A Tribute to the Game
On what is just a regular Saturday here in the States, our friends up north are celebrating the
fifth annual Hockey Day in Canada. With satellite feeds from small towns in
Newfoundland to
British Columbia, features during the day will focus on players, coaches, and families involved in amateur Canadian hockey. Fortunately, my subscription to NHL Center Ice on digital cable allows me to enjoy the CBC festivities, along with millions of Canadians.
While Hockey Day is an opportunity for our northern neighbors to pay homage to the grassroots history of the game, there are several Americans who recognize the occasion, as well. Personally, hockey has always played an important role in my life. I played the game as a youngster, even though my skating ability was non-existent. Living on the southern coast of Rhode Island (beach country), there wasn’t an indoor rink within 20 miles of my home, so my parents would drive me west to a town called
Norwich, Connecticut just so I could lace up the skates for a 30-minute pickup game.
As a boy, I was lucky enough to play basketball, baseball, football, and hockey. And even though most of my peers preferred the alternatives, to me, there was nothing better than the smell and aura of a hockey rink. The atmosphere is like no other, and the camaraderie with your teammates is unmatched. I’ve met some of my best friends through a mutual love of the Canadian game, which is even more satisfying.
Last month, I drove 75 miles west to
Hamden, Connecticut on the eve of a snowstorm just so I could play some pond hockey with a few college friends. After spending a good hour shoveling snow off the pond (using one shovel and six hockey sticks), we played deep into the night, until we lost the old Hartford Whaler puck we were using in a snow bank. Dog-tired and sore as all hell, we called it a night, only to return early the next day to retrieve the puck we’d lost, just for a chance to do it all over again.
As evidenced, small-town Canadians aren’t the only ones with memorable hockey stories.
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Purinton the Puke; Zhamnov flies East
• It looks like Dale Purinton is
reverting back to his old ways again.
Late in the Rangers’
convincing 6-2 bludgeoning of the Islanders at MSG, Purinton dropped defenseman Eric Cairns with a sucker-punch in front of the Islander goal. Although if you listen to Dale tell the tale, you’ll get a different version:
"I don't think he needed to punch [Rucinsky] in the face and cross-check him the way he did a little earlier. I grabbed [Cairns], spun him, and asked him if he was ready to go. He told me to wait until he squared. I thought I did. I didn't break any code; I wasn't the one running around taking liberties with their skill guys when it was out of reach."
Cairns, one of the more honorable fighters in the league, had a message for Dale after the game:
"I'll fight anybody ... Just ask me. Don't be a gutless little puke and sucker me from the side. There's supposed to be a code and he didn't want to follow it... That's what you expect from a bunch of bottom-dwellers." "
Anyone that saw the game
knows what happened. Not only did Purinton drill Cairns as the latter was dropping his gloves, but Dale continued to pound away at his fallen foe, who was defenseless. The act was cowardly, to say the least, and reminded me of Purinton’s early days in the AHL when he patrolled the blueline in Hartford.
From 1997 to 2000, Dale Purinton was arguably the most feared man in the AHL. He accumulated a mind-boggling 415 penalty minutes in his last full season with the team, during which he was suspended six times (not kidding). The Fort Wayne native’s tendency to snap was well-documented in the minors, as he was disciplined for almost every conceivable infraction, ranging from head-butting to leaving the bench to start an altercation. In a playoff game against Providence in 2000, I saw Dale snap his stick over the crossbar at the Civic Center and throw the shaft at an official after he was called for a slashing penalty.
It was at that point that I made a note to myself:
Dale Purinton is not playing with a full deck.
Granted, Dale has matured somewhat since being called up to New York, as he’s been told many times that his mindless nonsense won’t be tolerated in the national spotlight. However, the former Lethbridge Hurricane has provided NHL fans with a few glimpses of his true on-ice character. He
plowed over Garth Snow in a pre-season game in 2001 (4 games). He
attacked Jason Blake later that season (3 games). He delivered a brutal
cross-check to the face of Stephen Peat that same year (7 games).
Even more disturbing are Purinton’s childish antics off the ice. Over the past two seasons, Rangers GM Glen Sather has assigned the hulky defenseman to Hartford on several occasions. Each time, Dale had been a healthy scratch on Broadway for multiple games in a row, and Sather was simply hoping to keep Purinton in game shape by giving him some ice time in the minors. But being the team player that he is, Dale refused, claiming he didn’t want to deal with being challenged every night by the tough guys in the AHL.
Funny, it didn’t seem to bother him that much before.
