The Ice Hockey Thread

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Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever

Another great performance from the Rangers, top of entire league now. Lundqvist showing again he's by far the best 'keeper in the NHL. Hopefully the wins will continue at home to Florida on Friday. Glad the "winter classic" is over and done with for another year. Not a fan of it at all. Hockey is far better indoors with the fans right up against the rink

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I don't think any hockey purists over here would agree with you...most Canadian (and some Americans in the northern reaches) start out playing hockey outside on frozen ponds. I've played both in indoor rinks and outside on frozen lakes (up by the Canadian border) and playing on a lake is a completely different, and often more enjoyable, experience. Fans right up against the rink brings dumbasses banging on the glass as well which is not good. On an unrelated note, "top of the league" and "keeper" might confuse some North American fans ;).

Never been to a Winter Classic though I did watch it when the Hawks played the Red Wings (right around the time the Hawks sold out) and I think the players enjoy it and it doesn't hinder the play too much.

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

I don't think any hockey purists over here would agree with you...most Canadian (and some Americans in the northern reaches) start out playing hockey outside on frozen ponds.

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Similar here in Czech Republic, though indoor hockey is by far the preference. They done an outdoor game here a few years back. (Pardubice against Plzen IIRC) Wasn't popular at all, and wasn't repeated

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

Fans right up against the rink brings dumbasses banging on the glass

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Not always. Never see it in Czech League games anyway, and I go to a lot of games here. Dunno why you'd see it as a bad thing though. Doesn't happen much even in the NHL

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

On an unrelated note, "top of the league" and "keeper" might confuse some North American fans ;).

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Well to the American/Canadian born NHL fans that use this forum I apologise. Everyone else understands what I said perfectly

Not a huge hockey fan, or at least not a huge regular season NHL fan, but the winter classic is by far the most interesting game in the regular season.

Has really helped Hockey get a foothold in US TV after the post lockout years. Fantastic imagery; http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikehayes/be...winter-classic

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Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever

Similar here in Czech Republic, though indoor hockey is by far the preference. They done an outdoor game here a few years back. (Pardubice against Plzen IIRC) Wasn't popular at all, and wasn't repeated

Not always. Never see it in Czech League games anyway, and I go to a lot of games here. Dunno why you'd see it as a bad thing though. Doesn't happen much even in the NHL

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I don't think anyone would advocate having all of the games outside, its an interesting gimmick though. Actually I believe my namesake used to play in goal for Parbudice and has been on a few of the Czech World Hockey Championship teams. Regarding the board banging its just obnoxious and I have it on good authority that the players find it so as well.

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Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever

Well to the American/Canadian born NHL fans that use this forum I apologise. Everyone else understands what I said perfectly

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I was just joking...though the top of the league bit could be confusing with the divisions and conferences that don't exist often (at least in top tier) football leagues.

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Originally Posted by theworm2345

I was just joking...though the top of the league bit could be confusing with the divisions and conferences that don't exist often (at least in top tier) football leagues.

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Yep, there's divisions, conference, and then entire league table, that is the one I was talking about. Dunno how that's confusing tbh. Maybe it's just you confused :D

http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm...12012&type=LEA



Hopefully an overnight win over Florida will put the Rangers back top again ;)

Hockey Night In Canada. Ron Maclean, Don Cherry.. have I died and gone to heaven?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was watching the NFL!

So the play offs begin and... They're on Setanta Sports 1. Joke.
I've seen nothing thus year because of the woeful coverage of Setanta.
But this is taking the ****.

I've been following the Bruins since a visit to relatives in Boston in 2000, so was delighted with them last year, obviously. They're off to a good start in the play-offs this year, but was a tough game against the Capitals at home. Kelly with an OT winner, slammed it home from a bit of a distance, but Thomas looks like the main man for the play-offs again. Great atmosphere in the Garden too, am hopeful that they can take a 2-0 lead into the away legs.

While the Devils are now level with the Rangers, the World Championships are after throwing up a major shock. The Canadians were just dumped out 4-3 by Slovakia. Shockingly bad cheating from the slovaks. More dives than a Barcelona match and more faking than a porn set. Surprised the officials let it away. However next up is the stroll in the park for Russia. Kind of depressing after watching that match, spent the morning at tennis where there was more honesty about the place, but that....nah, just sad. No wonder Don Cherry slagged off Europeans for being nancy boy divers.

Living in Canada and watching hockey has been quite something.

