In an older blog entry, dated April 19, about Al Sobotka's banning, Tony Hagen questions why the changes from the NHL's stance from last year.
My question still remains, who complained? Why now? What prompted this rule to be issued? Is $ 10,000 really necessary?
Those are very good questions that need to be answered honestly and without Gary Bettman spin.
I posed a similar question too in my first blog about this octopi-matter.
The change seems rather arbitrary to me. There was probably little or no research done either.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
More octopus matter
More and more comments about the octopus matter are appearing online.
Yesterday, George James Malik at mlive.com posted several story highlights.
From John Niyo at the Detroit News
The NHL's ban on Al Sobotka's pregame octopus swinging continues to get even more cumbersome. For Saturday's Game 2 against Colorado, standby referee Don Van Massenhoven was stationed at the zamboni entrance to handle the octopus(es) brought off the ice by the linesmen.
He describes the Cody McLeod incident and two more that were thrown from Saturday's game, and concludes ...
At some point, you'd think the NHL brass would come to their senses. But maybe that's just wishful thinking.
Photo from the article
Referee Don Van Massenhoven did the NHL's dirty work Saturday, leaving building manager Al Sobotka little to do but close the door on one of the fans' favorite traditions. Photo by Daniel Mears/The Detroit News
Malik highlighted the Denver Post's Adrian Dater's story, and also Helene St. James' story from the Detroit Free Press.
I posted James' story Sunday. Kudos to Malik for spotlighting Niyo's and especially Dater's. I forgot to check Denver papers, and Niyo's flew under my radar.
Most members of LetsGoWings.com are pretty perturbed about the banning and the McLeod incident.
One asked if McLeod should be fined for throwing an octopus, and another posted that if Red Wings fans are mad about the banning they should write the NHL. The address and phone number to League offices are listed in the thread.
At the CBS Sports online community a member started a thread titled, Fighting the Octopus Ban.
At YouTube.com I posted the McLeod lowlight from NBC's broacast.
The comments from the writers and fans in the articles and threads are well worth reading in my opinion.
Yesterday, George James Malik at mlive.com posted several story highlights.
From John Niyo at the Detroit News
The NHL's ban on Al Sobotka's pregame octopus swinging continues to get even more cumbersome. For Saturday's Game 2 against Colorado, standby referee Don Van Massenhoven was stationed at the zamboni entrance to handle the octopus(es) brought off the ice by the linesmen.
He describes the Cody McLeod incident and two more that were thrown from Saturday's game, and concludes ...
At some point, you'd think the NHL brass would come to their senses. But maybe that's just wishful thinking.
Photo from the article
Referee Don Van Massenhoven did the NHL's dirty work Saturday, leaving building manager Al Sobotka little to do but close the door on one of the fans' favorite traditions. Photo by Daniel Mears/The Detroit News
Malik highlighted the Denver Post's Adrian Dater's story, and also Helene St. James' story from the Detroit Free Press.
I posted James' story Sunday. Kudos to Malik for spotlighting Niyo's and especially Dater's. I forgot to check Denver papers, and Niyo's flew under my radar.
Most members of LetsGoWings.com are pretty perturbed about the banning and the McLeod incident.
One asked if McLeod should be fined for throwing an octopus, and another posted that if Red Wings fans are mad about the banning they should write the NHL. The address and phone number to League offices are listed in the thread.
At the CBS Sports online community a member started a thread titled, Fighting the Octopus Ban.
At YouTube.com I posted the McLeod lowlight from NBC's broacast.
The comments from the writers and fans in the articles and threads are well worth reading in my opinion.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Detroit, we have matter ...
Detroit Free Press cartoonist Mike Thompson ran another octopus twirling related blog with photos. This time he achieved Gary Bettman's worst fear - flying octopi-matter! Albeit it didn't cause any injuries and Thompson had to twirl it vigorously for several minutes before matter flew.
A Free Press writer calls the whole affair CSI: Hockeytown.
More comments about Saturday's octopus - McLeod incident
In the Free Press:
It was Cody McLeod who decided to shake a fist at Detroit's octopus tradition. While the NHL has forbidden the Wings from letting Zamboni driver Al Sobotka twirl any octopi on ice, the slimy creatures continue to land at the Joe. Several did Saturday, including the usual one timed to hit just as the national anthem ends. An earlier one had been cleared by a linesman; this one, McLeod decided to take care of. He skated over, picked it up, shook it toward the Wings bench while holding it clenched in his fist, then hurled it down the tunnel by the Avs' bench, forcing the usher to duck.
