hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
What Went Wrong: Predators Out in Six Games
You know, I was pretty happy when the Nashville Predators qualified for this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. I still remember their surprise run to the Stanley Cup Final back in 2017, getting there as the lower of the Western Conference's Wild Cards. Since then, the playoff appearances came, but advancement didn't, and the worst of it came in 2022, when they were dominated and swept by the eventual champion Colorado Avalanche.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: 3rd Time Was Not the Charm
You know, this is getting monotonous. I said this before when the Los Angeles Kings clinched a playoff spot this year. Two years ago, their playoff appearance was a happy accident. It came two years after they failed to qualify for the modified bubble playoffs in 2020. The Kings were happy to be there, but they managed to make it to Game Seven against the Edmonton Oilers. A team could build on that. A year later, the Kings got back in. They could take what they did a year prior, learn from it, and possibly advance. However, they would be ousted by the Oilers again, this time in six games.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: The Buyck Stops Here
Remember when we Colorado Avalanche fans were in the doldrums after losing 7-0 to the Winnipeg Jets at home? That was a game we needed to win to keep our hopes of having home ice in this series alive, and that drubbing totally shut us down.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Isles Caught in a Hurricane Yet Again
In a wild and crazy playoff Tuesday, on the last day of April, four teams faced elimination. One of them, the Toronto Maple Leafs, avoided elimination with an overtime win in Game Five over the Boston Bruins. Another team, the New York Islanders, were having some trouble in their Game Five against the Carolina Hurricanes. They were down 3-1 after the first period, but they managed to tie it up in the second. However, the Islanders were completely dominated in that third period. Three Hurricanes goals sealed the Islanders' fate.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Lightning's Last Stand?
Is this really the end for the Tampa Bay Lightning? If it is, it was a hell of a run for this team. To think, this all started when they got embarrassed, humiliated, and punched in the mouth by, of all teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning. We all remember that year. 62-win season, award finalists at every turn, and many experts handing them the Cup. The Blue Jackets were a Wild Card who hadn't won a playoff series in their entire history, yet not only did they defeat the Lightning, they swept them!
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Last One In, First One Out
It's really funny how things work in sports. Those who have had a regular 9-to-5 are familiar with the following phrase: "Last one hired, first one fired." A lot of companies swear by that, especially when it comes time for layoffs. In some crazy cases, the playoffs are no exception. We have seen instances where the last team to get into the playoffs sometimes ends up being the first team eliminated, though last year, the last team to get in ended up three wins short of winning the Stanley Cup.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Somers Rebounds with Two Straight Victories
JV Slideshow v Yorktown No matter what the record says, Coach Deb Daly has her own standard for measuring success. “We always want to see progression,” she said. So despite an 0-3, she still felt her girls were on point, but now, the bottom line is catching up.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Loses Another Heartbreaker to Yorktown
Over the last few years, John Jay and Yorktown have lived a rivalry on the razor’s edge. Yorktown won in overtime in the sectionals two years ago, and last year, another OT thriller went the Husker’s way. So no surprise, on Tuesday April 4, the margin was no different, and unfortunately, it was the Wolves who were left dripping blood again.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
2024 Division Semifinals Preview
It's here, folks! It's finally here! The 2023-24 NHL regular season is over and done with, and after six months and 1,312 games played, it's now time for the greatest championship chase in all of sports. Winning the Stanley Cup is absolutely difficult. Hell, just getting to the Final is a rough journey. Yet, for the 44th year, it will be sixteen teams fighting their way to capture the greatest trophy in sports: the Stanley Cup. Four of these 16 teams have never won it all, and one of those four hasn't even been to the Final. In addition, four of the 16 team teams in this year's playoffs are Canadian, meaning that there's a 25% chance that the three decades long Cup drought in that country will come to an end,
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Starts Season off with Two Victories
Please see pledge, tip and subscribe options below Video After opening the 2024 season with a 10-2 victory over Pelham, John Jay came home on Thursday March 28 and faced the Briarcliff Mighty Bears between the raindrops. But the intermittent nastiness of the precipitation was nothing compared to the biting sting of the John Jay offensive attack.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Avalanche Game 82 Recap: We Are Ready!
When the 2023-24 NHL season began, one thing I wanted to do was write a game-by-game recap of the Colorado Avalanche's campaign. I was inspired by the "fan reaction" vids I've seen on YouTube, mainly Steve Dangle's "LFR" (standing for Leafs Fan Reaction) vids, which I had been watching for about five years, and really enjoyed during the pandemic-affected seasons. I wanted to do the same, and decided to use Vocal to spread my Avalanche fandom. I have really enjoyed writing these recaps, and I loved that I could bring a humorous spin to these stories. I do my best to be objective, but there are times where I have to put the Avalanche glasses on.
By Clyde E. Dawkins2 years ago in Unbalanced
Hockey Night in Katonah Still Going Strong at Harvey
Please see Tip, Pledge and Follow options below 52 years ago a group of local first responders rented out the Harvey Hockey rink and began a Tuesday hockey night. “They called it the fireman’s game,” said Stu Hackle, and currently running what’s now called, Hockey Night In Katonah, he’s not ashamed to be a late comer by comparison.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced











