Teach me about this "hockey" thing [Archive]

Remember The Alomar

10-14-2011, 05:43 PM

Stotle

10-14-2011, 05:57 PM

Remember The Alomar

10-14-2011, 06:51 PM

Haven't tried it myself, but I'm told this is the best teacher:

http://www.videogamecentral.com/product_images/u/854/ps3-nhl-12__53845_std.jpg

That's a good call. I'm on board with anything that gives me justification to play a video game.

allstar1579

10-14-2011, 08:23 PM

So it looks like the NBA season isn't gonna be happening this year. I'm not a fan of any one team, but I consider myself a big fan of the sport and I watch as many games as a I can. Therefor, it looks like I'm going to need something to fill the gap.

I never had anything against hockey, but I didn't grow up watching it and thus never really followed it. I was wondering if anyone could suggest any websites/books/anything that could help be get a better understanding of the sport. If there's anything you think I should know, I'd love to hear it.

Nick is right, NHL 12 is a great way to get hooked on it. Play the arcade mode where it's like old school SNES controls (direction pad, shoot, pass, and hit hard for the 3 buttons).

The Caps Insider Blog at the post is a good place to get local resources, good insight into what goes on off the ice kinda stuff.

This book wasn't bad...I read it a couple years ago http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/isbn=9781894963169/search=total%20hockey&mode=about_proicehockey.

Long and short see if you can find some stuff on the original 6 teams. Chicago, NY, Montreal, Boston, Detroit and Toronto. Great rivalries, and these are the most storied franchises in Hockey. (Like Yankees, Red Sox or Cubs in baseball).

All that done, do yourself a favor and score tickets (anywhere, they don't have to be expensive) and go to a Caps game, especially on a weekend, or against PIT. There is NOTHING like that atmosphere in pro sports around here, not the Skins, DEF not the O's. It's just electric, as cheesy as that sounds, it's crazy and addictive but you have to experience it to really get it.

If you have random questions don't hesitate to ask, I've been going to 10-20 games a year since I was like 5. I'm a big Hockey fan, it's changed a lot since the lockout a few years ago, more European style now (faster, more scoring, less physical) than it was back in the 80's but it did used to drag on a bit when there were 5 fights a game.

Remember The Alomar

10-14-2011, 08:31 PM

Nick is right, NHL 12 is a great way to get hooked on it. Play the arcade mode where it's like old school SNES controls (direction pad, shoot, pass, and hit hard for the 3 buttons).

The Caps Insider Blog at the post is a good place to get local resources, good insight into what goes on off the ice kinda stuff.

This book wasn't bad...I read it a couple years ago http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/isbn=9781894963169/search=total%20hockey&mode=about_proicehockey.

Long and short see if you can find some stuff on the original 6 teams. Chicago, NY, Montreal, Boston, Detroit and Toronto. Great rivalries, and these are the most storied franchises in Hockey. (Like Yankees, Red Sox or Cubs in baseball).

All that done, do yourself a favor and score tickets (anywhere, they don't have to be expensive) and go to a Caps game, especially on a weekend, or against PIT. There is NOTHING like that atmosphere in pro sports around here, not the Skins, DEF not the O's. It's just electric, as cheesy as that sounds, it's crazy and addictive but you have to experience it to really get it.

If you have random questions don't hesitate to ask, I've been going to 10-20 games a year since I was like 5. I'm a big Hockey fan, it's changed a lot since the lockout a few years ago, more European style now (faster, more scoring, less physical) than it was back in the 80's but it did used to drag on a bit when there were 5 fights a game.

Great stuff--I appreciate it. I'm currently going to school in DC so I'll try to nab some tickets.

In the meantime, where are Caps games televised? I know Versus has the rights to the NHL...do they have a weekly nationally televised game?

JDubs

10-14-2011, 08:58 PM

Jaspersrink.com is a great caps blog.

allstar1579

10-14-2011, 09:00 PM

Great stuff--I appreciate it. I'm currently going to school in DC so I'll try to nab some tickets.

In the meantime, where are Caps games televised? I know Versus has the rights to the NHL...do they have a weekly nationally televised game?

Almost every Caps game is on TV now, either CSN or Versus. I think there are only 3 or 4 untelevised games all season. And usually NBC will start putting Sunday afternoon games on after football season, I'm thinking they'll do some Saturday afternoon games once NCCA football is done too.

Versus has other games on all week long. I can't remember what night is "Hockey night in america" it used to be Wednesday back in the day, they also used to do Hockey night in Canada when it was on ESPN, but I'm not sure what it is now. There are usually 3-4 a week.