On the Sporting News comments section for the Red Wings - Avalanche game two I wrote this:
Cody McLeod should have been penalized, and since he wasn't, he should definitely be fined for his pre-game antics of retrieving, taunting with an octopus, and then throwing it into the stands. Al Sobotka, the Joe Louis Arena building operations manager, would have been fined $10,000 if he had done the same.
Currently I have a 73 percent approval rating from 11 votes.
Later another poster, mjdlynch, wrote this:
The NHL has to fine Cody McLeod $10k for shaking an octopus and throwing it into the Colorado bench.
If the rule is universal, then it must be applied to everyone. Al Sobotka most certainly would have been fined if he picked up an octopus, shook it in anyone's direction and threw it into the Avs's bench.
The NHL must step up and admit the rule is for everyone and not just against the most successful team in the league for the last twenty years.
Bettman has to fine McLeod or admit this rule is just against the Red Wings.
mjdlynch currently has an 89 percent approval rating from nine votes.
A Free Press writer calls the whole affair CSI: Hockeytown.
More comments about Saturday's octopus - McLeod incident
In the Free Press:
It was Cody McLeod who decided to shake a fist at Detroit's octopus tradition. While the NHL has forbidden the Wings from letting Zamboni driver Al Sobotka twirl any octopi on ice, the slimy creatures continue to land at the Joe. Several did Saturday, including the usual one timed to hit just as the national anthem ends. An earlier one had been cleared by a linesman; this one, McLeod decided to take care of. He skated over, picked it up, shook it toward the Wings bench while holding it clenched in his fist, then hurled it down the tunnel by the Avs' bench, forcing the usher to duck.
On the Sporting News comments section for the Red Wings - Avalanche game two I wrote this:
Cody McLeod should have been penalized, and since he wasn't, he should definitely be fined for his pre-game antics of retrieving, taunting with an octopus, and then throwing it into the stands. Al Sobotka, the Joe Louis Arena building operations manager, would have been fined $10,000 if he had done the same.
Currently I have a 73 percent approval rating from 11 votes.
Later another poster, mjdlynch, wrote this:
The NHL has to fine Cody McLeod $10k for shaking an octopus and throwing it into the Colorado bench.
If the rule is universal, then it must be applied to everyone. Al Sobotka most certainly would have been fined if he picked up an octopus, shook it in anyone's direction and threw it into the Avs's bench.
The NHL must step up and admit the rule is for everyone and not just against the most successful team in the league for the last twenty years.
Bettman has to fine McLeod or admit this rule is just against the Red Wings.
mjdlynch currently has an 89 percent approval rating from nine votes.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Fine McLeod now!
After the Red Wings - Avalanche game today Cody McLeod should receive the same fine that the NHL would level against Al Sobotka, the Joe Louis Arena building manger, if he retrieved and twirled an octopus. While McLeod didn't twirl the octopus, he did retrieve it and shook it at a Red Wings player. He didn't get the fine, but he should, and he should definitely have received a penalty for his antics. It was very unsportsmanlike.
The AP has the story, check the notes at the end of the story.
After an octopus was thrown on the ice before the game, Colorado's Cody McLeod picked it up, shook it in the direction of Detroit's Dallas Drake and threw it off the ice toward the Avs' dressing room. Why? "Just to let them know they were going to be in a battle," McLeod said. The NHL has threatened to fine the Red Wings if Zamboni driver Al Sobotka picks up octopi on the ice and twirls them, following a tradition in Detroit.
The AP has the story, check the notes at the end of the story.
After an octopus was thrown on the ice before the game, Colorado's Cody McLeod picked it up, shook it in the direction of Detroit's Dallas Drake and threw it off the ice toward the Avs' dressing room. Why? "Just to let them know they were going to be in a battle," McLeod said. The NHL has threatened to fine the Red Wings if Zamboni driver Al Sobotka picks up octopi on the ice and twirls them, following a tradition in Detroit.
Wattsa octopus matter?
Mike Thompson, a Detroit Free Press cartoonist, posted a blog entry proving octopus matter doesn't fly off the handle, unlike the way Gary Bettman's NHL decisions do.
As the photos in the blog entry or below show, whether twirled fast or slow no matter flies from the octopus. The last photo clearly shows a plain, white shower curtain.
Mitch Albom, a Detroit Free Press journalist who is unbelievable writing NHL articles again, chimed in about the octopus matter in the first Red Wings - Avalanche game in round two.
... the other when they showed Al Sobotka taking the octopus he'd been told not to swing on the ice and swinging it in the tunnel instead.
Good for Al. He turned a stupid NHL edict into instant nostalgia.
And in yet another Free Press article, the writer references the matter as Octopus-gate.
The game marked the Wings' second at the Joe since being slapped with a octopus-twirling ban by the NHL late in round one.
