McCabe - Immediately surrenders a goal to former teammate Gary Roberts via sloppy puck control 0:29 into the first. Attempts a couple more careless passes to Kaberle, but escapes the period only -1. Redeems himself later in the first with a diving poke check to take away a great chance for Nathan Horton. Apparently McCabe shit his brains out, or was up all night trying to. I've been there(thanks Thailand), and it is a more than fair excuse for not being sharp to start the game.

Stajan - Having himself a game so far. Hasn't made the score sheet yet, but is strong on the puck and is taking it to dangerous areas.

Kronvall - Now that is the way a defenseman is supposed to walk in the from the blue line as coverage breaks down; force the defense to cover you and then pass, if they don't, shoot. Real simple, but the Leafs blue line seldom can manage this basic execution. Transitioned down low to help with the forecheck, while Steen covered the point. I like the initiative. He also doesn't waste time setting up gaining the zone. So far, so good.

Wellwood - I'm beginning to take a liking to the kid. Asked during the first intermission how he has avoided the sin bin in every level of hockey he has played, "Playing pond hockey against older and bigger players, if I hooked, they beat me up, so I've never played that way. It isn't my game." And its true. He moves the puck up the boards with wit and quickness. He tends to coast when he has the puck, but he should break that habit with time. He also needs to look for his shot more. But he's got game, and that is his most promising attribute.

Berg - He can really buzz around his own zone at times, making up ground at an astonishing pace, which is a great asset against a low-cycling team.

One Super(Big)Ego [via]

CBC NHL report card

Power Ranking Round-Up

Yahoo Power Rankings (10/28/05) - Maple Leafs #8, Bruins #9, Rangers #16

Sportsline Power Rankings(10/25/05) - Maple Leafs #11, Rangers #16, Bruins #17

TSN Power Rankings (10/24/05) - Maple Leafs #6, Bruins #10, Rangers #18

Sonny Moore's Power Ratings(10/26/05) - Maple Leafs #9, Rangers #18, Bruins #19

McKeens Power Poll(10/24/05) - Maple Leafs #7, Rangers #13, Bruins #19

Hockey Analysis Power Rankings(10/26/05) - Maple Leafs #6, Rangers #16, Bruins #19

Fox Power Rankings (10/25/05) - Maples Leafs #9, Rangers #15, Bruins #19

SI Power Rankings (10/25/05) - Maple Leafs #10, Bruins #14, Rangers #15

"East Polar Opposite Can Dream" by Magoo on GlobalWarmingRecords

Another slow builder, first heard on UNCUT compilation November 2001

i want this

HAR-YOU

FRANCISCO AGUABELLA - "Hitting Hard" & "Agua de Cuba"

I have all the 30 second samples of the above albums on my ipod. Of course they are not tagged correctly. But I knew it was ubiquity goodness. Alittle digging, and I found them. Now I just need to add them to "the list" and purchase them.

FILLET OF SOUL needs to be added to the list as well.

"A Request” was an up tempo J5 party-style hip-hop banger with beats to rock dancefloors from coast to coast."

SOLD

OHMEGA WATTS

kartvader

[via]

[my employer seems to be blocking the loading of images to blogspot]

I hope everyone saw the Monster Shark tournament broadcast last night, opposite the Major League Baseball "World Series", noted earlier this year in the press for the capture of a 1191 pound Tiger shark 90 miles out at sea, around Martha's Vineyard. The fish was frickin' huge. "They need a bigger boat" I thought to myself as I felt a bit like I was watching a realty tv version of 'Jaws'. It seemed entirely possible some crew member could have a very unfortunate accident.

A two hour fight. Way too long trying to get the thing in the boat. After that failed, which should've taken all of two seconds considering the opening they were trying to pull the fish through wasn't fitting 20% of the fish, and they hadn't even neared either of the pectoral or dorsals fin, they tied it off the back and raced back to the docks. To no avail, as they missed the 6:30 deadline. Did I mention the fish was gargantuan? The tournament "winner" admitted he felt bad for the crew of "Castafari", who had tangled with a once-in-a-lifetime fish and triumphed, and that the victory wasn't sweet because of "their fish." It should be noted the winners took two makos for a rough total weight of 750 pounds.

