Everything Else

In Case Of Emergency

By Sam Fels 1352 0

It won’t come as much of a surprise you all, but everything that’s gone on the past few days have killed a lot of motivation to write anything. That won’t last forever, but after days of true horror, true stupidity, and true loss — both in real world and in our little distraction world that’s supposed to bring us at least temporary joy and feeling but instead only brings frustration and weariness — it’s kind of hard to figure out what to say.

But at least in this very tiny corner of the world, we have to start planning. And seeing as how this blog only exists for you, we’d like you to help out.

Everything Else

Once Again, Fall On Your Sword, Ajax

By Sam Fels 1752 0

It’s the same call I made in October. I return to you, players, to do so once again.

I ask this of you not because I’m not sympathetic to your cause. From the word go I have found what the owners are doing to you disgusting, obstinate, and absurd. The thought of Gary Bettman smiling, having a cigar and a brandy while slapping the back of Jeremy Jacobs and Murray Edwards over a job well done makes me want to vomit up lunch from two days ago, then eat it up just so I can vomit it up again. I know it makes you feel that way.

But sometimes doing the honorable thing is one that is odorous to every sense. And this is starting to feel like one of those times.

Everything Else

Good Morning, Campers

By Sam Fels 1298 0

It’s a big week for Phillip Danault and Mark McNeill, as they are both currently in Calgary for Canada’s World Junior Training Camp. They will find out Thursday if they’ve made the team, and they could be fighting for the same spot.

Both went into it on a roll as well. Danault especially went bonkers in two games this weekend, with one goal and seven assists! That gives Phillip 44 points in 29 games, though that hasn’t kept Victoriaville from being pretty ho-hum this year.

McNeill had a goal and two assists in three games before heading to Calgary.

Everything Else

One Out Of Three Is Only Good In Baseball

By Sam Fels 1367 0

The Hogs embarked on their first three-in-three stretch this past weekend. And it didn’t go so well. One win, two losses, and out of first place to Grand Rapids. You would have wanted more.

It started out ok. Friday night saw the return of Yippy Carter Hutton, who three second period goals on six shots from Milwaukee in the second period. That canceled out a pretty Rob Flick opener,  where he came down the right wing – his off-wing – cut to the middle and blistered one past Jeremy Smith.

And then it went nuts in the 3rd period. The Hogs exploded for four goals, two of them Ben Smith deflections on the power play. Brandon Pirri added another one, and Marty St. Pierre finished it off with an empty-netter before raising his long stick in the air and knocking out a couple light bulbs.

Then it went pear-shaped.

Everything Else

Your NHL-less Weekend Guide and Thread

By Sam Fels 1398 0

I should have been clearer with this in previous versions, but these weekend guides are for you to discuss whatever you want in them. Anyway…

Friday Night

Bulls v. Pistons – I’ll admit I totally forgot the Detroit Pistons still existed. Do they really, though?

Michigan State v. Notre Dame (Hockey) – This one’s on NBCSN, and you can use the time to take a look at Stephen Johns if you’re so inclined.

Minnesota v. Colorado College – If you have a Dish you can get this one, and these are two top ten teams at the moment.

Everything Else

Morning Links 12/5

By Joe DeTolve 1182 0

Constructive Day but could this be Entrapment? (Chicago Tribune) (Spector’s Hockey)

Saving the Hockey World like James Bond:(Sportsnet)

Merchants near NHL rinks are losing money like The Great Train Robbery: (TSN)

Will an angry owner speak out, Never say Never..again:(Toronto Sun)

Players are paying for mistakes like a team in the Valley of the Rising Sun:(Sportsnet)

Adventures in Team Travel like going to The Rock: (Backhand Shelf)

From Russia with Love?? An unlikely Gordie Howe Hattrick:(CJAD)

Everything Else

Children Of Men

By Sam Fels 1425 0

Let’s round up the kids, because we’ve got nothing else to do.

We’ll start in the Q, as is customary.  Phillip Danault had a pretty busy week before getting his invite to the World Junior Training Camp for Canada next week. Four games, a goal and an assist but an unsightly -4. In fact, Danault is a -8 in his last seven games, which isn’t all that encouraging for a player that’s supposed to be a solid two-way player. It dropped him from +4 on the year to -4. Something to be watched.

His teammate Brandon Whitney had a much better week, starting all four games. Only went 1-3, but stopped 38 of 39, then 34 of 38, 28 of 31, and 36 of 39 shots in those games. That’s a .923 SV% for those four games.

Dillon Fournier was a +1 in three games for Rouyn-Noranda