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Tag: NHL

  • Erin Andrews : ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Co-Host, Fox Sports Reporter Boyfriend Jarret Stoll Charged With Felony Cocaine Possession

    Erin Andrews was no doubt humiliated in April when her boyfriend, NHL player Jarret Stoll, was arrested at the MGM Grand’s Wet Republic pool complex in Las Vegas, after security guards found what they believed was cocaine and ecstasy during what People magazine calls a ‘routine search.’

    Now that humiliation Erin Andrews felt has likely been renewed and possibly even compounded as Jarret Stoll was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance–cocaine–by the Clark County district attorney’s office on Monday.

    At the time of Jarret Stoll’s arrest back in April, a rep for the L.A. Kings–the NHL team on which he plays–issued a statement.

    “We are aware of police reports out of Clark County, Nevada regarding Jarett Stoll. Our organization is concerned and has begun conducting a thorough investigation. While we continue to actively gather facts, we are withholding further comment at this time,” the statement reads.

    The team management is likely experiencing their own sense of humiliation, but it’s probably nothing compared to what the Dancing With the Stars co-host and Fox Sports reporter is feeling.

    Jarret Stoll faces up to four years in a state prison if convicted for felony cocaine possession. It’s uncertain why he wasn’t charged for possession of ecastasy as well.

    Erin Andrews and Jarret Stoll have been a couple since 2012. It’s uncertain if his arrest and subsequent cocaine possession charge has impeded their relationship in any way.

    Might Jarret Stoll’s arrest and drug charges shed an unfavorable light upon Erin Andrews? She was with him just a day ahead of his arrest in Vegas in April.

    Did she know about his cocaine and ecstasy use?

    People magazine reached out to reps for Erin Andrews, but they have yet to issue a statement.

  • Erin Andrews: NHL Boyfriend Jarret Stoll Charged With Felony Cocaine Possession

    Los Angeles Kings hockey player, Jarret Stoll, was arrested on April 17 for possessing cocaine at the MGM Wet Republic pool in Las Vegas. Stoll, who is the boyfriend of FOX sportscaster and Dancing With the Stars host Erin Andrews, has now been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

    Staff members at the Wet Republic arrested Stoll after subjecting him to a voluntary search upon which they found MDMA and powdered cocaine in his pocket.

    Based on police reports, the hockey player admitted to possessing 3.3 grams of cocaine powder. Stoll was likely at the MGM Grand Hotel to attend the second year anniversary of the hotel’s popular club Hakkasan, the same event that featured DJ Tiësto and brought out singer Christina Aguilera.

    Stoll was taken into custody at the CCDC a few months ago but was later released on $5,000 bond.

    Reports from Los Angeles Times and TMZ stated that the charge was filed as part of a criminal complaint and was listed as one felony count of cocaine possession with the Clark County District Attorney’s office.

    According to the criminal complaint, Stoll would only be charged for possessing cocaine and not for having MDMA.

    District Attorney Steven Wolfson refused to comment on why the charge only included cocaine possession.

    Stoll, who turns 33 this Wednesday, could face up to four years in state prison if convicted on the cocaine charge. However, he could possibly receive a suspended sentence and probation at the discretion of the judge, per the Orange County Register.

    The LA Kings center is expected to return to court on July 1, the same day he becomes an unrestricted NHL free agent.

    A day before being arrested, Stoll was spotted on a date with his girlfriend Andrews at La Sosta Enoteca in Manhattan Beach California.

    Erin Andrews, 37, and Stoll began dating in 2012.

  • Erin Andrews: NHL Boyfriend Jarret Stoll Busted For Cocaine, Ecstasy Possession

    Eric Andrews of FOX Sports and color commentator for Dancing With the Stars must have been disheartened when she learned that her boyfriend, Jarret Stoll of NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, was arrested on suspicion of drug possession Friday in Las Vegas.

    The CBS TV affiliate in Las Vegas broke the news Saturday, saying he was arrested at the Wet Republic pool club at the MGM Grand Hotel on suspicion of possession of cocaine and ecstasy.

    Erin Andrews’ 32-year-old boyfriend was detained the Clark County Detention Center before being released on Saturday.

    In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, the NHL’s deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league is investigating the allegations.

    “We are aware of the reports tonight, and we obviously will follow up to understand the nature of the allegations that are being made, ” said Daly. “We are not in a position at this time to comment further until we have more information.”

    The Los Angeles Kings were informed of the arrest Friday night.

