HBO 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic Rangers Flyers Episode 3 Review

Episode three had a lot to live up to after last year’s pre Classic game. 

I love the opening and ending music it just fits so well.  And it gets stuck in my head the next day at work!  Good to see the guys ups and downs of both these teams.  Last year was mostly ups for the Penguins and downs for the Capitals.  I still wish there was more coverage of the Rangers, besides the creepy ugly Christmas sweater party. 

It actually felt like the episode moved a lot faster than the first 2.  Maybe it was because we are more familiar with the teams now, but it just seemed to have better flow.  There is a great example of a fantastic Captain and a good coach listening to what his players think of plays and what should be done in this episode.  The communication between Ryan Callahan and John Tortorella is wonderful.  It’s nice to see that Tortorella values his teams opinions and ideas on plays.  And he doesn’t blow him off like “yea whatever” he actually goes and looks at the plays of the previous period to help his team and captain.

I plan on writing a big thing later this week on injuries and not the head kind either more lower body, but it’s good to see that after suffering from a concussion Claude Giroux was able to come back and have a four point night (1 goal and 3 assists).  I love how Giroux “left it up too” Jagr whether or not he should play that game.  Good thing he listened to his teacher 4 points is wicked awesome!  Also happy to see that Shawn Couturier isn’t concussed after passing baseline testing and should return soon.  He seemed to be in high spirits despite slight hearing loss that should return. 

Thank you HBO for showing what why there was an altercation with Peter Laviolette & Steve Ott.  Anyone else feel that Ott was a little cocky and just generally being a stuck up prick, mentioning his standing and how great he thought he was.  Glad Lavi gave him a good shove and told him to grow up!

Besides seeing what is going to happen at the outdoor showdown on January 2.  I cannot wait to see Jagr and Talbots return to Pittsburgh on Thursday December 29!  I hope that Talbot doesn’t get booed.  He is great player and personally I feel that he has really grown as a player in Philly.  They have to give him some credit he did scored the game winner for then in the ’09 cup run!  Jagr, well I think he made the right choice too and hearing what he had to say about how fans in Pittsburgh made me feel, makes me want to side with him more.  I’ll still be rooting for the Penguins though!!!

Quote of the night:  “Another confrontation this one of the group variety!”

Episode 4 airs Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 10pm EST on HBO & the Winter Classic Airs at 1p EST on NBC January 2, 2012!

O RIGHT!  The hot blonde woman that is trapped in Bryzgalov's dog Mila's body made her first appearance last night!  She is a very pretty dog. =)

Enjoy the Game for what it is on the Ice - Not Just the Teams

So I guess I should clarify things.  I’ve been getting asked on twitter what team I prefer because I seem neutral in my tweets and posts.

My dad raised me on Rangers games that was my first experience in hockey.  My god parents have three boys all of whom play hockey in NJ.  SO obviously they are Devils fans. Not always the best combination when it comes to get togethers.

I went to college in Pittsburgh, PA.  And despite the schooling being a complete waste of time and money, I feel in love with the city and fell back in love with hockey.  My roommate freshman year took me to my first Penguins game (which was like $5 USD for college students at the time).  I got to experience the Mellon Arena and see some awesome hockey (even though they sucked at the time).  My favorite players on the team, which at that time was prior to the 2009 cup run, was Ryan Whitney, Marc- Andre Fleury, & Maxime Talbot.  I was not the typical Penguins fan and screaming Crosby this Crosby that.  He’s good but too much hype on him.  I feel like there is too much pressure put on him by fans and media to live up to this hockey god.   Pittsburgh really gave me a want to be involved in hockey feeling while I lived there.   I went through the lock out (SUCKED) and was there for the 2 cup runs the Penguins did.  Very happy they won – made my graduation from college perfect!

