Winter Classic - Sabres vs. Penguins

[Antropov]

You cock sucker.

Why else would I go see the BJs?

[Diabolical]

You cock sucker.

Why else would I go see the BJs?

Your creepy obsession with Sergei Federov?

[Ran]

Did you guys see this?

Antropov suspended three games
February 1, 2008

TORONTO (TICKER) -- Toronto Maple Leafs center Nik Antropov has been suspended for three games, TSN of Canada reported Friday.

Antropov threw his stick in the direction of officials when he left the penalty box at the conclusion of Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Antropov was assessed two game-misconduct penalties for his actions. The second penalty was for abuse of an official, an infraction that carries and automatic three-game suspension.

With the game tied at 2-2 and 2:36 left in overtime, Antropov took a costly hooking penalty. Rod Brind'Amour scored on the power play, giving the Hurricanes the win.

According to the report, witnesses at the game say it appeared Antropov left the penalty box and threw his stick at officials following the game-winning goal.

The 27-year old Antropov has played in all 53 games for the Leafs this season, registering 18 goals and 23 assists. His 41 points are second on the team to captain Mats Sundin.

[jjreason]

Just another costly, pussy-ass move by another pussy-ass Make Belief.

Fuck, I hate Toronto.

[Antropov]

Haven't you noticed my recent increase in posts? I've got nothing else to do.

[Ran]

Here's what a Bruins blogger wrote on hockeybuzz.com. It's bad enough where I felt the need to post it here.

BRUINS WARS



EPISODE V
RATTLING THE LIGHT SABRES

Hockey! The Rebel Boston Bruins (27-20-5) take on the IMPERIAL BUFFALO LIGHT SABRES (23-21-7). With their forces still reeling from their defeat at the hands of the Red Wing Droid Army (you’re telling me Lidstrom isn’t a machine), the Boston Bruins are amassing a rag-tag fleet (Murray still out, Savard possibly out with the flu, Allen still out, Alberts still out) to defend their territory against the evil forces of the Sabres.

Though the Rebel Bruins have managed to defeat the Empire three times this season, victory will not come easily. The Light Sabres were mercilessly vanquishing their foes before their latest defeat at the hands of the Federation of Atlanta Thrashers. The Light Sabres are without Lord Afinogenov and the commander of their last line of defence, Darth Miller, is recovering from a leg injury, though he is expected to be present at tonight’s battle.

Over the previous battles, the Boston Bruins employed a system which caused Emperor Ruff to exclaim “it’s a trap!” That system may be the best way to defeat the Sabres as they are known for their powerful offensive weapons and manoeuvrable and speedy engines.

“Do or do not, there is no try”, said a cryptic Claude Julien when asked what he expects out of his forces. When asked about whether or not the Sabres will win, he responded “not if anything to say about it I have.” Meanwhile, Phil Kessel completed his daily run in less than twelve parsecs.

These opposing forces will again do battle this Friday which makes these contests all the more important as the Bruins attempt to put more space between themselves and their rivals.

Keys to victory:

1. The Bruins must use the Sabre plans they stole to come up with a good strategy of attack. Like the Death Star, the offensive abilities of the Sabres are quite impressive, though perhaps not as much as in the past, but their defence is vulnerable to the occasional lapse in judgment. Indeed, the Bruins’ have cashed in on defensive errors and then spent the rest of the contest clogging up the Sabre forwards during their three victories against the Sabres. The Sabres defence is not terrible by any means but with an adequate amount of pressure on the d-men and in the neutral zone, there should be at least a few turnovers.

2. Goaltending. Hopefully Tim Thomas is on the ball when it comes to angling his deflector screens today. The Sabres do out-shoot the Bruins most of the time and so no soft goals can be allowed.

3. The Bruins must not squander power-play opportunities and they must be more aggressive on the penalty kill.

Prediction: 3-2 Bruins.

-Gerz

[Antropov]

First off, that is embarassingly painful to read. Just bad.

Second, whenever people do a "keys to winning" bit it makes me laugh, as they point out the extremely obvious. For instance, this guy says that if the Bruins are to win, they must:
1) Play good against the Sabres
2) Have good goaltending
3) Play good special teams

How does that differ from any other team's strategy on any given night?

[Diabolical]

Second, whenever people do a "keys to winning" bit it makes me laugh, as they point out the extremely obvious. For instance, this guy says that if the Bruins are to win, they must:
1) Play good against the Sabres
2) Have good goaltending
3) Play good special teams

You left out: 4) Score more goals than the other team.

[jjreason]

Tonight I'm enjoying Montreal @ Ottawa.... .in HD.

My receiver just got here on Thursday. The first hockey game I watched (on TSN) looked like shit - I was really disappointed. Tonight, however, the CBC Hockey Day in Canada signal is really nice & clear, no watery edges anywhere.

Jesus - it's already 3-0 Ottwa with like 5:00 gone in the first! Who'd have figured getting 2 of the best players on the planet back in your lineup would have that effect on the Sens?

[Antropov]

Jesus - it's already 3-0 Ottwa with like 5:00 gone in the first! Who'd have figured getting 2 of the best players on the planet back in your lineup would have that effect on the Sens?

I was expecting the Sens/Habs game to be the game of the day by far, but after the first minute and a half I was having second thought.

And Nikky Antropov KILLED me in the Wings/Leafs game today. Ugh.

[Ran]

I would never have guess that the Wings could lose to the Leafs and the Kings in the same week.

[Antropov]

I would never have guess that the Wings could lose to the Leafs and the Kings in the same week.

And in consecutive games no less. I'm going to see them play the BJs Friday and I'm no longer sure its going to be the cake walk I was planning on.

[jjreason]

Yep, the wheels have fallen off. Good thing they've already clinched the conference and home ice advantage through the playoffs.

[Ran]

I've added an animated gif of Toni Lydman burning Brodeur in a shootout from last week.

Trade deadline is 16 days away.

And here are a few hockey websites I go to:

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/ <--team Salary cap info
http://www.spectorshockey.net/ <--a more realistic look at what might happen
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/ <--The guy is right about 2-3% of the time
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/index.html

[jjreason]

I usually get my hockey news first thing in the am on TSN sportscentre - they go through the night's games in quick fashion and also touch on other types of NHL news. If I want to delve deepr, I'll hit their site or the CBC or the NHL's site itself.

The only real trade-story of interest to me is Cliff Fletcher trying work the back end of the Sundin situation - he's the one responsible for the huge trade that brought Mats to the Leafs in the first place. Personally, I don't foresee the Leafs being able to work the same kind of magic the Flyers did for Forsberg last year... I just don't think there are that many teams willing to help bail the Leafs out of their tail-spin. Kinda hard to believe there's a team out there that some might hate more than Bobby Clarke.....