The Calgary-Vancouver game just ended. Holy. Crap. What a great game. I kept thinking “Man, this is the best game I’ve seen so far this year!” It was fast, back-and-forth all over the ice. Few stupid penalties. Fights, and fast, physical play. Awesome saves on both ends. Kipper was on freaking fire – whatever he’s getting paid, he deserves more.
Chris Simon’s goal was absolutely beautiful. He made an impossible interception of a pass, then kicked the puck forward from his trailing skate, giving him a clean path to the net. First goal in something like 16 games, IIRC, and was he stoked about it.
Oh, yeah. And the Flames won the game 6-5 in a shootout. The entire game was neck-and-neck, with goals being answered sometimes within seconds. And it ended up in a shootout. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
I’m soooo jealous of Brian, who was able to sell a kidney or two to get tickets to the game. It must have been amazing to be in the arena for this one – the fans were on their feet for most of the third period (judging from the CBC camera coverage, anyway).
The Calgary-Vancouver game just ended. Holy. Crap. What a great game. I kept thinking “Man, this is the best game I’ve seen so far this year!” It was fast, back-and-forth all over the ice. Few stupid penalties. Fights, and fast, physical play. Awesome saves on both ends. Kipper was on freaking fire – whatever he’s getting paid, he deserves more.
Chris Simon’s goal was absolutely beautiful. He made an impossible interception of a pass, then kicked the puck forward from his trailing skate, giving him a clean path to the net. First goal in something like 16 games, IIRC, and was he stoked about it.
Oh, yeah. And the Flames won the game 6-5 in a shootout. The entire game was neck-and-neck, with goals being answered sometimes within seconds. And it ended up in a shootout. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
I’m soooo jealous of Brian, who was able to sell a kidney or two to get tickets to the game. It must have been amazing to be in the arena for this one – the fans were on their feet for most of the third period (judging from the CBC camera coverage, anyway).
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Hey, iPod owner (and Mac user, from what I can tell), Calgarian, NDP supporter (must be a lonely existence for you), AND Flames fan. I’m liking this blog more and more, D’arcy. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas, and all the best for 2006. Go Flames (and Habs 😉
It was a great game. Had to stay up till almost 1 to finish it tho… it was hard getting up this morning. I kept syaing to myself ” I like this new NHL” I do too, even if the 4 on 4, and shotoouts sorta rankles a bit. Makes it seem more like kitsch. But hey, We were on the edge of our seats for that one.
It does go back to tsudden death in the playoffs though, doesn’t it?
It feels a bit like it’s aimed more at an American audience – needs to be faster, fewer rules, etc… If they try to make the puck glow blue or something, that will be too far…
I like the new game as well, but it sure gets annoying having the announcers keeping calling it “The New NHL” about 50 times per game, half way through the season. It’s changed. It’s different. We get it. Now shut the hell up and let us watch the game!
Actually, I’d LOVE to have the announcers in a separate track so I could just turn them off and crank up the sounds of the game from inside the arena. Then, if I want more info, just toggle the announcers back in.
Actually, it would be handy to just have an automated voice just speak the name of whoever gets the puck, or key events (like, “Flames pulled the goalie – one man advantage” etc. – I didn’t realize Kipper was out of the net in the first period on the delayed penalty call).
I could TOTALLY do without the inane banter between the announcers. Save that for the between-period commentary, when it can be more meaningful. Don’t just try to fill an audio track because you have a microphone. Much better to just reproduce the experience of being at the game rather than adding an annoying Morning Drive Time DJ Wannabee over top of what would otherwise be a great telecast.
I got tix for the next Cal-Van game for x-mas (the girl) and a tshirt to match. That will make four games i will be to this year, but Im hoping for some Cal-To tix as well. And wearing blue.
Being at a live game is surprisingly quick, and I love being able to see the hwole rink. Kipper slapping his stick on the ice. Watching a ref with his arm up signallilng an upcoming penalty, and then watching Kipper race to the bench.
You dont see that stuff on tv.
The banter doesn’t bug me so much, but i find myself enjoying kelly hrudy much much more than grapes.
Totally agree about Kelly Hrudy. He also obviosuly enjoys both the game and hosting, whereas Grapes just seems pissed off at everyone and everything.
I wonder how it would work if they used three channels to broadcast a game, with three fixed cameras – one in each end, one on centre ice. No commentary. Just the game. Audio piped from ice level. Then, you could flip back and forth to either follow the puck, or pan back and forth across the ice as if you were there…
Honestly, I’m watching the To-Devils game right now, and I sorta like the commentary. And especially the camera work, although I wish they would widen oout a bit. You do miss too much of the surrounding play developing when the cam follows the puck. Like Kipper making a run for the bench.
Perhaps you could… turn the volume off? Heh! Occams Razor and all, which I juest recently read in it’s original Latin. Quite succint that way.
Turning off the volume would help cut down the inane chatter, but would also cut out the noises of the game – sticks slapping on the ice. players calling out. fans cheering/booing… That’s almost as important as being able to see the game in the first place…