Oh yeah, I was reading the yahoo power rankings and the Avs getting Jiggy from the ducks was mentioned. I kind of like the thought, because the ducks have Ilya, who is in the top 10 in a few goaltending categories ready to take the reigns, as he did so capably in Jiggy's absence. The next goalie after that? His last name is Wall. Can't go wrong there. ;)

I'd love to see some more offensive talent in anahiem.

At 12/17/05 06:24 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Avs getting Jiggy from the ducks was mentioned.

Thankfully, that was mentioned on Yahoo, and not a reputable news source :P

I just started a new season in the game NHL 2K2, and I'm getting some surprising results. I'm playing as the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are rated at around 77 overall, and my first game was an 11-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. My second game was a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, but that one was simulated. My third game was a 9-0 win over the Flyers. The difficulty is set at the rookie level, but I don't think that fully explains the blowouts.

Oh man. When you said Crosby got promoted to assistant, I didn't know it was because Michel Therrien was the new coach! The Penguins are screwed now. Seriously. I hated Therrien when he was with the Canadiens. We'd always get penalties because he had such a bad temper.

i dont think the Penguins are screwed,they have young playerthere the team of the future and with the new coach i think they will be a much better team now but it will take time...

At 12/16/05 08:01 PM, phileeguy wrote:

Let me know if any of your teams are this banged up or worse. I doubt it's just a strange coincidence that people are getting hurt more often in this faster pace hockey. I mean there was injuries before the rules changes, but it seemed that in a slower, more defensive style of play people had a greater feeling of when a hit was coming and if they couldn't escape it, they'd prepare themselves for it (excluding the hit on Moore of course).

While I don't think anyone is as bad, the Blues are certainly in trouble. Tkatchuk is going to be out another 2-4 weeks with broken knuckles he suffered in the loss to Chicago. That same game, new goaltender Sanford got a hip flexor. They also added Dallas Drake to ir.

Sorry for the double post, but the thought of posting the injury list didn't crop up until my previous post had gone through.

Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Teemu Selanne RW Dec 16, 2005 Right Eye
Sandis Ozolinsh D Nov 28, 2005 Left Knee

Atlanta Thrashers
Peter Bondra RW Dec 4, 2005 Groin/Abdominal Injury
Steve Shields G Nov 25, 2005 Knee
Mike Dunham G Nov 13, 2005 Groin
Kari Lehtonen G Oct 5, 2005 Groin

Boston Bruins
Nick Boynton D Dec 7, 2005 Fractured Kneecap
Ian Moran D Nov 3, 2005 Knee Injury
Pat Leahy RW Nov 1, 2005 Broken Finger

Buffalo Sabres
Dmitri Kalinin D Dec 14, 2005 Fractured Finger
Taylor Pyatt LW Nov 25, 2005 Fractured Wrist
J.P. Dumont RW Nov 19, 2005 Sports Hernia, 12/8 Surgery

Calgary Flames
No injuries reported

Carolina Hurricanes
Andrew Ladd LW Dec 5, 2005 Torn Meniscus, Right Knee, 12/5 Surgery
Niclas Wallin D Nov 20, 2005 Left Wrist Surgery On 11/19
Josef Vasicek C Nov 12, 2005 Left Knee, 12/5 Surgery

Chicago Blackhawks
Michal Barinka D Dec 16, 2005 Concussion Like Symptoms
Adrian Aucoin D Dec 12, 2005 Sore Groin
Jassen Cullimore D Dec 11, 2005 Pulled Groin
Tuomo Ruutu C Nov 2, 2005 Sore Back
Eric Daze LW Oct 7, 2005 Sore Back

Colorado Avalanche
Steve Konowalchuk LW Nov 27, 2005 Torn Ligament In Right Wrist - Surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets
Manny Malhotra C Dec 9, 2005 Shoulder
Gilbert Brule C Nov 30, 2005 Broken Leg
Alexandre Picard LW Nov 24, 2005 Concussion
Rostislav Klesla D Nov 10, 2005 Broken Hand
Rick Nash LW Nov 6, 2005 Sprained Knee

Dallas Stars
No injuries reported

Detroit Red Wings
Steve Yzerman C Dec 12, 2005 Slight Groin Tear
Manny Legace G Nov 27, 2005 Sprained Left Knee
Jiri Fischer D Nov 22, 2005 Seizure
Niklas Kronwall D Oct 5, 2005 Left Knee Surgery

