The Swamp

Posted: **Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:06 pm**

Going to our first Kraken game tonight (vs Nashville). My GF has never watched a hockey game...and I know just enough to be dangerous. Should be a fun time.

Posted: **Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:10 pm**

Remember to scream "HE'S OFFSIDES" if a forward breaks out ahead of the defenders without the puck.

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:24 am**

The Kraken game was fun. Don't know enough about hockey to be able to tell what they were doing right/wrong, but it seemed liked Nashville had a different gear that they went into about 1/2 through the second period. In soccer terms, the Preds dominated the time of possession.

The Arena is amazing. They did a great job building an entire new building under the old iconic roof.

Remarkably, they have the organ player from Slap Shot as the in-house organ player.

Organist from iconic ‘Slap Shot’ movie begins first real life hockey gig playing at Kraken games

Rod Masters was only 10 when taught to play Lady of Spain on piano and organ in his native Ohio, never realizing he’d someday popularize the 1931 Tolchard Evans classic for generations of hockey fans.

In fact, Masters, 66, who’s quietly spent the past decade living in Edmonds, is arguably hockey’s most famous organ player that’s never worked an actual game. That’s about to change Saturday when the foil for actor Paul Newman’s character in the Hollywood cult classic movie “Slap Shot” sets up at Climate Pledge Arena as the Kraken’s new in-house organist.

And yes, they showed him on the JumboTron, and he was wearing a helmet as he played.

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:29 am**

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:10 pm Remember to scream "HE'S OFFSIDES" if a forward breaks out ahead of the defenders without the puck.

My favorite is the morons that sit down by the glass, particularly behind the net and bang on the glass... When their own team is starting to set up the breakout.

I fucking hate those people.

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:33 am**

Nothing about the NHL's new iron man? You people. I've followed Yandle's career closely over the last two minutes after seeing a blurb about it.

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:36 am**

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:29 am I fucking hate those people.

We had the douche-y bros sitting next to us, who were the hockey know-it-alls, loudly bitching about everything and everyone Kraken related (while fully decked out in Kraken gear) and breaking down how much they sucked.

Afterwards, my GF said to me "If those guys are so miserable going to the games, why don't they stay home?".

A question for the ages...

Side Note I: The Merch looks great. The colors and logos are awesome.

Side Note II: There is way too much time for goofy "In Arena" stuff. I know its to kill time during commercial breaks, but they had a contest with guys stacking apples. What?

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:42 am**

My beef with almost all arena sports experiences these days: STFU with the blaring music and teeth chattering PA announcements during stoppages. You literally can't have a conversation until play starts back up, which... That's not how I like to watch games.

I'm completely spoiled by years and years of having access to a suite for Capitals games. The ability to just walk away from the noise during stoppages was absolute heaven for me.

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:52 am**

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:36 am
Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:29 am I fucking hate those people.
We had the douche-y bros sitting next to us, who were the hockey know-it-alls, loudly bitching about everything and everyone Kraken related (while fully decked out in Kraken gear) and breaking down how much they sucked.

Afterwards, my GF said to me "If those guys are so miserable going to the games, why don't they stay home?".

A question for the ages...

Side Note I: The Merch looks great. The colors and logos are awesome.

Side Note II: There is way too much time for goofy "In Arena" stuff. I know its to kill time during commercial breaks, but they had a contest with guys stacking apples. What?

Tell your GF sports is an abusive relationship she should not get into. I mean you watch a sport like tennis, it's just two guys hitting a ball back and forth and then yelling at themselves when they make a mistake. They are not even enjoying it, why should a fan? But fans love the suffering.

Posted: **Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:02 pm**

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:10 pm Remember to scream "HE'S OFFSIDES" if a forward breaks out ahead of the defenders without the puck.

And, always yell, “SHOOT THE PUCK!”, as your team is setting up on a power play.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:28 am**

For a mediocre team, this Sharks group is pretty confounding. On one hand, they’ve gotten embarrassed a few times, losing to Montreal, Vancouver, twice to Seattle, and getting waxed 7-1 to Tampa. But, on the plus side, they’ve beaten a lot of top teams, such as Carolina, Washington, Toronto, Vegas. Weird.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:32 am**

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:42 am My beef with almost all arena sports experiences these days: STFU with the blaring music and teeth chattering PA announcements during stoppages. You literally can't have a conversation until play starts back up, which... That's not how I like to watch games.

I'm completely spoiled by years and years of having access to a suite for Capitals games. The ability to just walk away from the noise during stoppages was absolute heaven for me.

