Posts filed under 'Hockey News'
Two-Way Crosby
Photo: NHL.com
While people love to hate on Sidney Crosby, it’s impossible to deny that The Kid is one of the top two-way players in the league; he back checks and works hard to recover the puck in his own deffensive end, and occasionally he makes a play between the pipes as well, like he did on Nov. 3 against Anaheim.
Crosby is typically thought of as a point-scoring guy, whether he is netting the points himself or whether he is setting them up, but the reason Crosby is arguably one of the best players in the world is because of his two-way game. OK, so it will never be his trademark, like it is with a guy like Jordan Staal, but two-way play is a facet of the game that Crosby undeniably possesses.
Add comment November 4, 2009
Consecutive Draft Picks Score Consecutive Goals to help Colorado Top Detroit
Coming off of its worst season in Franchise history, the Avalanche is savoring a sweet Saturday night victory in Denver thanks to contributions from homegrown talent in a 3-1 victory over conference-rival Detroit.
Sophomores T.J. Gailardi and Chris Stewart each tallied a goal to give Colorado the edge over Detroit in the second meeting between the rival clubs this season on Saturday Oct. 24. Center Paul Stastny tacked on an empty-net goal with one minute left in the third period to assure the victory.
The win would not have been possible without the 47 saves that Craig Anderson provided between the pipes, but the obvious difference between this season’s Avalanche squad and the pitiful one of last season is the fresh young talent on the ice.
The team has committed to a youth movement and the commitment is paying off. Gailardi (selected by Colorado in the second round of the 2007 draft) netted the game-tying tally with a sick back-hand shot from inside the slot at the 14:26 mark of the second period. It was his first goal of the season, and it was a pretty one at that.
Stewart (selected by Colorado in the first round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft) sported a sly smirk after netting his goal, the game-winner, at the 9:20 mark of the third period. Stewart rushed into Detroit’s zone and launched a wrist shot that almost looked like a lob that he hoped to follow up on, but much to his chagrin – it evaded Detroit’s Jimmy Howard and landed in the upper shelf of the net on the first attempt. The two goals provided by the youngsters, plus Stastny’s empty-netter, was enough to hold off the Red Wings for the win.
Nine of the players on Colorado’s roster in Sunday’s game were drafted by Colorado in recent years – which goes to show how the organization is building the team – and it seems to be working. The Avalanche is 8-1-2 this season and lead the Western Conference with 18 points. They are second only to Pittsburgh in the overall standings.
Add comment October 25, 2009
For the love of hockey
Lately I have been perusing youtube for videos to help me improve my stickhandling. Today I discovered this video and you just have to love this kid and his dedication to the sport as he takes on a sick Sidney Crosby move.
Add comment June 23, 2009
Life Before Stanley
I’m not obsessed with hockey, but last weekend was a hard hard thing in my life…
My best friend and college roommate of three years, Amber, got married on Sunday. Thanks to NBC, the NHL decided to schedule Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday.
So, yours truly was faced with the prospect of missing both games because I was a bridesmaid in Amber’s wedding. The rehearsal was Saturday evening, and the actual wedding was Sunday afternoon/evening.
I toughed it up and went to the wedding, and had a blast. And Amber was cool with me ducking out of the rehearsal and the reception in time to blog both games for the Penguins website. All in all, it worked out for me. Not so much for the Penguins, who are faced with a 2-0 deficit for the second year in a row in the Final. Below, the bride and me, sporting my official Penguins’ playoff hat.
Amber and Debs at the Rehearsal Dinner.
Add comment June 2, 2009
Playoff Predictions
Today is the day. Opening day of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The time of year when every second of every is 100 times more important that it was just two days ago. Let the games begin!
These are my predictions:
Round 1:
-Boston over Montreal in 5, just because of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cr89xbl26g
-Rangers over Caps in 7, because “Jose the open door” will be Alex the Great’s downfall as King Henrick dethrones him.
-Devils over Canes in 6 becuase Parise is underrated and the Staal-Cole line is overrated.
-Pens over Flyers in 6, obviously, so that I can work for them longer because my internship ends when their season does. But also because Dan the Man is an awesome coach (seriosuly, 18-3-4?!).
-Ducks over Sharks in 7, because they set up the Pens with Kunitz, so I hope they fare well, oh and Ryan and Getzlaf are sweet.
-Detroit over Columbus in 7, only because Mason is a rookie prodigy, or else I would say Wings in 4.
-Vancouver over St. Louis in 6, because the Sundin twins supposedly read each other’s minds.
-Chicago over Calgary in 7, did you see how the hawks dismantled the Wings on Easter Sunday? Jokinen or not, the Flames are toast.
Round 2:
-Boston over Rangers in 5 because New York’s offense is no match for that Giant called Chara.
-Pens over Devils in 7, Marty may very well be the best goalie in the league, but he’s no match for the potent Penguins offense.
-Detroit over Ducks in 5, because that’s how mo-town rolls.
-Vancouver over Chicago in 6, just because.
Round 3:
-Pens over Boston in 5. Seriously. I’m calling it. Fleury will be on fire at this point, and so will Sid, Malkin, Guerin, Sykora, etc.etc.
-Detroit over Vancouver in 6.
Final:
-Pens best Wings in 6, and Hossa considers hanging himself in the visitors locker room at the Mellon Arena.
Add comment April 15, 2009
