Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Will We Have a Show Tonight?
The weather outside is simply cold for now, although snow (and lots of it) is forecasted for this evening? Will The Sin Bin survive? An update will follow.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ice Cold
It's a streak that would make their namesake proud.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost five straight, eight of 11, and 11 of 15. They've scored four goals or more just four times since Dec. 1. They haven't scored three goals or more since before Christmas.
And they lost last night to the New York Rangers 4-0.
Yes, the Igloo is extra cold these days. Everywhere except in Michel Therrien's office.
The head coach, now beleaguered, must take responsibility for much of his team's slide, but let's not forget individual performances, either.
Sidney Crosby (16 points in 17 games since Dec. 1) started December in typical Crosby fashion before sliding. His last nine games have produced four points, as opponents have made the sledding very tough for Sid the Kid. Add to that an apparent snipe at his leadership capabilities from Coach Therrien (a charge the coach denies), and it's been a rough few weeks for the Pens' captain.
It doesn't all fall on No. 87, though. Jordan Staal (10 points since Dec. 1) hasn't registered a point in seven games. Petr Sykora (2 points in his last 8 games) hasn't been much better, although his overall output has kept pace with the captain (16 points since Dec. 1)
Pass the disappointment for Miro Satan as well (8 points since Dec. 1; see also Dupuis, Pascal, also with 8 points in the same span). Hell, Satan has been outscored by Ruslan Fedotenko (12 points, including three in his last four games). When Ruslan Fedotenko is a more reliable forward than Miro Satan, it's a clear sign that the offense is falling on hard times.
And while Evgeni Malkin (21 points since Dec. 1) kept putting up big numbers in losing efforts early in the month, two points (both assists) in his last seven games suggest that the league's leading scorer is part of the problem as well.
Ah, but one can't forget the goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 18 goals in his last four starts, which is a problem because he's started all but one game since Dec. 18,when he made his first start since returning from injury. He has allowed 33 goals in nine games in that span for a 3.67 GAA. Of course, that's not to exonerate Dany Sabourin, whose 25 goals in eight games (3.57 GAA) helped to kick off the current slide.
And if the goaltending is to blame, the defense must deserve a beating as well. Fleury is by no means a bad goalie, but when the defense is allowing 30 shots a game (which they are, since Dec. 1), surely the backstops are doing more than their fair share to keep the game close. That, and a PK firing at a 77.3 percent success rate, spells a lengthy slump.
The Pens get a break tonight in the Atlanta Thrashers, just the team Pittsburgh needs to play to get some confidence back. In any case, Therrien's shot at the team's leadership (like it or not, Michel, that means Crosby whether you admit it or not) likely marks the beginning of the end of his tenure at the helm. Whether Therrien is fired now or later depends on whether the team can turn it around, but one has to think that Mario Lemieux can't be pleased with having his judgment questioned in a private meeting that leaked to the media. Remember, it was Super Mario that named Crosby captain in the first place. And if Therrien can't get the Pens back to the conference finals minimum, Lemieux will have all the reason he needs to send the current coach packing
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost five straight, eight of 11, and 11 of 15. They've scored four goals or more just four times since Dec. 1. They haven't scored three goals or more since before Christmas.
And they lost last night to the New York Rangers 4-0.
Yes, the Igloo is extra cold these days. Everywhere except in Michel Therrien's office.
The head coach, now beleaguered, must take responsibility for much of his team's slide, but let's not forget individual performances, either.
Sidney Crosby (16 points in 17 games since Dec. 1) started December in typical Crosby fashion before sliding. His last nine games have produced four points, as opponents have made the sledding very tough for Sid the Kid. Add to that an apparent snipe at his leadership capabilities from Coach Therrien (a charge the coach denies), and it's been a rough few weeks for the Pens' captain.
