I'm still really annoyed by the Winter Classic announcement today so I figured I'd give three other options that would make for great games in future years.
#1-New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
Possible Location:New Yankee Stadium Bronk, NY, Meadowlands Stadium East Rutherford, NJ
This matchup is first because it's the one closest to my heart. It's one of the longest and fiercest rivalries in the NHL, and one of the most under appreciated nowadays. This used to be one of FOX's go-to games when they used to do weekend games. These two stadiums are brand new and perfect for this kind of game. The Meadowlands Stadium might be the better choice for two reasons. The NHL already has alot of history at the Meadowlands Sports Complex and it's the home of a future Super Bowl and they could use that in advertisments.
#2-Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild
Possible Location:Target Field
To newer fans this match-up seems very random but it makes sense if you know the history behind it. The Stars were originally known as the Minnesota North Stars before moving the Texas. Have this game for all the old-school and new fans in Minnesota, after all as Commissioner Bettmann said this afternoon it is "The State of Hockey". The history of the state is your advertising.
#3-Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche
Possible Location:Corrs Field, Invesco Field at Mile High
I figure that if they are going to repeat teams, like go with a forgotten rivalry. These two teams at one time hated each other. The location would be extremely unique and I think it would be a great game. The only issue I could see would be the thin air for a hockey game, but if they could work that out, it would be a great time.
Friday, May 28, 2010
2010-2011 NHL Announcement Reactions
So the NHL chose today to make such major announcements for next season.
First of all, they chose the location and match-ups for the NHL Winter Classic.
For those who don't know, the NHL Winter Classic is a New Year's Day tradition, this will be the fourth year, and the NHL has two teams play outdoors. The first three games have been really exciting and the locations have been different.
This year the game will be held at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh as the Penguins host the Washington Capitals. While the game is great on paper, I have one major problem with it. This is only the fourth Winter Classic and they are already repeating teams? Are you serious? Pittsburgh played in the first Classic game against Buffalo. I guess it's okay because of the high profile players, but come on? There was no where else and no other teams to have in this game?
In addition to the US outdoor game, Canada has been given one too as the Flames will host the Canadiens in the 2011 Hertiage Classic at the McMahon Stadium in Calgary. It's a cool idea and I hope it happens without a hitch like the game in Pittsburgh.
Moving on, I'm very excited to see that the All-Star Game is back this year. The game will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina. I say absolutely awesome!
They also announced that the NHL Premiere games are back again. The NHL seems to love to send teams to Europe at the start of the season. This year they are sending the Bruins, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Wild, Coyotes and Sharks overseas. It's not a big deal, I just hope it doesn't mess up the teams when they get back like last year.
Finally the one major announcement that I'm very excited about. For years there has been a special day up in Canada, Hockey Day in Canada, where the country celebrates the sport and the major part of it is a triple-header with all six Canadian teams. Well this year the NHL and NBC are teaming up for the first ever, Hockey Day in America where there will be games and a celebration. They haven't announced all the details but it's definitely something to look forward to.
Overall, while I may not like the Winter Classic match-up, these are some very cool announcements and gives hockey fans like myself, alot to look forward to next season.
First of all, they chose the location and match-ups for the NHL Winter Classic.
For those who don't know, the NHL Winter Classic is a New Year's Day tradition, this will be the fourth year, and the NHL has two teams play outdoors. The first three games have been really exciting and the locations have been different.
This year the game will be held at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh as the Penguins host the Washington Capitals. While the game is great on paper, I have one major problem with it. This is only the fourth Winter Classic and they are already repeating teams? Are you serious? Pittsburgh played in the first Classic game against Buffalo. I guess it's okay because of the high profile players, but come on? There was no where else and no other teams to have in this game?
In addition to the US outdoor game, Canada has been given one too as the Flames will host the Canadiens in the 2011 Hertiage Classic at the McMahon Stadium in Calgary. It's a cool idea and I hope it happens without a hitch like the game in Pittsburgh.
Moving on, I'm very excited to see that the All-Star Game is back this year. The game will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina. I say absolutely awesome!
They also announced that the NHL Premiere games are back again. The NHL seems to love to send teams to Europe at the start of the season. This year they are sending the Bruins, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Wild, Coyotes and Sharks overseas. It's not a big deal, I just hope it doesn't mess up the teams when they get back like last year.
Finally the one major announcement that I'm very excited about. For years there has been a special day up in Canada, Hockey Day in Canada, where the country celebrates the sport and the major part of it is a triple-header with all six Canadian teams. Well this year the NHL and NBC are teaming up for the first ever, Hockey Day in America where there will be games and a celebration. They haven't announced all the details but it's definitely something to look forward to.
Overall, while I may not like the Winter Classic match-up, these are some very cool announcements and gives hockey fans like myself, alot to look forward to next season.
Stanley Cup Finals Predictions
I'll make this fast because I don't have alot to say right now.