Edmonton Oilers
No injuries reported

Florida Panthers
Joe Nieuwendyk C Dec 13, 2005 Back

Los Angeles Kings
Ryan Flinn LW Nov 27, 2005 Concussion
George Parros RW Nov 18, 2005 Right Ankle Sprain
Valeri Bure RW Sep 29, 2005 Back Strain, 12/9 Surgery

Minnesota Wild
No injuries reported

Montreal Canadiens
Mark Streit D Dec 13, 2005 Flu
Radek Bonk C Dec 4, 2005 Torn Groin Muscle
Alexei Kovalev RW Nov 14, 2005 Right Knee Surgery, 11/15

Nashville Predators
Chris Mason G Dec 13, 2005 Groin Strain
David Legwand C Dec 10, 2005 Torn Knee Cartilage, 12/12 Surgery
Tomas Vokoun G Dec 10, 2005 Knee Strain
Greg Johnson C Nov 23, 2005 Groin Strain
Scott Nichol C Nov 14, 2005 Broken Foot
Scott Walker RW Oct 25, 2005 Sports Hernia

New Jersey Devils
No injuries reported

New York Islanders
Jason Blake LW Dec 13, 2005 Left Game - Concussion
Shawn Bates C Nov 19, 2005 Strained Hamstring
Petteri Nokelainen C Nov 3, 2005 Patella Tendonitis
New York Rangers

No injuries reported

Ottawa Senators
Martin Havlat LW Nov 30, 2005 Dislocated Right Shoulder, Surgery

Philadelphia Flyers
Donald Brashear LW Dec 11, 2005 Strained Left Shoulder
Eric Desjardins D Dec 7, 2005 Dislocated Right Shoulder, 12/13 Surgery
Joni Pitkanen D Dec 5, 2005 Torn Abdominal Muscle
Ryan Ready LW Nov 30, 2005 Groin
Brian Savage LW Nov 20, 2005 Sprained Right MCL
Keith Primeau C Oct 30, 2005 Concussion

Phoenix Coyotes
Oleg Saprykin LW Dec 11, 2005 Left Game - Knee Sprain

Pittsburgh Penguins
No injuries reported

San Jose Sharks
Scott Parker RW Nov 21, 2005 Concussion

St. Louis Blues
Dallas Drake RW Dec 16, 2005 Lower Back
Curtis Sanford G Dec 16, 2005 Left Game - Hip Flexor
Matt Walker D Dec 12, 2005 Separated Right Shoulder
Petr Cajanek C Dec 5, 2005 Sore Groin
Christian Backman D Dec 3, 2005 Fractured Left Foot
Eric Brewer D Nov 17, 2005 Separated Right Shoulder

Tampa Bay Lightning
No injuries reported

Toronto Maple Leafs
Eric Lindros C Dec 12, 2005 Torn Ligament In Right Wrist

Vancouver Canucks
Dan Cloutier G Nov 21, 2005 ACL Surgery
Tyler Bouck RW Oct 5, 2005 Groin Pull
Washington Capitals
Jeff Friesen LW Nov 11, 2005 Groin

I think The preds are pretty well fucked with both goalies getting hurt.

At 12/17/05 09:11 AM, mr_trivia wrote: The difficulty is set at the rookie level, but I don't think that fully explains the blowouts.

I think It does. From my experience playing hockey games from NHL 2k5 back to the original NES Ice Hockey they usually are high scoring affairs. But when I set the difficulty level higher in the newer versions I see a lot more 3-2 and 2-1 games... usually with me on the losing end.

At 12/17/05 06:21 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: While I don't think anyone is as bad, the Blues are certainly in trouble.

No doubt. They're pretty banged up as well, but have also dug themselves a big hole.

At 12/17/05 06:25 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: list
I think The preds are pretty well fucked with both goalies getting hurt.

Maybe, maybe not. I mean sure it'll be a struggle with 2 lost goaltenders, but if they play a sound game with few turnovers and bad penalties they should be able to stay in games. Their Power Play is above average (league-wise), Goals against is respectable and they're 4th on the PK. The defensive numbers are not only a sign of their goaltender, but also the players on the ice with him. Obviously they want to continue that trend, but like I said, it'll be a struggle.

heh, bad news for the Ducks. They're heading into a home and home against the suddenly dominant San Jose. But, the Ducks have been ending streaks as of late. Be it the Grahame's win streak of the kings loss streak.

they'll be in trouble if Selanne can't play, he's DTD after getting a highstick that left a deep gash under his eye in the loss to the kings. But Sykora has picked up his play as of late, so it'll be interestign. I'm expecting a hard hitting game with the likes of Vishnevski and Mclaren on the ice. Not to mention the Ducks' "Energy" line, with tough guy Fedorok, surprisingly tough Zenon Konopka, and newly acquired Tyler Wright, who showed his upper body strength when he flipped a player much larger than he during a fight.

