One year of Beard!
Today is the day gang. Playoff Beard.com has made it to it's first birthday! What better way to celebrate than to watch a collection of the NHL's greatest players, skate in slow motion and put us to sleep.
I'm being a little harsh perhaps, but after watching last night's Young Stars game, my hopes for an entertaining game tonight are considerably lessened. The Young Stars game was like watching Disney on Ice. I know the players don't want to risk injury, and the game is an exhibition, but in all honesty I saw more compettion at the Old-Timers outdoor game in Edmonton 3 years ago. If they aren't even going to skate on a breakaway.....then what's the point of goal hanging at mid ice.....Evgeni?
The Skills Competition was slightly cooler, although the fastest skater was kind of ruined by the fact that they couldn't get the electronic clock working, so we were left with a stop watch.....and I think Ovechkin got hosed on that one. 15.1 seconds? I figured Sheldon Souray would take the hardest shot, but Zdeno Chara had a slight edge with his 100.4 mph shot. The Accuracy contest which I think is one of the coolest events (especially when they throw you the archive footage of Borque being a complete ninja going 4 for 4), gave us a tie between Staal and Hossa. Sidney Crosby did great during the shootout event, but the broadcasters made sure everyone knew that his shootout stats during the regular season aren't as impressive.....we got it Bill.
Hopefully tonight's game will be more energetic, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Really this night is for the keepers to shine, since they will be shelled throughout the game, since the defensemen can't really defend for them. It would be great to see a tight game, but this will most likely be another 15-13 event.
Why doesn't the NHL create an All Enforcers Game? You know those guys would bring it, even if they did the 4 on 4, 10 minute periods thing. Although if they did call penalties there might not be any players left to play the game after the opening period. Oh well. Enjoy the game tonight my friends, and thanks for a great year!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Happy Anniversary Bosh
Ovie tripped a little at the beginging of his skate around so i think he lost a little time there.
As i stated in my last post i think the skills comp. needs something to make it a little more exciting.
And i think they should do like the NBA Rooks vs. sophmores
Posted by: Paul | January 24, 2007 12:10 PM
Yeah...I WAS diaspointed that I wouldn't be able to watch the All stars game, but after watching the Youngstars...nope.
Posted by: jeff | January 24, 2007 03:06 PM
Happy belated anniversary! Very cool.
Problem with the young stars is that no one really wanted to be a star and passed the puck WAY too much. Even Malkin, who was obviously gunning for a goal, seemed to let up when it came time to put the puck in the basket. We all know what he can do and yet he seemed to be afraid to remind us all of what he can do. I don't think playing 4 on 4 helps this either, because it gives them more ice to try and be less selfish when that much ice should do the exact opposite. Create your own play and do something awesome - take that chance of being called a show off. That's what the All-Star event is for. It's a team sport every other night, guys. Bust out a Getzlaf.
I was extremely disappointed in the coverage of the skills comp. Mainly, I didn't know what the hell was going on half the time. Can anyone explain why Crosby and Selanne did three shoot-out attempts in a row, because I sure didn't hear a reason from the announcers. And how bout those goal cam shots during the accuracy contest? Who's the brainiac that made THAT decision? You can see the plates from the goal cam! The whole point it to see the plates, fellas! My God! I've been very forgiving of Versus during the regular season (even the rail cam is growing on me) but they failed to simply relay pertinent information during the skills contest and that's just bad television.
Fortunately the real game was much better, though I'll save that for the next post. Jeff, if you didn't watch it here's a hint at what you missed: Walker, Texas Ranger
Posted by: Stache | January 25, 2007 08:39 AM
That should read "CAN'T see the plates from the goal cam!"
And I should go back to bed.
Posted by: Stach | January 25, 2007 08:43 AM
Stache,
i do agree with you that the actual all-star game was much better then tuesdays festivities. I don't know how much of that rail cam i can take, cbc just showed a couple clips with it but nothing big.
CBC had commishoners corner during the first intermission, talk a little about the schedule, possible re-alignment and expansion,and other things that i can't/don't want to remember.
Posted by: Paul | January 25, 2007 09:12 AM