NHL 2011 Heritage Classic Viewers Guide Part 2: Stats and Storylines (via THW)

Excerpt:


Gridiron Ice Gladiators
Seeing the players on the ice in McMahon, I could not help envision which players might be capable of being, or at least look the part of multi-sport athletes.

·         Jarome Iginla looks physically capable of being a dynamic running back.

·         Robyn Regehr could provide the lead blocking as a full back.

·         Tim Jackman looks like a gridiron general as a middle linebacker.

·         Hal Gill looks like a giant pass-catching and blocking tight-end.

·         Mike Cammalleri looks like a Wes Welker-type slot receiver who could excel generating yards-after-the-catch.

·         P.K. Subban looks like a primetime shutdown corner. 

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NHL 2011 Heritage Classic Viewers Guide: Stats and Storylines (via THW)

(Photo by author)

Excerpt:

MIKE CAMMALLERI: No one’s asked me directly, but if anyone wants to know, I’ll fill them in. I think guys will just enjoy it and get ready for it. There’s nothing to prepare anybody for. At the end of the day, I’ll give you an old Red Berenson quote from Michigan. He used to always say, “at the end of the day, there’s still one center ice line, two blue lines, and two nets. So go play hockey.”

Stat Blast (as of Feb. 15^th)

Tim Jackman has been a minus player in just 8 games. He’s the only Flames regular at less than 10 games. 10 goals and 10 assists are both career highs. Bargain free agent signing personified.
Dynamic duo: Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay have both registered a point on 26 of the Flames 170 goals for this season. The next closest combo is Iggy and Mark Giordano, both connecting directly for 11 goals.
The importance of the 1^st goal: Both squads have eerily similar records when scoring first in a game – The Habs have a .724 winning percentage and sit 11^th in the league in that category, with the Flames one slot below at 12^th with a .714 record.
Rocky Mountain Air: Brendan Morrison is close to a PPG player at home, but averages less than a point every 2 games on the road.
Braveheart Awards: Mark Giordano is 3^rd in the NHL, sacrificing his body 139 times to block shots. Anton Babchuk is 20^th in the league. The Habs also have two members in the Top 20 in the league in this category: former Flame Roman Hamrlik at 9^th and Hal Gill at 16^th.
Ironmen: Jay Boumeester leads the league in minutes played, but will likely be eventually surpassed by Dan Boyle as his San Jose Sharks have played two less games.

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http://thehockeywriters.com/heritage-classic-viewers-guide/

Curtis Glencross (Photo by author)

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The Countdown to the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ Continues (via THW)

Pond hockey - Fairmont in Banff, AB (Photoree: Banff Lake Louise)

Excerpt:

For me, like many, outdoor hockey gets back to the true roots of hockey. Pond hockey has been played and enjoyed by many a hockey fan and player alike. There’s something about the atmosphere of a outdoor hockey game, no matter the venue and no matter the age, that brings out the untainted youthful enthusiasm and passion for the sport, and for life in general – even for just a little while.
Even if it’s for just one long weekend in February in a cool Rockey Mountain football stadium, this event will be something special to be a part of. As a spectator. As a member of the media (traditional and emerging media members). As a player. As a television viewer. As a radio listener.

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http://thehockeywriters.com/countdownheritage-classic/ 

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