From Warriors to Monarchs

Click read more to view many pictures interspersed with lengthy talk about my memories of my siblings hockey careers as I was growing up. But most importantly, the Lady Monarchs Jersey Quest (photographed) was fulfilled.

Goon

Tonight I ordered the movie Goon on-demand (bless on-demand for letting you rent movies the day they come out in theatres). Although it apparently was JUST released this past week to the US, I hadn't heard about the movie through any sort of advertising. I had only heard about it from many fellow hockey fans who talked about it. Since many of them spoke very highly of it, I wanted to see it for myself. I honestly am not a fan of the name Goon to begin with, because it already gives the wrong impression although I suppose it is appropriate for the film - just not for the reasons that are normally associated with the word "goon" to non-hockey or casual-hockey fans.

Breaking Down the Bruins Breakdown

What seems like years have passed since the Bruins were a winning team. In that time, I - like most other fans, I'm sure - have evaluated every possible explanation for this nightmare. How did it go from being so perfect, to being almost irreparable?

Do the answers lie in the numbers on the stat sheets? The video replays? The players themselves? Or is it something we can't see - something wrong inside the locker room? A problem that can be traced back in time? Or something even deeper? Or maybe something far simpler and more obvious? If the answer is a little bit of everything, doesn't it seem more impossible to overcome? Searching for answers doesn't yield solutions. We can only sit and helplessly wait for the results.

When rendered helpless, I like to pretend I can put myself to good use. This is my feeble attempt to make sense of the situation and shed some light, as dim as it may be. I go into uncharted territories, personally, by exploring advanced statistics and the many different types, uses, and even practices in the NHL.

More Trivia Fun

This is from Don Weekes' All-Star Hockey Challenge (Greystone Books, 2000).

Firsts: part 1

• Jean Beliveau was the first hockey player on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
• Phil Esposito was the first NHLer to score 100 points.
• Gordie Howe was the first player to win the Hart Trophy 5 times.
• Jaromir Jagr was the first European player to lead the NHL in scoring.
• Jean Ratelle was the first player to score 100 points for 2 teams.
• Mike Gartner was the first NHLer to get 30 goals in 15 straight seasons.
• Kevin Stevens was the first player to get 100 points and 200 PIM in the same season.
• Borje Salming was the first European-trained player to play in 1,000 NHL games
• Craig Simpson was the first player to score 50 goals, split between 2 different teams in one season.
• Mike Bossy was the first rookie to score 50 goals in one season.

Select Lists from List Trivia book

"The Three Stars and Other Selections" by Jefferson Davis and Andrew Podnieks (ECW Press, 2000)

Five Players Born on February 29

1. Henri Richard, 1936
2. Kari Eloranta, 1956
3. Dan Daoust, 1960
4. Jim Dobson, 1960
5. Lyndon byers, 1964

Ten Records Wayne Gretzky Never Broke

1. Most Points in One Game - Darryl Sittler, 10
2. Most Seasons - Gordie Howe, 26
3. Most games - Gordie Howe, 1,767
4. Most Goals in One Game - Joe Malone, 7
5. Most Assists in One Period - Dale Hawerchuk, 5
6. Most Points in One Period - Bryan Trottier, 6
7. Most Regular Season OT Goals, Career - Steve Thomas, 11
8. Most 30+ Goal Seasons - Mike Gartner, 17
9. Longest Consecutive Goal-Scoring Streak - Harry Broadbent, 16
10. Any Time Record (i.e. fastest goal from start of game, period, etc.)