Hockeyworld! 2/24/2010

AHL

Abbotsford Heat

• The Heat meet up with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers tonight.


• Abbotsford is quite confident, even though they're still having injury troubles.


• The Heat are currently in third place in their division. They have won five out of six games on their current road trip. “Its’ almost how its been all year for us – you lose a bunch and then you win a bunch," said defenseman Gord Baldwin of the team's current winning streak. “We got to straighten that out and kind of get more leveled with what we’re doing. Right now we’re winning so I‘d love to stick on that, but obviously we can’t win every game all year so you know we just got to keep going.” (Heat Report 2/18/10)
  

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

• Deja-vu - the Sound Tigers meet up with the Abbotsford Heat tonight.


• Brendan Witt has NOT been hit by a truck in Bridgeport (that we know of). However, he did contribute to their win on Sunday.


• Bridgeport hasn't been on much of a streak lately, unless it's an alternating one. They've won five of their last ten games and lost five.

Our AHL Features

The AHL recently held their first ever Outdoor Classic in Syracuse. They had a record crowd of 21,508 at the New York State Fairgrounds for a great event. Here are some interviews done with Hockey This Morning's Shawn Lavigne and Mike Ross (XM Radio). Sounds like a good time was had by all.

• What happens to hockey players after hockey?

Since the rest of the hockey world is focused on the Olympics in Vancouver right now, so goes Grizzblog...

OLYMPICS

• USA beating Canada on Sunday was kind of a big deal.


• NBCOlympics.com has a feature to help you find out where you can watch Olympic hockey (or other events) on TV - just put in your zip code and cable/tv provider.


• Today is the anniversary of the USA winning the gold medal in 1980. Everyone knows that story. But here's a side of the story you don't hear too often.


• The Russia/Canada game today is kind of a big deal. (Not to mention a couple of their players.)


• You can get your Olympic hockey bracket here.


• Who are the Grizzlies cheering for?


• There are several ECHL ties to the Olympic hockey players.


• Beating Canada wasn't enough for Team USA - they want more. Plus, they're having a lot of fun.

They're not the only ones having fun. Our good friends Richard and Les are Vancouver residents, and have been checking out the action in the Olympic city. Says Richard, "I've never seen the city this alive. There are people out on the streets everywhere; it's crazy! And there are events planned until 4am."

Les was nice enough to send us some pictures she took:

Several businesses have gotten into the spirit of the games:

This appears to be Trevor Linden stabbing an eagle with a hockey stick. Or a surfboard:

The Olympic clock downtown:

This sign offers some suggestions for, uh, keeping the peace... or something:

Bert and Ernie are excited about Canada's hockey team:

Well, at least they planned for a lot of people:

Enjoy the Olympics!

Hockeyworld! 2/9/2010

AHL

Abbotsford Heat

The Heat have had a lot of injuries lately.

• Head Coach Jim Playfair participated in the Olympic Torch Relay. (photo courtesy of Abbotsford News)


• The Heat most recently split a pair of games with the Chicago Wolves and dropped one to the Toronto Marlies on Monday night. They host the Marlies for one more game before going on the road for the rest of February.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

• The Sound Tigers have borrowed Ryan Kinasewich from Utah. We're guessing he's filling in for Matt Martin or Jesse Joensuu who were called up by the Islanders on Monday.


• Bridgeport has lost eight of its last ten games, including three in overtime and three shootouts. They play three times next weekend, with games on Friday (in Bridgeport), Saturday (in Hartford) and Sunday (in Bridgeport).

Our AHL Features

• The Syracuse Crunch will be hosting the Binghamton Senators in the first ever outdoor game in AHL history. The Mirabito Outdoor Classic will be held at the New York State Fairgrounds on February 20, 2010 at 1:00 pm.


• AHL players Yannick Weber, Andres Ambuhl and Kaspars Daugavins will be representing their countries in the upcoming Olympics.

NHL

Calgary Flames

• The Flames and Hitmen combined to raise over $100,000 for the relief effort in Haiti.


• Jerome Iginla and Daymond Langkow are what we'd call veterans.


