Videos Before Bedtime!

Time to get it going as this is the last worthless evening for one of these teams. Well not literally. Let's drag out the videos and see if they run without a glitch! One can only hope.




NHL 10 leaks? Just more info!




A lower angle of NHL 10 trailer...




More NHL hits!!!!!




A hockey homecoming in September....



Have a great night everyone!!!!

I Wanna Be....FANARCHY!!!!

As most know...I enjoy when fans duke it out and debate issues. It probably is why Defend Your Fandom is the favorite segment on my podcast when it gets pulled off right. Furthermore, the title of this post was likely inspired by listening to the Sex Pistols as I was watching VH1 Classic. Oh how I love that channel.

Fanarchy debuted on Sunday but starting Tuesday, the 16th will be on Tuesdays permanently at 10:30pm ET on Versus. It gives the sport fans a chance to have their voices heard and well to have their moment or two or three even. The show is hosted by Zach Selwyn (Dream Job runner-up -- ESPN). Many felt he should have won...he was a natural for ESPN but on Fanarchy he can be even more himself.

Time to quote that press release from Versus...then a bit more after the leap.

What do you get when you combine rabid, loudmouthed sports fans from across the country, webcams and a national television platform to debate the hottest topics in sports? You get total FANARCHY - a neworiginal series from VERSUS. The weekly half-hour series, hosted by Zach Selwyn, will debut on Sunday, June 7, at 11 p.m. ET and will air regularly on Tuesday nights at 10:30 p.m. ET, beginning June 16.

Each FANARCHY episode will feature seven very opinionated sports fans appearing on-air via their personal webcams. From on- and off-the-field athlete antics and bogus referee calls to what they would've done if they were the coach or owner, FANARCHY guests will be giving their unvarnished take on everything and anything outrageous and controversial currently happening in sports in a frenzied back and-forth style.

"This show is for every armchair quarterback, sports superfan and maniacal critic who has either become your best friend or annoyed you at your local bar," said Selwyn. "This is a chance for fans with real opinions to stand up for their beliefs and let the fate of their unique preaching and soap-boxing be decided on television, in front of a national audience. Plus, it sure beats taking your shirt off at Lambeau Field in January."

As host, Selwyn's job is to keep the peace among the webcammers and hand out onscreen awards, ultimately rewarding the top fan with a brief platform for an unrestrained rant on the topic of their choosing. Webcammers will stay on the show for as long as their opinions and antics keep them there. Each week the two participants who can't keep up with the trash-talking of the other guests will be eliminated. The week's top participant, who displays the best combination of wit
and wackiness, will be granted immunity from elimination for that week only. "FANARCHY is a show by the fans for the fans, bringing the robust online world of sports banter to life on television," said Andy Meyer, Vice President of Original Programming for VERSUS. "What makes sports fans so fascinating is how passionately they believe what they believe - whether it's right or wrong. Their sports are like religion to them and this show is the first opportunity to really
tap into that passion on television."

Sports fans who think they have what it takes to be a weekly guest on the show and keep up with the most intense sports fans in the country can go to www.VERSUS.com/FANARCHY and upload their webcam audition videos for a chance to appear on future episodes of FANARCHY. The website will also feature highlights from the show, information about the weekly guests as well as an area where fans can vote on which audition videos make it into the "On Deck Circle" and receive extra consideration to be a guest on the show.

"Launching original shows that complement our tremendous array of live sports offerings is a major initiative for the network," said Jamie Davis, President of VERSUS. "On television, sports fans are typically relegated to the sideline when discussing the most pressing issues in sports, so in this new multi-platform era it's only fair to give them a seat at the table and the ability to be heard on FANARCHY."

Selwyn was the 2004 runner up on ESPN's Dream Job and most recently was a correspondent on G4's Attack of the Show! He has also served as the guest host of ESPN's Around the Horn and was the color commentator on the Game Show Network's Extreme Dodgeball. In addition to his TV credits, Selwyn heads the Los Angeles-based band, Zachariah and the Lobos Riders. He is a native of Tucson, Ariz. and a USC graduate.