Perhaps Dale wouldn’t have been scratched as much as he has over the years if he improved his game. Last night, he was benched for a good portion of the match because of an awful giveaway late in the first period, as the Rangers rotated five defensemen. In fact, were it not for the injuries to Malakhov, Kasparaitis, and Bouchard, odds are Purinton would not be in the lineup at all. Some more playing time at the minor-league level, as opposed to limited action on Broadway, would give Dale the necessary ice time needed to improve his skating and decision-making. But no. Agent Tom Laidlaw says Dale doesn’t need to work on his skills down on the farm.
I can see Laidlaw’s point. After all, it is difficult to improve on skills that don’t exist.
• Give the Flyers credit. Owner Ed Snider is committing all the funds necessary to bring the Stanley Cup to the city of brotherly love, as evidenced by Thursday’s trade that
brought Alexei Zhamnov to Philadelphia. The Flyers gave up promising young defenseman Jim Vandermeer (one of my favorite prospects), junior prospect Colin Fraser, and a draft pick to nab the Russian centerman. Bobby Clarke had little choice but to make the deal, considering the uncertainty surrounding Jeremy Roenick’s future with the team.
Clarke is hoping Zhamnov can regain the form he exhibited earlier in his career, when he was a consistent 20-goal, 40-assist man. The
Winnipeg Jet draftee has struggled mightily this season, having missed the first 35 games of the campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. To boot, the trade rumors that had been blowing in to the Windy City on a daily basis weighed heavily on Zhamnov’s mind. Having the opportunity to play for a serious Stanley Cup contender for the first time in his career should invigorate the Moscow native, who has waited 12 years for a shot at a championship.
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A Day of Remembrance
Before I get started today, I’d like to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of what is known nationwide as
The Station fire. As a Rhode Islander, this tragic event really brought September 11th a little closer to home in terms of the sheer panic it created.
I remember waking up the morning after the fire occurred and catching the tail-end of a news report on the radio that mentioned a fire in Rhode Island (I was going to school in New Haven at the time). Absolutely shocked that my diminutive home was identified on a national broadcast, I logged on to the internet for more information. The reports were staggering – 97 people were dead in a blaze that should’ve never happened.
That number would eerily round out to an even 100.
Needless to say, I called all my friends that lived in the Warwick/Providence area that day to make sure everyone was safe. After confirming all my loved ones were still alive, I managed to recall an e-mail I received from a friend of mine in Los Angeles that morning. The text simply read: “Please let me know you’re okay.” No hello, no name – just a panic-induced plea. At that moment, I was finally able to sit down and ponder the magnitude of what had happened. My Cali acquaintence put things in perspective later that day:
It's a good thing I lost your number because you would have been woken by the f***ing thing ringing that night if I had it. Here in LA, if you hear something like that, it wouldn't be a big deal... Los Angeles has a massive population and large club scene. But RI seems so small that it certainly makes you think twice if you know someone that lives there, especially each time the death toll rises. I am very glad to hear you are okay and that your loved ones are safe.
That makes two of us.
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Bondra Will Be Back
It seems as if everyone in the hockey world has weighed in with various thoughts on the
Peter Bondra trade. Mike at
Ottawa Sports Blog is reveling in the fact his team has acquired a proven goal-scorer.
Black, Red, Gold notes that Bondra gives the Sens even more depth up front, and
All Things Canadian speculates on where the Slovak will fit in on Ottawa’s top line when he takes to the ice tonight against the Thrashers.
In Washington, Eric McErlain bid a
fond farewell to the popular Capitals star. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if his parting words turn out to be a bit pre-mature.
The Senators are saying all the right things. GM John Muckler insists Bondra is not merely a playoff rental, as the team fully intends to pick up his $4.5 million contract option after this season. After all,
as Bob McKenzie notes, owner Eugene Melnyk has deep pockets and an even deeper desire to do whatever it takes to keep the Senators successful, and that includes re-signing Bondra. However, while Ottawa may have all the intentions of maintaining Bondra’s services, uncontrollable financial complications will make the task extremely difficult.
Indeed, Melnyk deserves all the credit for making this trade happen. The owner was well aware that Bondra’s team-first, player-second mentality would certainly compliment that of his new mates, and Melnyk was more than willing to open his club’s bank account to acquire the speedy winger. Nevertheless, should the league’s economic structure be altered following this season, Bondra’s hefty salary option may prove to be too much for the Sens to accommodate. In fact, the Capitals are reportedly having internal discussions regarding possibly
re-signing the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
Not surprisingly, Caps fans have been displaying a deluge of support for Peter Bondra on message boards and in chat rooms since noon time yesterday. Fans have been proposing everything from a tribute video when Bondra makes his return to D.C. on March 8th to a jersey number retirement ceremony. Indisputably, both gestures are more than appropriate for a man that has epitomized what it means to be a Washington Capital (bring back the
old red, white, and blue jerseys). Bondra has been nothing short of a role model on the ice, and his living in the Washington area year-round indicates he truly enjoys the community he has represented for so long.
