Brush with Greatness

On top of this, with Mad Cow affecting beef and that crazy chinese chicken shit, human will be the safest thing to eat in the future. Get with the times.

I don't think the Nords would have won the Cup in 1996 because frankly the Thibault-Fiset tandem at the time wasn't great. And if Quebec was still in Quebec, there is no way in hell that the Montreal Canadiens would have traded Roy to them. So no move = no Roy = no Cup. Sure, there was potential a few years down the line though and I think Thibault had the potential to turn out better than he did and the Nords could have eventually won a Cup anyways. I think his confidence was really shaken by some poor teams in front of him and he also struggled with the pressure of being expected to replace Roy.

Oh, this is a load of shit. By that logic couldn't contributing to ending someone's career ending also warrant a suspension. Ulfie should have been suspended for life for taking out Cam Neely (which I'm sure the Pooh Bear fans will stupidly agree with). Ryan Vandunbusche (believe it was him) ended Kypreos' career in a fight so he should be gone for life (seeing as how fighting isn't legal). Matt Johnson's punch on Beukeboom ended his career so he should be gone for life. Who gave Pat Lafontaine his last concussion because that guy should be gone for life. Not to mention anyone that has contributed to Lindros's eventual retirement. Because even though some of Steven's hits may have been legal by the book, they were headshots none the less and headshots are considered a cheap shot. Hell, Gary Suter should have been suspended for life back in 1991 because his cross check on Wayne Gretzky eventually led to Gretzky's retirement (as he probably would have played a few more seasons with a better back). What else? Umm, what last few big suspensions are you talking about that 20 games would be shorter than? I think the best part of this is that by giving out such a huge suspension, the NHL alleviates itself of any blame when clearly the league itself is the primary reason this happened. The NHL clearly supports the mob mentality and eye for an eye theory and it is evidenced by not only allowing fighting but encouraging vengeance. It is a rarity for the league to step in and take any action when teams threaten "Oh, we're gonna kill 'em next game." Why, because hype sells tickets. On top of this though, while encouraging players to police themselves, the NHL puts a strict limit on it with the instigator rule. When Naslund was injured the Canucks were in the middle of a 0-0 battle with the Avs late in the second. And considering the Canucks lost out on a divisional title to the Avs last year by a single point this four-point game was fairly meaningful. An instigator penalty, and the Avs powerplay that would come with it could have proved costly not only in the game but also in the season for the Canucks. Without the instigator rule, the Canucks could have thrown Wade Brookbank over the boards to beat the shit out of Moore. The incident would have ended that night and none of this ugliness would have occured. But no, this isn't the NHL's fault by any means. The blame lies squarely on Todd Bertuzzi's shoulders because he is a BAD, BAD man and should be suspended for life as a result. Some of you people are stupid. Not that I'm condoning what Bertuzzi did. However, I would say that Bertuzzi is about 50% responsible for this happening because he carried out the actions, but the NHL is 25% and Steve Moore himself 25% because both should take partial blame for failing to carry out the measures that they could to prevent this.

Unless of course you play as Sonny, then a GTA style would fit. Of course you would have to get offed half way through the game. Honestly, I have no clue what type of game this would be. Even though EA did a good job replicating the Bond movies, this is not an action movie. Do you plan all the killings and have people carry them out for you or what? I think the best part would have to be getting to play as Sonny and giving Carlo a beating on the street. The option to be Carlo beforehand and beat the shit out of Talia Shire would be great too (not to condone spousal abuse, I just dislike Talia Shire). Of course, none of this shit will get to be in the game.

