Faceoff Against Cancer
February 21, 2006
As I mentioned earlier the B-Sens had their first annual Face-off Against Cancer this past weekend. One of the other raffles was Denis Hamel’s jersey from the 2006 AHL All-Star Game. I bought an arm’s length of tickets for these. I didn’t have much hope of winning since Denis is our most popular player this year, but I love raffles and this one was for a great cause. The money from his jersey was going to the Kelly O’Day scholarship fund. Kelly was a girl in my town that recently lost a long battle with cancer at the age of 16. Her family started a scholarship in her name to be awarded to a graduating senior from her high school.
I thought it was great of Hamel to donate his jersey for the cause, but it appears he’s not only a prolific scorer in hockey, but with his generosity as well. Without telling the O’Day family, Hamel bought $150 worth of tickets in their name and as luck would have it they won! Just another example showing that hockey players are not only the best athletes in professional sports, but the best PEOPLE.
Syracuse 5 - B-Sens 2
February 20, 2006
My cause for concern from Saturdays game against a poor opponent came rang true Sunday night when the Sens faced the streaking Syracuse Crunch. The Senators continued to take stupid penalties everytime they were outworked by Crunch players time and time again. This time the Sens just showed no effort and looked like they were going through the motions so they could call it a night.
The first period featured four B-Sens penalties. Kelly Guard, once again, looked good in net was the only reason this game remained close (close is a very loose term with this years Senators). The Sens were lucky to find themselves in a 1-1 tie after the first period and what they needed was a kick in the ass to get their feet moving and jump on the Crunch. Unfortunately, it was the Crunch who found their mojo and the next two periods looked like a Syracuse practice using traffic cones wearing Senators jerseys. The Crunch grabbed two early goals in the second and then played keep-away for the remainer of the game while the Sens debated whether mounting a 2 goal comeback would be worth the effort. Seems like they decided to just take the rest of the night off. The good news is that their laziness was not just in their legs, but in arms as they stopped hooking and slashing and gave Syracuse only two more powerplays.
It would be easy to blow this off because it was the third game in as many nights, but Syracuse was playing under the same conditions. If the B-Sens are serious about this season they need to find that energy reserve and be willing to work hard for a win.
The biggest difference I saw between the two teams was, once again, the transition game and puck control. The Sens were constently pinned in their own zone and the Syracuse mantra was “SHOOT”. Andy Delmore looked amazing on point and I’m sure left many players (including his teammates) with bruises from shots that didn’t make it through. Everytime he missed the net it sounded like a cannon being fired as the puck hit the end boards. The Sens managed to keep Delmore off the scoresheet, but the whole time he was doing his best Al McInnis imitation the B-Sens forwards were NOT in the Syracuse zone trying to score. The B-Sens were unable to generate any form of offensive rush (besides Hamel) and rarely were able to get off a shot or two before Syracuse regained control of the puck (or the Sens turned it over).
Now for the silver lining…
Kelly Guard - He was solid in net once again and has really been flashing that glove for some impressive saves. Billy who? Seriously though, I hope Thompson faces this challenge and uses it to improve his game. The Sens will need all the good goaltending they can get.
Danny Bois - The kid has hustle and isn’t afraid to fight in the corners. Give me one of him on each line and it would have been a different game.
I’m also going to take this opportunity to create my B-Sens Doghouse. The Sens Underground has been calling out players and low and behold those guys turn their game around. Hopefully this will have the same affect. My first inductee goes to one of my favorite guys, Steve Martins. Mighty Mart has been playing with hustle, but also with frustration. His play is indicative of the whole team and as one of the veteran leaders he needs to lead by example. Last night he got hooked a couple times and the ref did nothing. Instead of playing on he gave the ref a look, coughed up the puck, and then slashed the Crunch player to earn a penalty. Yo Stevie, refs suck, its a constant of the universe like the value for Pi. Putting your team down because you’re pissed at a MINOR league ref is bad form, especially when your team is in the cellar. Welcome to the doghouse, I hope your stay isn’t a long one.
Cool Hockey Table
February 19, 2006
Part of this weekend’s promotions is the first annual Faceoff Against Cancer. There are numerous fundraisers for the battle against cancer including several raffles for hockey stuff. Besides from the typical jerseys and puck sale there was something new. Sports of Steel was raffling a team autographed Binghamton Senators table. As the name suggests, the hockey stick and puck legs are constructed out of steel. As cool as the tables looked they are awesome when covered with the players signatures. The tables are out of my price range, but I bought an arms length of tickets (unfortunately not MY arm’s length - I have a 6′7″ wingspan).
Sports of Steel is a new local company that plans to sell unique sports memorabilia. They only have two licenses to start, but plan on adding more as well as additional items such as a baseball table. They will also do custom tables (if that mega millions ticket in my wallet is a winner, I’m ordering a Leafs Suck table for the Sens Underground guys). If you’ve got the cash and are looking for a cool addition to your sports room, check these guys out. The tables are well built, STURDY, and are truly unique. I’ll have my fingers crossed when they draw the raffle tonight!
