Forget the tropical vacation. This California hockey girl headed to the coldest spot in January to get her winter fix, Minnesota, to take in Hockey Day Minnesota. A weekend filled with hockey at all levels, from high school hockey to the NHL, from the backyard pond to stadium groomed ice, a hockey lover’s dream. Minnesota has the nickname State of Hockey for good reason. There is no other state that lives and breathes the game as a Canadian does. Throw a rock and you are bound to hit a hockey player. Children are thrown on skates in Minnesota before they can walk. and backyard rinks spring up all over the place. The land of 10,000 lakes guarantees a frozen sheet close to home if the backyard doesn’t get flooded too.
The hockey dream weekend began with a stadium game at TCF Bank Arena, home of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. It was the first time in 80 years that hockey returned to its roots outdoors, and over 45,000 fans, the largest crowd in Minnesota hockey history, braved the cold to watch the Gophers beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0. The game was tight, with both teams battling the elements to get shots on net. Gophers Taylor Cammarata netted the only goal during the second period of play and netminder Adam Wilcox delivered a wall of a performance, stopping all 21 shots the Buckeyes tossed his way.
Next up was heading out to Handke Pit in Elk River, MN to take in some high school hockey to officially kick off Hockey Day Minnesota. The setting couldn’t be more ideal for an outdoor game. The rink was nestled at the bottom of a sheltered hill, wooden bleachers mixed in with the trees. Handke Pit is considered the birthplace of hockey in Elk River and it’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Four NHL players Penguins’ defenceman Paul Martin, Assistant Columbus Blue Jackets Coach Dan Hinote, former Philadelphia Flyers centerman Joel Otto and Minnesota Wild defenceman Nate Prosser made their hockey home on Handke Pit and it continues to be a centerpoint for hockey in the Elk River area.
Three high school games took place on the ice, all broadcast on FoxSports North, with the Rochester Lourdes Eagles facing off against the Cloquet/Esko/ Carlton Lumberjacks first. The Elk River Elks then took on the Stillwater Ponies for the afternoon matchup. The late afternoon session featured the girls matchup of the Elk River Elks versus the Anoka Tornadoes.
I caught the first game on television back in Anoka, heading out to the afternoon matchup to see the home team Elk River Elks meet the Stillwater Ponies. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and a few thousand people filled the stands and the hillside for the afternoon game. Joel Otto dropped the ceremonial puck and the Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton addressed the crowd. It was clear the two teams have a rivalry as the play was fast, intense and physical. Penalties cost the Ponies dearly and the Elks took the contest 4-1. Throughout the game, families gathered, old friends reconnected and children tumbled down the hillside, their laughter mixed with the sound of puck and skates to ice.
After a quick recharge, it was off to the Minnesota Wild game at Xcel Energy Center in Downtown St. Paul to close out the evening. The Wild took on the Dallas Stars, always a heated affair. Minnesota fans still harbour lingering resentment to Dallas, who stole their beloved NorthStars in 1993. Minnesota, the State of Hockey, was without a NHL franchise for 8 years until the the Wild were born in the 2000-2001 season.
Two hometown heroes, Eric Haula and Nate Prosser netted goals for the Wild. For the former Golden Gopher Haula, it would mark his first NHL goal.
Prosser put in the overtime winner, edging the Stars 3-2. He notched his second goal in two consecutive games and became the first Wild defenseman to score in back-to-back games. His goal was the icing on the cake for Hockey Day Minnesota, a local guy who grew up playing puck in the Pit and grew up to play with the big club.
The final stop for my hockey vacation was Lake Nokomis, the site of the US Pond Hockey Championships, a three-day tournament that began almost 10 years ago where teams compete for the Golden Shovel. Championship Sunday consists of the womens, rink rat and open division finals. The game is played four aside over two fifteen minute periods. The lake itself is spectacular, covered in 25 pond hockey rinks, mostly filled throughout the weekend. The game is raw, pure hockey love, stripped of its formality, it’s hockey how it was meant to be played.
The Open Division final pitted two teams Wright Homes Almost 40 and the Tail Gators for the quest for the Golden Shovel. The two teams share the bond both as former teammates and friends, so the rivalry on the ice reached at times a feverish pitch as bodies went over the short boards and words were exchanged as things heated up. Wright Homes captured the title for the 5th time, the Golden Shovel reaching their hands just as the sun extended its golden fingers in sunset, and so ended my weekend of hockey bliss.
