Thursday, December 30, 2010

Heading to The Winter Classic and Thursday Thoughts

Later today I am heading to Pittsburgh to take in the Winter Classic. I plan to take in as much of the experience as I can and bring the flavor of the event to our audience.

The expectation of weather problems just adds to the mystique of an outdoor game. It may be that if it the game is delayed, I'll have to leave before the opening puck drop. If so, that's part of it.

The Alumni game on Friday and the outdoor practices should allow the best access to be able to check out the rink and see action up close. There are also plenty of fan areas and activities that I'll also try to see.

Basically, this will be an adventure into the wild of a northern industrial city that has been remade into a fan friendly series of river venues that will be interesting to explore.

Thanks in advance to Amanda DiPaolo who will be providing our Preds-Wild coverage tomorrow night.

In Pred Nation...

There is an interesting post at the Globe and Mail that indicated that Jordin Tootoo's mother gave him a copy of Theo Fleury's autobiography "Playing With Fire" which chronicles his struggle with substances during his career. If indeed this was the trigger that led Jordin to face his own demons, then Fleury's testimony is a powerful thing.

Mark Willoughby has a great post on Jordin Tootoo's battle. This is a must read.

Dirk Hoag researches the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse program and explains what he finds.

Jay Levin interviews Preds COO Sean Henry at Predators.com.

Faceoff talks to Colin Wilson about his experiences as a young player.

Robby at Hockey Night in Nashville has ideas about the All-Star game as well as Marek Svatos.

Josh Cooper has a couple of leftover quotes from Tuesday night's post game. He also investigates and reveals the mystery around the Matt Lombardi injury insurance situation. He has new post this morning about Erat's injury slowing down the Predators' offense and what the Preds hope to get from Marek Svatos.

St Louis GM Doug Armstrong did not appear to be upset with the Preds claiming Marek Svatos.

With the Preds picking up Marek Svatos on waivers from the Blues, it is interesting to look at what the Blues thought they were getting in this post from Andy Strickland.

Buoyed by hockey, Garth Brooks and other events, the Bridgestone Arena set an all time attendance record in December.

Ads Roundtable has the story of the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 victory over Houston last night. Thang, Halischuk, and Geoffrion scored and Mark Dekanich got the win for the Ads.

Winter Classic...

Adam Gretz has a primer on Pittsburgh and Heinz field for those attending the game. Here is more from VisitPittsburgh.

Just in time for the Winter Classic, Sidney Crosby's point streak ended at 25 games at the hands of the New York Islanders and Rick DiPietro.

World Juniors...

Ryan Ellis had two assists in Canada's 10-1 trouncing of Norway and became the all time leader in points for defensemen with 22 (4 goals, 18 assists).

Scores

Finland 5, Germany 1
Canada 10, Norway 1

Today's Schedule

Slovakia - Switzerland 2:00
Sweden - Czech Republic 2:00
Team USA - Germany 6:00
Russia - Norway 6:00

Around the NHL...

Media expert Steve Lapore hands out his 2010 media awards in a wide range of categories - great stuff!

Ryan Porth caught up with Jamie Benn on Tuesday and has this interview.

Adrian Dater has a pretty good list for the top ten hockey stories of the year.

Behind the net doe a ton of number crunching to prove what we all know about the shootouts in the NHL... they are a crapshoot.

Jody Shelley came off a two game suspension and two healthy scratches to sucker punch Andrew Alberts Tuesday night in Vancouver. He should get more than the two games he was awarded by the league as a repeat offender and Albert's role as a peacemaker.

Tim Chipp has a few New Years resolutions at View From My Seats.

Odds and Ends...


I usually do not acknowledge that the NBA exists in this column but Shaq's response to a $35,000 fine from the league for criticizing the officiating is interesting.

While we're talking trash, the NFL fined Bret Farve $50,000 for "failing to co-operate" in the Jenn Sterger matter.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

No comments: