Posted: July 1st, 2010 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Announcement, Babes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Hockey, NHL, Not News | No Comments »
Are we banned in Canadian work places too???
‘O’ Canuckia, we like your sexy broads…from Elisha Cuthebert to Tricia Helfer too…’
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On Canada Day, we celebrate the few things that make them great. Like…er…Rush and…Labatt’s Blue…and 150-yard long football fields…
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Oh, just enjoy the hot chicks.
by Mike Zimmer, Oh, shut up, I’ll post something for the 4th and the good ol’ USA too
A modern day warrior, mean mean stride, today’s Tom Sawyer, mean mean pride. Yep, it’s Canada Day again. I have to say that I actually like Canada and most Canadians. Geddy Lee, Don Cherry, Jim Carey, Rick Nash, John Candy, Katie West, Elisa Cuthbert, Tricia Helfer, Estella Warren…er…The Kids in the Hall…er…yeah. So what if I’ve named half the country.
Actually, I do miss going up the True North strong and free each summer. The ex-wife and I used to head to Ontario and Quebec each summer for vacation. Quebec City is amongst my favorite places on Earth too, along with Charlevoix and the St. Lawrence River path to the Atlantic. I miss maple pie, poutine, and Unibrue, the Canadian micro-brew that makes some of the best beer on the planet including Maudite, my absolute fav.
So, go ahead, hit the jump and enjoy all things from Canada that are worth while. And don’t forget to tell Mikey B to have a Happy Birfday too!
More of the maple sweet goodness after the jump Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: April 21st, 2009 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL | No Comments »
I’m wondering if the vomiting and shitting will be done whilst both young lass’s wear the ‘Canes sweaters or not. That wouldn’t be flattering (also see www.twogirlsonecup.com)
Cheating my way thru NHL hockey play-off news and notes…
Because yes, I am interested (and you should be too) but no, I’m not the resident expert.
by Mike Zimmer, wishing I was at Nationwide Arena in Columbus tonight
The Stanley Cup play-offs are mid-first round for the most-part but some series may be coming to an end sooner than others. Vancouver is in position to sweep St. Louis, the B’s are just toying with the Habs as they prepare to sweep too, the Red Wings look pretty in control of the Jackets while the other series teeter with the swing of momentum.
Example #1 would be the Carolina/New Jersey match-up in which the ’Canes came in the hot team and won game one of their series. However, the Devils have won back-to-back games and now will be looking to take that one by the horns. Read more here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AprUG7AHv_lSCWz.iiorvWR7vLYF?slug=ap-devils-hurricanes&prov=ap&type=lgns
The Blue Jackets are returning home to Columbus to host the Detroit Red Wings in their #7/#2 match-up. It’ll mark the first time ever the Jackets have hosted a Stanley Cup Play-Off game in their 10-year existance. However, they come home down 2-0 to the defending Cup Champion Wings and the home ice may not be enough to save them even a game in this series. Read more about that here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AonCXHrET2bD4vUhek1BNa57vLYF?slug=ap-redwings-bluejackets&prov=ap&type=lgns
More bad news for our resident hockey expert Mike B down in Raliegh, his beloved Blues aren’t doing so hot either (The ‘Canes being his hometown team). Meanwhile the team he hates the most other than Detroit, stormed back last night in New York. The Washington Capitals beat the Rangers 4-0 to get back to 2-games to-1 in that series.
