Ten Thousand

Proving that I have no life, we've reached 10,000 tweets. Though this really isn't noteworthy compared to all the other stuff Hasan, myself and Brian do, just wanted to say it's been a lot of fun getting to know other bloggers/fans who are as passionate as it gets when it comes to our beloved sport. Whether it's fun banter, intense debates or just getting support from caring people, I have a huge appreciation for our hockey community. We may not always see eye to eye on our teams, players (Crosby/Ovechkin), etc. but that's what makes us such a tight knit group. When things go badly for someone, we all pull together.

I said it once and I'll echo it again. This place wouldn't be possible without Steve Lepore. He was the mastermind behind it. So, big ups to you and continued success with PuckTheMedia.

To those Tweeps who've given us extra love tonight, I will never have enough kind words. It means plenty! Thank you so much :). As far as what was said, I don't like to get into that stuff. Greg Wyshynski is a friend/colleague who does an outstanding job with Puck Daddy. He has a lot more on his plate than we do here. Though I would like to expand. But we're small potatoes.

I still haven't gotten around to posting video from Mike Zippo's Fire Sather Rally Sunday. I'm going to give a view later. Decided to wait because we were there and shook the man's hand giving him his due even if the turnout wasn't earth shattering. We've read pretty much every take thus far with Blueshirt Banter's Joe Fortunato the best. If you haven't already, go read it. Hopefully, I'll give a respectful account that's well thought out so our audience who didn't attend has a better idea of the scene directly across from Madison Square Garden.

If anyone's interested, we really could use an Islander blogger. I feel guilty because I've kinda lagged on the archrival which certainly isn't intentional. They've been going through a tough time. With the playoffs looking more and more like a pipe dream, it'll be interesting to see if John Tavares can get untracked again. The future of the franchise is minus a goal in 17 straight. It'd be nice to see JT91 finish strong. Look what it did for super soph Steven Stamkos, whose 40 markers have the Lightning finisher trailing only Sid and Ovie, who are tied for the league lead with 44 thanks to the Great Eight's deuce in a 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas yesterday. Amazing when you consider how poorly he started his rookie year. Now, the recently turned 20 year-old Tampa '08 No.1 overall pick's got a shot at 50. Love to be a fly on Barry Melrose's wall these days.

Well, this at least makes this post about hockey. Until next time.

A Day Later (Updated)

It's the day after the Olympics concluded with one of the greatest hockey games ever played. A shame that our heroes didn't pull it out. But they sure left an impression.

The future of USA Hockey is in great shape thanks to emerging stars Ryan Miller, Zach Parise and Patrick Kane with Bobby Ryan, Erik Johnson and Ryan Kesler not far behind. Along with Paul Stastny, captain Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Suter and Brian Rafalski, all had outstanding tournaments. If only they'd gotten more from Phil Kessel, who just never got untracked. Both Kess and Joe Pavelski struggled while role players such as Ryan Malone, Dustin Brown, David Backes, Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan were effective.

Blueliners Jack Johnson and Tim Gleason also impressed with both playing steady. Gleason with his usual gritty self, sacrificing for the good of the team while Johnson showed off some of that speed and chippiness which makes him a staple on the Kings' back end along with Norris hopeful Drew Doughty, who impressed for Canada. Brooks Orpik also had a good two weeks in Vancouver using his rugged physical style to make life difficult on opposing forwards. Former Pens' teammate Ryan Whitney was serviceable.

Much credit must go to USA architecht Brian Burke, who had a heavy heart following the tragic loss of son Brendan. The proud man who's very tough, did an excellent job putting together a roster that could best take advantage of the North American surface. Perhaps that more than anything explained European disappointments Russia and Sweden. Even bronze medallist Finland never seemed comfortable, lucking out against an undisciplined Slovakia, who blew a 3-1 lead falling 4-3. Olli Jokinen was the hero. Our guess is he won't score for a while when the Rangers return.

Just how big was the gold medal game with the dramatic Sidney Crosby conclusion? Battle originator and close pal Steve Lepore reports that it drew an overnight rating of 17.6 million, which is 46 percent better than the USA/Canada Salt Lake match-up.

Sunday’s game is on pace to finish as the highest rated hockey telecast in the United States since 1980.

