*** Official Ice-Hockey Thread ***

[Kandi1977]

Where's Wayne Gretzky playing now?

 

[Bullet]

Normally, I love my job. Sit rinkside and shoot through one of the holes in the plexiglass with roaring crowds of 19,000+ around me.

Now, the arenas are lifeless, devoid of fans and the lack of body heat in the building means they are very cold environments. We have to work from elevated positions, sitting in seats we are assigned. After a four-hour shift (we shoot pre-game warmups, transmit pics for 30-40 mins after) in that cold last game, I non-figuratively could not stop shivering despite wearing a warm winter coat and hat.

You can see samples of what I do - hockey and more - here:

www.vantagepointsports.com

Soup, coffee, beaver fur socks/ underwear/ snood/ hat

 

[greatwhitenorf]

Where's Wayne Gretzky playing now?

In whatever casino his gambling-mad wife, Janet, drags him to.

 

[Daisuk]

Normally, I love my job. Sit rinkside and shoot through one of the holes in the plexiglass with roaring crowds of 19,000+ around me.

Now, the arenas are lifeless, devoid of fans and the lack of body heat in the building means they are very cold environments. We have to work from elevated positions, sitting in seats we are assigned. After a four-hour shift (we shoot pre-game warmups, transmit pics for 30-40 mins after) in that cold last game, I non-figuratively could not stop shivering despite wearing a warm winter coat and hat.

You can see samples of what I do - hockey and more - here:

www.vantagepointsports.com

Damn! Watching sports these days is pretty weird. What a job though! I'm envious.

 

[greatwhitenorf]

So, last week, I got an ice level position, shooting through one of the holes in the glass. An even colder location than 28 rows up in the lower bowl. My hands are freezing even though I'm wearing thin, rubber-palmed work gloves. Between periods I have to edit, process in Photoshop and add 100% accurate captions before uploading to the picture desk.

At the end of the first period, I move into a stairwell and fire up the laptop. I'm sitting on frosty collapsible metal stands that hold up the first four rows of seats and beside me are lineup sheets I printed at home because the club media staff don't handout the usual game sheets anymore. As I'm about to caption my first image, I reach for the sheets and my numb fingers bump them off the stair and into the space below. I have to crawl under the stands to retrieve. Except the one for the home team is in a place I can't reach. Luckily, I know most of their names and numbers by heart. Or do I?

So, I knock out a few images and, before the period starts, mooch a long-handled broom to retrieve the still-missing lineup sheet. Back in hand, I give it a look-over to make sure there isn't any rat tinkle on it. To my horror, I realize I've put out two pictures with a wrong name. Earlier in the day, I had been editing pictures in my decades-deep archive and, when typing the captions from memory, substituted a surname from a player who once played 30 years ago. Some memory I've got. The cold isn't improving it.

 

[Daisuk]

So, last week, I got an ice level position, shooting through one of the holes in the glass. An even colder location than 28 rows up in the lower bowl. My hands are freezing even though I'm wearing thin, rubber-palmed work gloves. Between periods I have to edit, process in Photoshop and add 400% accurate captions before uploading to the picture desk.

At the end of the first period, I move into a stairwell and fire up the laptop. I'm sitting on frosty collapsible metal stands that hold up the first four rows of seats and beside me are lineup sheets I printed at home because the club media staff don't handout the usual game sheets anymore. As I'm about to caption my first image, I reach for the sheets and my numb fingers bump them off the stair and into the space below. I have to crawl under the stands to retrieve. Except the one for the home team is in a place I can't reach. Luckily, I know most of their names and numbers by heart. Or do I?

So, I knock out a few images and, before the period starts, mooch a long-handled broom to retrieve the still-missing lineup sheet. Back in hand, I give it a look-over to make sure there isn't any rat tinkle on it. To my horror, I realize I've put out two pictures with a wrong name. Earlier in the day, I had been editing pictures in my decades-deep archive and, when typing the captions from memory, substituted a surname from a player who once played 30 years ago. Some memory I've got. The cold isn't improving it.

