Lisa's Lounge @ hockeyandhighheels.com

Makin' the Bed...

2012-01-30T23:18:00.000-08:00

by Lisa Ovens

I'm sure we've all been there at least once before. You know...the time you were invited to a party, and you didn't really want to go. There are a variety of reasons: you've been having a lousy week or maybe it was just a crappy day, or you find out someone you don't want to see will be there and you cringe at the thought of making small talk with that person. But your friends insist that you go. You've run out of excuses, and surrender to your friends and agree to go, but you go under protest and secretly plan to bail after one drink.

You arrive and quietly tell the host you've got this thing, and the thing's happening early the next day so you can't stay long. Four hours later you are one of the last people to leave. You ended up having a super swell time with everyone and wonder why you were so dead set against going in the first place. After all, It was just one night of your life. No regrets.

Tim Thomas's politically driven decision to not join his Stanley Cup winning teammates at The White House may have seemed like a good idea at the time. Sadly though, a time may come, much later in his life, when some things that he used to think mattered won't mean a darn thing anymore...and winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins probably won't be one of them.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T22:26:00.000-08:00

Best Wishes to all for an awesome 2012!!

Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey N Heels

2011-12-14T22:04:00.001-08:00

By Lisa Ovens

The room is pleasantly decorated with Christmas sparkle. Nigel Kirwan, the Lightning’s video coach greets us warmly. He then proceeds to breakdown last month's controversial Lightning/Flyers game. He speaks candidly as we watch the video presentation he’s prepared. A question is asked about the current woes of the Bolts. Again, Kirwan is open and honest about the areas of concern.

Now, if this were Canuck fans seated in the media room with Canuck video coach, Darryl Williams, well, those Knuckleheads would be peeing their pants!! My point is, Canucks fans just don’t get this kind of team access in Vancouver. Did I mention the fans in the media room were all women?

Welcome to the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey N Heels event, the Grand Daddy of hockey events for women. It was several years ago I figured out that the Lightning were the very first NHL team to host an event like this (the first one was 10 years ago), so you can imagine how happy I was to be there.

The time spent with Nigel Kirwan was just one of several presentations the Lightning had planned for their dedicated female fans. Before we were broken down into groups, we started the evening at the foot of the new digital theatre organ, one of several recent additions to St. Pete’s Times Forum.

Organist, Ray Horsely demonstrated the many wonders of the organ, and, at the end of his presentation, passionately encouraged all of us to get young people into taking up the instrument. I have to admit I was mesmerized by his words (and that big ass organ’s killer sounds) and did consider a slight change of course on my life’s path in order to fit in some organ training. I, too, would love to command that thing on a giant turntable, high above the crowd, as there is nothing like the tradition of organ music at the good old hockey game. Who am I fooling, I'd be a special sound effects junky with the digital organ if given the chance!

Organist, Ray Horsely

And on with the event…tours of the locker room, players lounge, training room, the cozy blade sharpening room. And with each stop we received tidbits of knowledge about the inner workings of the team: how the training room bustles with activity and is capable of mending so many types of injuries that occur during an average game. How often Steve Stamkos requires his skates to be sharpened, the unconventional hockey terminology of head coach, Guy Boucher.

Super Fan, Linda is up to the task...

Mixed into the above was a chat with Dominic Moore’s wife, Katie. An athlete herself (soccer), Katie shared plenty about life with a guy who’s played on eight different teams. To sum it up…the crockpot is a key appliance in the Moore household. Katie left for her match, and former, long time ref, Don Koharski took the floor and offered some insight into the secret world of an NHL referee.

The last stop of the tour gave us some ice time with sticks, pucks and a few Lightning players (Teddy Purcell, Dominic Moore, and Matt Gilroy). Obviously this is a fan favourite activity. Who doesn’t want to be on the ice where your home team plays? I was re-united and delighted with walking around the ice with the puck on my stick. All I needed was my skates. Since the Lightning have been Hockey n Heelin’ for 10 years, it would be pretty cool to see them take it to another level by adding some skates, gloves and helmets into the mix at future events.

During the event I made a few new hockey friends like Linda, pictured above operating the sharpener, and a fellow blogger Alexis Boucher. Her Sons of Andreychek (great name, BTW) is a good read for all things Lightning and the link is right here..

Sons of Andreychek

Finally, the groups gathered once again on the new outdoor party terrace for refreshments...and to pick up tickets for part two of Hockey & Heels: Thursday's night game against the Calgary Flames. Ooh, the Flames, one of my Northwest Division rivals. Gee, I wonder who I will be cheering for Thursday night?

Many thanks to event organizer, Alison Goodman, and the Tampa Bay Lightning Group Sales Department, Hockey Operations and the rest arena staff for being such wonderful hosts.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: The Mother Pluckers Music and Hockey Society in Nova Scotia do just that

2011-12-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Left to right, back row: Sue Martin, Wanda White, Jane Campana, Kelly Lee, Eliza Manuel, Debbie MacDonald Gray, Janice Coyle, and Nancy (Mac) MacLean. In front: Maria Andersen, Ellen Gaudet and Corrine Boudreau

by Jan Snyder

In Nova Scotia, as in the rest of Canada, hockey is the national pastime. Eleven Mother Puckers, all mothers aged 40 to 59 who play hockey, enjoyed each other’s company so much that the frivolity on the ice carried into music after they unlaced their skates. This is the story of how the Mother Puckers hockey team morphed into the Mother Pluckers Music and Hockey Society.

In December of 2010, Mac and Jane, both being new at the music game, got together to jam. They decided they wanted to play Bye Bye Love at the annual Christmas party they held in conjunction with a men’s hockey team.

Jane had only been playing keyboard for a year, Mac was just beginning to learn how to play the drums and neither could sing in tune. They were in desperate need of a guitar playing singer. After a game of hockey one day all the players met for lunch and that's when they discovered that Ellen Gaudet could sing and play the guitar. It was an easy snare.

They met the following week after hockey and sat chatting for over an hour. They had so much in common and the conversation flowed. Eventually they got down to business. Mac only brought a snare drum at that point, but it was enough to keep the beat. As it turned out, Ellen was already an experienced musician, but at that time Jane didn't know how to adapt the beat of the song to the singer. The result was a disastrous session and they couldn't get though the song. They found it very disappointing. They kept at it, though, because with a name like Mother Puckers, it’s gotta be good! Things took off after that first practice as more of the hockey players joined the ‘jam sessions.’

“After what I thought was a particularly good rendition of Bye, Bye Love, I turned around to see Janice with her fingers in her ears,” Jane said. ‘You guys are awful,’ she said, ‘You're all on a different beat and Jane is playing too fast. You need to start again and listen to each other.’

"She was right, but she also proved in that pivotal moment that she had a good ear and wasn't afraid to say what she thought. Because she didn't have an instrument to play and we didn't know yet that she could sing, we appointed her band director to make her feel part of the group. Little did we know at the time just how much we'd come to rely on her. It's a thankless role to keep law and order amongst 11women let alone book performances and make sure everyone has the right song list and shirt, but Janice does it all extremely well.”

Here is a recap on how the other members fell into line. Maria took up playing the fiddle in 2008, joined the group and never looked back. Eliza, the entrepreneur, revisited the guitar and sings lead vocals. Kelly, originally a vocalist, followed in her husband’s footsteps and learned the bass guitar. Corrine, the group’s baby, and mother of two young children, is a guitarist, vocalist and song writer. Debbie came out of hockey retirement and picked up the guitar after many years away from it. Sue plays tough defense, is a vocalist and brings comedic relief to the group. Wanda, the goalie and campfire singer, thought she died and went to heaven when asked to be a part of this amazing group of women.

So now they were a band – the question was who wanted to hear them play? The members of the Mother Pluckers came to realize that they were not only a hockey team, not only a band, but a group of similar-aged women who were helping each other through various life experiences. All the women are givers and it didn’t take long for the idea to come to them that they could pay it forward by using their talents and entertain senior citizens.

On May 6, 2010, they gave their very first performance at the Melville Lodge, home to Mother Pucker Sue Martin’s elderly mother, Violet. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Being the creative women that they are, they soon hatched a plan aimed at bigger and better things. They applied for and in July 2011, received a grant from The Nova Scotia Department of Seniors for funding to promote Positive Aging throughout Nova Scotia.

On October 20, 2011, they rented ice and invited seniors to watch them play hockey. Two nursing homes provided transportation for their residents, and other seniors the group had performed for previously came along as well to watch a game between the Mother Puckers and a team comprised of all-too-willing volunteers. Lunch was provided for the spectators, and was followed by a performance by the newly-minted Mother Pluckers, post-hockey hair and all.

The Mother Pluckers Song Book consists of standards that their audience knows and likes to sing along with, like “Red River Valley” and “Tennessee Waltz.” The nursing home residents seem to come alive and become engaged, especially when the Mother Pluckers sing and play.

According to their website, their mission is simple. “We are role models for positive aging through our music and hockey with lots of fun and laughter.”

But they never lose sight of the hockey component to all this. A recent claim to fame includes being kicked off the ice this past summer, only to see Pittsburgh Penguin, Sidney Crosby skate on after them as he continued his rehab from a concussion. “There was Sid leaning on the same boards I’d crashed into just a little while before,” Mac said.

The Mother Plucker gigs continue. In September they played during the Opening Ceremonies of the Nova Scotia +55 Games. All eleven participated in the tournament, but on different teams. Hockey and music continue to be intertwined. “The grant allows us to plan bigger road trips, and we did twenty-two in 2011 before receiving the grant,” Janice said.

Even as they look out for one another, they are also spreading happiness to the elderly.

To learn more about the Mother Puckers/Mother Pluckers or to follow their journey, visit their website:

motherpluckermusicandhockeysociety.com

Four Goalies and a Planker

2011-12-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

Well, almost planking. I had to miss most of tonight's Predators/Canucks tilt due to technical difficulties (at least I have the Panthers/Kings game on) but what little I saw I loved. Nothing like a crazy game between these two playoff rivals: Predators win 6-5, getting the go ahead goal in the dying minutes of the third, all four goalies saw ice time, and Canuck, Ryan Kesler has a moment on the top of the goal net!

Here's link to the video so you can see just how Kesler landed on the net, and the curious way he disembarked...

Canucks/Preds Game: Kesler's "Starsky and Hutch Slide" highlight

Wow, the Panthers/Kings game just finished, with the Panthers losing 2-1. This marks the first time I've seen the Panthers lose since I arrived in Florida.

It's 1:12am EST, and I can finally go to bed now that the hockey is done.

Happy American Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-23T21:36:00.000-08:00

Macy's Legendary Thanksgiving Parade: cool photos here!

Best Wishes for a Fabulous Thanksgiving Weekend, Everyone :o)

I'm Back!!!!!!

2011-11-14T17:38:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Ovens

Not long ago I read the Vancouver Canucks partnered with Flight Centre, offering special travel packages for Canucks away games. Finally the Canucks caught up to the legions of Canuck fans already taking advantage of cheaper and more readily available tickets in NHL cities south of the Canadian border. Believe it or not, but you could spend less on a trip to San Jose for a Canuck game than you would if you bought the pricey home game experience.

So, here I am in sunny Florida waiting for the Canucks to arrive. No, It wasn't a Canuck package, I just made up my own package! I arrived a few months early (the Canucks don't roll through the sunshine state until January 9th and 10th, 2012), but that doesn't mean I won't be looking for hockey while I wait.

My first hockey field trip was a simple one: see a Canucks/Flames game in a pub. The game started at 9:30pm EST. Whoa...my first major adjustment in Florida is the time zone. After all these years languishing in the West, enjoying many 7pm starts, I am finally experiencing the “Eastern Way” so many displaced fans experience when trying to catch their west coast NHL teams play on the opposite coast.

Lucky for me I found a nearby pub called Duffy's. I wandered by it one day, and asked about the NHL Centre Ice Package. Yes, they said, we have it! Great...I'm set. Now, I just have to be awake and up for some late night hockey :o) A few nights later I headed to the pub. I arrived early to check out the other games on the screens. This would be a prudent move so I would be pumped up and awake for the game.

I went alone as my gracious host is a single mom and this game time is waaay past their bedtime. I am definitely on the look out for a light night hockey buddy here (I'm in Palm Beach County), so I will keep you posted on any new developments in that department.

Things were going good. The hostess sat me right in front of a nice screen and said she'd put the game on that screen just for me. Then the server brought me the beer I ordered, and he gave me two. I am informed it's Happy Hour all night long at Duffy's, and...well, I'm quite happy about that. Finally it is game time, and no game appears on my TV. There is a flurry of activity: remotes commanding from outstretched arms, discussions, more remote pointing, a little paperwork, and then finally the manager came over with the bad news...

Manager: We're terribly sorry, but although it says your Canucks game is on channel 76, the game is just not on.

Lisa: Dang.

Now, it's not like they can offer me a free beer for my disappointment; they are already giving me free ones. But one thing Duffy's does have is free wireless Internet, and being the well equipped writer I am, I whip out my netbook. Then I called Pittsburgh Penguins writer, Jan Snyder in Houston, Texas while I waited for little Sugarsteps to fire up.

Oh, just by the by, I am very impressed with the cell phone service here: I can call anywhere in the United States and not pay any long distance charges with my US Pay As You Go Cell phone. Man, Canadian Cell Phone providers are ripping us off up there. Anyhoo, back to my story...

I've got Jan on the phone and explain my situation and she says...

Jan: "The game is on channel 76....I'm watching it right now."

Lisa: "This is so unfair."

Finally I am online and I find a stream of the game. The Canucks are winning 4-0. Yay! I did try canucks.com, the officially website for your Vancouver Canucks first, because they sometimes stream the games for a small fee...but only for residents of British Columbia and the Yukon. Considering the sheer number of Canuck fans around the world. this surprises me to no end. They could be making more with this particular income stream, instead of handing the ever growing big bill to Canucks season ticket holders every summer. But, I digress.

I watched the game until Sugarsteps's battery ran dry. It was last call. I asked the server if, hypothetically, I were able to see the end of this game, would you keep the pub open for me since it is so gosh darn late? He said yes, they would. I'm thinking, good, I am going to come back here and try this again, especially for a 10pm puck drop, and I'll keep them all up late with me!

Contrary to popular Canadian belief, there is plenty of hockey in the State of Florida, so please stay tuned for more hockey reports from the Sunshine State :o)

It's Starting....

2011-10-06T00:42:00.000-07:00

Photograph by: Andrew Lavigne, andrewlavigne.com

by Lisa Ovens

And just like that, a season begins again. But it feels like I am not ready for it just yet. June 15th wasn't that long ago. I'm still processing the Game Seven loss, damn it! I'm kidding. I went to the very first pre-season Canucks game on Sept. 20th, and I achieved closure. I can't remember a time being so relaxed watching a hockey game as I was that night. Now it's all about the points again.

Honestly speaking I have so much to catch up on after the brief off season. I, for one have been making some changes in my life recently, so hockey's been on the back burner. It still is there, but not for much longer as the good old hockey game returns to my nightly line up.

So, if you are like me, and have been MIA on hockey's radar... the following link will take you to a killer article covering what you need to know about the new season, including firsts, milestones, stats, big games, and more. Just click below and you'll be primed.

nhl.com's season opening article

The distraction, the excitement...it's all coming back :o)

Now...how about that Ryan Kesler ESPN photo?

Photograph by: Alex Cayley, ESPN.com

As hockey fans, we always want to see more hockey exposure in American media...and doesn't Kesler do just that? It's the annual ESPN Magazine's Body Issue, and hockey has more than a little face time gracing the pages. It has a little shoulder, thigh and butt time, too. Man, skating does wonders, doesn't it?

As my recent mega "To Do List" finally dwindles down, I look forward to hanging out here in the Lounge more. I want to thank readers for being patient with me after a mostly silent off season. I also would like to wish everyone and their fave teams good luck working through another eight months until the last two teams are standing, yet again.

Let's Go, Hockey! Year 95 and counting!!!

In Sympathy...

2011-09-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell, "Hallowed Ground"

It's been a shocking day as news of Yaroslavl, Russia's tragic jet crash and the loss of life spread around the world wide hockey community.

