2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 4

The two most unlikely of competitors in this year's Stanley Cup has brought us an intriguing pairing of two coastal cities and two of the largest media markets in the United States. Could this be a platform to which the NHL gains more mainstream popularity? It helps that the two largest markets will be involved, but only 1 team has been to the finals recently. The last time the L.A. Kings were in the finals it was 1993. Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille and Barry Melrose were bringing Los Angeles it's first taste of winning hockey. But after the Kings were thumped out by the Canadians, it took a patient team to rebuild. Now that hockey is good again in the Southern California area, what direction will the NHL take next season?


Los Angeles v. New Jersey

The two most unlikely of competitors in this year's Stanley Cup. One team is on the rise and one might be in it's twilight looking for a reshuffling underneath the leagues' salary cap. The Kings were lucky to have made the playoffs as the 8th seed. But from there, they rode a hot goaltender Jonathan Quick to a historic record eliminating the 1st 2nd and 3rd ranked teams in 1 playoff season. But as I look over Los Angeles' roster, they've gathered a lot of players who have failed in the final rounds. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards were reunited as a pair of front line forwards, but they know the feeling of choking when it counts. The New Jersey Devils have been recent winners in 2003 against the Ducks. Marty Brodeur may consider this his final run in a career. Of course, the Devils team has had a few players stick around from their 2003 team that remembers how to win a Stanley Cup series. Starting with Patrick Elias as the leader of this current Devils squad.

I'm going out on a limb here. It's the irresistible force (Kings) versus the immovable object (Devils).

Prediction: Los Angeles in 6

Hockey's Not-So-Macho Movie

I believe hockey is the best fit for all the needed requirements to make a great movie. However, Hollywood has treated our great sport with a hit or miss resulting in movies that don't get mainstream appeal. The latest movie to feature hockey is pro wrestler turned thespian Dwayne Johnson's tale of how a pro athlete can look extremely silly in a pink tutu. Yea... “The Rock” is now doing kids movies. Before this film, Dwayne Johnson had developed into an action hero, but before his fans can say “typecasting”, Johnson now picks roles that define a fish out of water. But will this film flop like a fish with fans?

“Tooth Fairy” is a 20th Century FOX production that does it's best to adapt a violent and sometimes brutal game of musclebound macho men into a story that flips everything around into a sensitivity training lesson. Even though the main character is a pro hockey player, the game is treated as just an occupation. And anything resembling a sports movie is purely coincidental.

Johnson portrays a fictional minor league hockey player Derek Thompson who relishes in his identity for hitting opposing players so hard that teeth go flying. So, from the opening title sequence, we are treated with random hockey action. The crowd cheers Derek in hopes that they might see another molar extraction. Once again, Hollywood has chosen to emphasize the negative aspects of hockey to movie audiences. The hope of having a hockey movie ever becoming a mainstream appeal just might be as realistic as fairies. Thompson is so comfortable with his role as the enforcing muscle, he has his own leather recliner seat in the penalty box. Soon after the hockey chicanery, the film's plot takes over as quick as a line change.

Derek Thompson soon learns that the latest edition to his team, the Lansing Ice Wolves, is a superstar prospect that needs protection. The superstar, Mick Donnelly (Ryan Sheckler), instantly shows no interest in bonding to any of his teammates knowing he is only there to get ready for the major leagues. Derek becomes embittered with the task of protecting a brash kid and takes it out on another young fan seeking an autograph. Derek Thompson doesn't believe anymore.

His terrible attitude spills over into his private life with his girlfriend Carly, played by the aging but still exquisite Ashley Judd. She has a teenage son and precocious pint-sized daughter. No matter how much he tries, Thompson cannot relate to the kids. But magic intends to change that to protect other youngsters from not believing.

For two weeks Thompson is condemned to moonlight as a powder blue silk pajama and matching tights wearing tooth fairy – including wings. For the rest of the movie, Derek Thompson is clumsily balancing his masculinity while acquiring children's teeth without getting caught or his sentence will be extended further.

The hockey action is replaced by a cameo performance by Billy Crystal as Jerry the fairy who equips Derek Thompson with every tool he needs. Crystal gives another classic performance equal to his appearance in The Princess Bride (1987). Crystal even returns at the end donned in LA Kings paraphernalia. The movie even squeezes another elegant performance from another silver screen diamond Julie Andrews as the distinguished head fairy to turn up an eyebrow at every klutzy Dwayne Johnson scene.

By the end of the film, Derek Thompson discovers that not only should little children continue to use the magic of make believe, but Derek teaches some respect to the bratty superstar teammate. Finally, through Derek, we all learn the lesson that so little movies seem to exclude – the ability to believe in yourself.

Before I saw the film, I gathered some representative sampling of the interest that may or may not be gathering for the “Tooth Fairy”. If this film is successful, then maybe hockey movies may not get extinct in mainstream Hollywood. But, I allowed myself to be swayed to the populist opinion that “Tooth Fairy” may not be any good. After the film, Dwayne Johnson and cast made a believer out of me.

3.5 hockey sticks out of 5
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Love Guru a Hit and Miss

Mike Myers, of Austin Powers fame, has delivered yet another character in Pitka, a master guru of love connections. However, Myers character cannot know carnal love himself until he learns to love himself at the behest of his own teacher. I first broke the news way back in August 2007.

