We want a hockey handicapper blogger for GetRealHockey

Getrealhockey has been steadily building readership over the last 18 months.  We have developed a solid following of hockey fans at the NHL level.  We also have readers who follow KHL, EPL, EIHL, CHL,OHL, QJMHL, and WHL action.   The blog has both recreational readers and readers who like the numbers end of the game.  They often hope to win hockey bets through Provincial and State lotteries, Las Vegas,  and UK bookies. 

If you know how to handicap hockey games we want to speak to you.  Our readership has been asking for sports handicapping columns and we want to speak to a blogger who has this kind of knowledge.  GetRealHockey does not sanction illegal betting.  It urges readers to follow the laws in their own jurisdiction.  GetRealHockey does not own (or profit from directly or indirectly) a sports betting enterprise or website.

Please email us @ getrealhockey@gmail.com if you think you can blog for us  in regards to hockey handicapping.

Like a fat kid in a candy store. I can't control myself. - So much NHL tonight

Oh my gosh, is there a lot of hockey on tap.

10 games tonight highlight the NHL schedule. Here is brief preview of the marquee games.

Washington vs. Buffalo

A match up for two under-preforming teams, the teams sit 10^th and 11^th in the East respectively.

The Caps have already had their shakeup this season with the firing of Bruce Boudreu. Alex Ovechkin has yet to re-capture his form that has made him one of the most exciting players in the world. On the flip side, Buffalo has also failed to live up to expectations, between questions about loyalty to their goalie to offensive underproduction. These two teams need to start off hot to get back in the playoff race because we all know what they are capable off.

Islanders vs. Rangers

I chose to highlight this game, because it figures to be feature predominately in HBO's 24/7 this week

The Rangers are sitting in 2^nd place just 1 point out of the first in the East and the Islanders per usual are sitting tied in the basement of the Conference. Its always interesting when these two teams, that are

only separated by 25 miles meet up. One also has to think, the Islanders while being in the New York bubble, don’t usually get the same attention as the Rangers or the Devils, they know the cameras will be on. Look for a highly physical, entertaining game, which hopefully produce some great moments for this week's episode of 24/7.

Columbus vs. Chicago

Best team in the league vs the worst team in the league based on point total. Will there be aChristmas hangover for the Hawks and yes sometimes I mean that literally (KANER!). Or will the hot streak continue, despite CBJ's record, they actually have played better as of late and they have become very good at being a huge pain the in the Hawks side.

Edmonton vs. Vancouver.

Vancouver as of right now in fifth place in the West and playing much closer to form with the re-emergence of Ryan Kesler back from injury and Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo playing quite well in goal. Edmonton however started the season on fire, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle who are 18, 20 and 21years old are playing like superstar veterns. Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins are in the top 20 in points and Hall was in that mix before a shoulder injury. Hall returned before the break and look for the Oilers to either continue to grow up and flourish or get another lottery pick. This will be a huge marker tonight.

Also....

The World Juniors start tonight live from Calgary and here goes a shameless plug and THANK YOU to  the NHL Network for broadcasting the tournament in the US. This tournament year after year showcases the stars of tomorrow, so tune in to see the next Crosby, Ovechkin and Toews.

I hope everyone had a joyous holiday. I received the books, The Art of Scouting by Shane Malloy and Squaw Valley Gold: American Hockey's Olympic Odyssey.  So get ready for book reviews starting in early 2012.

Joe DeTolve

Chicago, Illinois

Goodintheroom.blogspot.com

Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants Win Again - Uk Round Up Friday 23rd December

The Christmas period started in earnest on Friday night. Belfast and Nottingham were both in league action whilst fellow title chasers Sheffield played their final Challenge Cup group stage game in a winner takes all match up with Cardiff.

Challenge Cup

Sheffield Steelers 4 Cardiff Devils 4

Sheffield and Cardiff both knew that this game could be their last in the Challenge Cup. Cardiff however did have the slight advantage of knowing they only had to avoid defeat to be assured of a place in the semi final.

The first period was an edgy affair that ended goalless but the second period saw the game come back to life. First Jeff Legue put the Steelers ahead before Smith and Pierce put the Devils on top. Legue however got his second and Colt King put the York side back on top before the end of the second.

