Thursday, 13 October 2011
I'M BAAAACCCCKKKKK!
Well, me and my family have moved back to Ottawa (home of the Sens) from London (where I supported Liverpool Football Club). I am ready, willing and able to start blogging again. Stay tuned, all you Hockey Ambassador fans!
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Canadian Rugby Team visit
Today I got a special visit from Canada.
As you can see in the picture three spectacular players from the Canadian Rugby Team came to visit me.
I had such a good time.
I hope I can go to see them playing on Sunday at Twickenham.
Thanks guys for coming to see me.
Good luck on Sunday. I will be supporting you!
Go Canada Go!
Nick
Monday, 14 March 2011
Chara’s hit bring attention to Hockey violence:
“…the NHL’s quick and ineffective ruling on the Pacioretty Chara incident of last Tuesday is totally unacceptable, as it does nothing to try and reverse the alarming trend of vicious hits that have sidelined some of the games greatest talents”
So read the letter sent by Via rail to the NHL on Friday, threatening to pull their sponsorship, and they are not the first. On Wednesday, Air Canada’s chief executive also had a letter sent to the NHL threatening to pull their sponsorship and called on the NHL to “protect both the players and integrity of the game” before a “fatality” occurs. (11th March Globe and Mail)
Air Canada has gone quiet in the meanwhile (after the League lashed out at them) but this is only closing the stable door after the horse has bolted!
And the sponsors are not alone in their criticism. Even in Political circles, there has been a lot of talk concerning the level of violence and the number of concussions in the game. Many are also concerned about the example being set to young Hockey players.
An article by Ken Dryden, former Canadiens goaltender and current Canadian politician in Saturday’s Globe and Mail (12th March 2011) highlights the consequences of this problem. Dryden gives examples of several former NHL (Reggie Fleming and Bob Probert) and NFL players, who where found in post mortem autopsies to have suffered from Chronic-Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) a condition with Dementia like symptoms caused by frequent concussions and trauma to the head. Dryden feels that in this day and age it is unacceptable for this problem to be ignored and he feels the NHL should address the spate of head injuries.
An opportunity for this has arisen, cause as we are speaking NHL General Managers are having a weeklong meeting in Florida. One can only hope that they make this topic a priority on their discussion lists.
In the meanwhile players are continuing to make illegal and dangerous moves, and in my opinion, this was only to be expected after all the recent rule changes the NHL has made in recent years (especially the 48’s- see October 5th blog entry)
Solving this problem isn’t as simple as just changing the rules back though; the problem lies in the NHL itself. Bosses are trying to make the game faster to attract more viewers, and this is what it comes down to in the end. Hockey is being played purely for the purpose of making a profit and we are losing touch with the true meaning of the game.
“…the NHL’s quick and ineffective ruling on the Pacioretty Chara incident of last Tuesday is totally unacceptable, as it does nothing to try and reverse the alarming trend of vicious hits that have sidelined some of the games greatest talents”
So read the letter sent by Via rail to the NHL on Friday, threatening to pull their sponsorship, and they are not the first. On Wednesday, Air Canada’s chief executive also had a letter sent to the NHL threatening to pull their sponsorship and called on the NHL to “protect both the players and integrity of the game” before a “fatality” occurs. (11th March Globe and Mail)
Air Canada has gone quiet in the meanwhile (after the League lashed out at them) but this is only closing the stable door after the horse has bolted!
And the sponsors are not alone in their criticism. Even in Political circles, there has been a lot of talk concerning the level of violence and the number of concussions in the game. Many are also concerned about the example being set to young Hockey players.
An article by Ken Dryden, former Canadiens goaltender and current Canadian politician in Saturday’s Globe and Mail (12th March 2011) highlights the consequences of this problem. Dryden gives examples of several former NHL (Reggie Fleming and Bob Probert) and NFL players, who where found in post mortem autopsies to have suffered from Chronic-Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) a condition with Dementia like symptoms caused by frequent concussions and trauma to the head. Dryden feels that in this day and age it is unacceptable for this problem to be ignored and he feels the NHL should address the spate of head injuries.
An opportunity for this has arisen, cause as we are speaking NHL General Managers are having a weeklong meeting in Florida. One can only hope that they make this topic a priority on their discussion lists.