Ohh, I agree that some of the Stevens hits are/were legal (although there were a few where he leaves his feet which technically is a no-no). Wasn't there supposed to be some mandate about cracking down on contact to the head though a few years back. I'm just saying that in my view those hits should be illegal. He is often headhunting and looking to plant his shoulder right into the guys head and gives that snap thing upon contact (almost like an elbow, although it is the shoulder making contact). There are many times in hockey were you are in a vulnerable position, and as exciting as hits can be, something needs to be done about all the concussions. The removal of the seamless glass was one good step. Now they need to get rid of any head blows and actually have some restrictions on how solid elbow pads can be. My buddy had a pair of used elbow pads (hell, I think they might have even been from the Bruins) and I was amazed at how hard they were. They are nothing like you can get at the regular sport store. You take one of those elbow pads in your hand and whack someone across the head with it and I wouldn't be surpised if it knocked them out.

Oh, get off your fucking high horses (especially you Winnie the Pooh fans - McSorely's actions were far worse). To begin with, it is the actions and intent that should be punished and not the result. If I through a vicious elbow, I should be punished the same whether I knock a guy out and end his career or the guy gets up right away. Hell, you swing a stick at a guy's head and its apparent that there is a pretty good intent to injure him. I think you are a fucking idiot if you believe that Bertuzzi was trying to break Moore's neck. On top of this, Bertuzzi's actions are nowhere close to the worst actions to occur on the ice in the past few seasons. Andrei Nazarov, Tie Domi, and Matt Johnson have all thrown sucker punches as bad as, or in the case of Johnson, worse than the one Bertuzzi threw. All those instances saw the recieving player wind up with a concusion and in some cases stitches, and in the Johnson case, the player was forced to retire. Hell, Brashears punch on Ray the other night was nearly as bad with the main difference being that Brashear didn't punch him as hard and Ray has a lot better jaw than Moore. Scott Niedermayers stick over Worrells head, Suter's cross check to Kariya's face, and Domi's cheap shot on Niedermayer all had far worse intent to injure their opponents than simply a punch and a tackle. Not that anyone deserves to be knocked out and have broken verterbrae but like someone else mentioned, Moore himself could have avoided this by taking his bumps like a man. When you take a head shot at a teams star player (I'm not going to argue whether or not that hit was legal because I think any hits to the head should be banned, primarily those used by Scott Stevens), you need to back up your actions, whether the hit was clean or not. Scraping with Matt Cooke is one thing, but if you make that hit, then you need to stand up and fight your battles. And when you are challenged again later in the game you need to accept that challenge. I don't care if it would have even been a George Larocque playing for Vancouver who challenged Moore, Moore needs to accept any challenge. Hell, I think Bertuzzi's intent was to get Moore to fight back. When he saw Moore going down, I think he went down with him to beat on a guy that was turtling (ring a bell Bruins fans?). The problem with this whole scenario is the instigator penalty. It gives cowards like Moore a chance to hide behind their actions. Hell, even Claude Lemieux was man enough to step up and fight Darren McCarty when challenged. Hell, all you Bruins lovers know what its like when a coward won't accept his bumps. Maybe Cam Neely should have been suspended for life for attacking Ulfie when it was clear that Ulf was not interested in fight. But instead, Neely beat and continued to beat on a man who was not fighting back. So going by the whole criminal charges theory, in my book what Neely did is assault just as much as what Bertuzzi did. The results of his actions may not have been as bad but both had similar intent. I'm not saying Bertuzzi should get off scott free. By the precedent set with previous sucker punches, I think Bertuzzi should get in the 15 game range. And by no means should he face criminal charges. Charges would open up a whole can of worms. In the McSorely case, there was clearly intent to severly injure Brashear (and don't give me that, "he swung his stick at his head to get his attention shit"). If you charge Bertuzzi, then you potentially open up charges against any borderline shit. Elbow to the guys head. Charges. Instigator penalty. Charges. Knock a guys teeth out with a high stick. Charges.

Actually, even if your warranty has expired you can still send it to Sony and they will repair it for free.

Anson Carter dealt to the Kings for Jared Aulin. source tsn.ca Wow, if the Kings are healthy they could be scary. And it looks like Aulin won't be fucking Paris Hilton out in LA anymore, unless of course she decides to take up a residence in Washington.

