Category: News

Screenshot from the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv website (translated), Sept. 7, 2011

Everyone has either read, heard and/or blogged about the tragic news by now: yesterday, an airplane carrying the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv hockey team crashed, killing 43 of the 45 passengers on board. The entire Yaroslavl hockey team–save one badly burned player–perished in the crash.

It seemed like this summer could not get any worse for the hockey community, given the accidental death of Derek Boogaard and the suicides of Rick Rypien and Wade Belak.

And then this happens. The darkest day in hockey.

Ten former NHL players were among those who passed away…

Of course we all feel for all the players, team personnel, airplane crew and their families.

Screenshot from team website, September 8, 2011

If you haven’t heard by now, the National Sports Collectors’ Convention (a.k.a. “The National) will be held near Chicago from August 3 to 7. (link)

Not only is The National billed as the largest sports convention, but most of the card companies have special convention-only cards that you can get via wrapper redemption programs (like the Jonathan Toews you see above). For those two reasons, and because it is close to home, I will be going to the show all 5 days. 

Now I ask you, fellow bloggers and blog readers – are you going to The National? I’ve posted a poll (top, right), so please take a moment to vote in it.

More importantly, if you are going to the National, and would like to meet up for a bit, drop me a line at sjb44 AT hotmail DOT com.

I enjoy meeting other bloggers at card shows. Previously, I’ve met up with Tim (The Real DFG) and Justin G. (The Hopeful Chase), and those were some of the most fun shows I’ve been to. It was cool to meet people that I knew from the blogosphere, hang out for a bit and get rid of cards I don’t need TRADE cards with them.

So, if you’re going to The National, would like to meet up and maybe trade some cards, let me know.

Additional links of interest:

• The National show website
• Panini wrapper redemption info & pics
• In The Game wrapper redemption info & pics
• Upper Deck wrapper redemption info & pics
• Topps wrapper redemption info

The fourth annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention takes place this weekend. And for the first time, I am not going.

Sure, I like the Blackhawks, getting autographs and buying hockey cards. Those are three really good reasons to go.

Unfortunately, the cons outweighed the pros.

Here are the reasons why I’m sitting out this year’s Chicago Blackhawks Convention: Continue reading “Why I’m not going to Hawks Con this year”

Seriously, what’s with all the Jets fans? Where were all you people 15 years ago, when the team couldn’t sell out its home games? Back then, the Jets couldn’t fill a 16,000-seat stadium. Now they have 3 million fans (give or take).

I call this phenomenon The Jet Effect.  A mixture of nostalgia, along with fan-wagoning has led to legions of  fans to celebrate that Winnipeg is getting an NHL team again. No one likes to share in the pain, but boy they do come out for the party.

I am happy for the city of Winnipeg.

But calling the new team the Jets is a bad idea. That’s like naming your new puppy after your old dog that passed away. It seems like a good idea, but in the end it leaves you sad and bitter.

Anyway, the surplus 2,500,000 Jets fans will fade away once they realize that their team is just the Atlanta Thrashers in different uniforms.

As for the remaining 500,000 Jets fans–enjoy your new team.

By the way, I’ve added a new poll–in the upper-right corner of this blog–about the Jets. Please take a moment to vote. (The poll has ended.)

Upper Deck is releasing a boxed set commemorating the Boston Bruins victory in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. It is available for order now, but will not ship for a few weeks. Priced at $19.99 (plus shipping), the set will consist of 31 cards. The breakdown is as follows:

• 25 cards featuring the best Bruins during the season
• 5 “Season Highlight” cards
• 1 card of the Bruins celebrating their win after Game 7

Twenty bucks seems kind of steep for only 30 cards. Then again, I love this idea. When the Blackhawks won the Cup last year, I hoped that a set like this would be released commemorating their championship. Back in the day, Pro Set used to put out Super Bowl commemorative sets that featured every player on both teams in the big game; I always wanted a hockey card maker to do the same for the teams in the Cup Finals.

