Old School Sports: Interview with Mike Richter
As the New York Rangers open the 2012 NHL playoffs with a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, Mike Damergis goes old school with legendary Rangers goaltender, Mike Richter.
The popular Rangers net minder reminisces about the 1994 Stanley Cup season, being the 1996 World Cup MVP, being a part of the US 2002 Silver Medal Salt Lake City Olympic team and what he’s doing today.
NHL Trade Deadline Breakdown
With next Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline right around the corner, our Pat Mayo takes a look what moves might get done / not get done.
Even Don Cherry’s Throw Away Comments Can’t Be Overlooked
Here in Canada we take our hockey seriously. Very Seriously. So seriously that The Joker doesn’t bother questioning us. If there’s one person who personifies the Canadian hockey dogma it’s the king himself, Don Cherry. Thursday night, Cherry was running his usual shtick, making outrageous comments and referring to former NHL enforcers Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson as a, “bunch of pukes”. Ya, that’s the type of vitriol we spew up north. To cover the jist of the argument, Cherry is appalled that anyone would even dream of taking fighting out of hockey. But what perturbed him most was that these three guys were talking about drug and alcohol problems in relation to NHL fighters. Going so far to say, “you turncoats. You hypocrites”.
Backlash has come almost immediately. Nilan was the first to rebut, saying that Cherry may have taken some of his comment slightly, or completely, out of context:
“I’ve never said that – that because guys fought in the league that they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. I’ve never come out and said there shouldn’t be fighting in the National Hockey League. The [NHL] has made it very difficult for fighters to fight these days. There’s a temperance movement. I believe the NHL wants fighting out of the game. I said, if they really want fighting out of the game, they should take it out of the game. I don’t believe that. I have no problem whatsoever with two guys dropping their gloves, responding to a challenge from one of the guys, or a teammate responding to something that happened to one of his teammates. I don’t believe they should take fighting out.”
A Sad NHL Offseason Gets Even Sadder
Three-time NHL All-Star Pavol Demitra reportedly was among 43 people killed in Wednesday's airplane crash carrying a Russian hockey team.
Wow. That’s all I can say. As I was going about my daily business, my buddy Mike shot me a note and asked if I saw the list of NHL players who died. I was thinking about the sad situations involving Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and, most recently, Wade Belak. He informed me otherwise.
On Wednesday, a Russian jet carrying the Kontinental Hockey League club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crashed into a river bank in Tunoshna, Russia killing at least 43 people. The story would be sad, regardless, but for fans of the sport of hockey, it is especially devastating.
All In Picks: May 27, 2011
“It’s always been that way; it’s part of the game.” That is the worst argument in sports and one I loathe.
Where it comes into play now is with (San Francisco Giants catcher) Buster Posey’s potential season-ending injury after being drilled by Florida Marlins Scott Cousins. In case you missed it, here is the link but be forewarned, if you’re squeamish, don’t watch the second highlight in slow motion. The final diagnosis is a broken fibula and severely strained ankle ligaments. That’s a bit better than the original thought of torn ligaments, possibly even in his knee.
This needs to stop… immediately. I’m not talking in the off-season or during the next rules review. This “play” needs to end now. This is not the first time someone was severely injured during a home-plate collision. In fact, just last year, Cleveland Indians catcher Carlos Santana saw his season end early after one with Ryan Kalish. This also won’t be the last time, unless something changes.
Yet, what did 80 percent of America say when polled yesterday? “It’s part of the game, keep it the same.” By that logic, we should never evolve intelligently. Forget finding new and better ways to do things… because it’s always been that way. What is that? Penicillin? Nah, we’ve always used leaches; it’s part of medicine. Sorry, but like I said… stupidiest.argument.ever.
All In Picks: May 25, 2011
Derrick Rose should have his MVP Award taken away. Wait … hold up … Are you kidding me?!
I heard and read this from a few sports media people after last night’s game. The point was if you look at the series against Miami, and especially game four, Rose doesn’t deserve the MVP. First off, I’m glad these numbskulls don’t have a vote. Second, the MVP was never based on one game or even on series … in fact, it’s for the regular season anyway. The playoffs have nothing to do with it.
Derrick Rose was, is and will continue to be the NBA MVP as long as he keeps his team near the top and Chicago doesn’t get him any more help. Rose carried the team on his back this year to the league’s best record with Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah missing over half the season combined. He also did this will being the only star and consistent scoring threat on the team. Trust me; no one is worried about Luol Deng and Keith Bogans, and Boozer’s defense more than counters any offense he decides to produce once in a blue moon.
In fact, that last point is the very reason Miami is having such success against Chicago. Their goal is to stop Rose and not worry about anyone else. They are thrilled every time Boozer, Deng, et al, take a jump shot from 15-plus feet out. That’s what they want. Every team in the league would live with that each and every game.
