Beer and Hockey

Well hockey has returned to the Saddledome with last night’s pre-season tilt between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.  What can I really say about the game?  While brochures handed out at the entrance proclaim that ‘every game matters’ we all know that may be true, with the exception of the pre-season games, which don’t matter at all.

The fact that these games don’t matter is quite apparent too, as there is an obvious lack of intensity from players, coaches, media and fans.  It just isn’t the same.  Having said that, I always enjoy going to the first pre-season game, as it’s a chance to get back into the Dome, and get back into the swing of watching the Flames play on a regular basis.

I can’t really comment much on the game last night.  Some will say there are players ‘fighting for jobs,’ but really, are there?  There are maybe two players, maybe, that have a chance of ‘cracking the lineup.’  This team is pretty much set.  And I definitely couldn’t comment on the Canucks, who were fielding a team that wouldn’t even hold water in the AHL.  I mean, they had Anders Eriksson in their line up.  Anders Eriksson!  I guess Andrei Zyuzin was busy.  As with any pre-season game, I didn’t head into this one with any kind of expectation of seeing some great hockey.  But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t disappointed.

Earlier this month, or maybe it was in August, there was a new partnership announced between the Flames and Budweiser.  Waking up early that day to watch the press conference live (okay, I watched it on-line a week later), I listened with excitement as things like the first ‘beeriod’ were announced, as a chance to elevate the fan experience.  And most importantly, it was announced there would be bottom pour technology at the Dome (this was on the tarmac during Stampede if you aren’t familiar).

I didn’t see the first beeriod last night.  And while I did see one bottom pour station on the main concourse, I expected to see them everywhere.  Disappointment isn’t a big enough word for what I felt last night.

Now maybe it was only a pre-season game, and the technology will be installed everywhere by the home opener, and maybe the first beeriod will be ready to go.  It better, or there I will have been let down, by beer.  Something I never thought would ever  happen.

-TheRev


Jersey Fouls!
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Stanley Cup Final Predictions

Well it comes down to this: the Vancouver Canucks vs the Boston Bruins for Lord Stanley's coveted mug.

Arguably the best team in the NHL vs. the Big Bad Bruins.

I can't tell you how much I want Boston to win this series. It makes me sad to think that Vancouver could be raising the Cup in less than a couple of weeks. It makes me want to vomit to tell you the truth.

I, along with Bryan "The Rev" Wright, would like to make it clear that we are NOT cheering for the Canucks because they are simply from Canada. That argument is quite possibly the stupidest EVER created and thus we, along with what I hope to be a lot more Flames fans, will be vehemently cheering against the orca clad men from Vancouver.

ABV (Anybody but Vancouver). In this case, it's the Boston Bruins.

I am this close to going out and buying a Bruins jersey...but alas a big sign might have to suffice.

So without further ado, our predictions...with no emotion attached to them whatsoever.

NEWMAN

Bruins in 4 outscoring the Canucks 35-0 in the process forcing Roberto Luongo to call the Bruins his daddy.

Ok, to be realistic, if the Bruins can hit the Canucks and be really hard on the forecheck and get the Sedins off their game, then they might have a hope. Also, Thomas has to play the series of his life and the PP has to be better than the 8.2% clip it is currently running at. If that happens, then the Bruins might win...might.

You can understand why I am scared. Vancouver is such a well rounded team and they have Malhotra and Ehrhoff likely returning making them even stronger. If Vancouver doesn't win I will be shocked. I may also never want to come in contact with another Canucks fan for as long as I live.

What I think will happen: Canucks will win the Cup in 5...barf

THE REV

For once, Newman and I are in total agreement.  The only thing that might infuriate me more than a Canucks Stanley Cup, would be the Leafs winning.  That would a whole new level of anger.

But I digress.  While I admit Vancouver is probably the better team, I don't think they run away with it.  The key to a Bruins victory will be their ability to shut down the Vancouver offence, and the play of Tim Thomas.  If Thomas can continue to play well, very well actually, then the Bruins have a chance to steal this series.

I'll take the Bruins in 7.

JERSEY FOULS!

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twitter.com/TheRevBW
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What's the German Word for 'Canucks Lose'?

"Here we go again..."

Over the past few years, a word has made it into our lexicon, borrowed from German, that I'm sure most of you are familiar with, and which many of you may have even used.  I am talking of schadenfreude, which is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.  And I am feeling schadenfreude at the result of the Canucks' loss last night, in overtime, to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let me set the record straight, I really don't like the Chicago Blackhawks.  Naturally, I don't like them because they are an opponent of the Calgary Flames, and I'm a homer.  But I also had the worst experience I've ever had a sporting event, at Game Two of the first round series between the Flames and Blackhawks in 2009.  Having things thrown at me, things yelled at me (a flurry of C-sharps and F-bombs) and an all around unpleasant time at a hockey game, has not endeared me to the team.

First Round NHL Playoff Predictions

Newman and the Rev give their predictions on the first round of the 2011 NHL Playoffs. 




The WEST:

VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

NEWMAN: The Canucks are too deep up front and too deep on the back end to lose this series. They are a better team than last year when they faced the Hawks and the Hawks, for their part, are worse. They lost a number of key players (Byfuglien, Ladd, etc) and I'm not sure Crawford can do what Niemi did. It will be fun to watch but the Sedins will take this series over. Sorry Flames fans.

Canucks in 6.

THE REV:  There's a reason the Canucks won the President's trophy this year; they're the best team in the NHL.  Even with an oft depleted blue line, they still have a great defence, they have the best offensive line in the league, the last two Art Ross trophy winners, and a gold medal winning goalie.  The only thing that might hurt their playoff push is a lack of experience in the playoffs, but even that shouldn't stop this team.

