Toronto Hosts Centennial Classic in Memorable Style

The NHL really knows how to make a big production of a big event and there is nothing bigger than the Outdoor game kicking off the NHL's 100th anniversary season. Of course, the league put the game on in "hockey's Vatican" believing it to be the most traditional site for a game like this to celebrate the history of the league. Starting off on a delay, the league post-poned the time so that the sun wasn't glaring on the ice. From the start, it looked like a great day for a hockey game like this one. It wasn't snowing or it didn't have sub-zero temperatures, but the game was ideal for vision and television cameras.

But once the introductions and pre-game festivities got underway, I got a little bored as the player introductions to the top 100 players of all time lagged on and on and on. Yes, every single player represented by their family member deserved their moment, after a while the need to get the game underway was palpable not only in my living room, but hopefully on the stadium. Then, the Anthems were sung with a total opposite production. The Star Spangled banner was loud and drawn out which makes a lot of Americans cringe. Anthem singers are supposed to be required to sing the song respectfully and not give their own stylistic interpretation. The Canadian anthem was the opposite who sung in a low subdued key. The fly-by of the jet was cool to look at as it soared through the city.

Then there was Wayne. Gretzky had just been in St. Louis for a hockey alumni game and now going through all the ordeals with the press and photo-ops in Toronto today. I wondered what time did he get to rest? Amazing at how much he just does what he's asked to do and no complaints later. By then, the Leafs and Wings were being brought out from the locker rooms. Breaking from the tradition of outdoor games bringing the teams to the rink, instead, they came out to theme music one at a time. With me in my old KOHO TML jersey, I saw how amazing the new Leafs centennial alternates look like in action. I think I want one now. Beauts! Both teams look impeccable with their jerseys this afternoon. And lets also give a lot of credit to the host BMO field, the now multi-purpose soccer pitch that looks majestic leaving nothing in the States to compare it to. This is what a stadium should look like. the 100 mold on the field was also a very nice touch.

The first period ended in a 0-0 snorefest, but there was some great quality chances interspersed with video highlight packages. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews were also in the crowd to talk about their son Auston.

In the first intermission we get treated to some Bryan Adams playing his hits and the audience singing along to Summer of 69.

The second period the NBC crew doubles down on trying to identify players for fans to keep an eye on. I can tell they want MI favored son Dylan Larkin to become a future leader on the Wings. But it was legacy NHL player Anthony Mantha to get the Wings on the scoreboard first. The other notable things from this period was the momentum swinging too-many-men penalty that the Leafs took while they were supposed to be on the PP. It's the kind of mental mistakes that wreck a growing team like the Leafs. And there was also the brief interview taken by a young leafs fan with a Matthews jersey. He looked really awkward standing in Jeremy Roenick's shadow.

More Matthews and Larkin profiles.

The third period started off with a rush of blue jerseys and "Uncle Leo" Komarov picking up a goal standing right in front of the net. But that wasn't the only thing that riled up the Leafs in front of their host crowd in the Stadium - a Matt Martin vs Steve Ott heavyweight bout put some energy into the game that has been mostly a defensive grinding affair. This turned into a Leafs scoring blitz by Brown, Matthews and Marner until a Jonathan Ericsson goal made things a little more interesting with 5 minutes left in the game. It's certainly turning into a Classic game to remember with the Toronto crowd getting their money's worth. Then Larkin, the kid the've been hyping the whole game, makes a great little flip over Andersen's right shoulder to bring it within one goal. 4-3 Leafs.

With the goalie pulled and prior to no time remaining on the clock, the Red Wings find the puck and shovel it in through a pile of bodies taking up the crease. And after a lengthy review, the game went to OT.

The overtime flow of a 3-on-3 game brought scoring chances to both teams, but it was Auston Matthews backhanding the puck over the Detroit goalie's shoulder.

As the game came to a close, I am at a loss for any answer that could suggest a game better than the one I just saw. The game turned out to be all it was hyped to be and leaves a follow up classic in St. Louis to try and match the same kind of drama and entertainment.

Game of the Week - Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings

This week was a little difficult for me to get this out on time. This weekend was quite rough personally, but as my dedication to my readers and fans, here is the latest Game of the Week episode via twitch and uploaded to youtube.

I didn't really have an idea from the news or feedback from enough fans yet, so, the NHL.com featured the Blue Jackets and I also wanted to see the Red Wings get featured at least once. And here went the match-up.