In the meanwhile players are continuing to make illegal and dangerous moves, and in my opinion, this was only to be expected after all the recent rule changes the NHL has made in recent years (especially the 48’s- see October 5th blog entry)
Solving this problem isn’t as simple as just changing the rules back though; the problem lies in the NHL itself. Bosses are trying to make the game faster to attract more viewers, and this is what it comes down to in the end. Hockey is being played purely for the purpose of making a profit and we are losing touch with the true meaning of the game.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Sens on the RUN – Please sing with the “You Learn” by Alanis Morisset rhythm
I recommend winning much more face offs to Alfie
I recommend Chris Neil shooting the puck into the net
Don’t slow it down (I know it’s hard but I hope that you will do)
It would feel so good (to win at least one more game)
Don’t wait until the East conference is history
They Backcheck we run
They beat the defence we run
They score we run … to the bench
I recommend Brian Murray to take some off at anytime
I certainly do
I recommend all the players to get grip or just leave
Feel Free
Skate it down (It puts you closer to the win)
Slap shot (to the net)
Please hit the ice and you’ll see their defence clear
They clear the puck we run
They scramble we run
They score we run … to the bench
Wear them out (the way Bobby Orr would do)
Fire Leclaire (you're gonna have to eventually anyway)
If the Sens don’t change we are going to washout in the end
They Backcheck we run
They beat the defence we run
They get the jump we run
They score we run … to the bench
I recommend Chris Neil shooting the puck into the net
Don’t slow it down (I know it’s hard but I hope that you will do)
It would feel so good (to win at least one more game)
Don’t wait until the East conference is history
They Backcheck we run
They beat the defence we run
They score we run … to the bench
I recommend Brian Murray to take some off at anytime
I certainly do
I recommend all the players to get grip or just leave
Feel Free
Skate it down (It puts you closer to the win)
Slap shot (to the net)
Please hit the ice and you’ll see their defence clear
They clear the puck we run
They scramble we run
They score we run … to the bench
Wear them out (the way Bobby Orr would do)
Fire Leclaire (you're gonna have to eventually anyway)
If the Sens don’t change we are going to washout in the end
They Backcheck we run
They beat the defence we run
They get the jump we run
They score we run … to the bench
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
HBO's 24-7 Penguins-Capitals - Road To The NHL Winter Classic - Ambassador's Review
What a program! No wonder it has been praised all around the sports' world. It is a wonderful way of watching a game. The series, like everything that HBO produces, carries great quality, the sound track was very carefully selected and it matches every moment like a glove. As the program is a hockey inside out, the viewer has the opportunity to meet the real player behind the locker room's doors. I was fascinated to find out some players personal lives, aspirations and also disappointments. Everything is great including what the boys do while travelling away from home in order to be able to cope with the stress of the games and being away from their loved ones. The little tricks, the pranks, dinners out and small parties. Every little helps.
It has also been a great eye opener concerning training strategies, for the ones that think that being a professional payer is something easy, the amount of work those guys do in and out side of the arena is fabulous, it is a constant search to surpass their own limits and capacities.
As every reality show, you can also expect things to be a little different form the REAL reality, everybody feels a little uncomfortable and awkward in front of the cameras. Although, that would not explain the language used. The locker room's language could make any Rock star blush, and for that I apologise. If I was asked to give a tip of advice (I would have the support of the players mothers) for the sports people out there it would be - "Wash your mouths with soap!" Even though the sports world is a world for rough and though, it still plays as an example for the youngsters so it would be more pleasant to be a good example. It is very difficult to explain to a 10 year old that yes "Ovechkin can say f**k, but you can't!!".
I do believe if players, coaches and everyone involved with sports put a little effort into reducing the amount of curse words it would see the amount of followers increase dramatically. But as for the rest, congratulations HBO for delivering such interesting and amusing program. For the ones that are interested please watch HBO Canada every Wednesday there is a new program but there are reprises other days of the week the last program will be recorded on the 1st of January when the two teams finally meet at the grand Winter Classic.
It has also been a great eye opener concerning training strategies, for the ones that think that being a professional payer is something easy, the amount of work those guys do in and out side of the arena is fabulous, it is a constant search to surpass their own limits and capacities.
As every reality show, you can also expect things to be a little different form the REAL reality, everybody feels a little uncomfortable and awkward in front of the cameras. Although, that would not explain the language used. The locker room's language could make any Rock star blush, and for that I apologise. If I was asked to give a tip of advice (I would have the support of the players mothers) for the sports people out there it would be - "Wash your mouths with soap!" Even though the sports world is a world for rough and though, it still plays as an example for the youngsters so it would be more pleasant to be a good example. It is very difficult to explain to a 10 year old that yes "Ovechkin can say f**k, but you can't!!".
I do believe if players, coaches and everyone involved with sports put a little effort into reducing the amount of curse words it would see the amount of followers increase dramatically. But as for the rest, congratulations HBO for delivering such interesting and amusing program. For the ones that are interested please watch HBO Canada every Wednesday there is a new program but there are reprises other days of the week the last program will be recorded on the 1st of January when the two teams finally meet at the grand Winter Classic.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
The SeeSaw Season and Something to Look Forward To.
It has been a warm season, not a hot exciting one, but a wish-washy kind of thing. The season of 2010/11 could be described as seesaw play, most of the teams haven't been able to keep up with the good performance and for the majority of the games I have been taking the approach of "anything can happen". I mean a good renowned team can do brilliantly in a game and two days later loose miserably, and that is how this season has been, at least on my humble opinion.