If you are looking for an escape To the cold and your passion is hockey, Hockey Day Minnesota should be on your bucket list. Sure, the stadium series are all the rage, but hockey out on the pond reaches back to the roots of the game, capturing the very spirit of the game we love.
Michael Del Zotto, 23, a homegrown New York Ranger drafted 20th overall in the 2008 draft, was traded to the Nashville Predators for Kevin Klein, 29, a homegrown Predator second-round pick in 2003. Klein, is in the first season of a five-year, $14.5 million deal that carries a salary-cap hit of $2.9 million. Del Zotto is going to be a restricted free agent with salary arbitration rights this off-season at the end of a two-year, $5.1 million deal. According to the Bergen Record’s Andrew Gross, Del Zotto’s agents reportedly met with Rangers general manager for life, Glen Sather, in Toronto on January 4th to discuss his future with the Rangers. The entire season (and most of his career as a Ranger) he was embroiled in trade speculation.
The Good: Klein is a right-handed shot (Del Zotto was a left-handed shot), which means that the Rangers’ John Moore can switch back to his natural left side, as he had switched to the right because Del Zotto couldn’t.
Del Zotto is a little bit more offensively-minded which will be good for the Preds this season with the trouble they have been having scoring goal.
For the Rangers, this is good because according to Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN)
Sather: “Having a player of (Klein’s) caliber under contract to 34 makes sense to us especially with the way the market’s going.” #NYR
Also, it makes sense as far as the Rangers are going too. A stronger D on the right side will do a lot to help keep Henrik Lundqvist’s numbers up.
The good for Del Zotto? As a Devils fan who has watched him grow up since he was a 19 year old rookie, I think not having the bright lights of Broadway and having a smaller media contingent will help him flourish. This is not me saying that the Preds (or Perds) have no media because I hate the idea that somehow New York City is the End All To Be All — but I can’t help but admit that sometimes it’s insane for a fan, I couldn’t even imagine for a hockey player. So, I hope Del Zotto does good in Nashville.
The Bad: Klein more then likely took his 5-year/$14.5 million deal as a ‘home’ advantage this summer for the Nashville Predators to try and recoup some of their finacial loses between Suter leaving for Minnosota and Shea Weber’s deal to stay out of Philadelphia for 14 year/$110 million. He could’ve and should’ve gotten more and now the Rangers have him for the next 4 years.
Both Klein & Del Zotto have historically either been inconsistent / streaky players in their careers: Klein’s scouting report & Del Zotto’s. Now Klein won’t have a Shea Weber with him and Del Zotto won’t have a Ryan Callahan.
The Ugly (or my thoughts): Everything hurts and hockey is stupid. As I’ve written before — trades are terrible because they uproot both the families (hockey family counts as well as actual family) and fans from their favorite players. Sometimes, it’s a good fit (like I hope this will be for both players) but at the same time, selfishly, you never want to see your favorite player traded — especially to either a team that you hate because they are your rival (Rangers) or because you won’t be able to watch your favorite player that often any more as you are outside of their market (Predators).
And while Del Zotto wasn’t my favorite of the so-called rookie crop of Rangers that all started around the same time (my favorite was traded to Montreal a few seasons ago), Kevin Klein most certainly was my favorite Nashville Predator as I wrote about during the last lockout: [about Kim Staal] Klein has been imply just how good friends they are (which is totally cool since it always seems like all of the Preds players Klein is super friendly with seem to get traded away).
It’s sad that this time it wasn’t one of his friends, but now finally him.
Also, another factor as to why I’m still angry almost 36 hours after learning about the trade? According to a very good interview by Andrew Gross, Kevin Klein knew he was traded and only found out/figured out where because Shea Weber saw the name he was being traded for first:
“(But) I didn’t know: I honestly had no clue, my wife and I were kind of guessing,” Klein added. “She was a little distraught because we’ve got two young boys and it was up in the air, ‘Where are we going?’ But the New York Rangers have been nothing but help, the guys taking care of me, offering assistance with the family. (My family will) stay in Nashville until the (Olympic) break, we’ve got a 4 1/2 year old, a 1 1/2 year old, not to disrupt them too much, then we’ll make arrangements.