Regardless, in my humble opinion, any honors Bondra receives from the Caps organization should be bestowed upon him when his career is over – on a night strictly dedicated to his accomplishments. Odds are his wife and young children will be in Ottawa when Bondra’s new team visits Washington next month, and they, too, should be present the night he is honored. Besides, while it appears as if the final chapter on Bonzai’s career in the nation’s capital has already been written, icons like him always manage to
find a way back home.
Whether it’s as a player or a father, perhaps Bondra will have some hardware to share with his friends upon his triumphant return to D.C.
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The Grim Reaper is Knocking
The end is near for the Montreal Canadiens.
After being predicted to finish dead last prior to the season by several so-called hockey experts, including
ESPN’s John Buccigross, the Canadiens took the hockey world by storm during the first half of the year. Led by the unexpected scoring prowess of youngsters Michael Ryder and Mike Ribeiro, as well as defenseman Sheldon Souray, coupled with the re-emergence of goaltender Jose Theodore, Montreal has managed to occupy a playoff spot in the competitive Eastern Conference since early October. Unfortunately, it appears as if the conclusion of this Cinderella story will bear a striking resemblance to that of
Les Miserables.
Even though the Canadiens’ recent four-game slide began following the All-Star game, the writing was on the wall before the break. On February 1st, Montreal played perhaps its worst 20 minutes of hockey all season, almost blowing a four-goal lead in the third period of an eventual
6-4 home victory over Chicago. The hapless Hawks completely dominated play in the final stanza, scoring three goals on 21 shots, en route to nearly salvaging a tie (or better). Montreal followed that lackluster performance with a fortunate
4-3 comeback win over a poor Pittsburgh team – another game in which they were badly outplayed by a bottom-feeder.
Going into the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak and with a 12-point cushion in the playoff race provided the Canadiens with a false sense of security. When he was coaching in Bridgeport,
Islanders head coach Steve Stirling once told me that winning streaks can be deceptive because teams can still develop bad habits while winning. He made a reference to a team that is descending from its peak, but is still managing success on the ice because complacency has yet to fully take effect on the entire roster. Stirling, in his infinite wisdom, noted that over-confidence is contagious, and once the club in question becomes complacent as a whole, that’s when the bottom falls out.
Suffice it to say the foundation in Montreal is becoming terribly unstable. With the Sabres in the midst of their best stretch of the season, it’s only a matter of time before the Canadiens find themselves slipping down the rungs of the playoff ladder.
Regardless of where the bleu, blanc, et rouge finish this season, it can be argued the team has already surpassed reasonable expectations. Montreal’s two leading scorers, Ryder and Ribeiro, are just 23 years old, and were not expected to be such vital cogs in the team’s offense during training camp. Ryder, in fact, hadn’t appeared in an NHL game before this season, while Ribeiro was considered too small to be an impact player in the league. Even more surprising is the play of Sheldon Souray, who was having his best offensive season, while stabilizing the Canadiens’ blueline corps, prior to his
unfortunate knee injury. However, the best story of the year might be netminder Jose Theodore, who has regained his Hart Trophy form over the course of the campaign, despite having to carry the mental burden associated with
loan-sharking charges that have been levied against immediate family members.
The future of this franchise is brighter than its been in ten years, thanks primarily to the off-season acquisition of
General Manager Bob Gainey. The former Canadiens defensive stalwart asserted himself during training camp when he lambasted the locals that had been mercilessly booing Patrice Brisebois – a move that earned him the respect of the organization, the fans, and most importantly, the players. Gainey was instrumental in building the Dallas Stars into a consistent Stanley Cup contender, and his established credibility, combined with a keen proficiency in developing young talent, will undoubtedly help the Canadiens become a perennial NHL powerhouse once again.
• Speaking of former Canadiens,
welcome to Texas, Shayne. That didn’t take long, did it?
I’ll address the Bondra trade tomorrow, as I’m quite fatigued after spending a good portion of the day digging myself out of the latest snowstorm,
currently in progress.
