gee, those were the days
from Rocky Mtn News Online:
As violent as some of the Avalanche-Detroit Red Wings games have been, the rivalry pales in comparison to what took place when the Nordiques and Canadiens got together.
"The games between Montreal and Quebec were more important than to go to church on Sunday," said Hartley, who grew up in a predominantly French-speaking town on the Quebec-Ontario provincial line. "I'm sure if they would have played during the day there wouldn't have been a kid in school."
The animosity between the teams reached its peak on April 20, 1984, during Game 6 of the Adams Division finals at the Montreal Forum. In what became known as "the Good Friday Massacre," one of the ugliest brawls in hockey history broke out at the end of the second period.
"It was awful, terrible," Goulet said. "Emotions were way out of control. It's something that never should have happened."
The Nordiques, needing a victory to extend the series to a seventh game, had a 1-0 lead when fighting on the ice escalated into a benches-clearing brawl. It got worse when Quebec enforcer Louie Sleigher sucker-punched Montreal's Jean Hamel and knocked him unconscious.
Players from both teams eventually went to the locker rooms, but the brawling continued when they returned to the ice for the third period. Sleigher had been ejected, but in that era he was allowed to come out for the warm-up. When Canadiens players saw Sleigher in uniform, they thought he still was eligible to play and went after him.
"There was too much intensity; you could say hate," said Ladoceur, who covered the game. "Guys were fighting in the press box, and fans were fighting in the stands. It was really, really ugly."
Order eventually was restored, several players were ejected, and the Canadiens pulled out a 5-3 victory to clinch the series.
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
rough 'n tumble!
From Denver Post Online:
The more significant issue is whether Colorado will be asking too much of Skoula and perhaps also Greg de Vries in the top two pairs. They will be mixed and matched with Colorado's proven elite defensemen, Blake and Foote. And the other concern must be that the rough-and-tumble Foote has been injury-prone in recent years, missing an average of 29 games during the past four seasons.
mmmmf! Well, not about the injuries. But, you know. The rest of it.
I really really need hockey season to get here...
From Denver Post Online:
The more significant issue is whether Colorado will be asking too much of Skoula and perhaps also Greg de Vries in the top two pairs. They will be mixed and matched with Colorado's proven elite defensemen, Blake and Foote. And the other concern must be that the rough-and-tumble Foote has been injury-prone in recent years, missing an average of 29 games during the past four seasons.
mmmmf! Well, not about the injuries. But, you know. The rest of it.
I really really need hockey season to get here...
Monday, September 23, 2002
it's NOT stupid to buy jerseys!
Holmstrom plays after his clothes call
Wing gets fan's sweater on loan, scores in loss
September 20, 2002
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA, FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS -- How much do the fans love the Red Wings in western Michigan? They'll give them the shirts off their backs.
Literally.
Take Teri Rodriguez. The 46-year-old Newaygo resident came to the Wings' intrasquad game at Van Andel Arena on Thursday night wearing an autographed, replica Tomas Holmstrom sweater. She never dreamed she would lend it to him, and that he would wear it, and that he would score in it as his White team lost to the Red team in a shootout, 3-2. But that's what happened.
Holmstrom plays after his clothes call
Wing gets fan's sweater on loan, scores in loss
September 20, 2002
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA, FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS -- How much do the fans love the Red Wings in western Michigan? They'll give them the shirts off their backs.
Literally.
Take Teri Rodriguez. The 46-year-old Newaygo resident came to the Wings' intrasquad game at Van Andel Arena on Thursday night wearing an autographed, replica Tomas Holmstrom sweater. She never dreamed she would lend it to him, and that he would wear it, and that he would score in it as his White team lost to the Red team in a shootout, 3-2. But that's what happened.
Saturday, September 21, 2002
aw, and I missed it!