But the saga of Octopus-Gate came up when a giant specimen landed on the ice in the usual spot; with Al Sobotka denied his right to twirl, it was up to linesman Jean Morin to shovel away the creature.
Here's to hoping Bettman's NHL will reverse the ludicrous decision.
As the photos in the blog entry or below show, whether twirled fast or slow no matter flies from the octopus. The last photo clearly shows a plain, white shower curtain.
Mitch Albom, a Detroit Free Press journalist who is unbelievable writing NHL articles again, chimed in about the octopus matter in the first Red Wings - Avalanche game in round two.
... the other when they showed Al Sobotka taking the octopus he'd been told not to swing on the ice and swinging it in the tunnel instead.
Good for Al. He turned a stupid NHL edict into instant nostalgia.
And in yet another Free Press article, the writer references the matter as Octopus-gate.
The game marked the Wings' second at the Joe since being slapped with a octopus-twirling ban by the NHL late in round one.
But the saga of Octopus-Gate came up when a giant specimen landed on the ice in the usual spot; with Al Sobotka denied his right to twirl, it was up to linesman Jean Morin to shovel away the creature.
Here's to hoping Bettman's NHL will reverse the ludicrous decision.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
More Sobotka, octopi support
Al Sobotka, Joe Louis Arena building manger, received more support from writers, bloggers and fans who think the Sobotka ban is outrageously ridiculous.
The Detroit Free Press ran a photo essay of Al Sobotka. Photos and captions below are courtesy of the Detroit Free Press and show Sobotka with octopi.
Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka twirls an octopus that was thrown on this ice during the singing of the national anthem before the Red Wings-Blackhawks game in Detroit on April 7. The Wings went on to a 7-2 victory.
Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka was busy picking up hats after the third Henrik Zetterberg goal in the third period of the Blue Jackets game on March 19, 2008.
Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka swings the second of two octopi that were thrown onto the ice during the Red Wings win over the Blackhawks on Jan. 20, 1995 in Detroit.
Al the octopus and his namesake, Al Sobotka, at Joe Louis Arena before the start of Game 2 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals between the Wings and Capitals.
Al Sobotka picks up and swings a octopus that was thrown on the ice of Joe Louis Arena in the third period of the Wings-Blues playoff game on May 3, 2002.
Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka picks up a octopus and swings it in the air prior to the start of first period between the Red Wings and the Blues in Game 5 of the second round of the NHL playoffs on May 12, 2002 at Joe Louis Arena.
Greg Wyshynski with Yahoo! sports wrote an article with two pro-octopi twirling videos on YouTube.com and another petition to sign for those who disagree with the ban.
Even Mitch Albom is back writing hockey articles again, at least for the playoffs. Imagine that. In yesterday's column he calls the new octopus rule "dumb."
Never mind that, for years, Al has gone onto the ice after an octopus is thrown during the national anthem or after a goal. And for years, he has had to pick the octopus up. And for years, he has walked off the ice, octopus in hand, and before disappearing, he has swung the thing over his head as fans cheered. Hey, it’s a greasy job.
He later compares the NHL to the No Fun League, the NFL. As I read some place else the NHL is now the No Humour League.
Today Red Wings TV posted videos of Sobotka swinging an octopus in front of the Fox Theater and Belle Tire
I'm sure the Wings will show them during the game tonight.
The Detroit Free Press ran a photo essay of Al Sobotka. Photos and captions below are courtesy of the Detroit Free Press and show Sobotka with octopi.
Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka twirls an octopus that was thrown on this ice during the singing of the national anthem before the Red Wings-Blackhawks game in Detroit on April 7. The Wings went on to a 7-2 victory.
Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka was busy picking up hats after the third Henrik Zetterberg goal in the third period of the Blue Jackets game on March 19, 2008.
Joe Louis Arena building manager Al Sobotka swings the second of two octopi that were thrown onto the ice during the Red Wings win over the Blackhawks on Jan. 20, 1995 in Detroit.
Al the octopus and his namesake, Al Sobotka, at Joe Louis Arena before the start of Game 2 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals between the Wings and Capitals.
Al Sobotka picks up and swings a octopus that was thrown on the ice of Joe Louis Arena in the third period of the Wings-Blues playoff game on May 3, 2002.
Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka picks up a octopus and swings it in the air prior to the start of first period between the Red Wings and the Blues in Game 5 of the second round of the NHL playoffs on May 12, 2002 at Joe Louis Arena.
Greg Wyshynski with Yahoo! sports wrote an article with two pro-octopi twirling videos on YouTube.com and another petition to sign for those who disagree with the ban.
Even Mitch Albom is back writing hockey articles again, at least for the playoffs. Imagine that. In yesterday's column he calls the new octopus rule "dumb."
