Tim Thomas Tarnishes Image With White House Snub

Today, Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas put himself in front of his team, league and country by making a self-righteous political statement instead of attending a White House ceremony to honor the Bruins' Stanley Cup victory last season. In boycotting this event he selfishly stole the attention away from his teammates and the entire Bruins organization on a day that should have been a diplomatic, nonpartisan celebration of an amazing achievement in professional sports.

Championship sports teams have been honored in Washington by countless administrations over the years. It doesn't matter if there is a Democrat or Republican in the Oval Office, political disagreements have never entered the picture. That is until now. This is not about President Barack Obama, but respecting the office of the president of the United States of America. Tim Thomas may have exercised his right as a "Free Citizen," as he posted on his Facebook page, but that does not excuse his actions. He represents an organization that is paying him millions of dollars. He represents the National Hockey League that is trying to broaden its appeal into minority communities.  And as one of only two Americans on the team, he represents this country (players from Canada, Slovakia, Finland and other nations were honored to be at the White House with President Obama). 

There is a time and place for political protests. This was not one of them. Sports are supposed to be an escape from everything that divides us. It is supposed to be a safe place free of partisan politics. Today, Tim Thomas broke that sacred trust and it will take a long time for those wounds to heal. 

- Josh Marks

The Get Real Guide to the Hull Stingrays

Home: Hull Arena, Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire

Colours: White, Yellow, Blue

Founded: 2003

The Hull Stingrays may not be regarded as the most glamorous club in the EIHL but they are side that has come through against adversity to survive at the top level.

Like their Scottish counterparts in Edinburgh and Dundee the Stingrays represent the latest incarnation of ice hockey in the city of Hull. The Stingrays predecessors date back to 1988 when the Humberside Seahawks became members of the British league. Since then until 2003 though there were many changes including the name and the ownership.

In 2003 the Hull Thunder were bought out by the Peck family and became the Hull Stingrays replacing the Thunder in the British National League. Following the collapse of the BNL 2005 the Stingrays moved to the English Premier League. It was not a popular move with the increased travel involved and lower standard of hockey. After one season the forward looking Peck family applied for membership of the Elite League in 2006. The Stingrays took to the ice in the EIHL that September and became the first British team to play in 3 senior levels of the sport.

It was a difficult first two seasons for the Stingrays who missed the playoffs both years finishing 9^th and 10^th but in 2010 the Stingrays finished 8^th and made the playoffs for the first time. It was short-lived success however.

In August of that year just weeks before the start of the season the Peck family closed the club down stating the club was not financially viable and it took a rescue package from the Coventry Blaze to resurrect the club in time for the new season. Despite playing 10 games in 20 days to finish the season in order to make up for missing the start the Stingrays recorded their best ever season. They finished the season in 7^th place and made the playoffs.

That good form carried over into the preseason for the 2011 – 2012 season as the side picked up the P&O Ferries Cup for a tournament victory against the Coventry Blaze and Dutch sides the Tilburg Trappers and the Geleen Eaters. That promise did not quite show through into the season as the Stingrays endured a torrid start to the season before picking some points to currently occupy the last playoff spot.

The Hull Stingrays are a club that has persevered through difficult financial situations to produce a team on the ice every season that has at least been competitive. They are proof that whilst not a high-flying glamour side or a traditional hockey town that ice hockey has a following in the UK. In many ways the Hull Stingrays show why there is a need for reform in the EIHL in order to help them and other teams on a tiny budget to compete a little bit easier.

The future perhaps is not clear with the money problems in Coventry but the Stingrays have been in the same situation before and come through it.

Links

www.hullstingrays.com

www.fblockblog.co.uk

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Quack Quack ...Ducks Headed North !!!

Usually Ducks migrate south in the winter, however, the Ducks of the NHL have been doing the exact opposite, as they have been heading North in the NHL standings. They haven’t been using  tricks like the “Flying-V” or “knuckle-pucks”, the Ducks are simply using the combination of an explosive attack, and timely goaltending. That combination has made the Ducks the hottest team in the NHL since the holidays.