Blues on verge of being swept: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AhJAiCbx3VkRFZjqqbK6SEJ7vLYF?slug=ap-canucks-blues&prov=ap&type=lgns
Caps back in it: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt=AiVzmtwacRi5M6qyYiCbcc97vLYF?gid=2009042013&prov=ap
When it concerns the top two seeds overall though, the news couldn’t be more different. The San Jose Sharks seem to be holding up the President’s Trophy Curse this season now that they are in the hole against Anaheim 2-games to none. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ap8wc8svhBLl1wRE82k6uBx7vLYF?slug=ap-sharks-ducks&prov=ap&type=lgns
Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are just toying with the Montreal Canadiens in their series which is all but over: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt=Ajsx_r.byHV5WPq6wcbq5M17vLYF?gid=2009042010&prov=ap
The last two series could prove to be the most entertaining. Calgary got a win back in their series with the Chicago Blackhawks after losing the first two games in the Windy City close, once in over time. They blasted the Blackhawks last night on home ice and may have turned things around: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt=Ai0a.ZpbkL1w3_L0hAEOruR7vLYF?gid=2009042003&prov=ap
Philly also got back in their series with talented Pittsburgh. The Pens got off to a lethargic start and despite weathering the storm and getting back in their game 3 loss to Philly may have opened the door a bit for the Flyers to perhaps make this a 7-game series. The Pens get another crack at their Keystone State rivals tonight: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AjFrZStSQ8QG_XsbLTuq8SF7vLYF?slug=ap-penguins-flyers&prov=ap&type=lgns
Sure, sure anyone could just go to Yahoo Sports and do this. But, they didn’t and I’m making it easier on you to stay right here at KegeratorNation.com and do so!
TWIKB is coming, I promise.
Posted: April 14th, 2009 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL | 3 Comments »
Blue Jackets talented Rookie sensation Goalie Steve Mason. Can he lead the Jackets to a stunning upset in their first ever play-off series???
Somebody has to do it!!! NHL Play-Offs start this week, feature some really good first round match-ups…
Columbus Blue Jackets make their debut in the play-offs but tumbled late and now draw the mighty Red Wings in the first round…
Can Pittsburgh make another run in the East with Sid the Kid and a first round series with Philly???
by Mike Zimmer, Hoser
Congrats to the Columbus Blue Jackets on FINALLY making it to the NHL Post-season in their 9th season. They had been the only team in the NHL never to have reached the post-season until this year but finally have the post-season as part of their make-up now.
However, the Blue Jackets haven’t been playing well of late and despite the mediocre West being bunched up in the middle, they’d built up enough points to hang on to a play-offs spot. However, in their sputtering slide of late, they’d fallen from a solid #6 seed and ahead of the St. Louis Blues to #7 and finishing 4th in the final Norris Division standings.
With our resident hockey expert working his tail off in a kitchen somewhere in North Carolina paying the bills, the job of previewing and picking the play-0ffs has fallen to Yours Truly. And while I am by no means an expert, I’ve watched with some interest this season as the CBJ have climbed the mountain that was getting to the post-season and I’m interested to see too if Pittsburgh has enough experiencewith all that young talent to perhaps make another run at Lord Stanley’s Cup. So on with the first round match-ups and my picks!
Western Conference 1st-Round Match-Ups…#1) San Jose Sharks vs. #8) Anaheim DucksThe Sharks not only unseated mighty Detroit for the top dog in the Western Conference, but they almost won the President’s trophy as well for most points and the best team overall in the league. They’re fun to watch, tough and aggressive and a real threat to perhaps make a run for the Cup. Meanwhile, they’ll get a match-up with their California brethren and a tough Anaheim team that isn’t that far removed from winning it all a few years ago. However the Ducks slogged along most of the season before a late rally to steal the last play-off spot in the West this week over the likes of Nashville and Dallas. The season series went to San Jose 4 games to 2, and that’s what I’ll pick in the series for the post-season too. The Sharks move on.
#2) Detroit Red Wings vs. #7) Columbus Blue JacketsSurprisingly the season series between the Wings and Jackets was tied at 3-3 with Columbus winning 3 of 4 to close the season. That included an 8-2 demolition in Detroit in early March which included a Rick Nash hat trick. The simple fact of the matter is, Detroit is a much better team than Columbus in all phases and should roll in this series. The simple fact of the matter is experience is key and the Wings have a ton while the Jackets are taking baby steps with Rick Nash and rookie goalie Steve Mason. However Mason has carried this team which is offensively starved at the moment and minus some key offensive weapons due to injury. I think it’s great that Columbus under Ken Hitchcock have finally made the post-season, but they’re most likely going to be just happy to have been there this year and use it to build on for 2009-2010. Like I said, baby steps. I’ll take Detroit 4-games to-1.
