NHL Skills Competition

[backstop]

Anyone?

[The Great Zo]

When's the last time Vinny got that kind of ovation from the arena in Tampa?

As if the media needed more fuel.

[The Great Zo]

Cogliano wins the fastest skater with ~14.2 seconds.

YoungStars - 1.
All-Stars - 0.

[TexasBolt]

Stamkos apparently just scored in the YoungStars game, except Versus couldn't be bothered to show it live or on a replay. They've missed several goals, truly awful coverage.

[astro]

Stamkos apparently just scored in the YoungStars game, except Versus couldn't be bothered to show it live or on a replay. They've missed several goals, truly awful coverage.

i heard that stamkos had a breakaway and they never showed it.... disappointing.

[Avery86]

Stamkos apparently just scored in the YoungStars game, except Versus couldn't be bothered to show it live or on a replay. They've missed several goals, truly awful coverage.

And it's the most boring thing I've watched, to boot. Does anyone care about this game? Players? Fans? Commentators? Doesn't seem/sound like it.

[The Great Zo]

I don't mind the game. It's cheesy, sure. But the coverage is ruining the whole thing. Cutting into live action to show replays, leaving the camera on Marc Staal's face for 15 seconds...

[Hoek]

Yeah piss poor directing and commentating. I know it doesn't count for anything, but do we really gain anything by staring at Marc Staal and spouting cliches about how good he is instead of just showing the damn game and the goal that was scored? Way to take a gigantic crap on the whole event. IMO they should do exactly the opposite. Don't put any play by play or color commentary. Let us hear of the sounds of the game and just add a few more camera angles and mic up the players.

[The Great Zo]

Stamkos ended up with two goals in the 9-5 rookie win. Obviously, no one saw the second one... but the first was a pretty play in front back and forth with Schenn.

Pretty much everyone was thinking "pass first" on anything but breakaways -- except Blake Wheeler.

[astro]

not just the young stars game, but everything is boring. I just had it in the background while I was lifting weights... okay, I was cleaning the kitchen. I heard that Ovechkin won the breakway contest by doing nothing except putting on a hat, with a Canadian flag, and sunglasses.

[jaydeedub]

not just the young stars game, but everything is boring. I just had it in the background while I was lifting weights... okay, I was cleaning the kitchen. .
:laugh:

I heard that Ovechkin won the breakway contest by doing nothing except putting on a hat, with a Canadian flag, and sunglasses.

Yeah, it made me laugh. He is a character for sure and at least he gets the crowd going.

[backstop]

Yeah piss poor directing and commentating. I know it doesn't count for anything, but do we really gain anything by staring at Marc Staal and spouting cliches about how good he is instead of just showing the damn game and the goal that was scored? Way to take a gigantic crap on the whole event. IMO they should do exactly the opposite. Don't put any play by play or color commentary. Let us hear of the sounds of the game and just add a few more camera angles and mic up the players.

Maybe they are using rookie TV producers as well as players?

not just the young stars game, but everything is boring. I just had it in the background while I was lifting weights... okay, I was cleaning the kitchen. I heard that Ovechkin won the breakway contest by doing nothing except putting on a hat, with a Canadian flag, and sunglasses.

Should have watched! It's not about the goal, it's about Ovie's passion. I love to watch him play, he encompasses the love of the game that hockey is all about. All that from a Russian, never would have imagined...

[CTLightning26]

When's the last time Vinny got that kind of ovation from the arena in Tampa?

As if the media needed more fuel.

F you Montreal...You can't have him...

[Jester47]

Did they do the accurate shot competition and I just missed it? That was always one of my favorites...

But props to Pattie for relating the story of the players visiting the hospital and Vinny turning as the were leaving cos' a little was was pointing him out and he stayed longer with the kid... that's our captain.

and yes, frack you habs, he's OUR captain!

[Donnie D]

Did they do the accurate shot competition and I just missed it? That was always one of my favorites...

But props to Pattie for relating the story of the players visiting the hospital and Vinny turning as the were leaving cos' a little was was pointing him out and he stayed longer with the kid... that's our captain.

and yes, frack you habs, he's OUR captain!

And we aren't trading him "anytime soon."

[Jester47]

And we aren't trading him "anytime soon."

Well, there is that...

[Sotnos]

I messed up my recording & missed a chunk in the middle but I'm not sure how much time. Did they show any of the Young Stars game? I saw some highlights on NHL Network but that's it.

I don't know why Vs still seems unable to handle a decent broadcast of this. The events move quickly, their camera shots need to as well.

[Top Shelf]

Way to take a gigantic crap on the whole event. IMO they should do exactly the opposite. Don't put any play by play or color commentary. Let us hear of the sounds of the game and just add a few more camera angles and mic up the players.
Spot on. Well said Hoek, I'd be in favor of that as well.

