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Talk About Manufactured Rivalrys

August 29, 2007 By

Who is in charge of marketing? From the Peoria Rivermen website:

Hit the Road with the Rivermen!

Rivermen fans now have their chance to take in the rivalry with the Quad City Flames live and in-person! The Rivermen front office has put together fan trips to all five games in the Quad Cities against the Flames starting with our first road game of the 2007-08 campaign on Sunday, October 7.

Rivalry? The Quad City Flames haven’t even played a game yet. Sure, they used to be the Omaha Knights, but come on. This is pushing it a little.

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Filed Under: Hockey, Minors

Canucks Reveal Beat Down Attire

August 29, 2007 By

The Vancouver Canucks revealed their “updated” logo, and their new jersey, to keep in line with the lock step of the rest of the league. From the Canucks website:

The combination of the original blue, green and white colouring, along with the Orca Whale celebrates the past and present in Canucks history.

Well, you would have to be completely stupid to ignore the overwhelming sentiment the fans showed toward the classic jerseys colors. But someone will have to explain a few things to me, like:

1) How is this logo interesting, different, or Canucks like at all? I understand the whole Orca Bay thing, but did someone just print a bunch of the old logos on an inkjet that ran out of red and yellow ink? It’s the same damn logo!!!

2) If you need to put the word “VANCOUVER” over the Canucks logo, shouldn’t you consider really changing the logo? Come on, who do they think they are? The Bruins of the 20s and 30s? That is going to be the thing that draws the most ire from the fans.

But, I think I am going to be updating this post, as soon as I figure out what photos I am legally allowed to post, and start seeing some reaction from around the Canuckosphere (ha! I made that up! I think! Ha!).

The thing is, my opinion of the thing is that it isn’t as bad as most, and would be better if it weren’t for the gigantic “VANCOUVER” across the front (which will probably be the most quoted thing from this post). I guess for all the mistakes made by teams with the jersey updating, this one is the least offensive. But, now that I have said that, I will probably be seeing the Avalanche jerseys with “COLORADO” on the front, over a two-tone big foot logo (which will be the second most quoted part of this post).

So, I look forward to seeing the Canucks lose in this new, and quite silly jersey. And at the hands of, what will hopefully be – if they ever get around to doing it – the well dressed Avs.

And I will probably regret saying that, but you know, living for the moment here.

Update: From the Canucks website:

The symbols that make up the new sweater encompass the long history of our fans love of hockey, Canuck teams, the original colours, the first logo and the city’s name. It displays a traditional Canadian design, and one of our most beloved neighbours, Orca Whales, representing where the team began and what the Canucks have become.

Go there, you will like the purple kool-aid. Yes, you will.

Update 2: Best comment yet.  Also, it appears that the jury is still out.

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Filed Under: Hockey, Jersey, NHL

Hockey Kitten

August 29, 2007 By

Since I have left Charlotte, NC for Memphis, TN (and not a tradeoff I would make that often), I have left behind Jamie, the hockey kitten. So, I thought it would be fun to put a photo of her up. Just for fun.

Hockey Kitten

That cat loves jerseys almost as much as I do. Almost.

What jersey is that, you ask? Why, it’s this one, of course.

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Sauve Watch: AHL All the Way

August 28, 2007 By

Former Avalanche goaltender Philippe Sauve still isn’t ready for prime-time. From the DesMoines Register:

The Iowa Stars signed veteran goaltender Philippe Sauve to an American Hockey League contract for the 2007-2008 season.

“Phillipe is an experienced goalie with some NHL background,” Stars director of hockey operations Scott White said in a news release, “He adds depth to our goaltending position and we expect him to be a solid mentor for our young goalies.”

I would like to feel bad for Sauve, but I don’t. I don’t even want him back to replace Theodore as backup. Certainly not after this little scrap.

Since leaving the Avalanche, which led into the lockout year, Sauve has played for seven different teams, three of which were inexplicably NHL teams. So, while it may not look that way, some guys do get all the breaks.

