Amazing Hockey Goals November 21, 2009

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Fans just love an amazing hockey goal and personally I can watch beautiful goals and hockey highlights on a repeated basis.

When I think about some of the most amazing hockey goals I’ve ever seen whether it be on video or in person, some of the Alexander Ovechkin goals fast come to mind. I can also remember an amazing goal scored on an amazing shot by the University of Michigan, and 9 or 10 year olds putting on a show during intermissions of games – like the 9 year old in Boston.

Do you have any goal that you consider a personal favorite?

These days, with YouTube or Google, it’s actually real easy to watch amazing hockey goals on your own computer.
We all love great goals and amazing players, don’t we?

I know that in hockey every goal counts, even the garbage ones. But you have to agree with me on this one – there’s something special with those amazing ones.

My All-Time Favorites:

Alex Ovechkin passes to himself, beats the D-men, and scores.

Alex Ovechkin curls and scores.

9-year old in Boston scores 1-on-1 shootout.

Pavel Datsyuk shootout goal.

Jonathan Toews rookie splits through defense and juggles for a goal.

Here’s the capper: Best goals in Chicago Blackhawks playoff history.

So you think you know hockey? November 19, 2009

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The Examination.

You won’t know for sure if you won’t take this quickie 10-question exam.

Score a 100% and I will consider you to be mildly knowledgeable in regard to the sport.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE HOSER HOCKEY QUIZ

2009-10 NHL Season November 18, 2009

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My thoughts after this season’s first two months.

A lot of things are happening in the league within its first two months. Notoriously bad teams in years past are playing excellent hockey to this point, the usual powerhouses are being just themselves, and some expected changes are set to take place within the league this season.

I’ve come up with a list of thoughts and observations. True viewpoints from a real hockey fan.

• Los Angeles Kings are off to a HOT start in the Pacific Division, keeping pace with perennial division champion, San Jose Sharks (28pts – 4 behind SJ’s 32). If this becomes a season-long trend, Anze Kopitar is my Hart Trophy Winner, for League MVP.

• Carolina Hurricanes, last season’s “Cardiac Canes” in the playoffs, are off to a dreadful start after the first-quarter mark of the season. Expect coaching to remain, but a mid-season fire-sale is inevitable. Such players with expiring contracts after this season are prized franchise marquee players, Ray Whitney, Rod Brind’Amour, and role player, Tuomo Ruutu.

• Glen Sather’s days as GM for the New York Rangers will be coming to an end after this season. I think he is an executive and managerial wash-up.

• First overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, John Tavares, is my nomination for Calder Trophy winner – rookie of the year. His contributions, team lead in points, and fast start are allowing the NY Islanders to keep pace with the powers of the Atlantic Division.

• Former New Jersey Devils and former Minnesota Wild coach, Jacques Lemaire has been a perfect fit as coach of the Devils in this latest reunion.

• Why is there still a team in Phoenix, Arizona? And why did this NHL franchise originally leave Winnipeg in the first place in 1996? In my opinion, hockey teams DO NOT belong in warm-climate and tropical cities. Especially in deserts and cities that have no fans.

• Please bring back a team to Quebec City. After 14 years, the Nordiques must return to the league again.

• Head hits are becoming a frequent problem in the league, often resulting to concussions and other related head injuries. Expect for this to become a league-wide zero-tolerance policy. However, keep fighting as a part of the game as it still has a place.

• The Chicago Blackhawks are playing amazing hockey, and are in first place in central division, despite being affected with injuries to Marian Hossa, Dave Bolland, and enforcer Adam Burish. When they all return this team will be scary!

Those are my thoughts at the moment. Let’s see if anything changes by this season’s mid-way point at the start of the new year.

POLL – What kind of fan are you? November 15, 2009

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Ask Yourself: Do I like Hockey?

Hockey is a unique sport that has a strange following. Some enjoy the sport more than others due to the level of interest and value of entertainment. Because of this, I am wondering what kind of hockey fans my blog readers are!

Be honest with yourselves. Your results shall be received anonymously.

Me with my sister at a Chicago Blackhawks game. January, 2008. 

So you wanna learn Hockey? November 6, 2009

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Skating, Playing, and the Other Basics.

Below is a collection of videos for those who need a lesson in learning about what hockey is.

