Saturday, April 30, 2011

The past can't be rewritten

As per usual, a rash of Dany Heatley jokes broke out pre and post the Sharks v. Wings game last night. The break out of these jokes had many polarized. Part were in the "I'll say what I want" group, some in the "Those jokes are in poor taste" category, and then there were those who stayed out of it. In this argument, I fall into the last category. I am fairly neutral on the issue.

I saw many go completely up in arms over these jokes but on other occasions allow others to slam, make jokes, put-down, and dehumanize Todd Bertuzzi. Some even make the Steve Moore/Todd Bertuzzi jokes themselves. Now I'm not one to bring up Todd Bertuzzi's past because I believe he has worked very hard to move past it. That being said, Why is what Todd Bertuzzi did somehow worse than what Dany Heatley did? Both acted reckless with their actions and did not expect the outcome that transpired. Preach forgiveness and understanding for one player yet not for another. Vehicular homicide is in no way more or less forgivable than a punch/fall with horrendous results. Just because an on-ice play is not as easy to relate to than a car accident doesn't mean that one should be forgiven and allowed to live his live without having to constantly hear about previous actions and the other should not. Both of these men have paid the price for their actions and live every day with the guilt. I say both. Not just Dany. It is said that it takes a good deal of character to judge a person by his future instead of his past.

I am all for free speech and I do not judge those who choose to joke. Say what you feel and what you want. Yes, Heatley jokes are not politically correct and some are in very poor taste but before you condemn someone for them make sure you extend the same courtesy to Todd Bertuzzi. If you don't you start a pot and kettle race war.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Hey, Hey, Hey.

How do the teams stack up in the trophy department (franchise and current roster while with that team)?

Sharks have:

1 Presidents' Trophy

6 Pacific Division Championships

1 Art Ross Trophy

1 Hart Memorial Trophy




Not bad. Not bad.

Now... uh... How many trophies do the Wings have?



Wings have:

11 Stanley Cups

6 Conference Championships

6 Presidents’ Trophies

19 Division Championships

4 Lady Byng Trophies

2 Conn Smythe Trophies

4 Selke Awards

6 Norris Trophies

2 Jennings Trophies

1 NHL Plus Minus Award

3 NHL All-Rookie Team Members


And the best defenseman of our generatioooooooon.

Seriously?




HAPPY ROUND TWO EVERYONE!!








Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Greater Good... And What Not

I fully understand that I am a homer that has chosen one team above all. This fact has led to me being called entitled and judgemental of other fans. Entitled? I don't think so. Judgemental? Yes, indeed. I don't like fair-weatherness, crazies, or puckslutyness. Acting like you know something when indeed someone else has force-fed you your opinion is just as bad. More than everything, I don't like being associated with those who behave as such. Don't be lemmings. Don't act like a jackhole because someone else told you it's cool. And don't change your destructive ways just because I point out how destructive to the fan base as a whole they are.We have become like oil and water. Even when we are intertwined we are still separate as of late.

Now is the time to band together. Now is the time when we fans will be challenged to stay the course and cheer for our team together. Now is not the time to choose one player on another team over our entire team. Now is not the time to second guess our boys. Now is the time to cheer harder, be better, and do everything in our power to show our boys that we support them. (And not in a puckbunny way, bunnies). The challenge is to always cheer and never boo.

Our boys will face challenges and they will be the ones doing all the work. They will be the ones giving everything of themselves on the ice night in and night out. I challenge you to not take the low road where you spend the entire game insulting our players. Have some dignity and respect. Every win last series was over-shadowed by the immense smack talking by our own fans about our own team. Majority of these fans are the complainers that would complain if they were hung with a new rope. Don't take that road. Don't be that guy. Obviously these players that are consistently trashed have something that keeps them on our roster past the trade deadline and in our line up by some of the greatest hockey minds in the business. So trust that the coaching staff and front office knows more than you because chances are... they actually do. The great Vince Lombardi said "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." Each player is a piece in the puzzle that is the Detroit Red Wings. Always remember that these guys live a lifestyle that many could not handle. Remember that at the end of the day, no matter what, these players are human beings that deserve to be treated as such. I do not boo you when you do something that I do not like, Do not boo them.