Also on the animal tip, check out this month's NatGeo for the 4 frame attack by a tigeress on a mounted mahout. Unbelievable.

[via]

"I'm thinking I go to locker room and do something different. Go to bicycle, go to gym, do something more. You see it will pay," he said. "That's how you change things. Do more."

It's Miller time

Kaberle gets the kudos today

Even Strength Scoring leaders

HNIC guy on the left not identifying with "my NHL"

Which reminds me of a thought I had last night, as another "my NHL" ad barged into my living room; has a professional sport league ever marketed itself as property of the fan? And if so, has said marketing campaign been directed at 'fringe' fans while it ignores long-loyal fans? And does anyone else see the irony of such a ploy?

Either give the fans a "my NHL" ad series to brag about to their non-hockey loving friends to generate interest by word of mouth, or drop the "my". Or start selling league shares to the fans, so that it truly will be my NHL, at least partially. And invite fan involvement to suggest ways to improve and maintain the integrity of the game. Because right now, as a NHL fan, I'm not sure what is mine anymore.

owweee

T. Kaberle tutorial #1

Tomas, when rushing up the left side of the ice, don't always deke left. You take yourself out of the play when you do that. Try deking right, or at least dragging the puck back around the defender to clear a shooting lane. If anyone scouts you, they'll only need 5 minutes of video to know your tricks. Deke left, pass.

Also, work on the look-off shot, where you appear to be passing, but you put a high,hard wrister on net. It doesn't need to be a great shot to score, because everyone already thinks you're gonna pass. The fake slapper to pass is a great play too, but no one bites at the bait you set. Try it the other way around. Get them defending your pass, then just shoot. Sounds simple, I know. I would've thought you'd put this into practice already.

The worst thing a team athlete can do is telegraph the play.

West is Best? Think again.

Last week, I speculated privately that the Northeast division is so good, that all five teams might make the playoffs. But I wasn't sure how this new schedule, 8 games against each divisional rival, would play out. This week, ESPN noticed what I did, but took it a step further, forming an actual declarative statement that the new schedule would leave a NE division playoff-calibre team looking in from outside the sweet 16. A real shame. Along those same lines, Detroit will win the President's trophy. You heard it here first.

Biggest Surprise so far - L.A. Kings. I tend to know nothing about the Kings year to year, but I can't ignore 5-on-5 scoring(how down is this stat league-wide?), leading their division, 2.50 GAA with a former Ranger throw-away tender, 3.4 GPG, a scoring-towering-brawler Parros, and who is Tim Gleason and his team second best +6? Very surprising.

But I wish I lived out west. They get all the hockey fights.

And OLN, you suck for not televising fights. You really could've made some friends in tvland had you trumped ESPN's lousy decision to not show fisticuffs. I prefer not to watch OLN, but when I do, and I'm lucky enough to see a EST prime time dust-up, I feel like I'm with my panicky aunt who can't accept the fact I'm no longer 9 years old, and that I can handle seeing a love-making scene in a PG-13 movie.

Jiminy Christmas!

aside: Vanek, you better score tonight. You're playing the Capitals. Everybody scores against D.C.