All In Picks: May 24, 2011
I talked a bit about fan etiquette yesterday, and we’re going to stay on that topic one more day.
After Joakim Noah was fined $50,ooo for his anti-gay slur, we received more information as to what really happened. Several teammates of Noah agreed that the comment by Noah was improper; no one is denying that. However, these same teammates pointed out that the fan was yelling numerous nasty things at Noah.
Okay, I just read that and it does sound a bit tattletale-ish … but, there’s not a much better way to word it. Basically, a fan was yelling profanity-laden things at Noah incessantly. I don’t care if you’re in the middle of an intense game or just Brian Scalabrine on the bench, who never plays a minute. If someone were going at you like that, most anyone would eventually snap and/or yell back. Even Luol Deng admitted that he feels like jumping in the crowd and hitting a fan sometimes.
Here’s the deal. You can throw “freedom of speech” at me, or that a fan can say whatever he wants since he paid for the ticket. I have a response though … NO! You’re wrong. Freedom of speech doesn’t whitewash or cover everything. You can’t yell, “FIRE!” somewhere, incite panic and claim the first amendment. Additionally, you don’t gain any extra rights because you bought a ticket. You’re still a guest at a business’ establishment, viewing their product. They have every right kicking you out of the stadium/arena and should have in this case.
Enough is enough. No more profane yelling at players, no more throwing things (batteries? looking at you Philly fans) and no more obscene gestures – especially those who are courtside or near the bench. Act civil or the next time that you don’t, I’d like your business card so I can come by your work and give you the same treatment.
All In Picks: May 22, 2011
Since you’re reading this, the world obviously didn’t end.
Yay! I’m as excited for heaven as anyone is, but there’s still plenty of living to do… and a wife to find (but that’s another story). Nevertheless, the world goes on and so do sports. Unfortunately, so do tweets, Facebook updates, etc.
Anyone else already tired of the rapture-related social media updates? We get it – internet service is heaven is great, God is a Heat fan, etc. Can’t we just chalk it up to another nutcase sullying the name of someone/some group (this time Christians)? This wasn’t the first and surely won’t be the last incorrect prediction.
One thing I did laugh at was the Vegas odds on the world ending. It was 3000:1 in case you’re wondering. I laughed because how are you supposed to collect if you’re right? I wonder if anyone was crazy enough to put money down on that. If so, hopefully God was gracious enough just to take them away in any case and save them from a life of stupidity.
All In Picks: May 19, 2011
What is it about sports that can stir your emotions like nothing else?
I won’t say which one – although you really don’t have to worry because I never let my fanmanship influence my picks… especially with money on the line – but a game last night had me livid. I’m talking jersey-tossing, profanity-laden, I want to go kick a puppy, livid.
This morning, I woke up and thought, “Wow. Did I really need to be that angry over something of which I have no control?” And there’s the rub. We invest so much of our time, money and devotion that we react as if it we had as much to lose as the players. There is a small bit of truth in there, as that last piece is what makes it so important to us… devotion.
Devotion is the driving force behind professional sports. It’s why the players make millions upon millions because fans spend billions in support of the team. If a TV show or movie doesn’t meet our expectation, we’re disappointed and move on. If a sports team does the same, it can ruin your day, week, or even months (just ask Carolina Panthers fans).
I’m not advocating rage, as I came precariously close to it last night. That’s taking things a bit too far. However, if you want someone who understands the emotional roller coaster that is being a sports fan, look no further.
All In Picks: May 18, 2011
I hope you didn’t miss that. What am I talking about? Only one of the best playoff performances of all time.
Dirk Nowitzki put on a clinic last night in game one of the Western Finals. His final line was 48 points, six rebounds, four assists and four blocks. But wait, it gets better. Dirk shot 12-of-15 from the field and a record-setting 24-of-24 from the free throw line. What made it even more impressive is Dirk dominated one of the better defensive centers in the league. Serge Ibaka could not do anything to stop Dirk, and Ibaka led the league in blocks and is doing so again in the playoffs with 3.3 per game.
The last two jump shots by Dirk were in Ibaka’s face, literally. Ibaka put his 6’-10” body right in front of Dirk while waving his hand inches from Dirk’s face. Did it matter? Nope. Nowitzki drained both shots as if no one was there.
I don’t know what the reason is, and it could be a topic for another time, but Nowitzki is the most overlooked superstar in the league. Here’s a quick look at his career numbers (regular season/playoffs): Points 23rd/21st, Rebounds 54th/29th, FG% 47.6/46.5, FT% 87.7/88.6, insane numbers. Simply put, Dirk ranks as one of Top 15 players in NBA history; since he’ll be only 33 on June 19, he could break the Top 10 before it’s all over.
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