Keeping it short.
I know the Red Wings have won 16 games in a row at home and all that, but this is going to be the most important game of that streak. This is a chance to get three points up on St. Louis, which is going to be huge because the sixth and final meeting of the season between the two teams doesn't come until April 4. It's also a chance to stay in first in the entire league with a win. The home win streak is going to end at some point, but with their shaky road efforts games like these are all the more important. I want a win and I want it in regulation.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Australia kicks off Olympic qualifying in 2012
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| Getty Images |
This post will kick off hopefully a full seven months of coverage of the 2012 Olympic qualification events. For some sports qualification started all the way back in 2010, but there are a ton of sports that have yet to start the process of sending athletes to the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Oceanian Archery Championships took place on January 1-2, and Australia dominated the competition, ensuring that Australia will have at least one representative in both the individual men's and women's competitions. In archery qualifying, the respective athletes don't win bids to the Games, individual National Olympic Committees do, and most countries determine who will represent them at their national qualifying tournaments.
Aussie Ryan Tyack won the men's individual event at the competition held in New Zealand with a score of 674. Tyack is enjoying continued success after setting the Australian national record of 685 last month. Elisa Barnard, also an Australian, won the women's individual event.
In addition, Fiji and Samoa qualified for the men's and women's individual events at the London games.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Francis slams Kuznetsov; related, Francis is an idiot
Eric Francis is an idiot. This column is being blasted today and I figured I'd chip in as well.
CALGARY - Somewhere in D.C. Alex Ovechkin is smiling.
You bet he is. Evgeni Kuznetsov looks like the real deal. Already fans and analysts are talking about him being Alexander Semin's replacement for the Capitals. He just had four points in Russia's dramatic win versus Canada yesterday night...Ovechkin has a reason to smile. (That, and it looks like he's finally regained his scoring touch.)
That gap in his grin is gaping like Team Canada's net seemed to be early Tuesday night in what will go down as one of the most shocking losses in Canadian junior lore.
WAS, not seemed. WAS. The net was gaping. Russia was leading 5-1 at the end of the second. They finished with six goals.
After a perfect roundrobin, the Canadians were denied a trip to the world junior championship final for the first time since medal-round play was introduced 11 years ago, thanks to a spectacular 6-5 loss to Russia at the Dome.
The Washington Capitals forward, who is only starting to recover from the legendary 7-3 beatdown Canada laid on Russia in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Olympics, had to have been watching his Russian juniors semifinal win with glee.
I'm pretty sure he's recovered, and yes, he likely was in glee over the win. Carry on.
Fitting then that the man who did most of the damage was 19-year-old Capitals prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov, who will no doubt join Ovechkin in Washington next year to follow in the Gr8 Eight's footsteps.
Not only did the kid drafted 26th overall in 2010 score three times and add an assist in a game that was 5-1 Russia by the end of the second (only to end as a one-goal game, thanks to Canada's heart), he also factored in on some of the shenanigans that made both teams look bad for a time.
He's 19 years old playing in a tournament in which the media, mostly the Canadian media, glorifies every success and mistake these kids make. A tournament in which kids celebrate like they won the Stanley Cup after scoring to put their team ahead 8-0. Remember that.
As a frustrated Canadian squad began its meltdown late in the second period with a series of penalties and goals against, Russian Ildar Isangulov decided to lash back with a vicious elbow to the face of Boone Jenner.
As the groggy Canadian slowly got up Kuznetsov went over to say something to him.
The contents of the discussion will clearly never be relayed accurately but whether he was rubbing salt in the wound of an injured player or offering sincere condolences, he should have known better.
That was a large section to quote, but are you kidding me right now? So in the NHL, after a big and possibly controversial hit, NO ONE goes over an talks to anybody? Granted he talked to the player who was hit, but evidently Jenner was feeling good enough to talk, let alone spear him.
He had no business being around the fallen player.
He was fallen for a short time, and got up. I haven't seen a replay of the aftermath except for a quick one after the hit, but it's not like Kuznetsov stood over him while Jenner was on the ice.
Granted, although provoked, Jenner should have known better than to attempt to spear Kuznetsov (and receive a game misconduct for his effort).
As the only returning player from last year's gold medal-winning team, Kuznetsov wears the C on a team it appears at times he wants simply to carry on his back.
God forbid the most talented player on the team want to carry the team on his back against tough competition.
After scoring his second goal of the game, Kuznetsov refused to embrace any of his four teammates, instead soaking up the limelight himself while showboating and then making his way over to the Russian bench for high-fives.
While I don't particularly like that, this is different than the Canadian kids showboating during an 6-1, 7-1 game? I'm being vague, but come on.
After setting up the Russian's fifth goal with a brilliant pass of his own, Kuznetsov was again content to celebrate alone.
For those unfamiliar, Kuznetsov made a name for himself earlier in the tourney when he threatened a tourney record with nine points in a 14-0 win over the Latvians.
They were the only points he scored in the entire tourney until last night.
Yes, he picked a perfect time to show up again and participate.
He's a heck of a talent, but not much of a teammate.
So that's why he was named team captain...that's why he has seven assists in the tournament so far...that's why this happened:
Because he's a bad teammate. As if Francis knows what exactly goes on in the Russia locker room and on the ice. Right.
I also like this, courtesy of Scott Wasilewski:
He was the one who selfishly tried to score on the empty net in the final minute by icing the puck and giving Canada another shot at tying the game.
Smart, team players don't do that.
Players trying to pad stats do.
REALLY? It was the end of a shift, Canada had crazy pressure on the Russian's, and he had a pretty good chance at the empty net to seal the game. He didn't miss by much. I guarantee any other player on the ice for Russia would have done the same thing.
He was also the one who showed little humility while accepting his player-of-the-game award by putting his hands up to his ears to encourage the booing that rained down on him.
Some call it being a character.
Yet the wonderful and passionate Canadian fans are in the clear to boo Kuznetsov and head for the exits during the Russian anthem. Okay.
Others call it being classless -- the kind of thing a kid who scores nine points on midget players would do.
Hahaha. While not Canadian, I guess Peter Forsberg is on the same level as Kuznetsov for scoring 10 points for Sweden against Japan in 1992. I bet it was perfectly okay when Canada's Gabriel Bourque padded his stats with seven points in a 16-0 rout of Latvia. Mike Cammalleri and Dave Andreychuk are also classless for scoring so many points in one game against "midget players."
He's 19 and he has lots of growing up to do.
Then why does this article even exist. He's 19. You could have just ended there.
But that didn't make it any less painful to watch on the juniors' biggest stage last night.
You know what was more painful? Watching Boone Jenner embarrass himself by spearing Kuznetsov, Jonathan Huberdeau get kicked out for mouthing off to the ref (presumably) and Brett Connolly somehow getting away with a punch to the throat of a Russia player.
In a Washington organization that also houses Ovechkin and Alex Semin, somehow we think Kuznetsov will fit right in.
As a potential lethal offensive forward. Got it.
CALGARY - Somewhere in D.C. Alex Ovechkin is smiling.
You bet he is. Evgeni Kuznetsov looks like the real deal. Already fans and analysts are talking about him being Alexander Semin's replacement for the Capitals. He just had four points in Russia's dramatic win versus Canada yesterday night...Ovechkin has a reason to smile. (That, and it looks like he's finally regained his scoring touch.)
That gap in his grin is gaping like Team Canada's net seemed to be early Tuesday night in what will go down as one of the most shocking losses in Canadian junior lore.
WAS, not seemed. WAS. The net was gaping. Russia was leading 5-1 at the end of the second. They finished with six goals.
After a perfect roundrobin, the Canadians were denied a trip to the world junior championship final for the first time since medal-round play was introduced 11 years ago, thanks to a spectacular 6-5 loss to Russia at the Dome.
The Washington Capitals forward, who is only starting to recover from the legendary 7-3 beatdown Canada laid on Russia in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Olympics, had to have been watching his Russian juniors semifinal win with glee.
I'm pretty sure he's recovered, and yes, he likely was in glee over the win. Carry on.
Fitting then that the man who did most of the damage was 19-year-old Capitals prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov, who will no doubt join Ovechkin in Washington next year to follow in the Gr8 Eight's footsteps.
Not only did the kid drafted 26th overall in 2010 score three times and add an assist in a game that was 5-1 Russia by the end of the second (only to end as a one-goal game, thanks to Canada's heart), he also factored in on some of the shenanigans that made both teams look bad for a time.
He's 19 years old playing in a tournament in which the media, mostly the Canadian media, glorifies every success and mistake these kids make. A tournament in which kids celebrate like they won the Stanley Cup after scoring to put their team ahead 8-0. Remember that.
As a frustrated Canadian squad began its meltdown late in the second period with a series of penalties and goals against, Russian Ildar Isangulov decided to lash back with a vicious elbow to the face of Boone Jenner.