It doesn't all fall on No. 87, though. Jordan Staal (10 points since Dec. 1) hasn't registered a point in seven games. Petr Sykora (2 points in his last 8 games) hasn't been much better, although his overall output has kept pace with the captain (16 points since Dec. 1)
Pass the disappointment for Miro Satan as well (8 points since Dec. 1; see also Dupuis, Pascal, also with 8 points in the same span). Hell, Satan has been outscored by Ruslan Fedotenko (12 points, including three in his last four games). When Ruslan Fedotenko is a more reliable forward than Miro Satan, it's a clear sign that the offense is falling on hard times.
And while Evgeni Malkin (21 points since Dec. 1) kept putting up big numbers in losing efforts early in the month, two points (both assists) in his last seven games suggest that the league's leading scorer is part of the problem as well.
Ah, but one can't forget the goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed 18 goals in his last four starts, which is a problem because he's started all but one game since Dec. 18,when he made his first start since returning from injury. He has allowed 33 goals in nine games in that span for a 3.67 GAA. Of course, that's not to exonerate Dany Sabourin, whose 25 goals in eight games (3.57 GAA) helped to kick off the current slide.
And if the goaltending is to blame, the defense must deserve a beating as well. Fleury is by no means a bad goalie, but when the defense is allowing 30 shots a game (which they are, since Dec. 1), surely the backstops are doing more than their fair share to keep the game close. That, and a PK firing at a 77.3 percent success rate, spells a lengthy slump.
The Pens get a break tonight in the Atlanta Thrashers, just the team Pittsburgh needs to play to get some confidence back. In any case, Therrien's shot at the team's leadership (like it or not, Michel, that means Crosby whether you admit it or not) likely marks the beginning of the end of his tenure at the helm. Whether Therrien is fired now or later depends on whether the team can turn it around, but one has to think that Mario Lemieux can't be pleased with having his judgment questioned in a private meeting that leaked to the media. Remember, it was Super Mario that named Crosby captain in the first place. And if Therrien can't get the Pens back to the conference finals minimum, Lemieux will have all the reason he needs to send the current coach packing
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Bruce Boudreau Has A Point
As an admitted Alex Ovechkin fanatic, I was appalled by his omission from the All-Star Game's starting lineup as the second leading scorer in the league. Not because Evgeni Malkin (NHL's leading scorer) and Sidney Crosby (3rd in scoring) were not deserving, but because Alexei Kovalev (T-69th in scoring) is not.
Washington Capitals' head coach Bruce Boudreau said as much, saying that "if it went on merit," Ovechkin would be a starter. It's also true that if it went on merit, Kovalev would be a starter as well--albeit last year, perhaps. Or maybe eight years ago.
The All-Star voting is a sham. Four Montreal Canadiens cracked the starting lineup thanks largely to what must be chalked up to voter fraud, and only two--goaltender Carey Price and defenseman Andrei Markov--have a case to be there.
But even that case is weak. Where was Mark Streit from the Island, the NHL's leading scorer among defensemen? Or maybe Boston's Dennis Wideman, league leader in plus/minus (and perhaps the most telling mark of a defenseman)? Or maybe Mike Green from Washington, with just one point less than Markov and a higher plus/minus?
In Price's case, a 2.30 GAA and a .921 save percentage are nothing to sneeze at, by all accounts a tremendous, All-Star season. But several other goaltenders have had better seasons in a similar amount of games. Tim Thomas, above all, deserves to be starting this game after the year he's had in Beantown. But the Devils' Scott Clemmenson (er, Martin Brodeur Jr.) and Florida's Craig Anderson each have better numbers in a comparable number of games. Price's numbers are outstanding, but in this, the apparent Year of the Goaltender, without the starting nod he might not have made the game at all.
The All-Star Game is hardly relevant and the fan vote doesn't make people care any more or less. It's time that the NHL takes the fans out of it and focuses on naming the 12 most deserving players to the starting lineup, and the 42 best players to the game. Alexei Kovalev playing in this game does nothing but rob one deserving player from the honor he deserves. All-Star seasons, for many, do not happen every year.
Let's hope that the All-Star reserves manage to make up for the travesty that was this year's fan voting.