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Naslund Hurt, Sullivan Gone, Corson Close, and Rule Talk
• Last night’s battle of Western Conference powerhouses in Denver turned out to be an unanticipated defensive struggle, as
Vancouver blanked the Avalanche 1-0. The victory was a much-needed one for the Canucks, who had dropped three consecutive home games to inferior opponents. Unfortunately, star centerman Markus Naslund suffered an undisclosed head injury in the second period after being elbowed by Harvard grad Steve Moore. The hit bloodied Naslund, and the fact no penalty was called on the play has a number of Canuck fans
up in arms.
I’m not a Vancouver fan, but I truly enjoy watching the talent possessed by Markus Naslund. I often stay up late to watch the wizardry of the Swedish superstar, and if he is going to miss an extended period of time as a result of the Moore elbow, I will be extremely disappointed (some fans are just plain
pissed off). However, even more disappointing is his teammates’ refusal to exact revenge on the former Ivy Leaguer that executed the dirty deed.
I understand the current rules of the game often handcuff policemen, while allowing culprits to get by scot-free. And you could make the argument that attacking an opponent in the midst of a tight game against a conference rival isn’t a smart move. Nonetheless, Vancouver’s Stanley Cup chances diminish with Naslund out of the lineup, and by not avenging the cheap shot that put him on the sidelines, his team sends an indirect message to the captain:
Hey, it’s not a big deal.
Perhaps I’m jumping the gun. Maybe I’m way off base. But one thing is for certain – Teams that win championships stick together. More specifically, they take care of their best players. The Canucks have two more games against Colorado (without Jovanovski) to prove their mettle.
• The Chicago Blackhawks have rid themselves of Steve Sullivan’s $3 million salary,
trading him to Nashville for two second round draft picks. The trade is a good one for the Predators, who harness a proven 20-goal scorer with great speed and the heart of a lion. Outside of Scott Walker, Nashville has been lacking players that offer that deadly combination. Sullivan will be just what the doctor ordered to spark Barry Trotz’ fading power play.
Judging by the Hawks’ recent draft record, I question the prospect of this deal working out for them in the long run. Off the bat, this deal strikes me as yet another example of how cheap Bill Wirtz really is, as he was completely unwilling to allow puppet GM Bob Pulford to re-sign the team’s heart-and-soul (and leading scorer) after this season. Pulford claims the Hawks are going to add to their roster via free agency, but I sincerely doubt he’s going to find many quality forwards who are willing to take less than $3 million a year.
God save the Blackhawks.
• The
possible return of Shayne Corson has managed to cause somewhat of a stir in several cities. According to reports, the Barrie native has been working out on a consistent basis in an effort to get himself in game shape. Agent Rich Curran says three to four teams have inquired about Corson’s services. Philadelphia is believed to be one of those teams, as Bobby Clarke is likely looking for a short-term replacement for the injured Jeremy Roenick. Montreal, Dallas, and Colorado are also rumored to have contacted Curran.
Some folks,
notably Tom Benjamin, have been quite outspoken about Corson’s decision to leave the Maple Leafs in the middle of last year’s first-round playoff series with the Flyers. Indeed, the act was selfish, and proved to be an unnecessary distraction for his former teammates. However, while the 37-year-old winger has lost a step (or eight) in the last four years, there is little doubt in my mind that a team seeking depth for the playoffs will not hesitate to sign him.
Of course, that’s assuming Corson is willing to accept a limited role in exchange for one more shot at Lord Stanley’s mug - a sacrifice he wasn't prepared to make last season.
• There are several commentaries addressing the proposed rule changes worth reading today.
Lyle Richardson wonders why the league refuses to consider eliminating the red-line, while
John Buccigross continues to petition for an increase in net size.
Bob McKenzie believes no-touch icing will warrant serious consideration in the coming weeks.
Dejan Kovacevic offers some intriguing theories that could explain the timing of the rule change proposal. Lastly, despite being dated,
Andrew Gross states the game will not improve until obstruction is eliminated.
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Will They Ever Learn?
Remember
this guy?
I know what you’re thinking. It’s awfully un-American for me to even consider mentioning this troubled Bostonian’s name on day that should be reserved for recognizing the many great leaders of our country. Still, I’m willing to bet a George Washington that you forgot Billy Tibbetts even existed. And quite frankly, who could blame you?
Everyone knows the story (or at least the gist of it), so there is no reason to rehash the details. But what you may not have known is that the ex-con is still competing professionally, albeit deep in the depths of hockey obscurity. Tibbetts has missed a substantial number of games this season because of a broken hand and a few suspensions, but he has managed to accumulate a respectable 36 points (11-25) in 27 games for the ECHL’s San Diego Gulls. Not surprisingly, he leads his club (coached by former journeyman tough guy Steve Martinson) in penalty minutes with 142.