Personally it may take several episodes to get into the show but I have a feeling you will get hooked very quickly to this show. At a sports fan's core is the ability to be able to present your opinion and go toe to toe with someone that may disagree with it. It is why we have podcasts, radio shows, and tv shows. Look at Around The Horn, PTI, etc...etc. and that is all the reason you need to watch Fanarchy but there is one major difference. The fans control this and not some big shot execs or people that mostly write for newspapers.

The "average Joe" angle is a bold step for Versus and it will be nice to see how it complements their programming. The more original programming...the more accessibility to viewers. That is something Versus is definitely shooting for. So if you want to see what its all about or even may want to step up and take your shot.....go watch Fanarchy Tuesday Night on Versus!!

Just To Be Fair Here....

Here is the latest video from the folks at MakeItSeven. It has several hockey greats gushing about the city of Hamilton. Okay roll video please......




A recreation of the Hamilton Tigers perhaps???




It really makes you think a little to say the least. About 3:20 in or so you will see Dave Andreychuk (played for both Buffalo and Toronto) but has roots in Hamilton. An interesting four minute plus video that at times come across as a RAH-RAH-SISK-BOOM-BAH video for Hamilton but does also illustrate the passion Canadian fans do have.

The quote "its just a matter of time" may really prove to be true at some point but I did want to present a little from each side in this battle. Just for an update...Judge Redford T. Baum has not ruled anything and is not expected to do so until next week. For now its just stay tuned everyone!!!!

Show Outline For Tonight....

Tonight is sadly our last Stanley Cup Playoff Digest show. The Cup will be awarded tomorrow night to either Pittsburgh or Detroit. What is on tap? Well let's see.

Stanley Cup Playoff Digest

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-- Intros

-- Apologies for last night.

-- Thanks to the FSC for all they have done.

-- Game 7...what it really means.

-- Break time and promos

-- Our official Game 7 Wings-Pens Preview

-- Who I think will win and by what score?

-- Quick Preview of Game 6 between Moose and Bears

-- Pushing right along and saying aloha!!!


So listen on in for a rapid 30 minute show on the eve of the last NHL game of the season. 7:30pm ET tonight come join us on the Stanley Cup Playoff Digest only on Blog Talk Radio's Fantasy Sports Channel!!!!


Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

Mr. Bettman's retirement fund? Not quite!

Look! I know Mr. Leahy did an excellent job with the potential of a 100 million dollar relocation fee article. You can see it for yourself right here. We have a list and we checked it twice of things Gary Bettman an actually do with his new found chunk of change for the good of the league.

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Fire Colin Campbell and hire someone who knows NHL discipline.

We have seen it for far too long and it has come to a head in these playoffs where inconsistent interpretation of the rules and reactionary interpretations have driven diehard fans absolutely insane. Colin Campbell may be acting with what he and Mr. Bettman think are the league's best interests in mind. But the "pansification" of this league has gone on far enough. Time to bring in someone that is not afraid to hand out justice to equally and to all. That goes for the Malkins, Crosbys, and Ovechkins of the world. Who could be hired? Hey how about any ex-NHL player that knows a thing or two about being suspended. Dave "The Hammer" Schultz would be a guy to hire. I doubt he would take the job but man imagine sitting in that hearing room and him laughing what you are there for.


Hire some refs that at least know what they are doing in critical situations.

Look...we all saw what happened in Game 3 where the Penguins had six skaters out there longer than most Versus commercials last. Take some of the money and offer up a real referee training school and make these guys more accountable for their mistakes. Somehow I think if you did guys like Don Koharski, Andy Van Hellemond and company would have been out of jobs a lot sooner than they were. Like Vestec did for baseball...offer up a real tangible way of evaluating refs. Use videotape and even YouTube if you have to. The technology is there and even Hulu could help as well.


Speaking of videotape.......DIVE!