#3) Vancouver Cannucks vs. #6) St. Louis BluesThe season series between these two clubs was tied at 2-games a piece. You combine that with the surge the Blues have made in the last month and you have a possible upset in the making in this match-up. The Blues are riding a big surge of momentum while Vancouver won a fairly shitty division and therefore the #3 spot. I’m not going to pretend to know much about either team as I’ve only seen Vancouver play once and St. Louis here and there a little. Could be an upset though. I’ll go with the hot team and take St. Louis in 7.
#4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5) Calgary FlamesThe Blackhawks have a fun, young team and should actually be considered a legit threat for the play-off run. There is actually excitement about the Blackhawks and their ability to play in the tough West this year and they also killed Calgary in the regular season series with a clean sheet of 4 wins and no losses to the Flames. While Jerome Iginla and the Flames should be dangerous, I think this one will be all Chicago. Perhaps another sweep to boot. Chicago in 5.
“Sid the Kid” Crosby and the Pens look to try to get back to the Stanley Cup finals.
Eastern Conference…#1) Boston Bruins vs. #8) Montreal CanadiensThe amazing B’s won the President’s Trophy kind of out of no where this year. I was not familiar with the Bruins in the least heading into this season but have had a chance to see them a few times this year and like their make up. They draw Montreal in the first round after whipping the Habs 5 of 6 during the regular season. One thing that’s for sure, this one might be a really brutal match-up in the fist department if nothing else. These two teams and fan bases hate one another with a passion and it could become a grudge match. I think Boston moves on rather easily, perhaps in a sweep or in 5 but it might be a blood bath in the process which could be fun to watch.
#2) Washington Capitals vs. #7) New York RangersWith Alexander Ovechkin just a beast and the Caps able to score a bunch, this could be a quick series with the ho-hum Rangers. Washington took 3 of 4 during the regular season with the Rangers and as stated can light the lamp. I’m thinking this is a Washington team on a mission and capable of making a real case for being a Stanley Cup Finals participant. I think Washington will run over the Rangers in 5 or 6.
#3) New Jersey Devils vs. #6) Carolina HurricanesThese two teams met this past weekend with the Canes beating the offensively challenged Devils. The Canes have been hot this last month and could be a real surprise in the second season and contend with the big boys if they can get past New Jersey. They also took 3 of 4 in the season series from the Devils and I think they can win this series though with Martin Brodeur between the pipes for the Devils, it could be close. I’ll say Canes in 7.
#4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5) Philadelphia FlyersIt’s too bad that these two teams have to play in the first round after having met in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. That was a fun series and the two teams slugged it out for 7-games with the Pens moving on to the Finals. This year, the Pens won the season series 4-2 including winning the over the weekend against the Flyers. With the win and a Canes win, it moved Pittsburgh up to home ice over their Keystone State rivals and I think that might be the difference in the series. I’ll take Pittsburgh in a tough fought 7 games.
In the End…As of right now, I think this might be an entertaining play-off year. I’m thinking that in the end, we might get a San Jose vs. Detroit Western final which could be very fun to watch with the best in the west head to head. I like the contrast in styles too and the fact that San Jose can be physical.
Conversely, I think the East might be a match-up of surprises. As much as Boston won the big prize in the regular season, I have a feeling they might falter in the second round against perhaps Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Washington and Carolina might be a heck of a second round series that could produce an upset too. In the end though, I’m picking Washington and Pittsburgh to battle it out for the East.
My Stanley Cup Pick: Detroit vs. Washington. And yes, this might cause Mikey B to have a stroke if it happens. With that, I’ll take the Red Wings to win it all.