You can buy the set–and find out more about it–here at the Upper Deck store.

I plan on purchasing this set. Is anyone else thinking about buying it?

Go ahead, say it…you know you want to.

Congratulations to “TIMMY” Thomas on winning Game 7, winning the Stanley Cup, winning the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP…and for never giving up during the 10 years it took him to make it to the NHL.

The Final Four of Hockey. No Blackhawks. No Penguins. No Capitals. And those pesky Canucks are still around.

The number 1 seed versus the number 2 seed. It’s actually refreshing to see the top two teams in the conference finals.

Series: Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. San Jose Sharks (2).

My Prediction: Sharks UPSET in 6 games.

Comments: If you haven’t guessed by now, I really don’t want the Canucks to win. Because let’s face it: if a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup, every man, woman and child in the United States would forget that hockey ever existed. The consequences are dire.

Besides, the Sharks are long overdue for a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Fancy seeing you here, Bruins and Lightning.

Series: Boston Bruins (3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5).

My Prediction: Bruins win in 5 games.

Comments: Like the Sharks, the Bruins seem long overdue for a shot at The Cup, too.

And you know what would be the most awesomest thing ever? A Sharks-Bruins Stanley Cup Final where Joe Thornton is named the series MVP.

Ouch! I didn’t do too well in my predictions for Round 2…

Things played out pretty much as expected in the Western Conference.

Series: Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Nashville Predators (5)

My Prediction: Predators UPSET in 6 games.

What Actually Happened: Canucks won in 6 game.

Comments: I really wanted to see the Canucks get stomped on. Unfortunately, the Predators were not the team to do it. Well, there’s always the next round.

Series: San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (3)

My Prediction: Sharks win in 6 games.

What Actually Happened: Sharks won in 7 games.

Comments: This was a fun series. Best of all, I was in a sports bar for game 7, and people were cheering for the Sharks–not because of former ‘Hawk Antti Niemi, but because no one in Chicago wants to see Detroit win. Ever.

Upsets du jour in the Eastern Conference.

Series: Washington Capitals (1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5).

My Prediction: Capitals win in 4 games.

What Actually Happened: Lighting UPSET in 4 games.

Comments: Wow. Can I get a WTF? please? I guess Lightning coach Guy Boucher is due for a raise at the end of the season…and that Capitals coach Bruce Bodreau is due for his walking papers. But seriously, Caps…WTF?

Series: Philadelphia Flyers (2) vs. Boston Bruins (3).

My Prediction: Flyers in 7 games.

What Actually Happened: Bruins UPSET in 4 games.

Comments: I think we all kind of half-suspect the Capitals to sabotage themselves sooner or later. But the Flyers? They were a much improved squad over last year’s team that made it to the Finals. I was actually expecting them to make it to the Finals again this year…not roll over and die.

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OK, that didn’t go as I expected, so I guess I’ll stick to my day job. On to the next round.

Yes, I know. Round 2 has already started. What’s up with that, NHL? Maybe some of us teach class on Thursday nights.

Anyway, here are my predictions–solely done for my own amusement (and most likely not yours).

Will we see another upset? I sure hope so.

Series: Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Nashville Predators (5)

My Prediction: Predators UPSET in 6 games. .

Comments: Sure the Canucks beat the Blackhawks. No one likes losing, but it is sometimes perceived that it is OK to lose to the eventual winner.

I disagree. I want to see the Canucks get stomped on.

Series: San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (3)

My Prediction: Sharks win in 6 games.

Comments: It is against my mortal being to cheer for the Red Wings. Besides, the Sharks really are long overdue for a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.Go Sharkies!

I don’t predict an upset here in the East–the top seeds are just too good.

Series: Washington Capitals (1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5).

My Prediction: Capitals win in 4 games.