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Memphis Redbirds

August 28, 2007 By

Right now, I’m trapped in the heat of Memphis, TN. So, what do you do on your day off in 96 degree heat? Sit outside and watch some baseball.

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That’s Autozone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. This picture was taken from on top if the swanky Peabody Hotel.

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That’s the mascot, calling a strike.

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A beautiful night for some baseball. How would you like to live in the apartments that face into the ballpark. I’m sure it would lose it’s appeal pretty quickly, but you could watch a ball game live in the comfort of your own home.

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To me, any ball is a fastball.

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If you did live in those apartments, you would know if the Redbirds won or got a home run. That thing is loud!

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A pretty nice ball park.

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Overall, a good day off from the show.

Note: There are a lot of photos in this post, and I am trying a new program for blog writing. It may upload them correctly, it may not. Join me on an adventure, won’t you?

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Putting it all Behind Us?

August 28, 2007 By

Michael Vick has taken up a lot of space in the news, and finally, he has done what he should have done before. From CNN.com:

RICHMOND, Virginia (CNN) — Shortly after entering a guilty plea Monday to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge, suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick apologized “for all the things that I’ve done and that I’ve allowed to happen.”

Really? That you allowed to happen? That’s what you are sorry for? I mean, sure, he finally plead guilty, but it took until the chips were stacked high against him for that admission. And pleading guilty isn’t much of an acceptance, just an agreement with the court. Sorry if this rings a little false for me.

“What I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up,” he said.

Growing up would be one of the first things on the agenda for Vick, and if I were him, I would do it quickly, as in before going off to prison. It isn’t often that people go to prison for allowing things to happen, but that must be what he believes. In fact, accountability should probably be the first place he grows up.

The NFL, along with the NBA right now, are embroiled in battles of moral high-ground. Refs involved with gambling and first round draft picks executing dogs are pretty ugly. Hockey fans have been quick to wag the finger at other sports, which must feel pretty damn good after seeing those sports chastised for not being as squeaky clean as hockey. Oh what short memories we have.

From the Washington Post on Aug 18th, 2007:

A former NHL player and assistant coach who ran an illegal sports gambling ring won’t serve jail time despite international headlines linking the case to hockey’s biggest star.

Rick Tocchet was ordered yesterday to serve two years’ probation for his role in the gambling ring.

Tocchet, 43, could have received up to five years in New Jersey state prison. However, there is a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders who plead guilty to third- or fourth-degree crimes.

Even before the deal was sealed, hockey fans were putting the Tocchet case behind them, out of sight enough to wag the finger at other sports and their problems. Oh, and having a laugh at his attempt to get into the World Series of Poker. After having the sport we love trashed as often as possible for cheap headlines, hockey fans are quick to react, ready to swing back at any comers. We will take swings at ESPN, other sports, even some of our own in our rabid attempts at protecting the sport we love.

This should be a reminder that just because someone has a lot of money and is good at sports, it doesn’t make them a good person. For some reason, this still surprises people. You hear it often enough. “He had it all, what happened?” Some people have great qualities on one side and poor qualities on the other. I think Patrick Roy was a great goalie, but not always a good person. Michael Vick was a number one draft pick, but that couldn’t stop him from doing awful things. No, surprise surprise, fame and fortune do not make up for disfunction.

As quick as we are to judge other sports, we can not turn our backs on the problems that hockey has. To do so would be to continue discrediting our sport, beyond the initial problem. While we may have sympathy for the devil, you know the old saying. Let he who is without sin…

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Lappy Wants to Win

August 28, 2007 By

Ian Laperriere is excited. Very excited. And I would watch out when Lappy gets excited. From the Colorado Avalanche:

This isn’t Ian Laperriere’s first go ‘round.

But as the veteran right winger prepares for his third season in a Colorado uniform, the excitement in his eyes is evident when he discusses the Avalanche’s busy summer.

What does Lappy think of this seasons team?

