NHL Season 08-09

[BadKarma]

I just dont understand your mentality sepukku. The Pens lost, boohoo, get over it, wipe your ass and move on. Its one game, no need to bitch at ranger fans for booing the team in the 2nd period; they sucks a huge floppy dick in that period. But all that matters is the score at the end, last time i read it it was Rangers 3 Pittsburgh 2.

[Oxyminus]

yeah those numbers probably do go up. But by that logic of Crosby making his winger better, why are you investing 8mil in Gaborik to begin with? I'd say you get him a good legitimate power forward if anything.

[Sepukku]

I just dont understand your mentality sepukku. The Pens lost, boohoo, get over it, wipe your ass and move on. Its one game, no need to bitch at ranger fans for booing the team in the 2nd period; they sucks a huge floppy dick in that period. But all that matters is the score at the end, last time i read it it was Rangers 3 Pittsburgh 2.

Since the Pens started succeeding recently, the youth of Pittsburgh has been in a hockey craze and while I'll admit, I'm just a couple years out of this group, I've been a fan of hockey my whole life as well as most of my close friends. I wasn't old enough to remember the Stanley Cup Finals that well, especially since my family isn't a hockey family, but I do remember watching the 95-96 conference finals against Florida. In a way, I'm somewhat grateful for this new fan base as its good to see the support for the Pens and they played a large part in convincing ownership not to move from Pittsburgh to Oklahoma City or any other bum town.

It DOES however bother the lifelong fans when you see kids wearing Hollister or Abercrombie gear into the games rather than appropriate apparel. It DOES bother the lifelong fans when you see high school girls putting on make-up during the game in the stands, or you're sitting in front of one and you must listen to her and her friend go on and on about which player they find cuter. It DOES bother the lifelong fans when you see in the best seats a rich dad taking his spoiled son or daughter along with a friend or significant other (often committing one of the previously listed fouls) to the game. It DOES bother you when you hear about "how bad they want us to win it." I'm sure they do want us to win it. But not as much as those of us who have grown up without seeing that cup get raised. There is a direct hierarchy to how much one wants their team to win, and that is directly correlated to how many championship-less seasons one has endured. The Cubs fans in baseball want to win more badly than we do, I'm sure. As did the Red Sox before their 2004 win. As I want to win more badly than these people who have only started to cheer the very same year they "want us to win it." They want us to win it because it would be cool to see, and there will be a parade. We want us to win it, /because its in our blood/.

The only thing I know first hand that this can be compared to show-goers. At any sort of metal/punk/hardcore shows, theres unwritten rules, like if somebody falls, either in the crowd or the pit, everybody stops and helps them up immediately. Everybody knows they have to do their part to help keep the crowd surfers up so a select few isn't trying to keep them up and the surfers don't get dropped on people (hurting either the surfer and/or the people in the crowd), you don't whip out a nice phone like an iPhone or a Blackberry and hold it up to take pictures, cause it'll probably get thrown, etc etc, and it bothers you so much when you see fools trying to claim to be "with the scene." Its not a fucking scene, its a lifestyle, and you cant just jump into it and say you're a part of it. Being a true pens fan has caused a form of a divide in the culture here, and my comments on the Rangers fans' booing is a reflection of what I've experienced from things here in Pittsburgh. Any wavering from the course is seen as a lack of dedication to the team or hockey in general.

Real hockey fans eatsleepbreathe hockey. They belong to fantasy leagues, they watch non-hometown games (which isn't AS easy thanks to Bettman's Versus debacle), they talk about non-hometown games, they play hockey in their freetime, in basketball courts, in deck hockey leagues, they bitch relentlessly about ESPN's unfair treatment of hockey and love affair with the NBA (I could write an essay on why the top 10 plays shouldn't include 6 dunks every night), etc etc. Its kind of elitist, I'll admit, but to the people in our circle, it makes so much sense.

[Oxyminus]

I just dont understand your mentality sepukku. The Pens lost, boohoo, get over it, wipe your ass and move on. Its one game, no need to bitch at ranger fans for booing the team in the 2nd period; they sucks a huge floppy dick in that period. But all that matters is the score at the end, last time i read it it was Rangers 3 Pittsburgh 2.

I still say the booing was largely in response to the abysmal showing to a 2 minute 5-3. that was basically inexcusable. everyone was standing still making passes from the dots to the blueline. you need to move around and force the defenders to move. it don't matter though.

<--- ZHERDEV!!!

[BadKarma]

im only 17, my dad has had 2 season tickets in section 418 since 1986,i took one of the two seats over fulltime when i was 12, ive been to well over 400 games in my life, even during the abysmal 7 year dry spell. i was born and raised a hockey fan. I watch all the games on nhl center ice.i am a true hockey fan.


oh btw that zherdev pic thank for my new background

edit:Hell i even goto Hartford Wolfpack games

[Oxyminus]

Since the Pens started succeeding recently, the youth of Pittsburgh has been in a hockey craze and while I'll admit, I'm just a couple years out of this group, I've been a fan of hockey my whole life as well as most of my close friends. I wasn't old enough to remember the Stanley Cup Finals that well, especially since my family isn't a hockey family, but I do remember watching the 95-96 conference finals against Florida. In a way, I'm somewhat grateful for this new fan base as its good to see the support for the Pens and they played a large part in convincing ownership not to move from Pittsburgh to Oklahoma City or any other bum town.