“I was texting with Webby, saying goodbye, wishing him well and then he told me I was traded for Del Zotto so, I was like, ‘Oh, OK, I guess it’s the Rangers,’ Klein said. “And then David called me back a little later.”
I’d expect a little bit better for the player who spent his entire career as someone who never rocked the boat, but sometimes hockey really is just a job.
Also, On The Forecheck has a great post about Klein’s greatest hits that include fights, goals and internet disagreements about him.
Both players are jumping right in and are playing for their new teams tonight — the Rangers host the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators are in Calgary to play the Flames.
The Alaska Aces announced on Tuesday that they will retire Wes Goldie‘s #16, the ECHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, to the rafters during the February 8th game against the Stockton Thunder at Sullivan Arena. It will be the third number retired in club history, joining Keith Street #8 and Dean Larson #18.
Goldie finished his career with the Alaska Aces during his final two seasons. He is the ECHL’s all time leader in goals (370) and ranks fourth in ECHL history with 697 games played over the span of 11 seasons with Pee Dee, Victoria and Alaska. He shares a record with 2009 ECHL Hall of Fame inductee Rod Taylor for the most 30 or more goal seasons at 8 and the league mark for most consecutive 30-plus goal seasons at 6 from 2006-20012.
He had great success in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, helping the Alaska Aces garner their second Kelly Cup title in team history during his 2011-12 season where he earned the league’s Most Valuable Player Award with 83 point (46g-37a) in 72 games and gaining an additional 14 points in 13 playoff contests. He also led the league in goals 46 that same year.
Goldie buried 81 goals and captured 144 points and 38 multi point games in 142 career games in an Aces uniform. He added 22 points in 14 career Kelly Cup Playoff games in Anchorage.
The ceremony will take place before the game, with Goldie participating in the ceremonial puck drop. The retirement will coincide with the ECHL Hockey Heritage Weekend and will include Goldie’s induction into the ECHL Hockey Hall of Fame with James Edwards, Al Macisaac and John Spoltore.
“The opportunity to honor Wes, the greatest goal scorer in ECHL history, is a terrific fit for the festivities planned with the league in Anchorage,” said Aces managing member Terry Parks. “Strict criteria goes into the decision to retire a number of an Aces player and his decorated credentials meet those standards. We are looking forward to congratulating Wes and sharing a memorable evening with him and his family.”
“Two of the best years of my career were spent in Anchorage,” said Goldie. “It will be great to come back to Alaska and share the honor with family and so many people around the area that meant so much. The milestones, accomplishments and a Kelly Cup championship aren’t possible without the support of great people in Alaska and it’s humbling to have the privilege to enjoy everything with them.”
The Aces will host Stockton for ECHL Hockey Heritage Weekend at Sullivan Arena, Feb. 7-8 at 7:15 p.m., which will also include the Stanley Cup, Kelly Cup and Hockey Hall of Fame display. Details on the event can be found by visiting the Alaska Aces Website
On Tuesday night the Worcester Sharks headed up to Lewiston for the final game of the first half of their season. Coming into the game, the Sharks had taken an impressive 9 of 10 points in their previous 5 games. It was the third game of a four game road trip. It also marked Worcester kicking off a stretch of four straight games against divisional rivals.
Things have been known to get heated between the Pirates and the Sharks, but this would turn out to be a game of goals rather than fights. The teams met in Worcester on January 12th where the Sharks skated to a 4-3 victory. The last time the team played up in Lewiston (where the Pirates play their games this season), the Pirates skated to a 5-1 victory with Andy Miele netting his first AHL hat trick.
It was the Sharks who drew first blood on Tuesday, with Dan DaSilva netting his 5th of the season. He rejoined the Sharks earlier in the season after having been an offensive staple over two years ago. The goal came just after the halfway mark of the period. But with under two minutes left in the period, Lucas Lessio would put the puck past Sharks goalie Harri Sateri to send the game into the first intermission tied.
When the Sharks came out for the second period, it seemed like all the wind had been taken out of their sails. The Pirates had the clear momentum, getting 10 shots on Sateri in the middle frame before the Sharks had their first shot. Brandon Yip capitalized on the surge, putting the Pirates up 2-1. That seemed to be the only wake-up call Worcester needed. Matt Tennyson put a rebound home in his first game back. He had been on a call-up to San Jose where he unfortunately did not see any playing time. He certainly came up strong Tuesday, though.