OrangeJerseys

10-14-2011, 09:37 PM

On TV dont try to watch the puck. Watch the guy with the puck. After awhile you'll get a feel for where the puck should be going and watching gets easier.

allstar1579

10-14-2011, 10:15 PM

On TV dont try to watch the puck. Watch the guy with the puck. After awhile you'll get a feel for where the puck should be going and watching gets easier.

Yep. Besides unless you have super HD you'll never be able to see the puck ;)

It's like watching a mix of basketball and football. They will move up and down the floor like the NBA, but it's physical like football. Good combination.

Remember The Alomar

10-15-2011, 09:52 PM

So I watched the game tonight--I really, really enjoyed it.

allstar1579

10-15-2011, 09:56 PM

So I watched the game tonight--I really, really enjoyed it.

Good! The 2nd and 3rd periods were kinda boring (except for the final 2 min) but it was a good win.

Remember The Alomar

10-15-2011, 10:00 PM

Good! The 2nd and 3rd periods were kinda boring (except for the final 2 min) but it was a good win.

Yeah, I thought it was kinda dragging in the second period, but the last two minutes were pretty tense. Already excited for Tuesday night.

allstar1579

10-15-2011, 10:02 PM

Yeah, I thought it was kinda dragging in the second period, but the last two minutes were pretty tense. Already excited for Tuesday night.

It did drag, they got caught on the defensive and took everything they had to keep the puck out of their own net, didn't really get to mount any offense. It's all about flow of the game, and some times you'll see both teams get caught playing in a defensive flow and you get a slow boring game like that. Then other games you'll see 11 goals scored like last Monday against TB. It all balances out though.

I'm contemplating if I'm going to go Tuesday or not. Busy week with the 1-year old's birthday and party going on, so I was planning on skipping both Tues and Sat, just not enough hours in the week.

Remember The Alomar

10-16-2011, 01:57 AM

Question: Can new lines come in at anytime? Also, what's a saucer pass?

allstar1579

10-16-2011, 10:02 AM

Question: Can new lines come in at anytime? Also, what's a saucer pass?

Yeah lines change on the fly anytime they'd like. Ideally you want to dump the puck in behind the other team's net first, because that buys you 3-5 seconds to make the switch, and the new line can't come on the ice until the old line has touched the wall, if they go earlier you end up with a "too many men on the ice" penalty (you'll see the caps get that one all the time). If you can catch a team in the middle of a line change sometimes you can sneak past half of them if you can move the puck back fast enough, which is how you end up with "odd man rushes" 2-1 or 3-2, that's where a huge chunk of goals are scored.

A saucer pass is a pass that it further and harder than some other passes, it's done with the wrist so it's almost like a shot, but usually gets up off the ice and has enough force that the puck stays nice and flat like a Frisbee. They tend to bounce when they land and don't always stay flat like you'd like to see so you'll see guys swing and miss at them trying to hit them into the net, which is why it isn't good to do them all the time. Some of the other passes you'll see are one-timers which someone passes the puck with a little bit of touch on it, and instead of collecting the puck, the shooting guy steps into it while it's moving and just hammers it as hard as he can at the net. You'll see that one a ton too. Once in a while you'll see dump passes which are when guys flip the puck high in the air like they are just dumping it, but a guy will race down the ice behind the defenseman and try to collect it (as you can imagine it bounces like crazy so odds aren't great it'll work) and get a 1-1 with the goalie.

The Rick

10-17-2011, 03:36 PM

All that done, do yourself a favor and score tickets (anywhere, they don't have to be expensive) and go to a Caps game, especially on a weekend, or against PIT. There is NOTHING like that atmosphere in pro sports around here, not the Skins, DEF not the O's. It's just electric, as cheesy as that sounds, it's crazy and addictive but you have to experience it to really get it.

Having gone to several Caps games, I just wanted to comment on this part of your post. Verizon Center is insane for Caps games, such a great time. In addition to the atmosphere though, you HAVE to see Hockey live in person to truly catch the fever. It puts things into perspective and really helps connect the dots as to what's happening out there. Hockey is the most different from the live action to the TV screen. In fact, I might actually prefer watching football on HD now as opposed to going to games. Hockey? You just can't beat being there. BTW, the only Caps playoff game I've been at to date is the Caps/Penguins playoff game a few years ago when Crosby and Ovie both scored hat tricks and the Caps won.