If you have a match-up possibility that you would like to see played out on NHL 15, then leave a comment below or in the appropriate social media channels.

Detroit Goalie Mask Gets More Attention to Breast Cancer Awareness October

Jimmy Howard's Mask October 2013

Sports leagues in October (as well as this hockey blog) have been very eager to help create sensitivity and awareness towards social issues like the need for more breast cancer research funding. In the NHL, they started with little "Hokey Fights Cancer" stickers on helmets. But then they started selling a lot of pink NHL merchandise and the fad of publicly showing support of breast cancer charity.

Since then, all hockey leagues at all levels have some kind of month long event. Even here at Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic
we choose to honor the fight for a cure and donate for continued research in cancer medical research.

This year, Detroit's Jimmy Howard is taking the month of October to a newer level and will debut a new pink ribbon mask (seen at right). What do you think of the mask design? Is this another leap forward in the pink phenomenon that continues to grow every year?

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Better Dead Than Red

Earlier in the year, I had made a bet with a devout Detroit Red Wings fan. I tried making it very clear to her that I don't agree with the way that the Red Wings run their franchise. Eventually, it's going to catch up with them and they are going to have to rebuild with younger players and stop collecting all the "past-their-prime" free agents.

So, I left a comment saying that I was so sure that this lockout shortened year of 2013 was the year that the Red Wings were going to end their playoff streak. But on the slight chance that they DID make the playoffs, I would have to find a Red Wings jersey and appear on camera wearing it.

Now, this would certainly be a truly embarrassing thing for me to do considering how much of a devoted Pittsburgh Penguins fan I am. So, check out this latest edition of the Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic youtube video. If you would like to see them first before they get published here on blog, then please subscribe to the youtube channel.,I've certainly learned my lesson about making bets that maybe turn into "sucker bets".

Maybe next year will be the year Red Wings fans revolt and start to realize that their team is just a "graveyard" where careers go to die.

Nabokov Gets Picked Up By Islanders on Way To Motor City.

Believing that he would sign with a contending team, the once premier goalie in the NHL, Nabokov, has been picked up by the New York Islanders off waivers because since he played this year in the KHL Russian league. However, not going to the team he wanted, created a bit of a stir within the League and consequently debated through the continent-wide media. And according to the AP sources, Nabokov did not deal well with the news.

Snow said when he identified himself on the phone, Nabokov immediately hung up.

Can you really blame GM Garth Snow for trying? His fan base is increasingly growing upset at the losing seasons and status of the Lighthouse Project. If the attempt at acquiring a goaltender to replace underachieving Rick DiPietro could spark some hope, then why not use the waiver rules to the fullest advantage.

Now, the Islanders have 2 options with Nabokov. They can suspend him for the rest of the season leaving Nabokov the contractual obligation to play the full season next year. Or the Isles can use the newly acquired goalie as trade bait back to the Red Wings and possibly pick up some other players instead.

"I'm not going to speculate," Snow said. "I'm looking forward to having him in an Islanders uniform. We can cross those bridges when we get there. I'm not there yet."

Islanders owner Charles Wang hinted that the Islanders aren't likely to just cut ties with Nabokov and allow him to go back on the waiver wire.

Nabokov's position is that he really doesn't want to treat the Islanders in such public fashion.

Nabokov told ESPN.com on Sunday that his decision to spurn the Islanders is not personal. He merely intended to hook on with a title-contending team and not an also-ran club such as the Islanders, who own the third-fewest points in the NHL.

"I think I'm going to stay home for now, I'm sticking with my decision," Nabokov said Sunday. "It's nothing against the Islanders and their organization. It's nothing to do with that. It's just that I'm at the point in my career where I want to help a team win in the playoffs. I don't see how I could help the Islanders or what I could do for them. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. And I hope they understand that.

Nabokov was once considered a premier goaltender in the NHL and gained most notoriety with the Sharks playoff runs. However, once it was known that Nabokov was asking for too much, NHL General Managers have wained on him considering his inability to take a team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

A native of Kazakhstan, Nabokov was considered one of the top goaltenders on the market after finishing the 2009-10 season with a 44-16-10 record, 2.43 goals-against average and three shutouts for San Jose.