Just over 2 weeks ago, the Ducks were in a state of complete disarray, they were in the basement of the NHL standings, and reports were rampant that the Ducks superstars were available for trade, after the owner said the only untouchables were those with NTC’s. Just when it seemed almost certain that either Getzlaf or Ryan were going to be shipped off before the deadline, this team completely changed directions. Since Jan 6^th, the Ducks have played 9 games, and have collected 17 out of a possible 18 points by posting a record of 8-0-1! In those 9 games, they have outscored opponents 36-16, that means they have scored 4 goals a game and allowed less than 2 goals per game, so not only have the Ducks been winning, but they have been doing it in convincing fashion. Selanne has continued his great play this season, as he has been one of the only Ducks to not have a down year. Jason Blake has come back from injury and paid immediate dividends putting up 4 goals and 6 points in his last 5 games. But what has really been the key of this recent tear Anaheim has been on, is the re-emergence of  the Ryan/Getzlaf/Perry line as one of the NHL’s most lethal trio’s. In the last 9 games the three have combined for 15 goals, 13 assists and 28 points! Apparently trade rumors was exactly what the Ducks needed, because ever since the team’s stars found out they were expendable, they have done their very best to show management why they were considered the cornerstones of the franchise just a few months ago. When you combine the great play of the top line, with the incredible effort that they are getting from Hiller on the backend, there is no reason to believe that this run will not continue. Hiller has played in 8 of those 9 games, and has allowed only 11 goals over that span! The Ducks have been scoring plenty so they could have afforded some poor goaltending performances; however, Hiller has still managed to shut the door during those games. Last night’s 3-2 win over the Avalanche was perhaps Hiller’s best performance as he saved 43 out of the 45 shots he faced, and essentially stole 2 points for the Ducks, as they were outshot 45-18! Whenever you see a team that could steal 2 points with great goaltending, and also manage to score 4 goals a game in other contests, it is a very good sign of more wins to come. The Ducks are firing on all cylinders, and the recent dominance they have showed is reminding me a lot of the New Jersey Devils run last season. Although the Devils came up short despite being nearly unbeatable to close out the season, the Ducks might have a better chance because they started this run earlier. They currently sit 11 points behind the 8^th place Avalanche, however, the Ducks also have 3 games in hand, so that ground may be easier to pick up than it seems. Whether they can get back into the playoff race remains to be seen, however, if the Ducks keep this up, or continue to play even close to the level they are playing now, they will definitely have a shot at the playoffs. And they would be the 1^st team in NHL history under the current playoff system that would make the playoffs despite being 10+ points out at the All-Star break. One thing is for certain, the Ducks will be fun to watch for the rest of the year, and the way they are playing nobody would want to play these guys in the 1^st round if they managed to pull off a miracle and squeeze into the playoffs.

Grant Robinson (@thesportsgrind)

The Price Hasn’t been right!

Carey Price has been considered the only real bright spot on a struggling Canadiens team that has been surrounded by turmoil and controversy all season. Much of the year, this would have been an understatement, as Price has kept the Habs in games they had no place being in all season long, and showed why he is considered an elite goaltender in the NHL. However, recently Price’s play hasn’t been so hot. Ever since the holidays were approaching Price just hasn’t been the same as since December 15^th, in 13 starts before the Leafs game on Saturday he was only 3-9-1. Before that point he had a record of 12-8-7, which wasn’t great, but when you consider how the team was playing in front of him, it was very impressive. At 3-9-1 in the last month, the wheels have clearly fallen off in Montreal. But as bad as Price’s record has been, I can’t blame him for that, as I believe that has a lot to do with the team in front of him. So the win/loss record is forgivable. What should be giving Habs fans some thought however, is the fact that Price has allowed 3 or more goals in 8 of those 13 games. His stats over that span shows a 2.92 GAA, and an abysmal .883 save%. When you compare those to his season stats of 2.41 GAA and .914 save%. It becomes clear that his play has noticeably slipped recently. When you see how many goals Price has been letting in recently, a stat that really surprised me is that Montreal gives up the 6^th least shots against per game in the league, which you would assume would help Price out. However, the stats only show so much, and there is no questioning that Price has been hung out to dry by his D-men on more than one occasion. Price’s game against Toronto on Saturday could have been a big turning point for his season, as he stopped 32 of 33 shots and led the Habs to a win in a game that was HUGE for Montreal’s dwindling playoff hopes. Whether Price could slingshot that game into a streak of sorts remains to be seen, but Habs fans everywhere are desperately hoping for it.

