HNIC Wrap-Up~ 1/16/10 (A Week Late!)

Tonight, be sure to catch the HNIC pre-game show, Hockey Tonight. As the Rangers are in Montreal, you may see some familiar faces. (NHL Network - 6:30pm for those in the States).

Meanwhile, it's been one of those weeks so I'm just now getting to LAST week's show,...so here's what we missed:


* The Ron McLean interview with Colin Campbell. I missed it (obviously) but heard rumblings about it on Team990. And there was apparently some bad feedback to the CBC on it, from Burrows parents, even. How their son was being shown in a bad light.

I think McLean did fine (and I'm a big fan of his). I think he did fine with how he conducted the interview.

In the case of Burrow's parents, I perhaps can see what they were saying. For those that didn't watch, they showed kind of a "this is what Burrows has done" timeline with video and, yes, some of it paints him like the "Sean Avery of the West." Surely. But I think it wasn't done badly. I don't.

And let it also be said, "Burr, what are you thinking Burr..." constantly laughed about here didn't make it clear, I am a Burrows fan. I think he can be a punk at times, and I certainly didn't appreciate his whack to Vrbata's leg late last year, but I don't think he goes out there to injure anyone. I think he is a little bit of a pest. I see the similarities to Avery, too, but again, I don't make apologies for Avery. He is a good hockey player. And even though we've seen players like Anson Carter benefit from being on a line with the Sedins, I'm pretty sure Burrows has paid his dues in his journey to the NHL and he's here because he too is a good player and can play with those boys.


* On After Hours, Bill Guerin was a guest. Who doesn't appreciate Billy Guerin? He's just a high class guy.

The funnier parts were when PJ Stock joined in via video. Here is some of what was said:

Oake: PJ Stock counts you, I think, as his best friend in the game of hockey. And you're even willing to own up to that.

Guerin: I am. I accept that position. PJ is a great guy and a good friend for a long time. So it's good to see him doing well out here.


PJ: ...Buddy, that's the worst Tom Selleck moustache I've seen in a long time. Why?

Guerin goes on to explains that the day before games, they have a shootout contest, and the loser on the 1st of the month has to grow a moustache for the month and be "moustache boy." LOL!

PJ: What toll did it take on your body, with that shortened summer, especially at your 46, 47, you are at now, how has that short summer affected you this year?

Guerin: Yeah Stocky, it's kinda funny, I'm creeping up there. But unfortunately for you, you stopped growing at the age of 12. I kept going until about 18, 19, 20.


Oake: Hey PJ, thanks a lot for contributing to the program tonight, we really appreciate it.

PJ: Anytime I can carry you Oakie, anytime. See ya Billy, good luck.

Healy: Good questions.

Oake: PJ had to run off to the Irish Embassy. Going to try to catch Rudy there.


Billy, when aked about the US Olympic team, said he felt very confident in the group of players that Burke had put together, that they could do very well. He spoke about a passing of the torch. He had his time; it's their time now.


Good stuff, they should invite PJ in more often to contribute to After Hours, and Bill Guerin is always a treat.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ October 10, 2009. . .

This will be shorter than usual, because my watching the 9 o'clock game prevented me from watching an entire HNIC game, but we'll focus on what really matters, won't we?

AFTER HOURS!

I adore Kevin Weekes and I can already tell he will be much better than Marc Crawford in the hot seat next to Scott Oake. No offense to Crawford - the coach only dogs can hear - and best of luck to him in Dallas, but...it took him more than half the year to feel half way comfortable. Weekes already seems like he's been doing this for years.

And their first guest of the evening was...

Scott Sco-Go Gomez. Which made me smile. Scott looked uncomfortable after the loss and the interview began pretty awkwardly.

While Oake didn't want to call the NY years a bust - even though I really think we should - he tried to get Gomez to talk about it.

And what was Gomez's real reason for last year's mediocrity?

He actually said it was injuries. He's like, I'm not making excuses, but...

I'm sorry. If that is the case he was injured, fine. Maybe he was. But it was his attitude that drove me crazy and what apparently Tortorella found unacceptable.

Yes, a hip-groin-leg-arm-neck-back injury can make you a less efficient player, but Scott, does it cause those "vacuous" passes to no one?

And how about those late nights of partying? Those were...rehab for the injury?

Yeah, sorry, not going to buy that one.

__________________________________________

The interview got better though. Gomez can still, at his best, provide a good interview. He talked about how it's odd being recognized on the street because he's never had that. And that when all is said and done - as careers do not last forever - how it'll be amazing to say he was a Canadien, considering the history of the franchise and those that have gone before.

I really hope he realizes that. I know if I were blessed enough to be a professional hockey player, I'd have certainly wanted that. I don't think that's why I am a Rangers fan, but it certainly gives me a sense of pride. Knowing that this team was around in the 1920s and that this team, barring something none of us can imagine, will still be around in another 100 years.


But back to Sco-go:

*In talking about his injury during the lockout where he was told his pelvis was broken, he said it was not so serious and got blown out of proportion. His answer, "I was on the dance floor a week later."

*New teammate Michael Cammalleri said that Gomez can't stay on the phone for more than 30 seconds but can text for hours. Gomez said jokingly that Cammo just hasn't realized he doesn't have anything to say to HIM. He also said he likes to work on his spelling, hence wanting to text more.

*But the BEST part of the convo and the part that did make me smile was when Scott Oake asked about how he, Gionta, and Cammalleri like being referred to as the Smurfs. Gomez said that was new to him but that:

"We're in the gym, trying to grow. Hanging on the chin bar for hours.

If there is a growth fairy, we are putting money under our pillows.

Maybe next interview I'll be 6'1"

As much as I like to rag on Gomez, I do it because it's fun not because I really wish badly for him. I mean I'd be silly to wish him supreme success after his attitude, partying, er...Injuries...kept him from being effective here even though he was the highest paid player. But I'd be a bad person to wish him failure in Montreal.

I'll just reiterate - I will love to hear him defend bad games, and love it even more when he's trying to do it in French.

_____________________________________


Moving on the the next guest, we have Mr. Hilary Duff - Mike Comrie.

Now, I never really had an opinion on Comrie either way, but after this interview I must say I do.

He gave really thoughtful responses to the questions - really thoughtful - and was not afraid to laugh at himself, talk about the tough stuff. And I admire him for that.

For the record, he mentioned a false rumor. I know about the contract holdouts. I'm guessing he was silently referring to the Salo incident. There are some things we'll just never know the truth to. (This wasn't the first, it isn't the last).

He talked about his mother dying from cancer when he was 10, about his father's furniture business, about growing up in Edmonton. A lot about what it is like to return and wondering if the fans will be supportive after how he left last time.

Hated and loved in his home province, that is the story of Mike Comrie.


But the interview wasn't all serious.

On of the funnier parts was how Weekes talked about his man purse or murse and how he carried it around in the lockeroom - his "bag of beauty" if you will. And how everyone made fun of him for it until they needed something for a date or to meet someone - to step up their game after the game.

Comrie for the record said he has never and will never have a man purse. He doesn't even wash his face, he just washes with soap.

And this guy is dating Hilary Duff. That made me smile.

=)

Oh but speaking of Hilary Duff. Apparently Comrie couldn't do a movie premiere, so Kevin Weekes stepped in instead.

No, not really. But that's what the good folks at HNIC photoshopped it to look like.

Love it!


*not sure how long it'll stay active on the site, but if you'd like to watch in all it's glory - here.

Around the League: When You Need A Laugh, Watch These After Hours Clips. . .

Well no, I didn't watch the Flames/Wild game, as previously mentioned. (In former Ranger's land, Jamie Lundmark got a goal and an assist for the Flames, and #2 Star honors, in case you are curious.)

But...meanwhile that didn't stop me from staying up late and watching After Hours.

And I have to readily admit that I have not laughed that hard at After Hours in a while. (Well not including when they re-showed the clip of Alex Burrows doing his Marc Crawford impression during Ryan Kesler’s interview a few weeks back. That was classic!)

Eric Nystrom, son of Islanders great Bobby Nystrom, was their guest and he was hilarious to watch. In general just a good interview. Down to Earth, self-depreciating. Talked well of his father, and hopes he gets to see some of the success his father had back in the day.

The uncontested best part of last night, however, was when they made him watch a video clip of himself. Apparently when in Quad City Eric did an on-ice strip tease imitating the famous scene from Slap Shot. He said he's seen it hundreds of times and he hope's that was the last (and that his grandmother who was watching in BC was not too embarassed!!). But that won't stop us from showing it just one more time.

For your viewing pleasure here is Eric Nystrom:




Oh and in case you feel cheated, here is the whole Alex Burrows interview on After Hours from October. Move the time to 1:00 to hear the Marc Crawford impression. “Burrr, what you were thinking?”




Seriously, folks, when you need a laugh, I'd find it hard to believe these things won't make you smile.

:)

Boudreau's Son, Jumbo Joe, and Mats With Hair. . .

So I finally got around to watching last weeks After Hours on HNIC. Only five days late, but I was so tired after the Rangers/Ottawa game I didn't stay up as late as I usually do. I know, excuses, excuses.

The highlights:

Bruce Boudreau's son - Brady - is adorable. He interviewed Brooks Laich, Dave Steckel, and Mike Green on a segment shown on Hockey Tonight. For those of you keeping track, Green's new nickname is Lambor-greenie, for his new vehicle. Good stuff.

Mats Sundin was the guest on After Hours after the Sharks/Canucks game. Shocking I know. Scott Oake said, it only took Mats sitting out six months and signing with a western Canadian club for him finally to appear on After Hours. He then asked if he regretted the decision now that he was here. On the show. Ouch. They did tell him he boosted their ratings though.

Mats was given a test to see which Sedin twin was which. I, by the way, think I've finally figured it out. But, sorry Mats, I'm not telling.

Mats fielded a phone call of questions from Glen Healy, former teammate with the Leafs and a genuinely good guy. Mats responded not so much in answers, but with a "fact" that the reason Scottish people, like Glen, wear kilts, was because the Vikings came downt to Scotland and made them.

He said he's still waiting for a response from Healy.

The best part, though, was watching clips of Mats from Draft Day - with hair. People think he's unattractive or menacing, and while I've never agreed with them on either front, he was an adorable little blond kid. He really was.

Like him or not, and I honestly always did, he's had a great career in this league.

Lastly:

Jumbo Joe Thornton gave another good interview, pre-Mats, with a few laughs. First he takes off his shirt pre-interview so appears with only a towel draped around his neck.

Not far into the interview, a voice heard in the background says, "Joe, put your shirt on. You are going to scare the kids!"

The voice?

Jeremy Roenick.

:)

At the close of interview Scott Oake asks Thornton to say something to PJ Stock who is coming on to do score updates. Joe says, "how am I looking buddy," or something along those lines. [Joe joked weeks earlier that there was an over 30 (or 40) league PJ could join in San Jose].

When we finally get to PJ after McClean, Hrudey, and Milbury joke about how cold Joe must be in that hallway, he jokes about how he looks and why aren't they getting on him because he looks like:

"A milk bag."

You can't make this stuff up.

On PJ's list of those snubbed for the All Star game - Patrick Marleau, Mike Green, Brian Rafalski, David Kreiji.

To which McClean said, "I"m working the game and I might not even watch it."

Gotta love it.