[Via: MLive.com & Vancouver Sun]

Bob Probert Dies Near Windsor Home

When most recent players announce their retirement, I feel a little old considering that I remember when they were rookies. I remember Probert's career right around the time that I started to really get into hockey. Every team feared fighting him and playing against him.

Probert played in 935 regular-season games and amassed 3,300 penalty minutes, including 2,090 PIMs with the Red Wings, which still stands as a franchise record. He compiled 114 goals and 145 assists in Detroit.

“What that does is puts a huge impact on the other team. How were they going to react and how were they going to match-up? I think there were quite a few tough guys who made money because of Bob, where teams needed to sign somebody, or have somebody to match-up with Bob Probert.

Probert passed on near his home in Windsor, ON while working on his boat. I have been reading up on some articles all over the Internet and since his retirement, his life has been resembling a road to redemption. Probert's reputation takes on a little black mark while getting in trouble with the law and dabbling in illegal substances.

But as most eulogies do, people still tend to focus on the positives as Bob Probert did a lot for the communities he was associated with.

He once donated a “significant amount of money” so a sick young boy could fly to Los Angeles for an expensive medical procedure.

“He helped save a little boy’s life,” said Ducharme. “And he wanted to do so anonymously. He didn’t want anybody to know about it. He did that out of the goodness of his heart and because he was a good person.”

The test results for an autopsy has not been released yet, but I'd be willing to bet that it was something that was heart related. Ironic. A player who had both a good heart and bad heart.

[Via: Click on Detroit & Yahoo! Sports & Detroit Red Wings Official Page]

Lightning Catch Stevie Y in a Bottle

For once in his life, Steve Yzerman, the prolific ex-captain and now ex-front office management, has disappointed the Red Wings fan base. He accepted an opportunity to be a General Manager with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

When his name first surfaced as a candidate for the job, all the pundits immediately suggested that if the other Detroit GMs don't step down soon, then Yzerman may have to move in a rare and best first chance to be a GM.

I like this move for all kinds of reasons. The team in Tampa hits skids of under achievement from time to time. Steve has already announced his intentions with an initial statement the team regarding a potential new direction.

"This is a long-term project for me. I believe building a Stanley Cup caliber team takes time and there will be many decisions, some lengthy, that will be made over the course of time," Yzerman said.

Even though Steve is looking towards the future of the Tampa organization, you could tell that it was really tough for him to leave Detroit when it's been his home for the past 20+ years.

"It was very difficult to leave the Red Wings. I've been there my whole career and I was very safe there, surrounded by people I knew and looked out for me," Yzerman said. "That's my home and where my children were born. So this is a major decision, and one I've thought about for a long time."

No word on weather or not he would have the inside track about signing free agents from the Red Wings or have to work on overdrive to stay up-to-date on the draft coming up in late June. Most GM's already have their junior prospects listed for the entry draft by now.

[Via: Fox Sports Net]

Boston College Wins Frozen Four

Boston College is this year's NCAA college ice hockey champions. Congrats to them.

It has long since stood as a perennial hockey hotbed and produced a litany of NHL stars. And now that it captures yet another title, hockey will continue to grow at the University level.

It also grew a little more attention to the Big Ten Conference that had the Wisconsin Badgers on the front stage.

There are some really interesting facts that The Hockey News (link at the bottom) had pointed out in their article.

1. 37,592 was a record crowd to see it in Detroit's Ford Field.
2. This was the first shutout game final since 2004 when Maine was shut out by U of Denver.

[Via: The Hockey News]

Pittsburgh Penguins are Stanley Cup Champions!

If you scroll down a bit, you will notice that I called it correctly that the Penguins would not only win, but win the series in 7 games. So, congratulations Pittsburgh Penguins! You all have done your city proud! The game itself was a bit anti-climactic to where the skill players for the Penguins and Red Wings weren't locked in a scoring battle, but grinding out a defensive struggle. When there was hardly little to cheer at the end of the first period, the score read a double goose egg at 0-0. I was preparing myself for a let-down, but still I permitted the thoughts to having a good feeling of being in great shape. Both teams played defensively.

I watched the NBC version and still felt like I should pay attention to their production of the game as well. Even if "Mad Mike" Milbury is remembered for dissolving the success of both the Bruins and Islanders, I still find him a truly entertaining personality between periods. Unfortunately, NBC does have to keep looking for more hosts that have more bravado than Darren Pang and Pierre McGuire. Can anyone really tell those two apart? Do they really need two dwarfish bald men?