Posted: April 30th, 2008 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 Comment »
“Mr. Mac”
Columbus Blue Jackets owner passes over the weekend.
by Mike Zimmer, Jackets Fan
John H. McConnell was the majority owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets and the reason they were well put together from the start. From the ground up from the beginning when Columbus was granted a franchise to the fantastic Nationwide Arena in which they play, he was the force and drive behind it.
Though I am not familiar with all of the ins-and-outs of how McConnell had been directing the team of late, he has his stamp all over the franchise. What I do know is, despite the rather tepid play on the ice and despite the lacking of having a winning organization in Columbus to this point, Mr. McConnell is the reason they have a top-notch franchise in place. They may struggle, but they don’t lack in class and quality of facilities and extras. In fact, it was my view that perhaps it was too easy for players when they arrive in Columbus. Especially all those high-priced free agents that have in the past come there to collect a paycheck and play in rather cozy confines and being able to live a life of ease and luxury in the greater Columbus area.
Here is a story from the Blue Jackets website all about the former majority owner.
Posted: June 24th, 2007 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, Hockey, NHL, Sports | 1 Comment »
View of Nationwide Plaza in front of Nationwide Arena where the NHL and the Blue Jackets held a pre-draft party Friday evening.
Some thoughts on being at the NHL Draft (albeit brief)
The Jackets reach for a player with the 7th overall pick in new G.M.’s first draft
Some new looks and new uni’s to take a peak at
by Mike Zimmer, Honk
If you blinked, you may have missed it. Even if you live here in Columbus, the event was a bit of a hidden and or afterthought happening. The NHL is still second tier entertainment for the most part but the Columbus Blue Jackets trudge on and make the most of their opps. And, they typically make it a first class expirience even if their product is mildly flawed. Not even the Blue Jackets could have helped the fact that a trio of different worlds were colliding upon a single square mile in Ohio’s capital however.
You see, the NHL’s entry draft was planned long ago and I am sure they thought little about the collision I was speaking of. Not only was the Draft scheduled, Commfest the hippie-pot-smoking-counter-culture-a-thon which happens every year at a park not far away from the Arena District was on-going as well as some event in the Short North District which led up to Saturday’s Doo-Da Parade. Uh, that’d be the gay pride event that had downtown full of fruits…er…homio-sex-shuls…er…alternative lifestylers…er…not that there’s anything wrong with that types. Friday in the Columbus’ entertainment districts was busy for sure. But, the Draft did host a nice event. And although I spent what amounted to about a hour there and then moved on to drinking cheap suds at Commfest, it was interesting.
Inside Nationwide Arena on Friday Night during the NHL’s First Round of the Draft.
Look for yourself, the arena was packed. After enjoying the tail-end of the festivities outside the arena which featured a concert by the band Yellowcard (couldn’t they have gotten a band that didn’t reference an even less relavent sport? Say, Bare Naked Ladies?), the crowd filled the available seating in the arena. I was able to snag a pair of 100-level seats from my work buddy Ron, who works for the NHL working the penalty box and the goalie box during the season at Jackets games. Upon arriving late to my seat, I was still able to grab a seat looking directly at the stage and capable of taking in the entire arena, including the TSN (The Sports Network, Canada’s exact replica of ESPN) sports desk that included NHL talking heads and including recently fired Blue Jackets G.M. Doug MacClean. The Blue Jackets even unveiled their new sweaters for the upcoming season which basically advanced their alternate logo or 3rd jersey to being their lead. Check it out here on their first round pick Jakub Varachek…
‘Wave the flag’ is the Blue Jackets new motto for 2007-08.
The draft in particular quickly became a bit of a bore however. The thing is, most of the guys that get taken in the NHL draft are developmental players, junior players that are very young, some of which never even sniff the NHL. Unlike with the NFL or NBA where you know almost every player especially in the first round or two. Highlights DID include the picking of back-to-back American players with the first two picks for the first time in NHL history and Wayne Gretzky getting quite a hand and near standing ovation upon his trip to the podium to make the pick of the Phoenix Coyotes. I stayed until the 15th pick or roughly half the first round. The arena almost emptied by half after the Blue Jackets made their pick at #7. It was fun for most, but reality sank in, it wasn’t going to get much more exciting after that. I guess unlike the NFL drama like watching Brady Quinn squirm that unfolds over a 10-hour period makes the picking of a 17-year old Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player that was born in Nigeria and raised in the Ukraine look a bit weak.
