SI.com runs a weekly feature titled Pop Culture Grid, where they ask athletes about all things pop culture. Trying to show that they're just like us and have a life and interests outside of sports. Which is news to me, because I thought that all athletes slept in bunk beds in lower areas of the arena and only came out for games and practices.
In their recent column, SI spoke to Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes, and Ryan Callahan of the New York Rangers, who took some time out of their busy schedules of sleeping in bunk beds at their respective arenas to answer some zany pop culture related questions.
_____ needs to stay away from the Botox. Callahan: Heidi Montag from The Hills Doan: Teammate Steve Reinprecht
Person I'd like to make a documentary about? Doan: Gen. Patton. He's just an incredible guy that you don't know much about Callahan: Rangers defenseman Paul Mara. He is a very angry man
I have a love/hate relationship with_____ Callahan: Golf. I like playing but not that good at it Doan: Former teammate Tyson Nash. He's one of those guys you love to hate
Click here for the full list of answers. Yes folks, there's more! You're welcome.
Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby gets a lot of flack from the mainstream media and bloggers a like.
Some accuse him of being a whiner, a cheap shot artist, and a bit over hyped. However there is no denying that The Kid's got the skills to pay the bills, and those skills were on display Wednesday night in a game against the New York Rangers.
With the Pens up 5-2 late in the third period, Crosby netted himself an impressive, amazing, stupendous (enough adjectives?) no look, top shelf, backhanded goal. This after having to skip out on the All-Star weekend festivities due to an injury.
Some were outraged that Crosby was "too injured" to take part in the All-Star weekend and thought that his injury wasn't serious enough and he could've played. And I now agree. Too hurt for the all-star weekend, but after seven days of rest and just three days after the ASG itself he's able to score a highlight reel goal of the year candidate? How dare he.
Maybe the NHL should've forced him to play on the weekend just to make it fair and level out the playing field for everyone else. Actually that's not a bad idea. If you'll excuse me, I have to go give Gary Bettman a call and mention that to him. I also want to talk to him about my glow in the dark/cosmic bowling like idea for hockey games. I think it will really catch on.
"I've always been a guy that's worn his heart on his sleeve and I'm not going to lie to you - it was hard to leave Toronto. My heart was in the right place when I played there but I'm here in Denver now so I really appreciate the group of guys here."
- Darcy Tucker's thoughts on his former team the Leafs, as he gets set to play against them for the first time as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.
1978 - Bobby Clarke became the first player in franchise history to score 250 goals as a member of the Flyers. The milestone came when Philadelphia tied 3-3 at Detroit.
1984 - Gil Perreault scored twice and added an assist (in his 1,000th career game) as the Sabres beat the Penguins 7-3 at the Aud, to give them a record of 11-0-2 in the previous 13 games. Perreault became the first to play 1,000 games with Buffalo.
1996 - The Senators beat the Blues 4-2 at the Palladium in Ottawa, to end their NHL record for consecutive winless games at home - 17 (0-15-2). It was also Jacques Martin's first victory with Ottawa.
1998 - Kings' Luc Robitaille picked up two assists to give him 1,000 career points, becoming the 6th left winger in the NHL to reach the milestone. It came in a 5-3 L.A. win over the visiting Calgary Flames.
NHL Schedule and Predictions - Jan. 29/09 Home team in ALL CAPS BRUINS over Devils - 7pm HURRICANES over Lightning - 7pm THRASHERS over Islanders - 7pm Canadiens over PANTHERS - 7pm RED WINGS over Stars - 730pm Senators over BLUES - 830pm AVALANCHE over Maple Leafs - 930pm Blackhawks over KINGS - 1030pm SHARKS over Coyotes - 1030pm
Former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery is playing in Russia this year to try and improve his image from a hot head goalie who's weak in net and really just likes to get in fights. Though it doesn't look like much has changed in his time overseas.
That's because a video has surfaced on YouTube which shows Emery getting into a fight with a team official beside the player's bench.
The unidentified man tries to put a baseball cap on Emery, then the two exchange words and Emery responds with a solid left hook to the guy's face. The man is chased down the hallway by Emery where more punches are thrown, until Rayzer is finally restrained.
When asked about the incident by Rogers Sportsnet, Emery's agent J.P. Barry said he hadn’t heard of any problems with Emery in Russia, adding that his client was happy playing there.
Look Ray, can we talk? I hate wearing extra clothes as much as the next guy (pants especially) but you can't go around punching people because of it. That's the sort of reason why nobody wants anything to do with you in the NHL. So just simmer down, and put on the hat. Okay? Good talk.
Take a look at the video down below. Does that look like a guy happy to be there to you? Or maybe he just has a really strong anti-hat policy. That could be it too.
It was a scary sight for Capitals fans as Alex Ovechkin was left lying on his back after taking a hard shoulder-first slide into the boards on Tuesday night.
The incident occurred late in the second frame when Ovechkin and Bruins d-man Zdeno Chara were chasing after a loose puck, when Ovie lost his balance while trying to get around Chara and then slid into the end boards.
Caps training staff immediately came to the aid of Ovechkin, but after a few seconds he got up and went to the locker room. He would miss the rest of the second period but did return for the third.
News comes today from the Washington Post that there's nothing to worry about and that Ovechkin is as healthy as an Ox. Healthier than an ox? No, that's just ridiculous.
"It was just a hockey moment -- it is OK," Ovechkin told the Post.
Bruce Boudreau, head coach of the Caps also tried to downplay the accident, saying to NHL.com, "As far as I know, he's OK. He's a pretty tough kid."
So to recap, Alex Ovechkin slams into the boards shoulder-first, an incident that would have separated the shoulders of most, but he doesn't have to leave the game, is not injured, and won't miss anytime at all. Has anybody checked to make sure that Ovechkin isn't actually some sort of Russian super robot? Because I'm beginning to have my doubts.
If you have any questions, suggestions, feedback, or just want to tell me how dreamy I am, write me by firing off an email to kenbeckett@thepowerplay.net
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SI.com runs a weekly feature titled Pop Culture Grid, where they ask athletes about all things pop culture. Trying to show that they're just like us and have a life and interests outside of sports. Which is news to me, because I thought that all athletes slept in bunk beds in lower areas of the arena and only came out for games and practices.
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