The second period was the most exciting and the most controversial. Max Talbot, or as his closest friends call him "Superstar", let one rip past Osgood's 5 hole after a bad turn over pass in the corner. It wasn't Crosby or any of the other Penguin star players, but Max Talbot getting the opening goal. Clutch performances have been coming from unlikely sources. Not only did he get one goal, but he also grabbed destiny by the horns and scored the second goal. Then came the one moment that everyone in Pittsburgh held their breath. Sid Crosby got his leg caught between the boards and Johan Franzen. Crosby had already missed some time from a lower body injury that wiped out most of his second part of the season. Penguins fans got the scare of their lives when Crosby hobbled to the bench then to the locker room. Did this cost the Penguins the cup?

At the second period intermission, I was hoping that Marc-Andre Fleury would be able to withstand the pressure knowing he has never truly held together under situations like these. But that would only be on the back burner of concerns once the reports of how hurt Sid Crosby was.

Third period was more of the first, but with the added unknown factor of just how effective was a Sid Crosby on one leg. The Red Wings made a gutsy effort, even getting the lead cut in half by Jonathan Ericsson. But the final few minutes even produced a gigantic rush of desperation. With the goalie pulled, Fleury managed to make not one but two huge saves and hold on for the win.

“It’s a dream come true,” Crosby said. “It’s everything you imagined and more. I would’ve loved to do it in four. It would have been a lot easier on the nerves.”

The post-game celebration was tremendous. Hossa looked the most dejected out of any Red Wing that the camera panned over to. Of course, the Detroit fans booed the Commish, and no doubt seethed anger to see hockey's youngest and triumphant captain hoist the Cup above his head. Malkin deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. Too bad his parents were not in the building. Malkin raised the trophy as if it were weightless, but I had visions of what happened to the CHL's Memorial trophy just a year ago.

... and on one additional note, Mario Lemieux is getting noticeably older. His playoff beard and hair is actually starting to get some big streaks of gray.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

P.S. Happy Birthday, Kris.

2009 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Round 4

Here we all are again at the Stanley Cup final, but again with the Penguins vs. Red Wings match up. The game is being sold in the Pittsburgh media as a rematch from last years series, but with the still lingering open wounds of Hossa opting for Detroit.

Despite being told to "get over it", the Hossa factor does add an additional storyline for the series. For the Red Wings to win, it would justify Hossa's free agent decision - something that will never sit well with the Penguins fan base.

Pittsburgh has many nicknames and most recently, "Hockey'tahn". The pride they take in their championships is woven into the fabric of the community. If the Penguins win, they will have justified the struggles of a rebuilding team and the struggles of new arena costs.

Detroit vs. Pittsburgh
As mentioned before, Marian Hossa is a player with something to prove - to himself and to the fans. Look for him to take advantage of an under skilled defensive unit and benefit from intimate knowledge of how the Penguins play defense. Detroit will once again take on the veteran attitude of "been there - done that" and need only to point to the rafters and count the 20+ championship banners. But with veteran skills, they aren't getting any younger.

The youth is still on Pittsburgh's side. Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can recover quickly in back-to-back games. If only non-Pittsburgh fans could see the determination and desire behind Sid's eyes, you would understand the competitive drive that Crosby carries with him. Fluery, still trying to shed the "non-ready for prime-time" stigma MUST be at the top of his game.

Prediction: Pittsburgh in 7

"Mrs. Hockey" Dies

Always the model of the supportive spouse, Colleen Howe passed away last Friday due to a long illness. While the hockey world mourns, fans are encouraged to donate to a good cause found on the Detroit News Website.

The Howe Foundation is a long standing philanthropy to help people with physical ailments. From their Website:

Colleen J. Howe, President of Power Play International and Power Play Publications, Inc. has created the Howe Foundation. Colleen's great love for people and especially children gave her the vision to create a foundation that would generate money for children of all ages in need. Her mission is to improve the quality of life through developing programs for children in physical or psychological crisis. The Howe Foundation has continued to grow through the years raising thousands of dollars.

Another interesting thing about this story is finding out that "Mr. Hockey" is Catholic.

[Via: Detroit News & The Howe Foundation]

NHL Ratings Increase During Winter Classic

Not only was there more eyes focused on the Winter Classic in Chicago, but there was also an increase in Bridgestone tire company mentions during the entire broadcast. I am a bit jealous because I still liked the uniqueness of the big Buffalo game.