Take pride in our team. Every single day. Not just on the days when the world is watching. There is no justification to put on a rival team's colors and go to their arena and cheer them in my mind. One team, above all. Lift your head high regardless of a win or a loss. Appreciate that we are able to watch one of the greatest franchises in all professional sports night in and night out. Understand to achieve anything it takes faith, hard work, determination, and dedication. It’s easy to have faith when things are going great and we’re on top of the world. It's when our team is facing adversity that our faith in them must being the strongest. Never allow your fear of what might happen overcome your faith that it won't.

Standing five foot tall, being the bigger person has never been my forte. But I encourage you to act with respect and honor when it comes to our team. Acting as morons will only make the fan base look bad. It's not just about appearances. It's about morale. Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. Don't quit on our team.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Happy Birthday Hockey Blogette

HOCKEY BLOGETTE IS ONE!




Here's hoping for lots of Booze


and NO sequins.
No one needs to SPARKLE at the rink (Not even if you're a fictional vampire all the fan girls go apeshit over).




If Hockey Blogette has taught you anything this past year, I hope it is this-


So in honor of our first birthday...
Do a Newfie Stomp


Do the irish jig


and take a victory lap around the Joe


Monday, April 25, 2011

So these are our choices, eh?

Well I believe these are the scenarios
(don't quote me because things change every day)




If Vancouver beats Chicago we will be forced to look at JumBro Joe

We would also have to listen to the entire soundtrack of Jaws for a minimum of two games.



If Los Angeles beats San Jose we get to see douche wear at it's finest

This scenario has us subjected to something we do do do do do do do do don't want to hear.





PREPARE TO GO CROSS-EYED






If Vancouver beats Chicago and LA beats San Jose
OR
If Chicago beats Vancouver and San Jose beats LA...


We will have to hear lots about this bro and his lady

We will also be subjected to the asinine chants that the Preds faithful chant at every game.

Including, but not limited to, the clever gem of

"If you’re crappy and you know it, ice the puck! (clap clap)
If you’re crappy and you know it, ice the puck! (clap clap)
If you’re crappy and you know it, and you really wanna show it, if you’re crappy and you know it, ice the puck! (clap clap)"

Ohhh those Preds fans are just so clever...




Regardless of who we end up facing...
PREPARE TO BE ANNOYED.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Taking Follow Friday to an EXTREME

A couple follow Friday shout outs? PSSSSSH! This is the BIG FAT NHL twitter Follow Friday extravaganza!


NHL Team Twitters

























NHL Players, Former Players, and Television Personalities






(disclaimer- I went through great pains to try to verify that the accounts were indeed the player, personality, or team BUT as with anything on the net it is very hard to be 100% sure unless they are verified by twitter. Some players, personalities, and teams have been having a hard time getting their accounts verified by twitter. So, If there are any impostors in the list I sincerely apologize for the mistake.)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Phoenix... You really didn't want to win.

See... If you had won Phoenix... you would have had to come back to Michigan and you didn't want to see this

In that type of weather... BizNasty couldn't have rocked this

You also can't really do many of the outdoor activities you enjoy so much


But HEY! If you insist... We'll give you a second crack at being in a hockey climate...
I hear Winnipeg has PERFECT hockey weather.

This one's for you, kid.


Never in my life would I have expected something as small as a scribble on a jersey would mean so much.