Doesn't sound great, but I'd still say you're pretty lucky! I really hope I get to Denver one day to watch the Avs play.

 

[superspurs]

Doesn't sound great, but I'd still say you're pretty lucky! I really hope I get to Denver one day to watch the Avs play.

Big dream of mine to see the Avs also, been a fan since 2000, we’ve got a chance at a cup in the next few years and I hope we do it.

The missus is from Canada so have been to see the Flames at the Saddledome to tick off at least one NHL game, was when they had Jagr too so was quite cool to see him live.

 

[Daisuk]

Big dream of mine to see the Avs also, been a fan since 2000, we’ve got a chance at a cup in the next few years and I hope we do it.

The missus is from Canada so have been to see the Flames at the Saddledome to tick off at least one NHL game, was when they had Jagr too so was quite cool to see him live.

Hey, nice! we've got a great team now, Sakic is doing the lord's work building the squad - so much talent. How good is Makar? What an absolute beast he is - can go on to be one of the all time great defensemen. With Mikko on a new contract, Landeskog still firing and McKinnon being his usual unplayable self, and the second, third and fourth line even firing - Grubauer a beast in goal - there's no stopping us. There's definitely championship material in this team. Fingers crossed. You need a bit of luck in the playoffs though.

 

[superspurs]

Hey, nice! we've got a great team now, Sakic is doing the lord's work building the squad - so much talent. How good is Makar? What an absolute hunk of burning love he is - can go on to be one of the all time great defensemen. With Mikko on a new contract, Landeskog still firing and McKinnon being his usual unplayable self, and the second, third and fourth line even firing - Grubauer a hunk of burning love in goal - there's no stopping us. There's definitely championship material in this team. Fingers crossed. You need a bit of luck in the playoffs though.

Yeah bro! we should have done better in the playoffs last year but the experience will help. Gotta' win the cup, 20 years is way too long to wait, especially after how feel-good 2001 was (I watch that Borque trophy lift at least once a week...).

Love Makar, what a talent indeed, comes right in and looks like he's been in the NHL for years, gets in on the PP, exciting times.

 

[Daisuk]

Yeah bro! we should have done better in the playoffs last year but the experience will help. Gotta' win the cup, 20 years is way too long to wait, especially after how feel-good 2001 was (I watch that Borque trophy lift at least once a week...).

Love Makar, what a talent indeed, comes right in and looks like he's been in the NHL for years, gets in on the PP, exciting times.

Ah, yeah, goosebump moment! I actually remember watching the 1996 Stanley cup final when Uwe Krupp scored the winner from the blue line. Lovely. Don't know why the forum translates b E a s t to burning love hunk or whatever, but what can you do.

 

[superspurs]

Ah, yeah, goosebump moment! I actually remember watching the 1996 Stanley cup final when Uwe Krupp scored the winner from the blue line. Lovely. Don't know why the forum translates b E a s t to burning love hunk or whatever, but what can you do.

haha must be Sandro related.

Wasn’t watching in 96 sadly, doubt it was even on TV here in the UK at the time, I got into Hockey following the London Knights in the old British League originally then started watching the NHL, though I do have an authentic Starter jersey from 96 with the finals patch and Sakic 19 to commemorate the win.

 

[greatwhitenorf]

Doesn't sound great, but I'd still say you're pretty lucky! I really hope I get to Denver one day to watch the Avs play.

Denver, shmenver.

Don't limit yourself, Samson. Canada's the place to watch NHL action. Or, if the Wings are rockin', The Mighty Motor City. Trust me, sweetcheeks, most Americans haven't got the first fcukin' clue of what hockey's all about. They just get drunk, disorderly and make a whole lot of flatulent noise. That ain't great hockey support. That's just noise.

