Everything Else

Pigs In Zen

By Sam Fels 1503 0

Well, we thought — or maybe we just hoped — that at this point we’d be paying attention to a first place team. If you squint real hard, we are. This weekend, with two wins in Charlotte over what was supposed to be a pretty fierce AHL squad, the Rockford Icehogs are in 1st place in the Midwest Division. Yes, they’ve played at least two more games than their immediate chasers, and their point total would only land them sixth or seventh in the conference if they weren’t leading the division. But considering how bad the Hogs have been in the past few years, this is clearly a step forward. Of course, if the top club ever deigns to give us hockey again, the engine on this little revival will probably be ripped out. But hey, it’s more fun to talk about a winning team, no matter what level you’re referring to.

So, to the recaps then.

Everything Else

Your NHL-less Weeked Viewing Guide

By Sam Fels 1206 0

Just keep ’em coming. Before I get to the guide, I wanted to post this article from Soccernet with two owners from MLS. While there’s nothing too revolutionary here, it is refreshing to see transparency and communication be something that is valued. A lot of MLS teams work hand in hand with their supporters’ groups, which would be something that would make owners in any other league pretty much choke. Sadly, one of those owners isn’t here in Chicago, as the Fire don’t seem to have a great relationship with their fanbase.

But the NHL should tamp down the arrogance, because with more incompetent stewardship, MLS is going to be getting awfully big in the rearview, if it isn’t already. How did it get here? By expanding into the exact right markets, building a base with the dedicated fans in those, cultivating its own atmosphere and uniqueness, along with a couple other things. Maybe not this decade, but the next one could see the NHL totally usurped. And it would be exactly what they fucking deserve.

In fact, when the NHL finally wakes up and gets around to firing Gary Bettman for killing the sport, they’d do well to not look at plucking someone from the sports they can’t be, but from the one that is gobbling up the gap from the NHL to MLS. At least you might see something resembling innovative ideas.

Anyway, to the guide.

Everything Else

Morning Links 11/30

By Ken Oda 1261 0

With mediation failing LeBrun looks at what’s Next: ESPN

During the lockout these numbers are especially worth Knowing: TSN

Mike Smith says the players are just Seeking Justice: PHT

Capt. Marvel may be headed overseas in search of a Face Off: CSNChi

Sad news from the City of Angles: PD

The Yotes are Raising Arizona: PNT

Speaking of the Yotes Raffi understands its time for Adaptation: SN

These kids like to try to Kick-Ass: Deadspin

Everything Else

Oh, I Bet You Thought You Were Talking To Adults

By Sam Fels 1285 0

I’m sure this is what the mediators thought they saw when walking into either room. They probably would have been better off talking to this guy anyway.

It’s hard to splice out all the emotion and frustration I feel as yet another completely reasonable solution or mechanism on the path to an agreement was completely tossed upon the rocks and shoals of stupidity, stubborness, and obtuse-ness that the NHL and the NHLPA have become. It’s not surprise, it’s surprise at how predictable it all was. Because this level of idiocy simply shouldn’t be predictable. When something this truly devoid of any intelligence happens, we should be shocked that any part of the human race can get to that point.

But we’re not.

Everything Else

A Bit Like Prison: Hogs 4 – Wolves 2

By Sam Fels 1566 0

This is how we used to do it, right? Game at night, and then none of us can get it together for a wrap until the next morning? I’m just trying to get it down again in case I ever have to go back to doing this regularly.

It was a strange feeling last night out at Rose-Mizon. Other than the few dedicated Wolves fans (some of whom are just a bit weird, I’m sorry. I get it if you’ve sworn off the Hawks for past indiscretions and the greater affordability and access of the Wolves. That’s fine. But to the point where you buy and wear a Canucks jersey? I mean, come on! You don’t have to be a Hawks fan to know how inherently wrong that is. I know you’re trying to thumb your nose at the establishment, but that’s just thumbing your nose at common sense and decency), there was a sense that everyone else would rather be somewhere else.

The players want to be in the Big Time, most of the fans want to be at the UC, the press would have rather been covering the NHL, and we’re all just kind of here because we can’t be anywhere else.

Everything Else

What's This? An Actual Game Preview? You're Serious?: Hogs at Wolves

By 1063 0

@

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM
TV: CN100

You’re fuckin’ eh right it is. I miss doing these, and game posts are what I do best. So I’m going to fucking do one today, and then there’ll be an actual wrap either tonight or in the morning. Hopefully, it’ll remind us why we’re all here in the first place. But then that just might make us angrier that we aren’t doing this regularly. But fuck it. I’m tired of coming up with shit that you don’t even want to really read anyway. And I’m going to swear even more!

What could I possibly be writing about? Why, it’s the Rock River Swine visiting the O’Hare Annex Lupus (I have a fear of Wolves). That’s right, it’s the battle of….Northern Illinois? I guess Peoria is south enough to not be in that category, right? Let’s go with it.