CrashingTheGoalie

from The Globe and Mail:

All of which forecasts gloomy days ahead for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, the man stuck in the middle. Despite repeated proclamations the league is in ruddy good health — merchandising revenues, for example, have increased sharply — much of the internal talk focuses on irritants. Richard Peddie, the president [...]

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by Ron Spence
I wrote the following for The Fischler Report on September 30th:

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by desertdawg
First Period
The Canucks’ legs aren’t working. Washington’s legs are doing double time. So now the speed kills us. We are not winning the race to the puck very often, and when we do get there first, an opposition player is there to hurry us. There is no time.
So how do we deal with that?
Look, [...]

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by Ron Spence
I traveled down to Seattle in 1987 to interview Bo Jackson.
And while in the Royals’ locker room, I observed one of the ironies of sport.
Wandering around were rookie Kevin Seitzer and veteran Steve Balboni. The rook was tearing up the ball, hitting .323, with 15 homers and 207 hits (which tied [...]

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by Ron Spence
The Canucks have achieved an 8-0-1 record over their past 9 games, and Vancouver has had to halt the fleet of bandwagons, in order to reinforce their springs.
They don’t want to have any breakdowns and traffic jams on Robson St.
But, no matter how the team does this season, I will always remember it [...]

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by Ron Spence
During Vancouver’s 5-4 win over the Calgary Flames on October 11th, Rick Ripien had a fight and scored a goal. Thus, in two games so far this season, the 5″11″, 170 pounder from Coleman Alberta, has scored 2 goals and been assessed 7 penalty minutes.
Should Rypien continue at this pace, he could become [...]

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by desertdawg
I’ve been on the road more than a few times in my life. Sometimes for just a weekend, sometimes for a couple of weeks. A couple of times I toured for months. And the truth is, the road uncovers your other self. Some might say your real self, but I disagree. It’s all [...]

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by the desert dawg:

Well, If you follow hockey (and read my last blog) you already know that speed kills. You beat the opposition to loose pucks, you beat the defense to the outside, and you get back to your own zone and set up before the other team can get set.
And puck possession demands [...]

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by Ron Spence
I have followed the Canucks since the Kurtenbach days.
I have seen teams that I liked, and a number that I didn’t.
And, I really like this team.
But, then again my favourite Canuck for a half a decade has been Mattias Ohlund, and before that it was Trent Klatt, and before that Marty Gelinas.
So, I [...]

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by Ron Spence
Brandon Sugden was drafted in 1996, in the 5th round by the Leafs. He had played for the London Knights and was selected 111th overall. He never played an NHL game.
Who was Toronto’s most successful pick from that draft year?
Also, who was another enforcer – besides Sugden – also selected during the 5th [...]

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