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

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!

Eat Pray Love Hockey: Part One

She was sick. It came on when she was at the Calgary Flames/ Canucks game with Michelle. It was the first Canuck home game of this new year and it was swell of Michelle to treat her to a hockey game. She put on a brave face. Surely the hockey would help.
Michelle, a Flames fan was sympathetic. Nice of her considering the Canucks easily beat her Flames 4-1, and somewhat embarrassing them in the process. 

Lisa: I’m so sick.
Michelle: I know you are.
Lisa: But the Canucks sure look like winners…for now.
Michelle: it’s not easy being a Flames fan right now, with all the Oli Jokinen joke photos and gifs out there. He’s my fave, you know. Did you say something?
Lisa: Oli “Joke” inen. Haha.


photo below from HF Boards

She made her way home on the bus. The Triple O burger weighed her down. He body resonated with every movement. A fever was coming on. Feed a cold, starve a fever? As full as she was, with the burger and yet another convincing Canuck win, she never felt emptier.

The weekend came and she was bedridden. But at least she made it to the doctor. The huge pills ( take two, with food, by mouth, once per day until finished) left a horrible metallic taste in her mouth.

She set up her netbook attached to a large monitor on the coffee table so she could watch the Canucks/ Red Wings game while curled up on the sofa. This was good. At least she got out of bed for Hockey Night in Canada.

As sick as she was she enjoyed the Elliot Friedman piece on Red Wings head coach, Mike Babcock. She always liked Babcock and thought his voice and manner of speaking was so unique, just like her voice and manner of speaking.

Lisa: Wow, Babcock and I should be hosting a show together – our voices together, alone, would kill!

As it turned out, she watched the Babcock segment several times over the next week, only because it was a great moment in sandwich…and it lifted her spirits from the sad place that was her soul...

Great Moments in Sandwich: Mike Babcock Makes a Sandwich

by Lisa Ovens

Who would of thought the subject of sandwiches would come up twice at this blog? Actually it would be three times including my review of the Tim Horton’s breakfast sandwich in the old school Lisa’s Lounge. Okay...if you really must...here is the link to Old School Lisa’s Lounge and the column with the breakfast sandwich review. It fits in right now because Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and that was my 2007 Valentine's column post.

The other Great Moments in Sandwich occurred earlier this season, with the recipe for Sidney Crosby’s favourite sandwich involving Dempster’s bread (there was also a contest to meet Sidney in on that). As far as I know, I didn't win the contest to meet Sid in March. Now you have to wonder how Crosby will be feeling at that point in time due to the effects of his first concussion. They say its a mild one, which is a good thing, but it still doesn't solve the problems surrounding head injuries...

"The 43 concussions sustained since the exhibition season began in September puts the league on a pace for about 77 for the regular season, near the average of 75 in recent seasons and below the 82 last season, according to Dr. Ruben Echemendia, a neuropsychologist who directs the joint N.H.L.-N.H.L. Players’ Association concussion working group". From a NY Times article by Jeff Klein


Before the subject of concussions de-rails this post on sandwiches...on to Babcock's Great Moment in Sandwich...
...because unfortunately for Sid the Kid, Mike Babcock making a sandwich is the crowned KING of Great Moments in Sandwich.

“Okay I got a problem here guys. I got warm toast and no butter, man. This is a major crisis for me. Unbelievable.”

-Mike Babcock



HNIC's Elliotte Friedman's story on the coaching ways of Mike Babcock revealed more than the dedicated and hard working personality of the Red Wing's Stanley Cup winning coach. It showed how Babcock gingerly dries lettuce in a tea towel, and how he reacts when things go horribly wrong in the kitchen...
Watch Elliotte Friedman's HNIC Inside Hockey piece on Mike Babcock here

That aired on Sat. January 8th, 2011prior to the Canucks/ Red Wings tilt at Roger's Arena in Vancouver. The depleted Wings beat Vancouver 2-1 (shoot out victory). It was an exciting game to watch. After seeing so much Mike Babcock in one night, I was reminded of a quote of his...

The effort has got to equal the opportunity

He said that way back in 2003, when the team he was coaching, the Ducks, had lost their third straight game in the Stanley Cup Final. (They would battle back and win the next three, but ultimately fell to the New Jersey Devils in game seven).

If there is one saying the Vancouver Canucks could tattoo on their hands or scribble on their gloves, it would be that, the effort has got to equal the opportunity. Keep saying it boys, over and over, with each shift you take...imagine Babcock's voice, his John Wayne like tones (but a more hyper sounding Duke? No, maybe not like John Wayne.Geez who does he sound like?)  The effort has got to equal the opportunity...