Never mind that, for years, Al has gone onto the ice after an octopus is thrown during the national anthem or after a goal. And for years, he has had to pick the octopus up. And for years, he has walked off the ice, octopus in hand, and before disappearing, he has swung the thing over his head as fans cheered. Hey, it’s a greasy job.
He later compares the NHL to the No Fun League, the NFL. As I read some place else the NHL is now the No Humour League.
Today Red Wings TV posted videos of Sobotka swinging an octopus in front of the Fox Theater and Belle Tire
I'm sure the Wings will show them during the game tonight.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Octopus's garden no longer
The Joe Louis Arena is no longer an Octopus's garden. I think I'm gonna be sad.
As I mentioned in yesterday's blog entry the NHL banned Al Sobotka, JLA's building operations manager, from retrieving and twirling an octopus when a fan throws one on the ice.
James Mirtle is tracking this too. Today, he posted Frank Brown's comment from last year about thrown octopi.
Frank Brown, the league’s vice president for media relations, said: “Every so often, an octopus slips out of someone’s hands, and Al is right there to take care of the matter. And he cannot be blamed if, as it tries to break free from Al’s grasp, the octopus lifts Al’s arm and twirls itself in the air.”
— The New York Times, May 2007
What changed in nearly a year? Pressure from Brian Burke?
The banning is a shame, and it does make me sad.
Sobotka has a lot of history with the Wings, and the Wings have a lot of history with octopi. Versus calls it a cult following.
A LetsGoWings.com member started a petition pleading the NHL not to fine Sobotka.
Hopefully the NHL will reverse this recent decision.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
More Bettman-regime fascism
Fascism = extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.
The NHL's latest decision - banning Al Sobotka from retrieving and twirling a thrown octopus from the Joe Louis Arena ice - certainly seems intolerant and authoritarian to me. From the linked Detroit Free Press article:
In an e-mail to the Free Press, NHL spokesman Frank Brown gave this explanation: "Because matter flies off the octopus and gets on the ice when he does it." The Wings wouldn't comment.
Ducks general manager Brian Burke complained about Sobotka's swinging last year. Before Friday's game, an octopus landed on the ice, as usual, and Nashville defenseman Greg Zanon whacked it aside with his stick.
The NHL's favoritism toward Brian Burke rankles me to the core. I'll save that for another blog entry.
The Free Press has more today.
UPDATED: Dr. Steve O'Shea director of the Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute at the Auckland University of Technology told me in an e-mail, "There's no 'matter' that could fly off and cause a hazard to players, but should a twirled octopus rupture and send its guts over the face or clothes of a player I can imagine there'd be an element of yuckiness." True, but I imagine avoiding yuckiness isn't the primary concern of hockey players as they dodge hip checks and flying pucks.
Other fascistic examples just this past season - the heavy-handed institution of the RBK Edge jerseys and dismissing an 84-game schedule option.
Many fans, and more importantly the players, have raised concerns over the new sweaters.
Yet in Gary Bettman's reign, the NHL stood by the new easy-to-tear jerseys. Bettman claimed just one player liked them. Many players complained about them. The Washington Capitals players received all new configurations of the new sweaters. Check toward the bottom of this link, it's titled Autumn Sweaters. More complaints are about them here, but now all links aren't available.
Bettman also frowned upon the Red Wing organization's suggestion of an 84-game schedule for next season. This would have allowed every team to visit every other team's arena at least once in a season, while extending the season two games and trimming the pre-season by the same number.
Sometimes its not even the choices Bettman's NHL makes, it's Bettman's know-it-all attitude and the way he forces his choices unilaterally that perturbs fans, players and many others in my opinion. The decisions and in some cases the lies, spins and cover-ups to make them palatable, certainly seem fascistic to me. Hardly fantastic.
The NHL's latest decision - banning Al Sobotka from retrieving and twirling a thrown octopus from the Joe Louis Arena ice - certainly seems intolerant and authoritarian to me. From the linked Detroit Free Press article:
In an e-mail to the Free Press, NHL spokesman Frank Brown gave this explanation: "Because matter flies off the octopus and gets on the ice when he does it." The Wings wouldn't comment.
Ducks general manager Brian Burke complained about Sobotka's swinging last year. Before Friday's game, an octopus landed on the ice, as usual, and Nashville defenseman Greg Zanon whacked it aside with his stick.
The NHL's favoritism toward Brian Burke rankles me to the core. I'll save that for another blog entry.
The Free Press has more today.