What is truly amazing is that, despite his rape conviction and various assault charges, teams are still taking a chance on Billy Tibbetts. He had quickly worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and after being released by the Rangers following a lengthy altercation with Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Ryan McGill last March, it appeared as if Tibbetts’ career was over.
Alas, opportunity knocked for Billy when the talent-starved Florida Panthers decided to invite the volatile winger to training camp prior to this season. The Panthers were unimpressed with his performance, and elected to send him down to their AHL affiliate in San Antonio (don’t ask) prior to the regular season. Tibbetts refused the assignment, deciding that having fun in the California sun was a favorable alternative.
Biding his time in the ECHL, Tibbetts didn't have to wait long before another opportunity to display his talents on the east coast came his way. Last month, Springfield Falcons GM Bruce Landon, desperate to land a skilled player that could provide some punch to his anemic roster, offered Tibbetts a try-out contract. However, the winger failed to record a goal during his short tenure with the Falcons, which culminated in his being suspended by the AHL for sucker-punching an opponent in his final game of his try-out pact. Tibbetts was released the next day, and returned to San Diego.
The fact that Billy Tibbetts has an enormous arsenal of talent at his disposal is difficult to deny. He has been a consistent point-per-game player at the minor-league level, and his penchant for participating in fisticuffs adds an element of bite to his game. However, even if you’re willing to dismiss his rape conviction as a stupid teenage mistake, you’d be hard-pressed to ignore Tibbetts’ inability to co-exist with disciplinary coaches and no-nonsense teammates. His tendency to go over the edge on the ice, coupled with his juvenile tactics in the locker room, is intolerable at any level of professional hockey (a teammate once told me privately that Tibbetts deliberately instigated a fight during warm-ups last season in Hartford).
The sheer talent of Billy Tibbetts is evident to those who watch him play. As a result, there is no doubt in my mind that he will receive another invitation to an NHL training camp come next season, despite his personal shortfalls.
Let’s just hope the standard set by the Panthers is upheld.
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MacLean endorses Winnipeg
• While he’ll never be able to outdo his colorful counterpart, CBC commentator Ron MacLean made some news this week by saying the
city of Winnipeg will likely host an NHL franchise in the near future:
"How do I know? I just feel, and I've always felt somehow, that they would return to Winnipeg. I absolutely think so. I've always felt that… And I just think based on what we've seen, it's hard to imagine all of the Sun Belt teams surviving. I could be wrong on that. But relocation might be the easiest option for Winnipeg."
Contrary to the sentiments of most league experts, MacLean believes Winnipeg will be an economically viable NHL city once minor alterations in the game’s financial structure are made. MacLean dismisses the notion of a salary cap, claiming a system of revenue-sharing, coupled with local ownership and arena funding, will put Winnipeg back on Gary Bettman’s radar screen.
Reports indicate an unidentified southern franchise contacted Winnipeg’s deputy mayor in January to discuss the possibility of relocation. The business group that operates the city’s new $133 million arena is
publicly denying any ongoing negotiations between the firm and an outside team, but a source from Winnipeg-based True North Sports and Entertainment says his organization is indeed speaking with the aforementioned Sun Belt club.
The question remains: which southern team made the inquiry? For my money, the answer lies in the land of the
Piedmont Mountains.
Mike Amendola, the Hurricanes’ chief financial officer, insists
his club lost more than $18 million last season. Despite a slight reduction in payroll this year, that number may increase by season’s end. Peter Karmanos has been more vocal than any other southern owner about how desperately his team needs the league to create a new economic structure in order to survive. GM Jim Rutherford agrees, while at the same time expressing a deceptive air of confidence regarding the market that has betrayed his franchise ever since it departed Hartford seven years ago.
"You can generate more revenue somehow. I think there's room for us in this market to generate more revenue, but there would have to be other ways (besides just cutting payroll). You can't make it up yourself."
Rutherford is evidently echoing MacLean’s call for a revenue-sharing system. But according to economic indicators, Carolina would need around $10 million in assistance from other NHL teams in order to break even – and that is assuming the team operated with a $31 million payroll (an $8 million cut) during the course of the season. Personally, I have my doubts concerning the willingness of the league and its members to pony up several million dollars to help a struggling southern franchise, playing in a city where hockey lags behind NASCAR in popularity, break even financially.
You can bet Petey boy is having reciprocal doubts.
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