Last year's Winter Classic at the Buffalo Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5.0 share on NBC when Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 2-1 in a shootout.

It marked a return for NHL on TV and stuck it to all the haters who wanted to see hockey wither and die out. But now that last years game was a phenomenal and true classic, more eyes wanted to check out the second version.

Ratings increased 12 per cent in the U.S. for the NHL's third outdoor game, which featured the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field.

It might have had something to do with the larger market and with that... a more even interest level. Chicago currently fits within the 3rd largest media market in the country. Despite holding a game in New York's Yankee Stadium, the Wrigley Field set-up gave it a intriguing storyline.

The hard part was selling non-Wings and Hawks fans on the game too.

The New Year's Day event on NBC earned a 2.9 overnight rating and a 6.0 share, the best overnight NHL regular-season rating in nearly 13 years. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 6-4.

Almost immediately, pundits reported that they know cities are lining up to bid on the next game in 2011.

[Via: Toronto Star]

Penguins Exorcise their Bad Playoff Final Memories

...and THAT is why hockey is the greatest sport in the world.

according to talk show host Mark Madden. It truly was nice to see a non-Penguins team blow a lead for once.

A hyped-up game from the start of the year, the Penguins and Red Wings were destined for a titanic rematch after last year's finals.

The game was a remarkable drama that built on the strong rivalry that is starting to grow. The leaders of the team, Crosby, Malkin, and Staal you can tell decided to step up their talent and fought off the hard working defensive system that you could tell was frustrating the Penguins. It took an extra effort from an entire team to show the Red Wings that they weren't going to forget what happened in the Finals last year and are now stronger having learned from the experience.

[Via: Mark Madden on WXDX-FM]

NHL Preparing Chicago For Winter Classic

Something like this 2 years ago would be considered unimaginable under the previous Blackhawk ownership regime. But the city of Chicago had been rewarded with hockey's latest spectacle, leaving the NHL to sell it to the fans and the networks for news coverage.

“The Chicago Cubs are honored for Wrigley Field to be the first baseball venue to host a National League Hockey game,” said Crane Kenney, Chairman of the Cubs. “We thank all of those involved for helping make New Year’s Day at the Friendly Confines a reality, including Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, our Alderman Tom Tunney, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings organizations.”

Last year's game was special as I had deep rooting interest since my hometown team was participating in it. The NHL and media will have to make a bigger effort this year to get me to stay attentive to this event.

First of all, the game will not be played in a football stadium like last year's Ralph Wilson stadium or Commonwealth Stadium years before. The natural oval shape of football stadiums make for great viewing, but the baseball field leaves plenty of unused surface area unsused. I had the same concerns back when the WWE hosted Wrestlemania 19 in Safeco Field in Seattle. The camera panning over the crowds made unusual angles.

I wish this next game will provide more Chicago fans back the the NHL game now with the promise of a future for this once proud "Original Six" city.

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley added, “Chicago is widely known as the best sports town in the country. That’s why we are delighted that the National Hockey League has selected Chicago for its NHL Winter Classic 2009. We look forward to hosting the Detroit Red Wings in historic Wrigley Field and cheering the Chicago Blackhawks to victory.”

This is a historic 701st meeting vs these two oldest NHL teams. You would think this would be a very well-known rivalry, but in my opinion it is shadowed by the likes of Toronto/Montreal, Colorado/Detroit, and Calgary/Edmonton.

As long as the NHL can continue promote the game's storyline, perhaps even building some drama through media headlines, then I see this as another continued success for the league and their search for signs for more improved TV ratings.

With the promise of more news TBA-ed, I wonder if they again plan to use throwback jerseys during the game?

[Via: NHL.com]

Roy Ruins for Redwings

Okay. Patrick Roy is inept this series.

His Colorado Avalanche had a chance to win the Western Conference against the Detroit Red Wings, but his "cocky" attitude got him in trouble tonight.

When three Red Wings rushed him, Roy bent down to cover the puck with his glove hand. In an attempt to hold it up to the referee in his glove hand, he misses and leaves the puck there on the ice. One of the alert Red Wings players knocks the puck in the net for a first period goal! After Patrick Roy had found out what happened, he certainly had egg on his face.

Patrick, you blew it for your team. Instead, the Red Wings tied up the series 3-3!