I don't have high hopes on the Ducks winning, but it'll be exciting, that's for sure.

At 12/18/05 02:40 AM, -Gooch- wrote:

At 12/18/05 02:24 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote:

I don't have high hopes on the Ducks winning, but it'll be exciting, that's for sure.

Sure will be.

I'm kind of surprised that the Ducks and Sharks are the two bottom teams in the Pacific division this year. I really thought Anaheim would have a better team than the past couple of seasons, and we all knew what San Jose was capable of when they made the conference finals in 2003-04. This is pretty much going to be a battle to see who can avoid being at the bottom of the division when all is said and done.

Indeed, Especially because they're only two points apart. If the ducks can pull out even a single win they'll maintain the fourth spot. I too expected them to play well. One of the preseason previews of the ducks had them getting into the playoffs for sure. Their young prospects, perry and getzlaf, just weren't ready. But, perry is down with the pirates fucking shit up.The lack of ozolinsh certainly isn't helping either.

The division is now extremely competitive with Phoenix and Anahiem tied with 34 points and San Jose now only trailing by two. The Sharks have played fewer games, I expect them to overtake anahiem pretty soon.

At 12/18/05 02:58 AM, -Gooch- wrote:

At 12/18/05 02:53 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote:

The division is now extremely competitive with Phoenix and Anahiem tied with 34 points and San Jose now only trailing by two. The Sharks have played fewer games, I expect them to overtake anahiem pretty soon.

I'd hope so. The way everyone on San Jose is playing right now, they should be able to overtake just about anybody, and I'd crazily include Ottawa in that. Joe Thornton's just made everyone else that much better, and I'm definitely pleased with the performance Patrick Marleau has been putting in ever since the trade.

I wouldn't go that far, Ottawa reaffirmed their dominance with a crushing victory over Toronto. Causing area pizza companies everywhere to weep. As you may or may not know, ottawa made a deal with the pizza companies to give free pizzas to any fan who had a ticket to a home game in which the sens got 5 goals or more.

HUGE MISTAKE. A lot of the areas were looking at bankruptcy into november, as the promotion horribly backfired. They stepped it up to 6 goals, and the sens are rising to the occasion. If they keep on this pace, Pizzarias look to lose $160 dollars, Not sure if that's american or not, but still.

Kind of went off track there, but as much as I enjoy San Jose, the good times can't roll forever. The trade shook things up, sure, but in time the players will settle in and the explosive wins will become a little less impressive. That said, I do think they'll make the playoffs.

I'm glad that the #1 and #2 picks in the 1997 NHL Draft are both on my team. You really can't ask for anything better.

Sorry for abandoning you guys, I haven't been a big hockey person since bertuzzi fucked up. But I'm back, This may be old, but the pittsburgh coach was fired. With all the great players they got it's funny how they lost their 1st seven games.

At 12/18/05 04:20 AM, TheBoneThug wrote: Sorry for abandoning you guys, I haven't been a big hockey person since bertuzzi fucked up. But I'm back, This may be old, but the pittsburgh coach was fired. With all the great players they got it's funny how they lost their 1st seven games.

It's because they didn't listen to Eddy. In the last 14 games the pens had last year he had his grinders out there, and he went 10-2-2 or something similar. But then they went out and bought all this talent he didn't want. The only player he did request, Joseph, was denied. They said, "You've got thibault". Well, Thibault is sucking some ass and Joseph is making Gretzky look like bowman.
A few people were a little perturbed about Crosby's statement after the caoch was fired. Most players say, "Oh, he was a good coach, things didn't work out" etc
Crosby said "It was time for change" True as it may have been, I'm not sure poor ed was the one who should have been changed.

It's really too bad, but you've got to move on.

Oh yeah, what are your guys' takes on another bright rookie, Petr Prucha. Since getting teamed up with Jagr both even strength and on the power play, he's become a force. He quickly leapt up in the rookie standings, now only trailing Svatos of the avs and Ovechkin for goals scored. He'll meet svatos tomorrow, in New York.