• The Flames play the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa tonight. The Senators recently got shut out 5-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. (We don't really get either of those two team names. What - the Leafs flutter into the faces of the Senators who fall off their podiums while giving speeches?)

New York Islanders

• In what has to be one of the oddest promotions we've ever heard of, the New York Islanders are offering free flu shots to anyone attending tonight's game.


• Mark Streit made the day of a Swiss team getting ready to compete in an International PeeWee tournament.


• The Islanders play the Nashville Predators tonight.

Our NHL Features

• Fans voted for their favorite NHL commercials. Click here to see the results.

• The snowstorm along the east coast last weekend caused a lot of travel problems for teams trying to play in Washington DC, including a bus crash involving the Atlanta Thrashers and an oil truck. So much for Bruce Boudreau's comment that a bus ride never hurt anyone. (Thankfully, no one was injured in this particular bus ride.) Maybe they can ship some of the snow to Vancouver for the Olympics.

INTERNATIONAL

• The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver open on Friday, February 12th. NBC has television listings for all sports - just put in your zip code and television provider.


• Click here for the full Olympic rosters for Men's Ice Hockey.

USA HOCKEY

• In addition to the Olympics, the Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond Hockey National Championships will begin on Friday.

Hockeyworld! 2/3/2010

AHL



Abbotsford Heat

• The Heat have had some roster changes recently.
• The Houston Aeros and goalie Wade Dubielewicz (who used to play for Bridgeport) put the Heat down under .500 by beating them in their last game. The Heat next play two games against the Chicago Wolves in Abbotsford.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Islanders goaltender Martin Biron will join Bridgeport for a conditioning stint this weekend. (He used to play for the Flyers.)

Check out their January highlight reel. Their music is pretty cool, but we recommend watching it with the sound off to other random music. Our favorite was to something that sounded like a piano from the old silent movie days.

• Bridgeport has a five-game losing streak going, although three of those came in shootouts. Their next game is Friday in Springfield.

Our AHL Features

• Because the AHL doesn't take a break for the Olympics like the NHL does, some AHL games will be broadcast on XM radio during February. In addition, NHL Network will be showing some AHL games at the end of February and March as the Calder Cup Playoff race heats up. You can catch Bridgeport on XM radio, and Abbotsford on NHL Network.

NHL

Calgary Flames

• There have been a couple of changes in Calgary in recent days. A little trade with Toronto, and then one with the New York Rangers. 35.8% of the people who answered a poll on the Flames' website think the deal with Toronto was a bad trade. Reactions on the trade with New York are mixed. Opinions in general run rampant. (Frankly, we're just a little tired of discussing trades.)
• The Flames host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. Even though the 'Canes are currently sitting at 29th in the NHL, they have a better record over their last 10 games than Calgary does. Ouch.

New York Islanders

• The Islanders will spend part of their training camp next season in China. That's a long flight. They'd better not complain about their travel schedule next season.
• The Islanders have waived Brendan Witt. They'd better watch their backs - this is the same guy that got hit by a truck in Philadelphia and played that same night.
• The Islanders next meet Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Our NHL Features

• We're not sure why anything Alex Ovechkin's father says is worthy of a news story on NHL.com, let alone this doozy where he compares Alexander Semin to a panther... but whatever.
• The Vancouver Canucks are about to embark on an epic journey.



• It's unanimous - Ryan Getzlaf has a nice car.

INTERNATIONAL

• Canada's Olympic hockey team are just regular guys.
• Nine days until the Vancouver Winter Olympics start.

Hockeyworld! 1/19/2010

AHL

Abbotsford Heat


The Heat will finish up an eight game home stand after the AHL All-Star break. So far they've split it with three losses and three wins, including a big comeback win against the Lake Erie Monsters. (We don't know why, but we really like the Monsters' logo.) The Heat's next two games will be against the Houston Aeros.


Bridgeport Sound Tigers

• With Mark Katic injured, Sound Tigers defenseman Dustin Kohn is representing Bridgeport at the AHL All-Star Game.
• Even though Katic will be staying behind, here's a little bit of info about him. (We had to look up Steve Prefontaine. Scott Niedermayer we know.)
• After the break, the Sound Tigers will try to snap a four game losing streak in Albany against the River Rats.