With hope that the deceased Lokomotiv players, hockey operations staff and airline crew did not suffer in their final moments of life on this earth.

May the families, the friends, the KHL and Lokomotiv hockey fans find the strength to cope with a loss so sudden and so overwhelming.

with sympathy,
hockeyandhighheels.com

From the Archives: Necessary Evil Part Two

2011-08-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

A previously published article by Jan Snyder for Hockeyandhighheels.com

Click here for part one

by Jan Snyder

Kevin Pollock is an NHL referee, one of those hard-working guys who enable all of the fans to enjoy hockey games. Without them, there would be no games. Whether we always agree with their decisions or not, they all try to do the best they can to keep order and above all, ensure that the contests are played as fairly as possible.

Although there are two officials for each game, the refs aren’t assigned as pairs. Over the course of the season, they will work with a counterpart more than once, but not because the schedule falls that way.

“It’s not that bad because over the course of the season, it only takes one or two games to get an idea of what your partner’s tendencies are,” Pollock said. “We are really conscious of getting a team effort implemented, so we sit down in the dressing room before the game and talk about it. Even though we try to referee two as one, so we both cover the ice, we reassure each other that if one of us sees a penalty, we’ll call it, even if it’s not in our end. The betterment of the game is the most important thing to us.”

The NHL has been working with a two referee system for seven seasons, which means there are four officials on the ice in addition to the players. How do they manage to stay out of the way of play and players while the game is in progress and still see what’s going on?

“We try to stay out of the way but with the speed of the game now and the way the rules are being called in the neutral zone with no red line, you’re always going to miss a call here or there. It’s an unbelievably fast game now. Sometimes the defensemen get the puck and get rid of it as fast as they can, high off the glass and you just hope you’re not in the line of fire. There aren’t a lot of chances to get out of the way. Some of it is luck and some is positioning.”

Pollock doesn’t wear a shield, although many refs have added them. His wife asks him why he doesn’t wear one – and he doesn’t really have a very good answer for her! But he needs a good look at the ice to be sure he sees everything he needs to be focusing on during the battle.

“Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes, but if you work hard, limit your mistakes and treat the players and coaches with respect, all you’re asking back is they give you a fair shake and understand where you’re coming from and treat you with respect as well. I believe overall they understand how tough a job we have.”

Still they do the job, watching the play and the players, dodging errant pucks and sticks, and enduring boos from the audience who may not be happy with their calls, and getting together to talk about calls that may be controversial. You may have noticed the refs “huddling up” a little more this season. That is by design, but they don’t do it unless it’s really necessary and they try not to interrupt the flow of the game. They are trying to develop more of a team concept among the officials.

“If there is a play happening that we’re not 100% sure about, we come together and make the right call for the betterment of the game. The puck moves so quickly you might want to ask everyone, ‘Did you have a good look?’ Generally the right call is made.”

Wouldn’t you, the fan, like to be a fly on the ice, so to speak, and hear what’s being said during a game? What does a player have to do or say to be penalized or thrown out?

“We say as officials we don’t want to take emotion out of the game. Sometimes a player is going really hard and working really hard and he may think he got fouled or think he didn’t foul the other player. If it’s just emotion and what he says is just about the call, we tend to try and let him vent a bit and steer clear. But if they get personal and it’s not about the call, we basically say, enough’s enough.”

Pollock's ultimate goals involve working on the biggest stages.

“Ultimately, like a player, I’d like to do a Stanley Cup final. Everyone on our staff is striving for that. That’s part of what motivates us and makes us competitive among ourselves. If the NHL continues to play in the Olympics, I’d like to be there one day too.”

From the Archives…Necessary Evil: Part One

2011-08-09T00:28:00.000-07:00

Hey hockey fans…Lisa here. I am busy preparing for a Fall/Winter “Good Will Hockey” Tour, so I thought I’d rummage around the archives of the old Lisa’s Lounge and post a previously published article. I found a fabulous" two parter" written by H&HH.com’s very own Jan Snyder covering a popular hockey fan topic: NHL referees.

Forget Secret Lives of Hockey Wives...how about the Secret Lives of NHL referees? From columnist Jan Snyder, part one of Necessary Evil takes a look at the on ice officials, including an interview with current NHL zebra, Kevin Pollock.

Necessary Evil: Part One

Kevin Pollock photo courtesy of Kevin Pollock

By Jan Snyder

When you’re watching a hockey game, do you ever think about the referees? I mean other than when you get angry with them over a call or non-call? Did you ever wonder about them or what their lives are like? Where would the games be without them? There simply wouldn’t be any! Someone has to keep order on the ice and that’s the job of the referees.

I recently spent some time talking with NHL ref Kevin Pollock. #33 in your programs, Kevin Pollock has been an NHL referee since the 1999/2000 season. He has been involved in 68 playoff games and more than 400 regular season games. In 2003, he was one of the refs at the NHL game played outdoors in Edmonton at the Heritage Classic.

He was gracious enough to talk to me for awhile on one of his rare off days. We talked about some of the aspects of his career and I thought you might be interested in a little insight into a side of the game we don’t think about much as fans.

For instance, did you know that the refs make their own travel arrangements through a travel service and book their own hotel rooms? When the games are over, they are usually unable to get a flight to their next destination because they fly commercially and there are few fights after 10:00 p.m. or so when they finish for the night.

“It’s not all bad, but after a game you can’t sleep and end up being up until 1:00 a.m. or so,” Pollock said. “It would be nice to jump on a plane and get to the next city because you’re still awake. We have some very early morning trips to the airport because of security.”

We tend to take the games for granted and always assume, correctly, that the refs will be in place at game time. But we don’t see what goes on behind the scenes when weather causes changes in plans. These guys have to keep a sharp eye on the weather and try to stay ahead of problems, but they can’t always do that.

“Last week I was in Colorado on Saturday and was supposed to be going home on Sunday. But then a snowstorm hit the east coast. Brad Watson [another ref] was in Detroit trying to get to St. Louis. I got a call early Sunday morning saying you have to get to St. Louis and do the game because Brad can’t get there. Things like that arise and we all deal with it.”

One thing the refs don’t have to deal with is celebrity. Since the names were taken off the backs of their shirts and the helmets were added, no one recognizes them after the game – which is probably a good thing!

“I always say we’re the “necessary evil” of the game. It doesn’t matter what call you make, half the crowd agrees with it and the other half doesn’t. We take pride in being keepers of the game and it doesn’t matter to us if Team A or Team B wins, as long as it’s a fair game. It is a fast game and calls are missed but they aren’t missed intentionally. If we had our way, we’d be perfect but there’s never been a perfect ref and there never will be.”

Pollock says the new technology makes their job even harder because those of us watching on TV see the play from so many angles, but not necessarily the one the ref has and that is all he can go by.

“In the ‘70s and ‘80s there might have been only one or two cameras following the play. Now there are probably eight to10 and they’re all at different angles - they’re in the net, in the boards. I wish they’d show the camera angle from what the ref is able to see and you’d get a little better perspective on why the call was made or not made.”

But often times the technology will prove that the correct call was made by the ref. With the speed of the game and the number of bodies on the ice, it’s amazing that they see all that they do.

NEXT TIME... PART 2: More inside info from Kevin on how the referees work together on the ice and keep the game moving

Kelser Pot Pie!

2011-08-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

One day, during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, British Columbians received a neat little packet in the mail, filled with recipes and tips on saving power. Local celebrities dubbed “Team Power Smart Leaders” offered up some home cooking fun for folks around the province.This type of marketing couldn’t be done in Canada without including a hockey hero, so the packet features Vancouver Canuck, and 2011 Selke Trophy winner, Ryan Kesler.

Kesler’s Chicken Pot Pie is a simple recipe for even the most kitchen-shy hockey fans. Also the power saving tip is a good one: keep the bottom of the heat sources for cooking in your kitchen (burners on a stove, bottom of the toaster oven) free of crumbs and burnt food. "They absorb heat that would other wise go into cooking your food".

Ingredients…

Now, considering the fact we are currently fighting a “War on Sodium”, it might be a good idea to substitute that big ol’ can of condensed cream of chicken soup with a low sodium version made from scratch, or at the very least, read the can’s label for the daily percentage of sodium stat and pick the brand with the lowest number.

As a suggestion, you may pair the Kesler Pot Pie with a nice bottle of wine from Bure Family Wines and have yourself a hockey themed Chicken Thursday.

Hey, wait a minute, I just remembered something. My mom gave me a recipe calendar circa 1997, featuring recipes from NHL Hockey moms. If I remember correctly, Calgary Flame captain, Jerome Iginla’s mom had a chicken recipe. Wow…this could be a face off/bake off of Northwest Division Rival Proportions!!!

Must find the recipe calendar in my giant box of hockey stuff (that would be my office) Stayed tuned for the hockey related chicken recipe face off! Only at Lisa’s Lounge ;o)

Become a member of BC Hydro's Team Power Smart. Visit bchydro.com/joinme

High Flyin' Winnipeg

2011-07-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

Isn't it nice to read hockey news out of Winnipeg, and the news isn't about the city lacking an NHL team? Remember those days? All the debating, the number crunching, the complaining, the conspiracies. Those days are gone forever. The Winnipeg Jets have presented their new logo, and now all we have to is like it...or not, and fill up comment sections and message boards with our opinions, debates and complaints.

I like it. However, I imagine it might look more smashing as a crest on a thick,cozy, dark jacket rather than a hockey jersey. But that's just me. The circle logo seems like something Ralph Lauren would cook up to tack onto a fall/winter line of pilot inspired outer wear. Well, Jets fans...Happy Shopping!

In other Winnipeg news...the ten year old singer (the one discovered by Lady Gaga) signed a record deal in the Philippines. Maria Aragon of Winnipeg signed with Star Records. I'm sure she's going to have a ball recording her first record! We may see Maria sing the anthem at Jets games this winter. Wow!

Now that summer has finally arrived in Vancouver, I best be getting back to it.

Happy Off-Season everybody :o)

Prince William Tries Hockey!

2011-07-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Hockey Off Season Blues?

2011-07-12T13:48:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

Okay, here we are in July. We are just about as far away from hockey season as we can get. Are you blue? Are you missing the hockey routine?

After such a disastrous end to the Vancouver Canuck's season, I took a look around my home, and crikey, do I need to get some things organized! So, if you are feeling lost during the off-season, be like me and...organize!

If you are a writer, you know how the writing can really pile up. If you are a hoarder, you know how much you can hoard. Now put the two together, and you've got me! Recently I opened up a container filled with my words, going back to the tender age of 15 years old. I'll be honest, I was really frightened at times. Reading my teen aged fueled writing is freaky. Stupidest. Poetry. Ever. However, there are some short stories, stream of consciousness ramblings and bits of abstract comedy that are completely salvageable.

Mixed into a few decades of writing were other items of interest; the things that I would stick on bulletin boards or fridges. Like the Life In Hell cartoon pictured above (copyright 1988 Matt Groening). So far, I have uncovered five of them - all cut out from the Georgia Straight. I laughed my butt off reading them the other day, especially the one above (if you can't see it right and need clarity, there is a heart drawn on the paper suspended in front of the little fellow). Some aspects of my sense of humor hasn't changed!

And that's my post for now: if you are missing hockey...try a little Tuesday night organizing and downsize what every's been collecting in your closets and drawers.

Happy Birthday, Canada!!!

2011-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Happy 144th Birthday, Canada!!!!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Holiday Long Weekend :o)

Hockey and Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra Featuring Wynton Marsalis

2011-06-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

On Sunday evening I was very lucky to visit Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre to catch the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (Thanks Cousin Jen!).

I love live music. I was a dedicated band student during my junior high and high school years. I've always had an appreciation for Jazz and Classical music, and I realized this past Sunday that I don't blend those genres enough into the ambient, techno (and occassional Rage Against the Machine) music listening sessions that take place in the comfort of my own home.

So how does hockey find a place in this little music post? After going through two solid months of playoff hockey, and then a few weeks dominated by the fallout of the post season, I viewed this Jazz Festival outing as a welcome diversion: a evening without hockey :o)

But that ended up not happening. Settled in our seats, I overheard the group of guys taking their seats behind us, and one guy says as he sat down "Okay, which end are the Canucks attacking? Is this the end?" Haha...I had to chuckle to myself on that one.

The performance began, and five arrangements in, Wynton Marsalis takes to the microphone to introduce the the next piece of music...he says "This next one is an arrangement by Herbie Hancock called The Riot."

Instantly, a round of quiet laughter opened up, and then gained momentum as the audience enjoyed a spontaneous and ironic moment. Marsalis smiled at first; it seemed as though he was unaware of the reason behind our laughter, and then said "You got me." And then he commented, refering to the June 15th, 2011 Stanley Cup riot in Vancouver, "That was a mini riot. Watts, that was a riot". He paused, and then said, "Google it".

The musical highlight for me was Single Petal of a Rose (composed by Duke Ellington in the late Fifties for Queen Elizabeth II) I sat with my eyes closed as they filled with tears. Just a bass clarinet and a piano. It was so beautiful, I didn't want it to end; my head begging for it to come in a "to go" container just so I could carry it with me, bringing it out at future times when I have no words to say.

Ahhh...music, sweet music. The andidote for the hockey void that inevitably comes along this time of year.

The Vancouver International Jazz Festival continues this week. Click here for more information.

The NHL off- season continues this week as well, with Free Agency...will it be a frenzy?? Here's TSN's Free Agency tracker page

Happy listening, everyone :o)

Sun Sets on another Season...

2011-06-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

New post coming shortly...

Canucks/Bruins: Game Seven....THIS IS IT!!!

2011-06-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Faith is to believe what you do not yet see

the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.

- Saint Augustine

Go Canucks GO!!!!

- Lisa Ovens

...Enjoy the game, hockey fans...this is it!

Canucks/Bruins Game Five: Cheers to Those Who Keep the Faith

2011-06-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

This was one crazy week. I wrote three columns and didn't finish one of them. It was difficult; the more I felt, the more I wrote and then new stories would develop leading me to one conclusion: revise my latest book and re-launch in the fall!

So this column is just a photo essay of life in Vancouver leading up to Game Five of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, starting with the photo above - The ticket to Game Five story. And it was a story. After two spectacular "Canuckian Losses" in Boston, Vancouver skidded into a tale spin and Game Five ticket prices tumbled. It was a news story because the local media love to devote heavy minutes to ticket prices. It's what they do.

For me I was really disappointed, especially in the fans interviewed (one chick in particular) who said she wouldn't pay more than $100 to see the game, and another man who said he would only pay $75 to see the game. That was harsh. Silly non believers is my nice way of describing the two. Don't they know anything can happen in the playoffs, and it usually does?

For me, I always felt this would be a long series, and wasn't too flustered by the those two blow outs in Boston. I felt bad for Roberto Luongo. Once again he was being nailed to the cross. I wish I could go give him a hug and pat his head saying..."you'll get it done Lou, you'll show them."

Then less than one hour before puck drop, I came across this sign in a little Yaletown Park...

Some sweet soul who's keepin the faith made a sign and posted it in this pretty little greenway in Yaletown. Who knows, maybe they printed up a bunch and peppered the city with the love. Then another sign...

Until this thing is completely over, like so many that are keeping' the faith, I couldn't agree more with this kid's sign. To the cranky pants fans out there...it's really simple. But you know there might have been a few non believers taking up a few little pockets in this crowd...

They said there was one hundred thousand extra people in downtown Vancouver for Game Five. This looks like the 2010 Winter Olympics all over again. Or more recently, the royal wedding in London, England. If the Canucks can win this thing, they will be Royalty in this town, and maybe even parts of the Canada (certainly not in Alberta ;o) Yep...could all the Canuck haters right now think about the first and third stars in the photo below as royalty?? Tee Hee

The people that know me know I predicted the Canucks would win Game Five. I believed they could do it. I also believed the fans would show up, big at that game, keeping the faith with a wall of cheer. It was what the Canucks needed and the crowd in Roger's Arena delivered. Then, they got to do more of this on the outside...

My cousin, Jen didn't want me to walk into the crowds on Granville and Robson. I was a little tipsy from green bottled goodness, but I decided to walk through the streets to find my way home.

So Canuck fans, especially those of you that have recently joined the party, the Boston Bruins are just as willing to win this thing as the Canucks are. The Boston Bruins will not stop until this thing is over. The Stakes are as high as they come. We can believe our team will win the Cup. But if that doesn't happen in Game Six, please hang in there and keep the faith, like the rest of us do. It beats the hell out of sulking and complaining to the media.

Game Six in Boston on Monday.
The Cup will be in the House.
I don't know how I am going to sleep until then.

Don Cherry Suit Watch: Reversal in Game Three

2011-06-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

That's one freaky striped jacket...went very well with the freaky play of the Canucks Game Three game. Loud bold pattern did us no favors as we lost 8-1.

The Canucks are now 10-3 when Don sports to the Bold and the Brash. Still no sign of his subdued Bruin inspired emsembles this series (Canucks are 3-5 when Grapes goes low key)...will tonight be the night he represents???

Canucks/Bruins Games One and Two: Things that Sting

2011-06-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Ovens

I guess I am only thinking about one type of stinging feeling, and that's what the Bruins could be feeling after experiencing not one, but two painful losses to the Vancouver Canucks. Now they are heading home to Boston down 2 in this series... all I can say is "Ouch!"

Analysts often describe hockey games as " a battle of inches". But in the case of the first two games in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, it's been about a "battle of seconds." In Game One, it was all about the timing: neither team was on the scoreboard until Raffi Torres scored with 18 seconds left in the third period. A tall order for the Bruins to try and score, forcing overtime in such a small amount of time.

Then Game Two...after holding a 2-1 lead, the Bruins found themselves tied with the Canucks after Daniel Sedin's goal half way through the third period. Any opportunity to win in over time was thwarted by Alex Burrows scoring in spectacular fashion, just 11 seconds into the extra frame. Another OUCH!!!

I get the feeling the Boston Bruins haven't realized where they are yet: they are in the freaking Stanley Cup Final! Earlier this season I heard former NHL'er turned game presenter, Ray Ferraro talking about what it is like to play in huge games. I can't remember what playoff game he was describing, but he said for the first half of his icetime , it was like he wasn't even aware of what he was doing, or something of that nature. I expect it will become a reality for the Bruins once they get back to their home rink, and their home fans.

Now, as a Canuck fan, I wonder what things would be like for the city of Vancouver if the tables were turned right now, and we were down 2 games in this final round. It would be panic attack central! However, we'd also be looking for the little things to build on, and after Game Two for the Bruins there are definitely some things to take away from the OT loss. They scored two goals. They converted on a power play. They had a really strong second period. The games have been close on the scoreboard.

The Canucks have not traveled for a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see how they respond to being on the road again. After watching the news this evening I learned there are plenty of Canuck fans already in Beantown showing their support. It'll be San Jose all over again!

Other Notes...

Happy 10th Birthday, Fin! Way back, my niece was a winner in the Name the Vancouver Canucks Mascot Contest. I say a winner, as other contestants offered up "Fin" in their entries. I am Fin's biggest fan, even when he "bites" my head. He's the Canucks true blue, one and only mascot (sorry Green Guys) and I love him dearly :o)

Lisa and Fin

Speaking of the Green Men...

Now they have a travel sponsor and will be in Boston for Games Three and Four. I hope their travel sponsor also bucked up for travel medical insurance...just in case!

Don Cherry Suit Watch Update

Bold, blue and with a leafy patterned, the jacket wins again! Canucks are now 10-2 when Cherry rocks the busy jackets. However, his love of the Bruins will most likely prevail while he reports from Boston. His "Bruin Tribute" looks often involve a one color/tone jacket, and the Canucks are 3-5 when Cherry sports the more subdued fashions. What say the jacket on Monday and Wednesday???

GO CANUCKS!!

Don Cherry Suit Watch: Loud and Proud = WIN!!!

2011-06-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Don Cherry: Game One June 1st,2011

His voice predicted the Canucks would win game one, and so did the jacket. The Canucks 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff win/loss record is now 10-2 when Grapes choses a bold, patterned look for his segments on Hockey Night in Canada.
The above "Christmas in June" plaid look for Game One practically gift wrapped the win for the Canucks! I kid. We know the Raffi Torres goal at 18.5 seconds left in the Third, gifted the Canucks the 1-0 win.

However, beware of Cherry's Bruins inspired looks... and you know they are coming. Often with a one tone/color jacket, when Don Cherry shows his Bruin love via the more subdued ensembles, the Canucks are 3-5. It was only 1-5 up until the Western Conference Final.

Tonight is Game Two...what will Grapes be wearing???

38 Year Drought vs. The 40 Year Old Virgin: Welcome to the Stanley Cup Finals!!!

2011-05-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Canucks 40th Anniversary Pin and Puck

vs.

Boston Bruin Original Six Magic Gloves...marked down to $2

Let the Hockeyandhighheels.com Swag Off begin!!!!

by Lisa Ovens

Not sure if I am the first to dub the Vancouver Canucks as forty year old virgins because they haven't won a cup yet, but it seems to fit the bill. Especially with the Boston Bruins 38 year cup drought...talk about two teams not getting any action...haha!

First I need to address all combo Bruin/Canuck fans, and I know they are out there. I actually know a guy named Tom who is originally from Boston, but has lived in Vancouver for many years. He is a serious hockey fan, and a serious fan of both teams. Talk about Karma for these types of combo fans. Think about it...in the 2010 Playoffs, both the Canucks and the Bruins exited the playoffs in the most embarrassing ways ( with the Bruins rating higher on the blushed cheeks embarrassed scale). Now look at where they are....both in the Stanley Cup Final!!!

But...I'm not crazy about this match up. It is a little too familiar for me and Canuck nation: Seventeen years ago the 1994 Stanley Cup Final, that version of the Vancouver Canucks faced another Original Six team in the New York Oilers,er, I mean the New York Rangers. The Rangers had also been languishing in a cup drought...54 freakin' years!! The Canucks lost in Game Seven, and the rest is history.

So, as you can see, I am antsy about this. The Bruins Cup drought has lasted almost as long as my home team, the Vancouver Canucks have been in existence. However, I will say, today's version of the Vancouver Canucks has the best shot at winning the goose bump inducing silverware for first time, so I just gotta deal with it. And one other thing...

Colin Campbell

As a fan you really don't want to have to think about this sort of stuff, but it is hard not to considering the high stakes involved for both the Canucks and the Bruins. If it were up to me, I'd temporarily relieve the duties of Senior VP and Director of Hockey Operations, Colin Campbell for this final round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and have him sit in the stands like all the other players' parents so he can cheer on his son, Gregory, who happens to play for the Boston Bruins. That should be the only position Colin Campbell should be in to support his son for the upcoming best of seven series.

The cloud that surrounded the man in charge of the league's officiating earlier this season is too close for comfort. It wouldn't take long for things to get ugly if there is any hint at all of certain actions benefiting the Bruins and the fact they are at their best during five on five play. And on a slightly more wacky front....

Don Cherry

Since 2008 I have had a regular playoff feature titled The Don Cherry Suit Watch. Just a simple little bit consisting of showcasing what the Canadian Hockey Icon wears during his Coach's Corner segment of Hockey Night in Canada.

But during this Canucks 2011 run, I began to notice a pattern which developed into a statistic: When Cherry sports the loud, patterned jackets the Canucks often win, and when he adorns himself in subdued one tone, or one color jackets the Canucks lose more games. We all know how much Don Cherry loves the Bruins...well if you follow his threads, his Bruin ensembles lean towards the more subdued. I am wondering how much "Bruin" has Grapes packed in his garment bag? Enough for seven possible games?

Don Cherry must not find out about this stat, and possibly influence the outcome of the series with his jacket selections. Let the jacket lay where it falls. However, the Canucks are improving on the "subdued suit" side of things - the win column gained some ground in Round Three with the San Jose Sharks.

This is the latest win/loss stat leading into the Final..

Big, bold pattern Canucks are 9-2

Cool and Subdued Canucks are 3-5

There, I got a few things out of my system...

GO Canucks!!

Don Cherry Suit Watch : Canuck Win/Loss Statistc UPDATE!!

2011-05-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Ovens

Okay, I've had a day and a half to bask in the glory of my home team, the Vancouver Canucks making it to the final round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs...now I get back to blog business, namely the Don Cherry Suit Jacket/ Vancouver Canuck win loss statistic.

We last left off at Round Three, Game Four....The Canucks won that game, and what was Don wearing? ...

A very subdued look, save for the jaunty cap on his head. The Canucks win/loss stat when Cherry sports a Subdued, one tone or color suit is now 3-5

Then Game Five came along in Vancouver, and Grapes pulled off a repeat of this plaid number he wore for Game One. The Canucks won Game Five and closed out the series on the San Jose Sharks.

I don't think a person could wear this jacket and not have a fun day. Canucks win/loss record when Cherry stands out in a loud, patterned jacket: 9-2.

I have to wonder how many jackets Don Cherry travels with? It appears he has left many of his floral patterns at home in Ontario or they haven't been his "go to" look for the 2011 Playoffs. I am very intrigued by what his Round Four selections will be and if the loud, patterned suit jackets will continue to favor the Vancouver Canucks!

Western Conference Champs...Third Time's a Charm?

2011-05-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

After a tense evening of almost five complete periods of hockey...the Canucks win 3-2 in double OT to knock out the San Jose Sharks and receive the studly, and untouchable Clarence Campbell Bowl! It's the one we have to win to get to the one we really want to win. The Canucks won the Campbell Bowl in 1982, and 1994, and this 2011 win is like a repeat of the 94 win because it happened on the same day, and in the same way...Double Overtime!
Congratulations to my home team, the Vancouver Canucks for getting the job done in Game Five. Four more wins to go.

Bye bye San Jose Sharks...you didn't make it easy for the Orcas tonight, but thanks for coming out and really making a game of it.

Don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight. Still won't finish the dishes though ;o)

Go Canucks!!!

Tampa Bay Lightning Fans Upstage, Well, EVERYONE!!!

2011-05-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

photo by Jim Reed, Tampa Bay Online

Forget full body, spandex suit clad hockey fans hovering around penalty boxes drawing more attention to themselves than the team and the game itself...

Look at what an off ice collective group effort can do to show support for their team!

The above "Human Lightning Bolt" was seen at Tampa Bay's airport when the Lightning took off for Boston the other morning.

What a tribute... and it is truly inspiring!

Tampa Bay Online: click here for the full story

Game Three Sharks/Canucks: Choppy Water at the Shark Tank

2011-05-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

Canucks lead series 2-1

by Lisa Ovens

It was a choppy affair; a real bumpy ride for all involved at the Shark Tank Friday night. The multitude of penalties called played a big part in the game, and this fan longed for a smoother ride through Game Three. Instead it was stop, start, bump, oops there goes another defender kind of game. Despite being down 4-1, the Canucks forged ahead and almost righted the ship, but ultimately came up short in the 4-3 loss.

The Sharks brought it as best as they could to end their Western Conference Final losing streak, feasting on power play opportunites (10 of those...yikes!), and just generally wanting the win more than the Canucks did for a lot of the time. Not surprising since they looked like guppies in Game Two's 7-2 loss to Vancouver a couple of days ago. Patrick Marleau, the man one man called gutless last week, earned the second star tonight, scoring two first period goals with one being a pretty breakaway tally.

So, the Canucks are facing their second Finnish goaltender in a row these playoffs. We went from a Rinne to a Niemi. A Pekka to an Antti (new fans, I did their last names first if you aren't up on your Finnish goaltenders). Thought Niemi was on his game stopping what he needed to to keep the Canucks from completing an inspiring comeback after a bevvy of penalty kills and the loss of defenders, Rome and Ehrhoff. So essentially the Canucks did pretty good considering all of that drama and a crappy first period start!

Now, in the stands I saw a lone, Lime Green Man (he was the one wearing a shark costume on half of his body, thus looking like he was being eaten by a shark), and a couple of Light Blue-ish Teal Men. Who knows how many more dudes in spandex there were, but I enjoyed the variety immensely because it can't be all Green Men, all the time.

The ladies love the hockey!!!

And how about those Road Canuck Fans...the sportscasters speculated about 4000 Orca clad Canuck fans surfaced in the tank and I could hear them singing Oh Canada...sweet!

After thoroughly enjoying the Canuck wins in both Games One and Two (who doesn't like that 2-0 feeling in the postseason?), we now have a little adversity to face in this series: can goalie Roberto Luongo improve his Shark Tank win stat (he's 0-4 currently)? Who will shore up our fabulously blue line with Ehrhoff and Rome likely out? Will the officials continue to control the weather for both teams in this Motion in the Ocean of a series? How will the Canucks fare starting at noon in the ridiculously timed Game Four on Sunday? Will we see more shades of blue, teal and green spandex lurking around the Canucks Penalty Box??

Don Cherry Suit Watch: Jacket/Canucks Win Loss Stat

Well the tides are turning on the Suit Stat in this series... May 18th, Game Two: Cherry adorn in a subdued suit, yet the Canucks win (subdued look Canucks record is now 2-5)

May 20th, Game Three: Don sports that crazy, loud Edmonton Oiler third jersey inspired jacket and the Canucks lose (loud patterned Canucks record is now 8-2)

Post Script: Duty calls, and I will have to miss Game Four, the first time in years that I've had to miss a Canucks playoff game. Go Canucks Go!!!

OT: When was the Last Time You Saw One of These?

2011-05-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

Before Game Two of the Sharks/Canucks series, I came across the above one dollar bill. I can't believe I didn't recognize what it was at first!

The Canadian one dollar bill was discontinued in 1989, so I'd call this a rare sighting. the last time the Vancouver Canucks were in the Western Conference Finals was 1994.

Here's to rare sightings :o) Go Canucks GO!!!

Don Cherry Suit/ Canucks Win/Loss Statistic: UPDATE!

2011-05-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Don Cherry's loud Pattern from May 15th Coach's Corner

The Vancouver Canucks are now 8-1 when Don Cherry wears a loud, patterned jacket on Hockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner. The Canucks are 1-5 this playoffs when Cherry wears subdued one tone or one colour jackets.

What jacket will Grapes select on Wednesday for Game Two of the Motion in the Ocean series featuring the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks?? Canucks lead the Western Conference Final series 1-0

For the full story on the Don Cherry Suit Jacket/ Canucks win/loss statistic, please click here.

GO LOUD....GO CANUCKS!!!!

Report from Nashville: Game 6 and the Off-Season

2011-05-16T21:07:00.000-07:00

Marie Meisel is a Nashville Predators season ticket holder and a guest contributor to Lisa's Lounge. Read along as she wraps up with the final Preds game this post season, and looks ahead to the summer...

by Marie Meisel

After the nail biter that was game 5, the Predators were welcomed Sunday May 8th by several hundred fans at the airport. It was great to see the guys smiling and enjoying their welcome home. http://video.predators.nhl.com/videocenter/

Monday was game night. Game 6, do or die time. We had our towels, we had our vocal cords and we had our passion for our team. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and the Predators Magical Playoff ride ended in a 2-1 loss. We stayed for the traditional handshake and saluted our team with one last “Let’s Go Predators”.

It was sad to see the season end. No more trips to the arena, no more comparing notes with fellow fans between periods, no more overpriced concession stand pizza. All that was left was a round of hugs and wishes for a good summer to the various members of my hockey family.

But this playoff run was a huge step for the team and for us as a fan base. The team finally got over the first round hump. They took the best team in the regular season to 6 games, five of which were 1 goal games. Pred Nation finally received a measure of respect from many fans around the league for our passion and knowledge.

The Canuck fans who posted on our message board were respectful and appreciated our online version of southern hospitality. And many Canadians got to see what many of us already knew, hockey is alive and well in this part of Dixie. How about calling Nashville a new traditional market? We’ve borrowed a few traditions from other teams and put our own twist on them. We took Detroit’s octopus and made it our own by using a catfish. We have used the rally towel that Vancouver started. And we have our chants and the well known TV timeout standing ovation which are uniquely ours.