To put the numbers in perspective, Sunday’s game drew a higher overnight rating than every World Series game since 2004 (including every game of Yankees/Phillies last year), every NBA Finals telecast since 1998, and every NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four game since at least ‘98.

More remarkable is that over 27 million tuned in, topping Salt Lake by 10.5 million. A script which probably couldn't have been written any better unless Parise scored the winner left NBC's Bob Costas and Al Michaels at a loss for words.

Bob Costas:

“That’s one of the greatest sports events I have ever seen.”

“A script so classic that if it were a movie, they would send it back because it was unrealistic.”

“With all due respect, this can never be repeated. On home soil, for Canada, in the sport that matters most, against the Americans – this can never be repeated. This can never be approached, let alone equaled.”

Al Michaels:

“You could not have written a better script for this country. The goal that will resonate throughout history in Canada.”

Non-hockey markets like Milwaukee, West Palm Beach, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland and Baltimore all made the top 25 yesterday. Not surprisingly, Buffalo led everyone with 32.6 with upcoming opponent Pittsburgh a close second at 31.9. New York finished 16th drawing 19.0 while Hartford was 17th at 18.5. Why don't they have a team again? The Wolf Pack don't count.

How newsworthy was it? Even hockey hater Mike Francesa discussed it just now with Zach Attack in an insightful interview in which he pushed the Crosby envelope. Parise's answer was interesting, referencing how the two were close earlier in their careers. When the audio becomes available, we'll add it to this post. So, how hard was it for Parise and heartbroken USA 'mates to lose in that fashion?

Parise on Francesa

Bettman talks with Francesa

"This is a group of guys I'll never forget. We battled right to the bitter end."-Bobby Ryan

“It’s devastating. It was the biggest game any of us have played in. ... You win a gold. You win a bronze. You lose a silver."-Jack Johnson


“It stings right now. ... It feels like ***."-Tournament MVP Ryan Miller

“It sucks. It sucks being that close and then losing in overtime.”-Zach Parise

“No one knew our names. People know our names now.”-Chris Drury

 Per Globe and Mail's James Mirtle:

mirtle

  

From USA Hockey: "Miller ended the tournament with a U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team record for best goals-against average (1.35)."

Good Tweep HockeyJoeGM contributes a solid piece in a letter to Gary Bettman about the opportunity he has.

The fans put up with a ton of garbage and while there’s been a host of new fans that have come to the game, it’s time to do something to pull it all together and become the overlord of the sportsman’s winter. Carpe diem Gary because this is your golden opportunity to pull it all together. Don’t sit around and wait and hope that the NFL and NBA all blow each other to hell with labor problems next year. Grab the reigns and ride this sucker for all it’s worth. By my count there were 40 superstars who put everything they had into this Olympic tournament fighting over what amounts to be a symbolic prize for a pack of millionaires. 

 Hey. He referenced one of our favorite movie quotes from Dead Poet's Society and the memorable Robin Williams' Mr. Keating character.

"Carpe Diem. Seize the day!"

The Devil did it again

The Devil did it again. Well, if you're a puck fan, then you are well aware that I'm not talking about anything to do with Hell but about a successful NHL franchise which always seems to do the usual: Just win.

There are no style points for Kool Aid supplier Lou Lamoriello's team which now does most of their winning in Newark at the brand new Prudential Center instead of that dump now known as The Izod Center. Good thing they got out of the Swamp finally because it would've been the butt of more jokes. Speaking of which, why did a clown banner hang from above with all their banners?!?!?!?!?! My good Buffalo Sabre pal Brian Sanborn once created a name Legend of the Clown Banner (LOTCB) on the Devil fan message board njdevs.com. Of course, it was all in good fun.

In any event, I'm fairly certain Devil worshippers are glad that their team now plays in a real arena with much easier access to and from. I haven't gotten out there yet but definitely plan to check it out at some point.

How can a team which always seems to lose key pieces from the previous three championship teams continue to win consistently and be near the top of the East? It's very easy to say that the No.1 reason has everything to do with certain Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur. If you listen to Chico Resch, even the most routine saves are totalllly amaaazzing!!!!!

Oh. Marty's brilliant. Every year, No.30 proves that he's still got it much to my and other rival fans' dismay. Hey. I got to be honest there. Well, at least the Devs haven't solved Henrik Lundqvist yet in the first five regular season match-ups. Will they find a way to beat Rick DiPietro and the resurgent Isles Saturday afternoon at The Rock? It's got to happen some time because there's no way they're losing out against both locals. That's crazy.

So, how does this team do it? Well, for starters, first-year task master Brent Sutter has done an outstanding job whipping his players into shape. You can see why he was so successful when running Team Canada at the WJC. Sure. He had great talent to work with but still, like other Sutters, he doesn't put up with any bull.

I loved how he made his team stay after a brutal third period in allowing three unanswered to the Canadiens before the break. Now that's what I call old school. They've responded fairly well since.

Zach Parise is the club's leading scorer and really the heart of the offense. So much of it revolves around what the former North Dakota product can do just from superb skating and superior work habits. If you saw his 24th goal which tied the score in an eventual 3-1 home win over San Jose, then you know how hard he works. Even if you dislike the Devs, it's pretty easy to appreciate a player like as my buddy Steve Lepore calls him along with 2Man's very own Patricia Greuter, "The Zach Attack."

Where's Zach Morris anyway these days?!?!?!?!?! Remember that recent YouTube of Mr. Belding at a rock concert last year? I can't recall which old group it was but they called him up to perform with them. Kinda comical. Seattle I think.

Aside from the usual great performances by Marty and Zach, the Devs have gotten remarkable contributions from checkers turned loose John Madden and Jay Pandolfo. The dynamic PK duo have really made a difference offensively because under Sutter, they're looking to score rather than just focusing on shutting down top lines.

I really feel that how they perform along with meat and potatoes rookie grinder David Clarkson will determine their Spring aspirations.

After a first half struggle, sophomore Travis Zajac has come around and is hitting the back of the net with regularity. It was essential for the kid from Manitoba to get it going. Ditto Patrik Elias, who went through a tough first half but as usual has responded. He's always been a streaky scorer who picks it up down the stretch. Never a bad thing.

What is probably the most surprising aspect about the team who currently leads the Pens by two points for the Atlantic and has a share of the conference lead with Ottawa and Montreal is that top sniper Brian Gionta has only 15 goals. If the Rochester Rocket as Resch refers to him gets untracked, they'll be that much better.

You also can't measure the importance of new team captain Jamie Langenbrunner. I've always admired his game and wanted the Rangers to get him. Unfortunately, the Devs got the ex-Star who now has helped two teams win Stanley Cups. He's just such a smart versatile player who can be used offensively or defensively. He can play any situation and be a threat. If Parise's the heart of the offense, then Langenbrunner is the Krazy Glue which keeps it together.

The growing question is can a team which doesn't score a whole lot and still plays close to the vest relying on their netminder go far in the postseason? I'm not sure. You have to give Paul Martin a lot of kudos as he's finally budded into the kind of two-way defensive option the Minnesota product was capable of.

It's still mind boggling to see the transformation which has taken place with D partner Johnny Oduya. A guy who once looked like the odd man out is now logging vital minutes and contributing in both ends tied with Martin for the team lead for plus/minus (+19).

One still ponders if a blueline that relies on Oduya and Karel Rachunek can make an impact and win more than a round? Colin White is their most physical defenseman and will be very important to how they fare.

So, is this a balanced team? Not really offensively but what allows the Devils to continue winning is that their system allows everyone to contribute. It could be a Sergei Brylin or even an Arron Asham who makes the difference between winning and losing.

Is this team good enough to take the East? I still say no. They could probably use another offensive forward and one punishing defenseman to replace the awful Vitaly Vishnevski. However, outside of Ottawa who has goalie issues and Montreal who now looks like the most balanced team in the conference, you have to put the Devs in there with the third best chance to win the required 12 games to reach the Cup Final.

If only they didn't have the worst radio team in league history. Matt Loughlin is a nice guy who fits better as a studio host but good god. Is he awful. And Sherry Ross is misplaced as the color analyst.

How can those two be their radio team? Some things are just better off left being unsaid.

If you aren't a Devil fan, welcome to eternal Hell.