Fantasy Hockey Gospel

No matter who you have starting, sit them against the Senators.(1:1) It ain't worth the +/- set back you'll suffer. Or the GAA influx for your goal-tender.(1:2) Whoever on your team, or on the waiver wire, is playing the Blue Jackets, (pick them up and) play them.(1:3) Even your scrub defenseman who has been in a slump.(1:4) And any Redwing who has decent ice time. (1:5) Those lucky bastards get to play that "franchise" eight times this year. After today, you still have 6 more chances.(1:6)

Be not afraid to try your luck on a rookie.(2:1) Half of the league point leaders are rookies.(2:2) And look beyond Crosby, Ovechkin, Vanek and Phaneuf; there are plenty of other youthful contributors.(2:3) Be very afraid of former stars whose career is on the decline and did not play competitive hockey last year.(2:4) Their groins should be afraid as well.(2:5) Especially stupid, over-confident goalies that didn't play last year.(2:6) And over-the-hill player/owners.(2:7)

The game is faster.(3:1) Puck movement has been liberalized.(3:2) Wear facial protection if you want to help your team.(3:3) Unless you're Eric Boulton. Then don't wear any protective equipment whatsoever.(3:4) Scoring is up.(3:5) Players are not afraid of the crease.(3:6) Call the rule book.(3:7)

That's my word.

Kudos to ESPN for recording 'unofficial' stats. Blocked Shots, Missed Shots, Hits, Takeaways, Giveaways. They even separate the number of penalties a player takes and the number of penalty minutes accrued. Too bad all of this data isn't incorporated into the expanded scoring stats.

WRC on Speed - I caught the Corsica event last night, so the details maybe off, but the broadcast is right on.

Leetchy digs Superman - "I think he can win the Norris Trophy and he's the best player I've played with in my career as a partner."

Power Rankings Round-Up :: Ogden/Spofi Crew Team Watch

Globe&Mail Power Rankings (10/22/05) - Rangers #9, Maple Leafs #10, Bruins #22

Yahoo Power Rankings (10/21/05) - Maple Leafs #7, Bruins #12, Rangers #16

SI Power Rankings(10/18/05) - Bruins #7, Maple Leafs #11, Rangers #14

Fox Sports Power Rankings (10/18/05) - Rangers #5, Maple Leafs #10, Bruins #18

Hockey Analysis Power Rankings (10/19/05) - Maple Leafs #6, Rangers, #10, Bruins #21

McKeens Power Poll (10/18/05) - Maple Leafs #4, Rangers #8, Bruins #19

Sonny Moore's Power Ratings - Rangers #4, Maple Leafs #12, Bruins #16

Sportline Power Rankings (10/18/05) - Rangers #6, Maple Leafs #7, Bruins #10

TSN Power Rankings(10/17/05) - Maple Leafs #2, Rangers #10, Bruins #19

Blog Search Engine - Ice Rocket

The League's dirtiest player? Head-hunting Lindros, drive-by elbow on Ranger? Is Hartley responsible, and should he be suspended and fined? Not having a decent goalie to start can be frustrating, but intentionally maiming the opposition is bush-league, Michael Peca bullshit.

UPDATE: The League reviewed the Lindros hit, but decided against taking action. Nice move.

DI tees

Hockey play-by-play phrases that crack me up

"...He slides it in deep..."

"...He winds up and fires high in the slot..."

"...He poked it loose..."

"...That's some rough play in the crease..."

How many visors does your team wear?

Hockey televising idea: How about the earth-shattering idea of putting a camera on both sides of the ice? It must be maddening to a new viewer of the game to watch a team get the puck out of their zone along the near boards while the puck is invisible. The common complaint of not being able to follow the puck on tv's origin, I imagine.

57th Dynasty



'Lil Bro' ***
'Hold Strong'
'Ghetto Gold' ****
'Pattern 57'

NEWSFLASH

Al Strachan has been shitcanned from HNIC. (does happy dance) Nancy Lee, I feel you....and come to think of it, I want your job.

also.....Top Ten Hullisms

[via]

Paul Coffey

I credit Coffey's absence from the Oilers in 87-88 for the Calgary Flames winning that year's Playoff series against the intraprovincial rivals. I have no statistical evidence to back up this claim, whatsoever. But an Oiler defenseman did score the series winning goal for the Flames. Coincidence? I think not.

If anybody in interwebsland can find a picture of that fateful owngoal, please forward it on.

UPDATE: Many thanks to JP McGovern over at the flagship Yokels for providing video of one my major sporting memories.