Washington Capitals' head coach Bruce Boudreau said as much, saying that "if it went on merit," Ovechkin would be a starter. It's also true that if it went on merit, Kovalev would be a starter as well--albeit last year, perhaps. Or maybe eight years ago.
The All-Star voting is a sham. Four Montreal Canadiens cracked the starting lineup thanks largely to what must be chalked up to voter fraud, and only two--goaltender Carey Price and defenseman Andrei Markov--have a case to be there.
But even that case is weak. Where was Mark Streit from the Island, the NHL's leading scorer among defensemen? Or maybe Boston's Dennis Wideman, league leader in plus/minus (and perhaps the most telling mark of a defenseman)? Or maybe Mike Green from Washington, with just one point less than Markov and a higher plus/minus?
In Price's case, a 2.30 GAA and a .921 save percentage are nothing to sneeze at, by all accounts a tremendous, All-Star season. But several other goaltenders have had better seasons in a similar amount of games. Tim Thomas, above all, deserves to be starting this game after the year he's had in Beantown. But the Devils' Scott Clemmenson (er, Martin Brodeur Jr.) and Florida's Craig Anderson each have better numbers in a comparable number of games. Price's numbers are outstanding, but in this, the apparent Year of the Goaltender, without the starting nod he might not have made the game at all.
The All-Star Game is hardly relevant and the fan vote doesn't make people care any more or less. It's time that the NHL takes the fans out of it and focuses on naming the 12 most deserving players to the starting lineup, and the 42 best players to the game. Alexei Kovalev playing in this game does nothing but rob one deserving player from the honor he deserves. All-Star seasons, for many, do not happen every year.
Let's hope that the All-Star reserves manage to make up for the travesty that was this year's fan voting.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Slovak'd!
A heavily favored U.S. team ran into a hot goaltender at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and now they are coming home after losing 5-3 to Slovakia.
Yeah. Slovakia. No, the Hossas were not playing. Neither was Gaborik (injured.. again.).
Unfortunately for the Americans, Jaroslav Janus was playing, and he made 44 saves in goal for the Slavs in a stunning upset. Janus stoned U.S. snipers over and over again in this game, including a penalty shot save early in the tilt that bailed his team out and gave them an opportunity to take the lead soon after. Janus flat-out stood on his head, making SEVERAL other top notch stops to get his team a victory and push them into the semi-final round.
The Americans outshot their opponents 47-19 in the tilt, but will come home empty handed- a very disappointing end for a team that had looked very promising with several NHL draftees on board, including the #2 overall pick in 2007, James van Riemsdyk (Flyers).
Janus, who plays for the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, went undrafted.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Flyers-Penguins: Beaver Stadium Perfect Fit for 2010 Winter Classic
All 71,217 fans watching at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York witnessed a historic event when Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby capped the NHL’s Winter Classic last January. Crosby shoveled a puck past Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller for a dramatic overtime game-winner.
Crosby didn’t just win the game for his Penguins, his shootout goal was also a big win for the National Hockey League. The league scored big with its first outdoor game on American ice by netting its biggest television ratings in nearly 11 years with a 2.6 overnight rating (about two million US households). Even Wayne Gretzky’s final game in 1999 failed to draw this many viewers.
The “outdoor pond” hockey game was virtually tied in TV ratings with the 2008 Gator Bowl (2007-2008 Season), college football matchup between the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Virginia Cavaliers.
Following the Winter Classic, hockey fans new and old alike suggested that the league should repeat the outdoor game.
And why not?
Each time the league has decided to play an outdoor game in the past, it has worked out. One example was on Nov. 22, 2003 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with the Heritage Classic. Over 57,000 fans packed into Commonwealth Stadium for a showdown between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens.
The climate from indoors to outdoors is a dynamic change in hockey that doesn’t happen too often, but sports fans in general seem to enjoy it.
An intra-state showdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers at Beaver Stadium has great potential.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees baseball rivalry is arguably the greatest in professional sports, but Pittsburgh and Philadelphia come close, if not right up there with the Sox and Yanks.
The idea of having an outdoor hockey game between these two cities isn’t as far-fetched as some might think.