UPDATED: Dr. Steve O'Shea director of the Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute at the Auckland University of Technology told me in an e-mail, "There's no 'matter' that could fly off and cause a hazard to players, but should a twirled octopus rupture and send its guts over the face or clothes of a player I can imagine there'd be an element of yuckiness." True, but I imagine avoiding yuckiness isn't the primary concern of hockey players as they dodge hip checks and flying pucks.
Other fascistic examples just this past season - the heavy-handed institution of the RBK Edge jerseys and dismissing an 84-game schedule option.
Many fans, and more importantly the players, have raised concerns over the new sweaters.
Yet in Gary Bettman's reign, the NHL stood by the new easy-to-tear jerseys. Bettman claimed just one player liked them. Many players complained about them. The Washington Capitals players received all new configurations of the new sweaters. Check toward the bottom of this link, it's titled Autumn Sweaters. More complaints are about them here, but now all links aren't available.
Bettman also frowned upon the Red Wing organization's suggestion of an 84-game schedule for next season. This would have allowed every team to visit every other team's arena at least once in a season, while extending the season two games and trimming the pre-season by the same number.
Sometimes its not even the choices Bettman's NHL makes, it's Bettman's know-it-all attitude and the way he forces his choices unilaterally that perturbs fans, players and many others in my opinion. The decisions and in some cases the lies, spins and cover-ups to make them palatable, certainly seem fascistic to me. Hardly fantastic.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Wealth of NHL outlets, ESPN rant
Fans of the NHL have it pretty good in my opinion, despite ESPN's hatred of the League.
I was in the Philadelphia area the other morning and watched SportsRise again.
Another NHL player bump, and the show started out with about 10 minuets of a recent Flyers - Capitals playoff game. Outstanding. This is what I'd like to see for every game, especially during the playoffs. Versus should have this amount of in-depth coverage. Every sports network should, especially one that bills itself as the world wide leader.
Anyway, about the same time last week when I was raving about the improvements to NHL.com, Eric McErlain wrote an article that the NHL has a wealth of outlets. I had meant to comment on all he did, but instead focused on NHL.com. He has some really good points, and I agree with him.
By the way, the NHL.tv improvements there are pretty impressive. That's where the NHL made the upgrades as far as I can tell. Seven channels of NHL goodness. I have two complaints, and they're pretty minor - commercials and the look and feel. If the advertisements were of a beer I liked, they'd be easier to swallow. Also if the look and feel were more Mac-like, then I wouldn't complain about that at all.
Anyway there are many outlets for the NHL besides online - Fox regional networks, Versus, and NBC in the states. Also there's CenterIce and the NHL Network. I'm sure there is a wealth of coverage in Canada already. In any case, I'm tired of many fans who say the NHL should be back on ESPN. With the wealth of other outlets the League doesn't need the four-letter network.
Excuse my while I rant, but the League went with two other American networks post-lockout - NBC and Versus. Versus caters more to the League's liking. Versus, then OLN, offered more money than ESPN, if it even did. I can't remember now and would have to do some research. Research I've done numerous times, each time I read fans advocating the League go back to the four-letter network. By the way, three ESPN employees - Colin Cowherd, Mike Greenberg and president George Bodenheimer, routinely ridicule the NHL. Many more of its employees do too. This obviously starts from the top and continues all the way down. The company's employees make it a very harsh environment for the NHL. Given that, it doesn't make sense to me why the League would want ESPN to broadcast it's games. Sure it's in more homes, but that isn't good enough. It has to be willing to show games and showcase the League in other ways, which it didn't. A classic example of this but in another sport is the IRL on ESPN. That should be a symbiotic relationship, but I bet it isn't in IRL's view. I know it isn't to IRL fan and writer Robin Miller. I heard him the other day with JMV on WNDE that during a recent SportsCenter the talking heads spent all of 44 seconds mentioning Graham Rahal's win. The talking heads then went back to NFL coverage. IRL is in season now, the NFL is not. This is a classic example and there are many others of how the four-letter network treats leagues it doesn't like or favor. This is the same way the it treats the NHL now and when it broadcasted NHL games. The network ditched NHL2Night in 2003 - pre-lockout and when it broadcasted NHL games. Add to all this ESPN would rather showcase its own talking heads and make them celebrities, than cover sports in a meaningful way, there is absolutely NO reason for the NHL to go back to ESPN. Pardon me; rant completed.
Anyway, it's been more than a month since I started my ESPN boycott. Aside from occasionally seeing it when I channel surf, or when I am at a sports bar, I'm doing pretty well. I am missing some baseball games and IRL races, so that hurts. Still, hockey takes precedence, and I will continue with my boycott. I'd be more upset if I watched it than if I don't.
I was in the Philadelphia area the other morning and watched SportsRise again.
