Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Brett Hull retires!
 

That does make more sense. I grew up in CT and was a Whalers fan while they were there. I was going to say, I didn't remember Bobby Hull playing for the Whale; Gordie Howe yes, but not Hull.

Alrighty perhaps I shouldn't have said "girlfriends"... maybe a fine appreciation for hot, female, fans would have been more apt. I'm sure though if he had a serious girlfriend he wouldn't be so friendly himself when out at the bars...

Although the last time I heard a girlfriend mentioned in the news in connection to Eric Lindros is was back in 2000 involving a car accident.

I am going to lean towrds the side that says Lindros isn't gay. That is until some "proof" can be produced. I have been around enough NHL players (well, they had to start somewhere....AHL - look at the Blackhawks roster, most of them are from Norfolk) to know that there is a reason why the terms "puck bunny" and "hockey hoe" have been made....

:D Puck Bunny :D

Now that takes me back....

'Puck Bunny': refers to girls "interested" in hockey players
'Hockey Hoe': well a girl that loves to many hockey players
-and of course-
'Rink Rat': a girl that hangs out/stalks the players at the arena (to get the leg-up on other girls).

I'm glad the Wings won in OT last night after that BULLSH*T penalty on Holmstom and that BULLSH*T power-play goal that went off the Strum's glove.

Tonight was Todd Bertuzzi night in Colorado.

I love when Vancouver decides not to show up until the THIRD period.

Last night's game was just weird. I knew the fans would be heckling the team and booing Bert, but the scene of the crime happened in Vancouver and we played that game against the Avs last saturday, and won.

I heard that going into the game Vancouver was very nervous, but the 3rd period was a completely different game. It actually made the game enjoyable to watch eventhough we lost 6-2.

Had some of those good shots on goal gone in we may have be able to tie it. Don't shake your head at that, the Canucks are the comeback kids. Even when they're down by four or five goals, or down 3-1 in a playoff series, they more often than not seem to pull it off.

The team that played the 3rd period, is the team I've been watching so far this season. But I can understand why they weren't playing to their full potential at first, I just hope the momentum from the 3rd period carries over to the game on Saturday.

On another note: man is Ryan Kessler ever impressive. I think the Crow had him on almost every line during the 3rd.

PS. Everytime Vancouver has a big loss, they go on a tear. They went on a 7 game winning streak after that 6-0 loss to Minne, so hopefully they will keep up that trend...

eta. I just checked the cbc website and read that the shots on goal in the 3rd period were 23-0 for Vancouver - that's just insane...

I have an inkling Saturday is going to be a very different game.

Maple Leafs got bonked and whomped at home 8-0. Ottawa is a very good team.

I think Heatly was inspired by the shalacking that Brock gave UofT the night before - he was there to watch his brother who plays for UofT... it was pretty much the same one sided contest with one team looking like they wanted to win, and the other just going through the motions.

I can't believe Babcock didn't play Manny Legace last night. Earlier this week, Legace became the first NHL goalie to win 10 games in a month...how rude to not let him play the last game of the month and make it 11 games. :(

I had the best of both worlds tonight. Watched the AHL admirals's game on b2 network. Also watched the Chicago Blackhawks won!

To make it better, Aaron Downey (St. Louis) and Jim Vandemeer (Chicago) had one of the best hockey fights I have ever seen. I guess old feelings don't die hard when you used to be enemies in the ECHL and AHL. Downey's nose was definitely broke in the game!

Anyone see the final bos score of the Ottawa game? TWO players for Ottawa had 4 goals each.

So Havlat and Alfredsson had good nights last night. Three guys on Ottawa already have 21 or more points. Welcome to the new NHL.

We didn't watch that game, but had the sports tracker on while watching the Admirals' game on the internet. Can't believe that there were two hat tricks in one game. From the few fans that were there, I don't hink anyone left with a hat!

BUMPITY BUMP BUMP!!!
 

Hey ShaedyKD -

Want him back? He is playing HORRIBLY for us. He has the worst save percentage for any starting goalie in the NHL. Makes you wonder what in the world he did during the lock-out, but it surely wasn't working on his game!


