Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Anton Khudobin, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel and San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the month of January.
FIRST STAR – ANTON KHUDOBIN, G, CAROLINA HURRICANES
Khudobin appeared in each of Carolina's 14 games in January, posting a 10-4-0 record, 2.19 goals-against average and .927 save percentage, as the Hurricanes (25-20-9) climbed to third place in the Metropolitan Division by month's end. Khudobin allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 13 starts, did not surrender more than three goals in any appearance and posted a pair of four-game win streaks (Jan. 2-9 and Jan. 22-27). He improved to 6-0-0 on the season in a 6-1 win over Toronto on Jan. 9, setting franchise records for most winning decisions to start a season and a career with Hartford/Carolina (six). Signed as a free agent by the Hurricanes in July, Khudobin improved his season record to 12-4-0 with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 17 appearances.
SECOND STAR – PHIL KESSEL, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Kessel tied for the League scoring lead in January, recording 20 points (7-13--20) in 15 games, as the Maple Leafs (30-21-6) posted a 9-5-1 record and jumped to third place in the Atlantic Division. Kessel's efforts during a seven-game point streak from Jan. 10-21, during which he collected 6-8--14, helped the Maple Leafs post a six-game winning streak (Jan. 12-21), the club's longest since the 2005-06 season. Kessel, who will represent the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games later this month, leads the Maple Leafs in scoring and is fourth in the League overall with 61 points (30-31--61) in 57 games. His 30 goals rank second to Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (39). Kessel tops the Maple Leafs in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (tie-4) and shots (217).
THIRD STAR – JOE PAVELSKI, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS
Pavelski scored a League-leading 12 goals in 15 games last month and added four assists as the Sharks (35-15-6) went 9-6-0 and strengthened their hold on second place in the Pacific Division. Pavelski recorded goals in eight contests, including the game-winning goal in each of three consecutive games. He notched his first NHL hat trick in a 5-4 win over Tampa Bay Jan. 18, tallying a 'natural' hat trick with three scores in a 6:12 span late in the second period; scored twice in a 3-2 win over Calgary Jan. 20; and recorded the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Winnipeg on Jan. 23. Pavelski, who will represent the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games later this month, is tied for third place among NHL goal-scorers with 29, just two shy of his single-season career high set in 2011-12. He ranks second on the Sharks in points with 29-25--54 in 56 games.
(NHLMedia)
Monday, February 3, 2014
Many Canadians Watched Seahawks Roll To Victory
SUPER BOWL XLVIII is the second most-watched SUPER BOWL broadcast on record, with an average audience of 8 million viewers on CTV and RDS (CTV: 7.3 million; RDS: 610,000), preliminary data from BBM Canada confirms. The most-watched television program of the past two years, the Seattle Seahawks’ commanding 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos attracted more than 18 million unique viewers – or more than one-in-two Canadians (53%) – on CTV or RDS. In 2012, SUPER BOWL XLVI attracted 8.2 million viewers in Canada.
Among the highlights:
Among the highlights:
- With drum solos, gleaming gold jackets, and a massive fireworks display, the explosive halftime performance by Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers captivated Canadian viewers, as audience levels for SUPER BOWL XLVIII on CTV and RDS peaked at nearly 10 million viewers during the highly-anticipated halftime show.
- The game on CTV received impressive 65% – 74% shares among key adult and male demographics in English Canada.
- It was the most watched SUPER BOWL on record in Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. In the Vancouver market, fans showed their support for the Seahawks, with SUPER BOWL XLVIII growing 44% among A25-54 (to a 29 rating) and 33% among A18-49 (to a 27.2 rating) compared to last year.
Thoughts on Super Bowl 48
The morning after and its a little surreal. 37 years of cheering on the Seattle Seahawks and they are finally Super Bowl champions. Yes, like Dave Ridgway's kick in 89 healed the wounds somewhat of Tony Gabriel in 76, the sting of the debacle that was Super Bowl XL has been replaced by what I saw on the MetLife turf yesterday and I still really don't believe what I saw. Just some thoughts on what happened
1. Denver was done after the first play. They didn't seem ready, they didn't seem focused and the botched snap gave that Seahawks D the momentum they were looking for. If Manning has any success on that first drive, its a different football game, but he didn't and the rest was history
2, Denver's receivers wanted nothing to do with Seattle's defense. After the Seahawks took a 5-0 lead and a dumb penalty to give the Broncos the ball at the 35, Peyton Manning tried some crossing patterns only to see his receivers get belted. They wanted nothing to do with the Legion of Boom after that
3. Seattle had a chance to blow it open in the 1st quarter, but had to settle for 3's. Allowing Peyton a chance to stay in the game is a dangerous tightrope to walk.