3rd Period Penalty Summary
1:19, Colorado, Smith: 5 Minutes for Fighting
1:19, Dallas, Gosselin: 5 Minutes for Fighting
9:37, Colorado, Saviels: 2 Minutes for Holding
10:00, Colorado, Foote: 2 Minutes for Roughing
10:00, Colorado, Blake: 2 Minutes for Cross Checking
12:47, Dallas, Ott: 2 Minutes for Charging
14:52, Dallas, Henenius: 2 Minutes for High Sticking
16:57, Dallas, Ott: 5 Minutes for Fighting
16:57, Dallas, McCormick: 5 Minutes for Fighting
3rd Period Penalty Summary
1:19, Colorado, Smith: 5 Minutes for Fighting
1:19, Dallas, Gosselin: 5 Minutes for Fighting
9:37, Colorado, Saviels: 2 Minutes for Holding
10:00, Colorado, Foote: 2 Minutes for Roughing
10:00, Colorado, Blake: 2 Minutes for Cross Checking
12:47, Dallas, Ott: 2 Minutes for Charging
14:52, Dallas, Henenius: 2 Minutes for High Sticking
16:57, Dallas, Ott: 5 Minutes for Fighting
16:57, Dallas, McCormick: 5 Minutes for Fighting
Wednesday, September 18, 2002
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Roy article *plus* Adam scoffing in it! what more can we ask for?
what more can we ask for?
from ESPN:
Yes, it's possible that if Roy has a substandard season and playoff run and his skills obviously are eroding, we could look back at those two games against the Red Wings as the harbinger. But neither Roy nor anyone around him seem to be considering that possibility.
"We haven't even thought about that sort of criticism," said Joe Sakic. "Patrick was the best player, in our minds, in the league last year. He got us where we were. This year's a new year, and we want to get back to the same spot and give it another shot."
Colorado winger Chris Drury has been in the sporting spotlight since he was the winning pitcher in the 1989 Little League World Series.
"He's mentally the strongest athlete I've ever been around," Drury said of Roy. "I don't think there will be any scars, effects or nightmares. Obviously, he was not too happy with it that night or a few days after, but he's so strong mentally, he's fine in my book."
Defenseman Adam Foote scoffed.
"A pretty small percentage of the goalies in the league have done HALF of what he's done," Foote said. "I know him well, and having him behind us still is a huge bonus for this team."
Colorado coach Bob Hartley said, "We knew who we were facing, and we also know where we did some things wrong. Sometimes you have to learn in either victories or defeat, whether we would have been beat in OT or by a touchdown, at this time there is no effect."
And his goaltender specifically?
"He's been there before," Hartley said, alluding to the Red Wings' 11-1 rout of the Canadiens in December 1995, with Roy in the net. "And look how he bounced back. The goalie? That's the least of my worries."
For his part, Roy appears to be as hungry as ever, given his early camp work and his conditioning.
"This is the 19th time I have participated in a training camp," he said. "It's never boring. There are two ways to look at it. You can be here and say, 'Aw, I don't care' or, 'What can I do to improve my game?' That's the way I like to look at it."
Not gonna comment about 'behind' and 'huge.' I'm trying to maintain some decorum here...but I always knew goalies had bigger sticks...
what more can we ask for?
from ESPN:
Yes, it's possible that if Roy has a substandard season and playoff run and his skills obviously are eroding, we could look back at those two games against the Red Wings as the harbinger. But neither Roy nor anyone around him seem to be considering that possibility.
"We haven't even thought about that sort of criticism," said Joe Sakic. "Patrick was the best player, in our minds, in the league last year. He got us where we were. This year's a new year, and we want to get back to the same spot and give it another shot."
Colorado winger Chris Drury has been in the sporting spotlight since he was the winning pitcher in the 1989 Little League World Series.
"He's mentally the strongest athlete I've ever been around," Drury said of Roy. "I don't think there will be any scars, effects or nightmares. Obviously, he was not too happy with it that night or a few days after, but he's so strong mentally, he's fine in my book."
Defenseman Adam Foote scoffed.
"A pretty small percentage of the goalies in the league have done HALF of what he's done," Foote said. "I know him well, and having him behind us still is a huge bonus for this team."
Colorado coach Bob Hartley said, "We knew who we were facing, and we also know where we did some things wrong. Sometimes you have to learn in either victories or defeat, whether we would have been beat in OT or by a touchdown, at this time there is no effect."
