In Glacialis Blog

Illic erant duos legitmate, labefactum no.1 tutaminis in glacies procul Quin Center permaneo nox noctis, unus lascivio pro Florida quod unus pro Caps: Pica Bouwmeester quod Mike Viridis. Can vos statua consilium ut ut would have been theca iustus three mensis abhinc? Tunc, statua having innutum is tergum in October between: two, Mike Viridis, 22, would mane in 2008 be quantum labefactum no.1, quod ut progressus unus could sane innutum abyssus’ procerus magis cuspis, magis Totus Astrum venatus lectio, quod forsitan vel magis Norris Trophies quam Magnus Bouw super tractus of suum veneratio NHL tutela.

Vel sum EGO res insensatus? 

Suus’ forsitan impossible ut overstate labefactum ut adventum of Bruce Boudreau has had in Caps, quod suus’ verus ut Alexander Ovechkins’ tertius season in NHL has been suus optimus – positively Hart Trophy candide dignus quod a catalyst pro teams’ lascivio litis. Tamen victor hockey cant’ exsisto a unus- vir ostendo, vel geminus- amoveo, quod si vos vere volo scio quare Caps es ut periculosus ut they es illa days, consider ut suum tentatio est geminus-barreled, launched ex tergus terminus per 22- annus- vetus Calgary paternus quisnam, procul the other terminus of glacies, slings gravis lead with suus cuspis flatus quod forceps- in pulverizers.   

Ut verum appreciate Mike Viridis’ meteoric orior oriri ortus is season quod suus labefactum in Caps — iam quod progressus – I reputo vos have recolo suus standing versus a praemium tener talentum plumbum blueline of a divortium foe, one quisnam eram a lottery pick, quod unus cuius stemma quod mane aura certantibus illud of ullus blueline prospicio ineo league in permaneo 20 years. 

EGO perused meus copy of THN’s 2002 NHL Viscus Draft praevius proventus is weekend — Bouwmeester eram lego tertius super in Toronto ut estas — quod eram admonitio of the foris accolades ut comitatus Rememdium Hat, Ara, paternus. Page 7: “sit a Paul Capulus-esque labor lapsus in somes of Paul Bunyan, an intuitively donum 6- pes-3, 206- talentum tutaminis quisnam can imperium terrenus of a venatus per eximius balbutio, libramen quod hockey voluntas”

Paul Bunyan? Iconic Canadian interventus in res of censeo altus-end, home-grown hockey talentum interdum adepto portatus absentis, haud?

Si vos mutatus physical dimensions pessum aliquantulus in Bouwmeesters’ profano, quod restituo Bunyan allusion per say a punked sursum poema poematis of Steve McQueen, youd’ vere have tabellae- perficio genus of third- annus pro Mike Viridis, lego 29th overall two annus secundum Bouwmeester. 

civitas tergum is sursum. Utriusque ludio ludius have utor perficio valetudo is season, lascivio in totus of suum teams’ games. Through 49 games Bouwmeester has 8 calx quod 10 succurro dum skating a 3. Rationabiliter nice numerus in a mediocris hockey stipes. In 47 venatus per Caps Viridis has exaggeratus 14 calx quod 16 succurro, skating a 2, quod garnered intentio of universus hockey universitas, respergo U.S. lusum press amoSI quod ESPN, and causa a lot of indigestion quod heartache inter prope 30 imperator managers who obduco in him in 2004.  

Tamen is isnt’ iustus putus procerus of excellens numerus ut innutum ut Green may iam be the melior haud. 1 gun. Suus’ quam is usurpo lemma. Non utpote Sergei Gonchar have Caps usus sic dynamic a presentia ex cuspis. Quod dum utriusque usus ornamentum mobility quod elite obscoena hockey sense, that comparison doesnt’ operor justicia ut Viridis’ revolutionizing blueline QB positus ut is has is season. Gonchar nunquam usus Viridis’ wrist- offa-bomb ut has him quod suus Forus Viridis materia in sto celebrating pro adversus netminder animadverto hes’ been vapulus. Viridis’ absentisCloverfield in inimicus’ plaga is season.

Magnus numerus in hockey es interdum loco sursum per unus-season admiratio. But whats’ in Viridis’ toolbox aegre innutum mico- in--pan. Suus skating est sublimis — suus puck- cunabula crossover footwork dum QB-ing dignitas pretium of admission unus. Is has a howitzer. Suus pinching knack est hic moror — vel amplio. fun has iustus begun.     

Quis did 2004 THN Draft Rector have loquor super Viridis? He est penitus puto potuisse available ut Caps sic tardus in 2004s’ primoris rotundus quoniam is ludio ludius in a notabilis nocens Saskatoon Vesica team. Ut in,7-52-11-2 nocens profano super eram positus si agnosco:

 Green” est vegrandis parumper tutaminis, tamen is nunquam dat an inch. Hes’ a lentus pugna quisnam can quarterback a vox lascivio” [Vos reputo?]

“bonus offa, bonus visum quod iustus a attero annus” est quam unus explorator loco is.

“illic es an awful sors of positus meditatus is has a nocens annus in a nocens team,” said a explorator. “is pluo multus of character in a team ut penuria gubernatio”

Planto haud erroris, Bouwmeester est a magnificabiliter tutaminis, quod forsitan 25 teams would amo habeo him ut suum haud. 1. EGO iustus dont’ reputo Caps would secui per suum impetro him.

Ran aliquantulus of an patefacio lima permaneo Imbuo nox noctis in Ipsa, qua medium transportation est multicanus, ita a week laxus in a diversus league quod rink, EGO sententia is vires exsisto fun iterum.

Racing down Iunctio Ave., amplus licens, obviam an mane prandium in Chinatown tonight, EGO sententia super totus victor underground quisnam vires non have seen nostrum consuasor of yesterday quod hodie. Dantes’ Coniecto, Canto III:

Per mihi vos obduco in urbs of vae:

Per mihi vos obduco in eternus poena

Illic est a fabulous turba contraho pro illa fearsome Florida Pardus. Is est Januarys’ tantum balanus per a Inferus divortium inimicus. Ineo inter yourselves super ut.

Caps’ absentis tonight manifesta: devenio .500. salutor cautus an improbable via lucror procul Prudens Center permaneo nox noctis, dum Caps sileo. Georgetown hoops ludio ludius hic procul noon, sic Im’ servo an oculus sicco pro bouncing pucks mane in.

649: in, nos have a domus procerus: Kozlovs’ 5th of season, ex Mike Viridis,quisnam certus shouldnt’ exsisto an NHL Totus Astrum, quod Nicklas Backstrom, quisnam vere mereo mereor duos succurro in lascivio. Iustus ut is vultus amo brevis- manus manus Pardus had videlicet, Backstrom curo ut thwart exitus rudimentum quod servo puck obvius plaga. Is tunc ran dimidium tabula QB per suus usitas stellar scriptum quod meritus a decipio secundus succurro.

Minor quam a minute laxus,John Erskine procerus, procul vel vires, ex Steckel quod Laing. EGO told meus bloggermates quod glacies chums yesterday quod hodie ut EGO sententia is venatus could vado magnus pro Caps, ita recedentia suus’ vultus ut via. 2-0 domus team.

Mos Thursday nox noctis’ 4- calx secundus period exsisto compositus — vel validus — per tonights’ primoris? Viktor Kozlov est in passus pro 12 calx tonight. Is eram in puck ut had iustus been occumbo ut Vokouns’ left in an instant, quod minor quam an instant laxus is eram in tergus of Pardus’ net. Backstrom per alius succurro. Suus’ 3-0 Caps quod erant’ vix preteritus dimidium vestigium of prothoplastus.

A tardus Erskine camur poena didnt’ terminus sursum uredo an palmarium primoris period pro Caps. 3-0 domus team secundum unus. EGO ero interested video vidi visum si they addo a comparable intensity quod pango period duos, quod forsitan loco is venatus absentis.

Situs sententia procul Intermission: ex Caps’ interventus pros: Bruce Boudreaus’ 14 laurifer in suus primoris 25 venatus es plurrimi pro ullus cogo in Caput’ history. Wow. Inter qui had 13 laurifer in suum primoris 25 venatus erant Ron Wilson quod Jim Schoenfeld . . . EGO reputo is vires have been Tarik whod’ nuper innutum ut Caps necessarius duodeviginti ex a possible ten cuspis in is homestand. Ut’ vultus pulchellus achievable vox iam. (persevero)

Hic es pauci statua ex Thursdays’ venatus per Edmonton (magis secundum effrego).

Mike Viridis fan stipes “ forus Viridis”. Suo lemma in suumFacebook humus.

Tutus ut Canadian Bellicus.

(persevero)

A dum abhinc, nos suscipio a effingo of movie In Crepito. tabellae insisto California Undo Ludo AAA eo hockey team quod suum quest parumper populus titulus.

Uber coepi in IN CREPITO in Proficiscor 2005 in Lakewood, California, statim secundum California Undo won Mitigo Plaga Tellus Championship quod qualified pro populus. Pro inter unus mensis, Virga Pictures crew prodigo prope cotidie per ludio ludius, families quod cogo membrana procul meditor, in obfirmo cella, quod procul suum domus trans Inferus California. membrana crew tunc viator per team ut Bensenville, Illinois qua they occulto totus factum procul populus super six dies of tournament necnon interviewed explorator, procurator, quod adversus ludio ludius quod cogo.

movie eram perfectus per puteus. Illic est a bonus confundo of venatus quod meditor pes pariter ut interviews per California Undo cogo, ludio ludius quod families. Res quondam ludio ludius themselves, presul volo facio certus they pluo dedication quod commitment of non iustus ludio ludius, tamen families themselves. Ut adaugeo fabula of California Undo, 15 of professio hockey’s maximus astrum partis suum repono of suum hockey orsa quod mane dies. Pauci of pros featured es Joe Thornton, Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Shanahan, Scott Gomez, Vepres Rolston, quod Bellicus Havlat.

Reprehendo sicco nonnullusIn Crepito articles perJames Mirtle, USA Hockey,quod NHL.com tunc vigilo movie is Sunday, January 20th procul 4pm inPoema poematis velsumo DVD quod comprehendo 20 minutes of bonus features comprehendo fundo interviews per pros.

Nos dont’ teneo si is est a plenus- in challenge utAlexs’ ‘ calx’ (quoque obviam Phoenix) sive seu verum is vires exsisto a videlicet excellens factum of virtuosity. Nos operor teneo suus’ a showcase of infirmus solers quod ut youll’ utor vigilo is.

Si vos es having problems per video supremus, vos can visum is poema poematis ex NHL.

Vos sententia Metro muneris eram preoccupo permaneo weekend? Puteus, vos aint’ seen nusquam’ etiamnunc.

Si vos have tickets pro Imbuo nox noctis’ venatus per ‘Cats quod intentio in captus Metro, commodo lego in.

Metro est giving viator donum of major domus profero is MLK feriae weekend, per suffragium opus perturbo syrma schedules ex Friday, January 18, 10 p.m., ut Monday, January 21, midnight.

Rutilus, Puteulanus quod Orange Versus mos should constructum 30 minutes of susicivus eo vicis in suum schedules is weekend ut Metro persona opus pango sagging Rutilus Versus suggestus procul Metro Center.

Pro magis retineo in modified singulus- semita schedule, reprehendo siccoMetros’ website.

Ut suus promeritum, Metro orator Steven Taubenkibel eram laudatio Francisca per Lavatio Stipes in Thursday:

“[veho] should addo a bonus libri, quod patientia, dum inrideo rail ratio is weekend.”

Lavatio Caput brought dozens of solum hockey virga per lemma ut an area medius schola is week ut induco a iuvenalis discipulus somes ut hockey. Ut EGO lego interventus consuasor pro is EGO knew Id’ volo scribo quispiam super is, pro dum EGO wasnt’ fortunatus satis habeo duos of plagiarius’ teres hockey tractare doceo mihi in 1970s D.C. ut EGO eram induco ut ut poema poematis of lusum, is eram hockeys’ plurimus basic poema poematis, ludio ludius tantum in sneakers per a virga in manus manus, ut got mihi camur in hockey. Pro vita.

EGO memor res in grade three, res haud praeter septem vel duodeviginti annus vetus, quod tergum tunc meus elementum schola in Rockville, Md., had haud palestra. Unus ver dies nos tabula schola bus quod caput capitis sicco onto Montrose Rd. quod rode pro super 10 minutes obviam occasus Rockville ut alius Catholic parish per a gym. EGO memor inrideo bus ut dies per an error super quis vultus of recreation specto nos. Nos erant agri-tripping obviam a nearby gym pro an fundo period of lascivio, quod pro athletically proclivus mihi eram a dissero amplitudo pius.

EGO memor ingressus gym quod seeing plastic virga facis amo toothpicks in a bin. EGO dont’ memor suscipio ultum obvius of instruction pro novus venatus. Nostrum gym magister may puteus have iustus occumbo a solum hockey puck inter nos quod left nos ut instar is totus sicco. tunc res EGO memor est nostrum co-ed venatus refertus per 30 sequax a singulus puck, quod meus having is multus. EGO wouldnt’ exsisto admiratio si duos vel three nostrum boys iussus duos sturdily constructum puella in calx. Ut eram quaedam auctorita boys had super puella procul ut tempus of vita. Ut nunc decolor.

In ut primoris venatus EGO memor fantastic rabies, creber sarcina of poking virga, a subitus burst ex thesaurus per a singulus gleeful puck usus, quod joyful shrieks quod screams ex boys quod puella.

EGO memor inrideo bus tergum ut schola ut dies feverishly admiratio si wed’ reverto pro solum hockey sequens week. Nos didnt’, quod pro reliquum illius schola annus EGO requiro hockey.

Solum hockey venit tergum in meus vita in a magnus via in contraho. Nostrum Midwest castra had an vetus gym ut per rectum of suus aevum quod valetudo eram aptus tantum pro intramural athletics. Haud intramural lusum eram ut populus in castra ut solum hockey. Is eram philologus theca ut centum of discipulus would devenio gym pro 800: in registration oriens ut subsequens suum roster obsequium eram recipero, quod si vos repeto hora ut undergraduates servo, eram voluntas ut pietas vero. Illic erant duos singulus leagues pro solum hockey in castra, unus pro fraternities quod unus pro imperator discipulus somes. EGO contendo in utriusque, quod super quattuor annus EGO nunquam requiro a venatus.

Solum hockey in contraho eram adeo magis laboro quam in grade schola. Nos ludio ludius in cohibeo fines finium subpono per altus-stacked colluctatio mats quod vel partition tabula in unus pars quod vultus of a tempus in alius. EGO memorvivax angulus quod tabula opus ex illud leagues illud annus.

EGO quoque memor truculenter partum quod crude nomen pro teams in imperator divortium. Im’ non validus ut revolvo meus ten ventus vobis huic forum, tamen buttonhole mihi procul Quin Center cras nox noctis quod Peius’ crepundia lemma off vobis per vindico prudentia. Illic eram quispiam ordine hockey super lemma, EGO memor.

Meus fraternity eram summopere a hockey unus. Nos didnt’ iustus diligo ut vigilo quod insisto hockey tamen nos erant schola’ varsity hockey ludio ludius. Ita ut is venit ut solum hockey in Cupiditas divortium nos erantvalde, valde bonus Illic erant multus of bonus hockey ludio ludius in ut divortium, tamen nos erant bestia. Wed’ lucror venatus aliquando per amo ustulo of 21-2. Nos lost three venatus in universus of meus quattuor annus illic, quod in totus three nos erant vacuus nostrum calx. Is amo beer aliquantulus praeter ceterus nostri beer-loving team, EGO repeto. Nos had ludo vacuus a netminder ( nostrum AWOL backstopper had calx apparatus). Unus illorum damnum, EGO memor, venit in deprehendo.

Is evulsum ut mihi ut vox procul is cuspis in calendar illic’ a vegetus paro of quingenti vel mille discipulus procul meus alma materia promptus themselves pro satus of hiberna semesters’ valde recreational sudo, in prolixus smiles. Quotiens operor nos in medius aevum tabesco parumper reverto ut castra, redeo in vicis ut castra Friday nox noctis ut firmus ut occasus’ mischief? Oh, illic es pauci re-dos ex Frat Row Id’ amo prosequor, tamen iustus quantus quantus Id’ amo, in a campester abdomen, vello mugio super meus eyes a paro of solum hockey goggles quod ulciscor ut warp- volo venatus of scabrosus- quod- tumbus run quod gun.

Teneo quis alius est a niveus- fervens prosperitas in illa hockey secui illa dies? Corey Masisaks’ blog proculthe Washington Times, “In the Room.” His entry from late yesterday:

“Not only are the Caps dealing with myriad injuries, it has spread to the media. I am officially listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury, but a source close to the situation said there was “a cooking incident” and “it involves 24 stitches and a hand laceration.” Naturally, as we near the playoffs, the organization had no comment on the situation. I am in the lineup tonight but only operating at about 50 percent.”

One good trumpeting of good journalism deserves another. In today’s Washington Times Bob Cohn profiles the spirit-raising efforts of two committed Caps’ fans, Sam Wolk and William Stillwell, aka Horn Guy and the Goat.

Ted Leonsis on these fans:

If one of them isn’t at the game, people send me emails. ‘Is he ok?’ ‘Did he get sick?’ They’re part of the game now.”

Fans are part of any pro sport’s experience, and the enthusiasm and prominence of these two is well worth reporting.  

The Washington Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin and Mike Green paid a visit on Wednesday to Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington. Led by Capitals Assistant Coach Dean Evason, the two stars showed the excited students how to stick-handle, pass, and shoot, with a handful of lucky fans joining them for each of the lessons.

But first, Evason hosted a brief Q&A, fielding questions from the crowd. One youngster asked, “How many teeth have you lost?” Two for Mike Green. Then Ovie flashed his wide smile, said he’s lost just one tooth, then said “I have it with me!” (which drew quite the “eeeewwwww!” reaction from the audience).

“Is it worth losing teeth to play hockey?” another student asked. Mike Green quipped in reply, “Did you hear about Ovie’s contract?” [Why yes. Yes we did.] After some laughter, Green said he’s happy to trade a few teeth for a chance to win the Cup—and I’m certain many a fan would join Green in his dental sacrifice to bring the Capitals a championship.

Of course, the students really got excited when lines of seven boys and seven girls teamed up with the players (Ovie was with the girls) for a spirited game of floor hockey.

Other fun moments:

• Ovechkin stepping on the plastic blade of his hockey stick, trying to increase the curve, and goofily showing off to Green while doing it (”Greenie! Check it out!”).
• During the stickhandling session, Ovechkin started bouncing the ball on the blade of his stick. Evasaon said, “That’s something special for Alex… Green, don’t try that.” (see video below)
• Green’s end-to-end rush being foiled by a child’s stick blocking his shot.
• Ovechkin’s incredulous laughter as Green gave him a good shoulder bump and stole the ball.
• A child’s father waxing ecstatic about the “fantastic” Kettler Iceplex and how much he enjoys skating there with his son.

Ovechkin (now sporting a less-shaggy look) best summed up his and Mike Green’s enthusiasm for the day, delivered with his trademark grin: “We’re all like kids sometimes . . . the best time in your life [is] when you’re a kid.” More photos after the break.