The main stage at the NHL draft.
New Columbus G.M. Scott Howson on the far left with the brain trust of the club and their first round draft pick Jakub Vorachek.
As stated before, the Blue Jackets drafted Right Winger Jakub Vorachek with pick #7. It was considered a reach even by the pro-Jackets broadcast team. Way to go new General Manager Scott Howson! Make a mark by picking the very guy that Doug MacClean was talking about during TSN’s coverage. It was very nice of the Edmonton brass to congradulate and speak well of Howson when they went to the stage to make the #6 overall pick and then taking the exact guy the Jackets actually could have used and needed.
The Capitals new/vintage updated look.
The other big thing was the introduction of the new RBK Edge sweater/jersey to be used league wide now. Being a uni/jersey junky, I think I am most impressed and wanting of the new Washington Capitals sweater. It’s not so new as much as it’s a throw back to their duds that they sported from 1974-75 when they debuted in the league until their major look update back in 1995. I have one of the original jersey’s thanks to former hockey fan and fellow jersey afficianato Brian Barrett (aka Big B). What a very special birthday present that was! (insert feined crying here.).
Overall, it was a breif but fun time at the draft. Now, if only I had just gone home instead of enduring all the hippies and drunk ass people at Commfest thereafter.
Posted: April 20th, 2007 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL | No Comments »
Fired Columbus Blue Jackets President and General Manager Doug MacLean.
Six losing seasons enough for ownership group as MacLean gets the ax.
by Mike Zimmer, Blue Jackets Honk
Ahhh Douger, we’ll miss ya. I will at least. My pal Gary Bettman and I both will. Of course, I don’t expect Doug MacLean to stay un-employed for long, so the comish will be happy. However, after six long losing seasons and a total of almost 8-years of work for the Columbus Blue Jackets, they parted company with the only President and GM the club ever had.
I like Doug MacLean. But in this business, wins and losses and success and failure decide whether you stay or go. And, MacLean was just never able to turn the ship around. Keep in mind it was the ship he built, chose the crew of and was never able to sail to the play-offs. The thing is, other than not getting a tougher, more defensive oriented team, there isn’t much that you can point to, to scream at MacLean as a grand failure. I mean, it’s not like he’s Matt Millen or anything. However, things just weren’t happening even though it seemed the club was on the tip of really turning the corner.
The Blue Jackets are a top-notch, first class organization. Their arena expirience is second to no one league in my limnited and humble opinion after having getting a sample of things after seeing games in Pittsburgh, Washington and Nashville. The club has prided itself on being a top place to play. The arena as stated is great, it’s beautiful. The training facilities are high end. The city up until this season has been rather patient and hungry for a winner, but supported the club come hell or high water. They have a private team jet. The owner is not tight with the purse strings. And once players get here whether they are a free-agent of a top draft pick, they love the city and the idea of playing here. This all had a lot to do with MacLean building the bridge to all those advantages. MacLean was the snappy dressed, keenly aware of the advantages of the surroundings embasador for all these things with the un-divided support of owner H. John McConnell.
That is the rub however. With all these things working for the club, it actually works against them. With expectations low, cost of living low, first class environs et al, the club has been soft, lazy and completely underwhelming from the begining. MacLean isn’t an authoritarian either, more he’s an eternal optimist. He sees the upside in waaaaaaay too much when it concerns this club. And over the last couple of seasons, little too little moves too late, slow developing ”super” talent and dogging it free agents collecting large checks in relatively little interuption and obsurity. Oh, and did I mention they were soft? I think they really should have fired the training staff long ago and perhaps maintained a much more stringent training regimine for some players. Even Rick Nash who I think is fantastic, routinely comes in over-weight.