Another NHL player bump, and the show started out with about 10 minuets of a recent Flyers - Capitals playoff game. Outstanding. This is what I'd like to see for every game, especially during the playoffs. Versus should have this amount of in-depth coverage. Every sports network should, especially one that bills itself as the world wide leader.
Anyway, about the same time last week when I was raving about the improvements to NHL.com, Eric McErlain wrote an article that the NHL has a wealth of outlets. I had meant to comment on all he did, but instead focused on NHL.com. He has some really good points, and I agree with him.
By the way, the NHL.tv improvements there are pretty impressive. That's where the NHL made the upgrades as far as I can tell. Seven channels of NHL goodness. I have two complaints, and they're pretty minor - commercials and the look and feel. If the advertisements were of a beer I liked, they'd be easier to swallow. Also if the look and feel were more Mac-like, then I wouldn't complain about that at all.
Anyway there are many outlets for the NHL besides online - Fox regional networks, Versus, and NBC in the states. Also there's CenterIce and the NHL Network. I'm sure there is a wealth of coverage in Canada already. In any case, I'm tired of many fans who say the NHL should be back on ESPN. With the wealth of other outlets the League doesn't need the four-letter network.
Excuse my while I rant, but the League went with two other American networks post-lockout - NBC and Versus. Versus caters more to the League's liking. Versus, then OLN, offered more money than ESPN, if it even did. I can't remember now and would have to do some research. Research I've done numerous times, each time I read fans advocating the League go back to the four-letter network. By the way, three ESPN employees - Colin Cowherd, Mike Greenberg and president George Bodenheimer, routinely ridicule the NHL. Many more of its employees do too. This obviously starts from the top and continues all the way down. The company's employees make it a very harsh environment for the NHL. Given that, it doesn't make sense to me why the League would want ESPN to broadcast it's games. Sure it's in more homes, but that isn't good enough. It has to be willing to show games and showcase the League in other ways, which it didn't. A classic example of this but in another sport is the IRL on ESPN. That should be a symbiotic relationship, but I bet it isn't in IRL's view. I know it isn't to IRL fan and writer Robin Miller. I heard him the other day with JMV on WNDE that during a recent SportsCenter the talking heads spent all of 44 seconds mentioning Graham Rahal's win. The talking heads then went back to NFL coverage. IRL is in season now, the NFL is not. This is a classic example and there are many others of how the four-letter network treats leagues it doesn't like or favor. This is the same way the it treats the NHL now and when it broadcasted NHL games. The network ditched NHL2Night in 2003 - pre-lockout and when it broadcasted NHL games. Add to all this ESPN would rather showcase its own talking heads and make them celebrities, than cover sports in a meaningful way, there is absolutely NO reason for the NHL to go back to ESPN. Pardon me; rant completed.
Anyway, it's been more than a month since I started my ESPN boycott. Aside from occasionally seeing it when I channel surf, or when I am at a sports bar, I'm doing pretty well. I am missing some baseball games and IRL races, so that hurts. Still, hockey takes precedence, and I will continue with my boycott. I'd be more upset if I watched it than if I don't.
Friday, April 11, 2008
I did it again
Last night I visited a different Buffalo Wild Wings than the one I usually visit. I called the south-side one, and they said they don't get theFSN Detroit feed. So I'm guessing they just have the baseball package.
So at this B-dubs amazingly hockey, the Frozen Four, was on at least two of the TVs. I got there early before the Red Wings game started. I picked my place at the bar, and said that TV needs to be changed to the Red Wings - Predators game. It was on the Masters, which was also on the big projection screen in the center of the bar. So it's not like somebody would miss out on that TV being changed.
Anyway the bartender a bit later informs me it's programed to change to Versus at seven. Sweet. They knew of Versus. At seven it didn't automatically switch. I didn't think it would, but you never know.
So I order my Canadian and am ready for Detroit Red Wings hockey!
In the first, at least until Johan Franzen's goal, I was worried a bit. The Wings looked extremely flat. The Predators came out strong and took it to the Wings with most of the play occurring in Detroit's defensive zone. Finally in the third things turned around with a lucky bounce or a bad non-call depending on your point of view.
Game 2 will probably be tougher for the Wings.
Anyway by the end of the game, at least three TVs, including a large projection one, were showing the Wings - Predators game. Johnny Hockeyseed strikes again!
.
So at this B-dubs amazingly hockey, the Frozen Four, was on at least two of the TVs. I got there early before the Red Wings game started. I picked my place at the bar, and said that TV needs to be changed to the Red Wings - Predators game. It was on the Masters, which was also on the big projection screen in the center of the bar. So it's not like somebody would miss out on that TV being changed.
Anyway the bartender a bit later informs me it's programed to change to Versus at seven. Sweet. They knew of Versus. At seven it didn't automatically switch. I didn't think it would, but you never know.
