It Wasn't Even Checking.....It Was Following!

Nail and No Talent Ferry

I can't contain my disgust for what I witnessed yesterday so I feel the need to vent!

Yesterday I was at the JLC watching the Knights take on my favourite OHL team the Sarnia Sting.

For me I love to watch the Sting play for a couple of reasons. 1. They are a very skilled team who play an up tempo game and its fun to watch and 2. Nail Freaking Yakupov!!

So I dish out 80 bucks yesterday for 4 tickets to go watch this highly anticipated match-up between two of the best Major Jr A teams in the country and what do I get for my money??

A free-agent walk on from London who sexually assaulted the best player outside of the NHL in the world.

This player in question Tyler Ferry is an absolute joke.  He and the team he plays for disgraced themselves yesterday with their garbage tactic of taking Yakupov out of the game.

Yes I know tight checking of super star players is a part of the game as it should be. But to back my point as to what this was I will paraphrase a tweet from a former NHL-GM and current Hockey Analyst Craig Button "That wasnt checking..that was following".

For anyone reading this who did not witness this let me try to describe exactly what happened.

The second Nail would step on the ice #21 from the Knights stood up and immediately jumped on the ice...again this is fine..they want him to be the guy to check Nail I have no problem with that. But what happened from that point forward made me sick to my stomach.  Ferry did not even look at the puck or for the puck the entire game!  If the puck was in the Sting zone and Nail took a skate to the other end of the ice...Ferry would leave the offensive zone to skate side by side with Nail.  ANYWHERE he went no matter where the puck was....side by side skates practically tripping over each other. What you see in the photo is not an isolated incident...that is how close he was to him the ENTIRE game no matter where the puck was! Now to add to this he thought he would agitate Yakki and slash him chirp him throughout the entire game. To Nail's credit he did not outwardly show that he gave a shit about this 4th line loser and just ignored him the entire game.  If it were me he woulda had a skate blade lodged in his balls by the second period.

For anyone trying to draw any kind of comparison to the NHL game from this just imagine if any NHL "checking forward" was told for an entire game...don't look at the puck...don't touch the puck...all you have to do is skate shoulder to shoulder for an entire game with Ovechkin.  How long do you think the NHL would stand for its best players basically being eliminated from the play to create a 4 on 4 with someone like Ovechkin essentially being blanketed for an entire game??

What pisses me off the most about this whole debacle?? Is the fact that Knight's fans (they are the OHL version of Leaf fans)...were praising Ferry like it took alot of skill to do what he was doing.  Give me a fucking break!  If you were told that you didn't even have to pay attention to the play and all you have to do is skate around the ice with someone on the other team....how is that hard?? How is that even a skill?? 

Needless to say even the fact I was sitting one row away from Bill Geurin (working for the Pens) and in the same section as Craig Button my entire day was ruined.

The Sting did manage to get a point in the shootout loss and take 5 out of 6 overall this weekend and not to mention the fact that Nail leads the OHL in scoring and just today was ranked # 1 in three mock drafts on NHL.com today!!!

Also out of interest sake for my Bruin fans reading this I will be watching Koko in person this Friday night when his Windsor Spitfires take on the Sting. Can't wait to watch the Bruins 2nd round pick in action!  Will be sure to give the full scouting report here!

- Ashley

No Star Power??

   So last night I was visiting my buddy Brian at Lids just checking in to say hi and see if he had any sweet new Bruins lids out on the shelves when Brian introduced me to his co-worker.  Despite Brian's best warnings to him  not to engage me in Bruins debate the guy just couldn't resist giving me his thoughts on the best team to ever lace up skates...the Big Bad Boston Bruins!

Of course we got into it a lil bit but the one point this guy was trying to make that really stuck with me was he said "Well the Bruins don't have any superstars. They don't have an Ovechkin or Crosby type player".

When people say this "superstar" type player...really how many of these types of players are there in the entire league? 

How do you measure a superstar? 50 goals? Well last  year there was 1 player in the NHL who scored 50 goals.  100 points?  1 player had 100 points. 

And when you say a Crosby, Ovechkin type player who falls into that category? There are some young players who MAY end up in that category...Stamkos, Hall, Tavares, Kane but really outside of Ovechkin and Crosby who is considered to be a "SUPER" star?

Personally I would take a team that has depth and has what I would consider to be "Star" players throughout their lineup.

Thankfully my team has just that. 

Along with our depth and a solid 4-lines, strong D 6-7 deep and the best goaltending tandem in the NHL I do believe we have a collection of current stars and one future star.

Feel free to debate me classifying the following star players and one future star player.


Patrice Bergeron - Yes this is where most people may be divided but in my mind Bergy is a legit  Elite NHL Star.  Thankfully we won't have to worry about this for at least three more years (hopefully he gets locked up again before that) but everyone would soon find out what Bergy is thought about throughout the league if he ever got to UFA status.  Trust me if he was ever out on the open market there would be a full out bidding war for his services.  Easily our most trusted player he can be a catalyst in the offensive zone, shut down the other teams top forward and play the first unit on both pp and pk.  Oh and if there is any thought this is just a Bruin bias feel free to check out the 2010 Canadian Olympic Team Roster.  Enough said!

Zdeno Chara - Lets go through Big Z's credentials for a second shall we.  A member of 5 NHL All-Star teams named a year end first team all-star twice and a second team all-star three times.  The plus/minus award last season with a staggering +33 oh and ya this thing called a Norris Trophy awarded to the top defenceman each year.  If anyone debates whether or not Chara is a "Star" then I don't even have the time to waste on arguing this one with you.

Tim Thomas - Would having the best goalie in the entire league equate to being a star?  Well considering goaltending wins Stanley Cups I would say so.  Our beloved backstop definitely didn't enter the NHL with Star credentials.  The 217th overall pick way back in 1994 by the now defunct Quebec Nordiques Timmy played 5 seasons pro hockey ranging all the way from the East Coast league to the old IHL, the AHL and even to Europe before even getting a sniff of NHL hockey.  But when he got his chance have there really been any better NHL goalies over the past 6 or 7 years?? Timmy has a career GAA of 2.50 and a save percentage of .922, 2 Vezina's, 1 Conn Smythe and of course 1 Stanley Cup.  Next stop the Hockey Hall of Fame (well after another Cup or two first!).

David Krejci - Ok maybe another one some of you without a hockey brain will debate.  But to me there is no doubt about it.  David "Einstein" Krejci is a star.  Einstein due to his incredible Hockey IQ and his ability to find open players unlike only many others in the entire league.  How does 73 points and a +37 in just his second year in the NHL (2008-2009) not equal star?  At just 25 he is a star and if we can keep him healthy will continue to be for years to come!

Tyler Seguin - Here is my future Star currently in our lineup.  And when I say future well the future might be sooner rather then later.  Unlike his draft buddy Taylor Hall in Edmonton Segs has had to wait it out a bit more for his shot due to the incredible lineup he was a part of.  However this take your time approach to his development will pay off down the road and as we can all see with his start this season...its already paying off.  My projection for Segs will be a future 100-point guy who will play in all situations.  Lets keep in mind he is playing how he is right now as a 19 year old! So lets see...100 points...plays in all situations...o wait maybe we do have a "Super Star"...in training.  Thank you Burkie!


So back to my new found friend working at Lids with my buddy Brian.  What can you say to that logic?  Would you rather have one superstar eating up a large chunk of your cap space?  Or would you want the Bruins model with a collection of Stars all making a manageable cap hit?  Well lets just say last weekend I was lucky enough to see about 6 Bruin players going into the Gahden with a large shiny piece of jewelry wrapped around their fingers! 




- Ashley

Relax!

Does This Help You Relax Bruins Fans??

I think I might need to disable my twitter feed during Bruins games.

I mean really people...we are 5 games into the season and the negativity I have read surrounding the DEFENDING STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS is laughable.

Now I can only imagine how long its going to take until the "Fire Coach" idiots start crawling out of the woodwork.

What the fuck? I mean seriously thats all I can say is what the fuck?  Does a team that just won the Stanley Cup a little over four months ago not deserve a bit more then a 5-game grace period before we start with this bullshit?

And I mean really...we're 2-3...not 0-5.  Let's take our finger off the panic button people!

Yes..I do get frustrated with our power play and wonder with as much talent that we do have and someone like Big Z with his 100 plus mph bomb back there how we haven't been more effective on it I don't know.  That being said...we have proved and continue to prove there are two sides to special teams and if your PP isn't goin your PK better be efficient.  Well as per usual our PK has been great so if we're gonna rip all over the power play lets give the penalty killers some love.

Personally this team, players, coaches and management has bought ALOT more then a 5-game trial period from myself before I start to show any signs of panic at all!

A few other notes from what I've noticed so far to start the season:

- As I predicted it looks like Segs is ready to take a huge jump forward now that he has a full season and confidence under his belt.  Definitely been one of our best forwards so far.

- The BFF's will be fine!  Yes Horty and Looch are off to a bit of a slow start but they both came on a bit in the Chicago game and I would predict in this next week or so will be making plenty of noise.

- Have to love the luxury we have with having the best 1-2 punch in net.  Would love to see about a 60/40 split between the pipes this year as we know Tuukka is more then capable of giving Timmmy some very important nights off.

- PC does it again!  Once again he locks up a player early in the season at what will be well below market value once all the insanity starts up again July 1.  Pevs might be our most versatile player.  The guy could play on any four lines and not look out of place...special teams guy...good leader....GREAT SIGNING!

Forty Horty!!!

Finally!  It's time people!!!  NHL Centre Ice is ordered bingo bango bring on Jack and Brick its pretty much time to go!  Raise that motherfucking banner!!!

Before the puck drops for real lets take a look at a player who I think will be one of the keys for the B's in our quest to repeat.

For the entire 2011-2012 season I would like you all to refer to him as "Forty Horty".  Yes you heard it here first...Nathan Horton #18 for your Boston Bruins will have the best offensive season of his career and will score 40 or more goals this coming season.

Unlike my  buddy Dan over at Bruins Hockey Now ...I for one loved this trade the day it was made.  Yes primarily because I had enough of "big money wides" but also because I loved the potential upside Horton brought to the table.

As good as Horton has been his entire career (6 straight 20-goal seasons) I do still think he has more to give and somewhat underachieved in Florida and at times last season as well.

And when I say underachiever again he has put up numbers that would deem him a VERY good NHL player however I really think he is on the verge of being a star.

I am positive the Horton who scored 12 goals over the Bruins final 25 games and 8 more in the playoffs is the one who will start the season tonight.

When you have all the physical tools that Horty does and you combine that with playing along side your bff and possibly the toughest player along the boards and in the corners in Looch and your centreman is the Einstein of the NHL because of his insanely high hockey IQ and the ability to find his wingers anywhere at anytime how will Horty NOT thrive and have the best offensive season of his career?

Combine that with the positive karma he deserves for bringing that beautiful, championship winning Gahden Water to Vancouver for Game 7 I think all the stars have alligned for Horty!

I'm so excited for tonight I don't know what to do with myself.  Bring it on bitches!  The repeat starts tonight...led by our 2011-2012 top goal scorer Forty Horty! You heard it here first!!

Who agrees with me?? Am I a Bruins prophet or a lil off base with my Forty Horty prediction?  Give me your feedback!! Comment, tweet whatever you feel like!

PS - To all my loyal HoneyPot readers I would like for you all to go check out Be The Game .  Great cause
be sure to check it out!

Go Bruins!!!!!!

- Ashley

Reign Of PC

One week to go people!  One week from tomorrow night high above the Gahden they will be raising our 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Champion banner to the rafters! Fuck I can't wait!!

As we get ready to gear up towards the season I want to do a few blog posts on the people whom I feel are most influential in the current state of the Bruins!

What better place to start then with the man who is responsible for assembling the best team in the NHL.

Of course I am biased but for my money he is one of the top 5 GM's in hockey right now! Actually outside of Ken Holland in Detroit who has done a better job in the last 5 years??

May 26, 2006 a new era of Bruins hockey was set to take place when PC was hired by the Bruins.
The Bruins record the year before PC came to beantown was 29-37-0-16!!

It took a year still after he was hired to get things fully on track but his record since becoming the Bruins Boss speaks for itself!

PC Win/Loss Record
06-07 - 35-41-0-6
07-08 - 41-29-0-12
08-09 - 53-19-0-10
09-10 - 39-30-0-13
10-11 - 46-25-0-11

Now how did PC turn the Bruins into the defending Stanley Cup Champions you may ask?? Well lets look at a couple of the key acquisitions he is responsible for that whom without we arent the team we are right now!

PC's 1st and Best Signing

Big Z - PC used his connection as the former Assistant GM in Ottawa convincing our now leader to pack up and join him in Boston.  As you may remember...Chara and Redden were both free agents from Ottawa that summer and PC made it obvious he wanted the Big Man while Ottawa re-signed Redden.  Amazing free agent signing AND yet again he showed his brilliance when last October he locked up Chara keeping him off of this summer's terribly over priced free agent market!

Tuukka - I realize Tuukka wasn't a big part of the cup win but he is a HUGE part of our future and this one really needs to be pointed out...Tuukka for Raycroft. Enough said.  And if you disagree with that heist I knock you out...with a milk crate!

Thank You Kessel - Oh my favourite of them all.  Let's begin with what led to this deal happening in the first place.  PC had his number for which he wanted to re-sign Kessel and would not budge.  He had the balls to stand by his convictions and boy has it paid it off.  Lets look at how the entire deal as I look at it has ended up.  Phil Kessel, Dennis Wideman and the 16th overall pick in 2010 for Tyler Seguin, Nathan Horton, Gregory Campbell, Jared Knight and
Dougie Hamilton. Amazing.

I could go on and on about the moves this guy keeps making in building this roster.  Seidenberg for Bitz and a 2nd round pick, Looch was a 50th overall pick, Marchand the 71st overall pick and then look at last year at the trade deadline.  He knew his team had a golden opportunity to take a run at the Cup and he went out and loaded up!  Ya ya people were disappointed in Kabby...I still thought he was a valuable piece but moreso look at the contributions from Peverley and Kelly!  How could ANYONE doubt the magic PC has worked putting this team together??

And finally something I give PC sooo much credit for...Standing By His Coach!  How many critics were calling for Coach's head after the Philly series in 2010 and even at points throughout last season.  Yet another example of PC sticking to his guns and being his own man and making his own decisions.  How easy would it have been for him to fire Julien after the Flyers series to take some heat off the situation? What did PC do? He stuck by his Coach unified his team and went out and made all the neccesary moves to win a Championship.

Thats the man I want in charge of my team!

#JLCreviewer Reporting For Duty! Wings/Flyers Edition!

What a game! What a Night!

At first when my friend Brian had nominated me to be the #jlcreviewer I asked...what the hell is the #jlcreviewer?? Then I was told if I won I would be responsible for keeping the twitterverse up to date on the action between the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers live from the JLC here in my hometown of London.  Once I found that out I asked...how the hell do I win this???



Well through sheer luck and the power of my tweeps (especially @BHRaymond) I received the good word from @jlc Tuesday afternoon!

Fast forward to Thursday night as I get dropped off on King St at the steps of the JLC Centre lookin hot in my Krejci jersey (Always gotta represent) I was ready for some hockey!

The atmosphere outside the JLC was rockin.  It really was a party like atmosphere with the street party, red and orange everywhere (although seemed to be about a 70/30 split Wings to Philly fan).

Once inside the JLC after picking up my tickets and heading over to Section 105 I was in amazement when the usher pointed out my seats to see that I was literally 7 rows behind the Red Wings Bench!! (More on my seats and the "view" later).

Now of course anyone who knows me and my hockey viewing habits please rest assured knowing I was there in time for warm up! (Never miss warm up...never leave early!).

I hop down to my usual spot right up against the glass to get a closer look at the Red Wings.  It was awesome to see a pair of legends and future hall of famers Zetterberg and Lidstrom just inches away through the glass.  Aside from the legends I could not help but notice 6 foot 4 inch 220 lbs of Red Wing defenceman # 52 Jonathan Ericsson.

I know this guy isnt just coming on to the scene and has been around for a while but I tell ya watching him up close throughout warm up and into the game.  For such a big body and just a physical prescence this guy can move and is very good with the puck very solid in his own end.  He had a good year last season and was a +8 but my bold prediction coming from my trip to the JLC was that Jonathan Ericsson somewhat forgotten behind Lidstrom and Kronwall...will have a breakout season seeing increased ice time and will be relyed on heavily by the Wings as a shut down D this season!

Down at the other end of the ice...yes there were some of the Flyers big names...Giroux, JVR, Talbot...but the name I was most interested in keeping an eye on was one that is very familiar to my fellow Bruin fans....Kessel.

Yes Phil's little brother Blake fresh off signing his two-year contract with the Flyers was in the lineup.

Well I gotta tell ya...there should only be one Kessel in the NHL.  Throughout the night I made a point of looking out for Blake and at points I forgot he was even playing.  I left very unimpressed.

He may make the Flyers but personally I see him as a career AHL'er who perhaps is where he is
primarily because of the name on the back of his jersey...certainly not by his play on the ice!

As far as the game itself.  Well it surely didn't disappoint.  Yes it wasn't my Bruins, yes there was a fair share of players destined for junior and the AHL but I loved every minute of it!

The Wings were definitely the better of the two teams on the night taking it to the Flyers controlling the play and the shot clock for most of the night.

Aside from my new gem Ericcson I was also REALLY impressed by Wings forward Darren Helm.  Man this guy can fly!  He scored one of the Wings 3 regulation goals and perhaps was the best player on the ice.

The Wings took a 3-1 lead into the third and looked to be in complete control however the Flyers would strike for two late goals adding to the drama with Wayne Simmonds tying it 3-3 late in the game sending it to overtime.

Overtime would solve nothing leading to now the infamous shootout at the JLC (by now everyone knows what happened so I will save my banana commentary for the end).  On the ice it would be the 8th shooter Red Wing free Agent pick up Ian White who would finally end it beating Flyers goalie Micheal Leighton to end it!

Now my actual reporting of the game would be somewhat more in depth but I did have one slight yet rather wide problem throughout the game.  My view was blocked by a VERY annoying Flyer fan!!!  Boys and girls when you're at a game and...please..please...do not stand up to cheer for every single play that happens in a game.  If the other team goes off-side...its not a reason to stand and cheer.  If the other team ices the puck...its not a reason to stand and cheer. If your team gets a shot on goal...its not a reason to stand and cheer.  If the horn goes to end a period it does not signal that it is now time to straddle your boyfriend!! Nothing gets under my skin more at a hockey game then drunk annoying "fans" who don't know anything about the game!!

So again JLC..thank you for the AMAZING seats...thank you for picking me to be the #jlcreviewer...but please next time keep the uneducated, annoying, drunk woman out of my section!  Perhaps for next year's pre-season game at the JLC I will be sitting in the Press Box with my Ashley's Honey Pot Blog Media Accreditation :)

Ok before my banana commentary time for one last bold prediction.  The Philadelphia Flyers will NOT make the playoffs this season. Yes I know this was not their entire team and there were several players out of the lineup.  However I think Jagr will be a bust, I think Captain Chris is way past his prime and I'm not sold on Bryzgalov.  To take one of the top leaders and two way forwards in the NHL in Richards and one of the top goal scorers in Carter out of your lineup...I really think they took two giant steps backwards this off season.  Sorry Flyer fan..going to be a long year.

And now to the idiot who threw the banana.  Take it from someone at the game...this was not a reflection on the fans and the atmosphere at the JLC that night.  London is an amazing hockey city with great fans.  The actions of this loser are strictly that...the actions of a loser.  I hope they identify who the thrower was...then perhaps the only banana action will be one shoved up his ass!

Again...thank you JLC!!! It was an honour to be your #jlcreviewer!

