GetRealHockey to Partner With Allhockey.ru - To Cover KHL Games

GetRealHockey is pleased to announce that we are going to be teaming up with Allhockey.ru to cover KHL games.  These guys are top in KHL coverage and we think our readers will enjoy their material as we follow the current KHL season.

The Allhockey.ru links can be found @

KHL - http://allhockey.ru/khl/ -great articles every day

European champs: http://allhockey.ru/childs/ -  recap of the week

And you can always watch their Canadian commentators (in English) @ http://allhockey.ru/blog/jtr/

Shanabanned ;Patrick Kaleta

Last night, I was extremely disappointed that I would only be able to catch the first five minutes of the Sabres' game against Philadelphia. But in the end, I didn't even watch that – after the second goal got past Miller at 1:56 I turned off the TV, threw on my shoes, and walked out the door to wait for my ride. They looked absolutely pathetic.

But apparently I missed something important, because I got a text from the Buffalo sports radio station, WGR 550 AM, at about 4 PM stating: “Sabres F[orward] Pat Kaleta suspended 4 games for head butt vs. Flyers.” Four games. I figured it must have been pretty bad, something like the incident in the 2006 World Cup between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi, where the head butt was seemingly pointless and completely out of character for the situation at hand. But then I saw the video with Shanahan's explanation:

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=132436

It's physical play at it's best right there. Shanahan needs to realize that there's a fine line here, and you have to be careful not to cross it. Kaleta was merely going in to try and play the puck, and the way that should be done is with physical play. That's exactly what Kaleta set out to do, and is what he managed to do.

Lately the NHL's suspensions have been much too severe. Recently, the Chicago Blackhawks' Dan Carcillo has been suspended 2 games for a hit from behind on the Hurricane’s Joni Pitkanen. In the video of the play, it is apparent that there was a push from behind by Carcillo, causing Pitkanen to fall towards the boards. I agree that this is an act that should be penalized.

But take a close look at the play – Carcillo was leaning on Pitkanen from behind as they went towards the puck, so he definitely knew there was a player defending him. Then there's the fact that Pitkanen seems to lose balance a little too easily. It's quite likely that he dove to draw the penalty, in case it was missed.

Then there's the five-game suspension of the Edmonton Oilers' Andy Sutton for an illegal hit to the head. Yes, this play did result in a hit to the head. Yes, I agree this is a suspendable play. But Shanahan is trying to argue that this hit was somehow worth a total of five games? No way. It was deserving of three games at most. The play was a hit to stop the advance of the puck, not to cause injury or harm to an opposing player. In such cases, the punishment to the offending player needs to be reduced.

Brendan Shanahan, you need to realize that hockey is and has always been a physical sport. You're crossing a line here with your numerous suspensions, and if you keep this up we may be heading down a slippery slope headed towards making this a sport where players are afraid to check their opponents.

Watch out, Shanahan, or you may be the next one to be “Shanabanned.”

~Adam Singh

A.Singh.Advocate@gmail.com

Rangers to skate with the same lineup against the Ducks

Sean Avery has returned to the New York Rangers roster, but will not skate with the team as they take to the ice to take on the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, as head coach John Tortorella announced on Wednesday that he will go will the same lineup used in the 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Tortorella explained that the veteran forward hasn’t skated for a couple of days prior to Wednesday’s practice as the reason why Avery will not be in uniform for the game against the Ducks.  The 31-year-old was impressive with his first practice back with the team on Wednesday, alternating in with the line of Artem Anisimov, Erik Christensen and Andrew Deveaux during drills.

New York still has two more home games at Madison Square Garden, so it is likely that the forward will make his return to home ice very soon.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Eight Islanders to participate in the ‘Movember’ movement

There is always something magical about the month of November, it is a time for family, celebration and to give back. One of the newer movements highlighting the month is the ‘Movember’ campaign, where men around the world raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health with their stashes.

The New York Islanders announced on Wednesday that eight of their stars have all pledged to grow moustaches for the entire month to join the National movement. Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau, Michael Grabner, Travis Hamonic, Andrew MacDonald, Matt Martin, Al Montoya and Matt Moulson will all be wearing stashes for a great cause.

For Moulson, the cause has hit close to home, as his wife’s family has had battles with prostate cancer.  The forward also has teamed up with Sportschirps.com to create a unique t-shirt for Movember.

Fans interested in purchasing the special tee, can check out the link below to pick one up:

https://www.sportschirps.com/detail.php?id=110

To learn more about the Islanders Movember movement click here:

http://us.movember.com/mospace/2164946/

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Vancouver Canucks Alumni present “Hockey at Sea”

Get ready to experience 7 exciting nights to Alaska onboard the beautiful Celebrity Infinity August 31, 2012 with hockey greats Kirk Mclean, Orland Kurtenbach, Harold Snepsts, Dave Babych, Greg Adams  and many more. Enjoy the splendour of the Alaska Wilderness with ports of call to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway. Witness dramatic displays of ice-shelves breaking off into icebergs while in Tracy Arm. 