Way to go Marty, that sneaky little "hidden puck" move fooled just about everybody...pretending to have the puck on his blade, waving it around like a lacrosse stick...wonder how many people without DVR know he secretly carried it to the goal in his left hand and dropped it to shoot. That move was so slick he fooled the cameraman, announcers, the crowd, everybody.

But fooling that Vs. TV crew is about as hard as fooling a dog by offering it a treat and then repeatedly pulling it away. Stamkos redeemed himself after a giveaway that led to a goal by taking it end to end on a breakaway and scoring himself--which they never showed. Spectacularly unprofessional. They totally ruined that entire 3-on-3 game, which is too bad because it was easy to see how much vastly better and more exciting it would be for the sport if it were used to decide ties. The shootout elimination competition by comparison seemed to drag on forever, totally predictable, the same thing again and again and again....boring

[Coldrice]

I messed up my recording & missed a chunk in the middle but I'm not sure how much time. Did they show any of the Young Stars game? I saw some highlights on NHL Network but that's it.

I don't know why Vs still seems unable to handle a decent broadcast of this. The events move quickly, their camera shots need to as well.

Yep. 3 rapid-moving (No whistles) 6 minute periods. Stammer had 2 goals and an assist. The pisser is, he had a break away goal at the end of the second mini-period that none of us got to see on VS. During Stammer's break away goal, the camera's were affixed to Staal for almost a good 15 seconds after Staal got his tally, which preceded Steven's goal (like he was "Brangelina's" newest addition to their ever expanding clan of kids or something)... there was no replay as they went right to commercial. I have the whole thing saved to DVR and can get it to you if you want the YS portion. Or it's already on YouTube in segments if you want to see it there (CBC's coverage).

Next year, in addition to Hoek's idea, can VS just let CBC handle the broadcast duties and just piggy back the coverage? That would be nice.

Blake Wheeler took the YS's MVP as he potted 3. The first goal Steven netted was a thing of niftiness, even if there was no serious defense being played. Nice tic-tac ticky-tac play between him a Luke Schenn.

[Coldrice]

If anyone is interested... I forgot to add the link in my last post but here's CBC's replay of Stammer's break away goal, although they missed it too in real time but at least they had the decency to show the replay (7 seconds worth). You'll have scroll to the very end to get it.

Stamkos' Breakaway Replay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOxq78miWTA)

And yes, of the 3 All-Star events I've been to in person, and the 10+ viewed on the tube, this by far was the absolute worst produced, worst recorded, way-over-the-top, overkill crapfest I've ever watched. I feel sorry for Doc Emrick having to do the calling of this portion of the festivities. Eddie-O probably would've been a better selection, only in the fact that the production sucked so bad, mixed in with Olczyk, it probably would of went a little less noticed.

I know it's just the All-Star game, and we all know going into these things that they're bland, meh, no need to get baby-sitter watch party's or anything but this one was really embarrassing IMO.

And who was the blonde at the beginning doing the music? I certainly hope that was not intended as a career defining moment for her. I think that's the first time I've ever heard filler audience appreciation playbacks during an All Star broadcast. "Bring 'em out, bring 'em out... AAAAAAAA-OOOOOO!" (queue crickets). I thought the organist was Sammy Hagar for a second, but it was just the "unmasked Phantom" :duh:

What saved it for me was they had Marc Savard mic'd. Pretty decent sense of humor the dude has.

[backstop]

I would agree that just shutting off the announcers and micing the players would be great.

There would be a few hurdles, though:
1. Language. Anyone who watched DiPietro last year or has been on any sort of sports sideline/bench/etc. knows why. I think it would be really cool to get a simulcast on HBO that is completely uncensored and you get to hear all the good stuff (I actually think this would be more fun for a playoff game) but the NHL (and probably NHLPA too) would never allow it because it would make everyone look bad.
2. Who do you mic? Can't have everyone on at the same time, it would be madness. You could MAYBE get away with one whole team during an all star game or something when it's just for fun and the guys are just joking around, but any other game there would be too much going on at once and incomprehensible yelling.

I actually think it would be great if they did a normal Skills broadcast (with better production than Vs. had this year, obviously) and then did some sort of rebroadcast, showing the entire video part and selecting which player's mic audio to pair with each play, etc. Could be really entertaining, although probably way more effort editing together than it would be worth. Could really only conceivably happen in Canada, and even then it would have to be a labor of love.

[the_narrow_way]

Stamkos apparently just scored in the YoungStars game, except Versus couldn't be bothered to show it live or on a replay. They've missed several goals, truly awful coverage.
Yeah, terrible. They missed a lot of live action to show replays, including Stamkos' second goal on a breakaway just before the end of the second.

Stammer looked good out there, especially on that sweet 3-way passing play that earned him his first goal. He's too good for the minors, and not ready for full-time in the NHL. Tough spot.

