Hello to you all, Adie here. You might know me from such things as Twitter and I can’t believe that in the 3 years I’ve been commenting on SPC this is my first guest post. Feel a bit bad really as Christine wrote some great pieces for my old blog(s) F1TailPipe and the well intentioned, but critically time consuming ezine F1Weekender.
You join us today for Sidepodcast’s first ever live commenting on a NHL Ice Hockey game. Mr C. wrote to me in the week and asked if I would be around to help comment / explain on the nuances of the sport as I’m a massive New York Rangers fan. Hopefully we’ll be watching their game against the Coyotes tonight. Stream being available.
So, simply put….what is Hockey (not "Ice Hockey" I might add…)
It is as the NHL describes it “the fastest team sport in the world”. It’s a 60 minute, 6 vs 6 game split into 3 20 minute periods. And every second counts – when the play stops, so does the clock.
The object of the game is to shoot the puck into the opposition net. Sounds easy? It’s not! Hockey is famously a rough game, and as long as you don’t skate into someone and lead with your stick “Cross checking”, intentionally skate them into the boards with the intent to injure “Boarding” or use your stick to trip “Hooking” pretty much anything goes – as this video shows!
[youtube id="o0pqSsgX2dw"]
Now, that’s not to be said that it’s a free for all out there. There are rules, you can’t just go around beating people up. I’ll try to be around to explain what’s going on. But one thing you have a 50/50 chance of seeing is a fight. Usually they start if one player feels that another has taken liberties on the ice so, they’ll duke it out mano-a-mano. However, there’s a strict code of conduct here.
Both fighters need to be willing. They indicate this by “dropping gloves” – shaking their protective gloves to the ice. Usually the refs will try to break up a scuffle, but dropped gloves indicates them to back away. Both players will now fight until one goes to the ice. At this point, they’ll be given a 5 minute penalty each and sat in the “sin bin”.
Other penalties are explained here. I suggest you read them if you get the chance.
When a penalty is called, the offending player will, for a minor penalty receive 2 minutes in the box. His team will player with a man down on the ice for the duration of the penalty – or until the team on the ‘Power Play’ scores. Both teams then return to full strength.
A 5 minute penalty is called for a major foul, and a “game” penalty if you’ve been a particular idiot. A game penalty is Hockey’s version of a red card, and the offending player is sent off. However, his team doesn’t play with a man down outside of a 2 or 5 minute foul for the offence.
Lines
You will here commentators make reference to “lines”. These are the offensive or defensive players on the ice. Both teams will have 4 lines of 3 man offensive players –Left-Wing, Centre and Right-Wing and 4 lines of 2 man defensive units. Plus a goal keeper on the ice.
Any team can have 6 players on the ice at a time – 5 skaters and 1 ‘keeper. These are swapped ad-hoc and different lines will be used a different times of the game – typically a teams’ best players will be on the first 2 offensive / defensive lines. These players will get the majority of the time on the ice.
If the there is one goal in the game, then the losing team will usually take their keeper off in the last minute of a game and replace him with another skater to force an equalising goal. This is at the risk of the other team scoring in the empty net however.
Overtime
What I like about American sports is….you can’t draw. There must be a winner and a loser. If at the end of the 60 minutes, known as regulation time the scores are tied then there will be a 5 minute period of overtime played – first to score wins. Both teams will play with a 5 players to open up the ice. If after overtime the scores are still tied then there will be a best of 3 shootout, with sudden death deciding the winner if that’s still tied.
I can’t really explain any more as you’ll understand more by watching!
Tempted to give this a go, although my knowledge of Hockey is limited to Mighty Ducks, old megadrive and PS2 NHL games (go detroit red wings and.. the North america all stars team!)
What time does it start? Can't see a time in the post Adie!
I think it starts in 45 minutes. Wish I could stick around and partake, but I gotta go to yoga! :)
Starts at 1am according to http://www.nhl.com/ice/schedulebyweek.htm#?navid=nav-sch-main
Wait, guess I'm off, starts in 2 hours 45 minutes? 8PM Eastern.
ooh
if I'm still awake I'll join in with the fun, not sure if I will though. Timezones are silly.
Booo Rangers. (This dislike has only started since someone bought one of the worst hats in the existence of hats.)
I'll be here. Though I must admit this may be the first time I've ever had a sporting clash at 1am... I think the Froch fight is around that time.
Oi Ryan...leave my hat alone!
Linky here at 1am
way-hey!
nice stats!
http://www.nhl.com/ice/icetracker.htm?id=2011020475
If you like it and can stretch to the online package it's great. Much better quality than the dodgy link I've given you...
Does this work?
"please tune into away freed during transmission break"
Hmmm.....not sure it does then. Sorry!
no worries. how are you watching?
have downloaded the free nhl app: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/nhl-gamecenter-2011-2012/id465092669?mt=8
I have a subscription to the
Rangers ???? Don't you guys still have the longest ever dought between Stanley Cup wins? Something like 50 years ?
Viva Les Habs!
ah-ha.
1994
Looks like I am just in time
we has video!
Excellent. Looks like I'm about 10 seconds behind you
Land Rover sponsoring ice hockey coverage
Coyotes Crap. That team should have moved over to my current hometown if there was any justice in this world. Darn Make Beliefs being only 100 km away....
twitter accounts to follow:
https://twitter.com/#!/thenyrangers
https://twitter.com/#!/phoenixcoyotes
My list
Little bit sloppy on the attempted tic-tac-toe...
ace!
Whats the quality of your feed like? (Rangers are in white BTW!)
Feed is patchy
good here.
colour is a bit washed out, but no glitches.
The Colours are not the best. Ikeep thinking of NYRvs. Detroit as the red look sa little bit closer to Detriot's red than Phoenix's red....
my ice is kinda yellow :)
My ice looks OK but the frame rate is very low
If the Coyotes are playing, where it the road-runnersZ :P
this one?
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/98480/1/watch-phoenix-coyotes-vs-new-york-rangers.html
Yes. It's the only one I can find that doesn't need plugins installed
Might also be wishful thinking on my part. I love seeing originial six teams play enough other. Especially if Toronto gets walloped....
I have a 720p feed, but the contrast isn't great.
I'll have a hunt around for another...
You say that and the Canucks score, thats just not very nice.
realtime stats are pretty damn cool. no idea how they're working that, but another sport that puts f1 in the dark ages.
why can't i get icons for every pass on track?
Carl Hagelin is a first year pro, looks like he'll be someone a bit special with his speed....
Go Vancouver Go !
ouchy.
Darn. Devils leading Habs, 2 - 1.
w00t!
Yup. 2 minute power play now - Coyotes will play with a man down for 2 mins or until they score.
That was quick. PPG.
That didn't take long. 20 seconds of a power play to score
cheers. they made light work of it.
Blimey that was quick....and I am 20 seconds behind you
As it's late and there shouldn't be any kiddies around a Gaborik goal is known amongst NYR fans as a Gaborgasim....
Re-loaded the stream and the frame rate is now good. It was about 3 or 4 fps before
Go Habs Go 1
Go Canucks go!
This game, - meh!
Excellent! Montreal 3, New Jersey 2 in the 2nd with 10:40 on the clock!
wait... the goal moved?
I am going to teh TV and watch the Habs play. See everyone later.
It's only held in place very lightly.
see ya chap.
Bye Jordan
i've never seen a goal move before. can you still score?
No...they stop play. They're pegged into the ice...
ta.
Shame you went chap, Leafs just equalised.
No. they stop the game until teh goal posts are attached.
No.
THere is no way they could prepare the ice if the goal was a permanent installation. Besides if it was in solid it would end up getting bent
Darn you, Vancouver!
Basketball pre-season? Did their season not just finish?
5-on-3 power play. They run concurrently. They play the balance of the 1st power play with 3 on the ice, then 4 for the rest of the second...
I'm not entirely sure in the USA, but certainly more in Europe, the stadiums aren't just solely used for hockey. i remember when the Vipers played and it was a music arena, basketball court, basically would be impossible to be permanent.
football goals can be removed, right. but not moved during the game.
i like it though.
I imagine NHL rinks are generally only used for hockey
Modern goals can be removed but they are not easily removed.
Surprisingly not. The Rangers play at MSG and they do Hockey, Basketball, Concerts and WWE etc there....
fight?
Minor disagreement
ah
Well that didn't get going!
When it is a fight you won't need to ask if it is a fight or not
:)
Too true!
WOW
We don't have Sean Avery in the lineup tonight so the chance of a fight is greatly reduced. Mostly because he's a gobby so-and-so and winds people up. Rupp and Boyle like to mix it up, and so does Dubinsky so fingers crossed ;)
Wasn't expecting that
9 secs to go. unreal.
:(
how long is the break?
15 minutes exactly. They'll redo the ice....
cool. time for beer and snacks.
not sure i'll make it to the end of the game though, do you do this every week?
I do at weekends if I can stay up. Midweek games I catch the highlights - used to watch the game in the morning in my old job if I was WFH. Bit a pain tonight as it's an hour later than usual
Considering its like an 80 game season, excluding the playoffs and the Stanley Cup...
jeeeez!
Well...82 if we're being pedantic. Then the playoffs are best of 7 series...
Part timers. Baseball is 162
And I can't remember if you play 4 or 5 series to win the cup...
Haha
i'm baffled how people find the time.
I didn't realise that Baseball was such a long season... That's a game every other night during the regular season.
More than that. They play 3 or 4 days then have one or two off. Occasionally they will play 2 in one day
Don't forget make up games for rainouts
If you want something to watch this week I can whole heartedly recommend this
The New York Rangers are playing the Philly Flyers in the "Winter Classic" - a regular season game that's a throwback to the old days. Played outside, this year at Phillies baseball stadium in front of 80,000 people (IIRC) they're running a 4 part behind the scenes series in the run up to the match - it's a great programme and will give you some more insight into the sport...
cheers.
Argh!!!
man down.
We don't need any more injuries. We're already down 2 players with concussions. That looked painful - they're hard men though so a few stitches and he'll be back...
tonight?
Probably!
crazy
That's not to say they don't take injuries seriously - especially concussions. Sidney Crosby (arguably) the no 1 player in the NHL has been out for over a year with a concussion - returned for 5-6 games but is now sitting out again.
The Rangers are missing their no 1 defence man due to This hit from his BROTHER of all people He's been out since March '11 and is only now back to light skating duties. This hit took Sauer out on the 5th December
ouch.
Fedotenko (who went off for stitches) is back on the bench....
un.real.
It's not been the most exciting game and I'm sorry for that!!! Pittsburgh are beating Buffalo (It's a real place!!) 8-3. Detroit are winning 8-2
We want goals!!!
that looked close.
am enjoying, appreciate the introduction.
it's good that it's not mindblowing, following a full season would likely kill me. have learnt a lot already.
I think too many goals in a first game doesn't give time to understand the game
How. Did. That. Not. Go. In.
Heartstopping!!!
And not a problem - glad to share. The games are usually more exciting than this though. There will be a winner tonight though, I kinda like that fact.
I can't do every game - certainly not those on a school night. There are regular "Matinee" games too which are nice. They're 3pm starts, which is 8pm in the UK (at weekends) so they're always a welcome time.
True - there are subtleties - I'll explain "Icing" another time, and you've picked up on the fact if the goalie chooses to cover the puck then the game restarts from a face off?!
Crikey. Look at his sewn-together-face. Feds you loonie!
:)
oooooooooooooops.
Phoenix scored. I thought the goal tender had it
Ah noo
A 'Delayed' penalty is like the advantage in footy. If the team who 'earns' then penalty still retains the puck then they penalty is delayed until they lost possession. That team will often pull their goalkeeper for another player because as soon as they lose possession the penalty starts. Make sense?
Rangers seem to go to sleep at the end of each period
Yeah. It's a trend that's becoming ever more obvious as each game passes.
yup!
Just like NFL. If there is a penalty against the defence the offence will try what would normally be a very risky long pass. If it works they end up 50 yards up field and if it doesn't they get the penalty yards
Their coach John Torterella (or Torts) is a bit of a character - as the 24-7 link I sent you earlier shows. I wouldn't want to be in that dressing room now, Fergie and the flying teacups has nothing on him
gonna have to call it a night. appreciate the thread and company y'all.
