The Hockey Show Radio Recap

I’ve written a half-dozen or so pieces about the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (R.I.P.) but not about the new kid in town. Well, newer anyway: The AT&T Hockey Show on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

I, “Jimmy from Maynard,” was a regular caller into the program that Mick Colageo, Matt Kalman, and Kevin Paul Dupont hosted, and I’m using the same handle on the radio show that Ryan Johnston conducts with Bruins’ announcers Dave “Left to Right Across Your Radio” Goucher and Bob Beers. The show airs from 9:00 –11:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

Saturday March 2, 2013

“Fred from New Hampshire”

What a godsend, with his gratitude flowing for a long history of stellar Boston Bruins defensemen. Zdeno Chara, for example.

The big man performs the little things consistently: his positioning in the non–Euclidian corners, extending his circus stick at just the right instant to poke a puck of an opponent’s stick, and putting more pucks on net (I think Big Z has been taking lessons from Dougie Hamilton).

“How special...,” said Fred, to witness that twirl inside the blueline, the giant strides and the backhand shot, short side, shot to score against the Florida Panthers. The play (and maybe Jack Edwards’s call) reminded Fred of Julie Andrews. A Sound-of-Music, “Climb-Every-Mountain” kind of goal.

The Bruins’ Penalty Kill

“I can’t remember seeing anything like it,” Johnston said.

So well-positioned yet so aggressive. Face-off wins are key, too, and the Bruins are among the NHL’s elite. Too bad faceoff.com is already a registered domain, otherwise you might say the Bruins own it.

Beers said the Bruins are a net –2 on the year, explaining that opponents have scored only four power play goals and the Bruins have posted two shorties.

“Paul in the Car”

The moniker sounded familiar. Another NEHJ Radio Show remnant?

Paul said the Chicago Blackhawks, who have yet to lose a game in regulation, are over-rated, that if they had to play in the Eastern Conference, they wouldn’t fare so well against teams like the Bruins and Flyers.

Maybe not, countered our hosts. But anytime a team has earned 37 of 40 possible points, let’s give them credit.

Hockey Music

“…speaking of Julie Andrews,” I said. I asked the fellas what they’re favorite hockey music is, not necessarily songs played during games. Maybe a movie soundtrack?

The question caught them off guard, humored them. “I don’t know” was the initial consensus.

“Maybe something from Slap Shot?” someone said. “Maxine Nightingale?”

A wily producer found the music: "Right Back Where We Started From"

“Something form the Miracle soundtrack?...’Brass Bonanza’?”

“Brass Bonanza” is a song the NEHJ Radio Show folks loved to play. Miracle’s soundtrack was less memorable except for “Dream On” in the closing credits. And for what it’s worth, I find Ms. Nightingale’s love song to be, well, lovely—if not ironic for the backdrop of excessive violence. I am no longer drawn to the movie per se, but I won’t apologize for the soundtrack because “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word.”

So there you have it, Bruins fans, from the old to the new and back again, from Julie Andrews to Elton John.

Around the Globe: Hockey Heroes and Helping Hands

The anxiety I felt about unresolved issues dissipated as I navigated today’s Boston Globe.

Kevin Cullen’s front-page piece about Sudbury’s Scott Milley, a hockey player, isn’t so much about hockey as it is Millen’s sacrifice and his family’s grief.

If that story touches your heart, if not your tear ducts, then Cindy Cantrell’s Metro West story about Kasey, a Helping Hands miracle monkey, might make you laugh. I did. Couple the capuchin’s personality with her purpose, to rescue not only a once-athletic Concord kid but also his family, and you’ve got a story to boost slumping spirits. The story also made me think of Travis Roy.

Concord’s own (via Buffalo), Kevin Paul Dupont, reflects upon the inherent rigors of building a backyard rink. Impossible for hockey enthusiasts and storytellers like me to not to think of Jack Falla, who consulted on KPD’s  project but who is not to blame for the debacle, to be grateful for fond Falla memories.

Still in Sports, Dupes delivers a dose of sadness about a fun man: On page C9, amidst the hockey news, is a snippet about Buffalo-based hockey writer Jim Kelley, who was claimed by cancer. Sad for Dupes, who knew Kelley well, and for me, even if I never met him.

Then again, I never met Scott Milley. But reading these stories has helped me surrender my self pity. They gave me, you might say, a helping hand.

Harry Potter Hockey: Would-be Weasleys

My "Top Twelve" Harry Potter protégés and would-be Weasleys...