Our AHL Features

• The AHL All-Star Game in Portland is tonight (1/19/2010), and there are several options if you want to tune in. Several TV stations are broadcasting it this year, so check your listings and see if any are available for you.
• The All-Star Skills Competition was yesterday, and you can check out the highlights here. Team Canada beat Planet USA 18-12.
• The AHL inducted four new Hall of Famers today. Congratulations!

NHL

Calgary Flames

• In case you haven't heard, the Flames got put out in the Shark Tank last night. *fizzle* They've now lost five in a row.
• The Calgary Hitmen will not only host the Lethbridge Hurricanes, but also the Olympic torch on its way to Vancouver. Maybe they'll shoot off the playoff flames to welcome it.

New York Islanders

• The Flames may have been bad last night, but the Islanders shut out the Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Devils to the tune of 4-0. Could Rick DiPietro finally be healthy?
• Matt Moulsen has found his niche in Long Island.
• The Islanders play tonight (1/19/2010) against the reigning champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Kris Letang thinks that stinks. Or something...

Our NHL Features

• Where is your favorite NHL team in the standings?
• The LA Kings have super socks.


• Six out of ten games had goalies pulled last night (1/18/2010).
• This is how you put an opponent down... and keep him down. (Safely, of course.)

INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY

• Only 24 days to go until the Olympics in Vancouver, BC.

USA HOCKEY

• Hockey Weekend Across America is coming up (January 29-31, 2010). Reebok Hockey is having a contest where kids can win equipment for their videos about Why Hockey Rocks. Check out the videos, and vote for your favorites.

Hockeyworld! 1/5/2010

AHL

Abbotsford Heat

• Right wing Jason Jaffray was recalled by the Calgary Flames on Monday, January 4. Jaffray leads the Heat in practically everything. He was recently announced as an AHL All-Star. We're assuming that means he'll be back in time for the All-Star game.


• The Heat won their last game against the Houston Aeros in overtime. It's the first overtime win ever for the Heat (since moving to Abbotsford this season). Abbotsford's record is currently 18-16-2-3. Their next game is at home on Friday against the Texas Stars.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Goaltender Rick DiPietro, who had been rehabbing in Bridgeport, was finally recalled to the Islanders and is practicing with the team. His save percentage in four games with Bridgeport was .883. Considering Bridgeport regulars Scott Munroe and former Grizzly Nathan "The Beast" Lawson have save percentages of .926 and .929 respectively, we're thinking Bridgeport will be happy to get them back in the net.

• Speaking of Bridgeport's goalies, the AHL had nice things to say about them.


• Get to know former Grizzly and Bridgeport defenseman Jon Gleed. We'd like to see those commercials.


• Bridgeport's current record is 19-16-1-2. They've lost their last three games. Their next two are back to back against Springfield this weekend.

Our AHL Features

• The Hershey Bears are currently on a 10 game winning streak. Is it just us, or does this article make you hungry?

NHL

Calgary Flames

• The Flames had a fun time getting through airport security this morning on their way to Nashville. (Anyone see the dog in the picture?)


• The news this weekend was all Olympics, and the Flames have four representatives going - Jerome Iginla will play for Team Canada, Miikka Kiprusoff and Olli Jokinen will play for Team Finland, and Peter Maher, the voice of the Flames, will call the games for Rogers Radio Network.


• The Flames' record is currently 25-12-5, and their next game is against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.

New York Islanders

• We know the Islanders got goaltender Rick DiPietro back, but when will he play again?


• Islanders defenseman Mark Streit will be playing for Team Switzerland in the Olympics.


• Could the Islanders be in the 2011 Winter Classic?

Our NHL Features

• All six Canadian teams are playing in the NHL tonight.


• Check out Erik Christensen's one-handed goal for the New York Rangers last night.


• We don't know who the Sarks are, but they have lots of guys going to the Olympics:

INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY

World Junior Championships

• The World Junior Championship gold medal round will be played tonight (Tuesday, January 5) between USA and Canada. If you get the NHL Network, we highly recommend watching it. The Islanders have three prospects in the tournament - Calvin de Haan (Canada), Travis Hamoric (Canada) and Matt Donovan (USA) - although de Haan and Hamoric will be out with injuries (de Haan - head, Hamoric - shoulder). The Flames have center prospect Greg Neimsz playing for Team Canada.
  

