The Gr8 debate: Sid vs Ovi

As if this hasn't been played out enough in recent years we finally got the Sid vs Ovi Winter Classic match up. And guess what happened? Capitals won. That now puts each team in a win category for the Winter Classic.

So now every time these teams meet up that too will be brought up, along with Sid's cup and Ovi's he's-won-so-many-I-am-losing-count awards. They are both two great players. I was lucky enough to watch Ovechkin and the Capitals when I was living in the DC area going to school; and have no problem with his theatrics (his goal celebrations, his being out there for the fans, this passion and excitement for the game).

Now that we've had the Winter Classic between the two and all the hype I have one question:

Can we move on to some other players in the league?

There are so many other talented players (even on the Penguins and Capitals) that are not getting any recognition. Some recognition that the Western Conference exist would be great. I realize the Wild are not a great team but they are rebuilding; and doing it the right way - not by tanking for years to get 5 years worth of top 5 overall picks. So where is the love for Mikko Koivu? What about Chicago's Jonathan Toews? He won the cup - more recently than Sid the Kid - and was younger. Heck Toews is even a member of the Triple Gold Club. That's amazing and not just for how young he is. What about Matt Duchene out in Colorado? If it wasn't for the financial problems and the BizNasty2point0 twitter account I don't think people would realize Phoenix has an NHL team. Vancouver Canucks Ryan Kesler was the cover to NHL 2k11 but there was very little hype about it - nothing like Ovechkin being the cover of NHL 2k10.

Even Steven Stamkos from Tampa Bay Lightning would be a breath of fresh air into the NHL marketing plan. He did tie Crosby for most goals last season ans is second to him in points and goals this season. NHL wants to push these sunbelt teams and tell people that they have a place in the league yet a star player out of the south is mostly ignored.

Even with the Original 6 I don't think marketing was so limited.

Red Wings Round Up

Searching the web to bring you the best Red Wing stories out there...

Before going on to ponder what is to come we take a look at the time that has passed as former Red Wing Mathieu Dandenault retires. A second-round pick for the Detroit Red Wings in 1994 he went on to win three Stanley Cups with the team.

Thank you from all of us for being part of bringing the Cup back to Hockeytown...

...now onto trying to bring it back again...

Euro Twin Powers Activate! So it appears thus far in the pre season that the Reunited line hasn't lost flair as Coach Mike Babcock has reunited Swedes Tomas Holmstrom and Henrik Zetterberg with Russian Pavel Datsyuk. Dave Waddell summed it up best:

Some things seem to fit naturally together no matter how many times you take them apart.

It's not just the storied veterans that are making news - so are the prospects as the youngsters impress vets in Wings win after the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks in the first game in a home-and-home schedule.

Youngsters are not the only ones trying to fit in in Hockeytown these days. Defenseman Ruslan Salei is fitting right in with the Wings according to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. Of course Salei has a leg up on that as he worked with Coach Babcock back when they were both with the Anaheim Ducks.

Last night's home game against the New York Rangers saw Brian Rafalski and Jiri Hudler suit up for the first time this season as both are back from being sidelined with injuries. George Sipple from the Free Press discusses how Rafalski jumps in with a 4-point game and Hudler looks right at hone in return at the Joe.

Greg Wyshynski over at Puck Daddy was all over the Blackhawks fans booing Chris Chelios Heritage Night announcement at the home-and-home game at the United Center. Wyshynski discusses other players that have been swapped between the Red Wings and the Blackhawks over the years and why fans embrace some but boo others. The Chris Chelios Heritage Night will be an interesting start to a game seeing as the Blackhawks chose a game against the Red Wings (December 17).

Staying on the topic of the Blackhawks; Brian Hedger feels that the Cup win retchets up Hawks' rivalry with Wings About time that an Original 6 rivalry (other than the Canadiens and the Leafs) gave us all a little something to talk about. It's sad that is had become a distant memory to most of the league - maybe we'll start seeing some Toews/Kane vs Zetterberg/Datsyuk commercials instead of all of them being Alex the Great vs Sid the Kid.




Around the Region:

Plymouth Whalers had their home opener this past Friday night. Alex Aleardi had hat trick as the Whalers dealt out a 6-2 pounding to Barrie Colts.


Jason Menard discusses how Austin Levi has embraced leadership role for Plymouth Whalers while Tyler Seguin is fighting for a roster spot with the NHL's Boston Bruins.

The Windsor Star discusses how first-round draft pick for the Buffalo Sabres Zack Kassian was the first star in debut as he returned back to the Windsor Spitfires lineup after playing with the Sabres agianst the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Michigan WArriors lose 4-3 in shootout after blowing two-goal lead in third period in not only their season open but what is also their debut in the city of Flint. The Warriors outsed the long time Flint Generals as the hometown hockey club over the summer when they won the bid for the Perani Arena.

Picture of the Day: Chelios

It's been fun Cheli... You had a hell of a ride...




.... luckily for Hockeytown and our prospects the ride isn't over.

Probert: Visitation/Funeral Open to the Public

If you want to give your last respects to the late Bob Probert his visitation and funeral will be open to the public.

From MyFoxDetroit.com:

Visitation is Wednesday from 7 – 9 p.m. and again Thursday from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Families First Funeral Home in Windsor. The funeral is Friday at 10 a.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church in Windsor.

Families First Funeral Home & Tribute Center
3260 Dougall Avenue
Windsor, ON N9E1S6
(519) 969-5841

Windsor Christian Fellowship
4490 7th Concession
Windsor, ON N9A 6J3

Way to go Blackhawks

*Picture brought to you by the awesomeness that is Puck Daddy.

First to cross the Finnish line

History was in fact made last night as the Chicago Blackhawks hoisted the Stanley Cup. For the first time in history a Finnish goaltender will have his name engraved into Lord Stanley's Cup.

With so many great goalies coming from Finland (young stars like Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask along with Olympians Antero Niittymaki, Niklas Backstrom and Miikka Kiprusoff just to name a few) it was just a matter of time before this goal was met.

Antti Niemi come and claim your cup - it's yours to take back to Finland.

Stanley Cup Moments

First off I want to say congratulations to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization and to all their fans. You are the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions.

Now every hockey fan is looking back at the series and thinking about their favorite moment. For many in Chicago it's going to be when Captain Jonathan Toews lifted the cup for their city for the first time since 1961. Other hockey fans will enjoy the hit on Chris Pronger. Flyers' fans might be hurt and angry now but they'll come around (hopefully) and remember all of the victories the team did have on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Personally my favorite moment came from off the ice...

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/video-jeremy-roenicks-emotional-response-to-blackhawks-victory.php

Is Padawan Niemi turning into the Master?

Anyone even remember back in October when the Chicago Blackhawks were in Helsinki, Finland playing the Florida Panthers? No? Probably because the games were also on during the week at midday because of the time zones.

As an unemployed student at the time I was home and able to watch and remembering in game two Chicago decided to play this 'unknown' rookie goalie that just happened to be from Finland. The game started off with just that feel good feeling of 'awww they are letting him get his NHL debut in his home country' but turned into 'wow this kid is actually pretty good' and further into "Wow this Antti Niemi just recorded a shutout in his NHL debut in his home country."

For the life of me I can't find the article but someone had asked Niemi if he was going to take over the number one spot from Christobal Huet. I believe his answer was along the lines of "I'll try".

In the words of Yoda "Do or do not ... there is no try."

Young master Niemi did and now he is leading the Blackhawks into Game Three of the Stanley Cup finals as a rookie goalie (who was not nominated for Calder) with a 2-0 series lead.

May the force be with you...