Habs win! Congrats to Bruins nonetheless April 22, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: bruins, canadiens, habs, hockey, nhl, stanley cup
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Habs won!!!!!!!!!!! I was sitting stressed out on my couch last night untl Andrei put the 3rd one in. I usually have the game on and I work on the laptop at the same time but last night it could not happen.
Boston came in the 1st period really strong and thought to myself, we’re goners. When Mike put the 1st one in, hope appeared, when Mark put the 2nd one in (and what a beauty, eh!) there was reason for stress to go down.
With the riots we got last night (idiots), could it have been worse if the Habs lost?..
Also, congrats to Boston and their coach Claude Julien (who was nick’ed Mr. Potato Head a few years ago), they really came out to play. Considering that like the Habs, nobody expected the Bruins to even make it even close to a spot in the playoffs.
Now let’s hope we go against Philly, since it’s an easier prey.
Hockey: how to fix the fighting issue and injuries April 2, 2008
Posted by jphebert in family, hockey.Tags: bettman, fire bettman, hockey, nhl, nhlpa, stanley cup
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I think ice hockey must be the last sport on Earth to allow fights the way they do and I think it’s just plain stupid. Some claim the NHL will loose some audience, good, send these fans over to rastlin’ (pro wrestling) and new fans will come for the same reason.
A simple yet efficient way to improve player protection and eliminate fights is actually very simple: full-face helmet protection. If they guy in front of you has a full metal grill or an I-Tech style transparent unit, how can you punch him in the face? The ones to loose the most will be dentists anyway..
Also, on the topic of player protection, force them to wear kevlar neckguards. The NHL has the ability and authority to impose (with the NHLPA) equipment obligations. Look at Richard Zednik’s injury. ’nuff said!
The problem in all this revolves around Bettman and the ruleset. Take out fights and the players will pull dirty moves. How to manage dirty moves? 5 to 10 game suspensions without pay. And the NHLPA should go with this because they’re protecting the well-being of their members. If a dirty players gets caught 4 times (and yes such penalties should be given after the game from video replays), he looses half the season and half the pay. I call that motivation.
Also in that line of thought, actual hockey players will get promoted to more ice time and the show will get better with more plays and more passing and more goals. Don’t mess with the goalies’ equipment, just make the players play. Sometimes I think rules for women’s hockey should be applied to the NHL..
Leafs out of the running March 28, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: canadiens, habs, hockey, leafs, maple leafs, nhl, stanley cup
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Well, the ‘67 curse ain’t getting broken any time, eh? Same time last year both Habs and Leafs were fighting for a place in the playoffs and both failed. This year, Habs are fighting for 1st place in the Eastern conference. Gotta love this 
Habs on fire! March 2, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: canadiens, habs, hockey, huet, nhl, stanley cup
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Okay, we did not get Hossa and I still think we could have gotten more out of the Huet trade, but Habs are doing really well! They just won against New Jersey and took the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Can’t wait for the playoffs!
NHL: positions system need to change February 14, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: bettman, hockey, nhl, playoffs, standings, stanley cup
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If you take a quick look at the positions on NHL.com today (or anywhere else), there is a blatant absurdity in the rankings, just take a look and try to find it:
| Rank | GP | W | L | OT | Pts | |||||||
| 1 | Ottawa Senators* | 58 | 34 | 19 | 5 | 73 | ||||||
| 2 | Pittsburgh Penguins* | 57 | 32 | 20 | 5 | 69 | ||||||
| 3 | Washington Capitals* | 58 | 27 | 25 | 6 | 60 | ||||||
| 4 | Montréal Canadiens | 58 | 30 | 19 | 9 | 69 | ||||||
| 5 | New Jersey Devils | 57 | 32 | 21 | 4 | 68 | ||||||
| 6 | Philadelphia Flyers | 56 | 30 | 21 | 5 | 65 | ||||||
| 7 | Buffalo Sabres | 57 | 28 | 21 | 8 | 64 | ||||||
| 8 | Boston Bruins | 57 | 29 | 23 | 5 | 63 | ||||||
| 9 | New York Rangers | 59 | 28 | 24 | 7 | 63 | ||||||
| 10 | Carolina Hurricanes | 59 | 28 | 27 | 4 | 60 | ||||||
| 11 | Atlanta Thrashers | 59 | 28 | 27 | 4 | 60 | ||||||
| 12 | Florida Panthers | 59 | 26 | 27 | 6 | 58 | ||||||
If you noticed that team #3 (Washington) has 60 points and should be in the slot after the Panthers, you got it right. Bettman & Co. need to address this rule now or for next season. I don’t think this system brings any value where if no teams from a division don’t make it past 82 games. If your team doesn’t make it it sucks, but who cares about divisions really. Top 8 go in, the rest play golf.
If you want change in the NHL, check these guys out.