The Devils needed to score in the third and came out firing as Stuart MacRae levelled up the scores. MacRae’s second goal came on the 51^st minute as the Devils lead again and would prove to be crucial as Mike Ramsay equalised for the Steelers with 2 minutes to go but neither he nor the Steelers could break the deadlock.

The draw meant that the Devils go into the semi final and face the Belfast Giants. The second semi final will be between the Nottingham Panthers and the Braehead Clan.

Edinburgh Capitals 0 Belfast Giants 6

Belfast were on top form on Friday and boosted by the signing of fan favourite and home town lad Mark Morrison.

The Giants dominated with a hat trick from Daryl Lloyd and strikes from Keefe, Awada and Pelle in a game that saw the Giants add 15 shots on Nathan Craze in 15 minutes during the second period.

The win keeps the Giants on top in the title race whilst the defeat for the Capitals means they lose ground on Braehead in the race for sixth.

Nottingham Panthers 6 Dundee Stars 4

With the Steelers in action in the Challenge Cup Nottingham knew they could take second spot in the league table with sides due to meet twice over the festive period.

Despite the Panthers building up a 2 goal lead in the first period the Stars were not out of the game as Turner and Konkle levelled the scores. The Panthers however restored their 2 goal advantage going into the third period through Beauregard and David Clarke.

The Stars started lively in the third period and halved the deficit although Benedict’s goal kept the Panthers two ahead. There was a nervy finish though as Konkle made it a one goal game with 30 seconds left. However there was just enough time for Clarke to complete the win with an empty net goal.

With that defeat the Stars are still looking for a first league win under new coach Brent Hughes. However the Panthers move above the Steelers into second in the league table with the win. David Clarke’s two goal night also sees him tied for the Elite League all time goal scoring record with 229 goals equalling Adam Calder.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Merry Xmas to our readers , bloggers, and the entire GetRealHockey family

GetRealHockey started as an idea just about 18 months ago.  The idea was to create a destination for all hockey fans be they NHL,EPL,KHL, EIHL, or junior hockey.  The blog has had countless entries and we are now poised to breakout in 2012 as a force to be reckoned with in the hockey blogosphere.  The Alexa.com ranking for the blog grows on a daily basis.

The work of the blog has been put on the shoulders of some insiders but most of the burden has been endured by the bloggers who contribute stories on a daily basis.  At this time of the year, we want to reach out and say thank you on behalf of GetRealHockey and the readers of GetRealHockey.  Our bloggers have been putting out stories for zero pay.  They do it because they believe in the future of the blog and the GetReal concept.  This is about to change as we look to open to 2012 with financial backing and we will finally be able to compensate all the hard work.  It is our hope that the blogging team will continue to grow so we can best serve all the hockey niches we have targeted.

We hope all our readers will join us in this journey in 2012.  Our readers are the heart and soul of GetRealHockey and we aim to please with more cutting edge articles and insight in the New Year.  If you are a reader of the blog and you have something to share as a blogger; please email us @ getrealhockey@gmail.com.

In the mean time we wish everyone a Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays.  This is a time for family and of course hockey.  Hope you all catch the juniors and the NHL action between Santa's Day and New Years.

The Boston Bruins are Insanely Good - Pay Attention NHL

Xmas is upon us and the Boston Bruins have handed their fans an early gift with an 8-0 victory over the Florida Panthers.  The team is a juggernaut and they look ready to crush anyone in the league. The Bruins are scary, big, fast and skilled.  They are the definition of team and the epitome of success in professional sport.  Their slow start in this new NHL season is old history and Boston looks ready to take top spot in the entire league. The scoring is nuts for this year's edition of the Bruins.  Their plus/minus is crazy.  The goal tending is from another planet. They look stronger than they did when they bruised their way to a Stanley Cup championship in 2010-2011.  The chances for a repeat in the "new" NHL are slim because of free agency and the lure of big money.  These guys look set to be the exception.

Boston is a town for winners.  The Patriots, the Celtics, the Red Sox and the Bruins inspire rabid loyalty from their fans.  The Bruins have taken that loyalty and fed on it and become the premier team in the NHL.  They blew through the NHL last year like a hot knife through butter and it looks like 2011-2012 will be an instant reply.  Seguin, Marchand, Thomas, Chara, Horton, and Lucic are just too good to not be a dynasty.  This team is insanely good.  Everyone in Boston should be proud and GMs in every other city should be paying attention.  The NHL needs more teams like the Bruins.  Their commitment to the fans is shows up on the ice every night.  To hell with parity.  All teams should be excellent like the Bruins.  Wow that would be a cool thing for the world's best sport.  Hope someone pays attention (Wink !! Wink !! Habs, Flames, Islanders).

Are the Habs the Washington Generals of the NHL ?

Everyone who has been lucky enough to see the Harlem Globetrotters play has also seen the Washington Generals in action.  The Washington Generals are the hapless nitwits who chase the Globetrotters around all night but ultimately they always lose.  The Generals may pull ahead in any one game but they always trip, fall, and crash to the much better Globetrotters.  None of the guys on the Generals ever dreamed they would someday be part of a basketball team that is always slated to lose but every night they go out and get their heads kicked in for money.  They draw their salaries , do their best and move on to the next game.    

This pattern which is well known to the Generals is becoming way too familiar to the Montreal Canadiens.  This once proud franchise has been humbled by mismanagement and the players are starting to show the mental fatigue of getting their collective rear ends handed to them on a regular basis.  Blowouts are becoming very common for the Habs. The Habs have slid into a trap of mediocrity and they seem unable to shake the hex.  The youngsters on the team are listless and talented players like Price and Subban are looking average at best. 

If you ask me they look and feel like the Generals.  The Blackhawks made them look stupid recently and games against the Jets and others were not much better. The owners of the Habs need to move and right the ship. Montreal fans deserve better.  Poor management can push a franchise to the brink.  Just ask the Maple Leafs. They dropped out of sight after their last Cup victory in 1967.  It can take a while for a winning spirit to come back once rot has set in.  This team needs to be turned around now or Habs fans will be in store for years of Washington Generals style hockey. This year is a write off.  The habs need to get in there and make some trades in the New Year.  Get what you can for whatever you have that has worth.  Sometime it is hard to bite the bullet but we are afraid that Molson has to get chewing.  Time to rebuild.  The quicker you face the music the quicker Montreal will bounce back.

An educated Blackhawks fan’s guide to chirping the opposing team.

Let’s be honest if you walked into an arena in the opposing team’s sweater you are going to get harassed. Which for the most part is fine, you deserve it because you decided to put your team ahead of your feelings and in some cases your safety.[1]  In many cases they are educated and have great hockey sense especially if they are wearing the colors of an original six team or in most cases a team from Canada. After an incident I saw last night, I think some people need a refresher on who, what and when its ok to make fun of other fans or teams.

1.       If you are drunk, automatically you sound like you have suffered major head trauma and your argument has not one shred of credibility.

2.       Don’t chirp the defending champion during the regular season, no matter what your opinion is, for at least one year they have the brass ring.

3.       If you are under 25, wearing a green Patrick Kane jersey with a flat billed hat keep your mouth shut. Especially if you are talking to a 60 year old Canadiens fan. They have seen between 10-15 Stanley Cups you have seen 1. They are the second most storied franchise in sports. Your team was almost driven into the ground by an owner reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge. Respect your elders Jerkface!

4.       Never start an argument with “If I was on the ice”

5.       Never start an argument with (our fighter) can kick (Your fighter’s) ass.

6.       Never refer to an opposing player that is out with an injury as a wuss or worse, unless that player has a history of faking.

7.       For Chicago Fans…Don’t yell “Detroit Sucks” when Detroit is not even in the building.

So I hope this guide can be a map for becoming a better fan, there is nothing wrong with going crazy, and making fun of the opposing team. But please at least sound educated when you do it, because if you don’t, it just makes you and your fanbase look ignorant. Also for God Sakes, stop yelling “Shoot!” when your team is on the Powerplay!

Happy Holidays/Joyeuses Fêtes

Joe DeTolve

Goodintheroom

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[1] Under no circumstance should you engage an opposing fan physically unless they spill your 10 dollar beer or harass your girlfriend/wife