Most people that have met me know that the idea of asking someone to write their name on an object that you will allegedly cherish forever doesn't sit right with me. I generally don't like that but when I found out that Jiri Fischer was the alumni at the MotorCity viewing party I owed it to my 14 year old self to get that autograph. Jiri Fischer was that player for me. That player that I chose as a prospect to "be somebody" and "do something". I followed his career from the minors to the Stanley cup to the very end and I still follow him in his new role in the front office. Was Jiri Fischer the best player to lace up the skates ever? No. But I think I can speak for most everyone that has ever met Jiri Fischer in saying that he is one of the most genuinely nice human beings in the world. His reaction when I set his jersey on the table was priceless. He looked almost in shock when I set the jersey on the table and after a brief exchange as I was leaving the table he looked over and said "Thank you for buying my jersey". Nothing could ever melt my little black heart like the sincerity in his voice.

If you ever have the opportunity to meet Jiri Fischer... Take it.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Photo Rambling



In this picture Jovocop looks like a cross between that crazy Aunt that says
"You're so cute! I just want to pinch your little cheeks."


and Dr. Hannibal Lecter when he says
"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti."









Nice to see that White Out worked out so well for ya.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Game Three- Here... We... Go!!


(Idea courtesy of reader Kerry Fick)



Pins, BB Gun, Darts... We'll take anything.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Unrest under the sea

Crazy Shanahanigans are afoot over the banning of octopus throwing at the Joe. So we here at Hockey Blogette sent our friend and special under-the-sea correspondent Aaron Downey to get the reaction from nineteen thousand leagues under the sea.



When Downs arrived under the sea he quickly discovered that the new ruling by the NHL had pissed off the entire cephalopod community.


Gertude was so stunned that she refused to allow her children to hear the news.

After searching for a long time we finally got someone to give a statement on what it really means to the octopoda community to be hurled onto the ice.


But the Octopus that we really wanted to get a comment from was no where to be found. After hours of searching and a tip from someone named Molin Smampbell we finally found our guy.


Al the Octopus was visibly upset when we caught up to him while he was putting the squeeze to deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly in an effort to find Gary Bettman. When asked for comment on why he was looking for the NHL commissioner the famous octopus had this to say.
"I just want to... have a nice chat with Gary Bettman before game two. That's it... a chat"

After hours of pressure, Daly finally gave up the location of Bettman's super secret super cool fun fort. As soon as Al hit the road for Sidney Crosby's backyard in Pittsburgh, warnings began to appear by authority of Bill Daly.



So while we here at Hockey Blogette wait to see the fall out of Octogate 2011 our eight armed friends under the sea are wishing they could be part of our world.




But in all seriousness...

DON'T MESS WITH TRADITION!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

It's here.

Now is the time to

Be kind to your eight armed friends
(Free them from their tanks in fish markets and unleash them upon the world. But remember... Timing is EVERYTHING)




Drink all the pregame Pepsi you can get your hands on
(Unless you're diabetic at which point you can.. ya know.. not)


Get your red on
(Rep the winged wheel with pride)



Hey Arizona, Ruining white outs? It's what we do best.
(Pride)


Look like your inner hobo
(Guys, throw that razor into storage)


Don some unusual makeup
(Be that guy--or girl-- wearing the crazy face paint)


Do every crazy thing you do to bring good luck to the boys and bring it
(Lucky underwear, socks, shorts, jerseys, hats... we'll take 'em all)


SO...

Are you ready?

Monday, April 11, 2011

Fight-less Monday

We're not really a fighting team. I mean... any one of our players CAN fight. But hitting is our bread and butter.

A season in hits

Saturday, April 9, 2011

I pledge allegiance to the Wings...


At the end of the day, there can be only one winner of Lord Stanley's Cup. So if you have three, nine, or thirteen favorite teams only one can win the cup. ONE. And hedging your bets by choosing sixteen favorite teams just so you can say that one of your teams won the cup is rather wrong. Creating a flow chart to determine your allegiance in the playoffs is really rather absurd as well. "If this team beats this team I'll cheer for that team to win over this team and then one of my teams will win" That's not really how it's supposed to work from the way I've always understood it. You choose one team to win. One team to have all the glory. So even if two of "your teams" end up in the finals, there will be only one. One that experiences the thrill of victory while the other deals with the agony of defeat. Any way you look at it, second is just first loser and a successful season according to the record books is determined only if your name is etched onto Lord Stanley's cup. So with that being said...