Now it is off season for the citizens of Pred Nation. We will enjoy the warmer weather. Get around to all those things that got neglected during the season. Get reacquainted with non hockey loving family members. For myself, I am in the process of buying my first home. I will be doing some traveling. I will catch up on my professional reading by going through the pile of nursing journals on my bedroom floor. I will drop by Lisa’s Lounge periodically to add columns on road trips and playing fantasy hockey. And perhaps even read a non hockey related book or two.

I will be checking various message boards though perhaps not as frequently. I will follow the playoffs as they progress towards the awarding the Stanley Cup. Good luck to Lisa’s Canucks. I will get together with my friend Robin to watch the NHL Awards show to check out the players all cleaned up. And see if any our guys: David Poile, Barry Trotz, Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne get an award.

Then the NHL Entry Draft in late June, though there is less excitement this year since we don’t have a first round pick. Wait to see what players are re-signed (especially our captain, Shea Weber) and who is let go. In July, there will be prospect camp. And as the calendar rolls around to August, training camp will start.

Until we meet again, in the words of Paul McCann our arena announcer...

Good night and good hockey!

The Don Cherry Suit Win/ Loss Statistic

2011-05-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

When Grapes goes loud...the Canucks win!!

by Lisa Ovens

After two rounds, the Canucks have played 13 games...8 wins 5 losses. Mixed into all of these playoff hockey memories? Visions of Don Cherry's suit jackets kept appearing in my minds eye. I started to see a pattern, and it wasn't plaid or pretty florals.

I went back through Coach's Corner archives to confirm what Don Cherry was wearing during the segments, and this is what I found...

Since the beginning of the Playoffs, The Canucks are 7-1 when Don Cherry sports a loud bold suit jacket during his Coach’s Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada.

When Grapes wears a more subdued suit jacket (only one tone or colour) …the Canucks are 1-5

Subdued suits and Canucks mostly lose

2nd round Predators/Canucks

Game Six win bold pattern
Game Five loss subdued/one colour
Game Four win subdued/one colour
Game Three win bold pattern
Game Two loss subdued/one colour
Game One win bold pattern

Wins: Bold Jacket 3 subdued Jacket 1     Losses: Bold jacket 0 subdued Jacket 2

Round one was a little different. Cherry didn’t start his Coach’s Corner segments until after the Canucks won Game One. However, even when Cherry’s segments were featured during the Habs/ Bruins series, they happened in between the Canucks/Blackhawks games and his choice of jacket still supports the win/loss pattern…

Game Seven win Bold bold pattern
Game Six loss ( the day after subdued suit)
Game Five loss subdued Easter look pink (one colour jacket)
Game Four loss subdued Easter look purple (one color jacket)
Game Three win Bold
Game Two win Bold   Checked jacket between Canuck wins
Game One win   Bold

Wins: Bold Jacket 4 subdued jacket 0 Losses: Bold Jacket 0 subdued jacket 3

Right now the Canucks are playing game number 14, the first of a possible seven in the Western Conference Finals against the Sharks. The Sharks are leading 2-1 after the second period. Don Cherry's jacket for the evening? Green plaid.

So there you have it! GO PLAID GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Western Conference Final: Sharks/Canucks...the Motion in the Ocean!!!

2011-05-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Ovens

That's right...

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAAAAY...

get your wetsuit on and batten down the hatches...

It's the Motion in the Ocean series...

Big Sea Logos will be dukin' it out for Pacific Ocean Supremacy...Sharks vs. Orcas!

Well, the above paragraph was lifted from my first book, Hockey and High Heels. The first game diary of that book featured a regular season home opener between the Sharks and the Canucks...at that time (2002) I was pondering rivalries, and I didn't feel there was a huge rivalry between the two teams so I made up my own involving the logos. Nine years later, and these two teams are meeting for the first time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It's so magical :o)

Watching the players on the ice this series will be a blur filled with outlines of large, finned, predator sea creatures crashing up against each other in the corners, or coliding in the neutral zone for fearsome open ice hits. Not only that, it definitely will be cool blend of blue-y greens on the ice over the next week or so with all of that teal, kelly green and royal blue. Not a red symbol or logo in sight.

I do wonder how this series will rate on the dysfunction meter. I'm mean there are some pretty big suitcases packed with playoff dysfunction and misery on both sides of the baggage carousel here. The Sedin Twins lack of playoff domination through the first two rounds surely has been out-shined by the whole Patrick Marleau is a gutless player comment out of the mouth of Jeremy Roenick. Thanks for that, Jeremy! The Canucks blew their 3 game series lead and then salvaged the victory in Game Seven OT. But that was way back in Round One. They've had another round to work out some bugs. The Sharks are fresh off blowing a 3 game series lead and then finally saving face in last night's game seven win over the Red Wings. It was only by one goal, and it just happened yesterday. And that's just this year! I'm not going to go back in time and look at the checkered playoff pasts of the Canucks and the Sharks. May the teams start over fresh in Game One on Sunday. Okay...the Canucks start fresh...the Shark;s may they hold a little dysfunction close to their hearts for the next week and a bit!

Happy Conference Finals, everybody!

Game Six: Canucks Advance, Predators also Advance...sort of

2011-05-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

This Guy!!!

Canucks 2 Predators 1

Canucks win series 4-2

by Lisa Ovens

There will be no Game Seven. No Game Seven. Oh thank heaven, there will be no Game Seven! The Vancouver Canucks managed to finish off the Nashville Predators in six games, much to the pleasures of their fans. A little extra rest is something we were hoping for as we turn the corner into the last half of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

That guy, Ryan Kesler deserves every bit of praise for the hard work he personally put into the Canucks second round victory over the Nashville Predators. And that'll happen in the playoffs: one player becomes possessed, and everyone look out. But we have to remember they are a team, and in order to take those 16 wins required, we can expect to see others pull off the extraordinary when it will be needed most. For example... Enter Jeff Tambellini. He hadn't been inserted into the line up until last night, his very first playoff game. His quick and efficient work interupting a Martin Erat breakaway surely had an impact on the outcome of the game. We could be singing an entirely different tune today had Erat scored.

And why do I say the Nashville Predators have "sort of advanced"? Well, finally in this round two, it became glaringly apparent that there is a living, breathing, passionate nation of hockey fans in Tennessee. The South. There must have been a few million Canadians tuning in last night and throughout this series featuring the last Canadian based team/city in the playoffs (many of them cheering against the Canucks I am sure) so the elitest hockey fans out there have to be aware of this by now. No one is allowed to say the people don't care about hockey in Nashville ever again.

Congratulations Canucks...we are in Western Conference Finals after all of these years :o)

The View from Smashville

2011-05-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

by Marie Miesel
Lisa did a nice job summing up games 1 and 2 in Vancouver!

I do have a funny story about game 2 before moving on. I was on our message board np.com chat room for game 5 against Anaheim. I was very frustrated and decided to turn the game off. As you all know the Preds tied it in the dying seconds of regulation and then won it in OT. A mojo/superstition was born. Prior game 2 in Vancouver, I had promised to log off if we were behind. With 9 minutes left, I logged off. And we tied it up in the last minute. I furtively followed the first OT. I came back to the chat room for the second OT and was able to enjoy the win with my fellow fans.

Games 3 and 4 were at our house on 5th and Broadway. The front office decided to go with a “Gold Out” theme. Bright yellow T-shirts and towels were on every seat. We supplied the noise. We are getting noticed for our vocal commentary on the game action. TSN, CBC and even a French language paper in Quebec have done stories on our fan base. Alas, the power of Gold was not enough. Game 3 was a 3-2 OT loss with the game winner scored on a controversial power play. It was also Ryan Kesler’s coming out party. He had 2 PPG including the game winner.

Game 4 the crowd came back with the same energy but again the Preds struggled offensively. We lost 4-2 with goal #4 an empty netter. Kesler drew another penalty. This time on Ryan Suter and proceeded to score the game winner on the PP. Heartbreak at the Bridge. I wanted to cry. I had intended to wish all my hockey buddies a good summer. But I didn’t. Perhaps part of me knew that just maybe we would get another home game.

Game 5 and Hockey Night in Canada. The biggest hockey stage outside the Olympics and World Jrs. Most Canucks fans were predicting an easy win. Time to get rid of those pesky, no talent Predators. I didn’t hold out much hope myself. The Canucks have been are a better team statistically and have outplayed the Predators for the most part. Pekka Rinne has been a major reason we have been able to stay in the previous 4 games. And there was Ryan Kesler, itching to make our defense look silly again. And he did. He had 2 goals in the game.

But as it happened against Anaheim, where Nick Spaling, Jerred Smithson and Matt Halischuk entered Predators lore, another unlikely hero stepped up. Joel Ward, a product of the Canadian University hockey system, scored 2 goals and played his heart out on defense. David Legwand also scored twice including once with a little help from Alex Elder. No offense Canucks fans, but fluky goals still count.

And we Preds fans know a little something about fluky playoff goals. First round 2009 playoffs, game 6 against Detroit. Nik Lidstrom shoots a puck from the neutral zone at the end of the period. It takes a funny bounce and pops right over Dan Ellis’s shoulder. That shot ended our hopes of getting past the Wings. First round 2010 playoffs, game 6 against Chicago. Brent Seabrook shoots the puck down the ice on a dump in; it deflects off Patrick Kane’s skate at the blue line and bounces in. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another fluky goal in Game 6 Monday night. Though, I do hope it’s ours. 8-)

And now a word from the soapbox. The internet is a wonderful tool. Being able to post on hockey message boards, meet other fans and discuss hockey with a wide audience is great. Sadly, it is also a vehicle for the petty, mean spirited and downright ignorant to inflict their views on the general populace.

Our moderators have been very busy editing and banning “trolls” who seem to have no purpose other than to stir up trouble and act like fools. I’m sure the Canucks moderators have had to do the same. Participate in a discussion but don’t descend into name calling and other childish behavior. Hockey fans are the best fans in the world. Let’s show a little class and treat opposing fans with some common courtesy.

Tomorrow night is another home game. Hard to believe we are still playing. Another chance for the Preds and their fans to stand together. Win or lose, I am proud to be a citizen of Smashville.

May we have a good, clean game.

Canucks/Predators and Game Six

2011-05-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Thw Wondertwins need to activate their powers, big time!

Canucks lead series 3-2

By Lisa Ovens

Remember, way back on Thursday April 28th, when many pundits and fans wrote off this series as a boring one to watch? Boring has been far from it. Well at least since Game Three in Nashville. Although the Canucks took games three and four, I felt the Nashville fans took those games over the Canuck fans, too. If people still think hockey in Nashville hasn't arrived yet, well, I just don't know what else to tell them anymore. The spirit of hockey is alive and well in Music City, and that is almost as much of a story as the ones being written on the ice.

The Canucks should be very thankful for the play of Ryan Kesler throughout this series. He's been seriously bringin' it each and every game. On the other side, Preds goalie Pekke Rinne has been the star, even when the Preds lose.

So the series returned to Rogers Arena with the Predators down 3-1 and on the cusp of elimination. Game Five in Vancouver Saturday night delivered Canuck fans to a very familiar place: witnessing their team lose the game, feeling disappointed, concerned and wondering: how come the team can't get it done on the first try?

Losing 4-3 Saturday night was a reminder of Game Six in series one. Although the team played well that night, they just didn't win the game over the Blackhawks. And here we are again, this time with the Predators climbing back into a series the Canucks could have nipped in the bud.

Considering the overall lack of performance out of the Sedin Twins in these playoffs, we have to think the Canucks have gotten used to finding ways to win without them. If Daniel and Henrik do manage to make some major noise in Game Six tomorrow night, we can only consider that icing on the cake providing Kesler, Burrows, Higgins and Luongo keep up their game.

And, if the Canucks lose again, we have another little demon to deal with: Game Seven takes place back in Vancouver on May 11th: the very date the Canucks were eliminated in both the 2010 and 2009 Playoffs...yikes!

Go Nucks!

Predators/Canucks Games One and Two: Splitsville in Vancouver

2011-05-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

photo by Andrew lavigne

Game One Canucks 1 Predators 0
Game Two Predators 2 Canucks 1 (Double OT)

Series tied 1-1

by Lisa Ovens

Many assumed the Canucks would lose Game One after the thrilling and exhausting first round series against the Blackhawks, and then righting the ship to take Game Two. Well, the exact opposite happened. The Canucks shut out the Preds in front of a mild crowd last Thursday evening. That was the night I came up with a new nickname for Preds netminder: The Thud. Pekka “The Thud” Rinne. That’s for the loud thud heard every time Canuck rubber bounces off the sturdy goal tender. But it would be Roberto Luongo earning the shut that night.

Two nights later, it seemed the very same game carried over into Game Two. A match that was more about goal tending than scoring.

Canucks captain, Henrik Sedin is stuck in a scoring slump, along with forward, Ryan Kesler. We can only hope these two can pull out some offense in Nashville for Games Three and Four: they’re going need it in order to quiet the spirited Nashville crowd.

But getting back to game two…seeing Round One catch up to my home team was something that was bound to happen. But, as the long game moved along, they did come alive, but didn’t get the break needed to end the game. Dang…five periods of play and someone’s going to go home angry. May the anger inspire more scoring!!!

For the Canucks and Preds series, I think we’ll be waiting for a turning point that opens the series up. Find those reasons to dislike the opponents. But until that happens, we’ll have to be content with a slower built up.

Here's to slow cookin' playoff hockey :o)

Did you see...

Blonde Jazz diva, Diana Krall at Saturday night's game? Kind of makes ya think about another Blond Diva in the Country Music scene hanging out at the Preds games...Carrie Underwood (wife to Mike Fisher). Do I smell a new rivalry cooking between Jazz and Country? BC's Krall takes on Nashville's Underwood...Krall sits in the stands and that's pretty cool, but if I am not mistaken, every shot I've seen of Underwood, she's up in a suite somewhere. Rivalries gotta start somewhere....

Go Nucks...Go Krall!!!

The Business of Fandom: The Green Men of Vancouver

2011-05-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

photo from the Official Green Men website

By Lisa Ovens

If the Canucks/Predators series isn’t floating your boat, there have been a few off-ice stories that might be of interest.

Well known, green spandex wearing, Vancouver hockey fans, the Green Men have a new adjective to tag onto their press releases, and that adjective is "controversial". The Green Men have appeared in the news three times this last week, and unfortunately it wasn't all about the fun and games the Green Men are known for.

Earlier this week, a Honda dealership found itself in the sites of NHL legal counsel after it was discovered the Vancouver Canucks stick and rink logo and the words “Go Canucks Go” were emblazoned prominently on the front window. The Green Men were also mentioned in the article as another auto dealer in the same group had enlisted the super fans to appear at a fundraising promotion, bringing up a potential issue with Green Men associations. (Vancouver Sun story here)

Also this week: Green Men were initially blamed for affecting the early morning commute at the Massey Tunnel (already a traffic jam to begin with) as two spandex clad fans “entertained” from the road side. It was discovered these two were imposter Green Men enlisted by some attention seeking pub in the suburbs.

Saturday it was rumored the Nashville Predators lodged a complaint against the Green Men (a rumor the Preds have denied, see story here). The Green Men, who attended Saturday night’s game, did divulge they received notice indirectly from the National Hockey League that they could no longer touch the penalty box glass when attending games. The penalty box camera angle had been adjusted to cut out most of the view of the Green Men, and even a security guard was seen sitting in the box, next to the glass separating the box from the Green Men.

So if you are the Green Men, you might ask yourself “is this all worth it?” Well, apparently it would be as the duo is working at monetizing their celebrity. They have a line of “Green Men” gear. Below is the Green Men Jersey, selling at $64.99 (with $9.99 going to charity). Plus they have logo’d T-shirts going for $30.00. You can book the Green Men for personal appearances. Their site also displays a banner ad for a company that sells the very spandex suits the duo wear.

for more green men gear, click here!

On April 26th, 2011, The Green Men tweeted “Heading to the game in style... Royal Limo giving us a lift, some Batchelor Plan girls along for the ride. See you soon Vancouver!”

So it’s not just the Vancouver Canucks and the NHL looking out for their business and their partners, it appears the Green Men have a stake of their own/ business relationships to nurture.