Myers is up to his old tricks by interspersing penis jokes into his films and this time, with random hockey action. I was hoping that this movie was going to reboot interest in hockey in Hollywood, but thanks to Mike Myers' sophomoric humor, I don't think it is going to do all that well. Dare I say - "bomb".

There are only a few things that I did like in The Love Guru film. The first being the Leafs in the Stanley Cup finals. Sports movies are all about the impossible coming to realization, if only for a thrill. The Leafs are far from the cup, but at least Leafs fans get a small taste of what it would have looked like.

Attired in my Maple Leafs jersey, I paid to go see this film opening weekend because I was eager to see just how well hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to be treated. Myers is a Leafs fan, so no doubt it would be a positive role.

Guru Pitka is hired by the Maple Leafs to get the fictitious star captain Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) back with his estranged wife so that his on-ice play could resume to superstar status and win the Stanley Cup. The main nemesis in the film is Jacques "Le Cock" Grande a well-endowed goalie for the LA Kings (who just so happens to be playing in the Cup Finals. Rob Blake is the only real NHL star to make an appearance despite all the AHL Marlies stand-ins hired to make the film.

Jessica Alba, portraying the Leafs team President, gives an underrated performance as she is riddled by esteem issues since the Leafs have looked like a disaster on the ice. By the end of the film, Alba stands up to the rowdy Leafs fans in classic fashion.

Lastly, there is some really great positive self help tips sprinkled through the beginning of this movie that actually makes sense. I am seriously considering some of the wisdom offered by Pitka to his group.

"There is no failure, only early attempts at success" - Guru Pitka

But if you can't quite take my word for it, then go ahead and read this brief blog entry Occasional Superheroine: Best Worst Review Ever...

Mariska Hargitay!

[Via: The Love Guru Official Site]

Penguins Players are Born, Not Made

Congratulations to Ryan Malone and to his wife for giving birth to a baby boy last night. The "yet to be named" Baby Malone was mentioned numerous times on FSN Pittsburgh while his dad played against the Los Angeles Kings in the Mellon Arena on a rare 1pm puck drop.

On an energized shift, Ryan chopped at the puck that made it flip over the glove of netminder Jason LaBarbara and gave the goal-oriented Penguins a 2-0 lead in the second period. No doubt the puck was immediately swooped up and presented to the new daddy as a fitting prize.

Ryan Malone is a legacy of players dating back to his father Greg Malone who spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the late 70s. After his playing days were over, Greg was hired as a scout for the Penguins

It is not known weather or not the new "baby Malone" will inherit any talent or desire to play in the NHL, but I am sure that the Penguins scouting staff will be keeping an eye on him. What are the chances of a third generation of Malones to put on the #12?

LA Kings Playing Ol Britannia

EJ Hradek grants this interesting little information to the "worldwide sports leader" about future plans concerning the National Hockey League and the Los Angeles Kings.

It sounds like an interesting move to promote the game in England with some interest gaining in the English Elite League Hockey (EIHL). Before this, North American hockey fans would only hear about these teams when a troubled Theo Fleury found work with the Belfast Giants.

According to multiple league sources, the Los Angeles Kings will open next season with a pair of games at The O2 in London. The O2 is a state-of-the-art arena scheduled to open...in early July. It is operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which also owns the Kings.

Well that is also a great set of facts there. I can tell EJ really did his homework here to point out the hows and whys of this scheduling move.


[Via: 4-Letter Network]

King of LA Kings

After 19 NHL seasons, 1400 NHL games, 4 teams and a cameo appearance in a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, it's only fitting for the true face of Los Angeles Kings hockey to finally take his rightful throne.

Luc Robitaille has finally surpassed all others to become the leading goal scorer in Kings franchise history. And he did so with dramatic fashion yesterday with a hat-trick against a hot Atlanta team who won 5 games in a row.

"It's certainly something I'll cherish forever," Robitaille said. "It was an amazing night. Nights like this are always fun when you win on top of it. I wanted it to happen earlier, but it was special to do it at home. I have so many great memories here."

Translation: I can retire now.

It won't be long now before the #20 is raised to the LA Staples Center wall. The fans have certainly appreciated him long enough through his 50% French 50% broken English accent. And they also seem to have forgiven him to go play for rival Detroit and winning a Cup there unable bring LA one.

The only real injustice comes with the way that #99's legacy overshadows the team's history when Robitaille, the real face of the franchise, was with the Kings almost twice as long. Do the fans ever reference the guy that Luc surpassed in Marcel Dionne and Rogatien "Roggie" Vachon?

Hopefully, this scoring title will launch Lucky Luc to be remembered as one of the great LA sports icons.

[Via: TSN.ca]

Penguins Sign Palffy

To hockey fans, the world is crazy and just doesn't make sense anymore. Since 12 noon on August 1st, NHL fans have been witness to one of the craziest off seasons in history. Players have moved around signing where they may be needed and some other even given the key to their own destiny.

Such is the case with Zigmund Palffy (seen at right), who spent time with the Islanders and Kings. Today, Palffy signed a 3 year deal worth 13.5 million dollars. As a fast skating forward, he has the best chance to clean up more goals with similar speedy winger Konstantin Koltzov. His role may be expected to be like that of Alex Kovalev who was speedy and had an excellent shot.

This is an amazing signing for a team who was once on their last legs and playing their way out of the city. The Penguins will be a force in the Atlantic Division once again.

Of course, I'm excited too because Palffy is from Skalica, Slovakia.

[Via: Rogers Sportsnet]