Not a bad quote. A quote we could all remember with each task we do. Just make sure there's butter handy ;o)

2nd Annual NHL Coaches in Costume

by Lisa Ovens

Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to tune in to an NHL game and see the coaches dressed up in costumes? It would be so refreshing to see the men of hockey do something different, something shocking, or silly, like dress up in Halloween costumes for the end of October games. The rest of us working stiffs have to dress up in costumes for work, why should it be any different for these guys?

The following are some super costumes ideas for the bench bosses on the clock this Halloween....

Hurricanes vs. Flyers

 Paul Maurice: Since his team leads the league in penalty minutes, Maurice and staff should dress up as NHL referees, complete with whistles so they can call penalties on themselves.

John Stevens adds a fake ‘stache and an apron, and voila, he’s the “No Soup for You guy” from Seinfeld. He can modify his character line and shout “No ice time for you!” and shake a soup ladle at the refs when necessary.

Oilers vs. Bruins

 Pat Quinn will look fabulous dressed as a leprechaun. But one of those traditional leprechauns that closely follows the "code".
Claude Julien: He could do a reasonable Don Cherry, non?

Thrashers vs. Senators

John Anderson: could dress up like a Thrashers fan. They appear to need more.
Cory Clouston I would love to see the entire staff dressed as the Pierre McGuires! I want to see Clouston and crew, wearing bald heads and glasses with all of that monster McGuire enthusiasm we are exposed to every time we see Pierre on TSN.!! (Pierre is a former Sens assistant coach and pro scout. – dude knows his monsters, too)

Devils vs Lightning

Jaques Lemaire:  He’s hockey’s wise old shaman...Obi Wan Kenobi. Screw the Force...It's now May the Trap be with you!!!
Rick Tocchet Lightning owner,Oren Koules already gave Rick the Jigsaw costume from Saw 6...and it's scary. But not as scary as Paranormal Activity.

Sabres vs Islanders
 Lindy Ruff: Personally, I could see Lindy “Wastin’ away in Margarita Ville” decked out in holiday fun wear – tropical shirt, shorts, straw hat, a little zinc on the nose, and a salt rimmed cocktail glass as a prop. Go Lindy!
Scott Gordon This is a group costume: the bench staff dressed like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda from Sex and the City!!

Leafs vs. Canadiens

Ron Wilson might like to be the Invisible Man wrapped in bandages under a nice suit, bowler hat and spectacles. (Would be a dream costume should Wilson want to skip out on the occasional post game interview)
Jacques Martin Hey...we need a Dracula, and Jacques fits the bill. Full marks given if he can keep his fangs in for an entire game!

Wild vs. Pittsburgh

Todd Richards Black T-shirt printed with the words "Mr. Playoff" That's all anyone needs to know.
 Dan Bylsma: Imagine Dan in a slightly ill fitting black wig, and a Penguins jersey. That’s right....he’s Mario Lemieux!

Panthers vs. St. Louis


Peter DeBoer: For one night only DeBoer is the head Chef of the Florida Panthers, big poofy hat and all. Mike Kitchen will loves this.
Andy Murray and crew have the easiest costume idea, ever...the Blues Brothers. Just a bunch of groovin' Blues Brothers.


Stars vs. Predators

Marc Crawford His nickname is crow, and he will be the Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz. Watch the hay fly everytime Crow loses his temper!!
Barry Trotz Barry Trotz plus shades and a tux equals Jack Nicholson. He will out-cool everyone in the place.


Ducks vs. Phoenix
 Randy Carlyle: Buzz Light Year...to the top of the standings and beyond!!!
Dave Tippett: Also from Toy Story... Woody, the adorable cowboy doll.

Wings vs. Flames

Mike Babcock and friends will be rockin’ out dressed as the rock group Kiss. Arena DJ will add to the atmosphere by playing snippets from Detroit Rock City. Bonus points for sticking and flicking tongue out at the refs after lame calls.

Brent Sutter: He wears his Devil costume from last year, and convinces brother, Darryl to wear one too, in the GM box above. They both have to throw their pitch forks down in disgust everytime Pavel Datsyuk scores.

Wishing everyone a safe happy Halloween!!
-Lisa

The New Team Canada Jersey Look

By Lisa Ovens

I think Head Coach Mike Babcock will like the new Team Canada Hockey Jersey design; it’s so very Red Wing! At least that’s the first thing I thought when I saw it...this new look screams Detroit Red Wings, and there isn’t anything wrong with that.