I pledge allegiance to the Wings of Hockeytown-Michigan, and to the team through thick and thin, one team above all, indivisible, with octopi and good times for all.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Becca, Becca, McFecca.



Name?
Becca (@dweezlepip)

Favorite team?
Detroit Red Wings... Duh. (But I have a not-so-secret love for the Bruins)

Who is the most underrated player?
Salei

Who is the most overrated player?
cros. by. vomit.

What is your favorite jersey (regardless of if you own it or not)?
I own Lidstrom's jersey. I want a Helm-home jersey.

What is the most important piece of hockey memorabilia you own?
Probably my jersey. Or the picture I got with Helm (the second time around).

What’s one rule you’d like to get rid of and why?
I'm gonna go with kicking the player out of a face off for false starting.

What one rule would you add in it’s place and why?
I don't know if I'd actually add anything...

Who’s creepier- Ovie or Crosby and why?
Ovie is creepy looking, Crosby is just a creepy person in general

Which team has the best logo?
Wings and Bruins

Who is your favorite all-time player?
Gonna go with Stevie on this one.

Who is your current favorite player?
Helmer.

What team do you love to hate?
San Jose, Avs, after the other night, Blues.

What player do you love to hate?
Crosby, der.

What are your thoughts on Puck Bunnies?
They are the most obnoxious things ever. I understand that I think players are hot, and I have favorite players that are on the attractive side, but I WATCH hockey. I LEARN about hockey. and I LOVE the sport of hockey.

What player do you like that’s not on your chosen favorite team?
BizNasty.

What team surprises you the most this year?
Preds.. I suppose?

What is your favorite hockey memory?
I remember, when I was in kindergarten St. Louis scored against themselves. I proceeded to draw a picture of it. I still have it somewhere, if I ever find it, I will share :)

Which team has the worst jersey (third jerseys included)?
I hate the LA Kings purple jerseys.

Of the floundering teams which team should pack up and move to a new market? Do you think the NHL will ever let that happen?
Edmonton? Probably not.

Do you follow other sports besides hockey or are you a one-sport fan?
Pretty much just hockey. I'd like to learn more about baseball. I also follow Roller Derby, because, well. It's just as badass as hockey is.

What player from all the other teams that would you love to have on your team?
I'd like Stevie back. I know he's not a player. (shhh...)

Do you believe that a fan can cheer for more than one team and still call themselves the biggest (insert team name here) fan?
No. Just like I don't think I'm the biggest Red Wings fan EVARRRR. I love them. They're my numero uno, but I do like other teams. I will root for other teams (only if we're not playing) But I am a blossoming hockey fan, as most of you well know. so I don't think I'm the biggest fan, but I'm getting there. (I know this wasn't about me, but I was just using myself as an example... I think.)



Keep it or Get rid it



Ticket Stubs: Keep. Pack Rat.
A Goalie-Go-Round: Ooof. Can we just make a decision? Get rid.
Swedish Style Tailoring: Keep.
Stephan Walkom: Rid.
Ruslan Salei: Keep.
Touch up Icing: Meh.. Rid.
Shoot out: RID.
Colin Campbell: Get rid of.
Tickets to a Blackhawks game: Sell those babies.
Puck from a losing effort: If it's from my team? Keep, for sure.
Puck Bunnies: Please get rid.
Wooden Sticks: Keep.
Sean Avery’s sloppy seconds: Hahaha. Rid.
A signed Sidney Crosby picture just for you: Vomit on it, then get rid of it.
Darren McCarty on Twitter: Keep :)