The play-offs have been fascinating.

The Western Conference is unbelievable and the quality of the hockey has been nothing short of breathtaking in some quarters.

Unfortunately the Habs are probably going to whitewash Tampa Bay and it's a shame because the Lightning have turned into my second team with their style of hockey and the downright insanity of the noise at their games. I was out watching a game in Ottawa last Friday and the bull**** from the Habs fans in their as enough to turn anyone off them ever doing well. As aLeafs fan I never had any major hangup about them and generally like to see Canadian teams do well. But it was like being surrounded by a load of Ingerland fans. Eugh.

Boston shoudl get past Detroit and take care of them in round 2. They'll be in the Eastern side of the draw.

In the West I can't see anyone getting past San Jose. They are a phenomenal team to watch and I really can't wait to catch a game in the Shark Tank next season. The Avs had a minor slip up last night but have been super, even missing Duchene. Will be great (especially for my hockey pool) if he gets back for the second round. Colorado v San Jose for the Conference final and SJ to shade it.

Going to be a cracking month.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Living in Canada and watching hockey has been quite something.

The play-offs have been fascinating.

The Western Conference is unbelievable and the quality of the hockey has been nothing short of breathtaking in some quarters.

Unfortunately the Habs are probably going to whitewash Tampa Bay and it's a shame because the Lightning have turned into my second team with their style of hockey and the downright insanity of the noise at their games. I was out watching a game in Ottawa last Friday and the bull**** from the Habs fans in their as enough to turn anyone off them ever doing well. As aLeafs fan I never had any major hangup about them and generally like to see Canadian teams do well. But it was like being surrounded by a load of Ingerland fans. Eugh.

Boston shoudl get past Detroit and take care of them in round 2. They'll be in the Eastern side of the draw.

In the West I can't see anyone getting past San Jose. They are a phenomenal team to watch and I really can't wait to catch a game in the Shark Tank next season. The Avs had a minor slip up last night but have been super, even missing Duchene. Will be great (especially for my hockey pool) if he gets back for the second round. Colorado v San Jose for the Conference final and SJ to shade it.

Going to be a cracking month.

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Talk about calling it wrong. EEK!

Anyway, Montreal beat Boston 4-2 (4th on an empty-net) tonight to take a 2-1 series lead. Montreal got some serious calls in the last few minutes, including Subban blatantly knocking the net off its moorings which would have been a penalty shot for Boston with the scores at 3-2 with about 25secs to go. Officials pussed out of that one like they have in so many games in the play-offs for the Habs. Seething here.

Hon Boston!

Opening night is here.

Currently 2-2 in the ACC. God I wish I was there... stoopid degree.

Great game tonight at the ACC. Reimer on fire with 45 saves.

3 wins in a row baby. Yeah!!!

Penguins are the best team in the NHL. Horny was a great acquisition. McDonagh seperating his shoulder spells doom for the Rangers.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Great game tonight at the ACC. Reimer on fire with 45 saves.

3 wins in a row baby. Yeah!!!

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Almost got ahead of myself there. At least Matt Duchene scored last night to help out my Fantasy Pool.

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Originally Posted by Crosby87

Penguins are the best team in the NHL. Horny was a great acquisition. McDonagh seperating his shoulder spells doom for the Rangers.

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Ahem, you would say that Sid.

Anaheim are the best team in the league. No question.

Boudreau will never ever get the Ducks over the hump. Thats why they choked last year. That guy is a terrible playoff coach.
5 assists for you know who last nite....

I know. I was keeping up-to-date with it whilst watching HNIC. Commented as much over on Boards.

Funnily enough, they had Gretzky on with Strombo last night. Do I dare suggest that Sid could end up better than Ze Great One?

Nah. I dont really put him in the top ten all time tbh.

Have you seen that kid on St Louis? Tarasenko? What a prospect.He might be the best young player in the world. Saw him in a 1-0 game in newark last tuesday. The devils are trying to get people in the seats by really uping the game on food...you have to mortgage your house but for an arena its really good. I must say. They also have a neat jersey room on all these moving racks above your head.....its an under-rated place to watch a game.....

It's me and you tonight Bon Bon. Pitt will be fired up after that debacle vs the Rangers the other night. Watch out! You may not get Fleury. They play NYR again tmrw night. Back up will start one of them.... I was just looking at Toronto's record. they are having a better season than i thought. Who is carrying the load? Kessel?