Sure, there were some bad moves. And, the club has not exactly addressed some things such as improving their goal tending of defense despite free agents and draft picks. But there also were no moves you can point to and say MacLean and the club were clueless on. Sure, I’d like to have Martin Vanek instead of Nicholai “I skate pretty and take the puck with me but never do anything with it” Zherdev and his petulent nature (truly their only draft blunder when it comes to early picks). The minor leaguers and guys in the pipeline too are exciting enough to have faith for the future too. MacLean did a good job when it concerned all that. However, it just never jelled and it seems like they still have so much to do to get better. While expansion bretheren are now getting to the play-offs while this club has yet to see a season over .500, it’s hard to argue for MacLean to stay other than to give him a full year with new Head Coach Ken Hitchcock and perhaps a better crop of free-agents this season.
The Blue Jackets now will look to replace MacLean and a laundry list of candidates has surfaced. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Craig Patrick formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins come and he is on that list.
In the meantime, I’ll miss Douger’s show on WBNS 1460 AM and his smarmy, smarter than you demeaner. I’ll also miss those cool suits, sharp designer glasses and his use of the word Organizations in his native Prince Edward Island way that sounded like “Ore-gann-IZE-zation”. Douger you’ll be missed. Truly. I think this team that you helped build is right around the corner from winning. It was just time to make the change.
Posted: April 1st, 2007 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL | No Comments »
A late season game on NBC that is passing for the NHL’s nationally televised game of the week was all Detroit.
Brett Hull states the obvious during telecast of the downtrodden Blue Jackets getting beaten down by the perenially solid Red Wings.
*-And, if it’s a nationally televised game and no one watches, did it really happen?
by Mike Zimmer
Late going in the Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the Detroit Red Wings and the Winged Wheels have a commanding 4-0 lead in what really was a sleep walking effort by them. The Jackets did what they usually do against good teams, they came out strong and played the more-talented Red Wings strong but were not able to dent the net or truly make an impact. Then, in a flash, the slumbering Wings awoke and very easily took over control of the game with a flurry of 3-goals in the second period to effectively end the game with Columbus.
More indignation for the Jackets has come from a crowd that is full of Red Wings fans. The club has failed to really make enough of an impact locally even as most of the hockey fans here are STILL partisan Red Wings or Pittsburgh Penguins supporters (as was I up until a few seasons ago). Further, Brett Hull, doing the broadcast as a color-analyst stated quite bluntly and quite fairly the obvious.
“If I was a free-agent, I wouldn’t want to come to Columbus. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with the city mind you. But, I’d want to win. And you’re not going to win here.” He said. Asked by Mike Emmerick why did Adam Foote come to the Blue Jackets via free-agency he was even more straight forward in suggesting perhaps it was a mystery. “You’d have to ask him I guess.”
I had an oppertunity at tickets to the Jackets game today. And, for the first time ever I turned them down. Good seats mind you. I just really didn’t have the stomach for it today. And, with the sound of all the Red Wings fans in the crowd it would have felt as if it was a roadie.
Big shocker, the Blue Jackets score with seconds left to play to avoid the shut-out, another in a record setting season of being blanked. Woo-Hoo. The only saving grace on the day.
I am changing my tune here. I think it’s time for them to completely clean house. Although I have been a Doug McClain supporter, it’s clear that this team won’t win with he and the folks responcible for this flaming pile of dog crap that calls them a professional hockey team. Though they are with this loss (32-40-7) which is not altogether TERRIBLE, it is still only good enough to be above but 3 other teams for the worst point total in the NHL.
And for NBC and the NHL, making this a nationally televised game at this juncture of the season is weak, weak, weak. Sure, show off a play-off caliber team. Maybe, just maybe when the schedule was being put together, like many Columbus fans the the network and the league was hoping that the Blue Jackets would be in the hunt for the play-offs. This however was just a team going thru the motions, and that was the Red Wings! If the NHL can do no better than this, they are doomed to stay in sports purgatory, burried as nothing more than a nitche sport not unlike indoor soccer or water polo. Right above the WNBA and XGames.
