Fever NHL / Ice Hockey Thread, eh!

MERRY GRETZMAS EVERYONE! Wayne Gretzky turned 50 today.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGbpJ6hl9VM

I went into Gretzky's bar in Toronto. Had to have my pic with the big 99 statue!

did anyone watch the all-stars game? what is with the staal v lidstrom? I thought it was east v west?

I usually don't bother with ASG's, but I managed to catch the third period by chance at the gym this morning.

They changed the system this year to two captains running a fantasy draft. Brilliant idea IMHO, I'm a big fan of it. And not just because the only Leaf got picked last

how did they pick the captains? did the AHL do a similar thing.

The leagye picked captains. The AHL switched to East v. West after being Canada v. Rest of the World for so long

In case you haven't seen it yet - Brent Johnson taking out Rick DiPietro with one

Booyah!

I'm so jealous. I want to go! Expensive adults $65 and kids $55. REALLY?

http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=VISAENTE05

International Ice Hockey - Canada v USA

Visa Entertainment Pre-sale
Starts Wednesday 16 February, 9am
Ends Sunday 20 February, 5pm*

USA & Canadian Ice Hockey stars are coming to NZ! A star-studded line up of NHL players will face off in an exhibition series. The rivalry will be fierce as Team USA look to redeem themselves after their 2010 Winter Olympics loss. And let's face it, some hard hitting action never goes astray!

If you purchase tickets with a Visa credit, debit or pre-paid card before 30 June, you�ll be in to win access to a signing session with the players and signed jerseys as worn by the team captains, Kyle Quincy (CAN) and Rob Shremp (USA)!

� Saturday 30 July 2011 - CBS Canterbury Arena
� Wednesday 3 August 2011 - Dunedin Ice Stadium

I'm planning on going to at least one, maybe two. Price is indeed dear but I suppose it offsets the low capacity. I mean c'mon, playing at Dunedin Ice Stadium? 1,500 pax? Not gonna pay itself that one.

I'd like to go to the dunedin one. might see what flights are like. but mid-week doesn't really suit out of towners.

There is another one in Auckland at Vector (through ticketmaster).  Have just informed my Canadian friend, who has just moved here 3 weeks ago, about it.

I'm targeting Auckland. Easier to get to + accom sorted + arena that was built with hockey in mind (thus possibly better sightlines than CBS). Christchurch is also tempting despite it being in Christchurch.

NHL stars coming?

Not necessarily untrue.

http://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/event/2400465090BA1B1A?artistid=1558208&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=9

PRICES

Platinum
Adult - $203.58

Gold
Adult - $152.43
Child - $131.97

Silver
Adult - $91.05
Child - $80.82

Bronze
Adult - $80.82
Child - $70.59

Family Area Pass
2 Adults & 2 Children - $203.58


A Credit Card Surcharge applies - The promoter of this event has elected to pass credit card surcharges of no more than 2.3% onto consumers that are paying by credit card. This surcharge includes credit card fees and expenses, handling and associated infrastructure costs. You will be able to purchase tickets at the advertised price of $199.00, $149.00, $129.00, $89.00, $79.00, $69.00 and Family Pass - $199.00 from any Ticketmaster outlet. Please note if you do use a credit card at an outlet the same prices will apply, as over the phone or internet.


woah!!   It's on a weekend which is a plus. will have accom as well. YF trip up perhaps?
Oceanic62011-02-17 15:20:29

WHICH NHL stars? At that price they better not be 4th liners from the Oilers.

So far only Kyle Quincey (Colorado) and Rob Schremp (Long Island).

Gee Robb your Sens are worse than the Leafs!  Good to see Vancouver clinch their division.

In our defence, the Sens are just going through a rebuilding phase, whereas the Leafs are just inherently sh*t. And have been since 1967 Craig Anderson has been a bloody good pickup, we've got some youth talent esp at D coming through (I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Jared Cowen in action), and our draft position is looking good to. And thankfully I've got the Canucks to cheer for too.

