One Fan's Perspective

Like any self-respecting hockey fan, I found myself in front of the television taking in the Winter Classic. The game was incredible, and I’m certainly glad they add this game to the docket every year.

Since I’m not a fan of either team, I did find myself pulling for the Bruins – most likely due to the Derek Morris connection. Daniel Carcillo had a nice bout as he and Scott Thornton have the distinction of having the first fight during the Winter Classic. Congratulations to Tim Thomas being selected to the U.S.A. Olympic team as well, showing that people who are a little older can still be on top of their games.

The game was a spectacle, pure and simple, and a good one at that. The commercials were creative and it’s nice that advertisers are now paying attention to possibly the best sporting event on New Year’s Day.

There also has been talk of where to have next year’s game already, and even with our summer of discontent, I think next year’s version should be played up there somewhere. It would be certainly good for the game and good for the relationship between the Canadian fans and the NHL.

The production of the game fascinates me though, especially with turning a baseball stadium like Fenway Park, like Wrigley Field rich in history and tradition, be transformed into an outdoor hockey arena.

Tags: Boston Bruins, Hockey, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Winter Classic // Add Comment »

The Colorado Avalanche (19-16-1) come to town to face the Phoenix Coyotes (17-15-5).  By virtue of their crushing win over the Nashville Predators the other night, the Avalanche leap frog over the Phoenix Coyotes and take the seventh playoff position away due to their higher number of wins.

Like I said, winning both games against Los Angeles would be pretty significant.  Now, they face a focused, and hot Avalanche team that is 7-3 in their last ten, winning three in a row without Joe Sakic, and their last two without Peter Stasny.  Both players will still be out for a significant length of time.

However, head coach Tony Granto has his team playing well without its star players save for Ryan Smyth.  One could surmise that Smyth would be carrying his team, but that isn’t really the case.

The Avalanche blue line has gotten pucks through for scoring opportunities.  At one point in the Avalanche victory over the Predators, each pair of defensemen had points.  That type of scoring is what the Coyotes need also.

It could have been the Predators had to travel a long way to a high altitude on a back-to-back contest (and we have seen that before as well – what is up with that schedule anyway?), but the Avalanche had their way with the weak side pressure to score goals.  The Coyotes’ defense must keep their heads on swivels to prevent that from happening.

Additionally, Coyotes’ goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov looks to be game-time decision with a sore back.

It’s a meaningful New Years’ Eve game.  Hopefully, it will be a good one.

Other notable links:

From the Denver Post:

Injuries Leave Avalanche Uncentered but Upbeat

From Mile High Hockey:

Less Hitting?

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Hockey, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes // Add Comment »

These two teams have matched up well against each other from the beginning.  For two games in the series, regulation and an overtime period could not decide it where the Desert Dogs won one and lost one in the shootout.  The other game was just as tight, but a victory for the Coyotes nonetheless.

Coyotes’ goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has been a beast against much of the NHL, but against the Sharks, he has been especially sharp.  He has stopped 99 of 102 shots for a .971 save percentage, and has a 1.46 GAA average.  It could be that fellow Olympian/Countryman Evgeni Nabokov is usually between the pipes for the Sharks and there might be a rivalry/friendly competition, but whatever the reason, hopefully the same quality of goaltending happens again tonight.

The Coyotes and the Sharks have matched up extremely well and pundits across the NHL truly thought that the Coyotes would have a difficult go of it.    The Sharks are coming off a game last night where they posted a 5-2 victory against the Capitals.  Nabokov was in the net for the Sharks, so backup goaltender and Olympian Thomas Greiss might see some action.  He has a 3-3 record and the Coyotes faced him their only regulation victory against the Sharks.

The Coyotes can tack on more wins at home to extend their 10-game streak, first in franchise history.  Because of their spectacular start in the first half of the season, there are some dividends as described by Bob at the Western Hockey Exchange.  If the Coyotes go .500 the rest of the way, they earn 94 points, which just might qualify them for post season play.

He’s absolutely right as that has been the magic number since the lockout.  Let’s hope they surpass that number.

In the media, and an assorted blog or two, here is what others are saying:

Coyotes – Sharks Preview, from The Sporting News

Sharks Game Day: Fireworks in the Desert, from Fear the Fin

The Skinny Sharks and Coyotes, from Dave Vest and PhoenixCoyotes.com

Luke Lapinski from PhoenixCoyotes.com breaks down the game this way:

Tags: Hockey, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks // Add Comment »