Go to Montreal, soak up hockey culture in two languages and take in some of the greatest nightlife in the world. If Quebec was still in the league, I'd be steering you to the legendary Chez Dagobert nightclub, which is still running at last report if you're a ski buff. Amazing party place.

I gotta say, one of the great fan experiences is watching the Toronto Maple Leafs fans take over a building like when the Leafs roll into Detroit, Buffalo, Edmonton, Calgary, Tampa, Miami(Panthers), Vancouver but especially Ottawa. The Leafs are like the Green Bay Packers. Able to turn a road game into a home game because of their legendary worldwide support. But Ottawa? They absolutely own that joint and embarrass the hell out of the local yokels.

Strangely, when the Leafs are at home in Toronto, it's a bit of a let-down. Toronto is a massive corporate city and most of the best seats are taken up by corporate expense accounts. The starched tie deadbeats who sit close to ice level at Leafs games are nothing like the die-hards in the upper deck or the even more passionate fans who take over the previously mentioned arenas away from home. Friday nights, Leafs at Buffalo, like a Premier League derby. Awesome.

 

[greatwhitenorf]

Big dream of mine to see the Avs also, been a fan since 2000, we’ve got a chance at a cup in the next few years and I hope we do it.

The missus is from Canada so have been to see the Flames at the Saddledome to tick off at least one NHL game, was when they had Jagr too so was quite cool to see him live.

Fcukin' A, hombre. The Saddledome is a very decent place to catch a game. Calgary has some very good country cabaret clubs nearby. I have nothing bad to report from my many visits to the Saddledome and environs.

 

[greatwhitenorf]

Hey, nice! we've got a great team now, Sakic is doing the lord's work building the squad - so much talent. How good is Makar? What an absolute hunk of burning love he is - can go on to be one of the all time great defensemen. With Mikko on a new contract, Landeskog still firing and McKinnon being his usual unplayable self, and the second, third and fourth line even firing - Grubauer a hunk of burning love in goal - there's no stopping us. There's definitely championship material in this team. Fingers crossed. You need a bit of luck in the playoffs though.

Gotta lotta respect for Saki Joe. I even own one of his game worn jerseys from his days in junior hockey with Swift Current(Sask) Broncos. I was on the prairies shooting junior hockey action for the league's official magazine. The equipment manager swapped me some pics of Joe in action for Quebec Nordiques (before they became Colorado) for a game worn Broncos jersey. Pretty good swap in my opinion.

As for Landeskog, there could be no finer player on any team taking the role of captain. I was team photographer for the Kitchener Rangers, the junior club Landeskog was drafted from before becoming Colorado captain. Amazing personality. Even at 18 years of age, he was like another adult coach on the bench. Not a surprise he's gone on to become such a great leader in Colorado.

 

[Daisuk]

Denver, shmenver.

Don't limit yourself, Samson. Canada's the place to watch NHL action. Or, if the Wings are rockin', The Mighty Motor City. Trust me, sweetcheeks, most Americans haven't got the first fcukin' clue of what hockey's all about. They just get drunk, disorderly and make a whole lot of flatulent noise. That ain't great hockey support. That's just noise.

Go to Montreal, soak up hockey culture in two languages and take in some of the greatest nightlife in the world. If Quebec was still in the league, I'd be steering you to the legendary Chez Dagobert nightclub, which is still running at last report if you're a ski buff. Amazing party place.

I gotta say, one of the great fan experiences is watching the Toronto Maple Leafs fans take over a building like when the Leafs roll into Detroit, Buffalo, Edmonton, Calgary, Tampa, Miami(Panthers), Vancouver but especially Ottawa. The Leafs are like the Green Bay Packers. Able to turn a road game into a home game because of their legendary worldwide support. But Ottawa? They absolutely own that joint and embarrass the hell out of the local yokels.