As the groggy Canadian slowly got up Kuznetsov went over to say something to him.
The contents of the discussion will clearly never be relayed accurately but whether he was rubbing salt in the wound of an injured player or offering sincere condolences, he should have known better.
That was a large section to quote, but are you kidding me right now? So in the NHL, after a big and possibly controversial hit, NO ONE goes over an talks to anybody? Granted he talked to the player who was hit, but evidently Jenner was feeling good enough to talk, let alone spear him.
He had no business being around the fallen player.
He was fallen for a short time, and got up. I haven't seen a replay of the aftermath except for a quick one after the hit, but it's not like Kuznetsov stood over him while Jenner was on the ice.
Granted, although provoked, Jenner should have known better than to attempt to spear Kuznetsov (and receive a game misconduct for his effort).
As the only returning player from last year's gold medal-winning team, Kuznetsov wears the C on a team it appears at times he wants simply to carry on his back.
God forbid the most talented player on the team want to carry the team on his back against tough competition.
After scoring his second goal of the game, Kuznetsov refused to embrace any of his four teammates, instead soaking up the limelight himself while showboating and then making his way over to the Russian bench for high-fives.
While I don't particularly like that, this is different than the Canadian kids showboating during an 6-1, 7-1 game? I'm being vague, but come on.
After setting up the Russian's fifth goal with a brilliant pass of his own, Kuznetsov was again content to celebrate alone.
For those unfamiliar, Kuznetsov made a name for himself earlier in the tourney when he threatened a tourney record with nine points in a 14-0 win over the Latvians.
They were the only points he scored in the entire tourney until last night.
Yes, he picked a perfect time to show up again and participate.
He's a heck of a talent, but not much of a teammate.
So that's why he was named team captain...that's why he has seven assists in the tournament so far...that's why this happened:
When Russia was on a 3 on 5 PK in this World Juniors, Kuznetsov would at times be the sole forward the coach would put on the ice. #Selfish
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) January 4, 2012
Because he's a bad teammate. As if Francis knows what exactly goes on in the Russia locker room and on the ice. Right.
I also like this, courtesy of Scott Wasilewski:
Forget the fact that if Jaden Schwartz or any other Canadian would have done it, he would have been touted as a great leader — the fact remains that this is just another point of Eric Francis ignorance and the fact him being a columnist is a bit of a joke, especially considering he took the time out to focus on the bad side of Kuznetsov's game rather than the Canadians melting down as they did.
He was the one who selfishly tried to score on the empty net in the final minute by icing the puck and giving Canada another shot at tying the game.
Smart, team players don't do that.
Players trying to pad stats do.
REALLY? It was the end of a shift, Canada had crazy pressure on the Russian's, and he had a pretty good chance at the empty net to seal the game. He didn't miss by much. I guarantee any other player on the ice for Russia would have done the same thing.
He was also the one who showed little humility while accepting his player-of-the-game award by putting his hands up to his ears to encourage the booing that rained down on him.
Some call it being a character.
Yet the wonderful and passionate Canadian fans are in the clear to boo Kuznetsov and head for the exits during the Russian anthem. Okay.
Others call it being classless -- the kind of thing a kid who scores nine points on midget players would do.
Hahaha. While not Canadian, I guess Peter Forsberg is on the same level as Kuznetsov for scoring 10 points for Sweden against Japan in 1992. I bet it was perfectly okay when Canada's Gabriel Bourque padded his stats with seven points in a 16-0 rout of Latvia. Mike Cammalleri and Dave Andreychuk are also classless for scoring so many points in one game against "midget players."
He's 19 and he has lots of growing up to do.
Then why does this article even exist. He's 19. You could have just ended there.
But that didn't make it any less painful to watch on the juniors' biggest stage last night.
You know what was more painful? Watching Boone Jenner embarrass himself by spearing Kuznetsov, Jonathan Huberdeau get kicked out for mouthing off to the ref (presumably) and Brett Connolly somehow getting away with a punch to the throat of a Russia player.
In a Washington organization that also houses Ovechkin and Alex Semin, somehow we think Kuznetsov will fit right in.
As a potential lethal offensive forward. Got it.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Red Wings at the 2012 WJC: 12.30
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| Andy Devlin/HHOF-IIHF Images |
Well...I'm embarrassed and still in shock over yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Czech's. I didn't see the game (I was down at Joe Louis Arena watching the GLI) but based on what I'm reading, the U.S. didn't have that many quality chances and turnovers helped lose the game for them.
