In Glacialis Blog

Nostrum cousins ut north have captus animadverto of bloggings’ labefactum in occulto of NHL. Hockey Nox noctis in Canalis eram procul Phone Tabernus is preteritus week taping a piece in Caps’ bloggers, quod is aired tonight. Take a inviso praecessi:

Nos volo permitto Liz impetro sedatus in aliquantulus hic pro nos propinquo Grapes pro suus sententia in nostrum consummatio a member of mediocris sex ut nostrum townhouse of testosterone. Huic week of giving gratiae, nos exemplar OFBers es gratias ago shes’ iunctus nostrum team quod amplio nostrum site. Suus’ been a fun primoris mensis una.

Grapes wouldnt’ compello nos in record super is, tamen is did have pauci sententia super women quisnam famulor hockey venatus.

Species humanus res comprise ingens major domus of enrollment pro valde venatus of hockey, ita ut giants intus is es accersitus super prebeo reflections in suum iter itineris intus venatus, nos shouldnt’ exsisto admiratio procul species they dedi in ut nisus. Suus’ impossible ut vigilo NHLs’ Aula of Laus Induction ceremony neque nec exsisto adduco ut humilitas, character, quod plurimus proprie iunctio ut prosapia ut hockey ludio ludius probo quod famen est unrivaled in landscape of professio lusum. Baseballs’ induction ceremony is preteritus estas, per rectum of character of suus potissimus inductees Gwynn quod Ripken, videor sumo a step tergum in vicis quod venia quod ingenero a resurrectio of veneratio parumper lusum pessime egenus is. Tamen NHL, per suus altissimus veneratio vicis sulum November, has is sulum annus.

billing pro Monday nox noctis’ ceremony in Toronto eram a legends’ album of inductees, optimus ordo umquam, tamen audio ut suum fabula of ortus intus dedicated families quod suum constans suscipio compages — ones ut es fundo quod amplified intus amplus hockey prosapia ipsum — unus felt ut is vicis, seemingly a spectaculum pro rarus- talentum unique, eram vere sulum frenum ut ultum an pre se ferre pro prosapia iunctum ut servo ut perpetuus wellspring of maiestas huic venatus.

venit permaneo nox noctis vindico nobis pes of excellentia of inductees in glacies; suum libramen quod affectus dum pondero in suum veneratio in tempus; tamen quoque ordinarius glimpses of suum families sessio nearby quod poeta testimonials ex suum sons ut ut suum inaestimandus duco. Totus videor interrelated quod intertwined.

Quod in cuspis of res is est. Hockey Aula of Laus has inter suus pre se ferre a simplex domus’ prosapia cella orbis 1950 intus quod prosapia members es recolligo inter a broadcast of Hockey Nox noctis in Canalis. Is quoque has a constituo plaustrum veneratio pre- diluculo pilgrimages ut rink, ludio ludius sicco super annus per labor of Canadian hiberna, se gero ut devoveo ritus.

A hockey ludio ludius’ developmental iter itineris postulo nusquam brevis of an totus- sicco commitment of vicis quod facundia ex families. They exsisto existo in weekdays per newspaper vindico pax facio pre- schola meditor in terror blackness. They fio via proeliator of hiberna weekend proficiscor ut venatus quod tournaments, quod in 90 sentio of Canalis quod lacertus Midwest, ut’ sepius desolate quod periculosus eo.

Decens a hockey ludio ludius est rare a volatilis, dimidium- pectus pectoris praesumo. Forsitan ut’ quare is lusum est ludio ludius per adeo pectus pectoris.

Al MacInnis eram primoris veneratio permaneo nox noctis profiteor persona of prosapia in suus maiestas, quod ut primoris- umquam Nova Scotian futurus enshrined ( incredibilis, ut), is no certus ut suus fundo prosapia members in Prodigium Hood knew of suum persona in suus tutela. They had a locus in Aula of Laus, quoque, is said.

Is eram heartening audire Scott Stevens testis ut labefactum is felt ex suus duodeviginti annus in Lavatio Caput’ prosapia. Is gratias ago David Poile quod Bryan Murray ex procuratio, quod suus defensabiliter socius Vepres Engblom. Is characterized suus tenura in urbs ut “a period of incrementum” quod prolecto ut res a secui of primoris Caput’ team ut species pro postseason — prothoplastus of septem rectus talis in D.C. is eram a secui of. Quod is gratias ago Caput’ fans pro suum suscipio.

tear apparatus ut est Vestigium Nuntius nimirum had spatiosus reflections in persona of prosapia in suus tutela. Is had spatiosus reflections period, efflectum determino quattuor minutes pro ingens per rambling incoherence ut prope outlasted suus tutela. Quis si hed’ been taedium a tuxedo ratio intentio per Reebok amid quicumque singultus?

Messiers’ obsideo gravida- porro pauses licitus mihi ut rememeber ut quondam suus prosapia eram res publica habeo comprehendo Madonna. EGO quinymo fruor hockeys’ instar of towering talentum, suum satus in civis of centum, suum pudor unmatched in vel ex professio lusum, dalliance-ing per American astrum strumpets. Ut nimirum est eximius ut quantum mundane tractus of prosapia huic lusum. Hockey ludio ludius nunquam alieno suum radix, vel perdo suum attachment sibimet.

Suus’ Siberia- recedentia ex suum optimus opus, tamen Rememdium have a carmen titulus ‘Friday Im’ in Diligo’ EGO awoke quod logged in is oriens ut novus ex meus bloggermate Gus ut orsa in iustus alius iugo of weeks cable quod satellite television suggero totus trans North America would exsisto vitualamen puck- rabidus suum porro optatus- pro NHL Network. Viginti quattuor hora of televised hockey septem dies a week three centum quod sexaginta quinque dies a annus.

Suus’ Friday quod Im’ in television lust.

Olympus EGO statua prebeo socius amo mihi non- subsisto broadcasts of hockey in relaxo screens in altus certus, per pauci tab- solvo beers. Exspecto, ut’ iam meus novus domus in Montgomery Duco in three weeks’ vicis. (Im’ non in a mood futurus frivolus per proprius talis ut utrum necne Comcast mos dedi exitus locus; si is doesnt’, Peius’ permoveo. Nemo amo Friday tripudium- susurro-killers.)

Huic tellus qua Steve Czabins quod suum procer ilk would have vos puto aegre quisquam est verum interested in perussi hockey interventus, EGO personally teneo of 61 unique quisnam mos dudum tunc mensis ordo NHL Network.

Si is novus est dour in ullus contemplor, is est ex vantage of meus matris, whod’ vere amo video vidi visum mihi matrimonium quod laboriosus obviam grandchildren pro suus. Quam sum EGO ut schedule a balanus huic novus broadcast environs? EGO have laboro, lavo, quod blog ut is est, quod iam per is novus, liceor adieu ut totus posterus prosapia quod amicabiliter muneris.

Is oriens Im’ vere fictum bloggers’ pajama secui centered inter weekends sessio pro NHL Network. Lavatio Vicis’ Corey Masisak debuted suus valde spondeo vultus blog is week; hed’ vultus funny in a decem illud pes pajamas. Statua si nos ordinatus talis an vicis pro nonnullus February Imbuo quod a vita-stopping Noreaster’ sedatus in in D.C. vox ut Grapes eram in plenus rabies per Cogo’ Angulus. Acsi nos had pauci laptops inter nos EGO nuto youd’ audite nobis iterum.

Hic’ unus ars pro liberatio mihi ex meus domus is autumn quod hiberna: have ut admiror of parcus multimedia, Quin Centers’ novus oppugno- totus-of- vestri voluntas center glacies scoreboard, dedi duos- hora vesper nutritor of NHL Network. Itd’ exsisto amo iens ut movies. Itd’ exsisto meus optimus, permaneo chance procul socializing iterum.

Cant’ adepto satis of Inicio Alo’ blustery take in hockey quod orbis terrarum universe? Es vos subsido in a profundus funk procul prospicio of a porro estas vacuus aliquantulus Alo ut perspicuus vestri Saturdays? Puteus iam vos can have inimitable Inicio Alo usus brought vox ut vestri ianua!

Etiam, vestri somnium have adveho verus: Comedian Expedio Robinson est a Inicio Alo impersonator quos vos can hire ex Calgary pro vestri corpus vicis vel fundraiser. Ut per Corpus Comedians website: “quare have nonnullus emcee tendo prosapia iocus ex penitus ut vos can have a professio comedian tendo Inicio Alo ut silicis quod sock vestri universitas! Ut Inicio Alo populus vestri vicis, populus audio!”

Certus populus audio. . . sententia is may exsisto ferreus audire super ut loud interpellatio. Zing! Gratias ago vos folks, Im’ hic totus week. Tendo prime rib.

Pia suus’ a pulchellus tersus informatio, quod EGO can animadverto him questus magnus rideo risi risum procul vox vicis. Hmm, forsitan is can exsisto celebrant pro meus nuptialis. . . Ow! Subigo hockey virga, dulcis, EGO eram iustus kidding . . .

Gustafsson quod EGO vigilo Venatus 4 of Sto Vas Denique in Canadian soil — procul Canadian Legatio in Lavatio, DC. Elliot Segal eram illic leto in Voluntas, ut erant socius blogger amicitiaDC Lusum Pullus, 1/2 Asian Vir, quod Ken of Iocus’ Rink. Vos can animadverto Elliot evinco ( per per ceterus nostrum) per Inicio Alo’ blustery tirade obviam parcus hockey elbow pads in recedentia vox of magnus-screen photo subter supter.

vicis eram populus perConnect2Canada, “a via ut verto novus quod informatio, quod expiscor quis est venio in U.S. finitumus Canalis” norma eram fundator duos annus ago by former Ambassador Frank McKenna, and is a great source for information about our neighbors to the north.

That holy grail of Canadian beer, Alexander Keith’s, was also present, much to the delight of the evening’s attendees. Even better, we were thrilled to find authentic poutine: french fries topped with cheese curds (squeaky cheese!) and gravy. Trust me, try some if you get the chance; Gustafsson practically had a gravy IV.

While the result of the game disappointed the crowd of Canadians and Canadian well-wishers, the event was a rousing success. Embassy staffers were even kind enough to escort a few of us to the roof for a few photos. Additional thanks to 1/2 Asian Man [and DC Sports Chick] for snapping a few of the interior photos, particularly the one of me gleefully reveling behind our many beverage containers.

(Continued)

For better or for worse, there are, commonly, comparisons between sports and war. The players “going to battle.” The game was “a war.”

But in a far more positive development, for what is believed the first time in its 115 year history, Lord Stanley’s Cup traveled to the combat zone of Kandahar, Afghanistan, this week. Along with the ever present Hockey Hall of Fame personnel, chaperoning the Cup is Canada’s Chief of Defense General Rick Hiller and 19 former NHL players, including Bob Probert, Tiger Williams, and Ron Tugnutt.

The group will also tour the region and play a couple of ball hockey games with some of the Canadian soldiers stationed at the military base, which number more than 2,000.

“We’re here to meet the troops and hopefully boost some morale up here,” said Probert.

Is tonight’s Habs-Leafs tilt (Air Canada Centre, 7:00) the most significant between these historic franchises in a generation? For the purposes of a bit of fun and novel hype . . . yes. It’s the final game of the season for both teams, and the Habs and Leafs and the Islanders are in a fierce race to the finish for the Eastern conference’s final playoff berth. But as print media in both Canadian cities this morning point out, some of the allure here is tempered by the reality that neither club is a serious Stanley Cup threat.

This morning Montreal resides in 8th place in the East, with 90 points. Toronto is right behind them in 9th, at 89 points. And the Isles, who have two games remaining this weekend (a matinée with Philly today and one with the Devils tomorrow), are in 10th with 88 points. With a win tonight, Montreal is in. The Leafs, however, not only must win but get some help from either Philly or New Jersey to keep from being passed by the Isles.

The Globe and Mail this morning isn’t quite as enamored with the matchup as one south of the 49th might imagine: the two teams are akin to “average high-school students about to take their final exam.” Ouch!

The Toronto Sun on the other hand is embracing the novelty of this winner-almost-takes all showdown: “It’s like the hockey gods decided to give the fans a treat.”

The Montreal Gazette this morning is all over this game. Its home page bears a one-word headline above a photo of the Habs — “Showdown.” Gazette columnist Jack Todd, in his column “This is it, hockey fans – the night of nights,” argues that tonight’s is the biggest game between the teams “since the Toronto Maple Leafs won their last Stanley Cup by upsetting the Canadiens in 1967.”

Wow.

Todd does his part to fan the frenzy:

“Hockey Night in Canada’s ratings will be off the charts tonight, Don Cherry will be in full Maple Leaf drag and in pubs and offices from coast to coast, Leafs and Canadiens fans will taunt and insult one another to the point of fisticuffs.”

NHL.com reporter Evan Grossman points out that while tonight’s is the 682nd meeting of these historic franchises, it is the first to conclude a regular season for both teams in 64 years, and never has such a game between them decided a playoff fate.

Mother Nature is doing Her part to provide an appropriate backdrop. There are April snow showers in both cities, and for those of us here who’ll follow the proceedings via Center Ice, we awoke this morning to a white frosting of our trees and lawns for our Saturday morning joe. I love it.

Following the June meeting of the NHL Board of Governors, Harley Hotchkiss will step down as chairman. Hotchkiss was one of the longest serving chairman having served six, two year terms and was a key component in ending the most recent labour dispute, but not until after a season had been canceled.

During Satellite Hotstove on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, Eric Duhastschek noted that the executive committee will compile a short list of canidates for chairman, which is one of the top three jobs in the game. He was told that George Gillette from the Montreal Candadians is someone who might be on the list along with “progressive owner” Ted Leonsis.

We at OFB love Don Cherry. We may not always agree with him, but you have to agree that his passion, enthusiasm, and candor is not only refreshing, but should be embraced. I record Hockey Night in Canada on NHL Centre Ice every week to watch Coach’s Corner, if nothing else.

Now there comes some great news from the CBC via Kukla’s Korner.

“CBC.ca will launch a special online version of Coach’s Corner … with new content, design and features. Enhancements include an improved and larger video picture and an online forum allowing hockey fans to submit their remarks regarding Don’s, uh, ‘legendary’ weekly commentary.”

If you have never seen Coach’s Corner, be sure to check it out.

If you are a subscriber to NHL Center Ice and have watched telecasts from all the different broadcasters, you’ve probably noticed that some are better than others. Not surprising, you’ve probably found that CBC, TSN, and Rogers SportsNet are among the best. While going through some hockey blogs, James Mirtle directed me to something wonderful.

The NHL has gathered over 20 regional broadcasters in an effort to standardize the operation of the game camera, which provides the master shot of the broadcast. Among the NHL’s instructional team is Al Mountford who shot the “Miracle on ice” at Lake Placid in 1980 and has operated the game camera for the Stanley Cup finals on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

“The trick is to select the right position on the lens so the viewer gets optimum pleasure out of watching the game,” Mountford said. “If you can watch the game and not notice the camera moving very much it’s usually a combination of the fellow doing a good job and the game being exciting. It’s got to look right. One of the problems is, it’s not always the same crew doing the game or the same guy doing the game camera.”

Unlike their desire to “fix what ain’t broke“, the NHL’s latest endeavour can only have positive results.

Where would hockey be without Don Cherry? At OFB, we don’t like to think about that, and today we are thankful for Grapes, recently voted the 7th most important Canadian . . . in the history of that country. Because love him or hate him, there’s no denying his passion for the planet’s greatest game, and it’s the possession of this passion that unites we who cherish and daily celebrate hockey. In nearly a quarter century of sharing it on his Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts, Don Cherry has ingited a love for hockey in untold thousands all across North America. This week we found him magnificently captured by Scott Burnside of ESPN.com.

“I don’t play golf. I don’t do anything but hockey. Hockey is my whole life.”

During Hockey Night in Canada’s Satellite Hotstove, Eric Duhatschek made mention that Igor Larionov is putting together an outdoor hockey game in red square. The December 9th game is “to raise money for those impoverished russian players who played in the 70s and 80s who’s pensions are not worth anything.” Scotty Bowman is said to be one of the coaches with Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille scheduled to play.