The View From Wisconsin

Just a random set of rants from a Sports Fan from Wisconsin.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

2005-06 GOALS CREATED AWARDS, Part 2

Some more awards from the Stathead:
THE 2005-06 AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE GOALS CREATED AWARDS
AHL FIRST TEAM MVP POINTS ALL-STARS
AHL SECOND TEAM MVP POINTS ALL-STARS AHL ROOKIE MVP POINTS ALL-STARS TEAM AWARDS

REGULATION POINTS AWARD (Most Points in Regulation, Eastern and Western Conference)
SPECIAL TEAMS RATING AWARD (Best Special Teams Rating): Peoria Rivermen (5.8%). 100 of 501 on the power play; 77 PP goals allowed in 510 times short-handed; 14 SH for and 9 SH against.

SHOOTOUT RATING AWARD: Manchester Monarchs. They swept all three categories in 2005-06:

Thursday, April 27, 2006

2006 NHL GOALS CREATED AWARDS

THE 2005-06 NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE GOALS CREATED AWARDS
FIRST TEAM GOALS CREATED ALL-STARS (Based on Hart Trophy Points)
SECOND TEAM GOALS CREATED ALL-STARS (Based on Hart Trophy Points)
ROOKIE GOALS CREATED ALL-STARS (Based on Hart Trophy Points)
TEAM AWARDS

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Wondering About My Space

Trying to maintain my "hip" image in this Internet Universe, I recently put up my own "My Space" page. I've yet to understand what's so great about this whole thing; basically, there's not much for you to do if you're over the age of 29 and aren't single or don't have kids.

It's a good way of getting to know people, but I don't think it's much more than that.

There's been all sorts of stuff in the news lately about the site; from the number of sex offenders who've been using the place as a means of meeting potential victims, to the college that has banned access to the site (Del Mar Community College in Texas). It's getting a bad rap - one that may send it along the same path that Napster took many years ago.

Of course, I'm dating myself with that comment...

Friday, April 21, 2006

The Second Season Begins

Today is the real "opening day" of the hockey season.

The first night of the playoffs, and the march to that big beautiful silver thingy they give to the team winning 16 games.

This is also the beginning of the playoffs in the AHL - and that big ol' fondue pot.

Nothing could be better for a hockey fan.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Wunna Dem Days

Isn't it nice when medical companies send you love letters? After my little back issues from last July, I got a piece of mail yesterday informing me that I was on the hook for the medications I was given after the doctor's office. After playing phone tag and "press 00 if you want to increase your chances of talking to a real, live person", I finally got the bill paid off - so I can now submit it to my insurance for reimbursement.

That "reimbursement" will be $50 less, because that would have been the cost of the meds if I had purchased them through my formulary prescription plan last year. But at least I'm going to get something back for it.

That wasn't the kick in the head today, though. Since it was still considered a new car the last two times I renewed the plates on my PT Cruiser, this was the first year I had to take my Chrysler in for an emissions test. It passed the engine computer test fine. However, when it came to the gas tank test... it failed.

I was incredulous when the guy brought it out to me. I've never owned a car that failed emissions - granted, Wisconsin's Vehicle Inspection Program has only been around for about 15 years or so, and most of my cars in that period of time have been bought new. But a car that was still under warranty and less than three years off the showroom floor?

So I trundled on over to the dealer, got the gas cap replaced gratis, and went back to the VIP place. Bad news - line was over a half-hour long. No way I was going to wait that long and risk falling asleep in my car.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Easter Sunday Observations

A few things I didn't get to hit on yesterday that have been burning a hole in my notebook:

Saturday, April 15, 2006

This and That Today

My neighboring college, Waukesha County Tech (WCTC to locals), has decided to cut its athletic department from its budget, instead focusing on its educational programs. As shocking as this may have been to some, I found it more shocking that WCTC had an athletic department in the first place.

I see that Mike Eaves has been named the head coach of Team USA at the Worlds in Latvia this spring. Good move by USA Hockey, in my opinion; maybe he'll have the common sense to go with younger players instead of the veterans.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Saturday's All Right


Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Letters

Dear Brett: Thanks for the memories, but I think it's time to go ride the John Deere on your farm down in Mississippi.

Dear Barry: What in the wide world of sports is going on in that room? All of these losses, right at the worst time of the season to get them. And don't look now, but there's a pack of wild Ducks breathing down your team's neck. Your squad hasn't clinched a playoff spot yet. Maybe you need to inform them of that fact.

Dear Ben: Not that we don't like Doug and Chris and all, but boy, we could sure use your arm in the near future. Especially when we're heading for Saint Louis.

Dear Prince: Now is not the time to pull an oh-fer, after Ned handed you the keys to the 1B job.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Relief

That sigh of relief that you heard last night came from all those fans whose brackets were shot when Duke and UConn lost, but still had UCLA and Florida in the finals.

Another sigh of relief came from Nashville last night, as the Preds showed up in the third period to defeat the lowly Blues. Fans of the worst team in the Western Conference are now complaining that one of our players was responsible for Patrick Lalime's torn ACL - at least, those that aren't cheering the fact that Lalime is out for the rest of the year.

Meanwhile, it's the day when time begins, as George Will likes to point out: it is Opening Day. Okay, it's actually Opening Night, thanks to ESPN, but still - today is the day that the games are for real.