thing, it would be a judgement call, so make it a severe judgement. Maybe a year suspension. Before anybody screams that this is too severe, keep in mind that Jeff Kunkle (sp?) was banned for life from his league (ahl?) for sucker punching another player from behind and continuing to beat on the guy. Other leagues have handed down severe suspensions for acts committed with intent to injure, why not the NHL? Also, "intent to injure" with regards to the Drake hit was not my judgement, it was word for word from the NHL's press release regarding the suspension

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm yes questions abound....should the suspension also include games against the team the penalty was incurred?....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...as for the no-give glass....no question that it's hurting the players more, conussions, shoulders etc. Aren't they figuring out some new system to make the connection to the boards more flexible somehow?....

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Glad someone pointed out Niininmaa's bonehead play. Oy vey. My Oilers are flopping worse than Hasek with a seizure. Not that it really matters, but that kid was kicked out of the OHL, where you don't get paid like you do in the NHL (grrrr, trust me). That Jesse Boulerice kid, who was also suspended from the OHL for stick swinging, is now a member of the Philly Phantoms in the AHL. So in general, the pro suspensions are much more lenient

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
g'afternoon, smott

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hiya Tripp....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...well I must say fellas that I am suffering from my usual Chick Confusion when it comes to all the brutality in hockey. What is it that makes guys want to hurt each other like that? Is there some violence-gene that only exists on the male chromosome? Or should we blame all this on testosterone?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
It's a very rare occurence indeed when I feel the need to actually take a swing at anybody (immediately followed by the "eek what if he tries to kill me?" response....)

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, I think the aggression thing goes back to caveman times. The animal kingdom applies the same rules. The strongest male gets the female. The rest of the males are run off or killed. On the taking a swing thing, your defence should protect you from retaliation. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sorry, playing in rec leagues, I have only seen the defence protect me once. Guy keeps jabbing at the puck in my glove trying to get at it via my chest, and my defenceman checked him over the net. It was great. Melee ensued, I even got in a few good jabs. Net result, the next time down the surface, their biggest guy ran me through the back of the net. He got the 2 game suspension, I got the tweaked shoulder, concussion and ensuing nausea.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi gbf!

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah so hmm....all this running each other through the glass is in the interests of Getting The Girl?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
They could just ask me out!

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp, dont the OHL guys get $50-ish per game? Thought I heard that. Not much, but 50 more than I'll ever make. : >)

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And anyway does the fact that most chicks are interested in more fully-evolved males than cavemen cross any guys' mind out there? :-D

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp, didn't Boulerice get a 25 game suspension in the OHL? Kunkle was suspended for life(!). He has actually been given permission by the league to apply for reinstatement next season. Also, aren't there charges pending against Boulerice for the stick swinging incident. (I hope I am thinking of the same incident. The one where he swung his stick into the face of the other player?). All this reminds me of one other thing. For any of you who follow MLRH (Major League Roller Hockey), Chad Wagner (of the Anaheim Bullfrogs, currently playing for the San Diego Gulls of the WCHL) sucker punched one of the other teams players during the handshake after the championship game. The question I have is, do any of you know if MLRH ever made a ruling about the incident? I can't find anything about it on their website.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow suckerpunch during the handshake. What a gentleman.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, you are asking if anything goes through our minds while we are pursuing girls? Hello?

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, if you didn't guess, he is the Gulls enforcer.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh yeah heh heh I forgot the brain is not the dominant organ in girl-chasing....

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I once got involved in a confrontation during the handshake after a game, I thought the other goalie should have backed my up in a beef with the way the ref was calling contact with the goaltender and the other goalie called me a whiner. During the handshake I grabbed his are to get his attention and he thought I was going to hit him. Wierd feeling, this guy is one of me better friends. It would take a lot more than that in a rec league

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I need to find a pickup game soon or I am going to get real aggressive at work.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, i pretty sure EVERY decision a male animal makes, whether directly or indirectly,boils down to "getting the girl."

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm. Of course if they wanted to impress me, they could step up to my defense once in awhile. Like when I'm sittng in the back of my net trying to un-cross my eyes it would be nice if I didn't see my D just skating back to the bench.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve, I don't know about the OHL, but MLRH's salary cap just got raised to $5,000 per week. With a roster of 14 that comes out to $357/week per player with the stars getting more than the scrubs (of course). So the $50 per game thing is probably close.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, what your defence is just skating back to the bench? Didn't the stop to ask you if they screened you. If I hear "Sorry, my bad" one more time I'm going to hit them. I wonder how the refs would call that. Is it a roughing penalty if you do it to your own team?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes true Sieve! Of course in the caveman scenario, we are not especially interested in the strongest guy - just the one who'll hang around, help us with the cave, nurture the kids a little bit while we put our feet up, and occasionally kill a woolly-mammoth for food. Unfortunately those sensitive-type cave guys were all run off by the village bully, who may be big and strong but rarely does the dishes or changes a diaper. Usually out fighting, carousing, or looking for other cave girls to get in trouble. Unfortunately, the more girls he gets, the more his genes proliferate! What to do?

