<p>I was thinking more about the regular season than the playoffs. But Western teams have a tougher travel schedule than the East in the playoffs as well.</p>
<p>The islanders look great this year. The Sharks managed to steal a point against them last night, but didn’t deserve it.</p>
<p>^ and your goon John Scott leveled Mikhail Grabovski in that game. Clean hit. Grabo probably still doesn’t know what day it is. Knocking a guy out of the game (however unintended) might seem like a plus, but in this case it just meant double shifts for Tavares and Okposo. Not a good thing for the Sharks.</p>
<p>I didn’t see the Grabovski hit but heard about it today. Scott is a goon, always has been, always will be. He has about a hundred pounds and probably close to a foot on Grabo. I’m happy that the Islanders are doing well. John Tavares is from our town. A nice kid.</p>
<p>Scott may be a goon; I’m perfectly willing to believe he is. I haven’t seen him play much, as he has only played two games for the Sharks. But that was a perfectly legal hit, and not goonish.</p>
<p>I don’t like hits like that. I don’t like to see players get traumatic brain injuries, and that’s what a concussion is. How could the rules be changed so that hits of that type are no longer allowed?</p>
<p>I’m perfectly willing to admit I like the fights. I do think they’re an integral part of the experience and I don’t like the trend away. </p>
<p>With that said, cheap hits or any hits near the head should be punished and punished severely. There’s a difference between two men in a fight and one attacking another.</p>
<p>I watched a classic NHL game this afternoon while doing some baking. Game 7 of the '79 semi-finals between the Habs and the Bruins. What a game and oh my goodness, that Montreal team was amazing. I don’t think there’s ever been another quite like it.</p>
<p>A sad morning for hockey fans.</p>
<p>The great Jean Beliveau has passed away. I remember watching him play the Flyers when I was a teen and met him once then, and then again as an adult. He was a kind and gracious man and one of the best in the game. </p>
<p>A sad day for hockey indeed. Driving past the new First Niagara Center in Buffalo over Thanksgiving I saw the beautiful bronze sculpture honoring the “French Connection” and it brought back many memories. That, along with the stories about Gordie Howe’s health issues in the news lately – I remember where my love for the game began. </p>
<p>Very sad. Sending comfort to his loved ones. </p>
<p>I’ve been keeping close tabs on the Gordie situation. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him and his late wife several times including eating dinner with them more than once. They were both exceedingly kind and generous people. </p>
<p>Gordie and family were in Houston for several years when he and his sons played in the WHA, and about the time I was getting into hockey (as much as you can get into hockey in Houston) during my high school years. My co-hort in hockey madness at the time had a huge crush on Mark, and my crush was on Marty. I was also good friends with the daughter of the Aeros’ coach, so I had a little glimpse into what it took to try to keep a team in Houston. Unfortunately, the years were limited, but were great while they were there. </p>
<p>Gordie’s situation is a sad one, although apparently what happened this week was not another stroke, as first thought. He is suffering, and has for many years, cognitive difficulties probably as a result of the many concussions he suffered in his career. Everyone I know in the hockey world has the same opinion of them as you do, romani, very kind individuals.</p>
<p>Teri, was your friend Bill Dineen’s daughter? When he coached in Philly, he was friends with Flyers’ friends of mine and I believe that one of his sons played for the Flyers then, maybe Kevin. Small hockey world.</p>
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<p>This is terrible and we need to stop hockey from creating more ex-players with brain damage.</p>
<p>I remember a time (Mr. ellebud has loved hockey all his life) where the biggest challenge was to get players to wear helmets. “Old players” had a choice between helmets or no…young players were mandated to wear them. </p>
<p>@alwaysamom - yes; that is her. We lost contact in the college years. I believe a couple of the Dineen kids went on to play professional hockey (of course, this was long after I knew them since they still lived at home then). And actually Kevin is an assistant coach for the Blackhawks now. While we tend to spend our resources on Lambeau Field and the Packers, I did get H tickets to a Blackhawks game this January - first time H has been there since Dineen joined the team. </p>
<p>I do remember after he left Houston, there were some stints in New England, and Toronto, besides Philly. But I can’t remember which order they came in. I thought New England was first stop after Houston because I remember her having a Connecticut address right after Houston. </p>
<p>Yes, small hockey world, especially considering how little time Houston had a viable hockey world! When I was in high school, I worked (at different times) at two different skating rinks where the youth leagues played, which is how I got to know some of these people. My parents (again, this is Texas and I had three older brothers) could never understand why I was so fascinated with the game, when obviously, football should rein above all other sports!</p>
<p>I used to work with the D of one of the Flyers, and then my office mate at my next employer was a sports management major from Canada and was a serious, serious hockey fanatic. She got me hooked. Both her sons played through college and she is still heavily involved in the league.</p>
<p>Just snagged tickets for S2 and me for two Caps games while he’s home. He would love, love, love to attend the Winter Classic, but tickets are $368 each (and rising) on Stub Hub. I think I’ll offer beer, wings and a functioning fireplace instead.</p>
<p>Countingdown, it’s interesting to hear how fans get hooked on the game. 
