Tag Archive for Dallas Stars

NHL Season Starts with Shock and Awe

January 20, 2013 General, NHL, NHL opener One comment
Vladimir Tarasenko (Photo Credit: AP)

Vladimir Tarasenko (Photo Credit: AP)

The day arrived more than fashionably late, but the start of the 2013 NHL season thrilled and disappointed fans equally. Despite many players playing in the AHL or KHL during the lockout, plenty of rusty blades were painfully evident. However, it was a handful of veterans and rookies that made the day memorable.

The shock…

  • St Louis clipped Detroit’s wings with the solo shutout of the day. It was a shutout and a slap in the face as the Blues won 6-0. Jaroslav Halak earned his first shutout of the season by stopping a mere 14 shots. Chris Stewart and Tarasenko each claimed an impressive two goals.
  • Cory Schneider allowed five goals on 14 shots in 26 minutes and was relieved by the controversial Roberto Luongo. Luongo allowed two goals on 12 shots in Anaheim’s 7-3 win.
  • Puck Daddy predicted the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Southeast division, but the team had a lackluster performance despite the addition of Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin. Old Faithful Cam Ward allowed four goals in 20 minutes. Dan Ellis replaced Ward in the net going into the second period, but the Canes went on to lose 5-1 to the Florida Panthers. Read more

2011-12 NHL Goalie Mask Rankings

June 19, 2012 General No comments

Cam Ward inspired charity tee by EYECANDYAIR at www.outeredgethreads.com. Watermark not included on actual shirt.

There is much to love about those crazy crease bandits, but one thing that sets goalies apart is their beautiful mask art. Some tendies are in need of a serious mask makeover, while others have nailed it. Here are my rankings on starting NHL goalies in team alphabetical order starting with the first 15 teams. I ranked them on a scale from 1-5, five being supreme.

I must give thanks and encourage you to follow I Love Goalies and The Goalie Crease Network. They made my research easy peazy. Click on the player name to view the mask on the I Love Goalies blog.

Anaheim Duck: Jonas Hiller by Airxess, Score 3

I simply do not get his regular mask. There is no clear theme or purpose; however his Movember art was fantastic. The November mask displays Ducks’ player profile pictures with moustaches painted on their faces. I love it. Combining the two persuaded me to give him a solid 3 out of 5. Read more

Speaking of Leprechauns…Slainte to NHL Shorties

March 17, 2012 Puck by Numbers No comments

A man amongst boys, Nathan Gerbe. Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America

Who is the shortest goalie in the league? Captain? Team? Don’t know?! Well, I’m gonna tell you…

On this St. Patrick’s Day, let’s raise our green beer and toast the NHL’s most vertically challenged.  These players prove size truly doesn’t matter, so don’t go thinking I’m disrespecting the boys. Just drink your Guinness and check out the below fun facts. To be considered a shorty, the guys have to be under 5’11”.

Overall Shortest Team:

  • Nashville claims the most guys at 5’10” or under for the Western Conference with five. Francis Bouillon takes the title at 5’8”.
  • The Buffalo Sabres take the littlest cake in the East with four players meeting the above criteria. Philadelphia also has four, but Nathan Gerbe’s 5’5” stature seals Buffalo’s fate in the Eastern Conference. Read more