And his goaltender specifically?
"He's been there before," Hartley said, alluding to the Red Wings' 11-1 rout of the Canadiens in December 1995, with Roy in the net. "And look how he bounced back. The goalie? That's the least of my worries."
For his part, Roy appears to be as hungry as ever, given his early camp work and his conditioning.
"This is the 19th time I have participated in a training camp," he said. "It's never boring. There are two ways to look at it. You can be here and say, 'Aw, I don't care' or, 'What can I do to improve my game?' That's the way I like to look at it."
Not gonna comment about 'behind' and 'huge.' I'm trying to maintain some decorum here...but I always knew goalies had bigger sticks...
Friday, September 13, 2002
from sportsnet.ca:
If the NHL follows through with its stricter rules enforcement -- and Bettman says he will demote on-ice officials who refuse to make the calls -- it will be far more difficult for offence-strapped teams such as the Minnesota Wild to compete.
And pigs might fly out my...
I mean, come on, this *is* the same commissioner who looked stupidly at the television last year during the playoffs and didn't blink an eye at the calls that were so bad even Sports Illustrated noticed.
If the NHL follows through with its stricter rules enforcement -- and Bettman says he will demote on-ice officials who refuse to make the calls -- it will be far more difficult for offence-strapped teams such as the Minnesota Wild to compete.
And pigs might fly out my...
I mean, come on, this *is* the same commissioner who looked stupidly at the television last year during the playoffs and didn't blink an eye at the calls that were so bad even Sports Illustrated noticed.
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
hee
I said: YAY!!!
---------------- Begin Forwarded Message ----------------
Subject: FORWARD ALEX TANGUAY AGREES TO TERMS WITH THE COLORADO AVALANCHE
and Cee replied:
They don't write headlines for what's going on with MY
team: WINGS SIGN NOBODY EXCEPT INEXPERIENCED COACH; CAPTAIN WILL BE OUT TIL JANUARY; PRAYER MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT JOE WEDNESDAYS AT SIX.
Phagh.
I said: YAY!!!
---------------- Begin Forwarded Message ----------------
Subject: FORWARD ALEX TANGUAY AGREES TO TERMS WITH THE COLORADO AVALANCHE
and Cee replied:
They don't write headlines for what's going on with MY
team: WINGS SIGN NOBODY EXCEPT INEXPERIENCED COACH; CAPTAIN WILL BE OUT TIL JANUARY; PRAYER MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT JOE WEDNESDAYS AT SIX.
Phagh.
Monday, September 09, 2002
Okay, so Colorado came to its senses and re-signed Alex Tanguay. *whew*
In more amusing news, Stars owner Hicks considers selling team
September 9, 2002 Print it
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks has hired a company to explore and manage a possible sale of the NHL team and his half-share of the company that manages and operates the American Airlines Center.
Any sale wouldn't affect his ownership of the Texas Rangers, his major-league baseball team.
"As much as I love hockey and the Stars, I have met and exceeded the goals I set six years ago," Hicks said in a statement Monday. "After much thought and private discussion with my family, I have decided this is an appropriate time to become a one-team owner rather than a two-team owner."
Please, please, let a Canadian buyer step forward and move the Stars north! That would be so funny. Improbable, but funny.
In more amusing news, Stars owner Hicks considers selling team
September 9, 2002 Print it
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks has hired a company to explore and manage a possible sale of the NHL team and his half-share of the company that manages and operates the American Airlines Center.
Any sale wouldn't affect his ownership of the Texas Rangers, his major-league baseball team.
"As much as I love hockey and the Stars, I have met and exceeded the goals I set six years ago," Hicks said in a statement Monday. "After much thought and private discussion with my family, I have decided this is an appropriate time to become a one-team owner rather than a two-team owner."
Please, please, let a Canadian buyer step forward and move the Stars north! That would be so funny. Improbable, but funny.
Sunday, September 08, 2002
from sportsnet.ca:
Shooters are happy Dominik Hasek has hung up his goaltending pads, although fans will miss marvelling over his sprawling saves.
That's, uh, one way to put it...I thought we were pointing and mocking, but it could just be me.
On a more dubious note, Chicago's Bob Probert will pass Marty McSorley (3,381) and be third in career penalty minutes when he spends his 82nd minute in a penalty box this season. Probie should be there by Christmas.
Go, Probie?
Shooters are happy Dominik Hasek has hung up his goaltending pads, although fans will miss marvelling over his sprawling saves.
That's, uh, one way to put it...I thought we were pointing and mocking, but it could just be me.
On a more dubious note, Chicago's Bob Probert will pass Marty McSorley (3,381) and be third in career penalty minutes when he spends his 82nd minute in a penalty box this season. Probie should be there by Christmas.
Go, Probie?
Thursday, August 29, 2002
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
whoa, missed this one
[scarfed from a press release on the Brandon Wheat Kings web site]
CANADA CAPTURES EIGHT NATIONS CUP
Sunday, August 18, 2002 PIESTANY, Slovakia - Chalk up another title for Canadian hockey.
Canada's under-18 team has won the Eight Nations hockey tourney for the sixth straight time.
Mike Richards of the Kitchener Rangers had a hat trick as Canada hammered the Czech Republic 5-1 in today's final.
Oshawa Generals forward Nathan Horton and Corey Perry of the London Knights also scored for Canada while Medicine Hat's Kevin Nastiuk made 31 saves for the victory.
Canada was perfect in the tournament, going 3-0 in the round robin before beating Russia then the Czech Republic in the playoffs.
Canada also swept the tournament's player awards -- Nastiuk was named top goalie, Shawn Belle of the Tri-City Americans was picked as best defenceman and Winnipeg native Nigel Dawes of the Kootenay Ice was chosen top forward. Dawes and Belle were among ten Western Hockey Leaguers on this year's club.
[scarfed from a press release on the Brandon Wheat Kings web site]
CANADA CAPTURES EIGHT NATIONS CUP
Sunday, August 18, 2002 PIESTANY, Slovakia - Chalk up another title for Canadian hockey.
Canada's under-18 team has won the Eight Nations hockey tourney for the sixth straight time.
Mike Richards of the Kitchener Rangers had a hat trick as Canada hammered the Czech Republic 5-1 in today's final.
Oshawa Generals forward Nathan Horton and Corey Perry of the London Knights also scored for Canada while Medicine Hat's Kevin Nastiuk made 31 saves for the victory.
Canada was perfect in the tournament, going 3-0 in the round robin before beating Russia then the Czech Republic in the playoffs.
Canada also swept the tournament's player awards -- Nastiuk was named top goalie, Shawn Belle of the Tri-City Americans was picked as best defenceman and Winnipeg native Nigel Dawes of the Kootenay Ice was chosen top forward. Dawes and Belle were among ten Western Hockey Leaguers on this year's club.
Sunday, August 25, 2002
Tuesday, August 20, 2002
'cause even Bettman has a brain sometimes...
from sportsnet.ca:
Report: NHL rejects Holik, Kasparaitis contracts
The league office is reportedly objecting to the signing-bonus covenants in the contracts.
(posted Aug. 19, 11:32PM EDT)
NEW YORK -- The NHL has rejected the contracts Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis signed with the New York Rangers and the dispute is to go to an arbitrator, according to a report from the New York Post.
The newspaper said the move to reject the deals was made Aug. 7 and the NHL Players Association responded with a grievance 48 hours later.
Holik signed a five-year, $45-million deal that includes a $10.7-million signing bonus with about $2.7 million given out the first season and $2 million each following season for the duration of the contract.
Kasparaitis signed a six-year, $25.5-million deal with $6-million in signing bonuses with $1 million given out each season for the duration of the contract.
Holik, 31, scored 25 goals, added 29 assists and had 97 penalty minutes with New Jersey last season. The six-foot-four, 230-pound centre is a two-time NHL all-star and was a key member of New Jersey's 1995 and 2000 Stanley Cup championship teams.