Next month, it will be 50 years since I attended my first hockey game. My dad had gone for a while but I finally agreed to tag along one night and that was it for me. I grew up in arenas, skating and watching youth games and then the pros at night. My parents were friends with many of the group who started the Flyers in '67 when expansion happened. Part of our multi-aged arena ‘gang’ were two who went on to be NHL general managers, one of whom was fired earlier this year, the other one still there! </p>
<p>We have season tickets to the Leafs and have for years although I don’t attend every game. We also watch a few games a week on tv. Although I didn’t go, several in our family went to the Winter Classic in Detroit last year. I love the game and the people I have met through the game. Our childhood group still gets together annually, and it’s still special after all these years. The pros from back then who were part of our group are, sadly, becoming fewer and fewer with the passing years but the memories that all of us have from those days in the late 60s are precious to all of us.</p>
<p>Oh my goodness, Kings! In a town like L.A., you couldn’t find a better anthem singer than that? Yikes, that was painful.</p>
<p>My H attended Jean Beliveau’s funeral yesterday. The affection for the man was evident in every word that was spoken. He said that the old teammates who spoke all broke down while giving their tributes and the many players he mentored were there. This man was not only admired, but truly loved. I thought some of you might like to see some photos that were released.</p>
<p><a href=“Ultimate farewell, in images - 10/12/2014 - Golden Knights - Photos”>Ultimate farewell, in images - 10/12/2014 - Golden Knights - Photos;
<p>I can’t think of many former athletes whose funeral would be attended by the Prime Minister, two former PMs, many Premiers, mayors, Cabinet ministers, the commissioner of the league and many other officials, current league General Managers, hundreds of current and former players, business leaders, etc. About 50 former Montreal alumni walked in together with the Leafs Johnny Bower joining them. Then the current Canadiens team walked in together. It was a national funeral after two days of lying in state at the Bell Centre in Montreal. His family was there on the weekend to greet and thank the thousands of fans who came to pay tribute to him. He, and they, were honored at the Canadiens game on Tuesday night. Here is the video tribute:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/canadiens-honour-jean-béliveau-in-emotional-pre-game-ceremony-1.2866577”>http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/canadiens-honour-jean-béliveau-in-emotional-pre-game-ceremony-1.2866577</a></p>
<p>And another. I hope you can view those in the U.S. Those of you who have been fans for years will undoubtedly recognize many familiar faces.</p>
<p><a href=“The perfect Jean Beliveau tribute montage (Video)”>The perfect Jean Beliveau tribute montage (Video);
<p>How do you guys feel about shootouts? </p>
<p>I’m not just bitter because I’m a Wings fan and we suck at them, but I HATE shootouts. They’re so boring and I think they’re a terrible way to end games. </p>
<p>IMO it should be as follows: Regular season: one 5 or 10 minute 4 on 4 overtime. First goal wins. Tied after OT? End in tie.
Playoffs: keep playing sudden death OT, 20 minute periods 5 on 5. First goal wins. </p>
<p>Shootouts are stupid. End the game in a tie.</p>
<p>My Caps just went to 20 rounds or whatever the other day. Bleh.</p>
<p>Ovechkin scored an awesome goal yesterday. <a href=“Ovechkin dekes his way to unbelievable goal - YouTube”>Ovechkin dekes his way to unbelievable goal - YouTube; </p>