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ha, gbf, good question. and believe it or not I've seen it happen. Not really a slug just screaming and a push. Goalie in the other net freaked on one of his own. Very comical.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Next to last day on my current job. Go to the new company Monday. Wow, noone even acts like I exist here anymore. Hi, my name is greg and I will be your invisible worker today.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
gbf often the D seems to skate away after I've been flattened. Only one team seems to some to my aid. GO figure!

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, with the amount of chat that has been happening this week, most companies must be close to deserted. Gotta love the holidays

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
gbf not even a day or 2 off to get ready for the new job???

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, you could just watch the next shot go in the net and when your defence freaks, tell them "you're not gonna help me, I'm not gonna help you"!

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, report Monday A.M. for indoc and then have Monday arternoon and all Tuesday off (previous plans).

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh hehnah they do usually apologize and I rarely go ballistic. I have one team that's so bad I can't really go too nuts on them (they get easily demoralized anyway) and my other 2 teams are competitive, which is good. Though one has underachieved in playoffs badly, which really sucks. We are a bit of a head-case I'm afraid.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hope new job is an improvement! Personally I am waiting until bonus-time in March, then it's SIYONARA!!

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I usually don't go ballistic on my teammates often (maybe once a season), so it usually has the desired effect. Three makeup games tonight and my team is involved in none of them I may take my gear in the hope that one of the goalies doesn't show

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonus? I don't recall ever hearing that word before. Is it something new? Actually, that is one of the reasons I quit the current job.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
oh yeah, the new job is pretty much the same job I currently do but with $4000 more reasons to switch companies. That will really help with the new condo.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh well I work for MEllon Bank and usually the bonuses do not go to Systems Engineering geeks like moi, but as they say times are changing. After watching their good geeks walks out the door for years, mgmt has woken up, albeit belatedly. Now the geeks will wait for their bonus, then walk.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Nice going on the raise gb! Will you be able to rollover to IRA?

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
wow smott, I thought I was the only one that had to wait till March for 4th Q bonus...

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh Sieve well it's a first for Mellon and actually I'll believe it when I see it, but I have been slotted in the 17% category which ain't chump change. Worth the wait to see anyway.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...also the wait until March is to get us to hang around long enough to complete Y2K testing. Such a joke.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
No on the Ira thing. New job is with govt. So I fall into the pension plan arena where I can't claim IRA deduction on taxes. However, I will be 401K. Also, I spent 12 years in the Navy so that time counts towards a government retirement. By IRA you didn't mean Irish Republican Army did you? heh heh

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh nope not Irish. I am an English girl in fact, just ex-patriated to the Colonies. Well govt job will be fine. 401K is the ticket.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 10:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OK Chatsters here's a quick question: Who's the next NHL franchise to go bankrupt???

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 11:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and with that, I'm OFF! SEE ya!...

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
probably North of the border unfortunately. although, some warm climate US city would snatch up the team before that would happen. first the Indians, then the Canadians... sometimes not so proud to be American...

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, my money is on the Calgary Flames.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 11:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve, don't forget the Mexicans, we took California and Texas. Something about "Emminent Domain"

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 11:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
How about this, for stealing away all of Canada's hockey franchises, they can have all NBA teams free of charge. No hard feelings, eh?

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 11:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Actually, Boulerice got a year's suspension from the OHL for using Long's head as a pinata. He got 25 games from the AHL. I'm not sure if the criminal charges are still pending. We don't get a whole lot of OHL news here in central Pennsylvania, and I haven't really talked to anyone about it. Kugel got suspended for life for his rampage. I'm telling ya though... no matter what you may have read, Kugel is a time bomb. I'm surprised he hasn't killed someone yet. He's like 6'7", 250 and has a temper. And yeah, Sieve, you're definitely not gonna get rich playing in the OHL. You just learn how to be a holdout and a whiner so you can get rich later on by refusing to play for the Nordiques :-)

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 1:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Did anyone else notice or is it just me? Hexy was sporting Brown pads and blocker last night. I wonder if the beezer has anything to do with that? You have to give Trefilov credit for last nights game even though they lost. Guy came in off of a trade and went right in to net. Hell the news ticker was still broadcasting it while the game was going on. He did do one hell of a job though, made it real interesting to watch, just some real bad breaks. The old adage holds true though, "they never remember the ones you save, just the ones you let in" Personally I was impressed with Tref last night, he just might give the flames a chance at moving up the ladder

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 2:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
You're English, eh smott? Wow, it's kinda like having our very own Spice Girl on board! Koho Spice. Or maybe Smottsie Spice.

Beatts: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 2:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CDP ..... Hex has had Browns for as long as i can remember...He use to use Cooper I believe. When he came back to Phily from Quebec he switched.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 3:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah hmmm Beatts are you sure? I believe Hexy was in Vaughn pads and possibly Heaton or Brian's gloves last year.....

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 3:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Spice girls eh? I believe England may be rememberd more for having produced the Beatles, but anyway..... I guess that's the next question, who's your fave Spice Girl?