Comments: Winning in 7 games against the Crosby-and-Malkin-less-Penguins is not that admirable of a feat. I doubt that the Lightning (I refuse to call them the “Bolts”) will fare well against the Capitals. Besides, the Caps are long overdue to finally amount to something in the playoffs.

Series: Philadelphia Flyers (2) vs. Boston Bruins (3).

My Prediction: Flyers in 7 games.

Comments: Both of these teams needed 7 games to knock off their lower-seeded opponents in the first round. I think they’ll need 7 games to sort this one out too. Let’s hope for a good, physical (but clean) series.

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In summary, the Final Four I’d like to see are:

• San Jose Sharks – my prediction for Cup winner this year
• Nashville Predators – because they are unexpected as contenders
• Washington Capitals – long overdue for a shot
• Philadelphia Flyers – prove that last year wasn’t a fluke

I’ll admit, it’s a bit hard to focus on the playoffs now that the ‘Hawks are eliminated. So I guess I’ll start cheering for the Sharks.

Well, not everything turned out as expected. But that is the beauty of the first round.

Here are my predictions again, and the actual results. :

Considering how tight the Western Conference standings were, you’d think there would have been a few upsets, right?

Series: Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (8)

My Prediction: Blackhawks win in 6 games.

What Actually Happened: Canucks won in 7 games.

Comments: Call me an idealist, but I really though the ‘Hawks could pull off an upset. And they almost did. But almost doesn’t count in hockey. At least the Blackhawks gave us a series.

So far, 0 for 1.

Series: San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (7)

My Prediction: Sharks win in 5 games.

What Actually Happened: Sharks won in 6 games.

Comments: We all knew that the Kings wouldn’t go far without Anze Kopitar. Hah…that rhymed. Imagine what they could have done if that kid was in the lineup.

This puts me at 1 for 2 now.

Series: Detroit Red Wings (3) vs. Phoenix Coytoes

My Prediction: Red Wings win in 7 games.

What Actually Happened: Red Wings SWEEP in 4 games.

Comments: Sure, we knew the Wings would win. But I’m disappointed in Ilya Bryzgalov. I thought the Coytoes goaltender would steal at least ONE game in the series.

Now, I’m 2 for 3. Moving on…

Series: Anaheim Mighty Ducks (4)  vs. Nashville Predators (5)


My Prediction: Ducks win in 5 games.

What Actually Happened: Nashville won in 6 games.

Comments:  Well, here’s our Western Conference upset. Mad props to the Predators for winning their first playoff series in franchise history.

2 for 4 now. 50%.

Over in the East, things were a lot closer. At least in 3 of the series.

Series: Washington Capitals (1) vs. New York Rangers (8)

My Prediction: Captials sweep in 4.

What Actually Happened: Washington won in 5 games.

Comments: I think we all knew the Caps would power their way to Round 2.

3 for 5.

Series: Philadelphia Flyers (2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (7)

My Prediction: Flyers win in 6 games.

What Actually Happened: Flyers won in 7 games.

Comments: Tomas Vanek–the highest-paid Buffalo Sabre–was ineffectual in this series (just like he was in my fantasy hockey pool). Flyers have improved since their Stanley Cup run from last year, so I’m not surprised by the outcome.

4 for 6.

Series: Boston Bruins (3) vs. Montreal Canadiens (6)

My Prediction: Bruins win in 6 games.

What Actually Happened: Boston won in 7 games.

Comments: Wow! Another Game 7. This series was tight, but it’s good to see the Bs get to the next round. Though I’m not a big follower of the Eastern Conference, I’ll always pull for Tim Thomas.

5 for 7.

Series: Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5) 

My Prediction: Penguins win in 7.

What Actually Happened: Lightning win in 7.

Comments: No Crosby and no Malkin make Penguins go something something…

A shame we won’t get a Caps-Pens matchup in Round 2.

That puts me at 5 for 8.

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OK, let’s see if I can get my Round 2 predictions up before Round 2 is over…