B-Sens 5 - Philly Phantoms 1
February 19, 2006
It has been a long break between B-Sens games for me. I was out of town for the February 8th game and didn’t travel to the ‘home’ game in Utica so that makes four weeks since I last was able to see the B-Sens play. I was expecting the worst, but left feeling, once again, hopefull that we’ll make the playoffs. The Sens won 5-1 and I see three keys to their success:
- Stellar goaltending from Kelly Guard. This was some of the best goaltending by a Binghamton player this season. Guard looked confident, gave up few rebounds, and played his angles well. He was, deservedly, the #1 star of the game. Quality goaltending such as this is key for any chance of making the playoffs.
- Scoring. Putting the puck in the net has rarely been a problem for this team and Denis Hamel led the way with 2 goals. Brandon Bochenski continued his resurgence with a goal of his own and now has a hand in 15 of the B-Sens last 19 points. Contributions came from all lines and I was glad to see Danny Bois play a stellar game with several great scoring chances.
- Playing a team worse than ours. I hate to burst anyones bubbles, but a big factor of last nights big win was the terrible play of the Phantoms. They peppered Guard with 47 shots, but when a great scoring opportunity presented itself, they missed the net. Philly simply showed why they are one of the worst scoring teams in the league and it made the B-Sens look better than they really are.
This leads me to my biggest cause for concern: the transition game. Or in Binghamton’s case, their lack of one. Except for Denis Hamel’s breakaway speed, the B-Sens lack a good method of transitioning from defense to offense. They frequently found themselves penned into their own zone and gave up repeated turnovers whenever they tried to breakout. Once they did make it into the neutral zone their offensive charge usually amounted to a couple guys waiting at the blueline while the puck carrier dipsy doodled over the line and into 2 defenders. The B-Sens MUST learn how to break out of their own zone and then enter their opponent’s with speed. I hate to say it, but a dump and chase might be what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, this year’s Binghamton team lacks size and I have a feeling that’s why they were unwilling to dump last night.
Although I still see some major flaws with this team, they are showing signs of turning things around again. They’re finally getting some good goaltending and combined with their good offense they WILL win games. But they are 13 points out of the playoffs and if they are going to make it to the post season they’re going to need some help from above in the form of a nice Bridgeport or Norfolk losing streak.
The NHL and the Olympics
February 18, 2006
When the NHL first reached an agreement with the IOC to allow NHLers to play I was excited. Afterall, why not have the best players in the world playing in the Olympics? But since that time I have changed my mind and I’m curious to hear what other fans think. What I’m really curious about is whether the feeling is the same with different countries. I have a feeling that Americans, more than other countries, are against using the NHLers. Part of it goes back to the Miracle on Ice, but another part goes to the notion that the highly paid athletes that we send to represent our country just won’t give their all the way those kids did in Lake Placid. Hell, when have you ever seen Keith Tkachuk give his all for anything?
In the US, our hockey is always played either within our country or against our neighbors to the North. There is very little international competition. Across the pond the European countries play each other constantly so the Olympics becomes an extension of existing rivalries that are played out over and over again. Just imagine the Rangers playing the Islanders in the Olympics. THAT is a rivalry. US vs Switzerland? Its a novelty to US pro athletes who have been thrown together for what amounts to an All-Star tour.
The other problem with using NHLers is the issue of facing off against teammates. They are supposed to go for the gold, but also know that they need some of their opponents back in 2 weeks for the playoff drive. Many NHLers have admitted they will ease up if they’re about to check a teammate. It just proves that for many the Stanley Cup is more valued than the gold medal.
I would much rather see our country’s top NCAA and Junior players competing and representing us than the all-stars. A team of players free of the NHL would have more than two days to practice because hockey is, afterall, a TEAM sport. I would argue that a team that has trained and played together for months stands a better chance of winning gold than our current all-star bunch who’s greatest notoriety was not winning gold (which they haven’t) but trashing a hotel in Nagano. The simple fact remains that another miracle cannot occur as long as we use NHL players. I for one would much rather put my support behind a rag tag group of young underdogs than watch millionaires take an Olympic ‘vacation’.
Bring NHL Hockey Back To Winnipeg
February 14, 2006
Apparently I’m not the only one who wants to see the NHL back in Winnipeg. Check out the JetsOwner web page.
B-Sens Auction
February 13, 2006
The Press & Sun is having a Binghamton Senators auction to raise money for Newspapers In Education. If you’re interested in getting some B-Sens merchandise, tickets, or an unforgettable memory for your kid, check it out.