In the beginning, it was all very much innocent and organic with the Green Men. Coming alive one night at mid- winter regular season game vs. the Nashville Predators a few seasons ago, giving fans at the game and at home something to laugh about. Now they are testing the entrepreneurial waters, enjoying some trappings of their celebrity, and taking shots from the NHL and HNIC analyst, Glen Healy along the way.

After such a news worthy week, many fans are now speaking out in support of the Green Men. Though there are the critics out there as well. Personally, I am going to side with the people who own Rogers Arena as they have every right to dictate what is acceptable behaviour for the guests in their building. And those owners are also part of the National Hockey League, and ultimately it is their hockey show that comes first and foremost.

I know if I were sitting behind the Green Men, paying those steep club seat prices, their schtick would get pretty old, pretty fast, and I'd want them to get out of my view of the ice. Simple as that.

The Green Men have collected 82,000 “likes” on their facebook fanpage and have 7,700 followers on twitter.

Green Men Official Website

Puttin' the Canuck in the Royal Wedding!

2011-04-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

I stayed up late to watch Kate and William's wedding , but I didn't catch what you'll see in the following video...

I've watched it several times now, and every time I laugh out loud :o)
Cheers to International Canuck fans everywhere, especially the one in the above video flying the colors of their fave team ;o) and the fan who posted the video!

Vancouver Canucks/Nashville Predators….so Much in Common!

2011-04-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

I dub this series “The Series of Distinguished Acknowledgements”. Look at the potential hardware both teams are up for winning in June at the NHL awards…

The Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year (Alain Vigneault, Barry Trotz)

The Vezina Award for Goal Tender (Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne)

The Norris Award for best defender (Shea Weber and his fabulous playoff beard)

The Selke Award for Best defensive forward (Ryan Kesler)

The Hart Trophy for most Valuable Player (Daniel Sedin)

Now that’s a lot of acknowledgement! (Please note I only listed nominees from the teams in this series)

Little Engines that Could

On a more mental level…if there is one big similarity between these Semi Final opponents, is how they both finished their first rounds….on incredibly high notes! The Predators had to win Round One. There was no other way. After losing their way out of the playoffs via the first round during five other attempts, it meant the world to their resilient fans to finally get through to the right side of the Quarter Finals. Heck I remember when the Preds had a devil of a time trying to secure a playoff win on the road! So having that Game Six victory, and at home in front of their chant crazy fans, was the bomb.

On the other side of this series, the Vancouver Canucks, stuck in what felt like a never ending post- season tango with the Chicago Blackhawks, also had to win Round One just so they could say “we beat them…we finally beat the Hawks in the playoffs!”. There was no other way. It took until an overtime goal in Game Seven to pull it off., and it all went down in front of the hometown fans. Talk about a high note!

Now these two teams are facing each other after both exercising some Stanley Cup Playoff demons. But for these best of seven games, the Predators are in unchartered territory, and the Canucks, not so much: they now have to exercise another demon, getting to the winning side of round two. The Nucks haven’t done this since 1994.

Where's The Love?

Thanks to the two days of the local media billing this as a boring hockey series before a puck was even dropped, the Nucks and the Preds might not be feeling the love they deserve right now. If you saw game one on Thursday night, you would have noticed the empty seats at Rogers Arena. It was the game no one wanted to attend. Are the ticket prices too high, or are we just not a serious hockey town, populated by superficial people that demand confirmation this will be good hockey entertainment prior to committing any time, emotions or cash. All I can say “It’s Playoff Hockey people, what more do you really need?”

Anybody But the Canucks!!

So Canuck haters have quickly jumped onto the Preds bandwagon. May the Nashville Predators enjoy this new found popularity and may it make their first Semi Final appearance all the more special.

On my turf, it’s pretty clear the Canucks are not Canada’s team. Too many Canadian hockey fans dislike us out here on the left coast and can not bring themselves to cheer with us. Cyberspace is full of hate. Oh yeah, I’ve been walking through it, and much like avoiding dog poop on Yaletown sidewalks, I’m stepping aside the steaming piles around the cyber space hockey communities.

All of this hate, kind a makes it more fun!
Go Nucks!

Don Cherry Suit Watch: Keepin' Up with the Jackets!

2011-04-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Ovens

The last few days have been busy, and with a few more Don Cherry/ Coach's Corner appearances than normal, I'm behind on the posting So...up first, April 26th...

Look...it's a blast from the past! Don resurrects a look from back in the day when he coached the Boston Bruins. Nice touch, Grapes!

Then it was his choice for the Vancouver Canucks/Chicago Blackhawks Game Seven broadcast...

Wow...just wow. I was in a loud bar that night; almost as loud as this pattern! I had no idea what Don was talking about because I couldn't hear him, but that jacket was speaking volumes!

Hmmm....this one certainly draws the eye to the middle. Not sure why it looks off, which is uncharacteristic for Don. Hockey Night in Canada's is down to covering one Canadian team, the Vancouver Canucks. Here is the Vancouver Canucks/Nashville Predator's Round Two Schedule...

Game One     6pm Thurs. April 28 - Vancouver
Game Two    6 pm Sat. April 30th- Vancouver
Game Three  6 pm Tues. May 3rd- Nashville
Game Four   5:30pm Thurs. May 5th- Nashville
Game Five     5 pm Sat. May 7th- Vancouver
Game Six      Mon. May 9th- Nashville (start time TBA)
Game Seven   Wed. May 7th- Vancouver (start time TBA)

For everything Hockey Night in Canada/ Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, including video segments of Coach's Corner, please click this link! Lots of fun stuff :o)

Happy Playoffs!!

The Dream is Over

2011-04-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

by Jan Snyder

What a sudden and sickening end to the Pens season. After playing a pretty good game Wednesday night, where the fans were awesome, they just couldn’t score even one goal to tie the game. Not that they didn’t try, they did. Not just Wednesday, but ever since Sid and Geno went out. I felt badly for the guys. Nice salute to the fans at the end.

Could it be the curse of the Mellon Arena? It’s just sitting there, watching everyone step into the new building and ignoring the old one.

Whatever it is, the whole season, that started out so promising on so many fronts, came to an end with nothing but a thud last night.

The good news is that Sid now has several months to fully recover and Dan Bylsma won’t have to answer any more questions about whether Sid’s coming back. We saw Geno skating so we can hope he has no setbacks and will return in time for training camp.

Will Kovy be back next year? Who will be gone before next training camp? Who will still wear the black and gold?

That’s about all we have to worry about now – at least until fall.

The playoffs will go on, I’ll watch, but my heart won’t be in it. I’ll hope that Vancouver wins it all (sorry, Marie!) and that again next season, Lisa and I can hope to see our teams meet in the Stanley Cup Final.

It’s been almost 24 hours since the Pens were eliminated and I still don’t feel any better. It takes some time, I guess.

Thanks for reading my columns, Pens fans! See you again for 2011-2012!

Report from Nashville: A Hockey Franchise Grows Up

2011-04-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

By Marie Miesel

Let’s rewind 72 hours. It’s Easter Sunday in the buckle of the Bible belt. A day usually spent at church and with family. But this Easter was also a high holy hockey day. Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. After a dramatic Good Friday OT win, the Preds came home with a 3-2 series lead. A chance to win a playoff series for the first time in 6 tries. Having exorcised the ghost of last season’s Game 5 meltdown in Chicago, we were ready to watch hopefully a handshake on our home ice where we were the winning team. Such dread and such hope mixed together. The crowd was large for the pregame warm-ups. Questions loomed. Could we contain the Finnish Flash and the Perry Express one more time? As a previous year’s playoff slogan went Questions Will Be Answered. With our gold rally towels in hand and Pierre Maguire Inside the Glass, we settled in.

We got off to a rocky start with Teemu Selanne scoring his 6th goal in 6 games. I have always liked him as a player, was happy when he finally won a Cup in 07 but man did he make our team look silly. In the previous 5 games, the team that scored first won the game. Nerves were wound a little tighter. Nick Spaling a 3-4th line guy and PKer extraordinaire put a pass from Jordin Tootoo in the last minute of the first to knot the score at 1-1. In the second, the 2 old men and kid 4th line (Steve Sullivan, J P Dumont and Blake Geoffrion) put us up 2-1.

We give the Ducks a PP (very bad idea) near the end of the second period. Jason Blake makes it 2-2 going into the third. It looked like we had gone up 3-2 when Patric Hornqvist appeared to score on a deflection. It was waived off due a high stick. Nick Spaling and Jordin Tootoo team up again and the Preds go up 3-2. Hope was getting a little stronger. But then, (cue music of doom) Mike Fisher goes off for tripping at the 8 minute mark. It was one of the longest 2 minutes I’ve ever experienced. After that, it was holding on for dear life and watching the clock wind down.

Anaheim pulls their goalie. But Saku Koivu gets called for interference on Sergei Kostitsyn in the last minute. The countdown was on. David Legwand, our very first draft picks and EN expert, put home the final nail, 4-2 Preds. It was a very emotional moment. People were crying, hugging and cheering their hearts out. We have waited so long and endured so much to get to this moment. A shout out to the Day One fans who stuck with it through the horrible expansion years, the Balsille takeover attempt and the aching disappointment of 5 first round exits.

Lisa’s Canucks are now on our dance card. They will be favored, as they should be, being the best team in the league this year. But don’t count the Preds out. We are led by Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Pekka Rinne and cast of mostly unknowns who play their hearts out every night. And a fanbase who’s passion can no longer be overlooked.

Many hockey elitists have wanted us moved, have called us uneducated rednecks, have put down our city and our state. To all you, have a nice day because the Preds are playing in May!

Pierre McGuire from TSN comments on Nashville...

"It was a spectacular event and I have to tell you guys this right now. What blew me away more than anything else was post game. The amount of people that were crying because they were happy. The amount of people that said thank you for supporting our franchise. The amount of people that said we really appreciate your network covering our games. I was blown away by the hospitality, by the humbleness, by the polite nature of the fan base here and it’s not just me. There were so many Canadian people at this game. A lot of people obviously view Nashville as a destination type area where you come and you watch … go to museums … you go to the Grand Ole Opry … you listen to country music. It’s just a destination location. And it’s a lot of fun. I was blown away by how many people enjoy this team, by how many people care about the future of this franchise, and by the passion of their fan base. This is a winner. Nashville is a winner. Hats off to Gary Bettman. He had the vision to let this thing play itself out. It’s playing itself out right now. This is one of the better franchises in the league in terms of talent on the ice. This is a very positive thing for the league. Very positive".

Canucks Win Game Seven!!! Lisa says Bye Bye Blackhawks :o)

2011-04-27T01:46:00.000-07:00

Canucks win Game Seven 2-1 in Overtime

by Lisa Ovens

A story book ending came in overtime, punctuating a first round series that seemed to take forever to play out. Alex Burrows was the first star of the game; riding a roller coaster of his very own - scores first goal, later on he's hauled down and gets awarded a penalty shot, but his shot was turned away by the Hawks' Corey Crawford. Then he takes a penalty in overtime (never a good thing), and a short time later, he seizes an opportunity and pots the OT game winner.

I can't begin to express the relief I felt once that red light went on. After three consecutive kicks at the can, this version of the Canucks knocked the talented Chicago Blackhawks out of the Playoffs. The Canucks managed to right a ship that was dangerously close to sinking.

We'll live for another day in the Stanley Cup Playoffs!!!

I enjoyed the crowds downtown Vancouver tonight; the sound of honking horns is just music to my ears!

Next up for me...waiting to see if Jan Snyder's Pens get through to ROUND TWO; their Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning happens Wednesday night. And next up for the Canucks...a round two date with the wily Nashville Predators. If you follow this blog, guest writer, Nashville Predator season ticket holder, and good, good friend of mine, Marie Miesel and I will be pitted against each other...a first for me since I've been running the blog at hockeyandhighheels.com. Bottom line...it's going to suck!

GO PENS!!!! GO HABS!!!

GAME SEVEN FEVER!!!!

2011-04-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

In a few hours...all will be come clear.

GO CANUCKS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Struck Down by the Lightning – Again!

2011-04-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

Series Tied 3-3

by Jan Snyder

"Hey, Sid? Sid, how’s the head feeling? "

If ever there was a time when we needed a hero to ride in on a white horse and save the day, it would be on Wednesday for Game Seven. Adding Sid to the lineup would be great, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. So these boys that have played so well all season need to get their confidence back, lick their wounds, and win the next game!

This one started out promising enough with Dupuis scoring the first goal in the first period. But the Tampa Bay Lightning quickly tied it up, and in the second period, went ahead. From there it almost became a comedy of errors although there was nothing at all funny about it.

Baby Penguin Chris Conner was awarded a penalty shot, but as he came in on goal, he just lost the puck and never got a shot off. Scrums and fights broke out, things got silly, but the second period ended with no more damage on the scoreboard.

Jordan Staal tied the game again at 2-2, but that would be the end of anything good for the Pens on this night. Downie and Pittsburgher (in name only) Ryan Malone each added another goal.

Although the Pens were given a plethora of power plays, they couldn’t convert on any of the five, giving them a truly woeful power play percentage in this series.

Okay, let’s look at the bright side. We’re coming back home to our crowd who have never seen this group wrap up a series. Wouldn’t that be a nice payback for all the support all year long? We’ve won Game Sevens before – on the road. Surely we can win one at home.

Didn’t seem like anyone got hurt tonight, other than their pride, so we should have all hands on deck.

Maybe if we get to the second round, Sidney Crosby really will come back – we can dream, can’t we?

Let’s be good fans and cheer for all we’re worth on Wednesday night and bring the house down with a big win! Maybe Fleury needs another outburst of cheering his name, too. Couldn’t hurt.

Let’s Go, Pens!!

Canucks/Hawks Post Game Six: Tough Day at the Office

2011-04-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

Why did the late Roger Neilson do this? Refs and Blackhawks were involved!

Series Tied 3-3

By Lisa Ovens

The Canucks did everything but win Game Six Sunday night in Chicago. So once again we lost a Game Six to the Chicago Blackhawks.Not that I know anything about this, but I wonder if kicking a herion habit is easier than the Canucks kicking the Blackhawk monkey off their backs?

Alas, we have a new page in the ongoing saga that is the Canucks/Blackhawks Playoff relationship: a Game Seven. For the third meeting in as many years, it will be different, as these teams have always said “see ya next year” after game six, with the Canucks staying behind as the Hawks move forward. But, not this time. It is a whole new plotline (as if we haven’t had our fill of those yet).

Last playoffs, not once did the Blackhawks have to play a game seven. So Tuesday will be yet another page turner in the big book of A Tale of Two Cities: The Vancouver and Chicago version.

And how about those Hockey Gods, huh? They sure were bringing it. However, the Canucks have some positives to take from Game Six, and I hope for their sake they are not feeling too demoralized after the overtime loss Sunday evening.

That's all I got for now, as I have to get up really early. But I will continue the column Monday evening.

But before I go, I must congratulate the Nashville Predators and their fabulous fans on their very first playoff series win. Bravo!!!!

Canucks/Hawks Game Six: Game Day Fun!

2011-04-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not everyone does at this point...I know I do :o)

By Lisa Ovens

Is it hard to have fun today if you are a Canuck fan? Probably. I’m sure many are feeling like nervous parents watching their kids work through some terrible ordeal or something.

I’m just working my way through a 2 pound chocolate bunny, waiting for the game to begin. I’m listening to Canuck bench boss, Alain Vigneault being interviewed on the radio – he sounds like he has a cold.

It’s been several days of Game Six Pre- Game stuff on the old checklist. Like we haven't been here before. Third time's a charm, eh?...

Canucks had a players meeting. Check.

Canucks employ a loosening up tactic during a practice (playing with tennis balls). Check.

Haters hating on the Canucks and their fanbase? Check.

Chicago sports writer pens a column that’s embarrassing to Blackhawk fans and the city of Chicago? Check.

Brent Seabrook back on the roster. Check.

Luongo starting in net for the Canucks. Check.

UPDATE: Cory Schneider gets the Start....GO CORY GO!!!!!

People still arguing over Vigneault’s decision to start Luongo. Check. (this will still be an argument, even though it is Cory in net now)

Everyone knows the Sedin twins, Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows need to stand out in positive ways from this point on. Check.

Possible that the Blackhawks will have a subpar game, because after all they only finished in 8th spot, therefore they must have blown a few important games in recent memory. Check. Grasping at Straws? Check.

