Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts

Friday, December 21, 2012

Games Cancelled Thru Jan. 14th, Finland Beats Canada, More...

T.G.I.F. HabsAddicts

Thursday afternoon, the National Hockey League made the long anticipated announcement that games would be cancelled through January 14th, 2013. To date, 625 total games have been cancelled. It's expected that, while the NHL will not admit to it, this may very well be the last set of games cancelled before the entire season is scrapped.

Although NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly affirmed that there would be hockey this season in an interview with Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday, hope continues to dwindle.

Meanwhile, the league and NHL fans await, with angst and trepidation, the results of player voting to decide if the NHLPA will pursue its "disclaimer of interest." Should the union get the necessary 66% support from its members, expect that paper will be filed as earlier as Friday afternoon in the State of California.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- Team Canada lost its first of two preparatory games versus Team Finland on Thursday morning. In a report on TSN.ca, the Fins took advantage of Canada's undisciplined play to give them an early wake up call before the WJHC begins on Boxing Day.

- Montreal Canadiens' top draft choice in 2012, Alex Galchenyuk was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 overtime victory by Team U.S.A. over Sweden. That said, Habs' General Manager Marc Bergavin assured U.S.A. Hockey that Galchenyuk would remain in Russia regardless of the lockout situation.

- First U.S. President Barrack Obama chimed in, now CBC Sports tell us how Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper admitted that the NHL is treading in dangerous territory in its latest labour dispute.

- Unlike most NHL players, the lockout has only just begun for Habs' winger Rene Bourque, due to an abdominal injury he sustained during the off-season. Stu Cowan of Hockey Inside/out has the details.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of the HabsAddicts out there are very Happy Holiday season, and all the best for a healthy and prosperous 2013. GO HABS GO!!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

NHL-NHLPA Marathon, Toronto Not a Hockey Town, NCAA, More

Good AM hockey fans!

With most eyes turned towards the U.S Presidential election, it was easy to miss that the NHL and NHLPA talked for over seven hours on Tuesday and have scheduled a follow-up session today.

A sign for optimism perhaps, but, as pointed out in this space yesterday, many have cautioned that there are still significant obstacles to an agreement.

And, with players such as Max Talbot trickling to Europe, you can't help but get the sense that an agreement is not necessarily close at hand.

What do you think?

Habs and Hockey News

- Pierre Lebrun reports on yesterday's rather secretive talks over at ESPN. In fact, Stu Hackel feels that the more "hush-hush" nature of these discussions has been helpful.

- Wow. Here is a headline sure to garner a few angry responses. "Brampton Battalion relocation proves Toronto isn't a hockey town". Hard to argue with some of Rory Boylen's arguments though.

- Did you know that there were more than 50,000 new registered hockey players in the world this year?

- HabsWorld continues its excellent prospect coverage, looking at the Habs' NCAA assets.


(Photo by the Canadian Press)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Pierre Boivin, Derek Boogaard, Conn Smythe Trophy, Curtis Glencross, rumours and more...

NHL news
Hockey Inside/Out - Boivin weighs anchor
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/50087

RDS - Pierre Boivin quittera la tête en paix
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/319799.html

ESPN.com - Finland wins hockey world title
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olyhockey/news/story?id=6553308

TSN - TRUE NORTH IN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING SALE OF THRASHERS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365898

FLAMES INK F GLENCROSS TO FOUR-YEAR, $10.2 MILLION DEAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365890

MCLELLAN: SHARKS LOSS TO CANUCKS BEGAN BETWEEN THE EARS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365859

FAMILY DONATES BRAIN OF NHL ENFORCER BOOGAARD TO SCIENCE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365809

THN.com - Campbell: Hockey fans being priced-out of Memorial Cup
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40334-Campbell-Hockey-fans-being-pricedout-of-Memorial-Cup.html

VIDEO: THN Puck Panel – Conn Smythe Trophy chatter
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40336-VIDEO-THN-Puck-Panel-Conn-Smythe-Trophy-chatter.html

Spector's Hockey - Updates on the Capitals and Hurricanes – May 17, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5402

The Latest Jagr Rumors – May 16, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5395

(Photo by Getty Images North America)

Friday, May 13, 2011

Habs sign Diaz, Muller, Gauthier, Yemelin, Canucks, Sharks, rumours and more...

