I was there, too ... section 221 ... quite a few rows higher, but center ice at the Joe. I had season tickets for 20 years, and that was the best regular season game I ever attended.
One of the best parts about the Wings-Avs rivalry was that both rosters were littered with world-class players (Yzerman, Sakic, Lidstrom, Foote, Fedorov, Forsberg, Larionov, Roy, etc.). High-level skill combined with high-level hatred made for great hockey.
Thanks for the write-up, Alex. I agree 1000% regarding the situational hockey analysis and appreciate the detailed look at the Pairwise/tournament picture.
As usual, your analysis is well thought-out. Thanks, also, for providing the map. It reinforces the absurdity of how the regional sites are so geographically imbalanced.
It should diminish the Big 10's payout as well as the payout of the individual schools who are harassing us. This year's Michigan-Ohio State game might be the highest-rated regular season game in years. The Game is the most important individual event in FOX's TV deal with the conference. They aren't paying the big bucks to show Michigan State-Rutgers.
Since he was born in Canada, Santa is probably used to treating singular collective nouns that way (following the British lead). Red Wing fans may recall those old broadcasts when Sid Abel would say things like, "Detroit are on the power play."
+1 for the maddening, never-ending weather interruption reference. If "safe space" was a drinking game tonight, I would have been hammered by the 4th quarter.
It's fitting that MSU plays on Friday and the high school championship games get moved to Saturday-Sunday. After all, the JV usually plays the night before the varsity.
Your suggestion to level team consequences has merit. Like you, I understand the concern about punishing everyone for one person's actions, but look at it this way: When a defensive lineman jumps offside, the entire team get punished. The silent majority will, as you put it, "take care of the issues themselves" when one person starts costing them games.
Also, thanks for coaching high school softball in Michigan. My daughter is enjoying her senior year of high school softball in Michigan and has been blessed to have played under some excellent travel coaches and high school coaches -- all of whom have been outstanding people, as well.
All of those conference championships we won last year means that Michigan and Michigan State combined for 13 conference titles a year ago. The entire state should be proud!
Blue's 24 complete games in one season reminds me of the comment Jack Morris made after Justin Verlander's first no-hitter: "I'm surprised they let him go nine innings."
Those Oiler teams, indeed, were fun to watch. And they paid their dues, too, getting swept by the Islanders in '83 before getting their revenge a year later for their first Cup.
You raise an interesting point about Messier. He was the complete hockey player IMO -- a perfect combination of skill, speed, strength, leadership and toughness.
As others have pointed out, Gretzky's sense of anticipation and ability to see the ice -- along with his world-class skill -- were otherworldly. "The Great One" fits #99.
Agree on both counts. The hockey coverage has been outstanding this year -- great work, Alex! And, regardless of sport, I always enjoy reading Mr. King's thoughtful and reasoned takes.
Recent Comments
Be careful. At that age, Ryan Day might want to fight you.
My money is on Kathmandu.
Thanks for the outstanding coverage all year, Alex, and for the two weeks of coverage to come.
I was there, too ... section 221 ... quite a few rows higher, but center ice at the Joe. I had season tickets for 20 years, and that was the best regular season game I ever attended.
One of the best parts about the Wings-Avs rivalry was that both rosters were littered with world-class players (Yzerman, Sakic, Lidstrom, Foote, Fedorov, Forsberg, Larionov, Roy, etc.). High-level skill combined with high-level hatred made for great hockey.
Thanks for posting the link to the Globe and Mail obit, Don. Lindsay truly was one of a kind.
... which knocks Providence down to #13 and nudges Michigan up to #12 in the Pairwise. Time for Michigan to take care of business against ND.
Matty, Matthew, Rookie of the Year ... it's all the same to me.
-- Matty Beniers
Thanks for the write-up, Alex. I agree 1000% regarding the situational hockey analysis and appreciate the detailed look at the Pairwise/tournament picture.
I never thought I'd utter these words, but you probably saw better defense at the NHL All-Star Game.
... or force Michigan to apologize on its behalf.
Is this offseason football's version of a Michigan Hockey Summer?
As usual, your analysis is well thought-out. Thanks, also, for providing the map. It reinforces the absurdity of how the regional sites are so geographically imbalanced.
To my big brother, Jim, the richest man in town.
