Pens vs Rangers: At the Game, originally uploaded by Tapeleg.

Fight! Goals! Awesome!

Outdoor Skating in Downtown Pittsburgh, originally uploaded by Tapeleg.

The ice is nice in downtown Pittsburgh today, after warm weather turned the rink into soup last week. This just makes me miss the rink in downtown Denver on the 16th Street Mall.

Feed readers: there is a pretty picture. Go to the msin blog to see it.

Edit:  There was supposed to be a picture and a little note sent with this post, but the internet lost it.  Still, a great game tonight, where I got only a few photos, but did get the first goal of the game and the ensuing Teddy Bear Toss on my camera in video.  Now I have to figure out what to do with it.  4-1 the final with the Whalers coming out on top.

More later.

Port Huron, originally uploaded by Tapeleg.

Taking in a game in Port Huron tonight. Last time I was here, the team was called the Flags, and were part of the UHL.

I seem to remember this came up last year, didn’t it? Wasn’t that when reporters were upset that Saku Koivu, Captain of the Montreal Canadiens, was taken to task for not speaking French while recovering from an eye injury after taking a stick under the visor? And wasn’t there a lesson learned in all of this? Apparently not.

From TSN:

Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu was on the defensive with the media again on Wednesday, and this time the issue was language.

The veteran forward from Finland was mentioned Tuesday by Quebec lawyer Guy Bertrand at provincial public hearings looking into reasonable accommodation for religious minorities. Bertrand was upset that during the Canadiens’ Oct. 13 home opener, Koivu, as part of a videotaped pre-game ceremony, introduced his teammates in English only.

“I have the right to be served in my language,” he said. “He has been playing for 12 years (for the Canadiens). He is married to a francophone. It demonstrates contempt for our language. It is not respectful.”

Obviously, a remark made by a man with nothing but respect for others. Aside from the fact that religious minorities must feel like their interests were being respected by this derailment, this is what if found offensive to lawyers in Quebec? Is this what a founding member of the Parti Québécois has to do with himself all day?

My favorite point comes from Robert at Eyes on the Prize:

Perhaps Bertrand is confusing the Canadiens with a publicly funded institution. While the Habs may be an institution in many minds, Betrand has little right to dictate to it in any form.

Well said.

Or how about this little tidbit, from The Gazette, when comparing Koivu and Bertrand:

Consider contributions to international understanding:

Koivu helps promote peace and understanding as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s athletes commission.

Bertrand defended (unsuccessfully) Rwandan hate-mongerer Léon Mugesera and, in the process, was censured for making anti-Israeli statements.

Wow. Nuff said? No, not quite. I’m so happy this is on YouTube. From the movie Canadian Bacon, when the economic differences between the US and Canada were a little wider. The good stuff starts in about 45 seconds in. Seems kind of familiar, doesn’t it?
Go to youtube to watch

Just thought I would throw this out there. Don’t expect much from me for the next couple of days, as I had 2 teeth removed today. I think I will be taking the day off. See you tomorrow. Avs take on the Wild killing Oilers Flames tonight. Go Avs.

There is a whole post waiting to be written about the new jerseys and how they are taking to being fought in. There have been quotes galore from the various tough guys around the league, and it seems that the new jerseys were not properly beta tested in the fine art of fisticuffs. Mind you, I would enjoy witnessing that sort of testing. “Sorry, dude, it’s just for the test.” >SMACK!<

But proof is in the pudding. Here is a little of it. James Mirtle pointed to the line brawl at the Rangers / Islanders game from lat night. I did a little post on one aspect of it. But take a look at the video. In fact take a look at the :52 second mark. Look at how easy Montoya’s arm comes free from the jersey.

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Then take a look at DiPietro’s jersey. At the :57 second make, it comes off a little too easily. So, my question is, did the goalies have their jerseys tied down at all, or did they come undone?
Looking for some quotes here, people. Anyone hear anything out of the player’s mouths?

Game tied at 2. Right off the bat, the Avs score. Healey held the puck, waiting for the defender to get back up from laying out the body, and fires it in.

Michael Wall came in for Budaj, and promptly let in a goal. Hey, what can you do? Another fight lost for the Avs, so I’d call the night 0-2-1. Time for Scott Parker to step up to the plate?

More to come, not completely live from the game.

Tied up at one, the game is the heavy hitters of the Stars versus the lower tier Avs and the AHL bound player. Still, players like Liles and Lappy are holding their own, and playing like the game matters. Budaj looks pretty good. More after the next period.

Sent from my phone, blogging fom my seat.