Yeah, but Sony will fix them for free even if your warranty is expired, so apart from not having it for like a week or two what's the big fucking deal?

On my Sport Select ticket tonight I have Ottawa over wNashville NJ over Carolina (since I'm counting on neither to drop 2 in a row) Buffalo to upset T.O. (considering they've done it 3 times already this season and TO is due for another loss) Mtl to tie LA (just because I needed a tie and thought this one would be most likely, or StL v. NYI) A $2 wager gets me 80 bucks, so yeah, cheer for those teams.

The Nylander trade was a good pickup for the Bruins, merely for the fact that it allows them to play Rolston in his proper role as a third line centre who is responsible defensively but can also contribute offensively (ala a Kris Draper or John Madden). What I am curious about is how these draft picks will be exchanged should the NHL shutdown for the entire 2004-2005 season. It has been hinted at (but I'm not sure if it is confirmed) that the entry draft would also be cancelled in that case. So I'm wondering, will each round be 60 picks in 2006, and how will these draft choices be converted. If they are converted straight up (as in round for round) and the draft remains 30 players per round, then giving up draft choices this year becomes huge due to the fact that the 2006 draft would potentially be the deepest in history. To summarize, all players from the 2005 stock would be dumped in the 2006 draft pool. That would mean a 2nd round pick in 2006, which would normally get you a player of second round talent, would land you a player of first round talent. Anyone heard anything all about how they plan to handle this?

And for those keeping score at home (of the more talented guys moved lately in the East): Tampa Bay - Sydor Toronto - Leetch Philadelphia - Zhamnov, Burke Ottawa - Bondra Boston - Gonchar New Jersey - Viktor Kozlov Montreal - Kovalev Islanders - none

Toronto Maple Leetch Well, it sure didn't take long for the Leetch situation to play out once Gonchar was dealt. Toronto didn't give up much either.

So you would prefer to finish 3rd and take on the defending Cup champs or would you rather place 2nd and take on the same team that upset you last time you made the playoffs? Hate to burst your bubble but jumping from 5th to 2nd or 3rd is not a guaranteed "much easier matchup". Actually, my bubble is far from bursting ... If I was given the choice of playing the Leafs, the Devils, or the Habs in the first round, I'd prefer either Jersey or Montreal to Toronto, and it's not even close. I really would find either of those teams to be a much easier matchup. Yes, the Bruins lost to the Devils in last year's playoffs, but the Bruins were barely above water when the playoffs started last year. They'd just fired Ftorek, and were going into the postseason with their GM behind the bench. They were a one line team that was easily stopped by Jersey's defensive strength (the Madden line as forwards and the Stevens pairing on D); this year Stevens isn't healthy enough to play, or isn't healthy enough to play at 100%, and the Bruins have more depth up front then they did last year. Even if they put their checking line on the Thornton line, the B's could counter with Samsonov, Bergeron and either Green or Lapointe. So, last year doesn't carry much weight in terms of being scared of the Devils this season. The Canadiens did NOT beat the B's the last time Boston was in the postseason (see the Devils series referenced above) but did beat Boston two years ago. Again, though, it's an entirely different situation this year, as that was when Theodore was standing on his head (to the tune of a Vezina and Hart) and the Habs had just gotten Koivu back from cancer (which provided a spark). Furthermore, the B's had horrible defense and shaky goaltending that year, and in my opinion, were among the least deserving #1 seeds in recent history. If Belfour can stay healthy, the Leafs are the team (out of these 3) that scare me, as a fan, the most. The Leafs are strong offensively (Sundin > anyone on Jersey or Montreal) and have good depth at the blue line (especially if Stevens is still banged up). You ask if I'd prefer to be the #3 seed and face the defending Cup champs or the #2 seed and face the last team that upset the team, and I'd say the latter. Montreal would be a very winnable series for Boston (not guaranteeing a win, but saying that I'd like their chances) You do realize that the Canadiens are 6th in wins this season right? And that Jose Theodore, he hasn't been playing very good at all lately. Right. And its funny how Byron Dafoe was considered this really good goalie until the Habs, who were fairly talented offensively lit him up, then he was considered shaky. Oh yeah, their horrible defense that year: Boynton O'Donnell Gill Sweeney McLaren Brown Norton Rivers This year: Boynton (admittedly more mature but he was their best D against MTL anyways) O'Donnell Gill Gonchar Jillson McGillis Moran Slegr So three of the same guys, a few other guys that you constantly bitch about, a 4th forward, and a guy that the 'nucks gave away. So if in 2002 they were a horrible defense, what would you consider them now? First through eighth, their is not going to be an easy matchup in the opening round. If #8 is the Isles, they can be pesky as hell and push any team to the limit. If its Florida, then that means they will have been pretty hot in the home stretch and I wouldn't want to face Luongo. First through seventh could finish in any order (apart from T-Bay having a spot in the top three). I think if the Habs keep it up, then any team, be it Philly, Boston, T.O., N.J. or Ottawa could slide to 7th.