[the_narrow_way]

here's CBC's replay of Stammer's break away goal
Nice shot. Too bad almost nobody got to see it. I'm not sure what the deal with Price was though. Was he just trying not to exert himself and get hurt? He sucked.

And who was the blonde at the beginning doing the music? I certainly hope that was not intended as a career defining moment for her. I think that's the first time I've ever heard filler audience appreciation playbacks during an All Star broadcast. "Bring 'em out, bring 'em out... AAAAAAAA-OOOOOO!" (queue crickets). I thought the organist was Sammy Hagar for a second, but it was just the "unmasked Phantom"
Oh man, that was awful. She sounded terrible, and the crowd couldn't care less about the whole thing. Let me hear you.... *crickets*.

[TexasBolt]

Is it just me or were the accuracy shooting targets bigger than they have been? I don't understand how there could be four people who have ever gone 4-for-4 in 15 years, and then suddenly we have two in one year and then one of them almost does it again.

Marc Savard and Tim Thomas trying to rig up the elimination shootout was pretty funny.

[backstop]

And who was the blonde at the beginning doing the music? I certainly hope that was not intended as a career defining moment for her. I think that's the first time I've ever heard filler audience appreciation playbacks during an All Star broadcast. "Bring 'em out, bring 'em out... AAAAAAAA-OOOOOO!" (queue crickets). I thought the organist was Sammy Hagar for a second, but it was just the "unmasked Phantom" :duh:


I was cracking up that entire time. The first 10 minutes to me felt like a really shitty acid trip

[Avery86]

If anyone is interested... I forgot to add the link in my last post but here's CBC's replay of Stammer's break away goal, although they missed it too in real time but at least they had the decency to show the replay (7 seconds worth). You'll have scroll to the very end to get it.

Anyone else notice that sign after the Stamkos goal? Hey Bob! (picture of Vinny) + (Habs logo) = (picture of Stanley Cup)

Yeah. It's really just that simple. Granted it was a kid holding it, but you gotta figure his mom/dad put that together.

[CTLightning26]

What also gets me is nobody seems to know that they are scratching Stammer for the program he is on. Yes, technically he is a healthy scratch, but DO YOUR HOMEWORK BOYS!!!!

[backstop]

What also gets me is nobody seems to know that they are scratching Stammer for the program he is on. Yes, technically he is a healthy scratch, but DO YOUR HOMEWORK BOYS!!!!

He is being scratched as a result of his poor play and need to improve in various facets of the game. Call it whatever you choose, but a healthy scratch is a healthy scratch.

[CTLightning26]

He is being scratched as a result of his poor play and need to improve in various facets of the game. Call it whatever you choose, but a healthy scratch is a healthy scratch.


Nope, you're wrong.
It's play three games, sit one, play three games, sit one for a while. It's a program he is on.

[gwf82]

Nope, you're wrong.
It's play three games, sit one, play three games, sit one for a while. It's a program he is on.

And it is a program he is on because of his play that led to this decision being made. A spade is a spade is a spade.

Why arent any of the others in his draft class that are currently in the NHL on this type of plan? Because their play doesnt warrant it.

[CTLightning26]

And it is a program he is on because of his play that led to this decision being made. A spade is a spade is a spade.

Why arent any of the others in his draft class that are currently in the NHL on this type of plan? Because their play doesnt warrant it.

They are not 18
and none of them are really lighting it up. Doughty has been decent. the top rookies are 19, 20, 21

[CTLightning26]

Whether he was playing great or not, he was still adding more than Jokinen and Craig.. I wouldn't have benched him. But Im alright with him watching a little. No need for him to play 82. he can play 75 or so.

[backstop]

I don't think either gwf or myself were suggesting that he shouldn't be on "the plan", just that the reason he is on it is because he was not exactly lighting it up. He was, as you said, "benched"... pretty much the definition of healthy scratch, no? I just don't understand your objection to them using that term.

[gwf82]

I don't think either gwf or myself were suggesting that he shouldn't be on "the plan", just that the reason he is on it is because he was not exactly lighting it up. He was, as you said, "benched"... pretty much the definition of healthy scratch, no? I just don't understand your objection to them using that term.

Exactly my point as well. He was not playing up to his place on the ice every night and the program was created for that reason i.e. he's a healthy scratch.

I'm not a fan of Jussi or Craig and do think he could be on the ice over them because of "potential" but not due to his play prior to the program. He has picked it up a bit since then for sure.

Still, he's a healthy scratch! :)

[CTLightning26]

We can agree to disagree.
and i said "technically" yes he is a healthy scratch, but for reasons other than he was being "sent a message" for his play like Jokinen and others have been.

[WaiverWire]

Who cares if he is on a "plan" or not. What every they are doing with him is working as he has played with a little fire and grit of late.

And let us not forget that no other player is having to take notes as to what is going on during the game. They have him doing it in order for him to learn more.