Only one minor gripe - M&T Bank Stadium matches the intensity of Verizon Center (Against the Steelers it exceeds it, IMO). JMO. ;)

Remember The Alomar

10-17-2011, 07:17 PM

Again, thanks for the info guys. I'm all repped out.

allstar1579

10-17-2011, 08:18 PM

Having gone to several Caps games, I just wanted to comment on this part of your post. Verizon Center is insane for Caps games, such a great time. In addition to the atmosphere though, you HAVE to see Hockey live in person to truly catch the fever. It puts things into perspective and really helps connect the dots as to what's happening out there. Hockey is the most different from the live action to the TV screen. In fact, I might actually prefer watching football on HD now as opposed to going to games. Hockey? You just can't beat being there. BTW, the only Caps playoff game I've been at to date is the Caps/Penguins playoff game a few years ago when Crosby and Ovie both scored hat tricks and the Caps won.

Only one minor gripe - M&T Bank Stadium matches the intensity of Verizon Center (Against the Steelers it exceeds it, IMO). JMO. ;)

Haha, yeah I was at the double hat trick game too. That was a great game. I'd say FedEx could come close, but our team has been so awful lately it's hard to get the full impact of what a winning team would be like there.

The Rick

10-17-2011, 08:36 PM

Haha, yeah I was at the double hat trick game too. That was a great game. I'd say FedEx could come close, but our team has been so awful lately it's hard to get the full impact of what a winning team would be like there.

I've been to plenty of Ravens games and Ravens playoff games, but I'd have to say the double hat trick game is by far the most exciting sporting event I've ever been to. It really is too bad because I think that was our year had we gotten past Pittsburgh.

allstar1579

10-17-2011, 08:41 PM

I've been to plenty of Ravens games and Ravens playoff games, but I'd have to say the double hat trick game is by far the most exciting sporting event I've ever been to. It really is too bad because I think that was our year had we gotten past Pittsburgh.

Yep. All roads lead through PIT. Back when we made the finals against DET, we got past them and I just knew we had it all in the bag. Then DET had to go and not get knocked out...we were so overmatched it wasn't funny.

The Rick

10-17-2011, 09:07 PM

Yep. All roads lead through PIT. Back when we made the finals against DET, we got past them and I just knew we had it all in the bag. Then DET had to go and not get knocked out...we were so overmatched it wasn't funny.

Tell me about it. Yzerman, Shanahan, Federov & Osgood all in their prime with Bowman behind the bench? Ridic.

McNulty

10-18-2011, 12:35 AM

Having gone to several Caps games, I just wanted to comment on this part of your post. Verizon Center is insane for Caps games, such a great time. In addition to the atmosphere though, you HAVE to see Hockey live in person to truly catch the fever. It puts things into perspective and really helps connect the dots as to what's happening out there. Hockey is the most different from the live action to the TV screen. In fact, I might actually prefer watching football on HD now as opposed to going to games. Hockey? You just can't beat being there. BTW, the only Caps playoff game I've been at to date is the Caps/Penguins playoff game a few years ago when Crosby and Ovie both scored hat tricks and the Caps won.

Only one minor gripe - M&T Bank Stadium matches the intensity of Verizon Center (Against the Steelers it exceeds it, IMO). JMO. ;)

Totally agree with seeing it live. First game I went to, I was blown away by how much smaller the rink looked in person.

BTW, I'm a Flyers fan so feel free to throw the insults my way, Caps fans.

The Rick

10-18-2011, 08:39 AM

Totally agree with seeing it live. First game I went to, I was blown away by how much smaller the rink looked in person.

BTW, I'm a Flyers fan so feel free to throw the insults my way, Caps fans.

Well you're up in Philly - no hate here. I honestly don't mind the Flyers. All my hatred is always thrown Pittsburgh's way. Plus don't you get enough hate from Pittsburgh/NYR?

Are you going to the Classic?

CrimsonTribe

10-21-2011, 10:03 AM

Jaspersrink.com is a great caps blog.

Great blog, but it's actually japersrink.com (http://www.japersrink.com). I also enjoy The Peerless Prognosticator (http://peerlessprognosticator.blogspot.com).

Araqnid

10-21-2011, 10:16 AM

Great blog, but it's actually japersrink.com (http://www.japersrink.com). I also enjoy The Peerless Prognosticator (http://peerlessprognosticator.blogspot.com).

JapersRink, right with OH are my top two go-to sites for sports.

If you're looking for more stuff on the game itself, Peerless, like Crimson said, is very good. The Goalie Guild is another great site - and they really get into the nitty gritty of goaltending.