My official pick is Hawks in 6. (I picked Hawks in 5 in my facebook predictions thread because I need the points to win)
My official pick is Hawks in 6. (I picked Hawks in 5 in my facebook predictions thread because I need the points to win)
American Idol-The Grand Finale (and Simon's Swan Song)
Well the ninth season of American Idol is officially over. We have a new American Idol. Before I get into that, let's review the week of fun action-packed singing and craziness.
Tuesday Performance Show
Instead of going song by song, I'll just go by the singer, it's easier that way.
Lee-First he gave us his choice from earlier in the season and he redid The Boxer and did a steller job. He stood out in my view. This was very evident during his second performance, the producer's choice, Everybody Hurts, when he took this R.E.M. classic and made it sound really good. It seemed like he was coming into his own big time as the night continued. Then came the big finish with U2's Beautiful Day (which, as a side note, I didn't quite understand why this year they used covers instead of original songs but alas this is the case). I thought he looked like a pure rocker here, played the crowd really well and finally looked like he belonged there.
Crystal-On the other side of the coin, we had the hottie MamaSox. She started her night with re-singing Me and Bobby McGee, and it was good. The issue I had it just didn't work for me this time around because I really liked it the first time around. When she started singing Black Velvet, I was hoping for a great performance, and unfornately I felt let down. She did a good job, but it wasn't her best performance, as a matter of fact it wasn't even the best performance of that song in Idol's history. The only song I really thought completely stood out was her redition of Solomon Burke's Up to the Mountain (MLK). It was on key, it was on point and was a great way to go out for the night.
After the night was over, I thought that Lee actually had the edge over Crystal based on performances on that night. But as for winning the title of American Idol, I figured it would end up going to Crystal.
Wednesday Result Snow
I'm going to go through analysis the show in sections because it's just easier that way.
Group Performances
I thought starting the night off with School's Out for Summer was awesome. It was very strange seeing Alice Cooper on the Idol stage though. But Mandy did call that it was Orianthi on the guitar which was very awesome. I loved the fact that they got the Bee Gees to come out and sing How Deep is Your Love with Siobhan and Aaron. It was actually well done. I thought that the girls singing Beautiful/Fighter was a brilliant choice of song. It just seems that Beautiful is following me no matter what show I watch. The Hall & Oates medley was awesome, then again I love Hall & Oates and always have.
Notable Duets
One of the perks of getting to the top 4 is that you are guaranteed a duet on finale night. This started with Michael Lynche and Michael McDonald singing Takin' It To The Streets which I thought was actually terrible. It just sounded really bad and didn't come off on television good on any level. The same can't be said for the biggest surprise of the evening with Casey James and, the guy who doesn't know how to rest, Bret Michaels singing Every Rose Has It's Thorn. That was a total surprise for everyone involved with the show and it was awesome to say the least.
The Final Two
Crystal and Lee both had their own big moments on this night with performances. First came Crystal and Alanis Morissette singing Ironic and You Oughtta Know (I wasn't a big fan of the censor job on the song but what can you do on a family show?). I thought it was perfectly done and perfect song choices for Crystal to sing on this night. As for Lee, he got to sing Chicago and did a medley and in my opinion, unless the mics were just bad, it sounded very off and I thought that Lee sang the best out of all of them. Then before the end result the two of them sang With A Little Help From My Friends with Joe Cocker and it was awesome to say the least.
Former Idol Performances
Other than the big ending, which I will get to, the other two former Idols that performed were Kris Allen and Carrie Underwood doing their new singles. I thought it was cool. Also I think there should be a rule that unless you performing with an Idol, former Idol winners should be the only ones allowed to sing by themselves on the Idol Finale. Which leads me to...
Random Celebrity Performances
All season long on results night you have bands and singers sing their new singles to plug their new albums. I have no problem with that, something needs to fill the time on results night. But on this night, I didn't tune in to see Janet Jackson and Christina Aguilera sing. That is time they could have used for something more important.
Other Performances
The only other thing of note was the performance of Pants on the Ground which everyone knew was coming. The big shocker for me was the fact they had William Hung come out and rap with him. I didn't need that. It's official, I could now go the rest of my life without ever hearing William Hung sing again.
Simon Tributes
Obviously because it was Simon Cowell's last broadcast they were going to do something big for him. I thought the little clips throughout the night were funny and perfect for him, especially the one where the judges were making fun of him. I thought Dane Cook was absolutely awful, then again I just hate the guy anyway and I don't think he's at all funny. I did think it was funny having him get interrupted by all the freaks from the past though. It was great to see Paula, but her monologue was long and just didn't hit the point at all. Sure it had Simon laughing but the crowd was like super-dead.
The two highlights for me were the My Way tribute video, which was the most touching tribute video I think I've seen on television in years. Then of course was the big Idol reunion number Together We Are One, which I will say if you didn't see it, find the video. It was awesome for anyone who has ever watched this show or just likes music. (It was a shame that David Cook wasn't there though, it might have been the only time you could have gotten all the former Idol winners on the Idol stage at the same time.)
It's definitely sad to see Simon go, the show will not be the same without him next year, it's going to be hard to replace him.
The Result
Well for me, it didn't matter who won. My top two from the very beginning made it through to the end. But I'm glad Lee won. He had a better final night and was finally come in on his own over the last few weeks.
