Saturday, November 24, 2012

Lockout Continues And BST Fan Experience



Yesterday, “The National Hockey League announced today the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through December 14. The NHL also announced the cancellation of the 2013 NHL All-Star Weekend scheduled for Jan. 26-27 in Columbus, Ohio. The cancellations are necessary due to the absence of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and the NHL.

A total of 422 regular-season games -- 34.3 percent of the season -- were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Dec. 14.

‘The reality of losing more regular-season games as well as the 2013 NHL All-Star Weekend in Columbus is extremely disappointing," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "We feel badly for NHL fans and particularly those in Columbus, and we intend to work closely with the Blue Jackets organization to return the NHL All-Star events to Columbus and their fans as quickly as possible."



If a miracle doesn’t happen very soon, that probably leaves only a cancellation of the season as the next official announcement.  And even if it does, the bad blood is everywhere.  Although some fans probably side more or less with the League or the NHLPA, everyone is disgusted at the inability to put greed, entitlement or political  position aside in order to start the season.  Neither side wants to give in and let the other win.  I get that.  The players deserve certain conditions, while the owners should be able to protect their interests as owners.  OK.
 
But as a fan, I am over it.

If the season gets cancelled again, Commissioner Bettman, the NHL and the NHLPA should be ashamed of themselves.  These problems never happen, even close to this magnitude in any other sport.


#endthelockout



In other news …

I was sad to see the Bridgeport Sound Tigers lose a back and forth battle to our rival Connecticut Whale yesterday, 7-5.  To make it worse, I went to the game with Ranger fan Terry, my longtime, but Isles turncoat friend who was born and raised on the Island.  Actually, we don’t really bust on each other, we just really like good hockey and we had a good time at the Webster Bank Arena.

BST games have always been a good time for me and my family and friends.  There isn’t a bad seat in the house, the food is good and as with most Isles fans, the Tigers fans are awesome.  I used to attend around 8-10 games per season, but changes in life have limited my appearances to few or none in recent years.

You can be sure I have been reinvigorated.  I will make it a point to get back to BST games again soon.  Here are a few images from yesterdays game.









Isles Notes:


Per Dominik &LHH Friends, “Jesse Joensuu injured his hand and is out for two months.”

On 11/19, Eric Hornick wrote, “Today is 5th anniversary of Rick DiPietro's 100th NHL win (2-1 over NYR). He has 30 NHL wins since.”

Per Randi Marshall, “Mangano will make announcement today (11/20) on Hub site. Bruce Ratner to advise on arena itself, Don Monti to build on rest of site.  Isles owner Charles Wang introduced Ratner to Mangano.”

Chris Botta remarks, “So Nassau lets Isles bolt for Ratner's Brooklyn arena and now lets NVMC property be developed by Ratner? Sure, nothing fishy there...”

B.D. Gallof adds, “Not only doers Wang own Marriot, but also owns key piece of land from Marriot to Coliseum. Still player in that area in terms of real estate.”

Per NHLhistorygirl, “On this date (11/23) in 2009, Dwayne Roloson set a new #Isles record for most saves in a game, with 58.”

“Oilers GM Glen Sather heard Butch Goring was trying to make a comeback in 1986, and signed him to a 25 game AHL tryout.”



Sound Tigers Notes:


11/23

Starting Lineup: Gallant-Clark-Riley, Donovan-Wishart. Anders Nilsson in net for BST, opposed by Whale's Cam Talbot.

Final scratch is Jordan Hill.

Forward lines: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Persson—Sundstrom-Ullstrom, DeFazio-Watkins-Backman, Gallant-Clark-Riley.

Defensive pairings: Donovan-Wishart, Ness-Landry, McIver-Hamonic. Nilsson in net.

Both teams blow two-goal leads, Whale score final four goals of the game to defeat Sound Tigers 7-5.


11/21


Starting Lineup: DeFazio-Sundstrom-Persson, Cantin-Hamonic. Poulin between the pipes.

Mike Halmo back in the lineup tonight, Max MacKay is out. Marc Cantin appears to be in as well.  Jordan Hill is the final BST scratch.

Forward lines: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, DeFazio-Sundstrom-Persson, Ullstrom-Watkins-Halmo, Gallant-Backman-Riley

Defensive pairings: Ness-Landry, Donovan-Wishart, Cantin-Hamonic. Poulin in net, opposed by former Sound Tiger Scott Munroe.

Final:  Nino extendshis  point streak to nine games, but Phantoms net three PPG and defeat Sound Tigers 5-1.


NHL Notes:


Per Aaron Ward, “Source,NHLPA proposal took NHL structure,50/50,no guarantee.Only difference,took $211M (make whole) to $393M over 4 yrs.This $393M works advantage gained if player retires early. Penalizes team going forward based on benefit obtained.  No need for term limits or variation.”

Per Bob McKenzie, “So, to review, NHLPA is prepared to go to 50-50 immediately, but wants $393M over four years as part of so-called "Make Whole." 

Per Chris Botta, “Player text on NHL meeting: "More wasted time. Our choice is either give up everything to the league or watch them cancel the season."



No comments:

Post a Comment