They will never give the Hart trophy to someone whose team misses the playoffs. Luongo's had a great season, and should definitely get Vezina consideration, but the Hart is out of the question. My finalists at this point would be St. Louis, Sundin, and Naslund. So let me get this straight. Jose Theodore, through his great goaltending, sneaks a much better team than the Florida Panthers are into the 2002 playoffs by 2 points and gets the Hart trophy as a result. So if Luongo brings his Florida team, who are much worse than the Canadien squad, very close to a playoff spot that is not good enough even for a nomination?

Sundin could be considered a contender but in comparison to Iginla he falls short and I would give the nod to Iginla before Sundin. If Eddie had not missed so many games he would be up there (same goes for Kirpusoff). Naslund has had a good year and deserves a nod as well. PLAYER TEAM POS GP G A P +/- PIM EV PP SH GW GT S S% TOI/g SFT/g FO MATS SUNDIN TOR C 66 25 38 63 4 44 15 9 1 10 0 183 13.7 19:57 25.0 52.6 JAROME IGINLA CAL R 64 33 26 59 18 65 26 6 1 9 0 212 15.6 21:30 27.5 55.0 Basically, I would have it be St. Louis Iginla Naslund/Luongo (depending on if/how close he gets them to the playoffs) And when you say where would Florida be without Luongo, I would say battling it out with Pittsburgh for dead last would be an option (although more likely in the Chicago/Washington range). At least a 20 point difference in the standings though. There is a big difference between giving it to a guy like Lang (if he would have stayed with the Caps) who was putting up big numbers on a team that was doing nothing and a guy like Luongo who has a much less skilled team chasing a playoff spot. With three games left against the Hurricanes and 2 against the Thrashers they could still have a legit shot, although admittedly the rest of their schedule is tough. They also have 10 homes games left (where they have a winning record) and only 5 on the road left. The Isles for comparison have 7 home games and 9 road games (and they are abysmal on the road). Here are my ideal Eastern playoff standings and the matchups that would follow: 1. Tampa Bay 2. Boston 3. Philadelphia 4. Toronto 5. Ottawa 6. New Jersey 7. Montreal 8. Florida The best part is that there as it is right now these standings are not all that far off. That would lead to Tampa Bay v. Florida Boston v. Montreal Philadelphia v. New Jersey Toronto v. Ottawa Best first round ever. So you would prefer to finish 3rd and take on the defending Cup champs or would you rather place 2nd and take on the same team that upset you last time you made the playoffs? Hate to burst your bubble but jumping from 5th to 2nd or 3rd is not a guaranteed "much easier matchup".

