What’s in a name?
Boys, boys, boys. I am so glad the Sharks don’t give us these kinds of things to talk about. Whether or not Simmonds used the word Avery said he used, I may be among the minority of folks who think it’s just as well Avery made the claim. Avery’s reputation cannot lose anything for making false accusations, and it’s a good thing the NHL made an unequivocal statement on the matter. Simmonds says he didn’t say it. Fine. I’m glad he has the sense to deny it. But it does get said, and here’s what I think about that.
When I was a kid, there was a PSA on television. It played over and over. It made me uncomfortable. It went like this:
Old man and boy in a boat, fishing
Boy: “Grandpa, am I prejudiced?”
Grandpa: “Why do you ask?”
Boy: “My Jewish friend Josh said I was prejudiced.”
Grandpa: “Well, Tommy, if you think of Josh as you’re Jewish friend and not just your friend, that’s prejudice.”
As a kid I thought that was way unfair, I mean, seriously? You can’t even identify people by ethnicity anymore? Harsh, I know, but no, you can’t. Even when the term you use isn’t an insult and isn’t meant as one, defining people by their heritage, race, or other trait implies that this is more important to you than their unique identity. Let me illustrate. (more…)
The glass and other things we’ll probably see more and less of
(Originally published at Kukla’s Korner)
Thanks, Brodie, it was nice to get some attention for the new glass and boards system at HP. I agree that we will see a lot more game and a lot less stanchion. I’m not sure it will provide as much of a home ice advantage as suggested in Brodie’s article.
“They are more lively,” Sharks captain Joe Thornton told me. “It will be a nice home ice advantage, you know we’ll get used to those boards. It’s going to be good for us.” -Sharks Talk
Yeah, Thornton was the one who mentioned it, but it’s Brodie’s story and I’m not about to argue with our Captain. Anyway, it’s my understanding that these particular boards are being used in a lot of arenas this season. I even wrote a little post about it a while back. In short, the “lively” factor is likely to show up all around the NHL. Maybe the bouncy boards won’t be so ubiquitous as I thought. (more…)
A clean well-lit place to skate
(Originally published at Kukla’s Korner)
Seeing it on the schedule, I went to see some Sharks skate with some kids at the Oakland Ice Center. That was Wednesday afternoon.
I got lost once in Oakland, out by the docks and warehouses. I didn’t mean to be anywhere near the docks or the warehouses, but I took a wrong exit and then decided to correct the mistake via surface streets. I always carry a sat nav now.
The sat nav isn’t perfect and it kept trying to send me the wrong way on a one way street. That’s not as bad as being lost out by the docks at night, but it is irritating. (more…)
Sharks top lines, all set (?)
(Originally published at Kukla’s Korner)
Brodie Brazil had a few things to say about how the Sharks’ top lines will look when the season starts:
Go ahead and ink in Joe Thornton, centering Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. There’s San Jose’s top line to begin the season…it’s pretty clear to see Todd McLellan following that with Logan Couture, flanked by Ryane Clowe and Martin Havlat. -Sharks Talk
I must have missed the quote where McLellan says he’s sorted out the 3rd slots on the top lines and isn’t giving it another thought.
Those combinations don’t look bad at all, spreading the speed out a little instead of doubling up on the top line. One could argue that Pavs doesn’t necessarily belong up there, he hasn’t been up there much at all. He isn’t very fast, but he is very clever. Clever can make up for not fast, especially when the line does have one very fast skater. (more…)
Teal and White, 2011
I can’t help but notice that the name of this event is “Teal and White,” not “Black and A Touch of Teal.” Ahem.
It’s what they call the annual pre-season shindig for Sharks season ticket holders, held at HP Pavilion. The Sharks do a number of things open to folks who can’t afford season tickets or even many game tickets at all. There are opportunities to meet players or watch them skate, at no cost but your time. So the woman who said that hockey is kind of a “people’s sport” wasn’t far off. You can be a fan and do fan stuff without shelling out a lot of dough.
Teal and White isn’t one of those things. (more…)
Sharks Training Camp 2011, Day 3
(Originally published at Kukla’s Korner)
Monday morning, Sharks Ice
The fact that all the wrist bands were given out yesterday, and the fact that so many people were here Saturday, has been mentioned in a few places. Fan attendance is important, obviously, and a whole lot easier on the weekends for most.
Still no Vlasic on the ice, but reason to believe he is in the building somewhere. So, safe to assume he’s not carrying the plague or anything. Get well soon, Pickles.
This morning I asked a few of the fans some questions about who why and where… It seemed like the thing to do. I went looking for said people in the rink where the team was scheduled to warm up. Heemskerk and Sateri were on the ice early, working with their coaches. Shortly after 9 am, the rest of the skaters arrived and started with some short passing drills. (more…)
Sharks Training Camp 2011: Media Day
(Never published on Kukla’s Korner because it’s really more about me not knowing what the hell I’m doing than it is about the Sharks. Still, if I am honest I must chronicle the chaos that is this learning experience.)
Saturday, Sept 18, Sharks Training Camp 2011, Day 1
Okay, NOW the gang’s all here. Well, maybe still almost but moreso than before. And that is all I got on Saturday as far as actual Sharks news goes. You could say I had some technical difficulties of the grey matter variety. For actual information about Saturday, I refer you to DP. I mean, that’s where you should always look for news anyway, but I’ll try to do better in the future.
I left the house three times Saturday morning. Forgot my ATM card. Forgot something else, I forget what. Luckily, on a Saturday morning you can make the sat nav ETA run backwards. (more…)
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