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NHL '11 Playoffs |OT| Pierced Nipples and Penalty Boxes

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There's an air of excitement in the office this morning. Lot's of happy hopeful people, despite how dastardly the weather is today.

Either that or someone's put Happy Gas in the aircon again.
 
Almost regardless of what happens here, there aren't many ways of saying "The Canucks clearly won this series". It's a series between two goalies. No skater has dominated and the Canucks haven't have a skater which you can match up with his opposition on the Bruins and say they were clearly superior in any way.

Not trying to flame or discredit Vancouver but just being honest. If we lose fans are going to view this as the series Thomas did everything he needed to do to put his team in the correct position and the coaching/skaters who didn't step it up.

Unless we change this tonight, that is our fate.
 
Sanjuro Tsubaki said:
Almost regardless of what happens here, there aren't many ways of saying "The Canucks clearly won this series". It's a series between two goalies. No skater has dominated and the Canucks haven't have a skater which you can match up with his opposition on the Bruins and say they were clearly superior in any way.

Not trying to flame or discredit Vancouver but just being honest. If we lose fans are going to view this as the series Thomas did everything he needed to do to put his team in the correct position and the coaching/skaters who didn't step it up.

Unless we change this tonight, that is our fate.

That's what made it, in my opinion, such a wonderful, memorable series.
 
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:(
 
Dastardly Jerks said:
Good Pass it to Bulis article on media bias in the SCF (no not THAT media bias)...

There's too much to copypasta, but suffice to say that anybody who believes in the term Sedin Sisters, Classless Canucks and is loving a bit of Luongo vitriol while sipping on Thomas juice should really take a look.
So. Good.

Excerpts of parts that I particularly liked:

But make no mistake: at the cost of sounding like a homer (which I can handle, as a Canucks blogger) there is a bias, and we’ve seen it in the laughably anti-Canucks national coverage of this year’s Stanley Cup Final. As the big media has descended on Vancouver, fans have been subjected to writing from individuals who rarely cover this team, don’t particularly like this team, and would rather this team didn’t win. These writers have attacked the Canucks incessantly, misquoted players, called them names, and gleefully jumped on every opportunity to paint the team in a negative light. Then, they’ve had the nerve to dishonestly claim their one-sided coverage is fair and balanced, and insulted anyone that’s tried to say otherwise.
This line of criticism is, in and of itself, childish and sexist. It’s 2011 and there are women in the Hockey Hall of Fame. If the Sedins actually were women, people might be a little more impressed with their point per game pace over the last five years, their back-to-back Art Ross trophies, their potentially back-to-back Hart trophies, or the fact that they’ve led their hockey team to the Stanley Cup Final in their first year as team leaders. As it stands, however, these accomplishments aren’t enough to escape the criticism that they’re actually women on skates — and that there’s something inherently wrong with that.
If you’re not seeing the bias here, something is wrong. It’s the same bias fans have when they see their own teams’ players as squeaky clean protagonists and the opponents as antagonizing marauders, out to win by breaking the rules. The only difference is it’s being spewed from the mouths of those that allege no allegiance.

Heck, a number of sports journalists have even admitted a preference, though they’ve disguised personal diatribes about how much they don’t like Vancouver as objective essays on how the Canucks “aren’t Canada’s team.” How, exactly, does one person speak for Canada? Sounds subjective to me. And when the supporting evidence is entirely derived from personal opinions and attacks on players the writer dislikes, it’s a leap to claim it’s a fair and balanced report.
I expect bullshit from GAF. We're fans. We casually love and hate, and find it very easy to frame things as we see fit (and no, I don't expect many of you to so much as entertain the ideas in this article). But members of the media are a bit more difficult to excuse.
 
Socreges said:
So. Good.

Excerpts of parts that I particularly liked:



I expect bullshit from GAF. We're fans. We casually love and hate, and find it very easy to frame things as we see fit (and no, I don't expect many of you to so much as entertain the ideas in this article). But members of the media are a bit more difficult to excuse.

I just don't see the bias everyone is talking about. All the big outlets like ESPN and Versus have pretty clearly labeled the Canucks as huge favorites...
 
Sanjuro Tsubaki said:
One of the blogs I read had a create your own Bear campaign. Most of them were all duds, this one was awesome.

That bear has no balls. And it looks like it is blind. I'll take the green dicks any day as the best fans for their competitive team.
 
It's like all the Canucks fairweather fans became sports journalists in the finals.

I can see Boston winning a close one tonight. I hope the Canucks win though.
 
brucewaynegretzky said:
I just don't see the bias everyone is talking about. All the big outlets like ESPN and Versus have pretty clearly labeled the Canucks as huge favorites...
No one has a problem saying the Canucks are the favourites. It's not about that at all.
 
Socreges said:
No one has a problem saying the Canucks are the favourites. It's not about that at all.

Maybe I'm just missing something then... I mean Tim Thomas deserves the cup more than any one individual, but other than Milbury I don't think I've seen anyone be a moron during the finals. As a neutral observer I really do think Nucks fans have taken an "us against the world" view that really isn't there. We did it as Flyers fans last year, at least the narrative fit a little better as a 7 seed and the comeback win, but even now looking back on it I think it had a lot to do with our mindset than actual reality.
 
The green men are evidently fatter in Boston.
brucewaynegretzky said:
Maybe I'm just missing something then... I mean Tim Thomas deserves the cup more than any one individual, but other than Milbury I don't think I've seen anyone be a moron during the finals. As a neutral observer I really do think Nucks fans have taken an "us against the world" view that really isn't there. We did it as Flyers fans last year, at least the narrative fit a little better as a 7 seed and the comeback win, but even now looking back on it I think it had a lot to do with our mindset than actual reality.

I definitely wouldn't expect *big* media to have a bias, and nobody is saying ESPN or Versus or anyone of that caliber is. Bulis is mainly referring to blogs, newspaper sports columnists, opinion pieces, and the twitter feeds of so-called Journalists.

Twiter is a dastardly thing. On the one hand you have up to the minute information and opinions from your favourite analysts, but on the other they get more leeway to broadcast anything they damn well please (See: that Damian dude from Sportsnet Ontario who had the homophobic controversy with disagreeing against Sean Averys stance on gay marriage).
 
Jinaar said:
That bear has no balls. And it looks like it is blind. I'll take the green dicks any day as the best fans for their competitive team.
The best fans that only went to four regular season games!
 
brucewaynegretzky said:
Maybe I'm just missing something then... I mean Tim Thomas deserves the cup more than any one individual, but other than Milbury I don't think I've seen anyone be a moron during the finals. As a neutral observer I really do think Nucks fans have taken an "us against the world" view that really isn't there. We did it as Flyers fans last year, at least the narrative fit a little better as a 7 seed and the comeback win, but even now looking back on it I think it had a lot to do with our mindset than actual reality.

You're on the button, and even last year I'd agree with you, then again there were quite a few HAWKS IN 5 predictions in the media for that series and a lot of hawks love from the media pre series..
 
The games I caught on CBC Saturday night they were there. Tickets are expensive in Canada. They bring a smile to my face when someone goes to the box. I approve of them.
 
brucewaynegretzky said:
Maybe I'm just missing something then... I mean Tim Thomas deserves the cup more than any one individual, but other than Milbury I don't think I've seen anyone be a moron during the finals. As a neutral observer I really do think Nucks fans have taken an "us against the world" view that really isn't there. We did it as Flyers fans last year, at least the narrative fit a little better as a 7 seed and the comeback win, but even now looking back on it I think it had a lot to do with our mindset than actual reality.
See what Dastardly said. Also, the article is mostly related to Canada ("national" appears occasionally), though there are characters like Milbury as well.
 
Well, it is true that Vancouver winning won't be celebrated coast to coast like a Toronto or Montreal win would be, but thats more due to the history of those teams and how engrained they are into the nation's fabric.
 