Everybody pretending like it’s a Game Seven. Check.

People forgetting the Canucks still lead this series. Check.

Good Luck, Canucks… You just need to have more goals than them. Win the game.

Happy Easter, Hockey Fans!!

2011-04-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

(a hockey related Easter item, not made from chocolate!)

A Lightning Strike Creates Frankenstam-kos!

2011-04-23T23:39:00.000-07:00

Pens Lead the Series – 3-2

by Jan Snyder

When I woke up this morning, I knew I’d be in for a great day of hockey, and I felt fully confident that the Pens would wrap up this series at home today. Little did I know a strike of lightning would create Frankenstamkos! All of a sudden, Steve Stamkos woke up and had two goals, an assist and an all around great game. The whole Lightning team had a great game.

enter to win and meet Frankenstam-kos!!!

The Pens started out well enough, with a wildly enthusiastic crowd on their hands for such a ridiculously early starting time. That should have been our first clue that this game wouldn’t go well. The Pens don’t ever seem to do well in these early weekend games. But right from the start, things went wrong. Orpik bonged the puck off the goal post, and then a few shots that should have gone it didn’t, just like the game before. The first Pens’ power play looked good, although they couldn’t get it past Roloson. And before long, Tampa started shooting, scoring and never looking back.

Give the Pens and the fans credit for never giving up. They finally scored two late goals, but the game ended with a crazy baseball score of 8-2.

Let’s shake it off. Get out of the rain in Pittsburgh and get back to the power of the sunshine. We can take it in Tampa! We’ll still up a game and if we need to, we can do it in seven!

Odds and Ends

• I loved Bobby Ryan’s goal from the game the other night. Pierre LeBrun pointed out on Twitter that the goal was “Mario-esque.” I couldn’t agree more – very reminiscent of 66 from the Stanley Cup Final game against the North Stars.

• This first round has produced so many outstanding games already, it can only get better. Nashville coming back and winning in overtime was just one of them. I bet Marie, our columnist from Nashville, is still peeling herself off the ceiling.

• Have you noticed all the unusual facial hair this playoff season? The boys are getting creative and different with muttonchops, skinny moustaches, full-blown beards and everything in between.

• If they gave out a Stanley Cup for fans, many teams would be in the competition, but I think the fans of Montreal would win hands down. They truly react as one person – it’s just amazing. Maybe because I was there a few years ago and experienced it first hand, but I am constantly reminded of what terrific fans they are and how they get behind their team.

• Days like these filled with games like these – don’t they make you want to bottle it up and save it for the middle of July? The passion of the players, the fans, the announcers, us in our living rooms – it just doesn’t get any better than the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Report from Nashville: The Agony and the Ecstasy

2011-04-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

Games Four and Five

by Marie Miesel

Game 4 was also in Smashville. Good crowd though a little nervous. Could the Preds take a 3-1 series lead? Would our Vezina trophy candidate goalie get back to his regular season form? Would our D hold up under the onslaught of the Perry Express and the Finnish Flash? For two periods we held on, but in the third the flood gates opened starting with a shorthanded goal from Corey Perry. When it was all said and done the Ducks came away with a 6-3 win. Visions of previous playoff failures danced in our heads that night.

Game 5 was back in Anaheim. We scored the first goal; a pretty pass from Jordin Tootoo to Kevin Klein put us up 1-0 after one. The Ducks Jason Blake scored on the PP to even things up in the second. Poor Shane O’Brien. He’s taken a penalty in every game and the Ducks have scored on the ensuing PP each time. Love his toughness but his hockey IQ perhaps isn’t the highest. Tied 1-1 going into the third, Pred Nation held it’s breath as the period began. Forty seconds into the period, Bobby Ryan, back after a two game suspension, scored what many consider to be the goal of the playoffs so far. Poor David Legwand, he was still looking for his shorts on the way to the plane. And can I just say that I really hate it when our team ends up being on someone else’s highlight reel.

We fought back. Joel Ward tied it up. The Ducks re-took the lead on another Jason Blake goal. Most of us figured oh well we’re done. Another playoff failure. But something magical happened. History was made. With 38 seconds left, with our goalie on the bench, Mike Fisher wins the faceoff in the Ducks zone. The puck makes it way to our Captain Shea Weber who wrists it past Ray Emery. Tie Game! Less than 2 minutes into the overtime period, Jordin Tootoo fishes the puck out from the left half wall and puts it on Jerred Smithson’s stick. Jerred buries it for a 4-3 win. The first Game 5 win, the first OT win, and the first time we have been up 3-2 in a series. NHL.com even has a “History will be Made” commercial for us now. History believes in firsts.

Now for fans like Lisa Ovens and Jan Snyder, Game 5 wins and first round series wins are old hat. They’ve been there before. We haven’t. We’ve watched the handshake with the winning team on our ice five times. We are a blue collar, non superstar team from a small non-traditional market. As I said in a previous column, these guys are our family. We rejoice and mourn with them. We fought tooth and nail to keep the team here when everyone outside of Nashville wanted them moved. And to be this close to breaking through and proving that we do belong is exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

But at 5 pm CT today, the Bridge will be rocking once again. And I and my fellow citizens of Pred Nation will be there, hoping that history will be made once again.

Don Cherry Suit Watch: Grape's SODA!!

2011-04-23T15:56:00.000-07:00

From Thurs. April 21st Coach's Corner...

Oooh my...Purple Crushed Velvet...extra marks for the yellow tie and breast pocket hankerchief. Don Cherry sports an Easter Basket look and its perfect for this long weekend of Quarter Final Playoff hockey.

Hey guys...ever wanted to learn how to properly fold your breast pocket hankies? Then this gentlemanly site is for you!

UPDATE: Coach's Corner April 23rd, 2011

Another Easter Basket look for Don Cherry...soft pink and a flash of purple. Grape's is looking fresh as he waits for an OT goal in Game Five of the Bruins/Canadiens series.

Games 4 & 5 Canucks/Hawks: From the Madhouse to a Slaughter House

2011-04-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Game Four Blackhawks 7 Canucks 2
Game Five Blackhawks 5 Canucks 0

Canucks lead series 3-2

by Lisa Ovens

Well, for me personally, I started to become concerned leading up to Game Four. It was the over usage of the word “sweep” and the generic image of a broom, or the use of one as a prop on a set…like the broom acknowledged on Global News' The Stanley Show….yeah Squire Barnes, I’m talking to you. The morning after I saw that, I heard a female radio show host boasting “We’re gonna win the Cup!” . Then someone told me they saw a weather girl on TV with a broom. After Game Three, it seemed as though the team, the city fell under a spell simultaneously, by that little word, sweep. The day the series began, I predicted Canucks in six, and after Game Three, I, too, was hopeful, but more looking at winning four in a row being a bonus, if anything.

And now, we all remember Game Four. The game when both the Canucks and the Blackhawks transformed into other teams, perhaps from another time, like, say, only a year ago. Or the year before that. This time, instead of turning the final screw, the blue team played with a screw (or two, or five) loose.

Game Five became Part Two of the remake of Trying to Knock out the Blackhawks: Part Five. Yes, it is starting to sound that crazy. What we are witnessing, (and it doesn’t often happen) is the more fragile side of a three nothing lead in a playoff series. And on the flipside, the grand possibilities of being down three nothing. But then again, it could also be viewed simply as the Canuck Way…in the end nothing’s going to come easy.

The Canucks launched a Canuck playoff micro-site called Thisiswhatwelivefor.com. Well, peeps…how do you like these apples? Newer fans are learning what the Playoffs are all about. There must be some fans just freaking out right about now. The rest of us should just know better - especially the ones who work in the local media. As that Nuck title says…this is what we live for. It’s the playoffs. And it isn’t over yet…the Canucks have a shot at winning Game Six, and making me, and others look like mild geniuses. If not, we always have Game Seven. Time to look for something to rally around, boys…you’ll need that.

Rallying sure worked for the Blackhawks. Dave Bolland’s returns from injury and is making a difference, Brent Seabrook’s out, courtesy of Raffe Torres, and they just don’t like that. Net minder, Corey Crawford earns his very first NHL playoff shut out on the heels of his very first playoff win. Heck, even cold Marion Hossa heats things up earning second star, tallying two goals. Perhaps this is why Hossa showed up in my dream the other night (Click here for more about the dream).Hossa. Hossa of all people!!!

If the Canucks are going to re-visit any time from the past, they should go back to Nov. 20st, 2010. They were embarrassed by the Blackhawks on home ice in a 7-1 loss. Yeah, I know the Canucks have a myriad of embarrassing dates with the Blackhawks to chose from. But the Nov 20th one was definitely a major rallying point. I believe “accountability” was the word of the day back then. The team turned it around and steamrolled through the rest of the season finishing in top spot over the entire league.

Finding the rallying point is one thing, what to do with goal tender Roberto Luongo is another. Do we look to the other half of the regular season’s best goal tending duo? No, apprently not. Coach Alain Vigneault will be giving Luongo the start on Sunday. I was kind of liking the idea of a battle between the Two Cory's (or Corey's) in net.

Come on Canucks, the extra day between games will be a blessing. Soon it will be time to kick start yet another winning streak, but every one of you must buy in to it all over again. It's a game six you can afford to lose...this time. But do you really want to do that?

Lightning Strikes Again – But for the Pens!

2011-04-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Pens up 3-1 in the series

By Jan Snyder

Just like a quick strike of lightning, James Neal's quick goal won the game for the Pens! So now we know that James likes drama and was waiting for just the right time to score that first goal in the playoffs. He couldn’t have picked a better time, slamming the puck into the goal from a crazy angle in the second overtime.

This was a strange contest. The power came back to the Pens power play as Tyler Kennedy (Kennedy!) scored a nice one in the first period before a strangely quiet Tampa Bay crowd. This time it was the Lightning who went 0-4 on the power play. In the second, that hard working fourth line did it again as Arron Asham put the Pens up by two.

I don’t want to doubt the Lightning’s passion, the series sure isn’t over yet, but I didn’t sense much urgency in their play as the quiet crowd sat on their hands. But then the little pest, St. Louis, did his thing and scored the first goal, exciting the fans and bringing some noise to the building. When Tampa scored a second goal and tied it, things really started to get interesting.

Although they tried, the black and gold couldn’t score in the third and overtime loomed large. I had a feeling that Kovy would be the hero and win the game for the good guys, but as OT 1 went on and on and my blood pressure got higher and higher, neither team scored and ultimately the buzzer sounded.

Oh, no, OT 2! The Pens looked like the stronger team, but it had been a strange game. The Tampa Bay goalie, Roloson, looked like he could be scored on, but he wasn’t. Many shots looked like they’d go in for the Pens, but they didn’t. All in all, one of those head scratchers. Seemingly, the puck was always with Vinny, Marty or Steven Stamkos, but nothing was happening as Fleury turned away all their shots.

Then, from out of nowhere, came James Neal! WooHoo! And sparing us all heart palpitations as he scored about four minutes into the period.

The defensemen were incredible and Orpik played almost forty minutes in the four plus periods! Maybe the team should get him a scooter to ride around in for the next couple of days and let his legs get some rest.

I’m a little concerned about Max Talbot’s head as he took quite a shot near the end of the game. He came back for OT, but I hope everything is okay. Jordan Staal took a nasty header into the boards, but he returned as well. And on Saturday, we’ll get Chris Kunitz back from suspension; however, Tampa will get Downie back from his suspension too.

The home crowd will be fired up and wanting to pull the Pens through and hopefully wrap up the first round. The scheduling is on our side as the guys will have three days to recover from the overtime periods.

Let’s keep this roll going, shall we?

LET’S GO PENS!

Report from Nashville: Game Three in Smashville

2011-04-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

by Marie Meisel

Unlike Lisa and Jan, my boys started their quarterfinal series in Anaheim, California. Game 1 was a 4-1 Preds win. Our captain, Shea Weber scored on the power play and they bore down after that. Game 2 was a 5-3 loss with the last goal being an empty netter. They got behind the 8 ball in the first 5 minutes by putting the Ducks on the power play. Two goals later and the Preds were fighting for their lives. They pulled back to within 1 at 4-3 but couldn’t force the overtime. The Ducks definitely play with an edge and sometimes they cross the line. Late in the game Bobby Ryan stomped on Jonathan Blum’s foot trying to get the puck away from him. This was a costly decision as he is now suspended for the 2 games in Nashville.

Which brings us to Sunday and Game 3 at the Bridgestone Arena and TSN was in the house. The area in between the team benches are usually sold seats but we got Pierre Maguire Inside the Glass instead. The team put on a pre game party on the plaza in front of the arena. But at 5 pm CT, we were ready to rock the Bridge. I hope the folks watching the game on TV got a sense of the intensity of the crowd. Hopefully, it will put to rest some of the critics who say we don’t “get” hockey down here. You better believe we do. We were loud from the player intros on. It was amazing to be a part of such passionate crowd.

Jerred Smithson took a penalty in the first 5 minutes and the Ducks dangerous power play went to work. We managed to kill it off and got on the board with our first goal on the power play. We have had a power play goal in each of the 3 games which is amazing considering our power play has been an Achilles heel for us all season. Jordin Tootoo put a puck home mere minutes later. In fact, our arena announcer (Paul McCann) was announcing Erat’s goal when Jordin scored. We were up 2-0 after one and feeling pretty good. The second period saw the parade to the penalty box continue. Then the ducks went on the power play again and Teemu Selanne made us pay. He scored again 30 seconds later when the puck took a funny bounce off our boards and popped right onto his stick. We took the lead back with a goal from David Legwand. The ducks tied it up. Mike Fisher scored the game winner and the last 8 minutes were tense as we held off the Ducks. The relief and joy that roared through the building when the final buzzer went off was awesome.

Many citizens of Pred Nation were hoarse, nursing upset stomachs and feeling their heart rates return to normal on Monday after such a game. But you can be sure that we will be back loud and proud again on Wednesday night for Game 4.

More Don Cherry Suit Watch

2011-04-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

Catching up with the wardrobe of Hockey Night in Canada's Donald S. Cherry. Saturday's jacket celebrates Spring. Who's spring, I am not sure, since so many Canadian cities are still in the throws of winter- like conditions. Grapes does have a pink version of the above suit; perhaps we'll see that in the second round.

Here's a shot of last night's jacket...a crazy one, indeed....for some reason, it makes me want to eat a banana.

Pens/ Bolts Game Three: Stealing the Thunder from the Lightning!

2011-04-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Pens up 2-1 in the series

by Jan Snyder

The folks at the St. Pete Times Forum tried hard to give their team the advantage in this first playoff game in Tampa. They handed out drums as patrons entered the building. The idea was to make as much noise as possible and knock the Pens off their game. Good thinking, except…

The Pens came out flying and noise or no noise, they stole the thunder! Max Talbot and Arron Asham each scored quick down and dirty goals in the first period. Those two goals essentially took the crowd and their drums out of the picture. Before the first period ended, Marty St. Louis scored the first of his two power play goals, just to make things a little interesting. I said before the series started that I’ve always liked St. Louis, but I’m starting to feel differently about him already!

I would have thought the building would be louder than it was, unless the TV broadcast was muffling some of the sound. You would think having their first playoff game would bring out more passion in the stands, but I didn’t notice it so much.

By the time the third period rolled around, St. Louis made it interesting yet again, bringing the score to a 2-2 tie, but on just the next shift, our own little tiger, Tyler Kennedy (Kennedy!) popped out of the pack and found the goal to put the Pens up for good.

Still no change on the status of the Pens power play – it’s just about on life support, now a dismal 0-15 in the three games. But it’s getting closer – we can feel it – it’s coming – just a few more tries…same can be said for James Neal’s attempts to score. Not quite there, but coming.

How about Kris Letang? After a less than stellar game last time, he sure made up for it in this one. Two assists, five shots, five hits – he seemed like he had a clone as everywhere you looked, there was another “58” hustling to the puck. Overall, the defense played a much stronger game and it showed on the scoreboard.

Fleury continued to be amazing, stopping Tampa’s big three several times. Only St. Louis seems to be able to beat him, scoring a goal for each of his root canals.

Nice to see Max Talbot get a hard-earned goal. His line was all energy tonight. Also nice to see Ben Lovejoy carry on an intelligent conversation after the game. When he got hit behind the goal, I was afraid we might have another concussion to deal with, but he seemed to be fine. We’ll see if Steve Downie is fined after the NHL review of that hit that saw him leave his feet.

So, the players now have another day at the beach to soak up power from the sun and breathe some life into the anemic power play to get it breathing on its own again. Then on Wednesday, back to business and getting another win in Tampa!

LET’S GO, PENS!

Playoff Time Out...Chocolate Hockey Easter Treat!

2011-04-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

Every since I posted a previous Chocolate Hockey column, I've noticed how many people out there are googling for chocolate hockey Easter treats when I check the weblogs. Well, check out the above Chocolate Puck Bunny!! This Slapshot chocolate bunny is available at Shoppers Drug Mart for those of you out there looking for hockey themed Easter goodies.

That's all for this Playoff Time Out!

Canucks/Blackhawks Game Three: A Little Mayhem at the Madhouse

2011-04-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

Canucks 3 Blackhawks 2

Canucks lead the series 3-0

By Lisa Ovens

It's not often I dream about hockey. After all the hockey I have consumed and digested over the years, I could probably count on one hand how many times hockey has shown up in my nightly dreams. So Marion Hossa was in my dream Saturday night. Why Hossa, I do not know. We were at a skating practice session waiting for our turn on the ice. He was sitting beside me and he was cold. He said "It's cold in here. I am cold". I remember going through my things trying to find something to give him to warm him up. He took my jacket and put half of it over his legs and them motioned like he would share the rest of the jacket with my legs, yet I knew this would not work. Snuggling with Hossa? Next thing I remember we were skating on a speed skating oval with about fifty other people. That was the hockey related portion of my dream.

Who knows why I had the dream and what it means. But now that the Blackhawks are down three games in this series with the Canucks, cold is one suitable description to apply to the Blackhawks. Now...why can't I have a Canuck related dream?? Guess I don't need to because my hometeam has been so hot in my waking world!!!

Once again, the word composure must be used. The Canucks didn't strike first, got into penalty trouble, they had to kill a five on three, Raffe Torres gave Hockey Operations some food for thought with his big "murky" hit on Brent Seabrook, yet they managed to stay glued together and win the game 3-2.

The big question now is...can the Vancouver Canucks put a finish on the defending Stanley Cup Champs season with a fourth win on Tuesday? And furthermore...how will the league respond to Torres? At least we know the Canucks did just fine without him in the line up through the first two games.

And finally, what will my dreams tell me tonight?

Game Two, Blackhawks Still Seeing Blue

2011-04-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

Canucks 4 Blackhawks 3

Canucks lead the series 2-0

By Lisa Ovens

Who is Ben Smith? He’s one Blackhawk player that helped lift the Blackhawks right back into Game Two on Friday night. But it wasn’t quite enough. Once again the Canucks overpowered the Hawks through the first and third periods, throwing big hits, winning foot races, and most of all remaining composed each time the Hawks gained some ground on the scoreboard. The second period and Luongo…not so much.

But for Canuck fans, this was a good enough win, because we’ve lost these game twos in the past two playoff series. It's nice to kick the habit.

85 Hits last night, so the commentators need to come up with a description other than bone crushing when describing hits. Let’s see…bone rattlers, thump rumblers, skeleton scramblers, which one do you like? “That was a thump, rumblin’ hit, Jim!” “Edler just thump rumbled him, big time.”

Now we are heading to the Mad House next for Games Three and Four. Chicago fans must be just itching to see their boys come home so they can inject them with some Windy City love, support, and lotsa noise! Looking forward, It will be interesting so see Raffe Torres return to play after serving a four game suspension. I am expecting big, playoff things out of this guy, and I sure hope he delivers.

Foe me, One not so known tradition that has come out of the Blackhawk/Canuck "annual conference"? Turning on the Team 1040 radio station and listening to the hockey pundits talk about their favourite food and restaurants in Chicago. This is a given. I always get super hungry when the Canucks are in Chicago! So, over the next few days, the fridge will be stocked with healthy snack options, just in case.

Where Have the Green Men Been?

And speaking of traditions or what qualifies as a tradition, there are Canuck fans out there that feel The Green Men are a Canuck tradition. I think I have to disagree with that one. Do any Canuck fans remember "The Clapper" ? Whatever happened to him? The Green Men will one day reside in the "Where are they now file", and for some hockey fans, the sooner that happens the better.

The lycra clad boys were noticeably absent from Games One and Two. Aparently one of them has a "lower body injury" according to a Province Newspaper interview. Also, according to their twitter feed, the subject of sky high Canuck playoff tickets came up in a tweet... "just trying to come up with the $. Tickets are crazy expensive"

The Green Men occupy two River Rock Club seats when they are working the penalized players in the box. I can tell you how much lower bowl season seats not in the Club are: (two seats per game, one game cost listed) Quarter Final $350, Semi Final $420 Conference Final $475 Stanley Cup Final $700. Now add some more onto those prices to arrive at The Club.

Yes, The Green Men and/or their sponsors require plenty of green to do what they do as they try and get inside the opposition's head.

Thunderbolts and Lightning...Very, Very Frightening

2011-04-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

by Jan Snyder

I guess we can hope that the Pens got their really stinky game out of the way early after a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. The Lightning came out ready and quickly jumped ahead and stayed that way.

Too bad the Pens can’t pull some power out of the Consol Energy Arena’s namesake. So far in this series, the team is 0-13 in power play chances, wasting seven opportunities in game two. The team seems tentative and unsure on the power play and badly needs to get a couple of goals to change that thinking. We also had our share of pucks that almost found their way in, but then didn’t at the last moment, thanks to Roloson. Although Orpik kept the hits coming, the defense wasn’t nearly as strong in this game as they were in the first.

Tampa was able to convert two of six chances on their power play, with Vinny and St. Louis each scoring.

Yikes, St. Louis had to undergo two root canals after the last game and that wayward stick that caught him in the mouth. He sure didn’t let those circumstances keep him down as he played well, knowing he’ll still have to endure more dental procedures.

The Pens did outhit the Bolts, 36 – 27, and they never gave up, they just couldn’t make anything work tonight. Craig Adams scored the lone Pens’ tally.

Now tied at 1-1, the series shifts to Florida and we and the team have three full days to ponder what will happen there. Maybe the bright sunshine will instill some power into the boys. A little beach time might be just what they need.

Will Fleury bounce back? Will the Pens ever score a power play goal? Will St. Louis’ dental insurance cover all the procedures?

Stay tuned for Part Three next Monday night!

Fan Fined $500 for Firing Octopus into Red Wings' Ocean

2011-04-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Ovens

The fan was also tossed from the game. This long standing tradition in Detroit is in peril and something has to be done about it. I can empathize with the National Hockey League: a wet octopus can stick to the cold, hard ice surface, making it a chore to remove and there is also the risk of damage to the ice. Like anyone wants that. However, hockey is a sport that is steeped in tradition, and these traditions mean so much to fans. Heck, in Vancouver (the copycatting city that we are) we toss salmon, occasionally.

This is a tough issue. Gotta love Mike Babcock's response...

“I don't know anything about it, I like calamari as much as they next guy, I don't like batter on it, but I like it spicy and cooked. It's part of the tradition here. I just hope the guys that come on to scrape it off aren't digging up the ice. I want it to be smooth.''

Link to Mlive article

Man...I love it when Babcock talks about food! Remember when he made a sandwich on Hockey Night in Canada earlier this season? Click here for a refresher

And the final word in the article and an equally good response? Yotes, netminder, Ilya Bryzgalov...

“It doesn't bother me. They're not throwing the whole octopus on me. Otherwise I would stink.''

Okay, let's get back on track...

How do we solve this issue? Use a plastic octopus and hold a some sort of a social media contest and the winning fan gets the opportunity to toss an octopus after the anthem? Perhaps we need to get Brendan Shanahan and his competition committee on the case. Something needs to be done because, well, hockey fans live for this kind of stuff. It's not like every team in the league copies the Red Wings at this time of year. Hopefully someone can step in and save the tradition.

Canucks Fans...stuff salmon down your pants at your own risk!

Don Cherry Suit Watch

2011-04-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ron MacLean, left, Don Cherry, right, HNIC's Coach's Corner

Now thats a jacket!!! But wait, there's more...a pretty tie

I don't believe I've seen this bold, blue check number before. So this was a pleasant surprise for me. I know we'll see some of the same suit jackets that we've seen before over the course of the next two months. I can't keep up with Don Cherry's jacket rotation, but I can only hope to see a few of my favourite patterns...

Like this one....

Do not re-calibrate your flat screen ;o)

And who can forget this one...I call it the "Monet"...

Here's Don, a little more subdued, but very dapper, indeed...

He has a little friend there with him. I predict the Bruins will lose their round one series to Montreal. They will make it to seven games, though. Okay...I am hoping both Canadian teams will advance to round two, so I might be a tiny bit biased.

Stay tuned for another Don Cherry Suit Watch!

Game One: Canucks 2 Blackhawks 0 Goal Posts 6!

2011-04-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

Canucks lead the series 1-0

By Lisa Ovens

I wish I could bottle the Vancouver Canucks first period of play in this Quarter Final opener: what a performance! They did everything needed to send the message that they are in control of their own destiny. Now, we know the Chicago Blackhawks will most likely re-tool, re-fit, or as in the case of the liquid metal man of Terminator 2, re-form themselves in to what they’ll need to be for game two in order to shake up the Canucks solid foundation.

Bravo to D-Man, Alex Edler for looking like he didn’t just return from being out for three months. It’s like he didn’t miss a beat from his pre- back surgery days. What a beast! And more kudos for the league’s lone Dane, forward Jannik Hansen, for his tenacious play and successful break away. Hey…I’m going to call him Tenacious D (d for Dane) from now on. Hansen won the Unsung Hero award (a Canuck team award) for his body of work during the regular season.

And from Hansen to Hodgson…centre, Cody Hodgson played his first NHL playoff game, and he looked pretty comfortable out there. Same for Keith Ballard…after 468 games, Ballard finally made his post season debut.

The Blackhawks hit four posts this evening. One has to wonder if they used up some twinkle from their lucky stars when the Dallas Stars failed to win their final game in regulation, thus granting the Hawks the eighth and final playoff seed. It just wasn’t their night. Aside from those posts, the man in blue occupying the space between made some stellar saves, securing a shut out, and then launching himself to first star status at the end of the game. That would be Canucks number one net minder, Roberto Luongo.

The subject of Luongo has been completely dissected leading up to this series, as he is the one Canuck that most everyone has the least amount of faith in. This is just one game, and he will have to continue with superstar performances as we move forward. I was very pleased to learn of his decision to not speak to the media on game days. Yo, Louie…I would make the same call.

Until Friday…Go ‘Nucks!

Around the Playoffs….

Mmm okay…five series starting on one night? Holy crazy schedule, Batman! I was getting mixed up trying to catch most of the action. Sorry Caps and Rangers…somehow I missed you guys completely!

Pens Kovalev’s game winner tonight was memorable.

Preds take game one, and Corey Perry doesn’t act very “Hart Like” at the end of the 4-1 game. Here come the Katella Avenue Bullies.

I heart Joe Louis Arena! Did you know, the Detroit Red Wings are the current reigning kings for Playoff action, making their 20th consecutive post season appearance? And that’s king of the four major league sports combined. Hey, remember when the St. Louis Blues held that distinction? Must be something in the Central Division’s water.

And We’re Off!!

2011-04-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

by Jan Snyder

The boys brought their lunch pails to the Consol tonight. Brooks Orpik started off by welcoming Steven Stamkos to the playoffs with a whale of a hit. Max and James Neal took their cues from Orpik and continued the hitting.

The Flower was in full bloom as he made big save after big save in the first period.

Despite having six, count ‘m six, power plays, including a 5 on 3, the Pens couldn’t poke one in. But just as they improved from one period to the next, so did the power play. Even though they couldn’t score, they had good chances. Always good to hear the theme music from “Jaws” back for the playoff power plays!

By the end of the second, there was still no score, but we did have a Mr. and Mrs. Malkin sighting! In their usual seats, the two cheered for the team, but without Geno. I love to see traditions continue. Expect to see them soon again on the Kiss Cam!

Finally, 13:55 into the third, James Neal and Alexei Kovalev got together. After being thrown to the ice, Kovy took a minute or two to get back on his feet. He stood in the same spot, Neal found him, and bang! The game winning goal for Kovy – welcome back, we’ve really missed you! Neal and Martin had the assists. But before we could settle down from that one, Aaron Asham, the birthday boy, danced all the way around the net and with help from Letang and Orpik, popped in goal number two on the evening.

Now that’s more like it! All that was left was to preserve Fleury’s shutout, which the Pens did, and to top it off, Kunitz scored the empty net goal with assists from Staal and Orpik. That put a nice big bow on the inaugural playoff game at the Consol.

CBC's Hockey Night in Canada showed a shot of Sidney Crosby in the press box wearing a headset, obviously in communication with coaches or someone. Good to see the Captain involved somehow. I’d much rather see him centering Neal and Kovalev, but we’ll have to wait for that.

So good to have the first home win under our belts, to see the Flower get a shutout, to watch the top line click like they did, and to see Brooks Orpik continue the hitting we got used to seeing the year we brought Stanley home.

The d-men did an awesome job of neutralizing the big three for Tampa Bay. They kept them from being factors in the game. The refs did miss an obvious call on St. Louis, but they countered it by missing the trip on Kovy – but that had a happy ending anyway.

So, great game, great fans, great fun. Let’s do it all again on Friday. One down, three to go.

LET’S GO PENS!

Vancouver Canuck Fans: Start Your Towels!!!!

2011-04-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

by Lisa Ovens

Here we freakin' go, People....The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here!! Managed to bump into the super cool Canucks Street Team earlier today and was gifted the above towel...sweet!

It is a special time for Canuck fans as we enjoy a first in Canuck history; our home team is a the favorite to win it all. And we are enjoying this...right up until about 7pm today, and then it'll all change. Because then we will be like 15 other teams embarking on a fresh start, a new season. After listening to a few hockey interviews today on the radio, the phrase of the day is indeed, fresh start.

Up Next, my Quarter Final Predictions for Wednesday's match ups....

Penquins vs. Lightning

I pick the Pens to win this series in 6 games and Marc Andre Fluery will be the hero!!!

Coyotes vs. Red Wings

My head says Coyotes in seven games and this confuses my heart somewhat.

Rangers vs. Capitals

I pick the Caps to win this in 6 games. We don't need no stinkin' Rangers in the Playoffs! (remember, Canuck fan here)

Predators vs. Ducks

I pick the Preds to win in seven games. This will be their time to reach the promised land (that would be the Semi Finals)

Blackhawks vs. Canucks

Canucks in six. One reason of many....There is no May 11th in the Month of April!!!

Good luck, everybody :o)

The Calm

2011-04-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

Checking in on the Canucks home turf...

Workers hang up a new playoff banner at Rogers Arena....meanwhile at the one available outdoor space of significant proportion around the Canucks barn...

...all was quiet at the Canucks Party Plaza, where space is at a premium and... the hotdogs will be free at 5pm on Wednesday, April 13th, Opening Night of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

The main reason for my field trip today? The new Roger Neilson Statue, just unveiled last week...

One playoff story from the past waiting to meet the new stories that are about to unfold.

Happy Playoffs, everybody!

The Life of a Fan in a Non-Traditional Market

2011-04-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

The Nashville Predators are about to launch their sixth campaign in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet, many hockey fans are still in the dark when it comes to all things hockey in Nashville. And that's about to change once you read the following guest column from one of the Predators most passionate fans...

by Marie Miesel

As I look out my apartment window, I can see a magnolia tree. Not in bloom but will be in a month or two. I am a Nashville Predators fan and this about what it’s like to live in a non-traditional market.