So I order my Canadian and am ready for Detroit Red Wings hockey!
In the first, at least until Johan Franzen's goal, I was worried a bit. The Wings looked extremely flat. The Predators came out strong and took it to the Wings with most of the play occurring in Detroit's defensive zone. Finally in the third things turned around with a lucky bounce or a bad non-call depending on your point of view.
Game 2 will probably be tougher for the Wings.
Anyway by the end of the game, at least three TVs, including a large projection one, were showing the Wings - Predators game. Johnny Hockeyseed strikes again!
.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
I did that
To be honest central Indiana, CenIn, isn't much better than southern Indiana, SoIn, when it comes to hockey viewing.
Indianapolis has the Ice, but that's probably a very small fraction of the populous here in basketball-land.
Tonight, the start of the 2008 NHL playoff I visited the southside Buffalo Wild Wings. I love that place. One, they serve Molson Canadian, on tap!. Two, they change the station to hockey games for me.
Previously when I've been there I watched games on NBC. Tonight I went there for the reasons stated above. Walking in I was surprised to see hockey on two different screens. I didn't get much play at one end of the bar, close to a hockey screen, but far from ideal. So I moved to the other end. I watched for a bit and realized it was the NHL Network and not Versus.
"Can you change this screen to Versus?" I asked pointing to one of the TVs near me.
"What's that?" asked the bartender.
"What are looking for?" asked the manager.
"I'm looking for the Penguins - Ottawa game," I said.
OK, this is B-dubs. They should know what Versus is. It's freaking Indianapolis! Sheesh!!
Anyway, after trying the FSN Pittsburgh feed, which they don't get, the manager finds the Versus feed for me.
I'm happy!
Previously, only the NHL Network was on and most there were watching either the Cubs game or the Tigers game. When I left at the end of the second period, the Versus game was on at least three different screens, one that was a huge projection screen. I did that. I was a result of that change. Just call me Johnny Hockeyseed.
So yeah, the Tigers - Red Sox game was on at B-dubs, and it was the FSN Detroit feed. So tomorrow that might be the place to watch the Red Wings - Predators game. Will Indy receive the FSN Detroit feed when the Wings are playing? I hope so.
By the way, the Senators seem lifeless. This could be a sweep unless the Sens find something that will motivate them.
Indianapolis has the Ice, but that's probably a very small fraction of the populous here in basketball-land.
Tonight, the start of the 2008 NHL playoff I visited the southside Buffalo Wild Wings. I love that place. One, they serve Molson Canadian, on tap!. Two, they change the station to hockey games for me.
Previously when I've been there I watched games on NBC. Tonight I went there for the reasons stated above. Walking in I was surprised to see hockey on two different screens. I didn't get much play at one end of the bar, close to a hockey screen, but far from ideal. So I moved to the other end. I watched for a bit and realized it was the NHL Network and not Versus.
"Can you change this screen to Versus?" I asked pointing to one of the TVs near me.
"What's that?" asked the bartender.
"What are looking for?" asked the manager.
"I'm looking for the Penguins - Ottawa game," I said.
OK, this is B-dubs. They should know what Versus is. It's freaking Indianapolis! Sheesh!!
Anyway, after trying the FSN Pittsburgh feed, which they don't get, the manager finds the Versus feed for me.
I'm happy!
Previously, only the NHL Network was on and most there were watching either the Cubs game or the Tigers game. When I left at the end of the second period, the Versus game was on at least three different screens, one that was a huge projection screen. I did that. I was a result of that change. Just call me Johnny Hockeyseed.
So yeah, the Tigers - Red Sox game was on at B-dubs, and it was the FSN Detroit feed. So tomorrow that might be the place to watch the Red Wings - Predators game. Will Indy receive the FSN Detroit feed when the Wings are playing? I hope so.
By the way, the Senators seem lifeless. This could be a sweep unless the Sens find something that will motivate them.
Monday, April 07, 2008
NHL.com getting better
The NHL the coolest game on earth. It also has the coolest website of any other sport, and it's getting better.
In an AP story, Ira Podell writes of the improvements coming to NHL.com
"Come Wednesday, hockey fans will have an online place to go for everything NHL and it won't just be a one-stop shop. This innovative digital creation will feature seven "channels" of options and it'll all be free."
It's easy to be a cynic, and NHL ratings are down. The TV ratings yes, I wonder what the Internet ratings are though? In this year's college basketball tournament the ratings are down too. Many say it's because the games are available online.
Hockey ratings might have shifted too; Center Ice is available online.
Now Podell reports this.