MISCELLANEOUS

• We can't tell you how excited we were to find out that there is a team in Germany called Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg. We feel like we should adopt them or something.

Hockeyworld!

If you're a hockey fan, you're probably pretty excited about the next few days. Not only are there four Grizzlies games coming up, but there's a lot going on in other hockey news too. First up, let's start with the Grizzlies...

The boys are meeting up with the Victoria Salmon Kings twice at home (Wednesday, Dec. 30 and Thursday, Dec. 31), followed by a break on New Year's Day. After that, it's Vegas, baby, for two games against the Wranglers (Saturday, Jan. 2 and Sunday, Jan. 3). Looking for something fun to do for New Year's? How about a road trip to Vegas?


The Salmon Kings have a home winning streak of 11 games right now, so the Grizzlies should be happy to be playing them at the E Center right now. The Grizzlies' home win streak currently stands at... one game.

Wooooo!

The Wranglers have won their last three games, including a midnight match up with the ISH, which proves nothing, except maybe that everyone in Idaho has a bedtime of 8:30 pm.

Now let's take a look at some other hockey news...

ECHL

• The ECHL announced their National Conference All-Star roster today. Two Grizzlies are included on the roster - AJ Perry and Ryan Kinasewich. The ECHL actually lists Vic Bartley as being from Utah as well, but he was recently called up to Bridgeport of the AHL. Maybe he'll be returned in time for the All-Star game. Kinasewich has been chosen as a starter.
  
• Goaltender emergency? Just stick a fan in pads.
• Supposedly, the Grizzlies received Brock Wilson in a trade from Toledo today. Is anyone surprised? (We hear the next trade is Grizzbee and a Kinasewich jersey for the Hanson brothers.)

• Ryan Cruthers of the Reading Royals is the Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL player of the week.

AHL

• The Sound Tigers have put together a highlight reel from 2009:

Is it just us, or does it look like some of the fights were choreographed to the music?

NHL

• The New York Islanders beat the Columbus Blue Jackets last night in a shootout (final score 2-1). Columbus had just come from a win over Detroit, but may have been a little distracted, considering this happened during the game:

At least it wasn't an octopus.

• We would be completely remiss if we didn't mention the NHL Winter Classic. It's a regular season NHL game that is played outdoors. This year's game will be the Boston Bruins hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park. That's right, they've built a rink there for a day or two. That's coming up on January 1st at 11:00 am if you're in the mountain time zone, and it will be on NBC. If you haven't watched it before, you're missing out. Tune in to this hockey event and you won't be sorry.

• And random story of the week - the Pittsburgh Penguins had a little trouble with the weather in Buffalo (sound familiar, Utah?) when their bus got stuck in the snow on the way to their hotel. No problem - the coaching staff jumped out and helped push the bus out. What, no players? "It was crazy seeing people outside in suits and ties trying to push a bus," goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said. "I just put my big biceps on the bus, and it didn't take long after that." Teammate Matt Cooke interpreted the situation differently. "I'm sure his intentions were good," Cooke said. "But I'm not sure he even touched the bus." Any guesses on how many snowballs were tossed?

2010 OLYMPICS

• Canada named their Olympic roster today for Vancouver 2010. No real surprises on who made the team, but a few on who was left off. Of course, when you have most of the NHL to choose from, we guess someone has to be cut. They'll be hard to beat.
• USA is expected to announce their Olympic roster during the Winter Classic on Friday. There's another reason to tune in.
• For some of the other country's rosters, click here. We just want to point out that every player on Latvia's roster ends in "s". (We're counting Gints Meija because of his first name.)

WORLD JUNIOR TOURNAMENT

• If you have NHL TV, you can tune in to the World Junior Championships from Saskatchewan. (That's hard to spell.) This is an exciting tournament where you can see future stars of the NHL. USA Hockey's website has some great content, including live game logs and scoreboards.

No shortage of hockey this weekend. Or weather. Happy New Year!


Go Grizzlies!