Brandon Gormley would add his third of the season on the power play with just under 6 minutes remaining to put the Pirates on top 3-2. That would be the last time the Pirates led, though. With less than 4 seconds remaining in the second period, the Sharks tied things back up with Travis Oleksuk getting the tally. They took the tie into the second intermission.
The third period was all about Worcester. They came out strong and kept up the pressure. Just under three minutes into the final period, DaSilva added a power play goal of his own and his second of the night. As the team kept pushing, he would add the next goal as well for his third of the night and the hat trick. It was the second hat trick by a player in a Sharks uniform this season, with Daniil Tarasov having the other back in October at Springfield. However, before Tarasov’s hat trick, no Shark had recorded one since DaSilva’s last tour in teal. He had the last one prior to Tarasov on February 14, 2010 in Manchester.
Even with the Sharks leading 5-3, they were not done. Sena Acolatse added the final goal with just under four minutes to play in the game. It ended an incredibly strong period for the Sharks, who took 18 shots in the final period and only allowed Portland to take 3. In total, Worcester put 47 shots on Louis Domingue in the 6-3 win.
For the Sharks, Dan DaSilva (3g,1a), Travis Oleksuk (1g,3a), Matt Tennyson (1g,2a), Yanni Gourde (3a), and Sena Acolatse (1g,1a) all finished with multi-point nights. The win improved the Sharks to 19-15-3-1 at the halfway mark of their season. In their last 6 games they are 5-0-1-0 for 11 of a possible 12 points. They look to keep rolling on Friday when they visit the Manchester Monarchs to end their road trip.
On Tuesday, January 21, Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced that the team had signed defenseman Kevan Miller to a two-year, one-way contract through the 2015-16 season that is worth $800,000 on the annual cap.
Miller has currently appeared in 16 games for the Boston club. After his first nine games, he was returned to the Providence Bruins. This had nothing to do with his play, but with the fact that if he played ten or more games with Boston and then was returned to Providence he would be subject to waivers. As Chiarelli stated at that time, the Bruins organization was not willing to take the chance of losing him to another team that way. Chiarelli made a point of stressing not only to Miller in his meeting with him but then on the record with the media, that he was sure the next time Miller was recalled it would be for good.
No one could predict that just a short time later during the game against the Ottawa Senators on December 27, that Dennis Seidenberg would get hurt during an entanglement with Senators Cory Conacher, resulting in Seidenberg suffering a torn ACL/MCL that would sideline him for the duration of the season. Once this information was known, Miller was again recalled and has since played an additional seven games, as of Tuesday. In his 16 games he has registered one goal, one assist and seven penalty minutes.
The 26-year-old California native has skated in 19 games with the Providence Bruins this season where he has registered two goals and three assists along with 39 penalty minutes. The defenseman skated in 154 career AHL games with Providence from 2011-2013, during which he scored seven goals and 38 assists.
Prior to joining the P-Bruins in 2011, Miller played at the University of Vermont for four seasons from 2007-2010., appearing in 144 games for the Catamounts, amassing 5-25=30 totals with 97 penalty minutes.
Just after Miller was sent down he made his presence known upon his return to the Providence Bruins. After that game on December 8, The Pink Puck asked him how his experience with Boston would help him with his game in Providence.
“It’s mostly just a confidence booster to go up there and have some success,” he answered. “I just have to keep focusing on my game, and not change anything. Keep working on the things down here that translate up there.”
And that is exactly what he has done. While traveling with the Bruins on their recent California road-trip, Miller dropped the gloves against San Jose Sharks Mike Brown during the second period earning stick taps from his teammates. During Monday’s bout against the Los Angeles Kings Miller was credited with five hits, the most of any member of his team.
He was interviewed after the Bruins beat the Kings, and here is what he had to say.
NEW YORK – The NHL has suspended Vancouver Canucks coach John Tortorella without pay for 15 days with no team contact for six games for his conduct after after a brawl between his team and the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
Tortorella went to Calgary’s locker room at intermission following the first period Saturday night, which began with a handful of fights and four game misconducts per team.