The red & white, basic stripes, logo in the middle look should put Babcock completely at ease over the next six months as he tackles his extra curricular 2010 Olympic duties away from the mighty Red Wings organization. Some might say this jersey is simplicity at it’s finest.

Team Canada’s new Maple Leaf logo is actually loaded with design, but it’s understated in its presentation: within the border you’ll find images of the Thunderbird (magical, powerful) the Eagle (great strength, courage and leadership), the Ocra (traveler, guardian, symbol of good) the Beaver (creative, artistic, determination), and what appears to be a Moose (meaning: really freakin' big!), all drawn in First Nations style of art, along with smaller maple leaves representing gold medal wins in hockey. There you have it: a little Canadian hockey history and Canadian Aboriginal culture on display.

In other Team Canada news...A Women's International tournament will get underway in Vancouver Monday August 31st to Sunday September 6th 2009. It's the Hockey Canada Cup, with Team USA, Team Sweden, Team Finland and Team Canada facing off at General Motors Place. This event will give everyone a taste of what it's going to be like in just under six months when the 2010 Olympics arrive. Between the four countries, we will be seeing the best female players in the world, and tickets start at only CDN$10.00!!! And we'll get to see the new jerseys in action. For more tournament info, please click here

Icejerseys.com have the new look in stock, along with several other Team Canada looks, and other International jerseys, hats and tees. Plus they also have some hot deals going on other apparel. Check it out...any time is a good time to stock the closet with hockey!!!

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The Other Summer Movie: Flight of the Penguin Meets the Wing Dynasty

by Lisa Ovens

It’s a blockbuster, plot filled Stanley Cup Final and it all begins Saturday may 30th in Detroit. The plot thickens almost immediately because game two of the possible seven game series occurs on Sunday May 31st. Oooh, back to back thrills: stock up on your favorite beverages everybody! They'll have to last you all weekend.

It wasn’t too long ago the hockey world learned the finals might have begun on June 5th causing a lengthy delay and a late end to the season. And boy did everyone complain. Personally I was hoping for a delayed start because it would give the American sports media an opportunity to hype up what should be a thrilling end to the season. Because that’s what hockey needs more of in the United States: Hype with a capital H.

The Hype...

Sea of tranquility by Lisa Ovens

Rematch

We have a rematch of last year’s Final: defending Cup champs Detroit Red Wings vs. last year’s runner up team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. This hasn’t happened since 1984 with the Oilers and the Islanders Final. It's safe to say that hockey now is just as exciting as it was then, with the added bonus of better hair styles and more tattoos!

Karma

We have a serious Karma issue with Marion Hossa. He lost the Stanley Cup last year when playing with the Pens. He signs for millions with the Detroit Red Wings thinking they are his best hope for a Cup. Now he has to play the Pens for the Cup. That Hossa, he’s sitting on a red, hot seat.

Superstition

The Pens touched the Prince of Wales trophy when they won the Eastern Conference, whereas the Wings didn’t touch the Campbell Bowl when they won the West. Will the “Don’t touch the Conference Trophy” superstition prevail??

The Bosses

A Freshie coach vs. a Seasoned coach. It’s a Bylsma vs. a Babcock. A Dan vs. a Mike. The Wings Mike Babcock has been here before, and he obviously reall knows how to prepare his troups for battle. Injuries? No problem. Stupid calls from officials? No problem. Losing a Cup Final (with the Ducks) no problem. Winning a Cup Final with the Wings? No problem.

Dan Bylsma stepped in after the Pens fired coach Michel Therrien back in February. He turned the team around, brought them this far, and now has to push it a little more. He's young, a former player himself, so you have to wonder if he's pulling pranks on the road with the boys still. However, he did write a book about about hockey with his father, and you all know what they say about us authors...we're winners!

Elder Statesman

Every post season there is a token old guy people root for to win the Cup because he hasn’t won one yet. I guess this time around it would be the Pens Sergei Gonchar? He’s 35 years old. Please, if there is another old guy I'm missing, let me know.

Two REALLY Classy Guys Behind the Scenes

Steve Yzerman vs. Mario Lemieux. Who can forget these former superstar players performing the ceremonial puck drop during last year’s final. That’s about all I got here. Just like thinking about these fine specimens sauntering out from the benches in their nice suits...
Smile, pose, drop puck, smile and pose again, shake hands...Ahhhhhh.....

We can expect more stories will bubble to the surface. But for now let’s get ready for some serious hockey this weekend. Go teams GO!!!!