“For veterans, when you see the organization take that path and sign huge free agents to improve the team right away, it gives you motivation to work hard and make sure you come into camp in great shape,” said Laperriere. “That’s why I came here three years ago. They do whatever it takes to win and they proved that once again this summer.”

With the resigning of Scott Parker (The Sheriff), some people wondered if Lappy would have as much of a role on the team as before. It looks like he will still be a shift disturber and aggressive force for the ice, but hopefully won’t be the only one to have to fight for the Avs next season. In the current model of the Anaheim Ducks, having two tough guys around won’t hurt, especially when those Ducks come around for the first time. I wonder if anyone will have anything to say to Brad May? I hope so.

As for Lappy, he knows his job, and it sounds like he’s ready to do it:

“I won’t change after 13 years in the league. I’ll play physical; I’ll give myself up, stick up for my teammates and do whatever the coaches ask me to do. I’m past that age where you want to prove to the world that you’re tough or prove that you can score. I want to win and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Whatever it takes, huh? See that $6 million dollar backup goalie? See this stick?

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Filed Under: Avalanche, Hockey, NHL

Avs Logo in Life and Death Struggle

August 27, 2007 By

The NHL Tournament of Logos is staging a battle of epic proportions, pitting logo against logo for the overall title of reigning world champion. Two logos enter, one logo leaves. Right now it’s the Avalanche (who, as far as I can tell, got a bye into the second round) against the Minnesota Wild. Go here to vote, and let’s see those green guys get what they deserve. An early exit.

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Filed Under: Fun, Hockey, NHL

We Don’t Need No Stinking Goal Judge

August 26, 2007 By

You can say goodbye to the goal judge as you knew him, or at the very least, where you knew him. From the Globe and Mail:

In case you missed it, the NHL has allowed clubs to move their goal judges to the press box or a similar spot, depending on the arena and its configuration. The idea is that the goal judges can still watch the game from afar and flick the light switch through wireless technology.

I guess a few more seats per game is worth the move. I wouldn’t mind so much as the goal judge job has lost some of it’s meaning in this age of video replay. But as we saw several times last year, video replay wasn’t able to tell the ultimate answer to the ultimate hockey question: goal or no goal. One more set of eyes in the right place provides an important tool until the NHL can figure out a fool resistant way of indicating goals (remember what they say about fools).

And if you have ever read In The Bin by Lloyd Freeberg, you know the importance of these guys, as they explain the reasons they blew the call.

Or, you can look at this YouTube video. You can’t really do that to a penalty time keeper.

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Slap Shot for the Avalanche

August 26, 2007 By

I just saw this news item. From the Daily American Online:

JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Chiefs announced Friday that the team has entered into an affiliation agreement with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche.

During the upcoming 2007-08 season, the Chiefs will serve as the Avalanche’s secondary minor league affiliate. The expansion Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL will be Colorado’s primary affiliate.

As you may know, the Charlestown Chiefs from the movie Slap Shot were based around the Johnstown Jets, who later became the Johnstown Chiefs to capitalize on some built in marketing. From Wikipedia:

The owners originally wanted to name the team the Jets in honor of a team that had played in Johnstown from 1950 to 1977, mostly in the Eastern Hockey League. However, the old Jets’ former owners still held the trademark for the name and refused to allow the new team to use it. Fortunately, they had a second choice. The hockey cult movie Slap Shot had been filmed in Johnstown, and featured a minor league team called the Charlestown Chiefs. The owners readily jumped on the tie-in, and the Johnstown Chiefs were born.

Since the San Diego Gulls are no longer around, the Chief are a nice addition to the Avalanche system. It appears that the Avs are finally taking the farm system seriously, with the addition of the Lake Erie Monsters in Cleveland, OH, meaning no more shared affiliations. Where this leaves the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League is a question I don’t know the answer to, but at least the ECHL question has an answer.

And while this does not give me the right to wear a Hanson jersey to an Avs games, it may give me an excuse.

(I do not own a Hanson jersey)

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Filed Under: Avalanche, Hockey, Minors
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