Thirty Stories Up

Well, after finally getting to watch some hockey, instead of just hearing about it, here are my quick thoughts for the evening:

• Center Ice Online is going to be fantastic, when it actually works. Missed about five minutes of the start of the 1st in Canadiens at Hurricanes because of ‘technical difficulties’, and the broadcast of Senators at Leafs didn’t start for me until a few minutes in. But once it got going, it was smooth sailing; I was able to watch both games side by side via wireless. Not as much of a battery hog as I thought either; I was able to watch the first two periods of the Canes game and the first of the Toronto game on my laptop battery before having to adjourn back to the hotel from the bar. Quality is pretty good, and the audio keeps sync with the video surprisingly well (although I’m going to have to brush up on my French for these Canadian broadcasts).
• The Canadiens snaked one away from the ‘Canes at home. Cam Ward isn’t playing up to the level he needs to be right now, although he could have been getting more help in front.
• The ice at the RBC Center looked terrible in the third; a lot of guys were losing footing in both offensive zones, although it worked out well for the Canadiens (who scored their overtime winner on a falling-down pass to Koivu).
• Speaking of Koivu, he’s coming out of the gate looking fantastic, with two goals tonight, including that winner that he slotted past Cam Ward on the 4-on-3 power play in OT.
• The Senators are looking pretty good despite being down 3-2 in the 3rd. Their big guns are getting chances, but the Leafs have clung on and managed to sneak the shots in often enough to stay ahead. They still have time to pull it even, and I would hardly be surprised; with Ducks-Wings going to the shootout, we’re going to start the North American season with at least three very close games. (Edit: What did I say? Heatley capitalizes on a great pass for his first goal of the season to tie things up. He looks to be worth all those first picks in fantasy so far, not to mention the new deal he just signed.)  (Edit 2:  Heatley with the game-winner in OT!  Impressive as ever.)
• Toronto looks good on the penalty kill late, but a lot of that is because Ottawa is trying to force what isn’t there; commentator mentioned that the Ottawa bench was visibly upset when Spezza turned the puck over on a marginal pass attempt.
• The Senators look REALLY good on the penalty kill late. I think they’re just that good.
• The NHL-centric advertising this year looks great so far, between the ‘Believe’ commercial and the (I grudgingly admit) pretty good Crosby RBK commercial. Now let’s see it somewhere that non-NHL fans might see it, huh? Most people who are watching the game on local TV don’t need to be convinced any more.

Filed under: Hockey

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