Hockey has the potential to take place at Penn State. Days after the NHL’s Winter Classic, hockey was briefly popular again in the United States. Questions about where the next outdoor game should occur and what teams should square off were debated on television and radio shows throughout the country.
Some of the venues in the mix were Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, and Beaver Stadium before Wrigley Field finally won the rights to the game on Jan. 1, 2009.
“I would think that (Penguins/Flyers) might be a better draw than the New York Rangers and New York Islanders because hockey is pretty far down the sports totem pole in New York,” said Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.
Not to mention, if the Penguins/Flyers rivalry wasn’t already heated enough, the two teams squared off in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, with the Penguins prevailing in five games.
But if the NHL pitched the idea to Penn State, would they accept it?
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” added Cook.
“I’m sure a hockey game at Beaver Stadium between the Flyers and Penguins would be a huge moneymaker.”
“I think Penn State certainly would have been interested and entertained it,” said Penn State Icers head coach Scott Balboni while sitting in his office surrounded by team pictures, jerseys, and trophies.
“I think it was something they were relatively excited about looking at and having some people come to town.”
Balboni also admitted talking to Penn State athletic director Tim Curley about the idea, and Curley confirmed that the idea has not been pitched by the NHL.
In every major sporting event, there is an economic factor. When a team hosts an event at their home stadium, they generate an enormous amount of revenue.
“I don't see this as a problem. We're not talking about losing a crowd of 80,000, as an NFL team does when it plays in Canada or in Europe," said Cook.
“You're talking about 20,000 tops. If you could sell 100,000 tickets at Beaver Stadium, which I think the teams could, everybody would make money.”
“I can't see either the Flyers or Penguins taking the revenue such a game would produce away from their home city," said Bob Smizik, also of the Post-Gazette.
“I'm not talking about just gate receipts; I'm talking about restaurants and hotels.”
There is no doubt that the city of State College would benefit greatly from this event. It would be similar to the commencement ceremonies at the university, where hotels are booked a year in advance.
You would have to think both of these franchises would also benefit from this event. According to the Versus television network, when the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the New York Rangers last season on April 27, 2008, it was their 60th straight sellout at Mellon Arena.
Looking at last year’s playoffs and the beginning of this season, the Flyers and Penguins are two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN.com, they were both in the top 10 in home attendance in 2008, the Penguins placing eighth and the Flyers ninth. The Penguins sold 100.7 percent of their tickets and the Flyers sold 100.3 percent.
Looking at these statistics, I feel many Pennsylvanians, Penn State alumni, and hockey fans throughout the world would travel to see this unique brand of hockey. The teams, fans, and university would all benefit from this idea.
“If you put 75,000 people in here to watch a hockey game, like they did in Buffalo, the ticket revenue generated from that is obviously substantially greater then if you put 17,000 in the Igloo,” (Mellon Arena) said Balboni.
And ticket revenue is a very big portion of player salaries in the NHL. The NHL isn’t like the NFL or MLB, where a substantial amount of money comes from television network deals as well as ticket revenue.
“Because of the newness of the event and the uniqueness of the event, I think an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium would be hitting on those football fans that come to every game, anybody who has anything to do with Penn State as well as hockey fans all around,” added Balboni.
“You would definitely see that 80,000-90,000 number hit.”
Jan. 1, 2010: Will there be a third straight outdoor game?
If so, I have to put Beaver Stadium at Penn State at the top of the list!
Crosby didn’t just win the game for his Penguins, his shootout goal was also a big win for the National Hockey League. The league scored big with its first outdoor game on American ice by netting its biggest television ratings in nearly 11 years with a 2.6 overnight rating (about two million US households). Even Wayne Gretzky’s final game in 1999 failed to draw this many viewers.
The “outdoor pond” hockey game was virtually tied in TV ratings with the 2008 Gator Bowl (2007-2008 Season), college football matchup between the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Virginia Cavaliers.
Following the Winter Classic, hockey fans new and old alike suggested that the league should repeat the outdoor game.
And why not?