Harry Potter: Sydney Crosby? Alex Ovechkin? Leading men, stars with scars they are, but they don’t wear glasses. A Hanson? Sorry Slap Shotters. My hero is the AMHL’s John Greszczuk, the unassuming one who wears glasses as he ferociously forechecks. Dark wizards, do not underestimate the Chosen One.

Ron Weasley: The redhead is best known as the Chosen One’s sidekick, but—Bloody H-E-double hockey sticks—he’s a formidable quaffle-stopper on the Quidditch pitch. Similarly, the AMHL’s Eric Schoen is best known as a goal-scorer (who earned ten points in one game) but he might someday become a brilliant Keeper.

Hermione Granger: The wonder wizard is in a class all by herself. So is Hayley Wickenheiser.

Hagrid: Big heart and tall as a tree, Hogwart’s groundskeeper is the perfect role for Kevin Durand, who played the kind giant, “Tree Lane” in Mystery Alaska.

Snape: Love him or loathe him? Don Cherry? Nope, Grapes is controversial but has too much flair and not enough hair. Let’s leave Defense against the Dark Arts to Mike Ricci (a defensive center in San Jose, Ricci also has acting experience, as Elmer Lach in The Rocket and wore a witch’s hat in an ESPN commercial).

Fred and George Weasley: I’m not sure if the Sedin brothers have a penchant for pranks, but Henrik and Daniel are tricky for defenders to track.

Viktor Krum: A physical specimen from Eastern Europe. Zdeno Chara as a Seeker, eh?

Dumbledore: Jean Béliveau, a revered and respectful leader.

Dobby: Loyal (and sometimes sneaky), Dobby does house-cleaning; “Peterborough Pete” Kokas would be the perfect house elf.

Alastor “Mad-Eye Moody”: Cantankerous. Real. Missed. Pat Burns, RIP.

And the villain? I shall not publicly malign “He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.”

Honourable Mention:

Sergei "the Magical Muscovite" Samsonov (thanks, Dupes)
Scott "the Manitoba Magician" Lauder
Merlin "the Magician" Malinowski

AMHL Friday Firsts

From the first Friday to the finale, I present a few fond memories of the first-ever AMHL Friday season:

First games
September 11, 2009: Stars 8, Hawks 6; Kings 7, Whalers 2

First hat trick(s)
September 11, 2009: Steve Nicolle (Kings) Jonathon Corke (Stars)

First goalie to record an assist
September 11, 2009: Chris Bade (Stars)

First time two sets of brothers and two sets of fathers/sons have played in the same division
Paul (Stars) and Gene (Kings) Costanza; Dev and Bill Barron (Hawks); Randy and Jonathon Corke (Stars); Kevin and Brendan Lyons (Whalers)

First time (to this reporter’s knowledge) anyone has ever worn Khakis instead of hockey pants
December 4, 2009: Mike Osofsky (Stars)

First time the “Forever .500s” (Kevin Paul Dupont’s sobriquet for the Hartford Whalers) had a .500 record
October 9, 2009: The AMHL Whale had lost the first three games but then won the next three.

First points leader (regular season)
Jonathon Corke (Stars): 25G + 17A= 42

First Playoff series and results (courtesy of the Friday Ticker)
December 11, 2009

Round 1 Playoff Results: The Barron Brothers were too much for the first place Stars, Dev’s 2-2 and Bill’s 2-1 play. Despite being spotted one goal to start the game and scoring in the first minute of play, the Stars couldn’t hold off the Hawks and lost 5–4. In Rink 2, Backed by solid goaltending by Mitch-the-Commish, the Whalers knocked off the Kings by the score of 6–3. Kevin Lyons had a pair of goals and Gene Costanza a pair for the Kings. Next up, Hawks and Whalers play for the Cup and the Stars and the Kings will battle for 3rd place.

First Championship
December 18, 2009

The Red Barrons (Bill and Dev) each scored a goal, and the Grecian Formula (Paul Anastas and Peter Kokas) combined for three goals to lead the Hawks to a 7–6 victory over the Whalers. John Arathuzik’s empty-netter proved to be the game-winner. Despite yielding six goals, Hawk goalie Bobby Kilkenny earned First Star of the Game honors. Kilkenny, who made a few routine saves look difficult and several difficult saves routine, won his first AMHL championship as a goalie.

The Hockey Show(s)

Thanks, the callers say to 98.5’s The Hockey Show hosts, for finally bringing hockey talk to Boston radio.

I’m glad that the Sports Hub has Dave “Left to Right Across Your Radio” Goucher and Bob “Blueliner” Beers—the B’s announcers since 2000—to dispense their vast and intimate knowledge to a wider audience. B’s fans deserve it.

But hockey talk on the radio is not new to Boston.