Get up close and personal with the players during a meet and mingle and private autograph session.  Enjoy Open Mic Night with lively story telling by the players. Ask your favourite player questions! Sit down with members of the Alumni for a morning of poker or slots tournaments. Brush up on your Canucks knowledge because the winning team on Trivia night will have a private lunch with the players. And ladies there is even Ladies Hockey 101, learn about the game while relaxing during a private ladies only event.

The final night of the cruise will be spent in Victoria BC where you will attend a lively game between the Vancouver Canucks Alumni and the Victoria Police department. Prime seats at the game and transportation to and from the game are included in the price of the cruise package.

Partial proceeds from the cruise and the hockey game are being donated to the Canucks for Kids Fund.

There is limited space available, don’t miss out, book your spot now!

For the month of November you can get in on the Early Bird Special and enjoy the best cabin selection, first rates seats at the Victoria hockey game a reduced deposit and you will be entered to win one of three VIP VANCOUVER CANUCKS HOCKEY EXPERIENCES. The VIP experience includes: Vancouver Canucks 2012/2013 hockey game for 2 in the Alumni Suite, 1 night Hotel accommodation, dinner, $100 spending money and a Vancouver Canucks Jersey signed by the players. For more information about the cruise and how to book visit   http://alumni.canucks.com/hockeyatsea.php

Toronto Maple Leafs v New Jersey Devils (Recap)

Brodeur was back in the net for the Devils whilst Reimer wasn’t quite back to fitness for the Maple Leafs so Gustavsson remained in net for them.

The first action in this game was at 5.08 as Brad Mills and Mike Brown dropped the gloves to try and inspire some energy into their teams after a lacklustre opening 5 minutes.

It worked for Toronto as with just under 9 minutes gone Joey Crabb scored the 1^st of the game as he batted the puck out of the air at the side of the net past a helpless Brodeur.

It was soon tied up at 1-1 as New Jersey got the first powerplay of the game and their first goal. A lovely 1-2 play between Henrique and Zubrus gave the youngster a chance infront of the net which Gustavsson did well to save but Zubrus followed up the play to put the loose puck high over the Maple Leaf netminder.

Gustavsson then pulled off a superb save sliding from one side of the net to the other to deny Palmieri and the Leafs cleared straight back up the other end to take a 2-1 lead. Gardiner made a superb slap pass play through traffic to give Grabovski an easy finish infront, the pass fooling everyone on the ice as the expected the puck in on goal.

The 2^nd period started with the Maple Leafs on the powerplay but it was Sykora of the Devils coming out of the penalty box who ended up with a chance going clean in on Gustavsson but the netminder stood strong and made a good save off the chance and then off the rebound as well.

New Jersey then went straight on the powerplay themselves and tied the game again. Kovalchuck patiently setting up the play as he waited for Parise to change his broken stick which lead to Elias getting clear to fire a one timer in past Gustavsson off Phaneuf’s stick.

It wasn’t long before the Maple Leafs had the lead again though as a Komisarek point shot bounced off Connolly infront and landed straight on Lupul’s stick. He fired it into an unguarded net with Brodeur now out of position.

New Jersey came back and tied the game for a 3^rd time soon after as Clarkson robbed the Leafs defence and went clean in from the blue line, pulling the puck to his back hand and firing it through Gustavsson.

Lupul scored his 2^nd of the game to give the Maple Leafs a 4-3 lead at the mid way point of the 2^nd period, firing a puck off a Devils defenseman’s stick which seemed to catch Brodeur out and it went in softly glove side. It was the 4^th goal Brodeur had conceded off only 11 shots but he remained inbetween the pipes.

Lupul then got his 3^rd goal with just under 7 minutes remaining as a poor pass in the offensive zone by the Devils lead to Kessel leading a 2 on 2 attack with Grabovski. Brodeur saved Kessel’s shot but Grabovski got the rebound under control behind the net and fed it out to Lupul. Brodeur made the save on his 1^st attempt but Lupul put the 2^nd one past the struggling netminder to complete a 2^nd period hat-trick.

There was a 2^nd fight of the game with around 2 minutes to go in the period as Schenn and Clarkson went at it after Clarkson put a big hit on the boards. Clarkson seemed to pick up a cut on his nose from his visor in the scuffle.

Brodeur started the 3^rd period better as he made a miraculous stick save off Kessel as the Maple Leaf forward was wide open at the side of the net after great play from Connolly to find him. With the goal gaping somehow the future hall of famer managed to get his stick back across and knock the puck out of the air and covered it up.

It was all Toronto through the opening 10 minutes of the 3^rd period as the Kessel, Connolly, Lupul line looked dangerous every time they had the puck but Brodeur was standing strong. The Devils killed off a 2 minute penalty pretty easily coming up to the midway point though as they looked to try and swing some momentum back in their favour.