Remember The Alomar

10-23-2011, 12:04 AM

The Caps seem pretty good at this hockey thing.

JDubs

10-23-2011, 01:32 AM

The Caps seem pretty good at this hockey thing.

Yep, until it is called post-season hockey. :(

Remember The Alomar

10-23-2011, 02:35 AM

Yep, until it is called post-season hockey. :(

So, wait, they're the Ravens?

GODDAMMIT.

allstar1579

10-23-2011, 12:39 PM

So, wait, they're the Ravens?

GODDAMMIT.
Noooo.

People (and no offense to anyone here) especially the bandwagon fans, are all freaking out because we haven't won a SC. Honestly, the past 2 years were the only two years we really had a shot. The first year we shouldn't have won it, we couldn't play D to save our lives.That won't win in the playoffs. Last year they were TOO conservative and struggled to play offense. This year they seem to have found the right balance, and have players that don't mail it in and coast behind the superstars.

That's not coming as a homer, that's as a very experienced hockey fan. It just makes me roll my eyes when people want to whine when a team can't make the playoffs, then they whine when they do make the playoffs but don't win the title. I mean seriously in ANY sport how many repeat dynasties have their been? Ever?

Unrealistic expectations...but this year, I would expect it.

The Rick

10-23-2011, 01:58 PM

Noooo.

People (and no offense to anyone here) especially the bandwagon fans, are all freaking out because we haven't won a SC. Honestly, the past 2 years were the only two years we really had a shot. The first year we shouldn't have won it, we couldn't play D to save our lives.That won't win in the playoffs. Last year they were TOO conservative and struggled to play offense. This year they seem to have found the right balance, and have players that don't mail it in and coast behind the superstars.

That's not coming as a homer, that's as a very experienced hockey fan. It just makes me roll my eyes when people want to whine when a team can't make the playoffs, then they whine when they do make the playoffs but don't win the title. I mean seriously in ANY sport how many repeat dynasties have their been? Ever?

Unrealistic expectations...but this year, I would expect it.

Exactly. I wouldn't call last year a choke job, but rather, not good enough. Talented enough, yes, but we just weren't playing good enough hockey to legitimately be expected to take home the cup.

I really think this is our year, but with a 16 team playoff, anything is possible. You just never know who will get hot.

allstar1579

10-23-2011, 02:20 PM

Exactly. I wouldn't call last year a choke job, but rather, not good enough. Talented enough, yes, but we just weren't playing good enough hockey to legitimately be expected to take home the cup.

I really think this is our year, but with a 16 team playoff, anything is possible. You just never know who will get hot.

Yeah when they had that month of DEC I knew it wasn't our year. There were just too many issues adjusting to the new system and the offense was way out of sync.

They look completely different this year, like the moves we made were the moves we needed. No square pegs in round holes this time.

Like I said a couple years ago, a hot goalie can win a series in this sport any time. A good disciplined team can beat at a hot goalie and eek out a win, but it's TOUGH and a lesser disciplined team has no chance. (which is what happened 2 years ago against Halak) We just couldn't keep them OFF the scoreboard enough to wait for our breakthrough.

MuhladaOs

11-05-2011, 01:37 AM

Tell me about it. Yzerman, Shanahan, Federov & Osgood all in their prime with Bowman behind the bench? Ridic.

Not to mention Lidstrom!!! And I agree with "The Rick" about watching hockey played in front of you. Once you realize how close these guys are unloading shots to the net, you realize how amazing and courages goalies are. These pro's are teeing shots off at 90-110MPH and when you see it at practice or in games you realize how close they are to the goalie. It's just amazing really.

I don't know if any of you play Tennis, but I had a friend who could serve the ball to me at 85MPH and let me tell you..................I was a little b!tch and never returned one single ball. Granted it was only for like 5 minutes, but it was scary to see a ball 85MPH coming right at you, not to mention a small black rubber puck.......

Sanfran327

11-05-2011, 01:17 PM

Not to mention Lidstrom!!! And I agree with "The Rick" about watching hockey played in front of you. Once you realize how close these guys are unloading shots to the net, you realize how amazing and courages goalies are. These pro's are teeing shots off at 90-110MPH and when you see it at practice or in games you realize how close they are to the goalie. It's just amazing really.

I don't know if any of you play Tennis, but I had a friend who could serve the ball to me at 85MPH and let me tell you..................I was a little b!tch and never returned one single ball. Granted it was only for like 5 minutes, but it was scary to see a ball 85MPH coming right at you, not to mention a small black rubber puck.......

You've never dug in against an 85mph heater?