Aki Kaurismäki and the Dallas Stars?

For those of you not aware of Kaurismäki, you might be thinking “Hmm, Finnish SM-Liiga product, likely finesse player, maybe goalie.. did the Stars sign him?”

BZZT. Wrong!

After I watched the game on Saturday, I almost lost my mind. I've been trying to get motivated ever since but it's been rough. There were some brilliant plays but in the end the Stars lost. Not just lost, but lost to the ISLANDERS. That's 2 steps and a bus ride away from losing to a small market AHL squad. So yeah, it's been rough. When I get burnt out or uninspired I tend to watch a film by one of my favorite directors. It seems that the Dallas Stars need a little more direction (bad pun, I know) and a little more Kaurismäki.

Kaurismäki is a world renowned film director known for his deadpan, depictions of working class and everyday Finns, and unexpected warmth in even despair-ridden times. Sound like Dallas lately? For all of the stress we've had to endure during the Raycroft error.. err.. era, there have been bright sides and solid plays. Sure, in the end Dallas is on a rough slide and it's hard to find the shining diamond in the hunk of coal that the latter part of November and the first part of December have been, but it must be done by any real fan.

The injury front is something that can’t be helped and the team as a whole shouldn’t be blamed for that which they cannot control, yet they can play harder to make up for the gaps. It’s obvious at this point (and obvious for several years to anyone who had to endure the ‘national feed’ of Hockey Night in Canada during the dreaded ‘Nothing but Leafs’ era) that Andrew Raycroft is anything but an elite goalie and needs extra help from the defensive pairings.

.Yes, a lot of these pairings are in disarray. Some of the younger guys have a chance to come into the forefront of the public mind though. It could take one single show of brilliance and they could be the next Morrow. They've got to get motivated and think bigger than one game. They've got to stop thinking “We're shorthanded, Kari is out.. nobody expects us to win”.

We do expect you to win, and we know you can do it. With the midseason having came and passed and each win becoming more crucial, it's time to stand behind our team win or lose. Let's grind our teeth and instead of yell obscenities, let's find one good thing to take home with us.

.. and if that doesn't work for you, here's a clip from one of Kaurismäki's most well known franchises in the West, Leningrad Cowboys. We can remember the meteoric rise earlier in the season and know that our favourite Finn will be returning sooner rather than later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEORJ3_EQ_A&feature=related

- Trenton Ray

Ray Trenton of GetRealHockey Scores an Exclusive Interview with Eric Nystrom of the Dallas Stars

To say the 2011-2012 Dallas Stars season has been a rollercoaster would be the understatement of the year. With ownership changes finally done and a young core building the Stars back into a powerhouse, it's easy to get excited about the future.. something that was frankly scary a year ago. One of the key elements to the on-ice success is the Stars checking line. Eric Nystrom, Vernon Fiddler, and Radek Dvorak have been pressuring opponents up and down the rinks of the National Hockey League.

The son of the NY Islander's 4 time Stanley Cup winner Bob Nystrom, Eric has big shoes to fill. A veteran of the Michigan State Wolverines, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild, Nystrom brings an energy to the Stars locker room that is both welcomed and embraced by his fellow players.

Starting the season with the Minnesota Wild, Nystrom was unexpectedly waived on October 6^th, but quickly picked up by the Stars. With something to prove and a newfound energy, Nystrom has excelled. With 9 points, a positive +/- score, and more hits than I can count, Nystrom's contributions to the team have been immediate.

Recently I sat down with left winger Eric Nystrom who was kind enough to answer a few questions about the success of the NyFidRak line (I know, I need to come up with a better nickname), how he's adjusting to Dallas, and a few other questions including one that may settle an age-old dispute!

1) A lot has been made about the Stars 'youth factor' this season, especially with Glen Gulutzan in charge. Is there a noticeable energy in the locker room/on the ice?

Nystrom: There's definitely a noticeable energy both on the ice and in the room! The coaching staff is very positive and that rubs off on us as players. Everyone has a lot of enthusiasm. It's awesome!!

2) Since coming to the Stars, you've already started out on a career-best season. Any special factors leading up to this? Line chemistry?

Nystrom: My linemates have been awesome. We definitely read well off each other. Also, i have a bit of a chip on my shoulder and I'm super motivated to prove myself!!

3) Speaking of line chemistry, it's not often that a checking line is the talk of the league. Any keys to success? I think it's a blessing in disguise that you were picked up on waivers because you've made an immediate impact. Was there much of an adjustment period from being released to being picked up? Did that motivate you even more to put up the strong numbers you have already posted this season?

Nystrom: Devo (Radek Dvorak, RW) Fids (Vernon Fiddler, C) and I all play a pretty straight line, predictable game. Because of that, we know what's on each others minds and we're not guessing! Plus those guys have great speed on the forecheck which is tough for opposing d to handle. I'm very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with these guys. It has definitely made the adjustment really smooth. With us its a lot more than putting up points, theres so many small details we pride ourselves in!

4) Since I'm also participating in Movember I'm curious about this one.. on December 1st, are you going to shave or have you and your teammates grown attached to your staches?

Nystrom: I always have the scruff going. I hate shaving!! I'll prob just trim it up since my beard grows so quick.

5) I know you're sick of getting this one but... having lived in both Calgary and Dallas.. settle the score for us. Alberta beef or Texas beef?

Nystrom: I go grass-fed, so wherever that's comin' from is my choice of beef!!

GetRealHockey.com thanks Eric Nystrom for his time. Nystrom's Movember page can be found at http://us.movember.com/mospace/1503814, and you can keep up with him on Twitter, @enystrom23. I'm also on Twitter, @txhockeyroundup should you want to say hi!

November 26^th, 2011
Trenton Ray

Movember Men

Earlier this evening while handing out candy to trick or treaters and watching the Panthers/Jets game, I decided to browse twitter. What I came across was shocking. George Parros shaved off his moustache. Parros and his facial accompiniyment are one and the same. His twitter handle is Stache16 for crying out loud. I thought that hell had frozen over.. and then I noticed other players in the league talking about growing a stache for 'Movember'. After a quick visit to Google, I discovered the most epic charitable event ever.

Movember is an entire month of not shaving your lip, cultivating an epic stache.. and raising awareness about mens health issues such as prostate cancer anytime anybody asks why you are growing one. You also raise funds for the prostate cancer foundation and livestrong. You can find more information over at http://www.movember.com

Here’s a brief summary from the website:

“During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember. “

Let’s face it.. shaving sucks ass, and looking like George Parros is pretty cool. Today is the first day so you can get in on this great cause. Should you read this later than Nov 1st, you can still donate to the cause and raise awareness... but the rest of us have a head start on you!

 

by Trenton Ray