Toronto however shut the gates for the final 10 minutes of the 3^rd period, playing a simple but effective chip and chase game that kept the Devils chasing back into their own end to try and find the puck. After that blistering bout of scoring in the 2^nd period there were no further goals in this one and the Maple Leafs saw the game off 5-3.

For a game that saw 8 goals, neither team really peppered the shots on net. Brodeur facing 23 and Gustavsson only 22. Both teams were poor defensively at times with the Maple Leafs picking that side of the game up in the 3^rd after they had got the 2 goal lead. A thoroughly entertaining game however as Toronto continue their good early season form.

- Adam Yates

NHL Players of the Month for October

The players of the month in October have been named, and not a single one of these players would have been picked as a favorite for the award in the preseason. Phil Kessel, Kari Lehtonen, and Nikolai Khabibulin were all somewhat of underdogs coming into this season. Yet every single one of them, is not only playing at an extremely high level, but playing what is probably the best hockey of their respective careers. Let’s take a look at why each of these players were given the award.

Phil Kessel - Toronto Maple Leafs: 11 GP, 10 Goals, 8 assists, 18 points, +6, 3 GWG

Phil Kessel was voted the month’s #1 star of October, and for good reason! Kessel was essentially unstoppable. He ranked 1^st in the league in goals, points, and game-winning goals for the month. Kessel was not only good, he was flat out dominant. He flat out took over some games, as he had 5 multi-point games (nearly half of his outings). For those of you who think this award was due to a few games, think again as he had points in 9 out of 11 games. His month was just about as consistent as could be. Kessel has been all over the ice so far this season, playing well in all 3 zones. That is nowhere more evident than in his +- for the month, as he posted a very impressive +6 rating. What makes Kessel’s 10 goals in 11 games even more impressive, is the fact that only one of those has come with a man-advantage. Meaning he has created 90% of his goals at even strength, that is the true sign of a dominant player. Kessel has always been a great goal-scorer, but this year we have seen him develop into a true NHL superstar, being able to set up plays for others just as well as creating his own scoring chances. For those of you who think that he will slow down in November, he has played one game in which he had 2 assists and was a +3. He now has 20 points in 12 games and is a +9. He now ranks 1^st in the league in goals, points, gwg’s, and plus/minus. He also is top 5 in the league in assists, and is showing no signs of slowing down!

Kari Lehtonen – Dallas Stars: 9 GP, 8-1-0, 1.75 GAA, .947 save%

Kari Lehtonen was the 2^nd star of the month due to his near perfect start to the season for the Dallas Stars. Lehtonen managed to win 8 of his 9 starts, and is the #1 reason why the Stars are at the top of their division. His wins aren’t the only reason he earned this spot, as his stats were equally as impressive. He posted a 1.75 GAA, and a .947 save%, and with numbers like that clearly gave his team a chance to win every single night. In his 8 wins, he never allowed more than 2 goals, so the wins were in large part due to him. His 1 loss was his only poor performance as he allowed 4 goals, but has been phenomenal in every other start. The Stars are vastly improved this year, considering they ranked dead last in their division last season. With the loss of Brad Richards, many people thought that the Stars would struggle out of the gate; however, they are off to an incredible start due in large part to Lehtonen’s performance. Remember they are 0-2 in the 2 games that he didn’t start!

Nikolai Khabibulin – Edmonton Oilers: 7 GP, 5-0-2, 1.12 GAA, .960 save%

He might be #3 on this list, but in my opinion, he could have equally been ranked #2, or even #1. The only reason he wasn’t ranked ahead of Lehtonen was because he only played in 7 games. But in those 7 games, Khabibulin never lost in regulation, banking at least 1 point for the Oilers in every single game that he started. It’s not just his record that has impressed me so far though; it’s how he has performed in those wins. He has yet to allow more than 2 goals in any game, which is very good after 7 games. But what’s even more impressive is that he has allowed 1 or less goals in 5 out of 7 games, which is just unheard of! For those of you who argue that his GAA is due to Edmonton playing good D, and a lack of shots, you are just flat out wrong. As he has faced 30+ shots in 5 of his games! Edmonton has 16 points in 11 games, and to put that into perspective, this is a team that managed to attain only 62 points all of last season. The Oilers have 25% of the points they had last year in the 1^st month of the season, this is a vastly improved team, and it is in large part due to Khabibulin. Nugent-Hopkins and the rest of the kid-line have been great, but Edmonton is barely scoring over 2 goals a game. So the fact that they have a winning record is due almost solely to the goaltender. And his out of this world .960 save% is reminding us all why he was nicknamed the Bulin-Wall when he won the cup with the Lightning.

That covers the 3 players of the month for October, let’s see if they could keep it up this month.

Grant Robinson (@Thesportsgrind)