This makes minor sports unwatchable in person. I don't want music during the play of the game. Something you have at indoor lax, g league hoops, etc. Guess that is better than hearing too much because stands are empty

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:33 am**

sancarlos wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:02 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:10 pm Remember to scream "HE'S OFFSIDES" if a forward breaks out ahead of the defenders without the puck.
And, always yell, “SHOOT THE PUCK!”, as your team is setting up on a power play.

I think this is also coming from youth sports behavior where parents can't seem to watch.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:34 am**

Also I am tired of signs to trade stupid for a puck, stick, or shoe. Was creative the first time...now desperate

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:01 am**

sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:28 am For a mediocre team, this Sharks group is pretty confounding. On one hand, they’ve gotten embarrassed a few times, losing to Montreal, Vancouver, twice to Seattle, and getting waxed 7-1 to Tampa. But, on the plus side, they’ve beaten a lot of top teams, such as Carolina, Washington, Toronto, Vegas. Weird.

Hockey is so weird and unpredictable. Flames lost to the Edmonton on the weekend then go on a rampage. 7-1 over the Blues and 6-0 over the Blue Jackets. 62 shots last night! Most since the Tugnutt game in 1991.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:10 am**

sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:28 am For a mediocre team, this Sharks group is pretty confounding. On one hand, they’ve gotten embarrassed a few times, losing to Montreal, Vancouver, twice to Seattle, and getting waxed 7-1 to Tampa. But, on the plus side, they’ve beaten a lot of top teams, such as Carolina, Washington, Toronto, Vegas. Weird.

Vegas and San Jose haven't played yet this year.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 12:56 pm**

brian wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:10 am
sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:28 am For a mediocre team, this Sharks group is pretty confounding. On one hand, they’ve gotten embarrassed a few times, losing to Montreal, Vancouver, twice to Seattle, and getting waxed 7-1 to Tampa. But, on the plus side, they’ve beaten a lot of top teams, such as Carolina, Washington, Toronto, Vegas. Weird.
Vegas and San Jose haven't played yet this year.

I was thinking of the Oct 9 game. But I forgot that was still preseason.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:00 pm**

Ok, I'll say it

Caps are a pretty bad squad right now. Missing Oshie and probably won't get Mantha back, and if they do it'll be pulling a Tampa Bay and keeping him on IR until the playoffs.

Their division is so weak after the top 4 that they can take time to sort things out, but their offense is garbage right now and the goaltending has been pretty inconsistent.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:34 pm**

sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 12:56 pm
brian wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:10 am
sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 1:28 am For a mediocre team, this Sharks group is pretty confounding. On one hand, they’ve gotten embarrassed a few times, losing to Montreal, Vancouver, twice to Seattle, and getting waxed 7-1 to Tampa. But, on the plus side, they’ve beaten a lot of top teams, such as Carolina, Washington, Toronto, Vegas. Weird.
Vegas and San Jose haven't played yet this year.
I was thinking of the Oct 9 game. But I forgot that was still preseason.

I wasn't sure until I looked it up, but probably feels like the season has usually already started by then (which is usually true)

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:12 pm**

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:52 pm**

Awesome

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:29 pm**

So, the NHL said the Sharks had sufficient grounds to terminate his contract. But the NHL said they do not have sufficient grounds for any discipline? Don’t those two conclusions seem at odds with each other?

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:44 pm**

I’m trying to remember an instance where a team tried to terminate and weren’t allowed. Allowing the Kings to dump Mike Richards set a horrible precedent.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:50 pm**

sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:29 pm So, the NHL said the Sharks had sufficient grounds to terminate his contract. But the NHL said they do not have sufficient grounds for any discipline? Don’t those two conclusions seem at odds with each other?

I wonder if he still has a financial dispute with the Sharks then.

Obviously when you burn all your bridges, the only way to move is forward. He obviously can't go back to San Jose, but the way I see it, if the NHL concluded that he did nothing wrong, then the Sharks should still have to pay him and be on the hook for the cap hit. He'll probably sue.

Posted: **Thu Jan 27, 2022 9:32 pm**

degenerasian wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:50 pm
sancarlos wrote: ↑Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:29 pm So, the NHL said the Sharks had sufficient grounds to terminate his contract. But the NHL said they do not have sufficient grounds for any discipline? Don’t those two conclusions seem at odds with each other?
I wonder if he still has a financial dispute with the Sharks then.

Obviously when you burn all your bridges, the only way to move is forward. He obviously can't go back to San Jose, but the way I see it, if the NHL concluded that he did nothing wrong, then the Sharks should still have to pay him and be on the hook for the cap hit. He'll probably sue.

The NHLPA filed a grievance. But, the NHL's position is that he no longer has any contract with the Sharks.

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:16 am**

Pretty fun game between maybe the two best teams in the world last night (esp after Eichel comes back)

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 9:02 am**

brian wrote: ↑Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:16 am Pretty fun game between maybe the two best teams in the world last night (esp after Eichel comes back)

Took the youngest. A tale of two "halves". Shots were 23-9 in VGK's favor through 2. 17-1 TBL in the third. Kinda felt like the Bolts had a parade hangover.

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 9:05 am**

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Sun Jan 30, 2022 9:02 am
brian wrote: ↑Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:16 am Pretty fun game between maybe the two best teams in the world last night (esp after Eichel comes back)
Took the youngest. A tale of two "halves". Shots were 23-9 in VGK's favor through 2. 17-1 TBL in the third. Kinda felt like the Bolts had a parade hangover.

I was just impressed VGK was able to hang on for the loser point to be honest. Getting the extra point with that performance in OT/SO was gutsy. Lehner made some big saves and the SO was one of the more tense ones I ever remember watching. Two great teams going after each other for 65 minutes +

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 11:31 am**

Open practices are cool. Had to run an errand near the caps facility and had 20 minutes to kill. Of course on 12 skaters and 3 goalies this morning.

But just watching them do drills is impressive...

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 1:18 pm**

Kings shiny domes take some getting used to

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 2:06 pm**

I love the chrome buckets, and VGK's golden buckets.

Posted: **Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:27 pm**

Posted: **Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:12 pm**

This will be awesome on one end of the spectrum or the other

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/331 ... -star-game

Posted: **Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:15 pm**

Ryan wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:12 pm This will be awesome on one end of the spectrum or the other

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/331 ... -star-game

I think you described it perfectly. It will be … something.

Posted: **Mon Jan 31, 2022 8:29 pm**

Luckily, if you don’t have symptoms, you can’t spread Covid, right?

Posted: **Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:20 pm**

Got tickets in a suite for the VGK/Sabres game tonight. Should be a blast.

Posted: **Wed Feb 02, 2022 10:04 am**

The last time I posted, the Oilers had the best record in the league and things were going swimmingly. Certainly, not much has changed since then, right?

Ugh, this team is so frustrating. No use getting into specifics. You know them already, even if you haven't been paying attention. But maybe Evander Kane will fix a fragile locker room.

What else is new? Zegras, Raymond, and Seider are the best rookies. Makar is amazing. The Penguins are mostly excellent, but a little wobbly lately. Bowen Byram is suffering from concussion issues. So, not much else has changed, I guess.

Posted: **Wed Feb 02, 2022 11:02 am**

Caps are just not a good team right now. Extremely fortunate to pull 2 points last night in Pittsburgh. I'm not paying close enough attention to really figure it out, but in general they getting outskated and outpassed when I watch them. They look like statues.

Ovi is in a bit of a slump (for him) and not having Oshie (and to a lesser extent Mantha) really seems to be bogging down the top 6.

They still seem like they're good enough for the playoffs, but they really need to get right after the ASG break.

Posted: **Wed Feb 02, 2022 12:08 pm**

Nonlinear FC wrote: ↑Wed Feb 02, 2022 11:02 am Caps are just not a good team right now. Extremely fortunate to pull 2 points last night in Pittsburgh. I'm not paying close enough attention to really figure it out, but in general they getting outskated and outpassed when I watch them. They look like statues.

Ovi is in a bit of a slump (for him) and not having Oshie (and to a lesser extent Mantha) really seems to be bogging down the top 6.

They still seem like they're good enough for the playoffs, but they really need to get right after the ASG break.

Lots of pressure on the goalie situation. Still fighting lots of injuries. Would not surprise me if Ovi is playing banged up too.

Posted: **Wed Feb 02, 2022 12:58 pm**

Looking at the standings for the first time in a while. The East is going to be boring down the stretch unless there are some unexpected collapses or runs. The #8 team (Boston) has 55 points, while the #9 team (Detroit) has 46. So, no real reason to watch other than pure enjoyment of the game or some other dumb reason.

The West is still a jumbled mess, as it should be.

Posted: **Wed Feb 02, 2022 1:02 pm**

Ten years ago, a road trip through California was brutal for visiting teams. Nowadays, the equivalent is successive games at Carolina, Florida, and Tampa Bay. What a gauntlet.

The Swamp

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