I am glad to see Mario and Sidney Crosby playing well (although Pens' record doesn't show it). Mario reminds me of the old Mario before he retired and then attempted a comback.



Okay.....has anyone figured out who are the teams to watch this season? I have center ice and flip through the games, but the teams change so much I don't know who I should be watching for a good game (well, if Chicago isn't playing.)

Last note: If anyone watched ECHL or AHL games in the past, you may understand why I am mentioning this... During the Chicago - St. Louis game, J. Vandemeer and A. Downey had a GREAT FIGHT! The announcers mentioned that there must be bad blood between them in the NHL. Those two had some great tussles in the ECHL and AHL - that is how long ago these two were fighting! Same thing goes for Downey (St. Louis) and Jody Shelley (don't know where he is playing), but Shelly is still an enforcer who doesn't play well in my opinion.

Man! I missed the NHL last year! :D

Re: BUMPITY BUMP BUMP!!!
 

That would be here in Columbus, and I'm thrilled to have him here. I do adore Mr. Shelley.

Needless to say, the following article was published before tonight's nightmare of a game.

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/blue...01.html&chck=t

Fourth-liners are proving their worth to Blue Jackets
Shelley, Goertzen, Rupp work to help team during slump
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

For good or ill, the Blue Jackets’ best line Friday night might have been their fourth line.

"Who said they’re the fourth line?" coach Gerard Gallant said yesterday.

Get the idea?

The Blue Jackets dominated the better part of two periods but lost 3-1, empty-net goal included, to the Edmonton Oilers in Nationwide Arena. The Jackets’ sputtering power play and nagging inability to put the puck in the net were hallmarks. One positive development was the emergence of left winger Jody Shelley, center Mike Rupp and rookie right winger Steven Goertzen. They each had even ratings, played about seven minutes and provided a notably physical presence. They will try to do the same tonight when the Blue Jackets play host to the Los Angeles Kings.

"We’re still not scoring goals," Shelley said. "I’d like to think we could help the team even more."

Gallant is leaning in that direction. He used Shelley on power plays and turned to Goertzen on penalty kills. But the most notable thing about the fourth line (which will soon need a nickname) was their work in the offensive zone.

"We’re beginning to realize we can get to the net without much effort," Rupp said. "We can get there without the defensemen doing much of anything because of the new rules.

"If we can take advantage of our size, we can only help. We’re starting to play better together, and I think we can surprise some teams."

The Blue Jackets can use the help. They have the fewest goals in the league. They need energy wherever they can find it. When Shelley, Rupp and Goertzen are punishing opponents in their own end, and working the wall down the other end, it’s a lift.

"When the big guys get their legs under them and feel good, especially when they keep the puck in the offensive zone, they’re a factor," Gallant said. "It’s tough to get the puck away from them. And when they get that feel, it’s a help for everyone. You can roll the lines, get more rest for other people, get a better rhythm. Recently, the big guys have played very well."

Shelley is 6 feet 4 and 230 pounds. Rupp is 6-5, 230. Goertzen is 6-1, 216. Their aggregate weight is 676 pounds. That’s a load.

Shelley, 29, is the team’s heavyweight fighter. Rupp, 25, from the Cleveland area, is trying to find a home after being traded twice in two years.

Goertzen, 21, is still living a dream, except for, you know, the losses. He was the surprise of training camp, among the last to be cut and the first to be recalled. He has played in 11 games and wants to keep going.

"I don’t take one day for granted, and every day’s a bonus," Goertzen said.

"It’s almost like a tryout every single day."

The new NHL, with its fewer obstructions, is a faster game with shorter shifts. As Gallant alluded, the more that can be milked from the fourth line, the better for everyone.

Shelley, Rupp and Goertzen are beginning to pull their considerable weight and it would be an even better sign if some other forwards took advantage. But it’s still a good sign.

"We had some (scoring) opportunities the last couple of games," Rupp said.

"We have our role and we’re beginning to play better together. We’re starting to figure some things out."

marace@dispatch.com