Solo said:
Well, it is true that Vancouver winning won't be celebrated coast to coast like a Toronto or Montreal win would be, but thats more due to the history of those teams and how engrained they are into the nation's fabric.
Uh I doubt the West would celebrate Toronto or Montreal.
 
JWong said:
Uh I doubt the West would celebrate Toronto or Montreal.

All the people who moved here from Ontario (there seems to be a fuckload) would definitely be on board a Leafs or Senators Stanley Cup victory.

Some things we'll never find out for sure, eh?
 
JWong said:
Uh I doubt the West would celebrate Toronto or Montreal.

A lot more than will be celebrating Vancouver in the east. There are a TON of people from Ontario and the Maritimes living out west (I myself lived in Edmonton for 2 years).

Anectodal, I know, but I don't know a single person in real life who is Canucks fan. Everyone is mainly fans of the Habs/Leafs/Bruins, with random packets of Flames/Red Wing fans out there.

Basically, there are a lot more people going east -> west than the opposite, so the fanbase gets nationwide.
 
Dastardly Jerks said:
All the people who moved here from Ontario (there seems to be a fuckload) would definitely be on board a Leafs or Senators Stanley Cup victory.

Some things we'll never find out for sure, eh?
Well, then the same could be said for the reverse.

We got Firestorm in Toronto and Crazy Moogle in Quebec (Montreal?).
 
Socreges said:
See what Dastardly said. Also, the article is mostly related to Canada ("national" appears occasionally), though there are characters like Milbury as well.

If all you're complaining about is a somewhat "simplistic" view of the national coverage of your team then I have no sympathy. This is another area where my Flyers fandom becomes somewhat relevant so take what you will... But the Flyers are NEVER portrayed as anything other than the goons of the league based solely on reputation. The Nucks reputation is entirely dependant on the twins and Luongo, so it should be expected that the national media would harp on them. Reading the article it comes off as a local team used to local coverage getting a taste of the simplistic coverage most other teams get in the "big" media. As a Flyers fan this is just part of the deal. I have no sympathy when another team feels like it gets made to be a "bad" guy in the narrative. The Nucks were the #1 seed. They don't get underdog hope coverage from the media. Nuck fans complaining that they don't get the same in depth "fair" coverage that they normally get need to get used to contracted coverage where they aren't always the darlings. That's part of getting national attention.

EDIT: To get this away from just the Flyers, this is the same as the Canadiens being "small and fast," the Rangers being "old," or Boston being "historic." The Sedins and Luongo are Vancouver's narrative and the Sedins have not played as amazingly as expected. That is the Nucks 10 second sound bite so to speak. This is the way things are. There is nothing special about this type of coverage.
 
According to my housemate, if the Canucks win tonight then the.. (I don't want to say the word).. "Celebration marching thing".. would be on Thursday.

Does that just seem a bit stupid to anyone else? Sick days ahoy?
 
To finish what I was saying, I know a LOT of people around here on the Vancouver bandwagon, but come tomorrow or Thursday, that will end with the season. But I honestly dont know any legit lifelong Nucks fans.
 
Dastardly Jerks said:
According to my housemate, if the Canucks win tonight then the.. (I don't want to say the word).. "Celebration marching thing".. would be on Thursday.

Does that just seem a bit stupid to anyone else? Sick days ahoy?

Eh? That seems stupid. Saturday makes way more sense.
 
So... MacLean to coach the Sens, MacTavish to coach the Wild?

And yeah, I know a lot about parades, and they're usually two days after the final game. They don't care what day of the week it is.
 
TheFatOne said:
I'm a nervous wreck right now. Bruins have to win this tonight or I might finally have a heart attack.

When its all over you'll be angry for about a day, and then you'll start looking to next season. It's ok. This is how things go. You'll look back and say, too bad they really were the better team. I'll say it definitely feels less bad when you're a clear underdog going in. In 1997 I was like 10 and I expected that cup. That was a tragedy. Last year, the win would have been fucking magical, but the loss didn't sting nearly as much.
 
Solo said:
To finish what I was saying, I know a LOT of people around here on the Vancouver bandwagon, but come tomorrow or Thursday, that will end with the season. But I honestly dont know any legit lifelong Nucks fans.
Not many of us leave BC. ;)

My office has a bizarre amount of Habs fans (ie, people from Montreal). Some are on the bandwagon, while others seem a bit burned that it's not the Habs that are in the SCF. No haters, though.

brucewaynegretzky said:
If all you're complaining about is a somewhat "simplistic" view of the national coverage of your team then I have no sympathy. This is another area where my Flyers fandom becomes somewhat relevant so take what you will... But the Flyers are NEVER portrayed as anything other than the goons of the league based solely on reputation. The Nucks reputation is entirely dependant on the twins and Luongo, so it should be expected that the national media would harp on them. Reading the article it comes off as a local team used to local coverage getting a taste of the simplistic coverage most other teams get in the "big" media. As a Flyers fan this is just part of the deal. I have no sympathy when another team feels like it gets made to be a "bad" guy in the narrative. The Nucks were the #1 seed. They don't get underdog hope coverage from the media. Nuck fans complaining that they don't get the same in depth "fair" coverage that they normally get need to get used to contracted coverage where they aren't always the darlings. That's part of getting national attention.

EDIT: To get this away from just the Flyers, this is the same as the Canadiens being "small and fast," the Rangers being "old," or Boston being "historic." The Sedins and Luongo are Vancouver's narrative and the Sedins have not played as amazingly as expected. That is the Nucks 10 second sound bite so to speak. This is the way things are. There is nothing special about this type of coverage.
Just so I understand you - your personal interpretation of "negative coverage" is "simplistic coverage"? But they are essentially the same thing to you, yes? Anyway, I disagree. One, that simplistic coverage inherently has to be negative. I completely agree that the Canucks being #1 throughout the year has helped manifest this slant, but that doesn't pardon everyone, it just helps explain it. And two, the sports media here has been providing exhaustive coverage of the SCF - I really don't feel it's ever reduced to 10 second sound bytes. Also, the author (nor myself) isn't requesting flattering coverage - but just highlighting the distorted ways in which events are being framed.

You're totally right about the Flyers narrative being the "bad guys". Though I've always seen that as more of a bruising, tough guys reputation that a lot of people actually respect.
 
Socreges said:
Just so I understand you - your personal interpretation of "negative coverage" is "simplistic coverage"? But they are essentially the same thing to you, yes? Anyway, I disagree. One, that simplistic coverage inherently has to be negative. I completely agree that the Canucks being #1 throughout the year has helped manifest this slant, but that doesn't pardon everyone, it just helps explain it. And two, the sports media here has been providing exhaustive coverage of the SCF - I really don't feel it's ever reduced to 10 second sound bytes. Also, the author (nor myself) isn't requesting flattering coverage - but just highlighting the distorted ways in which events are being framed.

You're totally right about the Flyers narrative being the "bad guys". Though I've always seen that as more of a bruising, tough guys reputation that a lot of people actually respect.

I think Canucks fans aren't used to national coverage so they interpret the "simplistic" coverage as "negative." You're right that it hasn't been overly positive but I think Canuck fans have been overly reactive to it because they're just not used to it. I'm saying the "simplistic" coverage lends itself to what you call "negative," but I would call "narrative." You can be a little upset by it, but to get as bent out of shape as Canucks fans have, to the point where you write an entire blog on it complaining is just ridiculous. If that were the case CSNPhilly should run a similar article every time the NHL has the privilege of putting Mr. Snider's team on his national network, and procede to bash them as bullies. Canucks fans need to realize they're a top seed and won't get "darling" coverage like they're used to at home. If it upsets you that much then keep reading the local coverage, as many obviously do, but don't complain when you get the same treatment as every other favorite in the national media.
 
vatstep said:
So... MacLean to coach the Sens, MacTavish to coach the Wild?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Wings lose yet another assistant coach this year :(
 
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