"We know from market research that our fans are the most Web-savvy of all the sports leagues," said Andre Mika, the NHL vice president of broadband and new media production. "We also know, compared to an ESPN fan, that our fans are worth a 40 percent premium over some of the regular sports fans because of their ability to use technology."
I listen to Red Wings games frequently. In the past, since 1999, I listened to games on NHL.com, but earlier this season I found WXYT, which carries Wings games in Detroit, on iTunes radio.
If I wanted to listen to Detroit Tigers games online, MLB.com would charge me.
NHL.com is a great website - I can listen to games for free, after the game I can see highlights, I can see pre- and post- game interviews, download audio interviews, keep up with stats, compare stats, read feature stories, read news stories, and many more things there. I can even connect with other hockey fans, like on other social networking sites.
In a word it's great! Wednesday it reads as if it will be even better. I can't wait.
In an AP story, Ira Podell writes of the improvements coming to NHL.com
"Come Wednesday, hockey fans will have an online place to go for everything NHL and it won't just be a one-stop shop. This innovative digital creation will feature seven "channels" of options and it'll all be free."
It's easy to be a cynic, and NHL ratings are down. The TV ratings yes, I wonder what the Internet ratings are though? In this year's college basketball tournament the ratings are down too. Many say it's because the games are available online.
Hockey ratings might have shifted too; Center Ice is available online.
Now Podell reports this.
"We know from market research that our fans are the most Web-savvy of all the sports leagues," said Andre Mika, the NHL vice president of broadband and new media production. "We also know, compared to an ESPN fan, that our fans are worth a 40 percent premium over some of the regular sports fans because of their ability to use technology."
I listen to Red Wings games frequently. In the past, since 1999, I listened to games on NHL.com, but earlier this season I found WXYT, which carries Wings games in Detroit, on iTunes radio.
If I wanted to listen to Detroit Tigers games online, MLB.com would charge me.
NHL.com is a great website - I can listen to games for free, after the game I can see highlights, I can see pre- and post- game interviews, download audio interviews, keep up with stats, compare stats, read feature stories, read news stories, and many more things there. I can even connect with other hockey fans, like on other social networking sites.
In a word it's great! Wednesday it reads as if it will be even better. I can't wait.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Surprise, Vindication
Well the surprise is Anaheim Ducks GM disagreed with Adam Proteau's term limit idea for the NHL's czar disciplinarian.
Yes I'm using surprise facetiously. Burke is shady, especially when it comes to his relationship with the League office. The shadiness seems to work both ways too.
Patrick Kane, Nicklas Lidstrom and some sports writers vindicated my theory about yesterday's game.
Chelios' penalty gave Hawks lead, momentum, but he claims Kane dove
Now all I need is somebody to agree with me about Sidney Crosby's uncalled cross-checks against Martin Straka.
Maybe the cross-check threshold is four before the referees call a penalty.
Yes I'm using surprise facetiously. Burke is shady, especially when it comes to his relationship with the League office. The shadiness seems to work both ways too.
Patrick Kane, Nicklas Lidstrom and some sports writers vindicated my theory about yesterday's game.
Chelios' penalty gave Hawks lead, momentum, but he claims Kane dove
Now all I need is somebody to agree with me about Sidney Crosby's uncalled cross-checks against Martin Straka.
Maybe the cross-check threshold is four before the referees call a penalty.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Inconsistencies
Anybody watching or listening to the Red Wings - Blackhawks game tonight?
I ask because this game represents a classic example of referee inconsistencies.
In the first period Patrick Sharp hit Brian Rafalski. I thought it was a clean hit, but Rafalski took exception to it. So off goes the Detroit defenseman.
About 15 seconds later, Chris Chelios repeatedly cross checked Patrick Kane. Repeatedly. I'm no expert, but I would've called a penalty too. Chelios, needless to say, didn't think it should have been a penalty.
So I mention this because on Sunday Sidney Crosby repeatedly, REPEATEDLY, cross-checked Martin Straka. The refs didn't call a penalty, even though they were in viewing distance.
Double standard!
I hate it.
Hawks up 5-2. I'm not liking that either.
I ask because this game represents a classic example of referee inconsistencies.
In the first period Patrick Sharp hit Brian Rafalski. I thought it was a clean hit, but Rafalski took exception to it. So off goes the Detroit defenseman.
About 15 seconds later, Chris Chelios repeatedly cross checked Patrick Kane. Repeatedly. I'm no expert, but I would've called a penalty too. Chelios, needless to say, didn't think it should have been a penalty.
So I mention this because on Sunday Sidney Crosby repeatedly, REPEATEDLY, cross-checked Martin Straka. The refs didn't call a penalty, even though they were in viewing distance.
Double standard!
I hate it.
Hawks up 5-2. I'm not liking that either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