Habs News
Hockey Inside/Out - Canadiens sign European Dman
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/canadiens-sign-european-dman

RDS - Le CH met un défenseur sous contrat
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/319655.html

Yemelin : le DG ne dévoile pas son jeu
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/319628.html

CH : Muller aurait parlé à trois équipes
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/319630.html

TSN - HABS GM GAUTHIER DECLINES TO ADDRESS YEMELIN RUMOURS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365524

Habsworld.net - Bulldogs Mailbag and 3rd Round Playoff Preview
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2482


News
Hockey Inside/Out - Down to four
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/down-to-four

TSN - MCKENZIE: FITTING THAT CANUCKS AND SHARKS SET TO FACE OFF
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365561

THRASHERS CO-OWNER LEVENSON DISCUSSES FUTURE IN ATLANTA
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365560

INJURED MALHOTRA SKATES BRIEFLY WITH CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365526

CULLEN: MARLEAU, THORNTON COME UP BIG FOR SHARKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=365562

ESPN.com - Gary Bettman refutes relocation reports
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6536272

Russia to face Finland in semis
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olyhockey/news/story?id=6533836

THN.com - NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Round 3
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40212-NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoff-Preview-Round-3.html

Proteau: Sean Avery's gay marriage stance, fans' attack on agent shows evolution in NHL community
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40282-Proteau-Sean-Averys-gay-marriage-stance-fans-attack-on-agent-shows-evolution-in-NHL-community.html

NHL Playoff Recap: Game 7 win shows why these Sharks are different
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40291-NHL-Playoff-Recap-Game-7-win-shows-why-these-Sharks-are-different.html

Spector's Hockey - Latest Predators News – May 12, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5265

Latest on the Red Wings and Predators – May 13, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5279

NHL Free Agent News – May 13, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5275

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Men's Olympic Hockey: Anticipation Peaks With Three Huge Games On 'Super Sunday'

Can you feel it? Can you taste it? That palpable anticipation and excitement that is building in Vancouver and is echoing across the hockey world?

It’s growing. And with each minute that passes the anticipation will continue to build on one of the biggest, most important days in international hockey history.

With five hours before the puck drops on what is being called "Super Sunday" at the Vancouver Olympics, the top six hockey powers in the world prepare to clash in three separate games.

Today's games are sure to provide some of the best and most exciting hockey in recent memory as there is no shortage of dramatic and interesting storylines.

The warm-up match will see Russia taking on the Czech Republic -- surprisingly sitting in first place in the Group B pool -- in a game that will pit the reeling Russians against the surging Czechs.

The Russians, fresh off of their stunning defeat at the hands of the surprising Slovakians and with four points overall, will look to redeem themselves by defeating the streaking Czechs.

A regulation win by Russia will allow them to win their pool, with seven points, one more than the Czechs.

But how is Russia's confidence after the humbling loss to Slovakia? Will they be fragile or will they come out like lions?

The second game of the day is the highlight game of Canada versus the US, in a grudge match from the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. In 2002, Canada defeated the US on their home soil, to win the Olympic gold medal.

This year, however, both the US and Canada have looked a little shaky in their first few games. While the US leads the Group A pool with six points and zero losses, their defense has looked a little suspect at times.

Canada, on the other hand, looked solid in their 8-0 win over Norway, but were exposed by a tenacious Swiss fore-check resulting in a nail-biting shootout victory in their second match.

With five points in two games, Canada needs this win to capture the first seed in their pool.

The big question for Canada right now is who will play with Sidney Crosby? While that would seem like an easy problem to solve given Crosby's high skill level, it has thus far proven to be a bit of a challenge as Canada's coaching staff has been rotating wingers on his line in an attempt to find chemistry.

Will things start to click today versus the US or will Canada fall and suffer a moral as well as physical defeat?

In the final game of "Super Sunday", arch rivals Finland and Sweden will face each other to determine the winner of the Group C pool. With each team having six points in the standings and undefeated records so far, this is sure to be a spectacular game between the two bitter Scandinavian rivals.

Remember, that Sweden defeated Finland to win the gold medal in Turin, four years ago. That bitter loss remains etched in the minds of Finnish hockey fans everywhere and, like the US with Canada, they want nothing more than to beat Sweden.

With Finland's Teemu Selanne becoming the highest scoring player in Olympic history, in their 5-0 win over Germany, he is sure to leave it all on the ice tonight.

Peter Forsberg too, who is making a return to the world stage playing for Sweden, is sure to elevate his game making for an outstanding show of skill.

Regardless of our allegiances to one team versus another, the incredible spectacle that we are about to witness will be some of the best competition of this still young Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Today is bound to be a special day for hockey, whether you are watching the game by yourself, with your family or with friends. I, for one, will be savoring every hit, every goal and every hero that emerges as the yet unwritten chapters in Olympic hockey history unfold before my eyes.