Posted: February 26th, 2007 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL | No Comments »
With randy fans like this lass, why is it that hockey isn’t being talked about much?
Sid the Kid creating some interest with the ladies, but largely the story is lost everywhere else.
More slop and less pop
by Cut and Paste Zim
Sid the Kid and the Pens can’t beat the surging Lightning.
The Atlanta Thrashers have made a bevy of trades including adding longtime St. Louis Blues legend Keith Tkachuk.
Predators beat tired Jackets in shootout.
Where is our hockey corespondent again?
Posted: January 25th, 2007 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL, TV | 2 Comments »
Columbus Blue Jackets Winger Rick Nash scores one of his 2 goals for the Western Conference past New Jersey Devils Goalie Martin Broudeur.
How far has the NHL slipped when so few people know or even care that the All-Star game was tonight?
by Mike Zimmer, Blue Jackets Honk
What? Was the arena more expensive to rent on the weekend NHL? Having your All-Star game on a Wednesday night on the Vs. Channel and getting almost NO attention on it? I mean, wouldn’t you want to put your biggest exhibition and league advertising element on during the weekend where there is no other rival on the television up against it during the week between the NFL’s conference championship games and the Super Bowl? Even as a hockey fan, I was surprised to hear that the All-Star game was tonight and that I had already missed the skills competition and all that fruity All-Star hoopla that goes into these exhibition games. And even worse, I live in an NHL city and am a fan! More, my favorite player (Rick Nash) was going to play, a lot.
Like baseball, the NHL has managed to screw up something quite hard to do. Instead of fitting into the sports lexicon and take their place as a secondary sport that a loyal and rabid fan base loves, they have done as much to self-inflict themselves a life threatening wound. With their strike/lock-out that ended the season before last, a really wack TV contract that has their game burried on cable outlets that few homes get (and even when they do, like me, they still forget to watch) and a terrible job in marketing the sport, I am amazed they have a league left at all. Sure, the arena’s are full. Heck, I’m headed to a Blue Jackets game this Friday night against the East leading Buffalo Sabres but they are NO WHERE in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the national sports lexicon. The only reason I now pay any attention to the NHL, and I am a big sports fan mind you, is the Columbus Blue Jackets. The reason being is, they are the only team I can watch as they are on local radio and TV. And my news/info on the league is reserved to local sources or the internet which is always behind and second rate because the league has managed to get no one to care. Sure, they aren’t helped any by the Sports Monolith that is ESPN, which has aided in the decline of the league popularity by their no longer carrying the league’s games on their network. In not carrying the league any more, they could care less about the league or covering it, relenting only a few morsels and tid-bits equalling about 2-minutes a week with the ever-greasy, mullet and zoot-suit wearing Barry Melrose as analyst. I think the only reason they do that is they get a good chuckle out of Melrose’s accent, penchant for awful attire and lab expiriment that goes on top of his head and on his face with ever shape shifting masses of hair and gels (and by the way, I like Barry Melrose!).
The NHL All-Star game is by far the most silly of all the All-Star games, I get it. It’s an awful, awful, boring exhibition that sees the players not wanting to hit one another, hurt one another or break a sweat really. The score tonight was 12-9 if that is any indication. But, if it is a vehicle to sell and glorify the league, well, they really missed the boat and just wasted everyone’s time with it. And more, I actually remembered to tune in tonight and was appalled at the horrificly poor production. The intros were tepid and the anthems a bloody mess. Whoever decided to let that freak of an operatic/fusion singer woman belch out O’Canada should be fired. She was painfully terrible. The National Anthem was average, but the arena and the network suffered some gliches that were inexcusable for a top notch sporting television production. Vs. the network that is the national cable flagship for the sport is woeful at best. Their other programming to my knowledge is hunting and fishing shows with commercials on most times I flip on it.
Look NHL, you have a diamond of a sport. It’s a niche sport that fits quite nicely into the post-football season and gets us back to football season and helps us ignore basketball even further. And, the game is great on the ice. You’ve done a great job of increasing offense and making the game exciting, tailoring the rules to accomodate action and offense. Those changes hated by purists are great. It’s a fantastically fun sport to attend and watch. But, there are some HUGE holes in your product, most of which are in your marketing and presentation. Get yer’ ass back on ESPN, that’s your first problem. Give them a free year, take anything you can get to get exposure. Bring back the hitting and give the people what they want, which is a rough, tough, fast, physical sport that is exciting and thrilling to watch. Quite honestly, this could be the golden era of the sport with young superstars budding and the game as popular a spectator sport as any other time in the leagues history. You have Sydney Crosby, Joe Thornton, Alexander Ovechkin and Rick Nash who are all young and as good as any players to ever come down the pike and star in the league and NO ONE knows who they are for the most part.
The NHL is already irrelevent, I just hope they don’t get to the point where it’s no more interesting or popular than the rodeo or extreme sports–both big draws in their own rights on the boob tube and popular spectator sports. And, coincidentally, out-draw the NHL in the television ratings currently.
And where the hell is out hockey corespondent? You’d think he’s working 80-hours a week or something and has something better to do than sit in his basement and write stuff that 4-other people reads!
Posted: December 14th, 2006 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL | 1 Comment »
Jason Chimera and Anson Carter celebrate after a goal against Dallas Tuesday night.
Columbus one of the hottest teams in the league currently with a (6-3) mark since hiring new coach
by Mike Zimmer, Blue Jackets Honk
After a miserable start that included just 5-wins in 20+ games, the Blue Jackets have surged back into life and perhaps contention. Now standing at (11-16-2), they have life and a shot at the very least of fighting their way to .500 for the season.
Ken Hitchcock hasn’t done anything profound since his hiring, but the team sure seems as if they have been profoundly influenced. For one thing, it seems as if the attitude adjustment that the Blue Jackets wanted when they dumped Gerrard Gallant in favor of the gruff and hard nosed Hitchcock has happened. The team recently completed a (3-2) road trip in which they lost their first 2 games but then swept their way home with shut out wins over Edmonton and Colorado and allowed only a single goal in a 5-1 win over St. Louis. Overall, they have outscored thier opponents 21-4 since Hitchcock took over, a feat that is hard to figure especially when you consider that they are using a relative unknown Goalie these days too. Fredrik Norrena has been the hot goalie that Hitchcock has recently hitched his wagon to.
The win over Colorado was their first win over the Avs all-time in regulation. Their first win all-time IN Denver for that matter. And, in their win over Dallas the other night–it too was their first on the road against the Stars. One of the impressive things that the Blue Jackets have been able to do is turn up the offensive pressure. Whether some grand philosophy has changed or not, the team is playing well and getting the results that they had hoped for. The team is fun to watch again in the process. Winners of 5-in a row, they are heading into a stretch of games that they could make up considerable ground to getting back to that magical mark of .500. Their next 5-games heading into their Christmas break include games at the woeful Phoenix Coyotes, hosting the Chicago Blackhawks, a home-and-home against Detroit Red Wings and then host the struggling Vancouver Cannucks.
The team has been hoping for a revitalization such as this and an authentic hope for a run to the play-offs. If the team can keep this hot streak going into the New Year, the club has shown the willingness to add talent as needed. With the Western Conference having 5-top end teams with Nashville, Detroit, Anaheim, San Jose and Dallas all with great records thus far, it will be a stretch to imagine the Blue Jackets making the play-offs, but the pursuit and reality that they could actually shape what does happen in the play-offs is something that the fans in Columbus can at least look forward too. And of course, they are a long shot at best, but still have a shot if they can keep winning and maybe hunt that #7 or #8 spot. The hope is, that the tide change has been large enough to put the team on the fast track for 2007-2008 with Hitchcock firmly putting his stamp on the team for a whole year.
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