This would not cost much since the technology is already there. Use video and instant replay to review those questionable penalties where a player "dives". We have seen the chronic divers in the league and are amazed when they hardly get called out for it. Bring back the old diving fines and suspensions and this idea could actually add money to Gary's 100 million dollar relocation fee. Let's put in a 2500 dollar first offense.....10,000 dollar 2nd offense and a 1 game suspension for a third and subsequent without pay. That pay goes back to the league obviously.


If we are not going to see NHL on ESPN for a long time.....

Why not make Versus more accessible? Might as well! Sure a lot of us lament trying to find it on the dial but more homes would equal hopefully more ratings for now...right? 100 million in this economy is pretty good clout to use in getting more cable and dish systems to air Versus on their lower tiered packages. At the very least it will make it appear Gary that you trying to help the sport instead of selling it down the river.


Screw sprucing up the NHL Network...make it more accessible!

There is no reason why as I am sitting here that I have either the NHL or NFL networks other than Gary Bettman's stupidity. I know there are other segments of the country that do not have the NHL Network so let's go on that principle. There is a stretch from Palm Springs to Orange County where people do not have access at all. Sure it is nice to spruce up a network but wouldn't it be nice to see what the network has on every cable system. Right now dish is the only option out here for us and many people do have Time Warner as they are the main cable system in Southern California. Throw us a bone Gary....let us see what others are seeing....then we will work on the next.......


Okay now SPRUCE up the NHL Network!

Yes once you get more people tuned in...you have to upgrade your product. People have seen the same shows on the NHL Network probably too many times to count. Time to take that moolah and offer up some more original material for the masses. How about an NHL game show for crying out loud? Maybe a reality show where the winner gets to actually intern at a NHL franchise of his or her choosing. That would get people to watch....hell I would! Surely the announcing teams could be bulked up too but original programming seems to be more of an issue at this time. Better talent would be nice....recycle!


Better Head Equipment.....

Hey Gary you lamented about all the concussions. Why not take some of the money and do actual research so you get head equipment that WORKS! Then with the leftover money...expand it to sticks, padding, and all that good stuff. The hockey player should be able to play and not worry about his health quite as much as they do now.


The last one.....

Bettman could take part of it as a retirement fund and take the rest to hire a competent NHL Commish. It will not cost 100 million to make Gary go away. Hire Bill Daly...I think he could do a better job especially in the short term. Long term dream would include Ken Dryden. Besides the market may turn back around and Bettman could take 50 or 60 mill and retire nicely...he does not need 100 million dollars. He is not Charles Wang now.


Other random suggestions:

-- Well more Whalers jerseys at cheaper rates...buy the logo.

-- Do eventually get the NHL on ESPN.

-- A fantasy hockey show that actually work...get guys like Darryl Houston Smith and Mr. Dobbs for Dobberhockey for starters....guys that actually know what they are talking about.

-- Lastly...make it easier for bloggers to get press passes in the non traditional markets. Since bloggers are the present and future of sports media...might as well embrace it in all markets. You may just end up with more hockey fans as a result.


Got any other ideas.....hey....throw it in the comments...we want to hear them!!!!!

This Day In Playoff History (6/11)

Amazing how time flies but we will have This Day for another 10 days or so. Today's moment takes us back to 1998 when the Red Wings were king in the NHL. Now a little video time.




The comeback and a certain GWG in Game 2 perhaps...

June 11, 1998

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Kris Draper scored at 15:24 of OT to give the Red Wings a 5-4 win over the Capitals, in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, in Detroit. Red Wings came back from a two-goal deficit in the third period for their 6th straight win in the Finals.

Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 Videos

Game 7's in video.....ah it makes so much easier or harder to watch depending on if your team won or not.


WATCH ALL IN HQ!!


2001 - Devils @ Avalanche


2003 - Mighty Ducks @ Devils (Cup pres.)


2004 - Flames @ Lightning


2006 - Oilers @ Hurricanes



1971 Game 7...a rare classic...last time road team won.