this is awesome

[Deleted]

sup, fella's?

hope you dudes like some personal talk mixed in with REDS baseball talk!

espn sucks.

[JHockey14]

couldn't agree more, as a die hard hockey fan this reminds me of the direction HFboards has gone (not sure if anyone if familiar with this hockey message board). i got sooo tired of the espn threads and found so much insight over there. the gameday threads were amazing as well as interesting conversations mixed in with the occasional OT conversations that shed light on the mood in the middle of losing streaks and tough times.

[Lark11]

Hey, cisco, glad to have you on board. Off-topic discussion is just fine, so welcome.

Also, I'm curious which hockey teams you follow, jhockey. Hockey is my second favorite sport and it really helps me get through the baseball off-season.

I recently read an interesting interview with Don Cherry and he said something that really rang true for me. He said that he felt hockey was the best sport because it operated by "the code." He also said that baseball had a code.

When I stopped to think about it, I think he's on to something. For me, football and basketball have become too much about showboating and the player putting himself above the team. The emergence of the "star wide receiver" is just the latest travesty.

In hockey, if you tried to dance after a goal, you'd get knocked on your ass. In baseball, if you showboat after a homer, then you'll probably get a fastball in the ribs.

Personally, I don't like to see the NHL crack down on fighting (i.e. instigator rule) or MLB crack down on throwing at hitters (i.e. overzealous warnings to pitchers), because I think the players should be allowed to police themselves. It's much more effective and keeps the players in line and the game intact. Unfortunately, the spotlight on the commissioners gets hot and they don't have enough chutzpah to be politically incorrect. The NHL should embrace fighting and stop caving in to the PC police. MLB should allow pitchers to reclaim the inner half of the plate and throw at hitters who take liberties. It's possible to crack down on dirty play without taking the enforcement of the code away from the players.

I really think the code of conduct that is inherent in baseball and hockey really adds to the sport. Basketball and football seem to be prime examples of what happens when you don't have such a code.

[Lark11]

I must admit, I haven't enjoyed talking baseball this much in quite some time.

It's actually [glow=red,2,300]enjoyable[/glow]again, so thanks to everyone for kicking this board off right!!!!

[cincyreds45212]

i tell you what, i agree completely about the overzeolous umpires throwing ppl out for hitting a batter..thats a part of baseball and if you cant go inside in the ML's you might as well put the ball on a tee

[Deleted]

admin said:

Hey, cisco, glad to have you on board. Off-topic discussion is just fine, so welcome.

Also, I'm curious which hockey teams you follow, jhockey. Hockey is my second favorite sport and it really helps me get through the baseball off-season.

I recently read an interesting interview with Don Cherry and he said something that really rang true for me. He said that he felt hockey was the best sport because it operated by "the code." He also said that baseball had a code.

When I stopped to think about it, I think he's on to something. For me, football and basketball have become too much about showboating and the player putting himself above the team. The emergence of the "star wide receiver" is just the latest travesty.

In hockey, if you tried to dance after a goal, you'd get knocked on your ass. In baseball, if you showboat after a homer, then you'll probably get a fastball in the ribs.

Personally, I don't like to see the NHL crack down on fighting (i.e. instigator rule) or MLB crack down on throwing at hitters (i.e. overzealous warnings to pitchers), because I think the players should be allowed to police themselves. It's much more effective and keeps the players in line and the game intact. Unfortunately, the spotlight on the commissioners gets hot and they don't have enough chutzpah to be politically incorrect. The NHL should embrace fighting and stop caving in to the PC police. MLB should allow pitchers to reclaim the inner half of the plate and throw at hitters who take liberties. It's possible to crack down on dirty play without taking the enforcement of the code away from the players.

I really think the code of conduct that is inherent in baseball and hockey really adds to the sport. Basketball and football seem to be prime examples of what happens when you don't have such a code.

thanks for the 'welcome wagon', Lark.

sad to say, but i've never really been a hockey guy. i moved from OHIO at an early age, so i never got a chance to play. but i've always thought hockey players were the toughest SOB's on the planet!

and i couldn't agree more with you about your views regarding 'the code', in Baseball and hockey.

look forward to rappin' with you guys.

[JHockey14]

ive been a big boston bruins fan for a long time so the suprising season they have put forth has been very pleasant and exciting. i agree with you 100% on letting the fights be apart of the game. another player never hits the guy after he has hit the ice or the referees tap him and usually they'll pat each other on the head or something after. there is a great deal of respect between the players which is why for the most part, major injuries are kept down in such a fast pace, aggressive game. if you do something wrong you have to answer the bell, hockey or baseball. there is one thing that a hockey fight may have that a fastball to the ribs cannot catch however, if you win a fight in front of the home crowd, the emotional response and change of momentum can be huge. for those who really appreciate and understand the sport it is a great great game

[Lark11]

jhockey14 said:

ive been a big boston bruins fan for a long time so the suprising season they have put forth has been very pleasant and exciting. i agree with you 100% on letting the fights be apart of the game. another player never hits the guy after he has hit the ice or the referees tap him and usually they'll pat each other on the head or something after. there is a great deal of respect between the players which is why for the most part, major injuries are kept down in such a fast pace, aggressive game. if you do something wrong you have to answer the bell, hockey or baseball. there is one thing that a hockey fight may have that a fastball to the ribs cannot catch however, if you win a fight in front of the home crowd, the emotional response and change of momentum can be huge. for those who really appreciate and understand the sport it is a great great game

Agreed, the blend of speed, power, and skill is almost unmatched in the major sports. Hockey in person is pretty amazing, but I think most people base their opinion off of hockey on TV. Unfortunately, the game doesn't translate quite as well to TV as other sports.

