New Season
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Stats Centre
We are working on an archive of matches, stats and players from BIH in the past few years.
Close season across the pond
One of the best things about modern sport, especially for those us writing about it, is the fact that even the close season deserves a mention. And so with the season nearing the time when you begin to count the days, I thought I’d give a brief run down of what’s gone on in the hockey free world of the hockey world across the pond.
Responding to some unsavory incidents last year, the NHL powers that be have taken some time out and clarified some aspects of the rules when a hit to the head is involved. A rather graphic video was posted on the NHL official website a few weeks ago with about two minutes dedicated to showing now illegal hit in slow motion and from every possible angle (http://bit.ly/d0kRFx).
Basically it can be summed up, if they cant see you coming, don’t hit them in the head. This seems pretty fair, straight forward, and obvious. For some reason getting here taken months of political talk, meeting with GM, this and that, this and that. But at least we got there. Just to clarify, if they don’t see you coming, you can still hit them, hard, just not in the head.
Rules changes aside it just isn’t and off-season unless you’ve got a long running, will he, won’t he Fabregas style transfer rumour. This summer we had a dandy. Ilya Kovalchuck. Having been traded last season to the Devils with only half a season left on his contract the unrestricted free agent seemed to go everywhere in search of the best team and deal on the table. The Devils and the Kings were the favorites, he visited, he met, he talked with everyone involved on both sides, went away to think about it, then think about it some more, finally settling on a 17 year $102m contract from the New Jersey Devils.
Then, to spice things up, the NHL rejected the contract claiming it was in breach of rules numerous, various and dull. The rumour mill got back up and running while the issue went to arbitration. More court decisions are needed in sport I feel, it leaves such a fresh taste in the mouth. Now, a few punishments later the Devils have Kovalchuck, aged 27, tied to a 15 year $100m contract. Obviously worth going to court over.
Sticking with the business side, one thing this summer as been remarkable for has been the lack of talk about the Phoenix Coyotes. Now putting an Ice-Hockey team in a desert state may seem like a daft idea but…well, anyway the team is there now. Struggling for success on the ice and revenue off it, there was a rumour or two floating round that this team was off to Canada.
Then came a remarkable run into the playoff, some respect came their way as did a bit of cash, and those rumours seem to have taken a back seat. At least for now, the debate about expanding the sport to the detriment of existing fans vs the claim that hockey needs to expand to not stagnate will run and run, possible in a later blog.
One team that will never go anywhere is the Montreal Canadians, who this summer appointed Brian Gionta the 28th captain in their 100-year history. The shortest regular skater in the NHL at 5”7” he scored a number of clutch goals in last seasons playoff helping him clinch the honour.
Despite not providing any clutch performances in the playoffs Carey Price has managed to seal the No1 goaltender position in Montreal. Because they traded his competitor. The two stand out goalies of last seasons playoff have both been moved on by the teams they represented last spring. Jaroslav Halek has moved to St Louis leaving the path clear for Mr. Price to prove which one was the fluke, his form when he broke into the league, or his form ever since.
Struggling with salary caps the Chicago Blackhawks had to move on their Stanley Cup winning goalie. Anti Niemi was awarded a contract they couldn’t meet at arbitration and so he took his services and new contract to San Jose. Interestingly enough the Sharks already had a starting goalie, so it remains to be seen how exactly that works out
And that’s what the close season does best, it provides you with unanswered questions to help you focus the mind once the pucks and body checks (not blind sided ones to the head) start flying next week.
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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4-5 |
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1-4 |
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4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
