Hockey Talk.. or... Talking Hockey...

I like to talk about hockey. 
I like to hear others talk about hockey.
It's a good thing, then, that I get to co-host a weekly show about... hockey.

My friend Cassie McClellan, who writes for the Tampa Bay Lightning blog Raw Charge (and other websites) and I kicked off the fourth season of our weekly radio show "CCPT Hockey" today, with a fun chat about the season so far and a look at PIM leaders (players and teams).

Logistical issues prevented us from starting the season in August like most other hockey radio shows, but we're really not stressed about it. Our show is more a live chat than a "show" in the "official" sense of the word. We have the occasional guest and even the occasional "high profile" guest, but for the most part, we have a fun group of people who take part in the live, interactive chat that takes place while our show's on the air, and have our hockey loving friends call in to praise or bitch about their teams.

Don't get me wrong. Cassie and I can talk stats like everyone else, but why would we want to? How boring is it to tune in every week for STATS. Seriously. How many of you with college educations really *enjoy* your statistics class? Okay, I know some of you still enjoy statistics. Otherwise, we wouldn't have statistics to talk about, right? I mean, it takes a special mind to come up with the number of times a player has scored on a Saturday night in November where there happened to be a three-quarters moon in the sky. 

I kid. I respect all of you statistically-minded hockey fans out there. The world needs you. I mean it. I really do.

I also digress.

When Cassie promoted our first show on Facebook, someone asked her why our show was named CCPT Hockey Show - and what's up with the Russian-looking logo? If you listened to today's show, you'd know the answer to both questions. If you haven't listened to the podcast version yet, here you go:

"CCPT" stands for CONNECT COMMUNITY PUCK TALK.  The show was created a number of years ago by our friend Justine (aka "Juice in LA") as a gathering place for hockey fans who became friends on NHL.com's (now pretty defunct) fan site: NHL Connect. In its heyday, NHL Connect was a breeding ground for fans who expressed their hockey love via essays, stories, limericks and more. I stumbled onto the site in 2008, while licking the wounds left by the Pittsburgh Penguins' heartbreaking SCF loss to Detroit. Juice and others welcomed me warmly, and quickly became my family away from home. Looking back, it's funny how most of my early Connect friends were Red Wings fans... I did some of my best writing while a member of that site, including my ode to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team (and my dad), which was featured on NHL.com's homepage for several days (I wish I had saved a screen grab).

A handful of Connectors even managed to meet up in San Jose for a German dinner and game between the Sharks and Red Wings (Juice, JoJo, Al, Shannon, Kevin - did I leave anyone out?). Ahh... those were the days!

Alas, as so often happens in many Utopian societies, TROLLS discovered NHL Connect and tromped all over our thriving community, testing friendships, creating alliances, and basically shitting all over the place. A small group of us took our leave and our Flyers friend Matt told us about BlogTalkRadio.com. Juice created the show and we all happily joined in. When Juice's schedule became too hectic to continue, Cassie and I took over. We tried to make it an "official" show for a while, but reverted back to our carefree hosting style when we realized we weren't really having a lot of fun trying to be "official."

Which brings us to today.

Season 4 of the CCPT Hockey Show launched at 6pm ET/3pm ET on BlogTalkRadio.com. Cassie and I managed to fly through an hour of talking about standings, divisions, wild card (huh?), the incomprehensible, early implosion of the Flyers, the unbelievably great play of the Avs, Coyotes and a TEAM-THAT-SHALL-NOT-BE-NAMED (but whose initials are TBL). We also discussed PIM leaders so far:

Players:
1. Derek Dorsett (NYR) - 73 PIM in 17 games (fmr. Medicine Hat Tigers/WHL)
2. Radko Gudas (TBL) - 57 PIM in 16 games (fmr. Everett Silvertips/WHL)
3. Steve Downie (COL, PHI) - 53 PIM in 12 games (fmr.Kitchener/Peterborough/Windsor/OHL)
4. Antoine Roussel (DAL) - 52 PIM in 17 games (fmr. Chicoutimi Sagueneens/QMJHL)
5. Erik Gudbranson (FLA) - 51 PIM in 18 games (fmr. Kingston Frontenace/OHL)

Teams:
1. Flyers - 311 PIM in 16 games
2. Blues - 274 PIM in 15 games
3. Leafs - 279 PIM in 17 games
4. Caps - 273 PIM in 18 games
5. Rangers - 252 PIM in 17 games

