Every Trick Deserves a Treat

Happy Halloween!

Inspired by last night's CBC Halloween Hockey Night in Canada intro in which Alex Ovechkin looked like the only one in costume, we've decided to review some costumes which we would like/love to see every Halloween.

Starting with a classic.

Charlie Conway.

You'll probably need to buy a jersey online, but who wouldn't want to own a Charlie Conway jersey? I can't think of anything better than triple deking through the bar to get drinks. Being any one of these Mighty Duck misfits would work, especially as a team. With the proper commitment, this idea could definitely be worth it (imagine doing a Flying V wherever you go!)

Players Behaving Badly

Crosby vs Ovechkin vs Malkin

Since breaking into the league, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin have all had their stake in the “who's the better player?” debate. Each has captured an Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy, Crosby and Ovechkin have both won Maurice Richard Trophies for goals, but only Malkin has won a Conn Smythe, an award in which some reserve is the only award that counts… second to Lord Stanley’s Cup of course.

All three players have impeccable records on the ice, as well as off. However, each player has had their share to celebrate about. From individual awards to team awards, each of these all stars has definitely deserved the right to party. Let’s see how they do it.

Flashback Friday

Every Friday we will be adding one of our favorite hockey videos from over the years. Some might be painful, some might be dirty, but they all have a story behind them that we will share that make them downright awesome and great to watch over and over again.

Let’s start off with a classic.

1991 Stanley Cup Final - Pittsburgh Penguins Vs Minnesota North Stars

Kevin Stevens and Bryan Trottier chirp Brian Bellows

Some might call it an infamous video that depicts hockey players as vulgar assholes. We call it amazing and that Stanley Cup playoffs at its best. This is what happens when you fake an injury.

Kevin Stevens was asked about the incident when he retired:


"Yeah, I remember just because everyone talks about it. It’s one of those things with the cameras and the mic, you never know where they are. There must’ve been something on the bench. It was kind of funny they got it on tape. That was part of the game back then."


Back then? It is definitely still part of the game. If the NHL wants to sell the game in the south, let’s have a mic on all the benches so we can hear more golden lines like “lay on the ice like a broad Bellows”.

Hopefully the upcoming HBO series 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic will feature some of this on ice chirping. Some of the best parts of hockey games now are when Pierre McGuire isn't actually not talking about Jonathan Toews junior career and his mic picks up players chirping each other.

Sim Hockey Leagues

This is a section in which the world of Sim Hockey Leagues will be discussed. Everything

from how to join a league, how they operate, to how to build a Championship team.

P.S. I am not a loser.

About two years ago I was reading a blog on The Hockey News by Rory Boylen and he was talking about the CEHL, a Sim Hockey League that he was in. I had never heard of Sim Leagues before and decided to check it out. It seemed pretty cool and I signed up to be on the waiting list. I had been pretty good at drafting fantasy teams for Yahoo pools and creating dynasties for NHL video games so in my head I was thinking it would be no time until I would be dominating this league.

A few weeks went by and I got an email from the commish of the league saying that a GM had been fired and that there was an opening spot for me. He added me to MSN and wanted to talk a little to see if I was a good fit for the league. It was pretty funny being interviewed for the league. It was harder to get into than my first City job that was given to me. I guess I passed the test as I was handed the reins of the New York Rangers.

Has Howard Berger Lost It?

If you don’t know Howard Berger he works for the FAN 590 in Toronto and is a reporter on everything about the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is also a blogger for Hockeybuzz and had his blog taken down from that site today after his blog was posted. Sounds like a lot of Leaf fans made some interesting comments and it was taken down.

I use to follow Howard and thought that he had a lot of solid info about the team. But of late it sounds like he is really bitter and maybe not realizing how lucky he is to have his job. He gets to travel, see all the games from the press box and write about the Leafs (dream job). I know that he doesn’t like Ron Wilson and if you ever see any post game interviews you can tell Ron Wilson doesn’t like him at all.


Here is what he posted after the Leaf’s win last night.

Goodbye My Friend

Recently, we lost a friend. A friend that brought warmth to our hearts every night, even on Sundays. A friend who was so kind, they didn't even mind if we frequently flipped on them. While this friend is replaceable, for a cost of $29.99/month, the NHL Centre Ice Free Preview has left us with fond memories.

Here are some of the reasons why we will miss our Free Preview

-         Flipping channels to only watch power plays

-         Watching every overtime and shootout

-         Watching the New Jersey Devils fall apart as an organization right in front of your eyes is great TV

-         Counting the number of fans in attendance at Columbus and Phoenix home games

-         Max Talbot and Bruce Boudreau commercials

-         Proline is a lot better when you can see all the games live

-         I can watch the last team I need to win on my Proline…lose

-         God bless all the teams with Ice Girls. Something about a mini skirt and a shovel turns me on

-         Carolina Hurricane’s Storm Squad

-         Listening to other teams play-by-play guys, makes you realize Joe Bowen is not that bad

-         Hockey or what your girlfriend wants to watch??? (Gossip Girl)  eeek!

-         Best background noise for talking on MSN, Facebook, setting Fantasy Hockey lineup, and  especially for searching girls on dating websites

-         Getting excited by the fact I know I can go to Tampa with 3 buddies and get 4 tickets, free parking, 4 hot dogs, 4 pops, a signed Stamkos picture, a free physic reading all for $60 bucks

-         Watching all your fantasy players in one night and getting excited when they get a shot on goal or a game misconduct.

-         Watching the goalie I’m facing in my head-to-head fantasy league this week get pulled after 3 goals on 5 shots. Carey Price-less  

Goodbye, friend. Maybe see you in a few months when real jobs come our way.

If I Fought Matt Stajan

This all started while watching a Leaf game and witnessing Matt Stajan get slapped around behind the net, his helmet falling off and his receding hair line overwhelming the TV. Christ, he made my hair look like DJ Pauly D’s. Upon his being dominated, I called Matt Stajan a pussy and my mouthy little shit of a brother replied that Stajan could take me, and thus an on going joke of Matt Stajan beating me up was born that will now last a life time.

How It Would Happen

It would be in 2007 when he was still with the Leafs. I was in better shape. Weighing in around 200 pounds with not as much fat. Stajan would probably make eye contact with me in warm up. I would think to myself that he looked a lot like Jason Blake. Pale and sickly (pre cancer, I do have a heart) or like that guy from that movie Powder. He would say something to me, but I would just catch the tail end of it.
“Something….eyes”

I wouldn’t catch the first part. After circling and crossing the blue line, I would hear him again.

“You have nice eyes”

Stopping, I give back a confused “What the…”

Only to have him say it again. That prick. I wouldn’t know if he was playing some crazy head games with me or he just really liked my eyes. I’d skate off and he would have me a little shook. I knew if I had a chance to stick him or finish a hard check on him I would.

Fantasy Hockey

Fantasy Players of the Week

Every Monday, the NHL releases their 3 Stars of the Week. Here at Dirty Dangle, we love our fantasy hockey, so here are our fantasy players of the week.

Player	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPP	SOG
Steven Stamkos (TB)	4	5	9	3	6	4	17
Rene Bourque (CGY)	6	1	7	3	4	1	17
Player	W	L	GAA	SV	SA	SV%	SHO
Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY)	2	1	1.32	87	91	.956	2

No real surprises considering these players past week. Stamkos continues his strong start to the NHL campaign and adds to his point lead amongst the NHL’s best. Bourque breaks out of his early season jitters for 6 goals in 4 games, including 3 game winners at the Flames begin to heat up. The Flames were also backed by the strong goaltending of Kiprusoff who posted 2 shutouts in 3 games and looks to prove to his critics he is still an elite goalie in the NHL.

Players to Watch this Week

Anze Kopitar (LA) – With four games this week, the Kings hit the road to continue their strong start to the season, and will look to Kopitar to contribute offensively this week against some of the top teams in the West.

Ed Jovanovsiki (PHO) – The Coyotes also hit the road, and with Jovocop back from injury and patrolling the blue line once again, he will no doubt be looking to lead by example. Tied for the lead in points, Jovo is a solid fantasy pick not only for his offense, but because of his physical play resulting in more PIMs than other defensemen.

Carey Price (MON) – Price has 3 wins in his last 4 games, and is coming off a big shutout on the road in Ottawa, look for him to rack up solid fantasy numbers against the overachieving Islanders this week, as well as the lowly Panthers.

-T

Opening Night (for us)

While opening night for the NHL was well over 3 weeks ago, it is Opening Night here for us at Dirty Dangle.

Here is what you will receive from two brothers who are passionate about the game of hockey:

Daily and weekly posts on numerous topics on the game of hockey, covering NHL, CHL, Fantasy Hockey, Video Games, Sim Leagues, Vintage Hockey, Hockey Stats, Girlfriends and Hockey... literally anything hockey related is up for grabs.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term "Dirty Dangle", we do not mean it as a sexual position, but more of a deke that leaves you shaking your head, wondering, "wow, that was disgusting".

While we claim to be very knowledgeable about the game of hockey, we do not get paid for it, so our opinions are just that, opinions. While we are hockey fans, we are also Canadian hockey fans, and even more die hard, Toronto Maple Leaf fans.

We will try and bring updates daily, as our low level jobs working for the City allow for a great deal of free time, however, we do have lives, so don't expect anything professional.

We are new at this, so give us some time to stop ankle-burning and get our bearings.

Here's to popping our Don Cherry