I actually got into hockey because I had a massive crush on guy who was a Blackhawks fan. This was back in the 80s and ESPN was carrying games. I got to see Wayne Gretzky and company work their magic. I was also friends with guys who were fans of the Bruins, Rangers and North Stars. I got away from hockey when I moved to South Carolina for graduate school and bounced around after that. Fast forward to 2006. I had gotten a day job had a little extra money and decided to rekindle my love of this great game. I ended up going to 20+ games and the playoffs by the time that season was done. The summer of 2007 was gut wrenching with the Balsille affair and all that surrounded it. I got a full season ticket after the team was saved. The standing ovation at our last home game against St. Louis that season was a thing of beauty and power. All the pain, tears, and uncertainty came pouring out in one spontaneous roar.

Fans in Nashville are always getting ragged on because we didn’t grow up with hockey, we don’t get snow or ice (false by the way, we had over 10 inches of snow this winter), and we don’t care like our brethren north of the border do. Bull. We may be small in number but we are big on heart. You see southern hospitality is not just a phrase, we live it. We say hi in the grocery line, we help when there is a need (May floods and We Are Nashville) and we respect people’s privacy.

Many country music stars make their homes here year round. You learn very quickly to treat them with courtesy and let them go about their business. We treat our hockey team the same way. Steve Sullivan, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter etc don’t have to worry about being harassed by an angry fan when they are just trying to have a family dinner. More over, these guys are family. They are our brothers, sons, cousins etc. We take them into our hearts and embrace them as our own. Steve Sullivan plans on retiring here and JP Dumont and his family stay here year round. Retired Predators, Wade Belak and Stu Grimson, also are now full time residents of Music City. We have no state income tax and the guys have plenty of opportunities to work on their golf game because of our mild climate.

The flip side of course is that this is football country and the Predators often get the short shrift in the mainstream media. However, the Predators have been very forward in promoting social media, credentialing bloggers and allowing them access. We grow new fans by breeding them or introducing them to the game by taking them to one. We are building a tradition here. Youth hockey participation has tripled since the predators were founded and we have even been able to draft one of our own, Blake Geoffrion.

On most nights our barn is loud. The Canadian media and fans love to point out all our empty seats, forgetting the empty seats in the United Center and other places when those more traditional teams were not so successful. Opposing fans, however, are amazed at how much our fans really get into the games. No sitting on hands in our house. We have a repertory of chants usually led by Cellblock 303. Woe to an opposing goalie when we score, a ref who makes an egregious error, or just a player who’s universally disliked. And our newest tradition, the standing O during a TV time out. No megatron, no music, just 17k fans screaming, whistling and clapping for their boys.

Amazingly enough this little team that the pundits look down on, has made it to the post season 6 out of the last 7 years. We have yet to win a playoff series but hope springs eternal in the land of dogwoods and azeleas. And I will be there with my fellow citizens of Pred Nation when the puck drops for Game 3 on April 17th.

It's Playoff Time!!!!!

2011-04-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

by Jan Snyder

Whew! What a season it’s been for the Pens. Beginning on Opening Night at the Consol Energy Center with Mario pouring water from the Igloo onto the new ice before the game. Then “BOB” and the Flyers ruining the start of the season for the Pens by beating them.

Fleury’s slow start, but Brent Johnson’s timely play. Sidney Crosby on a pace for an incredible season and us with visions of year-end awards dancing in our heads. The tide turning as the fans chanted for Fleury, giving him a confidence boost and how he turned it all around.

The fantastic addition of Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalak, plus the fantastic play of Orpik and Letang.

The lead up to the Winter Classic and hours of the best reality TV ever with HBO’s 24/7. The warm weather and rain that came over Pittsburgh to make the ice bad, but none of that could dampen the enthusiasm of the Pens/Caps fans who made the most of a soggy situation.

The big hit on Sid – none of us realizing at the time how much that impact would impact our whole season.

Sid’s out, but we still have Geno – oops, down he goes until next year. But Staal was back and that would help. Sid would be back soon, right? Here we are four months later still without him.

Our Baby Pens came to the rescue as we watched more and more injuries occur. The hatchlings turned into full-fledged Penguins right before our eyes! Mark Letestu, Dustin Jeffrey, Eric Tangradi, Chris Conner and the d-men, Deryk Engelland and Ben Lovejoy. Their continued call ups came to be the norm.

A trade brought us James Neal and Matt Niskanen from Dallas. A great signing brought Kovy back to the Burg. As the injured started to return, they became a force again, especially Kunitz and Orpik.

Looking forward to seeing contributions from all of them as we head into the playoffs.

What can I say about the heart and soul players like Max, Dupuis, Rupp, Adams, Kennedy (Kennedy!)? They have all done their thing and the future Jack Adams award winner (I hope) Coach Dan, kept the ship on an even keel, no matter what happened, no matter who got injured. His optimism was contagious.

Even through the ugly game on Long Island, followed shortly by the Cooke incident, the coach navigated everyone through it all. He convinced the players and the fans that everything would be fine.

And so it is! We have home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. We have hope that Sid may return yet before it’s all over this year. We have fans who will do everything but get on the ice and play to help. We have a courageous team who let nothing keep them down or get them off the course they set out on before that first game in October.

The Lightning will be tough. Rooting against Ryan Malone will be tough. I’ve always liked Martin St. Louis, but I can stop that during the playoffs! Lecavalier and Stamkos will keep things very interesting.

I hope to see Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman drop the opening puck! I hope to see good, clean games with no injuries. I hope to see sportsmanship and great hockey – just what we expect each playoff season.

ARE YOU READY???

Gettin' Ready for the Playoffs @ Lisa's Lounge

2011-04-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

Hey Hockey Fans! Hope everyone is doing great as the regular season winds down in the most exciting of ways. And for those of you on pins and needles waiting to see if your fave teams can lock up a spot in the post season, I hope you are thoroughly enjoying the ride.

Right now I am getting ready to cover the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs right here at Lisa's Lounge, just as we have during playoffs past.

You can expect plenty of fun and insight as I follow my home team and beloved Vancouver Canucks, as well as the rest of the action around the league, and any other crazy happenings that may present themselves. Plus H&HH.com's resident Penguins writer, Jan Snyder, should be stopping by to offer her take on the situation in the east and everything that is coated in the Black and Gold.

So until next week, like many Canuck fans, I will be knee deep in the pre-lim: building shrines, debating on whether I should cut my hair, fluffing up my blue playoff feather boa, packing up the Dickie's Canuck playoff briefcase with all of my Playoff game essentials, partaking in bedtime prayers and reciting a lesser known Commandment "Thou Shalt not make a second round exit"....you know that sort of stuff.

So please check back again for more as we approach The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...The Stanley Cup Playoffs!!!

Cheers :o)

-Lisa O

When Hockey Leaves Town...

2011-03-31T12:29:00.001-07:00

By Lisa Ovens

It's been some time since my last post. I have a pretty good excuse: my good friend, hockey buddy and creative collaborator, Michelle of Thunderpeep Designs made plans to move back to her homeland, Toronto, this month. And I helped her out through the moving process. We spent some great times together hauling boxes down the stairwell of her three floor walk up, and milling about transport offices like Fedex and Greyhound.

Hockey has moved on. Or rather, hockey has moved back to where she came from. You see, Michelle is a combination Toronto Maple Leafs fan/Calgary Flames fan. We rarely united on the NHL cheering front during her years in Vancouver. But we were as respectful of each others allegiances as we could possibly be. Of course, all of this changed whenever we hit Vancouver Giants games. We had some awesome times rooting for the Giants at the rink on Renfrew, and if we saw them on the road...it always seemed to be Everett, Washington as the road game destination of choice as they battled the Everett Silvertips.

Now, we have a plan...meet in Ottawa next year for the NHL's 2012 All Star Weekend festivities. But for now, it'll be me enjoying the rest of the Canuck's season while Michelle reintergrates herself into Leaf Nation again. And of course, plenty of skype!

Best wishes, Michelle, I miss you already :o(

Public Service Announcement from Mr. Potato Head

2011-03-15T23:45:00.000-07:00

Yo, I wanna talk to the players right now, especially those ones that are running other players down. There's only one player out there on the ice that can take your hits, and that player is me. Why? Look at me...I'm a potato! You knock me flyin', I lose an eye or my duster, I just go into the compartment in my ass and get my replacement parts out. It's a no brainer for a potato like me. But if you headhunters out there keep doing what you are doing there'll be too many players with "no brainers", and that just isn't good for this game.

Take it from a potato...an NHL career is already too short for most, let's help make it last as long as it can for you and your brothers. Thanks for listenin'!

---------------------

Chocolate Hockey Goodness

2011-03-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Ovens

Before I get into the chocolate, I have to say its still winter in Vancouver…and it’s already March! I am looking forward to changing out of my winter photo there on the left. Come on, Spring…spring already!!

Anyway, the other day writer, Jan Snyder submitted her column titled March Madness (it’s just below this delicious column). I decided to use a “hockey calendar” photo of sorts to accompany the article. I then emailed Jan to let her know the column had been posted, along with a photo I shot.

Well, she replied saying the photo was cute, “But what is that exactly?” Then I realized she might not know what an NHL Countdown to the Holidays Christmas Calendar is because she lives in Houston, Texas, and these chocolate calendars probably don’t get that far down south. This is a little sad for any hockey fan living in a non traditional hockey market: they don’t get the treats!

Not long ago I used this photo for a story…it’s the NHL version of a Kinder Surprise. I gave it to my friend, Michelle for Christmas and asked her to take a shot of what hockey surprise was nestled inside…A Montreal Canadien’s goalie mask…tiny and adorable…just like the team ;o)

Now, Easter is around the corner, the NHL has a much bigger egg on the market…

Unfortunately, most of the surprise has already been revealed on the packaging and display box. However, what's inside of the NHL Super Egg is way better than a Lady Gaga. There is a small Zamboni cradled in that egg, you just don’t know which team you’re going to get.

And finally, a photo of a hockey themed Easter treat I received last year from cousin, Jen and her man, Gervasio…

Check out the expression on the player’s face.

The chocolate mold artist captured one of the most popular random hockey player expressions ever! The slightly surprised, either waiting for a pass or just finished passing the puck sort of expression we see all of the time.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a shot of Vincent Lecavalier doing it…

So…hockey fans in non traditional markets, I do feel for you, especially when it comes to the little things like hockey themed chocolate treats at Christmas and Easter.

Wish I could give you all a big ol’ hug. Dang!

Enjoy the stretch drive to the Playoffs and Easter...don't eat too much chocolate, eh!

March Madness

2011-03-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

okay...we know March has only 31 days :o)

by Jan Snyder

I enjoy SportsCenter on ESPN, but not in March. I dislike basketball and during March, SportsCenter doesn’t know any other sports exist – except when they discuss the upcoming work stoppage in the NFL. I grew up watching plenty of sports, but basketball was not one of them. In addition, as a child in my little parochial school, I was forced to play basketball, even though I was very short. My memories of playing the game revolve around all the inadvertent elbows to the head I took from taller girls (except for one that was shorter than me, that included everyone). Pittsburgh doesn’t have an NBA team to follow and I never got into college basketball, so I guess I just don’t have the b-ball gene.

But I do love hockey and the NHL’s version of March Madness is every bit as entertaining to me. I watched a bunch of games this past weekend and felt like playoff time had come early. The race in the East to make the cut for the playoffs is fierce, and in the West, it’s even worse. Each day the standings change with each game that’s played.

The Penguin/Bruin game on Saturday night was a case in point. The hitting was intense, the game was played cleanly, and every player on both teams was into it! After Boston tied the game very late in regulation, the game went into overtime. When Dustin Jeffrey scored shortly into the extra period, I jumped, threw my arms in the air, and screamed, “YES!” Even without the big guys, the little “Baby Pens” are helping to keep the Pens right in the thick of things in the East.

The only team that didn’t seem that into it this weekend was the Flyers, who played two games and lost two games. On Sunday, the Rangers destroyed them, 7-0. With all the other teams licking at their heels, the Flyers picked a bad time to have a letdown. But they’ll be back and both division races will go down to the wire – the only way they should go down!

The fruits of trades are starting to be seen. Arnott in Washington will be a big help, while Kovalev, Neal and Niskanen are already paying dividends in Pittsburgh. This is the kind of madness I love! Who will be the hero each game? Which team wants it more? Who gets more breaks? Pucks in nets beat basketballs in nets, in my humble opinion.

But then again, I may be mad – it is March, after all.

And Your First Star is...Milan Lucic!!!!!

2011-02-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

Milan Lucic, young God of Hockey photo: Lisa Ovens

by Lisa Ovens

Okay, that's the only pic I have of Boston Bruin, Milan Lucic...and it'll do. Last night in Vancouver, Lucic tallied three points and was selected first star after his Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks, 3-1.

A Vancouver native (had a successful run with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, and was the captain of Team Canada during the anniversary tournament of the Canada/Russia Super Series), Lucic must be on the minds of many Canuck fans today...why didn't we draft him? Good question...I thought that as well. So I found this extensive answer to that question at Crashingthegoalie.com.

Hockey writer, Ron Spence examined that question back in 2008. And as most Canuck fans might realize today...even back then we wondered why didn't we draft Milan Lucic.

Check out Ron Spence's article, Why didn't the Canucks Draft Milan Lucic.

Happy Trade Deadline Day, everybody :o)

What a Great Roll for Hockey! Heritage Classic Caps Off a Fab Mid Season Filled With Hockey Magic

2011-02-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

If it says it on a pen, it must be true by Lisa Ovens

by Lisa Ovens

If you look back on the last two months, hockey fans everywhere have had more than a few reasons to celebrate this great game at the community level all the way up to the big league.

First the HBO 24/7 four part documentary leading up to the NHL's Winter Classic in Pittsburgh on Jan 1st, 2011. Then we had a re-vamped NHL All Star Weekend in North Carolina at January's end. A little while later and it was Hockey Day in Canada which has become a most beloved marathon of hockey's goodness. An then this weekend it was the still establishing its roots, Hockey Day in America and then finally we saw the big league return to its outdoor hockey roots in Canada for the Heritage Classic at Cagary's McMahon Stadium featuring the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens.

All I can say is GO HOCKEY GO!!

These events set plenty of things in motion from every person assigned to work on the spectacles, to fans at home planning a day of spectating. If anything, we can call this time The Mid Season Hockey Festival...Season? A time where hockey turns up the marketing heat and entire communities of people put on a show.

The Calgary Flames and the NHL scored a touchdown for presenting a fabulous event and McMahon Football Stadium. Too bad the Montreal Canadiens went scoreless in this 4-O chilly, outdoor affair. Maybe coach, Jacques Martin should have sported a hat today (putting a hat on a coach just adds a serious touch to the look that this hat lover approves!).

And Flames fans prove yet again they are the Kings of Seas, as the forty thousand member crowd showed off the RED. Though I was impressed to catch one dude in a Canucks jersey during one of the many crowd shots...sweet!

Now the Mid Season Hockey Festival Season is over. The hockey world turns towards one thing...the race to the Playoffs and the fight to qualify. Things are going to get Gritty with a capital G. Are you ready for that, everybody?

The Shirts I've Sat Behind at Hockey Games

2011-02-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

by Lisa Ovens

While watching the Vancouver Canucks play the Dallas Stars for the fourth time this season ( a game they won, just as they did the other three games, woot!) I searched through thousands of photos on my external hard drive. Although I have yet to find the actual photo I'm looking for, I was reminded of a series of photos I snapped over the years...

The Shirts I've Sat Behind at Hockey Games

Strangely enough, the one shirt photo that started this theme is MIA. Now I have two photos to find. So without much more of an introduction, here are a few of the shirts I've sat behind...

I don't think I will be able to sleep until I find that first photo, so stay tuned for the number one photo of a shirt I sat behind at a hockey game.

Go Canucks!

Hockey Day in Canada Two Book Special!!!!

2011-02-12T15:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Hockey Day in Canada, or where ever you are celebrating hockey!

HDIC SALE SPECIAL!!!

Two Book Set only $35

Get the Two Book Set! For only $35 plus shipping and handling, you'll receive a copy of For the Love of Empty Net Goals and a copy of Hockey & High Heels

To order your set please click the Book Set "buy it now button" on the right of this page.

Shipping to Canada and the USA.

International customers may order the book via email as your shipping rates will vary. info@hockeyandhighheels.com

have a great day :o) and thank you for your continued support!