Here’s Anaheim’s Scott Neidermayer trying to do something nice after his game against the Lightning, tossing a stick over the glass to a fan in the stands. But watch the asshole in the blue shirt trying to grab the stick from the intended receiver…and then gets pummeled in the process. And really, this is what the game is all about–groups of people banding together to whip some greedy fat guy’s ass. –SpudSharksUtube. Thanks, Jeff.
A report coming out of Ohio claims that the Columbus Blue Jackets have lost at least $12 million per year since their inception and that the team could move if the city does not offer “financial relief” in the near future. The Blue Jackets are one of the few teams in all of pro sports to play in an arena that’s entirely privately owned in Nationwide Arena, but one of the more popular “relief” options listed in the report involves Franklin County purchasing either part or all of that arena with tax revenue.
The Blue Jackets’ president, Mike Priest, who supports the chamber’s idea of using public money to help defray the team’s costs, tells reporters, “We’re just trying to educate that this is what a sustainable model looks like.” –NYTimes
Taxpayers in that area voted three times to reject a tax increase that would have created public money for an arena. And it’s worth noting that the gaming referendum that passed earlier this week will put a casino in that same “Arena District.” And those publicly-funded stadiums have done wonders for the Browns, Indians and Reds. But even if the team decides they can’t cut it in Columbus anymore–which will probably happen anyway–WHERE ARE THEY GONNA GO? Kansas City? Great, have fun in the middle of nowhere. Tell Mrs. Parker and Zack Greinke we said hey.
Big ups to Terry for sending in this online ad of an upcoming Chicago Blackhawks-Minnesota Wild game, inspired by the new film, Where The Wild Things Are. My favorite part is when the guy in the suit was beaten into oppression by whoever that guy was. Is he a real Blackhawk? Is he in the movie? I never actually read the book, so I don’t know these things. Maybe his picture is someplace on the Blackhawks site. Maybe.
The video’s after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
My grandfather always used to say that there are two things that illustrate how we as human beings are filled with an insatiable bloodlust and will gleefully relish witnessing displays of violence and brutality.
And those two things are hockey fights and even more so, snuff films.
Sure, that was right before grandpa was sent away to a nice farm upstate where he could run and play - at least that’s what my parents told me - but his statement is at least partially accurate: people love watching hockey fights. Even the casual fan will pay attention to hockey if you tell them two guys are punching each other in the head..
And the above brawl between renowned puck pugilist (and mustache aficionado) George Parros of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and 6′8″ behemoth John Scott of the Minnesota Wild certainly brings home Gramp’s point. Given Parros’ experience (Parros is credited with 83 regular season fights since the 2005 season on hockeyfights.com, Scott, 5), this shouldn’t have been much of a battle, but Scott landed some terrific shots and put Parros on the ice. In fact, I would call it an old-fashioned, knock-down, butt-whooping.
And it worked. The brawl, as it often does in these situations, lit the proverbial match under the Wild, who were down 3-0 to the Ducks at the time, but rallied to win 4-3 in overtime. And people say there is no place for fighting in hockey. When I do come into contact with this sort of person, I say to them “bully.” And then I beat them viciously over the head with a hockey stick. So I guess when I do say “bully” to these soon-to-be victims of ultraviolence, it means a couple of different things.
Here’s a news report of a stabbing that happened after a busload of Philadelphia Flyers fans returned home from a road trip to see their team play the New Jersey Devils. And you’re not going to believe this, but a fight broke out. Between Flyers fans and Flyers fans.
It is unclear why some of the occupants of the fan bus expected trouble upon their return, but according to police, when [an] off-duty cop showed up at the bus’ final destination, at the Arena Bowling Alley on Roosevelt Boulevard near Rhawn Street, he saw a group of 10 to 15 men waiting for it to arrive.
When the bus pulled up shortly after midnight, three to four of the men who were waiting attempted to board the bus, police said.
The off-duty officer got out of his vehicle and, as he did so, the men trying to get on the bus instead ran towards him and began kicking and punching the officer, Northeast Detectives said.
After verbally identifying himself as a police officer, the off-duty cop grabbed a hold of one of the men and held him against his car while the others continued to beat the officer, police said.
Meanwhile, the cop’s brother and the other fans got off the bus and engaged in a verbal dispute with the opposing group, according to police.
During the course of the argument, the cop’s 28-year-old brother was stabbed once in the chest and once in the back by a man in a Flyers’ jersey, Northeast Detectives said.
There were two stabbings in all. Neither man stabbed was identified in the original Inquirer report. It was a crazy, bizarre way to end a bus trip. At least, to me it was. It’s just another walk in the park for Philly Sports Fan. via, via.
ASYLUM POLL: What city has the most dangerous sports fans?
The NHL will start its 92nd season tonight, but without one of its biggest international stars. Mats Sundin, who spent 13 seasons relatively unworthy of note with the Toronto Maple Leafs, retired yesterday.
“Toronto is and always will be my second home,” said Sundin, who gave special thanks to the Maple Leafs organization.
Sundin, an eight-time NHL all-star, is the leading all-time Swedish scorer in NHL history with 564 goals, 785 assists and 1,349 points. And while he never did win a Cup, captaining Sweden to an Olympic gold medal in 2006 did give his career some closure.
“It was a tough decision,” Sundin told reporters of his retirement. “It’s sad to tell you that my career as a pro hockey player is over.”
During his nearly 20 years in the NHL, Sundin help lead a parade of European stars to North America, including fellow Swede Peter Forsberg. Sundin has already ruled out consideration of playing for his homeland in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Which is too bad, because it’s not like they’re gonna notice one more foreigner over there.
