Mike Ilitch & Steve Yzerman
The Detroit News‘ sports columnist, Bob Wojnowski, wrote about the Detroit Red Wings owner, Mike Ilitch. He pointed out that when Ilitch wants to, he can make things happen like turning a small pizza business into an empire and the “Dead Wings” into a dynasty. When Ilitch doesn’t strive for the best, the Detroit Tigers have 119 losses in a season.
“So the question, as an NHL season heads to oblivion and beyond, is this: Where is Ilitch, the feisty leader of the famous Red Wings, when he’s needed most? Mike? Hello? You have the best fans in the United States, the biggest stars. So why are you letting yourself be led around by small-market, lame-market owners who haven’t invested one-millionth the time and money in the sport as you have?”
I happened to agree with his column. Understandably, Ilitch cannot make any public comments because of the fines Bettman would land on him. However, he definately could talk to the owners and convince some of them for more negotiations and less “it’s all about the salary cap.”
Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman no longer holds the optimistic outlook that the NHL season will be salvaged, “I don’t see it happening. The philosophies haven’t changed and there’s no compromise in sight. I’d hoped at the last moment the owners would move off the salary cap, but they’re not going to. I don’t see a deal being done in the next week, and that’s pretty much all the time that’s left.”
He then went on to say he planned to continue to work out in hope of the NHL’s return, but with a bleak outlook for it even coming back next mid-season Yzerman might not return. “I’ve pretty much got my mind made up about what I’m going to do, but there’s no need to say for sure yet,” Yzerman said. “If next season started on time and the Red Wings called about playing, it’s something I’d definitely consider. But starting in January might be different.”
I’m frustrated that the lockout has gone this long and neither side will budge, but I’m the most frustrated with the fact that Yzerman’s last NHL game could be him leaving the ice after the puck hit him in the eye against Calgary. No player, much less a highly respected player and leader, should retire under those circumstances.
Olympics & Death of BYU Hockey Player
Sorry for the lack of posts this month. Between midterms, weekend vacation in Florida, my 18th birthday, and scheduling my sixth knee surgery- I’ve been just a bit busy.
There has been no more progress in the NHL lockout. They’ve had some more talks including two this week but resulted with no more planned meetings and “significant philosophical differences.” We should know by next week if the season would be canceled.
As it is, the 2006 Winter Olympics is in jeapordy for the NHL players. NHL officials are worried that too many games were missed this season due to the lockout that whenever the NHL returns it won’t want to stop play again for the Olympics. “I think it’s still open for discussions,” NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly said. “It’s more difficult now. Just for the fact that we’ve already missed half a season.” In 1998 and 2002, the NHL stopped play for the Olympic games. “NHLPA members continue to support their participation in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics, as noted in our Dec. 9 proposal to the league,” senior director Ted Saskin said. “Players enjoyed their experiences in Nagano and Salt Lake City and value the opportunity to play for their country while showcasing hockey on a global stage.”
On January 21, Jaxon Logan, a freshman BYU hockey player died after being hit in the chest by a slapshot. With close to 20 seconds left in the 2nd period, Logan dove to block a slapshot. The puck hit his chest below the shoulder pads resulting in a cardiac arrest and later death. Logan was from Alaska and had been playing hockey since he was 7. “I saw him go down to block the shot and he struggled to get back up,†said Julie Fox, a 20-year-old Canadian student who watched the game from the stands. “He just really slowly started leaving, trying to make it to the bench. He made it a little over the wall and then just nosedived over.â€
NHL cancelled BOG meeting
The league cancelled the BOG meeting, can’t say I’m surprised. The NHL isn’t very smart if they thought that it would “scare” the NHLPA into a new negotiation. The season is over and I’m worried that a good part of next season’s will be scratched too.
Thank goodness I live in Hockeytown and have parents who will buy tickets to games other than the Red Wings’ and even go with me. Next year, I’ll probably be going to University of Michigan where I’ll have a great hockey team to watch. They are currently ranked #4 in the nation and recently beat Western Michigan, 6-4.
Upcoming Hockey Games (that I’m attending):
- Plymouth Whalers vs. Owen Sound Attack (what kind of team name is that?) on January 16th
- Michigan vs. MSU on February 5th @ the Joe!
- Red Wings Alumni vs. Maple Leafs Alumni Charity Game on February 12th @ the Joe! (ok so this is not going to be very quick hockey but I get to see Dino, Mark Howe, and Mickey Redmond back on skates!)
Hopefully I’ll have pictures for all 3 games, but sometimes arenas are really picky with cameras especially my dad’s with a good sized lense. Sorry, I know this really isn’t much of an update. I have midterms starting the 18th and I need to get studying for those!
WJC & Whalers updates
World Junior Championship updates
Team USA is currently playing Sweden after going 2-2 in the preliminary round with losses to Belarus and Czech Republic. With 13 minutes left in the second period, Team USA is up 3-1 (Kevin Porter from the University of Michigan scored the first goal!). The winner of this game moves on to play Russia tomorrow evening in the semifinals.
Switzerland beat Germany today with a 5-0 win in relegation. The Czechs sent home Finland in a 3-0 win. Canada will face the Czechs in the semifinals after getting a bye for placing first in Group A.
I really hope that USA and Canada make it to the finals because it would be a great match up and I haven’t had a chance to see Sidney Crosby play. After hearing all these high praises of him, I’m excited with the chance to see his play.
Plymouth Whalers update
I attended the Whalers’ one of six season soldout games on the 30th versus the Sarnia Sting. We went up 1-0 at the start of the second period, but by the end of the period faced a 4-1 deficit. After about 5 great fights, they were able to comeback and tie the game with less then a minute and a half in regulation. In OT, Michael Haley of the Sting scored with a little over a minute remaining. The game was great to watch and my Mom even got into the game. However, Sarnia is 11-20-4-1, 4th in their division, and I had expected that the Whalers, 15-14-4-3 & second in their division, would’ve done much better.
^ One of the many fights at the game.
My Dad and I took pictures the entire game. To view 67 of the pictures, visit http://community.webshots.com/user/hockeypictures.
^ Steve Ward taking a shot.
Now that I convinced my parents on attending more Whalers’ games, you should be hearing more OHL updates and seeing more pictures from their games. I believe I’m attending their next home game (Jan. 15th) or the one after that (Jan. 16th).