People always told me “O, you’re from NH you should like the Bruins.”  I personally feel that you should like who you want to like no matter what your location.  If someone in New York wants to like the Ducks then they should like the Ducks without getting shit from people.  Now don’t get me wrong, I do like the Bruins, are they my top favorite team? No not really.  I love they style of the game that they play and the talent that they have on their team.  My fiancé and I got to games, as often as we can I love the feel the garden gives.  I love everything about the city of Boston.  The best part for me has been going to Game 3 of the Cup finals, and being there when they had the parade to celebrate their win.  The match up couldn’t have been better.   Our plan is to take his nephew to his first game this season.  I get made fun of by him because he is a diehard Bruins fan I unless it’s Pittsburgh I’m pretty neutral.

I love the form and the young up and coming talent that the Oilers have on their team.  Last season, not such a good time for them.  This season, although they have hit some bumps in the road they are still holding strong.  I have a lot of faith in them and would love to see them in a cup run kicking some ass.  Eberle is my freaking hero, magic hands!

There is so much talent in the league; it’s hard to just enjoy one team.  IF you look at every player and watch each team you will see things that are just like “Wow he is such an asset to his team and to the game of hockey.”

So yes, I have teams that I like and will root for over others.  There is nothing wrong with liking more than one team.  I just love the game of hockey.  The pace the feel just everything about it is exciting and entertaining to me.  And if you are going to dedicate time and energy into something you should have fun doing it.  I love the great players of the game for what they brought to the game, and how it has evolved. 

My only hope for the game is that with all the new rule and regulations (that are for the better) it doesn’t take too much away from the game.  I hope that we as designers and inventors come up with a better way to protect our players, with better equipment, so there are less head injuries and upper body injuries.  It is an awful thing when great players go down because of ignorance on the ice or improper equipment.  I know it’s a face paced game, part of why I like it, but everyone fans, player, league leaders, all need to be aware that taking that guy out on the other team isn’t always the best thing to do.   Sometimes it can’t be helped, and they are all well aware of the possible injuries when they come into the game but it still sucks!  How did this get into a discussion on injuries?!

Anyway that is my stand on things I love hockey I like multiple teams.  If you think that’s wrong, I’m sorry but that’s who I am, and I certainly will not change for you.  And I am not a fair-weather fan either.  I know and understand the game so don’t sit here and insult me about liking multiple teams!

1.       Pittsburgh Penguins

2.       Edmonton Oilers

3.       Boston Bruins

Children’s Hospital Work

Taking a break from hockey post this morning (maybe) and posting something I’m pretty proud of being a part of.  If you’re not familiar with CHaD (The Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock) is a hospital that helps sick kids.  They do a great job of taking care of these special little angels.

My boss decided back in September to have a fundraiser of sorts for the kids.  You know those flyers they try and get you to buy at grocery stores to help various hospitals and charity fund?  Well, it was something like that that we did.  Except I got to put my graphic design skills to work and do different themes for each month.  Any of the money we raised was going to buying Christmas gifts for the kids at the hospital.  Even though we only had three months to do as much as we can, everyone pulled through to be able to get the kids an iPad2 with all the accessories, some iTunes cards and games for the children.  All the staff chipped in, which was great considering this is something none of had done.  Every month we would all buy one token adding funds to our cause.  Our guests also chipped in a great deal. 

This is something my manager really wants to keep doing throughout the whole year and hopefully gets more donations to get more than one item for the kids.  A simple hug a story read to a child or something as basic as making a donation without know who is it is going to affect is all that is needed at Christmas time to make families smile and feel warmth in a cold barren hospital.  I hope that all the children at CHaD and in other facilities across the US & Canada have a good Holiday season and get better soon.

http://chad.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/

On another note, still sticking with the Christmas spirit.  It’s great to see players take time out of their lives to go visit hospitals at this time of year and make patients (children and adults alike) smile and feel good.