Each time the league has decided to play an outdoor game in the past, it has worked out. One example was on Nov. 22, 2003 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with the Heritage Classic. Over 57,000 fans packed into Commonwealth Stadium for a showdown between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens.
The climate from indoors to outdoors is a dynamic change in hockey that doesn’t happen too often, but sports fans in general seem to enjoy it.
An intra-state showdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers at Beaver Stadium has great potential.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees baseball rivalry is arguably the greatest in professional sports, but Pittsburgh and Philadelphia come close, if not right up there with the Sox and Yanks.
The idea of having an outdoor hockey game between these two cities isn’t as far-fetched as some might think.
Hockey has the potential to take place at Penn State. Days after the NHL’s Winter Classic, hockey was briefly popular again in the United States. Questions about where the next outdoor game should occur and what teams should square off were debated on television and radio shows throughout the country.
Some of the venues in the mix were Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, and Beaver Stadium before Wrigley Field finally won the rights to the game on Jan. 1, 2009.
“I would think that (Penguins/Flyers) might be a better draw than the New York Rangers and New York Islanders because hockey is pretty far down the sports totem pole in New York,” said Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.
Not to mention, if the Penguins/Flyers rivalry wasn’t already heated enough, the two teams squared off in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, with the Penguins prevailing in five games.
But if the NHL pitched the idea to Penn State, would they accept it?
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t,” added Cook.
“I’m sure a hockey game at Beaver Stadium between the Flyers and Penguins would be a huge moneymaker.”
“I think Penn State certainly would have been interested and entertained it,” said Penn State Icers head coach Scott Balboni while sitting in his office surrounded by team pictures, jerseys, and trophies.
“I think it was something they were relatively excited about looking at and having some people come to town.”
Balboni also admitted talking to Penn State athletic director Tim Curley about the idea, and Curley confirmed that the idea has not been pitched by the NHL.
In every major sporting event, there is an economic factor. When a team hosts an event at their home stadium, they generate an enormous amount of revenue.
“I don't see this as a problem. We're not talking about losing a crowd of 80,000, as an NFL team does when it plays in Canada or in Europe," said Cook.
“You're talking about 20,000 tops. If you could sell 100,000 tickets at Beaver Stadium, which I think the teams could, everybody would make money.”
“I can't see either the Flyers or Penguins taking the revenue such a game would produce away from their home city," said Bob Smizik, also of the Post-Gazette.
“I'm not talking about just gate receipts; I'm talking about restaurants and hotels.”
There is no doubt that the city of State College would benefit greatly from this event. It would be similar to the commencement ceremonies at the university, where hotels are booked a year in advance.
You would have to think both of these franchises would also benefit from this event. According to the Versus television network, when the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the New York Rangers last season on April 27, 2008, it was their 60th straight sellout at Mellon Arena.
Looking at last year’s playoffs and the beginning of this season, the Flyers and Penguins are two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. According to ESPN.com, they were both in the top 10 in home attendance in 2008, the Penguins placing eighth and the Flyers ninth. The Penguins sold 100.7 percent of their tickets and the Flyers sold 100.3 percent.
Looking at these statistics, I feel many Pennsylvanians, Penn State alumni, and hockey fans throughout the world would travel to see this unique brand of hockey. The teams, fans, and university would all benefit from this idea.
“If you put 75,000 people in here to watch a hockey game, like they did in Buffalo, the ticket revenue generated from that is obviously substantially greater then if you put 17,000 in the Igloo,” (Mellon Arena) said Balboni.
And ticket revenue is a very big portion of player salaries in the NHL. The NHL isn’t like the NFL or MLB, where a substantial amount of money comes from television network deals as well as ticket revenue.
“Because of the newness of the event and the uniqueness of the event, I think an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium would be hitting on those football fans that come to every game, anybody who has anything to do with Penn State as well as hockey fans all around,” added Balboni.
“You would definitely see that 80,000-90,000 number hit.”
Jan. 1, 2010: Will there be a third straight outdoor game?
If so, I have to put Beaver Stadium at Penn State at the top of the list!
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