I still believe that this was a team capable of winning a gold medal. I think the talent is there...but the team aspect wasn't. Whether that falls on the players or Dean Blais or whomever, it has to be changed, and changed fast. USA Hockey is far too good to be playing in the relegation round.
No Red Wings prospects played on December 29.
Mattias Backman (defenseman) - Sweden
In Sweden's 9-1 win over Slovakia, Backman had an assist and was +2 for the night.
Teemu Pulkkinen (forward) - Finland
Although it was against a depleted Denmark squad, Pulkkinen had an unbelievable game in Finland's 10-1 win. The Finnish forward tied an IIHF U20 record by scoring four goals in the third period, all adding up to a five point night. He tied Jan Vodila's record for most goals in a period, a feat the Czechoslovakian accomplished on December 27, 1979, against the U.S. Pulkkinen also had two penalty minutes, 13 shots on goal, and was +4.
Tomas Jurco (forward) - Slovakia
Jurco notched an assist on Marek Tvrdon's goal, as the two Red Wings prospects teamed up for Slovakia's only goal in their loss to Sweden. Jurco had two shots on goal and was a -2.
Marek Tvrdon (forward) - Slovakia
As mentioned above, Tvrdon scored the only Slovak goal and had three shots on goal. He was even for the night.
Petr Mrazek (goalie) - Czech Republic
Simply can't say enough about the game Mrazek had against the Americans, making 52 saves including a penalty shot late in the third period. An unbelievable performance.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Red Wings at the 2012 WJC: 12.28
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REUTERS/Todd Korol
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Backman picked up another assist in Sweden's 4-3 win over Switzerland. He was +1 and had a shot on goal.
Teemu Pulkkinen (forward) - Finland
In Finland's "upset" over Team USA, the flashy forward had an assist on Mikael Granlund's third period goal. He also had two shots on goal.
Tomas Jurco (forward) - Slovakia
Even though he didn't get on the scoresheet, Jurco was named Best Player for Team Slovakia, putting seven shots on net. He was -2.
Marek Tvrdon (forward) - Slovakia
Tvrdon had a relatively quiet game in Slovakia's 3-1 loss to Russia, getting only one shot on goal.
Petr Mrazek (goalie) - Czech Republic
Mrazek was named Best Player for the Czech's, stopping 33 of 38 Canada shots in a 5-0 loss. He had a sweet penalty shot save on Mark Stone.
That save drew "criticism" from the Canadian side. From the National Post:
“I didn’t like it,” Gallagher said. “He was happy. He made a big save for them at a big time, but we didn’t like it too much.”Please. These guys have no right to talk, as they're part of a Canadian team that seems to be trained to celebrate like they won the Stanley Cup after putting away tap-in goals that I could have scored.
“The fist pump, eh?” defenceman Jamie Oleksiak said when asked post-game about the unorthodox celebration “Their goalie gave a fist pump, but Scott Wedgewood kind of one-upped him getting the (shutout).”
Red Wings at the 2012 WJC: 12.27
Did not play.
Teemu Pulkkinen (forward) - Finland
Did not play.
Tomas Jurco (forward) - Slovakia
Jurco scored once in Slovakia's 3-1 win against Latvia. He also had three shots on goal and was +1.
Marek Tvrdon (forward) - Slovakia
Tvrdon, Jurco's Slovak teammate, notched the game-winning goal, with seven shots on net and also was +1.
Petr Mrazek (goalie) - Czech Republic
He earned the shutout in Czech Republic's dismantling of Denmark, stopping all 12 shots in the 7-0 win.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Red Wings at the 2012 WJC: 12.26
Mattias Backman (defenseman) - Sweden
Backman, the 145th overall pick of the Wings in 2011, picked up one assist in Sweden's 9-4 win over Latvia to kick off the tournament. He took two penalties, had a shot on goal, and was +1.
Teemu Pulkkinen (forward) - Finland
Finland got absolutely destroyed by Canada, 8-1, but even though Pulkkinen wasn't on the scoreboard, he was definitely noticeable out there. His best chance of the night would have resulted in a goal if not for a Freddie Hamilton block, but he registered four shots on net and created a couple of solid scoring opportunities for the Finns.
Tomas Jurco (forward) - Slovakia
Did not play.
Marek Tvrdon (forward) - Slovakia
Did not play.
Petr Mrazek (goalie) - Czech Republic
Did not play.
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