First, learning how to get up on skates is an excellent starting point, followed by having a sense of agility, proper footwork, accelerating, stopping, and so forth.

It’s not as hard as you may think it is as the video shows. Accelerating, crossing over (turning) and stopping are your basic foundations in learning how to get started.

Now you may ask, “How do I even play?”

Simple. Learn by watching this next film, produced by USA Hockey, for the next ten minutes of your life.

That’s all that there is to learning how to play the sport. Learn the basics of skating, the rules, and then the skills and technicalities will begin coming to you.

And if you want to become a fan, and need to go see a good game, look no further than 1901 W. Madison Street in Chicago, Illinois.

It’s no wonder why hockey aficionados such as myself call this game, The Coolest Game on Earth!

Preseason Picks: The Top 5 September 27, 2009

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The Top-5 Hockey Teams of this Season.

With training camp in session, it may be too early to predict this coming season’s biggest success stories.

As an avid follower of hockey, a total of five teams have been analyzed along with the aid and of experts who cover the game for a living. The following are projected to be among the league’s elite teams during this coming season.

Detroit Red Wings

According to The Hockey News, the perennial powerhouse of the Western Conference “Is on the slow decline due to the salary cap and its aging personnel.”

Despite the losses of key players through free-agency and departure, another 100-point season is in the works. This will eventually happen due to the coaching of Mike Babcock, the veteran leadership of its established core players, and the organization’s tradition and team commitment to nothing else but winning on the ice.

According to the Canadian Bleacher Report, “There is no doubt this team won’t be as good unless some of their stars can really step-up their play.” Likewise, Scott Burnside of ESPN believes, “The Wings will once again be at, or near the top of the Western Conference.”

AP Photo

Pittsburgh Penguins

According to Elaine DuPuis of The Hockey News, “There is no reason to believe that the defending Stanley Cup Champions won’t be among one of the top teams this season, considering the fact that they have reached the Cup Finals two seasons in a row.”

It is scary to think that star players, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, who happen to be the same age as me, 22, are still a few years away from hitting the prime of their careers. As usual, both Malkin and Crosby again will have to carry this Penguins team offensively.

However, I don’t envision the Pens of advancing to the finals again due to a lack of offensive depth. “This will consequently lead to fatigue down the long run for its core players who are counted on to consistently produce for this team,” says Burnside.

Photo by Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Boston Bruins

After falling incredibly short of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the B’s will be out on the prowl for revenge, and hungrier than ever for success. “This remains a team that will challenge for the Eastern Conference title,” according to Burnside.

“Featuring the NHL’s reigning best defenseman (Zdeno Chara), goaltender (Tim Thomas) and coach (Claude Julien)” (thehockeynews.com), the Bruins also feature the tough physical play that is needed to help carry them deep into the playoffs.

Following them all of last season, there is definitely enough firepower present that makes them winners through a grueling 82 game season, and a potential two-month-long postseason.

Lastly, you still need to question their management as well as their overall outlook thanks to the questionable trade of star winger, Phil Kessel, to Toronto.

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Washington Capitals

“Still a dynamic team,” according to the Hockey News, “Alex Ovechkin and his mates are the most electric team in the NHL.”

Although the Capitals have lost notable aging veterans, the Caps will be able to make up for it with an explosive offense. Likewise, Burnside says, “This is a highly motivated and highly skilled squad that returns for a run at the Cup this season.”

Finally if they “Beef up their defensive play,” which led to their downfall in the Eastern Conference Finals against the defending champion Penguins, “I’d be surprised if they didn’t have a genuine chance at the Cup since we know the Caps can score,” claims Dupuis.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Chicago Blackhawks

Last season was Chicago’s coming out party, and we learned that the kids can play.

With their only question resting in-between the pipes at goal, Burnside believes “The Blackhawks will enter the 2009-10 season with one of the most talented blue-line corps in the NHL and the highest expectations since they last appeared in the Stanley Cup finals in 1992.”

Everyone in Chicago expects them to dethrone Detroit and to come out champions of the Western Conference.

And if we want to get crazy serious, the 2009-10 Blackhawks can be put into consideration as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, and winners.

The Blackhawks celebrate a goal during game-2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against Vancouver. 
Photo by M. Conroy/ NESN.com