Although HBO Sports, in other successful business enterprise has come up with a reality show where they are going to follow two great NHL teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington's Capitals through and thorough. The show will be consistent of 4 episodes where they will cover the two teams' rivalry, disputes, players' accomplishments/failures, injuries, management and more. Literally everything until the gran-finale: the great 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, which will be played Jan. 1 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
I had already heard of the HBO show, it has been done with other sports, although I haven't seen it before, when I read the show was going into the NHL, my heart grew warm, and I cannot wait for Dec. 15 when the first episode will go on air. I can never get enough of hockey, and a show going into the centre of a team, following their practices, games, backstage sounds like music to these hockey ears.
So, for my followers I leave this words: I will do my best not miss a single episode and I'll surely post on this space my findings concerning the HBO 24/7 NHL show. Keep on reading and in the case any of you having something to say about it, please drop a couple of lines.
Although HBO Sports, in other successful business enterprise has come up with a reality show where they are going to follow two great NHL teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington's Capitals through and thorough. The show will be consistent of 4 episodes where they will cover the two teams' rivalry, disputes, players' accomplishments/failures, injuries, management and more. Literally everything until the gran-finale: the great 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, which will be played Jan. 1 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
I had already heard of the HBO show, it has been done with other sports, although I haven't seen it before, when I read the show was going into the NHL, my heart grew warm, and I cannot wait for Dec. 15 when the first episode will go on air. I can never get enough of hockey, and a show going into the centre of a team, following their practices, games, backstage sounds like music to these hockey ears.
So, for my followers I leave this words: I will do my best not miss a single episode and I'll surely post on this space my findings concerning the HBO 24/7 NHL show. Keep on reading and in the case any of you having something to say about it, please drop a couple of lines.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Let The Show Begin
Every year it’s the same thing! A month or so before the new season starts, the NHL introduces their list of ridiculous new rules that will take a part in the great show of hockey. This year is no different. Less then a week ago, the new rules were presented to the hockey nation. Pointless to say that not much has changed; a couple of "any"s, "cannot"s and "must"s here and there, some crossing off of some dubious sentences and additions of other long and somewhat complicated paragraphs, although this season we have a supernova, the new "BIG DADDY" of rules - Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head - which ipsis literis is described as follows:
"48.1 Illegal Check to the Head - A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principle point of contact is not permitted.
48.2 Minor Penalty- There is no provision for a minor penalty for this rule.
48.3 Major Penalty- For a violation of this rule, a major penalty shall be assessed (see 48.4).
48.4 Game Misconduct- An automatic game misconduct penalty shall be assessed whenever a major penalty is assessed under this rule.
48.5 Match Penalty- The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent with an illegal check to the head.
48.6 Fines and Suspensions- Any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconducts under this rule, in either regular League or playoff games, shall be suspended automatically for the next game his team plays. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.
If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28)." (http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=64050)
I have to question at this point how they are going to judge and differentiate an illegal check to the head, where the player literally aimed at the head, and one where the aim was the shoulder, which is "OK", but he was too unfortunate to end up hitting the head. I mean are they going to stop the game for 15 min, have a board meeting and decide what was the aim of the check?? Or, maybe thinking the other way around, a player discussing for 20 min with the referee saying that he had actually aimed at the shoulder, not the head. Reader, I ask you this! - How many more complications are they going to bring to the good old hockey game?
Despite all the rule changes that at the end of the day we all know will not change much when put into practice, I will now shout out “Come’ on Ref let the boys play!!!!!”
"48.1 Illegal Check to the Head - A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principle point of contact is not permitted.
48.2 Minor Penalty- There is no provision for a minor penalty for this rule.
48.3 Major Penalty- For a violation of this rule, a major penalty shall be assessed (see 48.4).
48.4 Game Misconduct- An automatic game misconduct penalty shall be assessed whenever a major penalty is assessed under this rule.
48.5 Match Penalty- The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent with an illegal check to the head.
48.6 Fines and Suspensions- Any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconducts under this rule, in either regular League or playoff games, shall be suspended automatically for the next game his team plays. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.
If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28)." (http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=64050)
I have to question at this point how they are going to judge and differentiate an illegal check to the head, where the player literally aimed at the head, and one where the aim was the shoulder, which is "OK", but he was too unfortunate to end up hitting the head. I mean are they going to stop the game for 15 min, have a board meeting and decide what was the aim of the check?? Or, maybe thinking the other way around, a player discussing for 20 min with the referee saying that he had actually aimed at the shoulder, not the head. Reader, I ask you this! - How many more complications are they going to bring to the good old hockey game?
Despite all the rule changes that at the end of the day we all know will not change much when put into practice, I will now shout out “Come’ on Ref let the boys play!!!!!”
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