You can add Gary Moeller to the list as well.
The late, great boxing writer (and Michigan grad) Bert Sugar approves.
The Deion Sanders approach is alive and well.
... and the men who coached them.
It should diminish the Big 10's payout as well as the payout of the individual schools who are harassing us. This year's Michigan-Ohio State game might be the highest-rated regular season game in years. The Game is the most important individual event in FOX's TV deal with the conference. They aren't paying the big bucks to show Michigan State-Rutgers.
Since he was born in Canada, Santa is probably used to treating singular collective nouns that way (following the British lead). Red Wing fans may recall those old broadcasts when Sid Abel would say things like, "Detroit are on the power play."
Except the Peterborough Petes, because Stevie Y played there.
Down the field and gain ...
Well, it isn't as if they could post a trivia quiz about their Heisman trophy winners.
E. Gordon Gee would be proud.
Thanks for the thorough analysis in these four previews. Great stuff with solid detail. It's time to drop the puck!
Paul Keels is OSU football's play-by-play guy. Pretty sure he does basketball, too. I don't know how tough he is, but his football PBP is top-notch.
I Can't Explain why they ever hired Mel in the first place.
Now, they have a Substitute for a coach.
Caption for the above photo: "I can't believe they paid that guy more than me."
You'll never hear Michigan fans chanting "F**k Mel Tucker!"
"Extend Mel Tucker" maybe, but never "F**K Mel Tucker."
Ambry Thomas also plays for the 49ers, so we can add another former Wolverine to the mix.
Colonel Potter wouldn't let this happen to one of his men.
Great stuff, as always, XM. Thanks for the view from Up North. Best wishes to your children in their respective sports and to you and your family.
It's an excellent movie -- one of my favorites. The first time I saw it was in a film class at Michigan.
I'll root for Australia to beat the Brits for no other reason but to avenge the death of Peter Handcock in "Breaker Morant."
+1 for the maddening, never-ending weather interruption reference. If "safe space" was a drinking game tonight, I would have been hammered by the 4th quarter.
If Nebraska left the Big 10 to join the Big 12, it would raise the academic profile of both conferences.
Good stuff, as always, XM. Thanks for the insight!
It's fitting that MSU plays on Friday and the high school championship games get moved to Saturday-Sunday. After all, the JV usually plays the night before the varsity.
One more time for the people in the back ...
Your suggestion to level team consequences has merit. Like you, I understand the concern about punishing everyone for one person's actions, but look at it this way: When a defensive lineman jumps offside, the entire team get punished. The silent majority will, as you put it, "take care of the issues themselves" when one person starts costing them games.
Also, thanks for coaching high school softball in Michigan. My daughter is enjoying her senior year of high school softball in Michigan and has been blessed to have played under some excellent travel coaches and high school coaches -- all of whom have been outstanding people, as well.
All of those conference championships we won last year means that Michigan and Michigan State combined for 13 conference titles a year ago. The entire state should be proud!
Lloyd said, "I like 'em both," during the days Brady and Henson were battling for the starting QB job.
Blue's 24 complete games in one season reminds me of the comment Jack Morris made after Justin Verlander's first no-hitter: "I'm surprised they let him go nine innings."
You'll both be happy to know that Marchand was on the ice for the winner.
As always, the first round of the playoffs has been terrific ... except the part about the Leafs winning.
You beat me to the punch with Gary Moeller.
Favorite Spartan: Carol Hutchins.
He's just following in the footsteps of Red Berenson, who did the same thing in 1962.
And, yes, although several players have accomplished this, it still is pretty impressive.
"a guy who takes every minor slight as a challenge to his very being."
I wonder where he learned THAT?
Those Oiler teams, indeed, were fun to watch. And they paid their dues, too, getting swept by the Islanders in '83 before getting their revenge a year later for their first Cup.
You raise an interesting point about Messier. He was the complete hockey player IMO -- a perfect combination of skill, speed, strength, leadership and toughness.
As others have pointed out, Gretzky's sense of anticipation and ability to see the ice -- along with his world-class skill -- were otherworldly. "The Great One" fits #99.
Agree on both counts. The hockey coverage has been outstanding this year -- great work, Alex! And, regardless of sport, I always enjoy reading Mr. King's thoughtful and reasoned takes.