(Continued)

Today’s Washington Post Sports section front is a revolutionary feast of outreach to the region’s hockey fans. Start with the sumptuous photo journalism of a celebratory Alexander Semin. The Post is hardly alone in old media in diminishing impact photo journalism in recent years, but its return is always welcome. We have as well Tarik’s usually stellar game file. And columnist Mike Wise got a story — a compelling one, too — from a visit he made to Kettler.

During last night’s evening drive WTEM’s Steve Czabin called the Post’s Sports section one of the worst in the country. Among other grievances, he cited the absence of notes files accompanying team coverage. But there’s this as well in today’s Post, from Tarik.

We’ve given the Post props for this kind of work before. We just wish it weren’t so cicada-like in its intervals.

If you are having problems with the video above, you can view this version from the NHL. Although, it does not have the number of replays as the above video.

Very quietly — though less so after this past weekend — Andrew Gordon is ascending in the hierarchy of Caps’ prospects in his first season of pro hockey. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the smooth-skating rookie this season. Back in the fall, he was demoted to South Carolina.

But he didn’t sulk. He scored. Lots. He tallied 8 goals and 6 assists for the Stingrays in 11 games before being recalled to Hershey early in December. Then he scored lots more Saturday night — a hat trick in the Bears’ 6-4 win over Lake Erie. He ended up being named the AHL’s First Star of Saturday night. He also scored the Bears’ lone goal Sunday in a 3-1 loss to Hartford.

Gordon’s hat trick this past weekend was his first as a pro. His previous one was as a St. Cloud St. sophomore, in a blowout win over Michigan Tech. “I really pick my spots, I guess,” he said with a chuckle.

Gordon, a Caps’ 7th rounder in 2004, has been a prospect favorite of mine from the last few years of my watching him dominate college hockey’s best conference, the WCHA. Gordon’s Huskies were a broadcast favorite of the Fox College Sports package I had at home, and I saw fantastic progress in each of his three seasons at St. Cloud. Gordon scored more than 100 points in his career with the Huskies, and as a junior he was named First Team All-WCHA. Just days after the Caps inked him last April, I asked General Manager George McPhee about his newest asset.

“We think there’s a real chance he can help us as early as next season,” McPhee said.

In 21 games with the Bears, Gordon has 5 goals and 14 assists, meaning that combined with his production in the ECHL, Gordon’s averaging over a point per game in his first year of pro hockey. After Saturday’s breakout performance, he was asked by a reporter what accounted for his turnaround from a disappointing start in Hershey this season.

“Not being afraid to try things,” he said. “I’ll turn a few pucks over, but I try to make plays. It’s a confidence thing. I’m not afraid to go out there on the power play with a lot of minutes and try to make a play . . . and I know Woodie’s [head Coach Bob Woods] gonna have a lot of faith to put me back out there the next power play, the next shift.”

Gordon’s a favorite with the Pennsylvania hockey press corps that covers the Bears. A handful of them took turns assuring me how nice a kid he is and how much they enjoy working with him. One of them described Gordon as “the kind of kid you’d like to see your daughter marry.” He answers all post-game questions patiently and with deliberation and candor and even self-effacing humor. One reporter Saturday wanted to know if this turnaround in his season had caught Gordon blinking his eyes in disbelief.

“I tried to blink my eyes and think twice when I went down [to South Carolina], so there’s a lot of blinking going on,” he joked.

“It’s just another hockey game,” he added. I’ve been doing this since I was four years old.”

His Bears’ teammates passing the newcomer’s Hockey Night in Hershey media hubbub took turns poking fun at it all.

“Somebody’s going up to Washington,” Louis Robitaille needled as he passed. Chris Bourque offered a crack about the rookie getting a big head.

The post-game press pack that surrounded Gordon Saturday night might have been new to him, but I got the feeling his future was going to include more of them.

A sidebar to Saturday night’s breakout party for Gordon was Eric Fehr’s return to the team after being out nine months with a frustratingly slow-healing compressed nerve affecting his lower back and hip. He sat out the middle game of a three-game weekend, but he told me that his first two games had him feeling pretty good and strong.

“I didn’t want to rush back too quickly and play all three games this weekend. I gotta get back up to speed — when you’re tired, that’s when injuries happen,” he said.

Fehr’s injury was rare and laden with setbacks. I asked him if his physicians had said anything to him about a likelihood of recurrence, or if his treatment and rehab and the nature of the injury made it more likely that it was beaten back once and for all.

“From what I know I think it’s the kind of injury that’s very rare, you don’t see a lot, and from what the doctors say they think it won’t be coming back. It’s such a freak thing it’d be tough to come by it twice, I think.”

I also wanted to know what kind of goals Fehr might have after missing so much hockey, missing training camp and attempting to join a surging team smack in the middle of a season.

“For the next couple of games I think it’s just get up to speed, get back in shape and try to produce offense for this team, and after I start feeling better I’ll maybe re-evaluate and maybe set a goal for the rest of the season.”

I asked him if hockey in Washington this season was in his thoughts at all these days.

“In the back of your mind you wanna get into Washington — that’s the goal of every player that plays in the AHL is to get called up, and I’m no different. Right now though I just gotta focus on competing and playing at a high level in Hershey.”

I have never been a huge fan of pink, especially when it comes to hockey jerseys. However, it’s different when it comes to charity. Breast cancer awareness is at an all-time high, thanks to leagues like the NHL and AHL, among others, who host a multitude of events every season. Coaches wear pink ties; players use pink tape, pink sticks, and pink pucks to be auctioned off later- the list is endless. It’s a well-respected cause that deserves attention. So what’s the problem?

You get gimmicks like the one that happened in Norfolk on Saturday. I applaud the creativity, but what a strange idea. Not surprisingly, comments like this one emerged:

The much-discussed “pink ice’’ wound up taking on a dark, fuschia-like tint, which made for a striking visual from the stands but provided players with an unusual challenge.

“We had no idea where the red line or the blue line were,’’ Jancevski, the Admirals captain, said with a smile. “Everything just looked pink.’’

Not to mention extremely distracting. The ice became the primary focal point as opposed to the players, and it had to be difficult for fans to watch the game. There’s been a lot of talk about the pink ice, but that discussion didn’t necessarily translate into donations.

It’s only one game, and it’s for a good cause, right? But perhaps that’s part of the problem. “It’s for a good cause” is frequently the phrase associated with these events. And this seems to allow organizers license to come up with unusual, unrelated gimmicks- as long as it’s pink, anything goes. (I’m just waiting for the day that pink jock straps are auctioned off.) Some of the events seem almost patronizing, such as selling pink rhinestone pins, pink purses, anything that’s pink. Plus, there’s some doubt about how much of the fundraising actually goes to the cause. The silent auctions hosted by clubs may generate a lot of interest and revenue, but how much goes to the charity- and how much does the charity use on its mission? An October 2007 article in the Detroit News provided a good analysis of the situation, and one woman quoted in the article brought up a good point:

“I’d rather give directly to the charity because then more of my hard-earned money goes to charity,” Koledo said.

Breast cancer research and awareness is critical and deserves everyone’s support. (Don’t forget, men get breast cancer too.) But can’t the fundraising be done without cheap stunts like pink ice?

The US Pond Hockey Championships take place this weekend in Lake Nokomis, Minnesota. Here’s a quick video on the rink construction.

Thanks to Kukla for the assist.

Alexander Ovechkin won’t be alone in Atlanta come All-Star weekend. While the NHL overlooked Defenseman Mike Green in filling out the Eastern Conference team, Rookie Nicklas Backstrom has been invited to participate in the NHL’s YoungStar game. Per the Washington Capitals press release:

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is one of the 16 NHL YoungStars invited to the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend, the NHL announced today. Backstrom will join seven other Eastern Conference YoungStars to compete in a new three-on-three event as part of the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills competition on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Philips Arena in Atlanta (7 p.m. ET, VERSUS).