Speaking of which, gutted to hear about Malhotra's season-ending injury. The acquisition of Higgins came at a good time I guess!

I've not kept up with who's injured and who isn't, but I did hear the other day that Matt Cooke from Pittsburgh has been suspended for 10 games hitting another player in the head.  I think he's a repeat offender.

The fact that Matt Cooke's Wikipedia page has a section titled "Criticism for causing head injuries" says it all really...

Aight, the Canada v. Silver Medalists series keeps sounding dodgier by the day.
Good blog post on it here - http://www.underthinkingit.com/2011/03/underthinking-international-ice-hockey.html

The Canadian Moose website suggests that they're the Canadian representative in question, and also drops the names of two other players - Darryl Shannon (who is 42 and retired) for Canada, and Mike Wilson for the USA (despite being a Canadian. And last played in the NHL in the 02-03 season. Currently in the ECHL with Toledo)

Naturally I'm still tempted, but it's massively overpriced and too much of a risk. The ODT called them out on it which isn't a good sign.

On the bright side - the Winter Games are expanding the hockey event to a four-team tourney this year, adding China and Korea. Played in Dunedin this August. I'm seriously considering attendance, especially if I can get to Naseby in the same period to take in some curling.

The best thing about ice hockey?

This bloke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgGKRiM-tG0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjfLaimGjtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KZ_nN0nWpg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6iQz5YKvN8&feature=related

Absolute champion.Buffon II2011-04-04 20:23:38

No clich�d reply can do this man justice.

The man is a champion. And not just because he's a Sens fan

Bob McKenzie just pointed out this awesome factoid on Twitter:

1976 - Montreal hosts the Summer Olympics, the Canadiens win the President's Trophy and Stanley Cup
1988 - Calgary hosts the Winter Olympics, the Flames win the President's Trophy and Stanley Cup
2010 - Vancouver hosts the Winter Olympics, the Canucks win the President's Trophy...

even got an NCAA game on. 

PLAYOFFS!

EAST
1. Washington v. 8. NY Rangers
2. Philadelphia v. 7. Buffalo
3. Boston v. 6. Montreal
4.. Pittsburgh v. 5. Tampa Bay

WEST

1. Vancouver v. 8. Chicago
2. San Jose v. 7. Los Angeles
3. Detroit v. 6. Hopefully-next-year-back-in-Winnipeg
4. Anaheim v. 5. Nashville

Anyone keen for tipping? 2 points for bracket winner, 1 point for length of bracket?

I'm tipping WSH in 5, PHI in 6, MTL in 7, PIT in 6, VAN in 5, SJ in 6, DET in 5 and NAS in 7

I'm keen for the tipping!

Yeah we earned promotion in 2009, but I haven't followed much lately.  NZIHF website says we came second behind Australia - http://www.nzicehockey.co.nz/iceblacks.html

Wow, Belarus is in Div II now? Quite a drop after coming 4th at the 2002 Olympics!

WSH 2 NYR 1 (OT)
PIT 3 TB 0
VAN 2 CHI 0
DET 4 PHX 2
ANA 1 NAS 4

Some bloody good goalkeeping by Luongo against the Hawks, and Yannick Hansen's goal was awesome. Great to see Mike Fisher pick up two goals and an assist, for his sake I'm wishing the Preds well.

I can't believe Chicago hasn't won a game yet, it could all be over for the defending champions. 

Looks like a win for Chicago coming up.

OUCH. 4-1, we're gonna win 4-1?

Kind want the Coyotes to lose already so the NHL can (hopefully) announce their rightful return to Winnipeg.

The Phoenix Coyotes are going to Winnipeg? 

I'm not holding my breath - "give us more money or we'll move to Winnipeg/Hamilton/Qu�bec City/Kansas City" is a pretty old bargaining tactic that pretty much always turns out to be false. However when even TSN start to believe the Jets returning home, I can't help but cross my fingers. Throw in the possibility of Atlanta moving as well and it's interesting. I just hope it's the Coyotes that move to Winnipeg.

Interesting.Vancouver getting dusted up again.

FFS Canucks!