The one concerning stat with Price’s season in my eyes, is how he has played at home in front of the Bell Centre crowd. On the road Price has been great, going 9-9-1 on a losing team, and posting a 2.26 GAA and a .927 save%. However, when you look at his performance on home ice this season, the numbers drop significantly. Price has posted a 7-8-7 record at home, which is a far cry from his wins and losses on the road. While allowing 2.55 Goals per game, and a .899 save%!!! Carey Price and a save% under .900 is something you just don’t hear too often, so when you do hear it, you know there is something wrong. Carey Price is one of the most talented and promising goaltenders in the league, and the Bell Centre when things are going good is by far the loudest arena in the NHL. However, when things are going bad, the fans aren’t shy to voice their opinions, or boo the team, and perhaps that is what has Price playing poorly on home ice. And for those of you that think there isn’t something wrong with Price, and that he has been just fine. Consider this last concerning fact…Budaj’s last 3 starts have come against the Penguins, the Rangers and the Blackhawks. 3 of the hottest teams in the league, each littered with all-star forwards. It makes sense that the Habs played Budaj around those times, because each of those games were parts of a back-to-back. However, in each of those 3 games the Habs decided to give Price the easier start, and make Budaj face the tougher opposition. When Budaj played the Blackhawks, Price played the Jets. When the Rangers were the opponent, they started Price vs Ottawa. And instead of playing Price vs Malkin and the Penguins, they let Budaj face them. Clearly the organization has noticed what I have in Price’s play, and are trying to get him going.

I know it might seem like I am trashing Price in this article, but that really isn’t the case. There is no doubt in my mind that Price is the key to this team, and by far has been it’s brightest star this year. There is no doubt in my mind that the Habs have done a horrible job of helping out Price this year, and that the blame in no way shape or form should rest on his shoulders for the lack of success this year. However, Price isn’t playing up to his own level, and when he does get going and playing the way we know he could, the Habs will be a much tougher team to play. The win against Toronto was a good building block, perhaps this is exactly what both they and Price needed. Habs fans out there, don’t be too worried, as Price has shown in the past he could bounce back from slumps. After an incredible rookie season, he had 2 subpar years, before re-emerging last year as one of the top goalies in the NHL. He will inevitably get out of this funk and begin to dominate once again, the question is only when. And will it be too late for the Habs already slim playoff hopes.

Grant Robinson (@thesportsgrind)

Surprises in UK Hockey (20th – 22nd January)

It was a weekend where results did not always go as they were expected. Teams chasing a playoff birth picked up points against title challengers whilst mid table sides showed they were not out of the title hunt just yet.

Elite League

The Belfast Giants warmed up for their top of the table clash with the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday by beating the Edinburgh Capitals in comfortable style. However despite outshooting the Caps 42 – 11 Jarolin’s equaliser sent the teams in all square at the break.

After the first intermission however the Giants responded as they so often have this season. 3 goals from Garside, Lloyd and Clark in just over 3 minutes put the home team in control as they dominated the Capitals. A Robert Dowd brace in the third period either side of Ian Bowie’s consolation goal for the Capitals sealed the 6 – 2 win and an 8^th defeat in 10 for the Capitals.

The inspired Belfast performance from Friday night could not carry over to Saturday however. The Panthers produced a fine first period display to take the lead including a first goal for Finnish forward Sami Ryhanen. It was a lead the Panthers did not relinquish despite facing a barrage of shots in the third period. Final score Nottingham 3 Belfast 2 and an import win for the Panthers that keeps them in the title race.

There were 2 important wins at the bottom of the table too as Dundee hit the slumping Hull Stingrays for 5 to crawl ever close to that last playoff place whilst fellow strugglers Fife had a night to remember in Kirkcaldy. The Flyers fell behind twice to the Coventry Blaze before equalising twice and forcing the game to penalties. It was new Flyers signing Denis Kadic who netted the only penalty shot to take a valuable 2 points that edges the Flyers closer to Hull and keeps them level with the Stars at the bottom of the league.

Saturdays other game was in Braehead. It was an evenly fought game between the Clan and the nearest league rivals the Cardiff Devils. In the third period though it was Phil Hill for the Devils who netted the decider just 30 seconds after Krestanovich had equalised for the home side.

There were 4 more games on Sunday night as Nottingham headed into the NIC to face an inform Flyers side. The Panthers though showed no weariness from their journey from Northern Ireland as they controlled the game through goals from Ryhanen, Beauregard and Fox before a consolation goal from Bakrilk gave the visitors something to cheer. A final goal from Benedict sealed the Panthers victory and ensured that they stayed in second place in the league table 5 points behind the Giants.