Rangers 5 - Ottawa 1
February 9, 2006
If you are wondering why the Rangers are so good this season the first place to start looking is Tom Renney. “I hope we’re developing a reputation as a team that’s tough to beat, whether at home or on the road. I hope we’re being identified as a team that plays a responsible game without the puck, that we are solid from the goaltender out. I’d like to think teams would look at us and say, ‘Play hard tonight to beat those guys,’ because that suggests the evolution of our team.” He’s got my vote for coach of the year and anyone who is thinking Ovechkin over Lundqvist for the Calder Trophy needs to take a long hard look at the standings.
Worst Thing Since Fox Trax
February 7, 2006
Just when you thought the NHL couldn’t do something else completely stupid, the come up with this.
RBK, the hockey company — you know, Sidney Crosby’s other employer — has spent millions of dollars testing and re-designing the performance and look of the traditional hockey uniform and has come up with a sleek new design that many traditionalists will view as radical. Most GMs have a prototype in hand, some have even had one of their players privately model and test them.
RBK, and the league head office, will maintain these new uniforms are a revolutionary step forward, that the integrated equipment and fabric will enhance safety and performance, that players will be more agile, better protected and their equipment will be much lighter and drier.
I am sick and tired of the NHL trying to ‘fix’ things that aren’t broken. Improving player’s safety should be a priority, but RBK seems to be working on rib protection and this new tucked jersey that will improve aerodynamics. This is all bullshit to me. If the NHL wants to do something GOOD for the league and its players for a change, then here’s the list:
- Forget about requiring visors. Eye injuries are a threat, but but a rare one. Instead make the improved helmets a requirement. Concussions are a common occurrence and probably the #1 factor leading to an early retirement. Several companies have been working on safer helmets that remain on a players head better during a fall and provide more protection. Helmets are already mandatory, now just set a safety standard.
- Research a way to incorporate knee braces into shinguards. The injury I hate to see the most is a torn knee. Seems like every team has at least one guy miss over a month of the season after straining or tearing their knee. Incorporating a knee brace would be tricky because it could hinder movement, but if it saves a player from a more serious knee injury it would be worth it.
Heads and knees are the most common injuries and should be the focus of the NHL. The ribs are a rare injury and I don’t understand why the NHL is even bothering. What’s particularly odd is that the NHL has been trying to improve scoring and to get goals per game averages back to the levels of the Gretzky era, but the equipment has improved tremendously since then. What they don’t seem to realize is that the lighter equipment also makes the goalies and defensemen faster too.
The other thing that strikes me as odd is why the NHL would consider changing their jerseys at all. If there is one aspect of the NHL that has made strong in roads to mainstream culture it is the hockey jersey. Current fashion is baggy and you see NHL jerseys worn by celebrities all the time. The hockey jerseys even became popular with the hip hop crowd. A newer, slimmer jersey would not only alienate current fans, but I don’t see it being popular with non-fans. The NHL needs to realize that it shouldn’t be trying to reinvent itself, but trying to market itself, something that it has never done well under Gary Bettman.
Whats Wrong with the Senators
February 2, 2006
Have you noticed that the Ottawa Senators are not the team they were to start the season? Of course, we couldn’t expect them to continue at that torrid pace, but it does seem like they have hit a midseason rut. How else do you explain their spanking at the hands of the Boston Bruins? I see two things contributing to the Senators falling back to earth and losing their place atop the Eastern Conference.
1) Conditioning - The Senators began the season with an influx of AHL players who all played last season. This gave them a leg up over many other teams whose players either had last season off or played the wide open European hockey. Ottawa had almost half their team playing in Binghamton last season and it paid huge dividends with their fast start. Other teams like Philadelphia had much slower starts as their players were behind in their conditioning. Now that everyone has a half season under their belts the playing field is even and Ottawa’s players are finding their opponents can now keep up with them and stifle their top line.
2) Deviation from their Game Plan - When the season started, Sens fan were rejoicing in the way their new team was playing. They weren’t just lighting up the scoreboard, they were TOUGH. Brian McGrattan and Chris Neil were getting as much press as Spezza, Heatley and Alfredson. Lately the Senators seem to have lost their way. Their play has been inconsistent and the toughness isn’t as evident. Injuries were a valid excuse during the end of December and into January, but now all their key players are healthy and the team is stumbling. Is it a coincidence that McGrattan’s fights are far and few between during this stretch?
Does this mean that dropping the gloves will solve their problems? No, I think its more of a symptom of a larger problem. The Sens have enough talent to cruise into the playoffs, just like they’ve done in previous season, but the playoffs are a different breed of hockey. How many Stanley Cup games have you seen won by a gorgeous blind back pass? Kind think of any? Me neither. How about a game won by someone taking a check to the back and eating the ice as the shovel a rebound past the goalie? Now THAT is playoff hockey and that is the Sens weakness. To start the season they looked as if they had addressed this, but lately it looks like they’ve taken a step back.
The good news is that the Olympic break has come just in time. I think the time off to rest and the taste of playing or watching the competition for the Gold will give these guys a second wind to carry them into the playoffs.