- Ashley

Breaking News........The Leafs Still Suck!

Lovin My Seguin Jersey - Thank You Burkie!

I was doing some of my daily hockey reading this morning online and came across the following article Why The Leafs Will Make The Playoffs (Yeah Right!)

The timing of this article could not be better as I had already decided prior to reading this that I would dedicate my next post to those loveable losers in Toronto but after reading this it only made me wan't to talk about them even more.

The ONLY thing in this article I agree with is when they call them "Toronto's Bumbling Buds"...after that...everything is pure hope and dreaming almost as if it was written by a typical Leaf fan (probably was).

The points this article makes are extremely weak and if they are the basis of  hope for "Leaf Nation" well then its going to be another early Spring tee off time for Burkies Boys.


The primary reason this article and I think many Leaf fans have for hope is second year goalie James Reimer.

Now to get this out there as much as it pains me to say...I actually like the kid.
I think he has a promising future and I hope for his sake at some point
in his career he gets with a real organization and has a chance to live up
to his full potential.

All that being said...to pin your hopes of a playoff spot on Reimer I think
is foolish.  Leaf fans are blinded by the numbers this kid put up last season
but they're not taking into account the situation in which he did so.  By the time
"Optimus Reims" took over the # 1 job the Leafs in typical fashion were all
but eliminated from playoff contention with half a season to play.  Reims goes
in with no pressure plays well and is hailed as the saviour.

Again I like the kid but I wonder if he will stil have his "ah shucks" attitude
when there is a bit of adversity and every paper in Loser Land wants him to be traded.

Another name mentioned in the article is JM Liles.  Yes I now can hear
all the losers in Leaf land saying "oh he is a top point producing dman" yes
ok he puts up good offensive numbers...however for my money when I am judging
defencemen I like to look at the stat column to the right of PTS. Yes Leaf Nation
your star "defenceman" was a -9 last season and is a -16 for his career.

So lets get this straight...another reason your going to make the playoffs is
because you acquired a defenceman who was -9 last season?  Leaf Logic.

And finally another MAJOR reason the Leafs will be better is because they
have found that centre they were looking for to go with our old buddy Phil.  Yes poor Phil finally has the playmaking centre that will send the Leafs to the promise land.

Wrong!

Put the kleenex and hand lotion away Leaf fans and go do a lil homework on this guy.
High on skill yet higher in medical bills Mr. Connoly has not played in at
least 80 games in a single season since...2002-2003.  But yes  you say he is
all clear now and health wont be an issue so let's focus on his incredible skill.
Umm ok...I wonder how many "number 1" centres throughout the NHL have NEVER
had one single season averaging at least a point per game?  Feel free to look
it up...the numbers dont lie...this "elite" centre's career high in points
for a season is a whopping 65 points.

In typical Leaf fashion Connoly may eclipse his defensively challenged Captain (Don't worry
Dion I could never forget about you when bashing the Laughs) as the new most overrated player in the NHL.  Welcome to Toronto Tim.

Back to Phil for a second.  Was he not supposed to be the Leaf's saviour three
years ago?  I've never heard so many excuses for any of the other top level
players in the NHL as to why they haven't lived up to their potential yet.  If
you're supposed to be worth the price the Leafs paid to get this guy..should you
not make others around you better?? Not the other way around?  Hell Wilson
doesn't even trust their "best" player to be on the ice late in a game with a lead.

All I ask is that no matter how bad this team stinks once again and no matter
how early they are out of playoff contention is that the Maple Leafs "board"
does NOT fire Burkie.  I hope Burkie has a job for life with the Leafs and continues
to provide me with all the entertainment in the garbage that comes out of his
mouth on a daily basis.  Also I mean really who else will save the state of the
game today with such innovative ideas as his "bear hug" rule that he want's to
impliment.

And do we even need to mention Tyler Seguin, Jared Knight and Dougie Hamilton for
Phil Kessel?? Or the fact that the Kessel deal freed up a 1st round pick that
enabled us to trade for Horty?

Well good luck Leaf Nation...as always..you're gonna need it!

- Ashley