Before I get started, I’d like you to know about the Peterson for Parkinson’s fundraiser happening on February 16th at the Franklin Theatre. It’s called “Songwriters and Storytellers” and will feature performances from some of Nashville’s premier songwriters. Writers of hits for artists like Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean… just to name a few. For more information, including how to purchase tickets
Click here. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm… it should be an awesome show for a great cause.
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You know… sometimes it is events like last night that reveals the character of the people that cover hockey. Is there anyone in the world that doesn’t know that an all-star game is not going to be a thrilling example of the sport? Anyone? Take a look at some of the high and mighty snark coming across social media last night from the hockey "experts." After reading what these self-proclaimed "protectors of the game" wrote I felt that anyone who actually enjoyed the events over the weekend were simply just stupid in their eyes. Look, I can toss the snark with the best of them, but … well … OK ... let me be the first to start the meeting…
"HI... My name is Paul M. and I actually enjoy All-Star Weekend. Always have."
(Hi Paul...)
There… I said it… I have taken the first step on the road to being a full-fledged hockey snob and on the road to recovery from my All-Star fandom.
I am an unabashed fan of the All-Star festivities. I enjoyed the Fantasy Draft, the Skills Competition and the game itself. Was it the fast, intense, furious exhibition of hockey that the Olympics or playoff hockey is?
Nope… doesn’t have to be. I like seeing the talent and frankly… a little more of the personality of the game… something we don’t see enough of in standard play. I sometimes feel that the high and mighty hockey media would like to suck every bit of fun out of this game we love. Then they would complain about the fun being gone, kinda like the media that covers the NFL does.
Does that mean I think everything about this weekend is wonderful? No… of course not. I’d like to see the East vs. West format return… but it doesn’t mean that the event is the waste of time the hockey intelligencia will have you believe. It is fun… that’s it. To this observer… fun is not a waste of time. It certainly wasn’t lost on the 18,901 at last night’s game… or the same number at Saturday’s Skills Competition… or the thousands more that enjoyed all the festivities surrounding the event in Columbus.
It was fun watching Ovechkin try multiple times to swat a puck into the net baseball style,.. It was fun watching Robert Luongo offer his goal paddle to help him. Ryan Johanson having fun with the kid on the breakaway and Jakub Vorachek imitating it with Johnny Hockey.
It was fun watching Shea Weber blast a 108.5 MPH slapper…
And it was fun to see all the bitching and whining about the cannon Columbus fired off after almost every Team Foligno goal.
Y’know… fun… It’s not the bad thing the hockey nerds will have you believe as they try and play cool kid in high school, pretending to not enjoy things that others enjoy. The All-Star Game introduced a few players to the hockey world that don’t get exposure on national games very often, Ryan Johanson, Nick Foligno, Filip Forsberg had a bit of a coming out party and rookie Aaron Ekblad. All got national exposure that has been rare, if any.
Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, and I am ready for the inevitable flaming to come… after all… we’re not supposed to have fun with this… right?
Here are the highlights from the game, from NHL.com
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Random Notes
- Twenty nine goals last night broke the All-Star Game record of 26 set in 2001’s game.
- The one criticism I will agree with was a certain lack of star power in the lineups… no Rinne, no Crosby, no Malkin, etc. But injuries happen and the show must go on.
- The Kessel Dump On continues, even at the All-Star Game… ummm guys... it's a little overkill by now (kinda like deflated ball jokes) ... I’ll say it right now… I’d love to have him in Nashville. A proven playoff performer that can just score… yup… I’d take him in a heartbeat.
- Count me as one that doesn’t like the whole, one Euro All-Star team and one “Youngstars” team in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. I know that was a giveaway to the NHLPA but it does seem to cheapen the international piece of it.
- The Youngstars concept may have a very negative impact on Team USA, especially on the blueline as strong USA defensemen like Seth Jones and Jacob Trouba will only be allowed to play for the Youngstars team when they clearly would be part of Team USA. Wondering if there needs to be a choice involved here...
- Not sure how I feel about the booing of Rick Nash last night. I get it… but an All-Star Game is a little different than a regular season or playoff game. I really do get it… Columbus feels slighted (Nashville fans certainly understand that feeling) but no one really knows what caused the fracture between Nash and the front office that led to his asking for a trade. Nash was critical to growing the game in Columbus, that is recognized, and probably needed to be over this past weekend.
- In hockey news, the Blackhawks quietly put Kris Versteeg on LTIR yesterday. Versteeg injured his hand in the Winter Classic and was only supposed to be out four weeks, but it appears to be a little longer now.
- Outdoor games for 2016 … GIlette Stadium will be an interesting case, especially considering the Patriots schedule. Glad to see the Canadiens in a Winter Classic. The Blackhawks outside again (yawn)… Red Wings / Avalanche in Coors Field will be fun.
-NHL schedule resumes tomorrow night.
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