Well, I seem to have encapsulated a lot of what we talked about on today's show, which means you have absolutely no reason to listen to it. In the event you do, here's the link to a story on CCPT Hockey Show's website that includes the podcast, and a few more statistics that are blowing our minds right now:  http://ccpthockey.blogspot.com/2013/11/were-back.html

If you find yourself with nothing to do next Sunday at 6pm ET/3pm ET (or the Sunday after that, or the... you get the idea), join us on the air or in the chat room. Here's our show page:  CCPT Hockey Show

You can also follow the show on Twitter: @CCPTHockey

Here's Cassie's Twitter handle: @dagmar27
And here's mine: @Motley_Su

Sunday Puckpourri: WHL playoffs; Arabs & Israelis find peace on ice; Biz Nasty's Call for Help & more

WHL Playoffs

The WHL first round playoff schedule is set, with the last team now in place.
The Seattle Thunderbirds lost a heartbreaker in Portland (6-2), knocking them out and paving the way for the Everett Silvertips to face the Tri City Americans.

Here's how the first round match-ups look:

Edmonton Oil Kings v. Kootenay Ice
Moose Jaw Warriors v. Regina Pats
Calgary Hitmen v. Brandon Wheat Kings
Medicine Hat Tigers v. Saskatoon Blades
Tri City Americans v. Everett Silvertips
Portland Winterhawks v. Kelowna Rockets
Vancouver Giants v. Spokane Chiefs

To follow the WHL playoffs and to print out a bracket, click here.

Middle East Peace... on ICE

I read a fascinating story about a hockey team in northern Israel made up of boys and girls, Jews and Arabs.
Yes, you read that correctly.

These pre-teens and teens practice together and play together as a team, at an Olympic-size ice arena at the Canada Centre in the town of Metulla. The sports complex was donated by a group of Canadian Jews, but once the kids take the ice, religious and cultural differences melt away. They're joined by one love: hockey.
I don't want to re-write an already awesome story. Click here to read it for yourself.
But it makes me wonder: if we can teach Arab and Jewish leaders to skate, then put them on the ice...

Biz Nasty's Call for Help

If you follow Paul Bissonnette on Twitter, you get a sense of a guy who's comfortable in his skin, who calls things as he sees them and does not apologize for his sometimes sharp opinions. So it came as a surprise to read about his recent (and apparent ongoing) struggle with depression and anxiety stemming from his decreased playing time. After reading a very thoughtful article in the Arizona Republic, my respect for Paul increased exponentially. I also wondered how many other players share his feelings but are suffering in silence. I applaud the strength it took for Paul to admit he needed some kind of help, as well as the strength it took to go public with his story. If you haven't read it, I highly suggest you do. I've even made it easy for you to find it. Just click here.

CCPT Hockey Show

Cassie & I hosted our third CCPT Hockey Show since coming back from hiatus. We didn't have any guests today, but managed to fill the hour ourselves, talking about a variety of topics, including: Norfolk Admirals' amazing winning streak; the Flyers snapping the Pens' 11 game winning streak; the Blues being the first team to 100 points; the North Dakota Fighting Sioux's incredible come-from-behind win over Minnesota and subsequent WCHA title victory + the NCAA leaders; Biz Nasty's call for help (see above); and much, much more.
If you didn't tune in, the show is available on podcast. Click here to take a listen. If you like us, we'd love it if you'd bookmark us.

Blog Roll Call of the Week

Some awesome bloggers/writers are doing some awesome blogging/writing.
Here's just a few of the sites that have great stories out this week.
If you're not already reading them, you need to. Now.

Spector's Hockey - Lyle Richardson has his finger on the pulse of all the latest rumors. And unlike others who claim to know what's going on, Lyle is the REAL DEAL.

The Hockey Guys - Dustin Leed & the guys bring unique perspective to the game, its players and issues.

Hockey Independent - Dozens of awesome writers covering all angles of every team. I'm proud to be among them, should I ever get off my lazy butt and actually start contributing stories.

7th Woman - Dee Karl is the First Lady of hockey writing and an awesome human being.

Preds On the Glass - Buddy Oakes covers the Preds with flair and a nod to other teams.
The View from 111 - I have to include Mr. Mark Willoughby here as well. He not only covers the Preds, but offers his view and insight on life in general. Well worth adding to your reading list.

LA Kings Court - Meg has a heart of gold and a great love of the LA Kings. But, she's another fan who sees other teams fairly and is worth a read.

Raw Charge - One of my favorite Lightning blogs, and not just because my CCPT Hockey Show co-host is on the staff. Love their insight.

There are other awesome hockey blogs/sites out there. These are the ones I read this week. Please feel free to add your blog/site suggestions in the comments section!

Tuesday Puck Talk: Chargers, 'Tips, buzz cuts, Bertuzzday Award... and Tokarski

Chargers Wait

The UAH Chargers are waiting to hear where they'll head to kick off the NCAA Division I hockey tournament, after beating the Niagara Purple Eagles 3-2 in overtime in the final championship game of the CHA division, which is now no more. The Chargers could play in Albany, NY, St. Paul, MN, Fort Wayne, IN or Worcester, MA. I know I'm not the only UAH fan who hopes the Chargers meet a CCHA team in the first round-- and just creams them! Eh. I know it's sour grapes at this point to still be upset that the CCHA denied UAH's application to join the division, but it still rankles to feel like the odd man out, after Niagara and Robert Morris went to the Atlantic Division and the WCHA took in Bemidji. It's not even that the CCHA had no room - it DID, because UNO decided to move from the CCHA to the WCHA. Again, it's water under the bridge, but still. GO CHARGERS! Follow the NCAA tourney by clicking here. Follow the Chargers and re-live all the goals from the CHA Championship on SAVE UAH Hockey's website. Just click here. In the meantime, here's a great shot of a victorious Chargers team posing again with the CHA trophy back home in Huntsville.

                                 Chargers Victorious! (Photo: UAH Chargers)

BTW, I wrote a passionate (well, I think so, anyway!) blog about the Chargers' cloudy future back in August, when news broke of CCHA's rejection of UAH. It mentions a bit of history, especially during my years at UAH. If you want to check it out, click here.

Silvertips prepare.

                                            Silvertips (photo: Su Ring)

The Everett Silvertips are preparing for a playoff run that many hope will end with the boys bringing the Memorial Cup home to Western Washington. Everett goes into the playoff with a 46-21-3-2 record; Kelowna has a 35-31-2-4 record. But when it comes to playoffs, records really don't matter, do they? Who's gonna have the heart and drive to make it to the next round? The Silvertips have played the entire season with lots of heart and great teamwork. Throw in Shane Harper's 42 goals and 38 assists, along with great work by Kellan Tochkin (28G/48A), Tyler Maxwell (33G/36A), Byron Froese (29G/32A), some great defense by Radko Gudas and company, and steller netminding from Kent Simpson and San Jose prospect Thomas Heemskerk. Kelowna will bring power from the likes of Brandon McMillan (25G/42A), Tyson Barrie (19G/53A), Shane McColgan (25G/44A) and goaltender Adam Brown.  If you're anywhere within driving distance of either city, I suggest you take in a game (or 3). You won't be disappointed. You can follow all the WHL playoff action by clicking here. And if you have any doubt as to who I'm cheering for in the Memorial Cup run: GO 'TIPS GO!

'Tips ready to bare... their heads

Speaking of playoff runs, the Silvertips are shaving their heads to prepare for the post-season. In fact, a few will get buzzcuts LIVE, tonight during the Silvertips weekly radio show on KRKO NorthSound 1380. Among those getting shorn are play by play guys Jon Rosen & Al Kinisky, and LW Scott MacDonald. Wanna watch? Go to Sporty's Beef & Brew in Everett tonight before 6:05 (that's what time the show starts). Click here for more info.

Bertuzzday Award!

In my last post, I lashed out at the Penguins' Matt Cooke over his nasty hit on Marc Savard last week. By now, we've all heard the rant by Don Cherry (see my last post if you haven't). Now, the good folks at NBC's Pro Hockey Talk have named Cooke as the recipient of its first ever "Bertuzzday Award."  Good stuff. You can read more by clicking here. Many kudos to writer James O'Brien. If his name sounds familiar, you may know him from his other blog, "Cycle Like Sedins." He's over on my blogroll so check him out!

Tokarski talks!

                                 Dustin Tokarski (Photo: Mike Carlson-AP)

I don't know if I'm saving the best for last, or if this is just how it turned out, but my good friend Cassie McClellan from "Raw Charge" just interviewed Norfolk Admirals (former Spokane Chiefs) goalie Dustin Tokarski. If you follow the WHL at all, you know the name. In addition to helping lead Spokane to the Memorial Cup in 2008, he also backstopped Team Canada to its 5th straight gold medal in the World Juniors last year. (Another WHL star, Thomas Hickey [Seattle T-Birds/Manchester Monarchs] was Captain of that glorious team!). 

Anyway-- here's a link to Cassie's interview with awesome Tampa Bay prospect Dustin. Awesome stuff.