Thank you to all the players and fans that make a sick child’s holiday brighter with a smile or visit!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Master of The Universe Poster

I really need to stop doing movie posters with Goalies as the stars =P

24/7 Flyers Rangers Road to the Winter Classic Episode 2 - Review

24/7 Flyers Rangers road to the Winter Classic Episode 2

HBO yet again, out did themselves last night with the second installment of 24/7.  I almost feel like this episode focused more on the Flyers then the Rangers.  It seemed to me that every time you would get into a Rangers activity, BAM! You would be back to the Flyers.  Know I know that Bryzgalov is the Master of the Universe and all but still it is Flyers & Rangers Road to the Winter Classic!

I found this current episode to be very enlightening to how the players feel about the cities that they play in.  They are all so proud to be where they are and to play for their team.  They also give back to their respected communities.  I know all teams do that and I think it’s a great thing.  They could be stuck up jerks and keep their salary to themselves but instead they connect with their fan base and the fans that can’t always go to games.  The best example of humility I have seen is the connection between John Tortorella and the boy with cerebral palsy.  As rough and hard as he comes off in the show and to his team he is very loving and caring to this little boy.  You could feel and see the emotion in Tortorella’s eyes as he was talking about him.  It is so fantastic to see that kind of emotion and generosity to someone.  I hope that he will enjoy his time in Philadelphia and his time at the Winter Classic – a once in a lifetime event for most people.

Last week we saw a member of the Flyers (sorry I can’t remember who exactly) do some fashion modeling on the side when he isn’t on the ice.  This week we saw Henrik Lundqvist rock out in his band on the side.  From what I saw he sounds pretty good!  Wonder if he plays in any clubs in NY!?  Very impressed that these guys can find the time and energy to do side “jobs”.   Nice to see that it isn’t all hockey and that they have average everyday lives outside of hockey with their families.  How cute was Girardi’s 1 year old son?!  Sports super stars that you could walk by on the street and unless you know what they look like you would never know it.  Unlike your typical Hollywood starlet, who can’t walk out their front door without getting slammed or criticized.

A Husky is really a beautiful blonde woman trapped in a dog’s body.  Bryzgalov’s logic.  I will have to remember this when I see my uncles Husky Strider.

Loved seeing inside the family life of the boys.  Obviously first off adorable little Girardi.  And then to see Danny Briere, and his three boys.  It has to be a tough thing for him to be away from his kids, and with no significant other there it sure doesn’t help.  But at least they have Sean Couturier there to play NHL12 with them and act like a big brother! =)

This week’s f-bomb cont was down significantly from last week.  Don’t know this week’s official count but according to what I saw on Yahoo Sports last week’s episode was at 43 in English.

Anyone else feel like the Rangers when heading to games or getting onto their plan feels a bit like they are Mafia Lords?  They are all dressed in their best coats and have these serious faces on.  While the Flyers look good but are far more relaxed in their style.  Maybe it’s all about location?

At one point nearing the end of the episode they show the Rangers skating in a game, fast paced as games always are, and one of the players had his helmet strap not clipped!  Now what the hell is the point of wearing one if you aren’t going to secure it down?!  Really and we wonder why these guys get their brains rattled!

Nice to see Mike Rupp back in action and doing what he does best.  Kicking ass and playing a great game of hockey! 

Although I watched the game in Philly versus the Bruins, I didn’t realize that Sean Couturier took the hit from a puck so hard.  I really hope that he will back in the game soon, with no symptoms.  His career is just starting and he is a very talented young man.

So I guess it’s not just Boston fans that get shit from Montreal.  I remember seeing the Penguins Montreal game back when Letang got his and feeling that the linesmen there favor the home team.  I know anyone can say that for any team, but seriously that hit on Letang should have been a penalty for Montreal and the hit on Jagr also should have been called!  I give respect to the linesmen, I know that their job is hard and sometimes it is hard to see everything that is going on.  But please, please, please, when you are going to be the judge at games go into it as a neutral party!  No team should be favored over others and calls need to happen no matter who the team is.  Fans are going to be pissed at you either way, so just do the right thing and make the right call!  I honestly can say that after seeing that and a few other games in Montreal that they need to get over it and stop whining that Boston is the league’s favorite.  Look at all the crap they get about with.  It’s not the players faults it the fans and the Montreal owners who through huge bitch fits about it.  Just stop, grow up and play the game like real men!  And thank you to the linesmen who knew he made a bad call against Talbot and admitted it.  Its takes a lot of guts to admit you where wrong.

