British Expatriate Network

The new Hockey season officially started last night with The New York Rangers beating The Carolina Hurricanes, The Colorado Avalanche drew 1-1 with Dallas Stars and at a commemorative game in L.A. Wayne Gretsky's 99 shirt was officialy retired, and The Kings beat the Pheonix Coyotes 4-1.

My favourite team, The Buffalo Sabres play tonight, at home against The New York Islanders. This Season is going to be a tough one for the Sabres, what with the Adelphia fiasco (John Regis being the ex-owner) casting a dark atmosphere over the club, and the threat of possible relocation and new ownership looming, has had an effect on the local fans in and around the Buffalo area.

Tonight's game isnt sold out, quite the contrary, with only just over 10,000 of the nearly 18,800 being sold.

The Sabres have to produce on the ice this year to generate ticket sales. They have a good squad, but maybe not with the depth to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.

My prediction this season is possibly the same as a lot of pundits, with the Avalanche to win in the west and the Rangers to win in the east!!

I was going to suggest a fantasy hockey league, but I didnt really think anyone would be interested in it?

Anyways..

The first bit of controversy of this season is Theo Fleury being suspended indefinately without pay after violating his sustance abuse aftercare programme. As you might have possibly guessed he recently come out of rehab, and now in the league everyone seems to be asking the question why should he be given another chance?

And on that note I'll sign off and ask if there's anyone else out there who likes Ice Hockey out there? or even has an opinion they'd like to share......!!

My final thought is another season of Hockey Night In Canada (in Keith Country!!)with Ron Maclean who had contract talks with CBC and nearly never made it back on the programme!! and Don Cherry who possibly wears the loudest suits on any national TV programme ever!!!

all the best
Alan smile

Not really interested to be honest BOC - sorry mate.

I did go and watch the Bracknell Bees play the Guildford Flames once. I found the breaks every quarter to be very annoying and it was ****ing cold in the rink - I've been warmer on a freezing cold, rainy, hypothermia-inducing January evening in the Devonport End!

I still rank it above Baseball though.

I'm sort of getting into it....slowly. grin

I sort of like the Vancouver Cunucks but the ticket prices are so prohibitively expensive.
Actaully, I prefer the olymic hockey, much more watchable.

I notice a big overlap between hockey fans and footie fans over here. Three of the people I go to the games with are big Richmond Renegades (ECHL) fans. The Kickers mascot also does the mascoting for said hockey team.
Out of all the sports my wife likes hockey, but only to go watch a game - not on TV or anything.
Personally, although I've tried - I cannot return the compliment. The "Jock Rock" gets on my nerves as well as all the stoppages. Also 7 game series just do my head in. Who the he1l needs seven games to decide a winner?

hocjust isn't CRICKET s it now !!!!!!!!!!!

The NHL have learned a few lessons from the olympics this year. One rule which has been instituted is the quick face-off rule, which is like the olympics because there is only 18 seconds now for a face-off, compared to 30 odd seconds before. Another difference is the obstruction rule now which stops defencemen from checking the opposing team from going to a pass. Its speeded up the game considerably.

I did enjoy the olympics hockey myself but I just love NHL hockey too!!

I love cricket too!!
Ive followed Worcestershire and England for a few years now, so I know what its like to suffer!!! :wink:

When I watched the Plymouth play at home it was in September so it wasnt as cold!!

I like baseball too!!

Ive been to watch the Buffalo Bisons a few times, who are more like the Springfield Isotopes!! :lol:

I do watch the MLB too.

I think I might be a rare breed of person who watches and kind of enjoys all sports, whether they be english, american or canadian!!

There's just no hope for me!!! :???:

all the best
Alan :smile:

Of all the new rules which has been brought in by the NHL there is one which I would have suggested......

Ban all those dodgy mullets which some of the players and TV presenters have!!

Barry Melrose (on ESPN) used be the worst offender in this category!!

The Buffalo Sabres won 5-1 last night, they beat the New York Islanders in an emphatic style!!

Hopefully this could kick start the Sabres to an exciting season!!

all the best
Alan

I used to have the opinion about play off games, but I suppose its like in the Nationwide League with play offs, that, I personally think that there should have been a third (or fourth) automatic promotion place; but the league and clubs want play offs because it brings extra revinue for the clubs and it gives the league more publicity and interest.The seven games (or less) does all this for the clubs and the NHL

I also like the 7 game series because sometimes there can be a whitewash, but more upon that there has been some really good play off series like last year with Detroit and Vancouver and Detroit against the Avalanche and the year before with the Sabres.

Kinda had my fill of pucks for this evening, I live down the road to the Canes and we are three down @Tampa right now sad

Can't face the rest of the game now so I'm hanging out here, that Stanley Cup seems oh but a distant memory....