Strangely, when the Leafs are at home in Toronto, it's a bit of a let-down. Toronto is a massive corporate city and most of the best seats are taken up by corporate expense accounts. The starched tie deadbeats who sit close to ice level at Leafs games are nothing like the die-hards in the upper deck or the even more passionate fans who take over the previously mentioned arenas away from home. Friday nights, Leafs at Buffalo, like a Premier League derby. Awesome.

Yeah, I have to admit that the crowd atmosphere isn't really that enticing, and not really something to travel for, but seeing the Avs play would be glorious. I've heard a lot of good things about Denver as well, supposedly lots of nice bars, and you know, you can buy weed over the counter, hehehe. One of the other guys I'm gonna travel with is a Devils fan though, so we might end up going to New York and catch a Devils vs Avs game, for instance.

 

[greatwhitenorf]

Weed's legal in Toronto, man. You should see - feel - the quality of the stuff I grow in my own back garden. I can legally grow four plants each season. Last summer, I had Hindu Kush (indica) and Green Crack (sativa) thriving away. Took a couple of pounds of primo buds off those plants and more than enough for me and the bride to enjoy until the next batch comes through. Wish I could produce a vineyard of this quality.

 

[Daisuk]

Weed's legal in Toronto, man. You should see - feel - the quality of the stuff I grow in my own back garden. I can legally grow four plants each season. Last summer, I had Hindu Kush (indica) and Green Crack (sativa) thriving away. Took a couple of pounds of primo buds off those plants and more than enough for me and the bride to enjoy until the next batch comes through. Wish I could produce a vineyard of this quality.

Damn! Sounds nice. it's in the process of getting decriminalized in Norway as well, which is definitely a step in the right direction, but would be neat to just be able to buy some prime stuff at the stores and be able to smoke it wherever you wish. Canada sounds a lot better than USA, to be fair, so I wouldn't mind.

 

[superspurs]

Fcukin' A, hombre. The Saddledome is a very decent place to catch a game. Calgary has some very good country cabaret clubs nearby. I have nothing bad to report from my many visits to the Saddledome and environs.

Yeah was a great venue, good atmosphere too, interesting to see what they're trying to do in Calgary at the minute in terms of getting a new arena, they must be losing out on so much money (pre COVID...) to the new arena in Edmonton.

Done most of what Calgary has to offer now, bit of Stampede and all the country stuff around town (not the biggest fan of modern country but the mother in law is...) and yes, the weed stores are also great. When I went to see the Flames it was around the time Gord Downie died so it was Gord night when I went, which has turned me into a humungous Hip fan.

Plan is to see the Leafs, Habs and perhaps the Oilers sometime in the future, not fussed on the Canucks after the riot.

BTW your job sounds fudging amazing, if you ever fancy getting rid of your game worns to make some space please do get in touch... (ha!) I try and collect authentic jerseys for the Avs, bit tricky and sometimes expensive being UK based but a fun hobby.

 

[greatwhitenorf]

My game worn jerseys include a Joe Sakic (Colorado legend) game worn from his days in junior hockey with the Swift Current (Sask) Broncos. My son has already developed an attachment to it when he plays shinny on the neighbourhood outdoor rinks. I've also got a game worn Esa Tikkanen Finnish national team jersey. Got it from his dad, Petr, who managed the Helsinki Ice Halle. Swapped him some prints of cool shots I did with Esa when he was with the Oilers, back in the Gretzky-Messier days.

Great skating weather these days. The bride and I have been hitting the outdoor skating rinks in Toronto and staying fit. Yeah, they're freezing their tits off in Texas. That's kind of comme d'habitude weather for us. What's nice about it when it gets a bit colder is that there's less people to deal with at the rink. Easy to get on for a 30-min skate. We usually book ice time now amidst covid concerns but finding it easy to just walk up as colder-weather bookings often create no-shows.

Ottawa-Toronto tomorrow night for me. The young, feisty Senators are proving to be a pesky side for the top-ranked Leafs.

 

[tw12yid]

Ice hockey out doors at midday in California. The sun causing issues with the ice who’d have thought it!