In the words of Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) “It’s time to nut up or shut up!”

I really hope that next week’s episode focuses more on the Rangers team then the Flyers.  I hate writing a whole review on mostly Flyers (it’s the Pens fan in me sorry!).  Better back ground music would be good too.  Not to impressed with some of the choices this week- sorry just didn’t feel like it fit the scene.  I found myself saying what the hell a couple of times when the music was playing.

Next week’s episode is sure to delight.  Episode 3 airs Wednesday December 28^th at 10p EST on HBO.

Edit:  Glad to see that Claude Giroux, has returned for the Flyers and he had an amazing first ngiht back with 4 points.  Good for him.  Now to just have less concussions in the league and we will be all set!

Time Thomas the Cyborg

 

So I know tonight is the second episode of 24/7 Flyers Rangers Road to the Winter Classic, but I had to post this.  SOrry Flyers fans but Time Thomas again killed a Pennsylvania team on Saturdays 6-0 win on home ice.  On December 5th he came out clean with 2 5 on 3 opportunity from the Penguins and then this amazing feat of goal tending on Saturday.  The guy is an outstanding goal tender and deserved his Cup win last season.

I'm still going hold to my original hypothesis that he isn't human though and purely a cyborg sent from the future.

Enjoy Episode 2 tonight and I will have a review up sometime tomorrow, probably late AM.  

Also very happy that Claude Giroux is back int he Flyers line up tonight.  Glad to see he wasn't out too long for his team.  Always a tragedy to the game when players get hurt and are out, especially if they are of a high caliber.

Review of HBO 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic Flyers/Rangers Episode 1

Last season HBO put on a great show with the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins on their journey to the January 1st outdoor hockey game know as The Winter Classic.  The show was such a huge hit that they came through for a second season with two more great teams, the Philadelphia Flyers & the New York Rangers.
Besides the revenue that the NHL Winter Classic brings into the hosting cities, it is also a great way for fans to really enjoy the roots of hockey, and experience what these players felt growing up playing on the open ice of a pond or lake.  You don't have to be a fan of the teams to enjoy the feeling that the HBO staff and players give, to the game of hockey!
I highly enjoyed last season with the Penguins as I am a huge Pens fan.  The in depth, behind the scenes look into what these modern day gladiators go through before a game and after was intense and enlightening.  It shows the players in a new light not only to hockey fans, but sports fans who may not understand or be entirely into the hockey world.  HBO creates a truly unique look into hockey by revealing the personalities and feelings of the players and staff behind each of the teams.
Now, on with this season great match up of the Flyers and Rangers.  Could the NHL and HBO have picked a better line up this year?  I'm going to have to say no.  Both teams have been doing well in the first quarter of the 2011/2012 season.  Making it far more interesting then the failing Capitals of last season.  While episode one was great it also seemed a little on the dull side at first.  I absolutely love the conversation between former Penguins forward, (and now Goal Scoring extraordinaire) Maxime Talbot & his former Coach Dan Bylsma.  Talbot's reaction to Bylsma's saying he is a goal scorer now was priceless.  And of course who could deny the holiday sweaters return!?  On the Ranger's side of the things as seen in many reviews and blogs Ryan Callahan's grandmother?  How awesome is she?  I know my grandmother wouldn't sit in at an arena for 3 hours.  Good for her and its great to see the support that the player's get from their families.

All in all I loved episode one.  I hope to see more of the behind the scenes of what the players do on off days when they aren't at the arena.
Episode 2 will be sure to bring in the now lose of Flyers captain Chris Pronger as well as other injuries to the Flyers/Rangers team.

Episode 2 Airs on Wednesday December 21 at 10pm EST on HBO. Watch for replays of episode one on HBO if you missed it, it is a must watch for any fan of hockey.