I miss the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS) and hosts Mick “Doc5 Hole” Colageo and Kevin Paul “Hub of Hockey” Dupont. These lads lamented and lauded the local club on ESPN Boston 890, which recently signed off the airwaves. Mick and Dupes served as a lifeline to hardcore hockey fans not only here in the Hub but also to those listening, via the Internet, from far and wide.

I miss the other callers like "Michael from Brookline", “V”, and "Kevin from Melrose"; the great guests, Kirk Luedeke and “Cap” Raeder; and the trivia questions that Mick would concoct and that often had more than one correct answer (often one he hadn’t considered). Even the old school commercials—no frills, just Mick or Dupes reading the script—were entertaining (Mick touting the turkey tips at The Fours). And I’ll miss the end-to-end appreciation for music, including the song that ended the NEHJRS’s run: Bono belting out one of Dupes’s favorites, “Beautiful Day”.

You too? Do you miss it?

I hope the NEHJRS was a vital part of your Saturdays. But, if not, at least you know that the NEHJRS was a haven for some of us, a place that has been replaced (so far, so good boys) but not forgotten.

New England Hockey Journal Radio Show: More Mojo and a Plea for Patience

Photo courtesy of Savinca at flickr.com
Yesterday, as the Bruins prepared to ground the Flyers, New England Hockey Journal Radio Show hosts Mick Colageo, Kevin Paul Dupont, and Matt Kalman discussed the 10–2 drubbing the Bruins had suffered Thursday night against the Buds, after which B’s Head Coach Dave Lewis said his team had lost its "mojo."

Colageo said there was “more fight in the crowd than on the ice.” He added that goalie Tim Thomas showed signs of “wilting.” He suggested it might be time for the Bruins to search for a “formidable sidekick” to help the Tominator.

Formidable sidekicks are overrated and unpredictable. Take Scrappy Doo, for example. When Hanna-Barbera wanted to improve a show that didn’t require any tinkering, the creators signed Scooby’s nephew, a free agent (or was it a player to be named later?). How could you go wrong with a name like Scrappy? Tough, durable, the kind of dog that would win all the battles in the corners and the one you’d want taking a critical face-off in your own zone. As most Scooby Doo fans will testify, Scrappy wrecked the chemistry of the team, and his arrival signaled the demised a loyal-to-the-bone (get it, bone?) fan base.

"C’mon Jimmy," you may protest, "you’re comparing cartoons to hockey clubs?"

Yes. I say a product is a product.

"Okay, but Jimmy, you can’t return to the old days."

Sure, times change, no getting around that. Everything seems like it’s “On Demand.” Comcast’s movie selection at our fingertips, MSN instant messaging…we don’t want to wait for anything. Don’t get me wrong, I have a touch tone phone and e-mail, but let’s look at what the Sabres and Predators are doing.

In the last few years, manangement in Buffalo and Nashville has decided to risk short term gains in favor of enjoying a more profitable and enduring long term. Management for both clubs focused on developing players in their own systems rather than looking for the next great trades.

Again, don’t get me wrong. Free agent signings and trades are inevitable, so you can’t ignore that part of the business. Yet the Sabres signed only one new player in the off-season and are the NHL’s best team this season. Pretty much the same story in Nashville.

Charlie Jacobs, in his fifth season as executive vice president of the Bruins, joined the show in the second hour. Prompted by Kalman’s question on the subject I just discussed, Jacobs echoed my sentiments, saying that you don’t want to press the panic button because that leads to poor decisions.

I called to applaud that philosophy. I also levied some criticism because I was at the game last Thursday night. My wife and I left the game early—not because of the debacle on the ice but rather for the ugliness in the stands. Student night, alcohol, and a six-goal deficit: a recipe for rudeness and rowdiness. Two or three rows behind us, Bruins fans turned on each other, flinging beer and fists. Time to go.

To the Bruins’ credit, though, the police arrived quickly and then escorted the rabble-rousers from the building. Still, that scene—coupled with promotions efforts, like the “Movin’ on Up” seat upgrade that force fans to stand up while the game is in progress, will make me think twice about going to another game on Thursday night.

I beg of Bruins fans to behave themselves—no matter how much money you spend on tickets or how bad the Bruins play, you don’t have the right to toss your beer at each other or onto the ice. Otherwise, I advise patience. Patience with the players and management. Come February, when the Patriots’ season is over, when the Bruins have their mojo back and are making another run for the playoffs (under the Jacobs for thirty years now, the Bruins have failed to make the playoffs only four times, which is five times fewer than the Leafs during the same time frame).

Maybe we won’t win the Cup this season, but if we stick with the players we have in the system, the Bruins will raise the Cup sooner than you might expect.