As for the Bruins, Tim Thomas has been incredible this year. I'm curious, what's your take on Phil Kessel? Is he the real deal? Or, over hyped?

[JHockey14]

Tim Thomas has been has been a very pleasant suprise. He started falling off but after a week's rest hopefully he's back on track, Claude Julian, contrary to what I thought, has really got this team going in the right direction (I hope the same thing happens with Dusty! not high on him and he will prove me wrong, we'll see). As for Phil Kessel, he definately has all of the tools to be the real deal and the fact that we kept him at the trade deadline suggests he will do it as a bruin. His numbers aren't spectacular now for a few reasons. First of all he's playing on the third line on the right wing. A player of Kessel's caliber in my opinion should be playing the off wing while he is playing the right side right now. coming in off the left wing would allow him to hide his shot better and finish a lot of his chances. Another reason to be patient is that this is his first full NHL season under a system (cancer last year). With consistent playing time and a year under his belt I fully expect Kessel to reach the 30 goal plateau as soon as next season. Most importantly however, Phil KEssel definately needs a little maturity under his belt. In the NHL you cannot dangle through 4 guys and score like he did in minnesota, he needs to pass more which as of late he has been doing. the extra 10 pounds of muscle he will probably put on also won't hurt. I don't think he will ever be a superstar but a solid 30 maybe 40 goal scorer on the first line sounds about right. I'll take that any day. Which team do you follow ??

[Lark11]

jhockey14 said:

Tim Thomas has been has been a very pleasant suprise. He started falling off but after a week's rest hopefully he's back on track, Claude Julian, contrary to what I thought, has really got this team going in the right direction (I hope the same thing happens with Dusty! not high on him and he will prove me wrong, we'll see). As for Phil Kessel, he definately has all of the tools to be the real deal and the fact that we kept him at the trade deadline suggests he will do it as a bruin. His numbers aren't spectacular now for a few reasons. First of all he's playing on the third line on the right wing. A player of Kessel's caliber in my opinion should be playing the off wing while he is playing the right side right now. coming in off the left wing would allow him to hide his shot better and finish a lot of his chances. Another reason to be patient is that this is his first full NHL season under a system (cancer last year). With consistent playing time and a year under his belt I fully expect Kessel to reach the 30 goal plateau as soon as next season. Most importantly however, Phil KEssel definately needs a little maturity under his belt. In the NHL you cannot dangle through 4 guys and score like he did in minnesota, he needs to pass more which as of late he has been doing. the extra 10 pounds of muscle he will probably put on also won't hurt. I don't think he will ever be a superstar but a solid 30 maybe 40 goal scorer on the first line sounds about right. I'll take that any day. Which team do you follow ??

Well, if I had to pick one team, it would be the Sharks, though I also like the Blue Jackets and Blues a bit. With hockey, I tend to follow players a bit more than teams.

I first got hooked on hockey when Eric Lindros arrived. His first ever Olympics was when I got hooked on it. I really enjoyed watching him as a young player and my interest in hockey was further solidified by the Ranger/Canucks Stanley Cup finals. I loved watching the Russian Rocket Pavel Bure, but over time I gained a new appreciation for the more well rounded players.

My favorite player is Doug Weight. Unfortunately, it seems like Father Time has caught up with him, but I've always loved the way he plays. Great, great passer, very responsible in his own zone, and a leader in the lockerroom. I love watching Dougie handle the puck on a powerplay.

I also like watching some of the unheralded guys, like Mike Peca, Mike Grier, Mike Komisarek, Rostislav Klesla, and Kyle McLaren with his epic hip check.

Of the young guys, it's hard not to be impressed with the Blackhawks young talent (Kane, Toews, Bourque, etc) and I'm loving what I've seen from Carey Price so far. What a great story he has become.

The speed and skill of hockey is truly impressive. Add in the hits, highlight reel saves, and the emphasis of team over individual and it's a winning combination.

[JHockey14]

i love peca he truly is an unsung hero and had it not been for that nasty knee injury what could have been for the guy. as a bruins fan kyle mcclaren was also one of my favorites. he needed that change of scenery in san jose after his suspension in the playoffs years back and im glad to see him doing well. Rack nash truly is one of the most underrated players in the NHL. his size and speed are just uncommon with that great set of hands he has. i would give anyone on the bruins roster short of chara for him.

[Lark11]

jhockey14 said:

i love peca he truly is an unsung hero and had it not been for that nasty knee injury what could have been for the guy. as a bruins fan kyle mcclaren was also one of my favorites. he needed that change of scenery in san jose after his suspension in the playoffs years back and im glad to see him doing well. Rack nash truly is one of the most underrated players in the NHL. his size and speed are just uncommon with that great set of hands he has. i would give anyone on the bruins roster short of chara for him.

Agreed. Peca has always been a stud on the faceoff and on defense, which makes him one of my favorites. If he wasn't always dealing with injuries, then he'd be a tremendous player, because he brings a lot to the table.

It must not have been fun being a Bruins fan over the years. The Thorton trade was poor and the McLaren deal wasn't much better. Though, you did have one of the all-time greats in Cam Neely, who was a total stud. He epitomized what it is to be a hockey player.

As it stands, I like Kessel, Savard, and Chara on the Bruins. I'd love for them to get it together and put together a winning team, as it's more fun when the original 6 teams are good.

Nash really is a good player, though I'd like to see him improve in his own end a bit. I also like what Pascal Leclaire has done thus far. The Jackets may be on the verge of something positive with Nash, Zherdev, and Leclaire in the mix.