Montreal and the Penguins

Wow watching last nights games I was sure that Montreal could not win another game 7 on the road, but they did it again and were the better team. Pittsburgh came out so flat in the 1rst period as if they felt they could just show up and win the game. As goal after goal got scored against them there just did not seem to be any urgency. Finally in the second period they started to play like NHL champions and after cutting the lead 4-2 Montreal looked like they were faltering. But both teams played even in the third period, and so Montreal won. As a hockey fan I am exciting on several levels, having a Canadian team in the mix, and having a shot at having 3 of the Original 6 teams in the conference finals, if Boston can beat Philly. However for the growth of hockey for casual and non-fans this was a debacle. No Crosby, No Ovechkin, and a Canadian team means bad ratings for the NHL. Montreal seems to be a team of destiny this year, and I am also glad that a new team will be in the finals, no more RedWings or Penguins, which is also a good thing.

Montreal defeats the Capitals

It is still amazing to me that Montreal defeated Washington. Ovechkin is a great player, but he does not seem to elevate the play of his team mates the way Sidney Crosby does. But for everyone to rap him as the reason the Capitals loss, seems wrong to me. It just seems to me it all came down to goaltending, and letting in 2 goals on 16 shots seems to be where to look.

NHL Advertising

The NHL has some decent ads finally, to highlight the critical moments of the playoffs, called History will be made, you can check it out on Youtube. But some of the best ads are made by NHL fans as a parody, check out Puck Daddy's Blog for some of the best.

Ovechkin vs Crosby

Tonight Ovechkin plays Crosby tonight and as two of the best players/hated players/loved players in the NHL it is a great thing.

In the early 80s the NBA finals were on tape delay and the NBA was not really the big business sport it is today. Two players Magic Johnson and Larry Bird changed they way the game was seen and brought the game to the mass audience. The NBA used the Magic/Bird rivalry to build awareness and public interest in their game.

The NHL should do the same with Crosby and Ovechkin, two great young players who polarize hockey fans. They seemed to be loved or hated, but everyone seems to have chosen a feeling about the two.

This game between the Penguins and the Capitals should have prime time exposure, and the NHL marketing team should really be pushing this game.

Hockey players are great ambassadors of the sport, and the NHL should be doing a media blitz to grow the exposure of the league.

We had momentum from the NHL players in the Olympics, and that should have been used to continue to keep hockey in the minds of the public.

It just seems something needs to change to get hockey out of just being a niche sport with a small amount of fans.

Hockey a Crime

So there was finally a nice day in Canada, and a dad decided to play street hockey with his son. Well imagine his surprise when he was fined $75 for playing street hockey. I guess technically it was because of a noise complaint, but I am shocked this happened in Canada of all places. He is fighting the fine. Here is the story from CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/03/23/montreal-street-hockey-fine.html#ixzz0j1J2ewtA

Off Season Strength Training

Now that the hockey season is coming to an end, players need time for their mind and body to recuperate from being on the ice. By doing dryland training and weight training, the youth hockey players can still build up their body and skills without getting burned out on the sport.

The Hockey Share blog put up a good post giving some reasons why this is important.

www.hockeyshare.com/blog/comments-thoughts/allowing-post-season-recovery-time

The American Developmental model wants to build athletes first, and hockey players second.

http://www.admkids.com/

We have developed our summer camps so that players can do the nutrition, weight training and hockey skills that keeps it fun, and builds athletic skills.

www.lagunahockeyacademy.com/camps_clinics

Summer Training

We want to make sure that we do not burn out our Youth Hockey Players over the summer, depending on their age you need to have them not just play hockey leagues year round. We want them to play hockey because they want to, and it is fun for them, not because we push them as adults. The American Developmental Model from USA Hockey address age specific training, and how we should develop athletes first, and then hockey players.

http://www.admkids.com

Here is an amusing post on the subject by Mike Boyle from StrengthCoach.com

http://mboyle1959.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/summer-training-for-nine-year-olds/