Hull finally ended their winless run as they travelled to the Murrayfield Ice Rink. It was a tight first two periods in which Osman had given the Stingrays the lead before a hectic last 8 minutes. That was all it took for 5 goals to be scored but the Capitals could not get back on terms as the Stingrays finally picked up a first win of the year.

After defeat to the Flyers the Blaze were back home to face the Clan. It was a game that was even on the shot count but it was Blaze that took their chances to take the win. Braces from Robert Farmer, Matej Kralj and Dustin Wood saw the Blaze put 6 on their Scottish rivals.

Meanwhile back up in Scotland the Sheffield Steelers were looking to make the most of one of their games in hand as they faced the Dundee Stars. The Stars though were confident following their win in Hull and took the lead three times only to be pegged back. After a lengthy delay for the plexi glass to be repaired to was the Steelers who nipped it on penalty shots.

EPL

In the EPL Saturday was a big night at the top as 4 out of the top 5 were in action against each other and with Slough being forced to postpone their home game due to an ice issue it was all to play for.

Manchester hosted the league leaders on the back of 8 wins in row and they made it 9 as they moved 2 points behind their opponents. The Steeldogs too made big in roads as they took the win at Milton Keynes.

At the foot of the EPL there was an important win for the Peterborough Phantoms who beat Telford and moved to within 4 points of the playoffs whilst Basingstoke fended of Swindon in the mid table clash.

On Sunday night there was another big game between the Phoenix and the Flames but this time in the Spectrum. The Phoenix could have taken the top spot with their tenth successive victory but it wasn’t to be as a third period rally lifted the Flames. Thanks to wins for Slough over Bracknell and Milton Keynes over Basingstoke the Phoenix fell from second overnight to fourth. But now there is only 6 points between the top 5.

That would have been 4 points between the top 5 but Telford showed some true grit to pick a vital two points at home to the Steeldogs.

Results

Friday 20^th January

Elite League

Edinburgh 2 Belfast 6

Saturday 21^st January

Elite League

Nottingham 3 Belfast 2

Coventry 2 Fife 3 (aps)

Dundee 5 Hull 2

Cardiff 3 Braehead 2

English Premier League

Guildford 1 Manchester 4

Basingstoke 5 Swindon 3

Telford 5 Peterborough 9

Sheffield Steeldogs 2 Milton Keynes 0

Sunday 22^nd January

Elite League

Fife 1 Nottingham 4

Hull 4 Edinburgh 2

Braehead 2 Coventry 6

Sheffield 4 Dundee 3(aps)

English Premier League

Manchester 2 Guildford 5

Sheffield Steeldogs 1 Telford 3

Slough 4 Bracknell 3

Milton Keynes 2 Basingstoke 0

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Habs Struggle as the City Watches

Montreal is in the unusual position of trying to rally around an NHL club which continues to flounder near the bottom of the league.  The saga of the 2011-2012 Habs is well known throughout the NHL.

The team has battled internally as some players riled the media with comments illustrating the intensity of the internal conflict.  The biggest prima donna for the Habs now toils in Cow Town  and it seems that the rebuilding process is starting to take hold.

Rene Bourque has added size and grit to the Habs.  Subban is back on track and Price seems to have regained some optimism.  The likely hood of playoff contention is still remote but true Habs diehards have not given up.  Water cooler talk in La Belle Province is all about late a season pushes and a potential miracle ice.

We don't share their blind belief but we do respect the fact that Canadiens management has recognized the issues and we expect that fans will see many changes come the 2013-2014 edition of the club.  Montreal is a temple of hockey and once the Habs get some true hockey people in the front office; the cream will rise to the top once again.

Price, Subban, Georges and others will form the nucleus of a new club which will turn around faster than most people expect.  In a funny twist of fate; the roles were reversed last night as Montreal went into Toronto and beat the Leafs who seem playoff bound.  This kind of role reversal will probably be a one year phenomena.  Toronto might have been ok with their recent playoff skid but that won't be the case in Montreal. Management will recognize this fact and do what needs to be done.  Habs fans may not be smiling come year end but the future looks bright to us after this near death  season for hockey's most storied franchise.  

Malkin's Natural Hat Trick (Pens-Lightning 1.15.12)