Is it just me or are the top two Hart trophy candidates playing for teams in Florida? Well, maybe Luongo isn't top two but if he sneaks Florida into the playoffs he should get it. But my vote right now has to go to Martin St. Louis without a doubt. Also with Gonchar to Boston maybe the Bruins fans will stop bitching. That is until they lose out in the first round again. Also, that pretty much widdles down the Leetch contenders to Colorado and Toronto because it does not seem very likely that Slats would send Leetch Lou's way to help the Devils make another run at the Cup. I would say look for Lou to make a move for one of the aformentioned Duck defensemen who he got a good look at in last years playoffs.

In a trade that will probably go overlooked, the Kings pickup Nathan Dempsey for a 4th rounder in what I would consider a steal. Dempsey is a good puck moving D-man who T.O. should never have let go (not to mention Smith and Cross) and should help give added depth to the Kings blueline. And in totally out of nowhere ideas, I say the Canucks should package up Nolan Baumgartner, Fedor Fedorov and R.J. Umberger and deal them to Anaheim for Salei or Carney. Salei and Carney are probably two of the better defenseman available apart from Leetch/Gonchar and I don't think those three could land Leetch or Gonchar. I believe Baumgartner just hit the max games up before he has to clear waivers again, they want to get rid of Fedorov (and this unites him with older brother Sergei in Anaheim), and Umberger is set to become an UFA this year. The tough part is which one to go with. Carney is a solid d-man who was great in the playoffs last year with the Ducks and can play against the opposing teams top lines and contain them. Salei is younger (by 5 years) and cheaper and is a really good defenseman in his own right, with a good nasty streak. Better yet, package these guys up with one more player and try to make a move for Sean Hill and Jeff O'Neill. I think the Ducks would take the three aformetioned players for either Carney or Salei. Anyone else's thoughts?

They need actors who are used to playing mob guys to do voices. I want Joey Pants(since he was in GTA3) and I could also see Joe Pesci in there. So does Henry Hill not count as a mob guy or is your knowledge of mob movies just a little thin?

Wow, what a tough question. For me, I guess the contenders would be Mike Tyson's Punchout Maniac Mansion Tecmo Super Bowl (as cool as Tecmo Bowl is, Super is by far a superior game) RBI Baseball Super Spike V-Ball So overall, I voted other and that vote is for RBI Baseball. Does it suck playing against the CPU? Hell yeah. But against a human component there is no better baseball game on any system. Video games don't get much more intense than RBI tourneys (still to this very day).

Yeah, but thats assuming that was the only time he ever did. See, I am making the assumption that he was doing it before that and just continued on afterward. Another Article On It (don't know if any of the info is new/different)

Now, if only the Flyers can deal Seidenberg and Pitkanen that would do the trick. For a combination of four defenceman that, about 5 years down the road could rule the league for 10 years, they didn't get a hell of a lot back. Burke and Zhamnov? I mean, will the Flyers ever actually win the cup anyways?

So I just watched Wonderland (it's out on DVD) Anyone else seen it (or at least heard about it for that matter)? Anyways it has Val Kilmer and Kate Bosworth and is the "true" story about the Wonderland murders and John (Johnny Wadd) Holmes. You might have saw it the first time when it was called Boogie Nights (as Boogie Nights lifted a lot of aspects from Holmes life and put them in the movie). It's a decent movie, nothing special. I like the whole angle the movie takes, sort of giving you the same story twice from two different point of views (don't worry that doesn't spoil anything) but overall it just seemed to be lacking something. If you have nothing else to watch it is worth a rent. The DVD is a 2 discer, with disc 2 being the documentary Wadd: The Life of John Holmes. I'll weigh in with my thoughts on that later.

Technically, the first quarter of 2004 is either January, February or March, so yes, it should be out pretty damn soon.

Yeah, like Satanico said it takes place after his career was established. The movie actually starts around June 29, 1981, two days before the Wonderland murders. Anyways, the documentary somewhat covers his whole career but was rather dull. And yeah, according to the documentary he only did one gay porn and that had nothing to do with him getting aids. The best part of the documentary was seeing the different people close to Holmes talking and then and going, "okay, thats who they based this guy on in Boogie Nights", etc.