“Mr. Tortorella’s actions in attempting to enter the Calgary Flames locker room after the first period were both dangerous and an embarrassment to the league,” NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell said in announcing the suspension. “Coaches in the NHL bear the responsibility of providing leadership, even when emotions run high, and Mr. Tortorella failed in his responsibility to the game.”
Tortorella blamed Flames coach Bob Hartley for starting his fourth line, saying he couldn’t put star players Daniel and Henrik Sedin at risk just to deflate the situation. Hartley was fined US$25,000 by the NHL.
“We are holding Mr. Hartley responsible for the actions of Flames’ right wing Kevin Westgarth, who took the game’s opening face-off and attempted to instigate a premeditated fight with an unwilling opponent — the Canucks’ Kevin Bieksa,” Campbell said.
This is the second career suspension for Tortorella, who missed Game 6 of the 2009 Eastern Conference quarter-finals as coach of the New York Rangers for throwing a water bottle into the stands in Washington.
Tortorella’s suspension begins Tuesday night with Vancouver’s game at the Edmonton Oilers and runs through Feb. 2.
The Vancouver Canucks issued the following statement today from President and General Manager Michael D Gillis.
“We respect the decision made by the National Hockey League today to suspend John Tortorella for 15 days from Sunday, with no contact with the team for six games.
We would also like to acknowledge our organization’s full support for John and we look forward to having him back behind the bench soon.” No further comments will be offered by the club at this time.
“I realize my time in this game is limited. I just want to give back at this point.If I can help one person or one kid move up to the American League and play for a long time, that is what I would like to do now, set an example and be someone that these younger guys can look up to.”
Idaho Steelheads Captain Justin Mercier is a player who brings his intensity and hard work to every game. He has played at the highest level in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche and has many AHL games behind him. He plays with emotion but has learned how to use it as an advantage rather than a distraction. He leads by example out on the ice.
Justin grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and started skating when he was about one and a half years old. His father was the first one in his family to play hockey and it was really his Dad who motivated him and inspired him to play the game. He took two years of figure skating before he finally put the pads on and brought the stick to the ice to play hockey at the age of 5. He really feels that his early foundation in figure skating has given him an edge up and helped him make it as far as he has in his career.
“One of my strengths and one of the reasons I think I was able to play at the highest level was because skating was a strength for me. You see it so much with kids these days, their foundation is so important. If you don’t have a strong foundation how are you supposed to build off it, right? I really do feel that the figure skating helped me, absolutely.”
As a diehard Pittsburgh Penguins fan growing up, he looked up to players like Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, but it was his father who shaped his youth hockey career. He pushed his early development and was a no-nonsense, straight-shooting kind of guy. He was the type of dad who would acknowledge his son’s three goals in a game but be the first to say that he had a bad game. It would be Rick Zombo, the Head coach of the USHL St. Louis Heartland Eagles and former NHL defenceman who pushed Justin to the next level. He made Mercier believe that he could make a career out of playing hockey. Coach Zombo took to the young guys on the team, developed them and gave them a lot of opportunities.
“I played in the USHL as a sixteen year old and I think at the time there were only two other people in the entire league that were 16. Being that young, I was able to power play and penalty kill and he was there every step of the way. When I struggled, he helped me improve and I owe him so much thanks for the opportunity.”
Mercier was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2005 and it came as a bit of a surprise to him. He was humbled and thrilled about being drafted but it was unexpected for him. He had played with several guys, Jack Johnson and Nathan Gerbe to name a few who were first rounders, who had garnered all the media attention during the year. He remembers the moment his agent called him.
“I was down in Florida and playing in a roller hockey tournament. I was flying home and I was by myself just sitting in a Pittsburgh airport and all of a sudden my agent calls me and says ‘Hey Justin you got drafted’. It was obviously so awesome, but it did take me by surprise, I had never been contacted by Colorado but it was definitely exciting.”
After the Draft, Justin went to play with Miami University in Ohio where he really developed as an offensive player. Redhawks Coach Enrico Blasi gave him such a great opportunity, particularly pairing him with skilled guys that cultivated his natural talents. His linemates were 2011 Hobey Baker award winner Andy Miele, San Jose Sharks forward Tommy Wingels and Providence Bruins forward Carter Camper.
“A lot of the time I played with Camper, he was my centerman. He was such a skilled player and he taught me, you know don’t pass up a shot, find the open ice. When you play with guys who have such great vision, it really allowed me to grow and develop my offensive skill, my scoring abilities.”
As a senior, Mercier was named the West Regional MVP and led the Redhawks to the Frozen Four in 2008-09. They ended up losing in overtime 4-3 to Boston University, a tough one to lose but he is happy with the success that he had at Miami University and helping get his team to the Frozen Four, a feat not many can say they’ve experienced.
Eventually, after logging time with the AHL Lake Erie Monsters, Mercier finally got the call-up to the NHL to play with the team who drafted him, the Colorado Avalanche. His first game was against the Minnesota Wild in December of 2009. His next opportunity came in February of 2010 against the Nashville Predators. Playing in his first NHL game gave him a great sense of accomplishment but it was the moment when he scored his first NHL goal against Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, that was when everything clicked for him.
“When I scored my first goal no one could ever take it away from me. It was like in that one moment everything that I had ever worked for, it kind of all made sense. It made me feel like it was all worth it, all the driving and travelling that my parents did.”
Obviously he has the puck from the game against the Nashville Predators where he scored his first goal. It’s hanging on a wall in his parent’s home next to the framed picture and game sheet that the NHL puts together. It’s something his family can be proud of and enjoy while he moves from town to town with his playing career.
photo: Glenn Smith/Idaho Steelheads
This past season brought Mercier to the Idaho Steelheads and he was soon named Captain of the team. It was an honor for him to take the Captaincy, and it really was the first time he’s had the opportunity to take on a leadership role, as he’s always been the young guy on the team. When he went to college, he didn’t wear a letter, which at the time disappointed him, but in retrospect it made sense.
“I think in college I was still trying to grow into myself and become a more mature player. I was one of those guys who wore my emotions on my sleeve and I think it got the better of me sometimes. I think now though it made me who I am.”
He’s been in the game for a long time and he knows that as young as he is, at 26 years old, his time playing is limited. He’s been able to play at the highest level and although he still has aspirations to be there again, what hockey player doesn’t, he wants to give back to the young guys at this point in his career. He feels that if he can help one kid move up to the American League and play for a long time then it was worth it. He wants to set an example and be someone that the younger guys can look up to. When he played with the US Team, Mercier had guys like Phil Kessel and Eric Johnson and then when he went to college he looked up to his senior captain at the time Andy Greene.
“Along the way I’ve had a lot of captains who have really led by example and showed me. Now that I’m in their position I have a lot to look back on to teach me how to act now that I’m in their shoes.”
He has played with so many players and seen guys with a lot of talent who don’t make it and Mercier thinks much of it comes down to work ethic. He says stickhandling is something that you can practice everyday and get better at but work ethic is something ingrained.
“The one thing that I pride myself on, I try to bring the same intensity every day. As the Captain of the Steelheads, I try to get my players to play the same way. I guess that would be my best advice for young guys that have the ability. You are not going to get to the NHL on ability alone. That is something you can’t teach is effort and work ethic. I think if guys can figure that out, I think they can have a lot of success in this game. “
During his playing career, Mercier learned early on that you are not going to score a goal every game and you aren’t going to get points every time you are out on the ice. You have to find ways to contribute to your team even when you aren’t racking up points or goals.
“I’ve really tried to use that as my motto, what am I doing to help my team if I’m not scoring? My skating is one of those things I try to use as one of my strengths. I really try to play a physical style of game where I am constantly trying to put pressure on the other team and bring that kind of intensity to the lineup. I find that that in turn creates a lot of opportunities for myself. I like to play that grinder/ power forward type role.”
His work ethic and intense play has gotten him some goals and attention beyond the ECHL. In early January, Mercier got called back up to the AHL to play with the Iowa Wild.So far he’s played five games with the club and registered 1 assist and 8 penalty minutes. He may not be scoring goals but it’s clear Mercier is making an impact by showing that hard work does pay off. It can get you to the next level, every hockey player’s dream.
Oh matinees, how I love thee. I don’t know what it is, but matinee starts are always a sure fire way to put me in a stellar mood. Also, playing teams where I own virtually nothing in their color scheme makes getting dressed for press level a tiny bit easier. Purple, I’m looking at you. With the 3 pm start time, I decided to go a little bit more casual… half the men on press level wear jeans, sneakers and a blazer, why can’t we? Well, because we would probably be judged and ridiculed for being under dressed — so I found a happy medium.
Breakdown:
Gray jeans, Forever 21, $15.99
Blue blouse, I honestly have no idea, but I think a consignment shop in Boston, Price unknown
Black blazer, Forever 21, $16.98
Black heels, gift, price unknown
Media Tip: Throw a small container of Purell in your bag, it’s germ season and it’s just a smart safety precaution.
Sunday’s Blackhawks-Bruins game had little significance in the grand scheme of things–a mid-season matchup between teams from separate divisions.
So, why were hearts racing during a mid-day January game?
It felt like last June.
The game–the first meeting of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals challengers–held the kind of intensity that is usually reserved for playoff hockey.
Fortunately for Chicago, it held the same result.
The Blackhawks could use the points and a boost of confidence right now. They’ve had difficulty holding on to leads and despite a mighty win over the top Anaheim Ducks Friday, haven’t shown much consistency.
Winning only two of the last six games leading up to Sunday, the Hawks did have something to prove.
And with memories of their last meeting at TD Garden, so did Boston.
Marian Hossa opened the game just 4:13 into the first with his 20th goal of season. The teams were head-to-head for the rest of the period with the Blackhawks narrowly leading in shots and the Bruins ahead in hits. Bruin Brad Marchand scored with less than a minute left.
Just 50 seconds into the second period, Marchand tallied another goal, giving the Bruins the lead. About five minutes later, Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews broke his stick on a shot, tossed it behind him in frustration sending it into the stands, and landed himself in the box for 10 minutes — a player misconduct for the rarely seen “Throwing Equipment” rule.
About halfway through the second, Brandon Bollig tied it back up at two.
Though the rest of the regulation and overtime was scoreless, there wasn’t time for taking breaths.
Bruin Ryan Spooner led the shootout and was stopped by the left goalpost.
Toews handily scored on goalie Tuukka Rask, but Corey Crawford stopped Patrice Bergeron and Rask blocked Patrick Sharp.
(As an aside, has that move been named yet? The Kane-o-Rama? The Hurri-Kane? The Hurri-and-wait-Kane?)
Rask made 35 saves, while Crawford made 36.
“Great hockey game; the pace was tremendous at the start and it didn’t stop,” said coach Joel Quenneville. “They’re a dangerous team. They have patience and play recognition, and they have all guys active and wanting the puck. It’s a great test, and it’s nice to finally get a shootout win, too.”
With this win, Quenneville tied at 692 career coaching victories, tying him at third overall with Hall-of-Famer Dick Irvin.
With wins against the Ducks and the Bruins, hopefully the Hawks have skated out of their “slump.”
“Two big games against two great teams,” Kane said. “We weren’t going as well as we wanted to before these two games, but this game and Friday night’s game against the Ducks were big games for us to get our confidence back up to know we can play with the best in the league.”
The Blackhawks take on their old rival Detroit Redwings with a 7 p.m. CT start Wednesday.
Howdy hockey lovers! Do I have a little quiz for you!!
What does a frozen lion pond, a lion named Sterk, a female zookeeper and a zoo in Nova Scotia, Canada have in common?
Put them all together, you get a hockey playing lion! That is right, you read it here first. When a lion’s pond in Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Nova Scotia froze over due to the weather, the lion’s keeper didn’t miss a beat. The pond just turned into a hockey rink for the keeper and Sterk, the lion. What can be next, I wonder? Chimps National League? Lions versus lioness? To tell the truth, I didn’t know that lions were so graceful! Look at: Facebook, under Oaklawn Farm Zoo
Remember the backyard ice rink? Remember the fun you had and the way the rink brought people together? Hold the thought. Now, use your imagination and fly to Yellowknife near Great Slave Lake region. (near Alaska) Ten years ago, a hockey game was started and it is still played today. The longest continues game is being played on an ice rink in the middle of the wild. From mid-November to April, hockey rules! Temperatures have hit as low as -30, so frostbite is known to happen. Yellowknife’s residents come out to play, meet new friends and talk to old ones! It is part of what makes the North a wild place to live. All egos are left behind in the warmth of good food and cold beers! The only thing the players need to do before playing hockey, just like all over the winter world——they need to shovel the snow off the ice first!
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