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 3:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for Trefilov yeah I guess he kept'em in it with some spectacular stuff....but he sure put'em out of it too. It was always drilled into my head it ain't the ones ya stop it's the ones ya let in.....make sure you make the plays you ought to, then let the rest take care of itself. Holds true in many sports.

C5: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 4:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
NO SPICE GIRLS PLEASE! Hexy was in Vaughn's most of the time, as I recall. I have a few pix of Vernie in some old Coopers that you wouldn't pay $25 for at a garage sale today!

C5: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 4:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ahhh, back then, goalies were appreciated for their agility. Chatsters still pick goalies on that basis, but I've noticed the slight grammatical change as announcers and fans now task goalies with "blocking" shots (with all that equipment that seems to neatly fit together into a wall) instead of just stopping them. Whoops-- nostalgia alert-- I'm outta here...

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 4:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Hockey News (current issue) lists the Christmas gifts they would give to the NHL and its players. Dallas Drake and Dixon Ward - Respect; Jimmy Waite - patience; Eric Lindros and John LeClair - Batman and Robin Costumes; Jeff Kugel - a clue; Sheldon Kennedy - Piece of mind; Matt Johnson - a change of heart; Mario Lemieux - back pay; Ray Bourque - back pay; Teppo Numminen - recognition; Theo Fleury - his 2 front teeth; Dallas Stars - a reason to truly believe in Ed Belfour; Slew-footing victims - rear-view mirrors; Jaromir Jagr - scissors; Doug Gilmour - nothing. He received his present during the summer; All Players - A Jeff Libby Video. Wow, we must be pretty knowledgable, these gifts seem to match a lot of the things we have talked about in past postings.

smott: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 5:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
NO!! Heh heh don't cut Jagr's hair!! For goodness sake where do you think he gets his Power???

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Beatles? Baaaah. I say England's known for producing Byron Dafoe. Just got back from the Hershey Bears/ Syracuse Crunch game. Cuse is pitiful, and the Bears romp 8-2. I was looking forward to seeing Marc Denis vs. Hillier. Denis is up with the Avs, Hillier bruised his thumb in warmups. Ahh well... c'est la vie!

TheCat37: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi Tripp. i have to ask you something. what do you smoke? you are very weird

Tripp: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey TC37.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Dec 30, 9:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heres a thought... we've all heard of the pay per view, movies to order special subscription to this and that. The one I'd like to see would be a all hockey game channel that actually used all the sounds picked up from the ice and the benches. We all know and can lip read when a guy lets loose with a profanity but you know there is more being said. I guess it could be a R rated hockey channel. Then we'd know who was a real whiner on the ice and who was an instigator. Cause we all know theres a good deal of shit talking going on on the ice to start with. It would really be like being there on the bench then. Would anyone else be willing to subscribe to this if it was available? On another note.With all the fans of Kidds pads here, I figured you'd like to know that Kidds old gear is up for sale here in NC. You can now be the proud owner of those pads for about $800 bones.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 6:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh saw a pair of Ollie's old Heaton's when I was in DC last spring. They were bigger than me.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 6:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile as soon as I diss the Pen's O, they explode for 7 against Cap Kirk & the Panthers. Last time out Sean Burke threw a shutout, this time Kirk gets the start. So go figure. Barrasso still out, now the flu. Guess a hangnail is next.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 6:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And I see the Chat Jinx nails Dom for the 2nd loss in a row. Gosh fellas we are more powerful than we thought!! And the Prairie Doggies ignore the absence of their first line, for another win.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 6:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...hmmm on the other hand, my Birds may have just used up next month's supply of goals!....

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 6:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...rumors continue to swirl re Mario buying his old team...interesting legal loopholes may allow him & investors to acquire control without paying hated owner ROger Marino a cent. Lemiuex would definitely enjoy that.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 6:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
okay all you long time TO fans, how about Todd Gill in the Winged Wheel? I dont know, they sure need something. The last two long time Leaf Defencemen (murph & mccoun) have fit in well. The SJ stint may have ruined his majic mojo though. we'll see tonite (maybe) as Wings try to avoid going 0-3 this season against Leafs.

Guardian: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 7:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes, well something strange is going on. The other night my girlfriend and I had a fight...I was in a weird mood and was quite the jerk. The next morning I wake up and check the sports scores...Hasek let in 4 goals on 6 shots. I explained to her that some bad cosmic alignment must have been to blame for both events. She said she understood... Hextall, last year, Brians gloves and Vaughn pads. Kidd's stuff was on sale back when I was in Montreal, around last Christmas.

Fourqts: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Prarie Pups looked very good last night.... Had the puch in the rangers end the whole game it seemed like.... The youngsters looked great and Boolin was solid. The confidence boost the young players needed? or pure Adrenelin? I guess we'll see friday night as the same team takes on the Stars.... But there was not alot of hitting in the rangers game and the arena was pretty subdued..

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 11:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey chatsters... Off to party like it's 1999. I'm going to Times Square to hang with Dick Clark and about a million of my closest friends tonight. Just wanted to wish everyone a great, injury-free, below 2 GAA, above .930 svs%, NHL comes knockin' on your door with a fat contract New Year.

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31, 11:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Tripp...

smott: . . . . Thu, Dec 31,