R32 Sequel in the works

Canada ranked last on nuclear waste and CO production by Suzuki Foundation

"North Americans take their natural resources for granted while most European countries have dealt with environmental crises for years...environmental issues need to take a prominent place in the next federal election..."

PJ Stock Report

Hockey Numbers

Cool Mining

Signs?

[via]

Hi, my name is XXXXXXX
Be not surprised to this letter, I have decided to write to you because has felt, that you, probably, which unique the woman I search for that also which approach me. In this letter I want to tell to you slightly about myself: To me of 33 years, I the young, attractive, cheerful man with a hansom figure. I live new york city of Bronx, But i come from West Africa Ghana Accra. I work as the Accountant in mining company, I like my work. At leisure I am engaged in sports , I go to campaigns, sometimes in theatre or simply I walk, like to listen to music and to read books. I search kind, loving(liking), reliable for the woman. It(she) should be the clever, interesting interlocutor, with sense of humour love children. The age, color of hair, a figure not so are important for me, the most important is his(its) character and the serious attitude(relation) to a marriage(spoilage). I hope, that you were interested with my letter and can see your answer. Mine E-mail address is, xxxxxxxx@yahoo.com
I wait with impatience, XXX

[via]

Super4 Challenge

This is the first time I've seen the North Pole. I wonder how much it has changed in the last 10, 25, 50, even 100 years?

Suzuki Tee

AQ debunking Eklund from the Hockey Carnival #11

Check out Mikey B's latest posts.

AP: Do you indeed have a rug that really ties the room together?

Dowd: Absolutely. [via]

my new favorite hockey name

Have you seen the new pirate movie? Its rated ARRRRRR

"Brown nosers, suck-ups, butt-kissers. I promote those people. They make me feel good."

Ok, I admit it. That makes me laugh. However, I don't fully agree with its premise: that the NHLPA got 'bent over' during the new CBA formulation. I have and will continue to maintain that the one tangible victory the players managed to achieve during the lock-out was forcing the owners to disclose revenues. Removing the ambiguity whether owners are raking in profits from parking fees, cable stations, building ownership, corporate sponsorship, etc., all the while claiming poverty when it comes to actual team revenue is a huge step forward, not only for the NHLPA, but for the the combined fortunes of the Player's Association and the League.

It remains to be seen whether this potential cornerstone will yield a much needed trust between the two entities. But it was the NHLPA that led the way to this possible break-through in what has historically been a petulant business relationship.

[via]

An old favorite - Player Rankings

Gary Bettman needs to have his head examined. Last night the two remaining 3-0 teams played eachother, essentially for the title of league leader, as Ottawa stands alone with 8 pts in 4 GP, and the NHL Center Ice Premium Hockey package dropped the game from its schedule. That's right, the game was originally slated to be televised continent-wide, but for some reason the powers that be that make these heady choices decided to drop a game between two teams that seem to have benefitted the most from the newly instituted rule changes and rule enforcement changes, and therefore exhibit the exiciting brand of NHL hockey the league is trying to sell.

Now this isn't OLN learning how to broadcast NHL action. This is the NHL making a decision not to air a game between two Canadian markets because they see no upside; resident fans of both participating teams have the game on TSN or CBC (I'm not sure which, since I couldn't watch the bloody game), so why bother letting anyone else watch a potential Conference leaders match-up.

Go ahead Gary, marginalize Canadian franchises some more. This NHL fan wishes you'd be marginalized.

P.S. - I hate Gary Bettman.

NOVA : Big Idea - tonight at 8 pm

Keyspan Park 9/25/05

Right back at you, Bub

Hubble's best

iKEY

Hybrid TT

The Best Rivalry in the new NHL

The numbers are indisputable, despite the season being only a week old: Toronto Maple Leafs versus Ottawa Senators games are the best in the league. How could this be discerned so soon, and how could the best rivlary even be defined, you ask? Two games played. Several lead changes each game. Late third period comebacks to tie. End to end overtime. Shootouts. That should suffice to quell any doubters as to the legitimacy of my claim.