Good night
Goodnight sir - Hope you enjoyed your introduction.
Looks like we're holding the fort Steven!
v/much so.
THe late start is always a problem with US sports. I am not sure how much longer I will be able to stay awake. At least this is getting my body clock set up for tomorrow night's NFL game
:D - It's why I'm pleased I support an eastern conference team. I'd usually be in bed by now. The later starts are a killer. Hoping the Winter Classic is a Matinee (I'm going to check) as it'll be a great occasion to be part of - just not on a school night!
It would be interesting to watch an outside game. West coast games are a nightmare
Sorry... two blokes (or the way this is going, one) trying to knock each other out has gained more of my attention.
Do you have a feed. I like Froch's defence of 'Just hit my face'!
I assume Froch is not doing well
I'm just using Sky Go sorry.
He's getting pummeled.
Ah. I have this - my parents don't have Sky Sports and we're here for the weekend. I shall go look!
Thanks Sir!
Goooooooaaaal!
What'd I miss?!?!
Go Preds!
Froch stream
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/23762/3/skysports-/-showtime--super-6-final---andre-ward-vs-carl-froch-live-stream-online.html
Gabby turned over a loose puck and buried it right at the start of the 3rd!
Wait, am I supposed to be seeing boxing?
Thanks Steven. I have it on Sky Go on my iPhone...
I'm sat here at 3am like a proper sports goon...
There is ice hockey and boxing on.
Hockey
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/98480/1/watch-phoenix-coyotes-vs-new-york-rangers.html
You know I have an original Coyotes jersey lying around somewhere...
I used to cheer for them for a while.
Nice.
If I didn't need the money - I'd like this: http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12193186&cp=3176615&clickid=body_bestsell_txt
Thats pretty cool. Where are you geographically Adie?
UK, Usually Milton Keynes. Tonight - Poole. You?
Missoula, Montana, USA
My favorite NHL commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STTwVkkkoTY
It's Ranger Related.
It's got Messier and Gretzky in it....how can you not like that??!
Messier tossing a chess table!
Nice save.
This is a massive PP
Puck was just hanging there for a moment.
Oohh...so close.
Oooh that was a goal!
Blimey.
Thats in
Talk about waiting until the last moment...
They gotta have a replay to overturn it..
0.1 second. Are you kidding me. Dubi's been useless all season too!
Mr C....what are you missing??! *HeadPing!*
Hah! Yeah, He missed one heck of an ending!!
Wow.
Oh Hell yeah! What a finish!!!!
I got home just in time!
Right. On that note I'm off to bed. Laters everyone - cheers for tonight, much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed it.
Night.
Nice to see you writig again Adie, it's just a shame that I missed the live comments
hehe!
looks like i missed a classic finish. awesome stuff.
I am sure that there will be more ice hockey live commented on soon Jackie
When are we gonna do an NFL game?
Every Sunday night we do the late game so tonight Baltimore Ravens at the San Diego Chargers at 1:20am Generally we do them on google plus but for the playoffs and superbowl we should do them here because the dashboard is light years ahead of google plus.
And the superbowl is now an established event on sidepodcast.
For Mr C. The Ravens wear purple and you supported them the last time we watched them because of that and they lost.
Shock horror. The Colts actually won a game today. So won 1 lost 13. Not a great season
The Colts beat my team...Good job Titans!!
Just watching some of the highlights at http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011121802/2011/REG15/titans@colts#menu=highlights&tab=recap
Nice to see a 3rd choice QB throwing blocks to get the winning score. I guess Painter's career as a starting QB is over
Where on google+?
I will put a post up about an hour before the game and link it here and on twitter. Otherwise Mr C forgets that there is a game every week.
For anyone who is interested the Pro Bowl ballot closes tomorrow so if you want to vote for your favourite players vote now
http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?icampaign=PB_NFLNOW&module=HP11_more_now
heheh.
although, having live commented giggles and NHL this weekend i'm a little commented out, so may only be around for a little bit.
Google + post for live commenting the NFL game
https://plus.google.com/117957733344029021708/posts/gjPZjJA63Br