At 12/17/05 11:09 PM, phileeguy wrote:

At 12/17/05 09:11 AM, mr_trivia wrote: The difficulty is set at the rookie level, but I don't think that fully explains the blowouts.

I think It does. From my experience playing hockey games from NHL 2k5 back to the original NES Ice Hockey they usually are high scoring affairs. But when I set the difficulty level higher in the newer versions I see a lot more 3-2 and 2-1 games... usually with me on the losing end.

Then why am I so often knocked flat on my ass the instant I get the puck? If this happens about once every three possessions on the Rookie level, then surely switching to Veteran (not to mention All-Star) level would increase it to thrice every four or five possessions. I suppose I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, so I'll just finish my first season on Rookie level and lead the entire league in goals.
I have to admit, NHL 2K2 for the Sega Dreamcast is a much fairer game than NHL Faceoff 2000 for the PS One. I'm actually getting power plays now (too bad I haven't been able to score on them), and I'm not called for a bogus penalty every five minutes.

that has to have been, without a doubt, one of, if not the best game the entire season. The teams were just trading blows, both offensively and physically. The Ducks never trailed in the game, and San Jose never lead. Although, San Jose was never trailing by more than 2 goals at any point. Anahiem grabbed the lead 5 different times throughout the night. It was a highscoring game, loaded with hits.

By the by, I think kneeing should be more than a minor penalty, cheechoo looked like he was trying to hurt Lupul when he through his knee into Joffrey.
But, the Ducks got it back when a shot knocked down by Rob Niedermayer was ruled legal. Which, to me, seemed that it was. Since it was flagged a goal on the ice, and the evidence just wasn't clear enough to turn it over.

At 12/18/05 11:05 PM, -Gooch- wrote:

At 12/18/05 10:32 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: that has to have been, without a doubt, one of, if not the best game the entire season. The teams were just trading blows, both offensively and physically. The Ducks never trailed in the game, and San Jose never lead. Although, San Jose was never trailing by more than 2 goals at any point. Anahiem grabbed the lead 5 different times throughout the night. It was a highscoring game, loaded with hits.

I'd say they were trading blows. After Scott Thornton tied it up, I was expecting something not to go San Jose's way, and I was right. Anaheim gets a goal not long after that, and they take the lead. I was really hoping that after Marchant was called for that penalty late in the third that San Jose could've tied the game up, but it was not to be.

Oh well, it was a good game that I wish I could've watched.

It was fantastic. The Ducks got their goals from unlikely sources. Their first goal was Kunitz's first shorthanded goal ever. And Fedoruk's was his first in 49 games. They meet again tuesday, but the Sharks won't be moving ahead in the standings for another week or two.

Joe Sakic lead the Avs to a 2-1 victory over the Rangers last night. I still think that goaltending is a MASSIVE issue in Denver, with the way that they have blow big leads late in games.

At 12/19/05 12:08 PM, -Canas- wrote: Flames shutout Bruins 3-0.

My friend was there... Said that was one of the most boring games he's ever been to. He said everything but the 5 minutes where the flames scored there 3 goals sucked.

I won't be posting here to much for abit because my home computer is fucked.

Well, Elias is practicing for the Devils. Hopefully their leading scorer of last season can help them out of the troubles they seem to be having recently. Both Gomez and Alexander Mogilny were benched for most of Saturday's loss to Carolina. According to the New York Post, Gomez may be on the trading block.

At 12/19/05 08:30 AM, Coop83 wrote: Joe Sakic lead the Avs to a 2-1 victory over the Rangers last night. I still think that goaltending is a MASSIVE issue in Denver, with the way that they have blow big leads late in games.

I saw that game, kind of dissapointing that the game was won in a 19 second span.
Also, since the Rangers got into such penalty trouble, prucha wasn't able to have a lot of ice time. His goal scoring streak got snapped. =(

Tonight's Leafs/Islanders game is by far the craziest game I've seen in a long time. After the second period, its now 8-4 Leafs. The Leafs came back from a 4-2 deficit in the first, scoring 6 unanswered goals, with 2 coming shorthanded. Stajan with 2 in the game...that's my boy. Also, Czerkawski? 2 goals in 2 games? The Polish Prince flies again.

Little interesting to me how Biron gets the "day off" against the Flyers.

Kind of like he got a "day off" against the Sens. Turns out he didn't need it today, though. As Buffalo won in a shootout.

Kings won in a shootout. That was an exciting game to watch, or at least the parts that I saw were exciting.

At 12/19/05 11:20 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Little interesting to me how Biron gets the "day off" against the Flyers.

Kind of like he got a "day off" against the Sens. Turns out he didn't need it today, though. As Buffalo won in a shootout.

Yeah, they Flyers just didn't get it done. They outplayed Buffalo in the first, were outplayed by Buffalo in the second but still came away with the 1-0 lead after 2, and had too many wasted chances in the third to score the GWG.

If the Flyers make it to the shootout, I usually get the feeling that they'll end up losing it. Sure they get a point but their skill isn't usually in 1 on 1 vs. goaltenders. Most of their goals are scored on deflections, and second chance shots in low. I think Coach Hitchcock really needs to have a few more practice sessions involving breakaways both for the shooter's and goaltender's sake.

I was always saying to myself that the pacific divsion seemed pretty competitive this year, and I learned that I was correct. As it is the only division in the entire league with all of the teams over .500. The Ducks and San Jose meet again tomorrow, with the Ducks leading the season series 2-0 so far. The win on saturday meant a lot from my point of view because, even if San Jose wins this game, the Ducks will still have a lead on them. Granted, San Jose has played about 3 fewer games, but the longer the Ducks maintain a good spot in the pacific, the higher their confidence will be.

II caught the olympic team announcement on OLN, and to be honest, I was a bit surprised. I didn't expect Tkatchuk to make with his recent injury, if he suffers any set backs he might not make it, since his injury should end with only about two weeks to go. Plus, Chelios made it, and while I don't doubt his talent or his will, I doubt his body. He's pretty old now, and the olympics are pretty strenous.
The lack of Leetch was a shocker too.

At 12/19/05 11:00 AM, -Gooch- wrote: That's where a guy like Luongo should end up. If they have that many issues at goaltending, and Luongo is talking like he wants out of Florida, then it seems like a perfect match then. If I were Colorado, I wouldn't hesitate in pulling the trigger and acquire him before somebody else decides to take him, or Luongo decides to change his mind and stay in Florida.

Yeah, if I were the GM for the Avs, I'd have pulled the trigger as soon as Luongo said he was thinking about wanting out.

At 12/19/05 06:42 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: I saw that game, kind of dissapointing that the game was won in a 19 second span.
Also, since the Rangers got into such penalty trouble, prucha wasn't able to have a lot of ice time. His goal scoring streak got snapped. =(

Usually, I'd feel sorry for the Rangers, as I am a Rangers sympathiser. However, this season they don't really NEED all the wins they can get, as they are playing quality hockey. Jagr is leading them like he used to lead the Pens and it's doing them the world of good.

At 12/20/05 01:30 AM, -Gooch- wrote: I just came home, and the first thing I did was go to check out the hockey box scores to see if any of my fantasy players did anything for me. Then, I see the score of the Islanders/Leafs game, and I just about flipped my lid. Nine to freaking six. Now if that doesn't scream poor defense, I don't know what does. Still, awesome to see the Leafs won.

I think that game was great entertainment. I watched the highlights and it was a few quality goals

And no, I hardly got any points from my fantasy players.

Mike York registered 1 goal for 2.00 points in the NGHL.

Funny that the Isle's goalie gets slaughtered right after he learns he made the team.

Stress much?

Also, I have trouble believing no hat tricks came out of the 15 goal night.

At 12/20/05 11:04 AM, -Gooch- wrote: I only ended up getting 2.50 points for the night. I got a power play assist from Marc-Andre Bergeron, and an even strength assist from Andrew Ference. Other than that, nothing.

Mine wasn't much better, but I was helped by a victory for Manny Fernandez (and the Wild) I'll have to try and get my hands on a few Rangers players, since they can produce points.

At 12/20/05 11:12 AM, -Gooch- wrote: So basically you had one player beat the output of all my players that I had going last night? That just seems to make my team that much more pitiful. :(

Aside from 0, the only points a goalie can score is 3 for a win and 5 for a shutout. He can of course score 8 for a shutout and a win.

I did have Owen Nolan, too. I'm still a bit surprised that somebody hasn't taken the risk of bringing them onto their team yet. He could provide an offensive spark for a team, provided he stays healthy.

I was tempted, but I decided against it.