    “We are aware of police reports out of Clark County, Nev., regarding Jarret Stoll,” the team said in a statement. “Our organization is concerned and has begun conducting a thorough internal investigation.

    “While we continue to actively gather facts, we are withholding further comment at this time.”

    Erin Andrews was apparently not with Jarret Stoll when he was arrested Friday night. The Inquisitr reports that the couple spent some time together Thursday in Manhattan Beach, California, before Stoll went to Las Vegas.

    Erin Andrews and Jarret Stoll have been dating since 2012 and there has been rumors that they are contemplating marriage.

    There has been no comment from Erin Andrews or FOX Sports.

  • Erin Andrews: NHL Player Boyfriend Jarret Stoll Arrested in Vegas

    Erin Andrews probably won’t report on this story. In fact, she likely wants to shy away from it. Her boyfriend, NHL player Jarret Stoll, was arrested on Friday in Las Vegas, on suspicion of possession of cocaine.

    According to a report from People magazine, Stoll was arrested at the Wet Republic pool at the MGM Grand hotel. He was being held at the Clark County Detention center.

    A rep for the L.A. Kings, the NHL team on which Erin Andrews’ boyfriend plays, released a statement regarding the arrest.

    “We are aware of police reports out of Clark County, Nevada regarding Jarett Stoll. Our organization is concerned and has begun conducting a thorough investigation. While we continue to actively gather facts, we are withholding further comment at this time,” the statement reads.

    The New York Post reports that Stoll was in possession of both cocaine and Molly at the time of his arrest.

    Erin Andrews is both a Fox Sports reporter and co-host with Tom Bergeron on Dancing With the Stars. The arrest of her boyfriend will no doubt be a bit of an embarrassment for her, but a subject she will likely have to address at some point in the media.

    So far there has been no comment from Erin Andrews or her rep on the matter.

    Do you think Jarret Stoll’s arrest will spell the end for his relationship with Erin Andrews?

  • NHL, GoPro Partner for Live, POV Game Video

    GoPro’s first partnership with a major professional sports league goes to … the NHL.

    The NHL and the NHLPA have just announced they are teaming up with GoPro to strap cameras on players, which will allow for some pretty cool in-game footage from the point of view of the men on the ice.

    “GoPro is the perfect partner for us in our ongoing commitment to bring hockey fans closer to the game,” said Bob Chesterman, NHL Senior Vice President of Programming and Production. “As the preeminent leader in adaptable cameras, only GoPro has the technology to help us and our media partners showcase the beauty and intensity of hockey in new and deeper ways. Our partnership with GoPro will be a big win for both new and lifelong hockey fans.”

    The art of the dangle. Brought to you by @gopro.

    A video posted by NHL (@nhl) on

    You can expect to see the unique angles make their debut tis weekend, during NHL All-Star weekend, where video shot by the player-mounted GoPros will be broadcast live, in-game, and on the NHL and GoPro online channels.

    “This partnership marks a significant first step for GoPro into team sports, made possible because of NHL and NHLPA’s progressive thinking,” said Todd Ballard, Senior Director of Lifestyle Marketing at GoPro. “Together we will push the boundaries of video content production in hockey and provide fans of the sport with unique, immersive perspectives of the game that they’ve never seen before, from players and officials to in-goal and rink side.”

    As you would expect, this partnership includes a huge branding opportunity for GoPro, who will be featured all over the NHL’s broadcasts and social media presence.

  • Corey Perry of the NHL Diagnosed with Mumps

    Anaheim Ducks players Corey Perry and Francois Beauchemin have been diagnosed with mumps.

    National Hockey League winger Perry has been cleared of the disease and is set to resume workouts Thursday, while Beauchemin is still in the hospital receiving intravenous fluids. Though, Ducks medical director Craig Milhouse said that he is improving.

    Mumps, or epidemic parotitis, is a viral illness with no known cure. Primary symptoms include painful swelling of the salivary glands and testicles, accompanied by a rash. Treatment includes pain management while the disease runs its course. Complications of mumps in men include infertility or subfertility, though these outcomes are rare.

    Mumps is a contagious infection that is spread through contact with respiratory secretions, can be spread by sharing food and drinks and the virus can survive on surfaces.

    Mumps is uncommon in the United States, due to a vaccine developed by microbiologist Maurice Hilleman. The MMRV vaccine, which is routinely administered to children at one or two years of age, protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Booster shots are typically given three to five years later, to ensure lifelong immunity.

    Perry, 29, and Beauchemin, 34, were both immunized early in life, though Milhouse commented that adults’ antibody levels decline over time. Milhouse added that it is unknown how the two contracted the disease, and the rest of the Ducks players have been vaccinated as a precautionary measure.

    Hockey enthusiasts took to Twitter over the mumps news:

    Perry, who was the NHL leader with 11 goals in 13 games before falling ill, was out for his fourth straight game Wednesday night. Beauchemin has so far missed two games.

  • Los Angeles Kings Will Face The New York Rangers

    The stage is set for the battle of the coasts. It all comes down to the New York Rangers versus the Los Angeles Kings in a best of seven series to determine which team will raise the Stanley Cup. It’s certainly a big city matchup as two of the largest hockey markets in the country, New York and Los Angeles, will take center ice.

    The Rangers finished up their series against the Canadiens on Thursday in six games. They have been eagerly anticipating (and resting) for the past three days waiting to see who their opponent would be. The Kings, however, needed seven games to capture the Western Conference Championship. They defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 in overtime yesterday in a playoff game for the ages.

    The entire Blackhawks/Kings series was a heartstopping affair. The victor ultimately decided by a one crazy goal. Alec Martinez, defenseman for the Kings, rocketed a slap shot that bounced off Blackhawks’ defenseman Nick Leddy. The deflection landed inside the net and decided the series.

    Martinez didn’t know the puck hit the net until he saw Jarrett Stoll celebrating. He said, “I didn’t see it go in, I know it went off some bodies. I just tried to get it through and fortunately it went in.”

    “We said if we won the game, it was going to be a great series,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. “We would have preferred not to get to Game 7, but when you play the defending champions, there’s a good chance there’s going to be a Game 7. Game 7 is about winning it all and doing whatever it takes.”

    The Kings became the first team in the history of the NHL to play all 21 possible games in the first three rounds, taking each series to a do-or-die Game 7. Additionally, the road warriors won all three deciding games as the away team.

    “This series, and I can only speak for myself, was probably the most emotional seven games I’ve ever played,” Kings captain Dustin Brown said. “One, the caliber of the two teams and also how the games were won and lost on both sides. Leads, third-period leads, leads early, leads late … it was emotional.”

    For the Rangers, it will be their first trip to the NHL finals in 20 years. The Kings are certainly more seasoned, it will be the team’s second Stanley Cup finals in just three years.

    Here’s a look at the entire schedule:

    Game 1: Wednesday Jun 4 Rangers @ Kings 8:00 pm
    Game 2: Saturday Jun 7 Rangers @ Kings 7:00 pm
    Game 3: Monday June 9 Kings @ Rangers 8:00 pm
    Game 4: Wednesday June 11 Kings @ Rangers 8:00 pm
    Game 5 (if necessary): Friday June 13 Rangers @ Kings 8:00 pm
    Game 6 (if necessary): Monday June 16 Kings @ Rangers 8:00 pm
    Game 7 (if necessary): Wednesday June 18 Rangers @ Kings 8:00 pm

    What do you think? Which team will raise the Cup?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie at Coachella 2014

    Hilary Duff and her estranged husband Mike Comrie were spotted together at Coachella 2014 on Friday.

    The couple, who married in 2010 and have a two-year-old son together, announced their separation in January.

    Despite their appearance at the annual Indio, CA music festival on Friday, a source says Duff and Comrie are not reconciling:

    “They are still separated but very good friends … They are at Coachella this weekend, which is sure to fan the flames, but they aren’t a couple. It’s just not true – they remain separated.”

    Indeed, it’s not the first time the two have appeared together since announcing their separation.

    In February Duff posted a picture of her, Comrie, and their son Luca in the Bahamas with the hashtags #modernfamily and #vacation.

    Duff has posted several photos on Twitter giving Comrie photo credit:

    The day before being spotted at Coachella, the two were seen shopping together at the Chanel store in Beverly Hills. Similar sightings have occurred in New York City, and at one point, Duff posted a picture of Comrie and Luca hiking that was presumably taken by her.

    At the very least, Duff and Comrie appear to be carrying out the vow they made back in January to remain friends and lovingly co-parent their son.

    It was recently announced that Duff, who broke onto the Hollywood scene with her starring role in the Disney hit series Lizzie McGuire in 2001, will return to television full-time to star in Younger. TV Land Network has ordered 12 episodes of the show. It will be produced by Darren Star of Sex and the City fame and will costar Sutton Foster, who has won two Tony Awards for her Broadway performances.

    Duff recently signed a deal for her fifth music album:

    Originally from Canada, Comrie retired from professional hockey in 2012 at the age of 31 after undergoing his third hip surgery in five years. He had played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League.

    Image via Hilary Duff, Instagram

  • Ryan Malone of Tampa Bay Lightning Arrested on Cocaine Charge

    Ryan Malone, left wing for the Tampa Bay Lightning, was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of cocaine possession and driving under the influence. Malone, 34, was driving around Rome Street in Tampa, FL around 3:20am when an officer noticed Malone’s car hit a curb. Concerned, the officer pulled Malone over and found cocaine in his pants pocket and saw Ryan noticeably intoxicated. His blood alcohol level was a .116, which is well over Florida’s legal limit of .08. He was brought into the police station and booked at 5:40am this morning, and is being held on a $2500 bond – $2,000 for cocaine possession, and $500 for the DUI charge.

    Steve Yzerman, general manager for the Lightning, said in a statement that Ryan would not be joining the team for Sunday’s away game against the Washington Capitals. “We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning,” Yzerman says in the statement. “Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time.” As of 8am this morning, Ryan is still in custody at the Hillsborough County Jail, according to the Hillsborough Jail’s website.

    Malone in his his sixth season with the Tampa Bay Lightning; before that, he spent four years with the Pittsburg Penguins in his hometown. Ryan was also a team member on the U.S Olympic Men’s Hockey Team at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Over his ten year career, Malone has proven to be a valuable player, with a total of 179 goals and 191 assists in his 641 games. He’s scored only five goals this season for the Lightning out of their 57 games so far, which is a career low for Malone. His previous low season was back in 2006 for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

    Image via Official Twitter

  • Steven Stamkos Redeems Himself in Overtime

    Steven Stamkos scored a hat trick last night in Tampa Bay’s overtime win over Buffalo. But before you go patting him on the back, please note that one of the goals counted for the opposing team.

    The Lightning center called it an “uncharacteristic hat trick.” However, he redeemed himself in OT when he put the winning goal (in the correct net) to bring home a victory for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Stamkos said of scoring a goal for the opposition, “It’s a tough bounce, but we responded. We got a power play after that and tied it up and that was a good push for us.”

    Stamkos’ goal for the Sabres was an extremely odd play. It occurred when Lighting goaltender Ben Bishop left the net for the bench with the game tied at 2 to allow the offense an extra attacker. Stamkos attempted a pass to Michael Kostka, but it missed the target and hit the boards. Then, with no defenders there to stop it, the puck slipped all way down the ice and into the empty net. The goal was credited to Cory Conacher.

    It was a strange, almost 1 in a million type bad break. Lighting coach Jon Cooper said, “I don’t know if he took a puck and had 10 of them in a practice if he could throw it in. Gosh, that was tough to watch. And when the puck goes down the ice, of course it’s like going in slow motion.”

    Stamkos went from goat to hero, however, with his game-winning power play goal in overtime. The final score was 4-3. Tampa Bay is currently 41-24-9, which is good for third place in the Atlantic Division. The team gets back on the ice tonight at 5 pm ET to play against the Red Wings in Detroit.

    Image via Steven Stamkos, Twitter

  • Rich Peverley Collapses During Dallas Stars Game

    At the 13:37 mark of the first period in yesterday’s Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Dallas Stars hockey game, play was halted by the officials due to Rich Peverley, a Centre for the Dallas Stars, collapsing on the bench.

    The scene as it unfolded live was one of panic and deep concern. When the players on the Dallas Stars bench first noticed that Peverley had collapsed, their initial reaction was to beat their sticks on the boards to draw the attention of the officials. However, when that attempt did not work (most likely due to the overall noise of the arena), the players took to a more desperate attempt to halt the game – rushing onto the ice in waves to force the stoppage.

    “When he dropped, it was red alert. Don’t worry about the game. It was about getting the doctors. The players don’t want to play, and I don’t want to coach the team right now,” stated Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “I was scared.”

    The Dallas Stars organization had great reason to be concerned. Peverley, 31 years of age, had a medical procedure before the NHL season began to correct a pre-existing heart condition. The procedure forced Peverley to miss the preseason training camp and the Stars’ first game of the season.

    “We monitor him closely for a different type of arrhythmia he has. He does have a pre-existing condition, and the condition — a normal quivering of the heart that does not allow him to send blood to places where he needs to, in his brain and heart,” reported a member of the emergency medicine team at UT Southwestern, Dr. Gil Salazar.

    Peverley was moved by a player to the tunnel for immediate treatment. Luckily, Peverley responded almost immediately, which Dr. Salazar states is a positive sign: “We provided oxygen for him. We started an IV. We did chest compressions on him and defibrillated him, provided some electricity to bring a rhythm back to his heart, and that was successful with one attempt, which is very reassuring. As soon as we treated him, he regained consciousness. He was able to tell me where he was.”

    Not only was Peverley able to tell Dr. Salazar where he was, but was also cognizant enough to want to get back out on the ice:

    Despite Peverley’s want and will to continue playing, his teammates were not of the same persuasion.

    There’s nobody in there that wants to play hockey right now, and I think everybody understands that when you’ve witnessed what they had to witness, and that’s their teammate. And that’s the right place to be. That’s the right emotion to have. They’re not doing very good, and I wouldn’t expect them to be,” stated Ruff.

    Due to the reluctance of players and coaches to resume the game, the NHL has decided to suspend play and postpone the game to a later date.

    In the meantime, NHL players, coaches, and fans must wonder why the NHL has allowed Peverley to continue playing with such a dangerous pre-existing condition. With the NFL upping its attention to player safety, one would think that the NHL, perhaps an even more physical sport than the NFL, would follow suit in light of all of the scientific information gathered by the recent focus on sports injuries. One can only hope that Peverley’s condition will be more fully assessed before he is allowed back on the ice and brings the potential of a similar event occurring.

    Image via YouTube

  • Roberto Luongo Traded Back To Florida

    Roberto Luongo Traded Back To Florida

    Fans of Roberto Luongo are going to have to buy a different jersey soon, or at least bring out the one they had from years ago.

    The Vancouver Canucks traded Luongo to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Luongo previously played for the Panthers from 2000 – 2006 before he was traded to the Canucks, where he has been ever since. Until Tuesday that is.

    Goaltender Luongo, along with forward Steven Anthony were traded to the Panthers. In return the Panthers traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias to the Canucks.

    Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said, ”We’re getting a great goaltender, a proven commodity. Jacob has got great upside but we needed to make a statement and Luongo’s numbers are terrific. He’s already been in this community and is a very popular figure in the South Florida area. And I just like what he brings to the table, giving us stability and his experience and a chance for us to win. You have to pay the price to get guys like this.”

    When the Luongo trade was made many wondered how Luongo would fit in with goalie Tim Thomas. On Tuesday Thomas said, ”I don’t know what their plans are. I don’t really know anything at this point. I’ve got to see the situation and see what they’re thinking.”

    It seemed to be an interesting combination since Thomas was the goalie when the Boston Bruins beat Luongo and the Canucks in 2011 in the Stanley Cup finals. And many on Twitter took notice of the possible “dream team.”

    But alas, Luongo and Thomas will not play together. The Panthers traded Thomas to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.

    An account for “Happy Gilmore” poked fun at who the Canucks would get to replace Luongo. If Goldberg is available, this could be a difficult choice for the Canucks.

    Image via YouTube.

  • Pat LaFontaine Leaves Job As President Of Buffalo Sabres Hockey Ops

    The Buffalo Sabres released an official statement on Saturday evening announcing Pat LaFontaine’s resignation from his position as hockey operations president of the Sabres. He is due to go back to being VP of development and community affairs in the National Hockey League.

    LaFontaine’s brief tenure brought about several changes in the Sabres’ lineup including appointing Tim Murray as general manager and Ted Nolan as interim coach. The announcement came out just hours after the Sabres made the trading deadline on Wednesday noon by sending goalie Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues for Chris Stewart, William Carrier, and Slovak Olympian Jaroslav Halak.

    In addition to the aforementioned developments, LaFontaine managed to raise the Sabres’ morale by planning the introduction of national and international events to Buffalo prior to his sudden departure. There has been speculation over the real reason behind LaFontaine’s resignation including his intention to re-sign potential free agent Miller despite Murray’s plans of trading him.

    There has also been concern over Nolan’s tenure with the Sabres now that LaFontaine is no longer president of their hockey operations. However, Murray assured Nolan that will continue to serve as head coach of the team. In an interview with Nolan on Sunday, he expressed a bit of dismay due to LaFontaine’s departure, but declared that he was going to put his “personal situation behind right now” in order to focus on coaching the team.

    Sabres forward Drew Stafford became emotional after finding out that Ryan Miller had been traded to St. Louis. The following day, he was met by the announcement of LaFontaine’s resignation. The Buffalo Sabres have not been off to a good start this season, as they are currently in last place in the league. Sabres president Ted Black did not give any more details about LaFontaine’s sudden decision, although he rebuffed speculation that LaFontaine and team owner Terry Pegula had been having disagreements.

    Image via YouTube

  • Coyotes Changing Name In 2014-2015 Season

    The Phoenix Coyotes are going to look a little different in the upcoming 2014-2015 season.

    On Wednesday, Anthony LeBlanc, Coyotes Co-owner, President, and CEO, officially announced the team would be changing from the Phoenix Coyotes to the Arizona Coyotes. LeBlanc added that the change makes sense because the team didn’t actually play in Phoenix. The Coyotes rink, Jobing.com Arena is located outside of Phoenix in Glendale. This change will also allow them to be the state of Arizona’s team, not just one city’s team.

    “We are very excited to announce that our franchise name will change to Arizona Coyotes for the start of the 2014-15 NHL season. Becoming the Arizona Coyotes makes sense for us since we play our games in Glendale and the city is such a great partner of ours. We also want to be recognized as not just the hockey team for Glendale or Phoenix, but the team for the entire state of Arizona and the Southwest. We hope that the name ‘Arizona’ will encourage more fans from all over the state, not just the valley, to embrace and support our team,” said LeBlanc.

    While the name will change, the jerseys will basically look the same, except for a new shoulder patch which will be unveiled on the Coyotes first preseason game of the 2014-2015 NHL season.

    The change had been expected for a while, since negotiations with the city of Glendale for a new lease agreement for the arena to be exact, but the firm date of Wednesday was a bit unexpected.

    And as is common with most organizations today, the Coyotes took to their official Twitter account to make the announcement and changes expected for the team next season. (Looks like they’ll need to change their Twitter handle soon as well.)

    Image via the Coyotes official Twitter.

  • John Tortorella On Thin Ice After Locker Room Rush

    Hockey is not a calm game, and fights are pretty much the norm each time they puck hits the ice. The coaches, however, are not the usual suspects in initiating the fights. John Tortorella is apparently looking to change that fact with his infamous outbursts, and Yahoo Sports tells us that this time the NHL is giving him major heat.

    The typical hockey brawl erupted during the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks game Saturday, likely due to the Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley starting with a tough guy lineup. This is looked down upon in the sport, and Calgary Coach Bob Hartley is reported to having to pay a fine for that.

    Tortorella did more than look down on the selection however– experts commented that he could have diffused the situation with a better selection on his part to answer the Flames’ lineup. A massive brawl soon erupted, eight players were ejected, and Tortorella decided to take matters into his own ungloved hands and tried his best to break through into the Flames’ locker room– earning himself a hearing with the National Hockey League.

    To make this even more interesting, this happened minutes after the puck was dropped.

    Pretty gutsy stuff, but this is not the way of North American professional sports. The League says there is no other answer but to suspend Tortorella in accordance with Rule 46.8 of the NHL rulebook that states:

    “Whenever a Coach or other non-playing Club personnel becomes involved in an altercation with an opposing player, Coach or other non-playing Club personnel on or off the ice, shall be automatically suspended from the game, ordered to the dressing room and the matter will be reported to the Commissioner for further disciplinary action.”

    Time will tell what the outcome of this recent loss of temper will mean for Tortorella. Tortorella has seen his share of fines and reprimands, but Saturday’s actions might have taken it a little too far, even for this sport.

    Image via Youtube

  • Tomas Hertl Scores 4 Goals; Sharks Win 9-2

    Tomas Hertl Scores 4 Goals; Sharks Win 9-2

    Most Americans probably don’t know this, but hockey season has started. The NHL began its 2013-14 regular season on October 1, leaving many people to wonder who forgot to tell them that it is football season.

    Regardless of whether one is a hockey fan or not, last night’s performance by Tomas Hertl was one worth witnessing. Hertl, a 19 year old rookie from the Czech Republic, has had an outstanding start to the 2013-14 season. Last Saturday, Hertl scored 2 goals against the Phoenix Coyotes in his second ever NHL game. Apparently, though, that was not good enough for Hertl.

    Last night at in San Jose, the Sharks player went for a hat-trick plus one (If there is a name for 3 goals in one night, shouldn’t there also be a special name for 4 or 5?). Hertl became the youngest NHL player to score 4 goals in one game since Los Angeles Kings player Jimmy Carson in 1988. Hertl also tied the franchise record for the most number of goals in one game, and became the first San Jose Shark to score at least 6 goals in his first 3 games as a professional.

    All in all, it was a historic night for Hertl. However, the before-mentioned numbers were not even the most impressive feats of the night. Hertl’s first 3 goals of the night were fairly standard, by NHL standards. His 4th goal, however, has already received league-wide praise and is easily a candidate for goal of the year:

    Tomas Hertl 4th Goal

    While many do not have an appreciation for hockey here in the good ol’ US of A, one cannot deny that the gif above displays poetry in motion at its finest.

    Sharks captain, Joe Thornton, commented on Hertl’s spectacular goal: “That was special. You don’t see that too often. That’s something I don’t have in my bag. That was pretty. It’s been fun to watch him.”

    Chosen as the 17th overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft, Hertl had high expectations coming into the league. However, no one expected this level of talent so early: “I’m not even sure he realizes where he is. He’s a passionate young man and he’s playing freely,” stated Sharks’ coach Todd McLellan.

    What did Hertl think of his performance last night?: “It’s crazy. This is a dream. Four goals. I never [scored four] in the Czech League, I never had three. In the NHL, it’s crazy.”

    Hertl youthful exuberance showed itself in full last night, with the 19 year old celebrating intensely after every goal, even though the game was a route. While some Rangers fans may have been upset at the celebrations, his coach simply attributes it to general excitement: “He’s innocent out there. He scores the fourth goal and when it’s 8-2 or 9-2 or whatever it was, it’s probably not a real good celebrating time. But he’s so innocent that he’s excited about doing it and sometimes that passion is a good thing to have in our game.”

    Oh – and that other stat which is so impressive about last night’s performance: Hertl scored all 4 goals in just 11 minutes and 12 seconds of ice-time. Hertl is only the 3rd player to accomplish such a feat.

    To secure even mediocre success for the NHL in such a fantastic football season, let’s hope Hertl continues to be so impressive.

    Image via Twitter

  • NHL Helmet Rule Brings Some Safety To Fights

    This writer will be the first to admit that sports are not her forte; yet, there has always been some kind of allure to the world of hockey. Something about a pack of grown men furiously skating on ice in pounds of padding while hitting each other, and sometimes the puck, with giant sticks is oddly captivating. While baseball, football, and even basketball can bore this writer to tears, hockey never fails to bring something interestign to the table, especially when it comes to fights. As in the knock-down, drag-em-out fist fights that only hockey can provide.

    The National Hockey League (NHL), however, seems to want to throw a wrench in this epic, bloody tradition that almost seems inseparable from the sport, itself. Perhaps fear of violence from angry players prompted the NHL to refrain from outright banning fighting, and instead take a more roundabout, somewhat strange approach; players must keep their helmets on when they fight, at risk of a two minute penalty minor.

    It took only a few games before some players found a way around this rule; instead of removing their own helmets, which would have invoked the wrath of the penalty, the two exchanged words and then proceeded to remove one another’s helmets. Footage of the event can be found below.

    Frank Darras, one of the NHL’s lawyers, seems a bit exasperated concerning the loopholes players have fund and proceeded to sneak through. He was quoted as saying, on the topic of the instance in the video above, “The problem with this kind of behavior is that players are forgetting why these rules were put there in the first place – their own safety. And perhaps, to protect the NHL from a lawsuit similar to the one recently brought by players in the NFL. Truthfully, concussions and other injuries are a serious problem in hockey. Players lose control and don’t realize the long-term effects years of fighting have on their health.”

    It will be interesting to see how the “helmet rule” pans out in the long run, and if it has any positive effect on keeping players safe when they decide it’s time to duke it out over that hunk of black plastic.

    [Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.]

  • Goalie Fight Gets Brutal In Toronto

    Fights aren’t uncommon during hockey games; sometimes, that’s part of what fans pay to see. It’s a rough sport, and brawls come with the territory. But on Sunday, a fight between goalies during a Maple Leafs/Sabres game in Toronto got a little brutal as the crowd–and shocked players–looked on.

    It all began when Toronto’s Jamie Devane and Buffalo’s Corey Tropp began fighting. Tropp is much smaller than Devane, and his teammates may have felt it was a case of the big guy picking on the little guy. That’s when John Scott of the Buffalo Sabres decided to get even and started a fight with Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

    “It was pretty stupid, right? He said he was going to jump me,” Kessel said. “What are you going to do? He’s a big boy, so if he’s coming after me, what are you going to do?”

    Their swings started a brawl between the Leafs’ Jonathan Bernier and the Sabres’ Ryan Miller, and David Clarkson of the Leafs jumped off the bench to join in, which could get him a 10-game suspension.

    “We’re not proud or happy with what went on,” Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle told reporters after the game. “I think David Clarkson made a mistake and now we pay for it.”

    Check out the fracas below.

    Image: ESPN

  • NFL Pro Bowl To Undergo Major Changes

    Major sports all-star games have long been criticized for a lack of effort on the part of the athletes and therefore a lack of entertainment. The newest changes the NFL have made to their Pro Bowl probably won’t go too far toward remedying that situation.

    The most glaring change is the elimination of the traditional league format that most all star games rely on. MLB has National league vs. American League, the NBA has East vs. West, and until this point the NFL had followed that paradigm with AFC vs. NFC. In place of the conference vs. conference arrangement the NFL will adopt a draft system that will see teams of players from each conference playing together.

    In the new system the two top votes getters for the game will be named captains. They will then be assisted NFL greats Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice in picking 43 players each to round out the rosters.

    Other changes have been made to the structure of the game. Those changes are designed to make the game safer in order to avoid injuries to the NFL’s biggest stars, as well as to speed up the game. For instance, the clock can be restarted after an incomplete pass when the referee signals for it. The play clock has also been shortened.

    The most controversial change is that the game will no longer feature kickoffs, and therefore no kickoff returners. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard line at the beginning of the game and after scoring plays. This omission is already drawing sharp criticism from Josh Cribbs, one of the league’s perennial pro bowl returners.

    While the change to a draft format follows in the footsteps of the NHL, which adopted a similar system starting in the 2010-2011 season, the changes to the format will likely be met with increased criticism from fans, as well as players like Cribbs who will no longer be commended for their talents with a spot in the game.

  • Goalie Gameplay Will Be Improved In NHL 14

    Hockey is a most noble sport defined by the coolest goaltenders ever. I would give anything to wear that armor, and the improvements being made to EA Sports NHL 14 will bring me one step closer to Goldberg.

    EA says that they have improved the goalie game in NHL 14 over the last game by allowing the goalies to not only track multiple threats, but accurately track where the primary threat is. In the trailer, the gameplay producer runs us through a number of simulations showing how the goalies in the latest game will react to a variety of scenarios involving two or more attacking players.

    Fans of hockey don’t have much choice when it comes to video games, but it looks like EA Sports is delivering another decent game with NHL 14. It’s unknown if everything will receive as much attention as the goalie gameplay, but we can only hope, right?

    NHL 14 will be released on September 10 for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Sorry, there’s no next-gen version this year, but maybe next year.

  • Phoenix Coyotes Re-Sign Mike Smith In Six Year Deal

    Phoenix Coyotes and Mike Smith fans will be happy to know that he won’t be going anywhere soon.

    A report from today says that Smith, goalie for the Coyotes’, has re-signed with the team. The deal will see him play for the team for six more years, and his pay will be $5.7 million a year.

    The re-signing comes after Smith had two good years with the Coyotes as he had helped lead the team to its first ever division title in the 2011-12 season. During that season, he had a 2.21 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage, eight shutouts. In the 2012-13 season, he didn’t perform as well, but he still performed well enough to convince the team to re-sign him.

    Smith’s re-signing is good news for the Coyotes as well since he reportedly only re-signed on the condition that the team would be stable in the coming years. It’s no secret that the Coyotes had been bleeding money over the last few years, and Smith wouldn’t have stayed if that situation wasn’t going to rectify itself soon. It seems that RSE will be buying the team from the NHL this year, but is now working on a lease agreement with the city of Glendale for its arena.

    All the pieces of this particular puzzle are not in just yet, but it’s nearing completion. Smith re-signing is an incredibly hopeful sign that the Phoenix Coyotes are back on a path towards profitability in the future.

    In other news, the Coyotes signed on Shane Doan as captain before the season started. The team also signed on defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a long term deal earlier this year. All in all, it’s looking like the people of Arizona will have many more hockey games to look forward to in the future.

    [h/t: ESPN]
    [Image: Mathew Cerasoli/Flickr]