Got an Opinion?

G'day Folks!!!

The NHL regular season has kicked off for 4 teams in Europe already but the rest of the NHL officially starts this Thursday, Oct. 9th. The new season always brings new hope for die-hard fans who suffer through season after season of terrible results. Most hockey fans have a favourite team and are not ashamed to show it or talk about it no matter where that team ends up by the first week of April.

The problem is this...who listens!?!?!?

Most radio talk shows will only take your call if you have something to say that fits what they want to talk about. Other stations will only take your call if it's about the home team. You can email team websites and hope your opinion gets heard...chances aren't good!!! How about the local newspaper? Thanks to the internet, you can send your opinion to papers around the world now so if you're a Coyotes fan living in Ottawa you should be able to send in your thoughts to the Phoenix News Daily and it should be heard LOUD AND PROUD!!! But not so my fellow hockey fan...not so at all!!!

So where can we go to vent about our hockey team??? Is there a platform that will allow us to speak freely about hockey?? Where can we say what we want and know that people are hearing it and feeling the same pain as we do??? I'm here to tell you that this mecca exists!!!

That's right...if you have an opinion about hockey and your hockey team that needs to be heard then read on. If you feel the need to stand up for your team no matter how bad they are then read on!!! I'm telling you about a place where true hockey questions are answered...true hockey tales are told...and true hockey dreams are squashed!!!! A true forum to express your opinions...in front of a hi-def camcorder...and posted on the internet for the world to view in an honest and carefree surrounding.

I'm talking about the Nasty Hockey Show!!! A place where you can voice your opinions and stand up for your team!! Can you think of any other medium where that freedom exists? I didn't think so...

If this concept appeals to you then please join us at Philthy McNasty's in the Kanata Centrum Mall on October 18th at 5:00pm. The Boston Bruins will be in town that evening and I would love to hear you Ottawa fans tell me how your goaltending situation is better than my beloved Bruins!!!!

Any takers??? I dare ya!!!!

CHEERS!!!
The Rokpig!!!

Start Your Engines!!!

Ahhh...the sweet smell of spring is in the air which can only mean one thing...the STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS are about to start!!! This is real hockey...rough and tough hockey...not for the faint of heart. The hitting, the fighting, the passion...and that's just the fans in living rooms and bars across the country!!! Watching the games can be harmful if you have high blood pressure or if you're wearing the wrong jersey at the wrong bar!! I have some hazy memories of being in Montreal a few years ago in a sports bar wearing my Bruins jersey. I guess it didn't help that Boston was actually winning the game and I was telling anyone who would listen how much the Habs sucked!!! That was a rough night but I survived...unfortunately Boston didn't and lost the series after being up 3-0!!! It's tough to be a Bruin's fan I tell ya!!!

As the final weeks of this season were drawing to an end I couldn't help but notice the amount of idiocy happening in the NHL.

1. Mark (Darth Vader) Bell from Toronto taking out 2 of Ottawa's stars and not even being challenged! The hit on Alfie was clean (according to the NHL rules) but the team should have made him pay. This shows a lack of support within the club. Something stinks in the dressing room and it ain't coming from their hockey bags.
2. Boston playing Ottawa and neither are gauranteed playoff births. Boston needs the win and Ottawa needs one point. Ottawa loses but thanks to Jaques Martin and the Florida Panthers beating 3rd seed Carolina, Ottawa gets in anyway!!!
3. Pittsburgh played Philadelphia on Sunday. If Pittsburgh wins they get 1st place in the conference which allows them home ice advantage in each round. They would also face Philadelphia in the 1st round. They don't like playing the physical style that Philly brings so they throw the game in order to face a much softer Ottawa team. If I was Bryan Murray that news item would be on the bulletin board in the dressing room and used for motivation. That alone might help Ottawa win one game...maybe!!!

It seems that there's at least one idiot a week in the NHL...my vote this week goes to Bryan Murray. When the Leafs were taking their liberties with the Senators he should've sent a message. If the players didn't feel compelled to stand up for their captain then Bryan Murray should've lit a fire under their collective asses!!!

Let me know what you think!! If you have an opinion for who the NHL idiot of the week is let me know! I've got a plan that should be fun...something along the lines of a voodoo doll and Super Dave Osborne!!! I'll keep you posted.

Before I leave I must share my picks for the 1st round...if you win any money with these just remember, I like Molson Canadian!!!

East

1. Montreal vs Boston -> Boston in 7
2. Pittsburgh vs Ottawa -> Pittsburgh in 5
3. Washington vs Philly -> Washington in 6
4. New Jersey vs Rangers -> New Jersey in 7

West

1. Detroit vs Nashville -> Nashville in 7
2. San Jose vs Calgary -> San Jose in 5
3. Minnesota vs Colorado -> Minnesota in 6
4. Anaheim vs Dallas -> Anaheim in 4

If you think I'm crazy and want to know why I picked the teams I did...email me and I'll let you know the method to my madness!!

That's it for now...I'll be back next week...enjoy the 2nd season!!!

CHEERS!!!

The Rokpig!!!!