Blackhawks in 4. (I have a rare disorder called chracot-flamesfanitis disease, which doesn't allow me to pick the Canucks to win a series.)

Flames Ride #34 to 4th Straight Win

The Calgary Flames won their 4th game in a row tonight for the first time since early January when they strung together 5 straight victories.

Mikka Kiprusoff blanked the Ottawa Senators 2-0, for his 4th shutout of the season and his first since November 30th; when he shutout the Nashville Predators 5-0. Kiprusoff was sharp all night long as he blocked all 33 shots the Sens through at him. Not to mention the 5 different power-plays that Kipper helped shoo away.

It was vintage Kipper, and in a way, vintage (vintage being 2004) Flames hockey.

The Flames were on the board early with Jamal Mayers’ first career goal as a Flame; a nice short-side-cheese snipe show. Due in part to a savvy dump-in and some nice fore-checking from Curtis Glencross, the Flames managed to get ahead early in the first period.

From there, the Flames sort of just hung on and relied on Kipper to make the timely save, or so it seemed. Much like the hockey Flames fans watched in 2004, the Flames clung to the one goal lead like the lives depended on it; and in a way it did. With the Red Wings posting a win earlier in the night, the Flames were aware they needed to hold serve and they did just that in beating the team from the nation’s capital.

It is amazing how much one week can change things. Last Thursday this Flames team was left for dead by almost everybody, including me, and being ripped apart for the moves they made at the trade deadline. Fast forward to tonight and the Flames have reeled off 4 straight victories and sit in a tie for 7th place in the Western Conference standings. After being harped on for not scoring any goals, they go out and pot sixteen goals in four games; something they have not done since October.

It is not as if they beat up on bad teams either. They took down the Devils (4th in the East), the Wild (21-9-3 at home), the Wings (Fighting with the Flames for 8th) and now the Senators (5th in the East).

I am still not convinced that this team is good enough to make any sort of elongated deep run, but they are making believers out of me that the Playoffs might be on the horizon.

Side notes: Kotalik has become invisible since coming over from the Rangers. 1 goal, 1 assist, and a -1. Not exactly getting what we paid for. He also is no longer on the point on the powerplay. This could have been due to the tightness of the game tonight, but maybe someone can help me on this one as I have missed the last couple of games.

Higgins on the other hand has come alive offensively, sort of. He has 3 points in his last 4 games, including 2 goals.

The top line of Iginla, Stajan and Bourque were shutdown tonight for the first time since being brought together. Before tonight, each player had individual 3 games point streaks going.

The Flames travel to Vancouver for a Sunday night tilt against the division leaders before flying home to face the Red Wings on Monday night. Like I have said in previous blogs, each game becomes the biggest game of the year and these two are no exception.

This has been,

Newman on the Flames

Flames Are Not Good

The Calgary Flames are moving in the wrong direction in the Western Conference standings. After tonight’s dreadful loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks, the Flames now sit in 8th spot in the West, only 2 points up on Detroit. The Flames are falling faster than Tiger Woods bank balance. With only 1 win in the last 7 contests, the Flames continue to play horrifying awful. The goal scoring is bone dry and when Kipper has an off game like tonight, the Flames do not have a chance at winning the game. Kipper let in some goals that were suspect including the weirdest goal I have ever witnessed when Mason Raymond flipped a perfect arching puck over the shoulders of Miikka from outside the blue line and into the net to close out the first period. The defence though, deserves no credit whatsoever. They were beaten cleanly by Vancouver’s forwards on 2 of the goals and failed to pick up one of the sisters on the first goal.

For instance on the Canucks first goal, Dion Phaneuf found himself in a shoving match with Henrik, but then left him to protect the front of the net, but forgot about the Swede, as did Regehr. Hank was then left wide open at the side of net and potted in the goal; after which he made sure to let Phaneuf know about it. Phaneuf gave him a quick spear for good measure. From all reports, “Hank was screaming at the top of his lungs.”

The Flames tried to come out and play the physical game but were thwarted by a much smarter Canuck team. Giordano went for a big hit in the neutral zone, but took himself out of the play and the Canucks break in 2 on 1 for another goal. Again out of position and beaten by the Canucks speedy forwards. Regehr and Pardy looked extremely slow and can not keep up with the forwards; a growing trend as the games wear on.

The Flames were undisciplined and were running around for most of the night. It was an embarrassing game to be a Flames fan and horrible display of hockey.

Brian McGrattan was itching all night long to beat someone up, in particular Darcy Hordichuk who he pummelled earlier in the season. In the third, with the game out of reach, Sutter sends out his goon to teach Darcy a lesson, yet Darcy is a little smarter than that. Hordichuk took the abuse and Vancouver was granted a 4 minute powerplay. Why would Hordichuk fight? They are up 5-1 and he knows he will lose. If this was Sutter’s master plan at redemption for a porous effort the rest of the night, he should think again.

Sutter should audition for ‘Grumpy Old Men 3: Grumpier than Ever.” His negative mantra seems to wearing thin and his philosophy of ‘fore-check, fore-check, fore-check’ and ‘work till you drop’ does not seem to be working. The players look exhausted and unwilling to work and its only December 27th! Something has to change, as the Flames are spiralling out of control and into the basement of the Western Conference. I am not saying fire the Coach but this team has underperformed now for almost a solid month.

The Flames play 5 games in 7 nights this week, and 3 against divisional opponents. Well you can cross off one of those games as a loss, and travel up to Edmonton for a clash with the lowly Oilers. Hopefully that is the cure for what ails the Flames right now. Everybody beats the Oilers these days, don’t they?

This has been,

Newman on the Flames

Source of Photo: http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/118507/49244_canucks_flames_hockey.jpg