4. It was pre-game, but damn did Charissa Thompson look good with her red-carpet duties.
5. Was the Seahawks defense that good or was Peyton and company that bad? I find it hard to think an offense like Denver's just couldn't do anything.
6. What was Knowshon Moreno doing on Malcolm Smith's interception? He looks like he gave up on the play instead of trying to battle for the ball.
7. Was Smith really the MVP? If he wasn't who was. You could have voted for Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin or Percy Harvin in my mind.
8. ESPN's Keyshawn Johnson said before the game, Denver's Matt Prater led the league in touchbacks, but when it came to kicks returned, Denver was dead last in the league. It showed.
9. This was a game Peyton Manning will want to forget and yes his legacy is tarnished somewhat. Until someone does what Joe Montana has done in Super Bowls, don't talk to me about this guy or that guy being the best quarterback in the history of the game. That's Montana and there isn't an argument in my mind.
10. There was no doubt the 12th man was evident at this game. Seahawks fans travel like Rider fans and they make as much noise. Great to see!
1. Denver was done after the first play. They didn't seem ready, they didn't seem focused and the botched snap gave that Seahawks D the momentum they were looking for. If Manning has any success on that first drive, its a different football game, but he didn't and the rest was history
2, Denver's receivers wanted nothing to do with Seattle's defense. After the Seahawks took a 5-0 lead and a dumb penalty to give the Broncos the ball at the 35, Peyton Manning tried some crossing patterns only to see his receivers get belted. They wanted nothing to do with the Legion of Boom after that
3. Seattle had a chance to blow it open in the 1st quarter, but had to settle for 3's. Allowing Peyton a chance to stay in the game is a dangerous tightrope to walk.
4. It was pre-game, but damn did Charissa Thompson look good with her red-carpet duties.
5. Was the Seahawks defense that good or was Peyton and company that bad? I find it hard to think an offense like Denver's just couldn't do anything.
6. What was Knowshon Moreno doing on Malcolm Smith's interception? He looks like he gave up on the play instead of trying to battle for the ball.
7. Was Smith really the MVP? If he wasn't who was. You could have voted for Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin or Percy Harvin in my mind.
8. ESPN's Keyshawn Johnson said before the game, Denver's Matt Prater led the league in touchbacks, but when it came to kicks returned, Denver was dead last in the league. It showed.
9. This was a game Peyton Manning will want to forget and yes his legacy is tarnished somewhat. Until someone does what Joe Montana has done in Super Bowls, don't talk to me about this guy or that guy being the best quarterback in the history of the game. That's Montana and there isn't an argument in my mind.
10. There was no doubt the 12th man was evident at this game. Seahawks fans travel like Rider fans and they make as much noise. Great to see!
NHL Three Stars Of Week
Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the period ending Feb. 2.
FIRST STAR— ZACH PARISE, LW, MINNESOTA WILD
Parise led the NHL with eight points (3-5--8) last week as the Wild (29-21-7) went 1-1-1 in three road contests. Parise began the week by tallying the game-winning goal plus two assists in a 4-2 win at Anaheim Jan. 28, handing the Ducks their second regulation loss in 25 home starts. He recorded a season-high four points (2-2--4) and nine shots in a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 30 and notched an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames Feb. 1. Parise also was named captain of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team on Jan. 31. The 29-year-old Minneapolis native, who served as an alternate captain for the silver medal-winning U.S. team at Vancouver in 2010, has recorded 35 points (18-17--35) in 42 games with the Wild this season.
SECOND STAR –- PHIL KESSEL, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Kessel recorded seven points (3-4--7) last week, helping the Maple Leafs (30-21-6) climb to third place in the Atlantic Division with three consecutive victories. He earned an assist on the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 28, recorded two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers Jan. 30 and tallied his fifth career hat trick and one assist in a 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators Feb. 1. The 26-year-old Madison, Wisc. native, who will represent the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games later this month, leads the Maple Leafs in scoring and is fourth in the League overall with 61 points (30-31--61) in 57 games. His 30 goals rank second in the League to Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (39).
THIRD STAR – MIKAEL BACKLUND, C, CALGARY FLAMES
Backlund recorded six points (4-2--6) last week, highlighted by multiple points in each of his three appearances, as the Flames (21-27-7) closed out their first 5-0-0 homestand since Feb. 7-15, 1997. Backlund began the week by notching two goals, one shorthanded, in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 28. He tallied two assists in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 30 and he closed the week by recording a shorthanded tally as well as the overtime winner in a 4-3 decision over the Minnesota Wild Feb. 1. The 24-year-old Vasteras, Sweden native increased his season scoring total to 13-14--27 in 54 games.
(NHL Media)
FIRST STAR— ZACH PARISE, LW, MINNESOTA WILD
Parise led the NHL with eight points (3-5--8) last week as the Wild (29-21-7) went 1-1-1 in three road contests. Parise began the week by tallying the game-winning goal plus two assists in a 4-2 win at Anaheim Jan. 28, handing the Ducks their second regulation loss in 25 home starts. He recorded a season-high four points (2-2--4) and nine shots in a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 30 and notched an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames Feb. 1. Parise also was named captain of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team on Jan. 31. The 29-year-old Minneapolis native, who served as an alternate captain for the silver medal-winning U.S. team at Vancouver in 2010, has recorded 35 points (18-17--35) in 42 games with the Wild this season.
SECOND STAR –- PHIL KESSEL, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Kessel recorded seven points (3-4--7) last week, helping the Maple Leafs (30-21-6) climb to third place in the Atlantic Division with three consecutive victories. He earned an assist on the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 28, recorded two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers Jan. 30 and tallied his fifth career hat trick and one assist in a 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators Feb. 1. The 26-year-old Madison, Wisc. native, who will represent the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games later this month, leads the Maple Leafs in scoring and is fourth in the League overall with 61 points (30-31--61) in 57 games. His 30 goals rank second in the League to Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (39).
THIRD STAR – MIKAEL BACKLUND, C, CALGARY FLAMES
Backlund recorded six points (4-2--6) last week, highlighted by multiple points in each of his three appearances, as the Flames (21-27-7) closed out their first 5-0-0 homestand since Feb. 7-15, 1997. Backlund began the week by notching two goals, one shorthanded, in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Jan. 28. He tallied two assists in a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 30 and he closed the week by recording a shorthanded tally as well as the overtime winner in a 4-3 decision over the Minnesota Wild Feb. 1. The 24-year-old Vasteras, Sweden native increased his season scoring total to 13-14--27 in 54 games.
(NHL Media)
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Something To "Mitch" About
Did ya really expect something else????
The Seahawks are champions. I'll give you my thoughts on the day later. This blogger is too busy watching the NFL Network and the Seattle stations as the celebrations go on!!!!
Why The Seahawks Win
Two weeks of hype are over and its time for the Seahawks and Broncos to get on to the MetLife Stadium turf at East Rutherford New Jersey and play Super Bowl 48.
Since the matchup was known two weeks ago, we have heard everyone analyze this game inside and out and why this team will win and why that team will win.
Of course I am taking the Seahawks to win, but there are a few reasons why I say they do so in what I think will be an entertaining football game and not a blowout. It has nothing do to with the fact whenever Denver has worn its orange uniforms at the Super Bowl they have been crushed by Washington and San Francisco.
The Seahawks will win this game because frankly they are a tougher, more physical team than the Broncos. In an NFC where you had to earn every yard you got, the Seahawks managed to knock down the 49ers twice and oh so close to doing it three times, they managed to knock New Orleans out twice, they were better than Carolina (albeit that was a long time ago in Week 1). They have come out of the better conference.
Take nothing away from the Broncos, but I don't think their offensive line can hold up against Seattle's passrush and if they get Peyton Manning off "the spot" and have him feeling uncomfortable, this game is over. If "The Legion of Boom" disrupts Manning's timing and it takes him that extra second to get rid of the football, it spells bad news for Denver. Make no doubt about it, Peyton will make his plays and throw for a couple of touchdowns, but he won't find it as easy as he has all year long unless he has found a weakness no other team has. In fact, if Denver is to win this game, I think Knowshon Moreno has to put up MVP like numbers to keep what will be a hard-charging, intense physical defense on its toes.
If Denver can keep Peyton clean, they will win because he has too much talent to throw to in guys like Demyarius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker. As good as the Seahawks defence is, Manning can cut them up if he isn't bothered in the pocket.
I say Seattle wins it 26-22 and at the end of the night, defensive end Michael Bennett or safety Earl Thomas are named the MVP.
Why would Denver wear the orange jerseys when they've been hammered in them twice before anyhow?
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Super Bowl 48 Preview
Its the Seahawks and Broncos for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Here's a preview from NFLMedia..
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