It was a great ending to a really strange Idol season.
Tuesday Performance Show
Instead of going song by song, I'll just go by the singer, it's easier that way.
Lee-First he gave us his choice from earlier in the season and he redid The Boxer and did a steller job. He stood out in my view. This was very evident during his second performance, the producer's choice, Everybody Hurts, when he took this R.E.M. classic and made it sound really good. It seemed like he was coming into his own big time as the night continued. Then came the big finish with U2's Beautiful Day (which, as a side note, I didn't quite understand why this year they used covers instead of original songs but alas this is the case). I thought he looked like a pure rocker here, played the crowd really well and finally looked like he belonged there.
Crystal-On the other side of the coin, we had the hottie MamaSox. She started her night with re-singing Me and Bobby McGee, and it was good. The issue I had it just didn't work for me this time around because I really liked it the first time around. When she started singing Black Velvet, I was hoping for a great performance, and unfornately I felt let down. She did a good job, but it wasn't her best performance, as a matter of fact it wasn't even the best performance of that song in Idol's history. The only song I really thought completely stood out was her redition of Solomon Burke's Up to the Mountain (MLK). It was on key, it was on point and was a great way to go out for the night.
After the night was over, I thought that Lee actually had the edge over Crystal based on performances on that night. But as for winning the title of American Idol, I figured it would end up going to Crystal.
Wednesday Result Snow
I'm going to go through analysis the show in sections because it's just easier that way.
Group Performances
I thought starting the night off with School's Out for Summer was awesome. It was very strange seeing Alice Cooper on the Idol stage though. But Mandy did call that it was Orianthi on the guitar which was very awesome. I loved the fact that they got the Bee Gees to come out and sing How Deep is Your Love with Siobhan and Aaron. It was actually well done. I thought that the girls singing Beautiful/Fighter was a brilliant choice of song. It just seems that Beautiful is following me no matter what show I watch. The Hall & Oates medley was awesome, then again I love Hall & Oates and always have.
Notable Duets
One of the perks of getting to the top 4 is that you are guaranteed a duet on finale night. This started with Michael Lynche and Michael McDonald singing Takin' It To The Streets which I thought was actually terrible. It just sounded really bad and didn't come off on television good on any level. The same can't be said for the biggest surprise of the evening with Casey James and, the guy who doesn't know how to rest, Bret Michaels singing Every Rose Has It's Thorn. That was a total surprise for everyone involved with the show and it was awesome to say the least.
The Final Two
Crystal and Lee both had their own big moments on this night with performances. First came Crystal and Alanis Morissette singing Ironic and You Oughtta Know (I wasn't a big fan of the censor job on the song but what can you do on a family show?). I thought it was perfectly done and perfect song choices for Crystal to sing on this night. As for Lee, he got to sing Chicago and did a medley and in my opinion, unless the mics were just bad, it sounded very off and I thought that Lee sang the best out of all of them. Then before the end result the two of them sang With A Little Help From My Friends with Joe Cocker and it was awesome to say the least.
Former Idol Performances
Other than the big ending, which I will get to, the other two former Idols that performed were Kris Allen and Carrie Underwood doing their new singles. I thought it was cool. Also I think there should be a rule that unless you performing with an Idol, former Idol winners should be the only ones allowed to sing by themselves on the Idol Finale. Which leads me to...
Random Celebrity Performances
All season long on results night you have bands and singers sing their new singles to plug their new albums. I have no problem with that, something needs to fill the time on results night. But on this night, I didn't tune in to see Janet Jackson and Christina Aguilera sing. That is time they could have used for something more important.
Other Performances
The only other thing of note was the performance of Pants on the Ground which everyone knew was coming. The big shocker for me was the fact they had William Hung come out and rap with him. I didn't need that. It's official, I could now go the rest of my life without ever hearing William Hung sing again.
Simon Tributes
Obviously because it was Simon Cowell's last broadcast they were going to do something big for him. I thought the little clips throughout the night were funny and perfect for him, especially the one where the judges were making fun of him. I thought Dane Cook was absolutely awful, then again I just hate the guy anyway and I don't think he's at all funny. I did think it was funny having him get interrupted by all the freaks from the past though. It was great to see Paula, but her monologue was long and just didn't hit the point at all. Sure it had Simon laughing but the crowd was like super-dead.
The two highlights for me were the My Way tribute video, which was the most touching tribute video I think I've seen on television in years. Then of course was the big Idol reunion number Together We Are One, which I will say if you didn't see it, find the video. It was awesome for anyone who has ever watched this show or just likes music. (It was a shame that David Cook wasn't there though, it might have been the only time you could have gotten all the former Idol winners on the Idol stage at the same time.)
It's definitely sad to see Simon go, the show will not be the same without him next year, it's going to be hard to replace him.
The Result
Well for me, it didn't matter who won. My top two from the very beginning made it through to the end. But I'm glad Lee won. He had a better final night and was finally come in on his own over the last few weeks.
It was a great ending to a really strange Idol season.
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