Kasparaitis, 29, qualified for unrestricted free agency because he played 10 years in the NHL and earned less than the league average salary of $1.64 million last season. Kasparaitis made $1.15 million with Pittsburgh and Colorado last season while recording two goals, 14 assists and 142 penalty minutes in 80 games.
They of course neglect to mention that he screwed over Colorado and they didn't bother to fight to keep him 'cause he sucks (and I don't mean that in the romantic, noble defenceman/goaltender way).
from sportsnet.ca:
Report: NHL rejects Holik, Kasparaitis contracts
The league office is reportedly objecting to the signing-bonus covenants in the contracts.
(posted Aug. 19, 11:32PM EDT)
NEW YORK -- The NHL has rejected the contracts Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis signed with the New York Rangers and the dispute is to go to an arbitrator, according to a report from the New York Post.
The newspaper said the move to reject the deals was made Aug. 7 and the NHL Players Association responded with a grievance 48 hours later.
Holik signed a five-year, $45-million deal that includes a $10.7-million signing bonus with about $2.7 million given out the first season and $2 million each following season for the duration of the contract.
Kasparaitis signed a six-year, $25.5-million deal with $6-million in signing bonuses with $1 million given out each season for the duration of the contract.
Holik, 31, scored 25 goals, added 29 assists and had 97 penalty minutes with New Jersey last season. The six-foot-four, 230-pound centre is a two-time NHL all-star and was a key member of New Jersey's 1995 and 2000 Stanley Cup championship teams.
Kasparaitis, 29, qualified for unrestricted free agency because he played 10 years in the NHL and earned less than the league average salary of $1.64 million last season. Kasparaitis made $1.15 million with Pittsburgh and Colorado last season while recording two goals, 14 assists and 142 penalty minutes in 80 games.
They of course neglect to mention that he screwed over Colorado and they didn't bother to fight to keep him 'cause he sucks (and I don't mean that in the romantic, noble defenceman/goaltender way).
Friday, August 16, 2002
Auuuggghhh! Not the *Hawks!* (from, as always, sportsnet.ca)
Fleury signs with Hawks
Reports earlier in the week had the feisty winger in talks with Toronto, Florida and Phoenix.
(posted Aug. 15, 11:31AM EDT)
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks signed veteran winger Theo Fleury to a two-year, $8-million contract Thursday, beating out the Phoenix Coyotes for the unrestricted free agent's services.
(PS - Clearly I got my Mac up and running again after changing out to a newer, bigger hard drive. Yay!)
Fleury signs with Hawks
Reports earlier in the week had the feisty winger in talks with Toronto, Florida and Phoenix.
(posted Aug. 15, 11:31AM EDT)
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks signed veteran winger Theo Fleury to a two-year, $8-million contract Thursday, beating out the Phoenix Coyotes for the unrestricted free agent's services.
(PS - Clearly I got my Mac up and running again after changing out to a newer, bigger hard drive. Yay!)
Monday, August 12, 2002
Oh puh-LEASE (from sportsnet.ca):
Theoren Fleury is one of the last big name free agents left unsigned this offseason
(posted Aug. 12, 8:00AM EDT)
PHOENIX -- Wayne Gretzky and the Phoenix Coyotes are interested in signing free agent Theo Fleury, the Arizona Republic reported.
Gretzky, the team's managing partner, met with Fleury and his agent over the weekend and discussed what it would take to get the winger into a Coyotes uniform.
“That's our intention and we'd love to see it happen,” Gretzky told the paper.
Guess the Corndogs aren't as afraid of him as the Sharks are...
Theoren Fleury is one of the last big name free agents left unsigned this offseason
(posted Aug. 12, 8:00AM EDT)
PHOENIX -- Wayne Gretzky and the Phoenix Coyotes are interested in signing free agent Theo Fleury, the Arizona Republic reported.
Gretzky, the team's managing partner, met with Fleury and his agent over the weekend and discussed what it would take to get the winger into a Coyotes uniform.
“That's our intention and we'd love to see it happen,” Gretzky told the paper.
Guess the Corndogs aren't as afraid of him as the Sharks are...
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