No other so-called rivalry has been as closely contested, and that's what makes a rivlary tick; the chance that either team could be the day's victor. Irregardlessible if ties are still a vital and relevant part of hockey, the skin-of-my-teeth parity between the teams thus far is undeniable. In this observer's opinion, neither team played for a tie in each tilt, but a tie is what each team deserved, further raising the temperature of said penultimate rivalry.

(Take note Bettman & Co., true hockey fans like ties. And we're getting sick and tired of you catering to the fans you don't have. And another thing, stop with the 'my NHL' ads every 0.5 second. I've got a better idea, give us loyal and insulted fans a check, cash, moola, greenbacks, something to repay us for the lockout. Because Crouching Tiger drum beats and sultry, innuendo-laden whispers ain't cuttin' it.)

Of course, my favor lies on the losing side of both games so far, but I find solace in the fact these are battles lost without the Maple Leafs' greatest warrior. If all else remains equal, when Mats re-enters the equation he shall woo significant favor from the hockey gods to shift the balance of power back to the Maple Leafs.

But as it stands, the Maple Leafs are the provincial underdogs; a role welcome, yet unfamiliar.

UPDATE: hockeydirt agrees

ASH - Check 'em out. "Warmer Than Fire" is a great track.

"I was never a big NHLPA guy, but I gained a lot of respect for Bob Goodenow.....He didn't accomplish a miracle. He just put the pieces back together." Martin Brodeur on Goodenow and Saskin

Youth Served? I sure hope so. These two were the only bright spots for the Leafs. Steen's pass intercept and brilliantly executed look-off/quick wrister was a surprise. I didn't know he had such good offensive instincts. Stajan's one-timed slapper in the slot from Lindros' beauty backhand feed was so fast, I thought it was Lindros shooting. That was the happiest error I've made in a while.

And now Wellwood will be centering these two for a month or so, possibly? Wellwood seems a pound light, an inch short, and overall in over his head, but if he can produce at a decent ratio over what he gives away, I say let him dangle and charge the net. Against the Habs, he had a great give and go from the corner out to the goal mouth, only to come up short on the falling wrister that needed to be a riser. But a step in the right direction. With the impeccable two-way play of his linemates, he should be fine.

The rest of team, that's another story. Pono, Antropov and Lindros can handle the first line duties. Kaberle is a puck hog. I love it. Not exactly, but his patience with the puck is markedly improved. I wish I'd seen him blossom last year. McCabe seems to have adjusted, but still gets beat wide too often for my liking. Belfour has been solid, though I thought I saw him look stunned for a moment on Saturday. Maybe it was the lighting.

But after that, I get a little...concerned. Allison looks not only like he has lost a step, but both feet. Granted his size and reach make him incredibly strong on the puck, but when you are moving at 2 mph, you aren't really making the defence sweat, now are you? Maybe he'll get some jump back as the season progresses. Maybe. Belak and Berg. Don't even get me started. Belak can hit, skate, fight, but I wouldn't trust him to read an icing call. Berg, well he should be playing with Klee. He needs the help.

Dharma Initiative Orientation Film

Let us all bow our heads

story

nopi catalog

"The guys who are fighting have never had a chance to be in the limelight because ESPN won't show fights," Esche said. "I hope OLN will take fighting and put it back into the game."

I hope so too.

annular eclipse

I emulated Hakan Loob's stick-taping style when I taped my own stick for the first time: 4 or 5 wraps just short of the toe of the blade, a bit wider than the diameter of a puck. He was one of my favorite Calgary Flames, probably because of his unique name and his scoring totals. Along with Joe Mullen, Al MacInnis, Gary Suter, Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts, Joel Otto, Mike Vernon, Lanny MacDonald, Jim Peplinkski, Tim Hunter....Even Jon Tonelli.

Its nice to see the SEL give the season's top goal scorer an award named the Hakan LOOB trophy.