It DOES however bother the lifelong fans when you see kids wearing Hollister or Abercrombie gear into the games rather than appropriate apparel. It DOES bother the lifelong fans when you see high school girls putting on make-up during the game in the stands, or you're sitting in front of one and you must listen to her and her friend go on and on about which player they find cuter. It DOES bother the lifelong fans when you see in the best seats a rich dad taking his spoiled son or daughter along with a friend or significant other (often committing one of the previously listed fouls) to the game. It DOES bother you when you hear about "how bad they want us to win it." I'm sure they do want us to win it. But not as much as those of us who have grown up without seeing that cup get raised. There is a direct hierarchy to how much one wants their team to win, and that is directly correlated to how many championship-less seasons one has endured. The Cubs fans in baseball want to win more badly than we do, I'm sure. As did the Red Sox before their 2004 win. As I want to win more badly than these people who have only started to cheer the very same year they "want us to win it." They want us to win it because it would be cool to see, and there will be a parade. We want us to win it, /because its in our blood/.

The only thing I know first hand that this can be compared to show-goers. At any sort of metal/punk/hardcore shows, theres unwritten rules, like if somebody falls, either in the crowd or the pit, everybody stops and helps them up immediately. Everybody knows they have to do their part to help keep the crowd surfers up so a select few isn't trying to keep them up and the surfers don't get dropped on people (hurting either the surfer and/or the people in the crowd), you don't whip out a nice phone like an iPhone or a Blackberry and hold it up to take pictures, cause it'll probably get thrown, etc etc, and it bothers you so much when you see fools trying to claim to be "with the scene." Its not a fucking scene, its a lifestyle, and you cant just jump into it and say you're a part of it. Being a true pens fan has caused a form of a divide in the culture here, and my comments on the Rangers fans' booing is a reflection of what I've experienced from things here in Pittsburgh. Any wavering from the course is seen as a lack of dedication to the team or hockey in general.

Real hockey fans eatsleepbreathe hockey. They belong to fantasy leagues, they watch non-hometown games (which isn't AS easy thanks to Bettman's Versus debacle), they talk about non-hometown games, they play hockey in their freetime, in basketball courts, in deck hockey leagues, they bitch relentlessly about ESPN's unfair treatment of hockey and love affair with the NBA (I could write an essay on why the top 10 plays shouldn't include 6 dunks every night), etc etc. Its kind of elitist, I'll admit, but to the people in our circle, it makes so much sense.

that argument could be applied to ANY hockey fan. I was tiny in 94 when the rangers won the cup. and I still cracked an arm of my sofa jumping on it in excitement, and still went to the parade. and had to hear my dad go on about how lucky I was, since he was clearly waiting his whole life to see them win one.

We get that here in NYC too. After said cup win the rangers spiraled down the drain so fast it made your head spin. I still considered it an honor and a blessing to go to 1-2 games a season, even if and when they got blown out of the water. I even remember the first season post-lockout, I had just gotten season tickets with my dad, and when we'd go the place was virtually empty since the rangers were not expected to do well. once word got out you have a major influx of people who just want to be there, and knowledge and passion is secondary. Hell, I can even be held accountable because I bring friends who knew next to nothing about hockey, and would do some of things you mentioned (and the girls love Lundqvist) but I make sure to school them properly, and most become pretty decent fans from going.

It's a great game, it should be popular, so don't be all bitter cause some people don't follow to the same intensity as others. that's just the facts of life. I see tons of people at games who I want to slap the hell out of, like some guy behind me lastnight who kept yelling "shoot" everytime we gained the zone...whatever, thems bes the breaks.

[Oxyminus]

im only 17, my dad has had 2 season tickets in section 418 since 1986,i took one of the two seats over fulltime when i was 12, ive been to well over 400 games in my life, even during the abysmal 7 year dry spell. i was born and raised a hockey fan. I watch all the games on nhl center ice.i am a true hockey fan.


oh btw that zherdev pic thank for my new background

I've only had my seasons for 4 years now...technically 5 since we got them before the lockout. my dad had a share in some before I and my brothers were born, but he had to give them up. But I LOVE having those seats.

loving the pic...scores the tying goal with 8.1 left...skates into the boards...falls on his knees and fist pumps and gets tackled by everyone on the ice...classic!!!

almost makes me wish I didn't order a new Dubinsky jersey 2 weeks ago...oh well. maybe I'll be getting 2 this season

[BadKarma]

doobie is worth it

[Oxyminus]

oh I know... got it in white, only $161 with shipping...should be a beauty. lastnight at the game my roommate asked me how many jerseys I have. a little flustered I realized the Dubi jersey is going to be my 7th Rangers jersey, and 8th overall

[Ivaden]

I'm a new fan to hockey in general, but I said that in the playoff thread last season. I grew up largely in Kentucky, which was nothing but UK and UofL football/basketball, and wasn't exposed to hockey until I moved near Pittsburgh. Went to my first game March 12 this year against the Sabres. We scored 7 goals, but I wasn't hooked because of the fact we crushed Buffalo, I was hooked because of the fans and atmosphere.

Haven't missed watching a game since, and it's a damn shame I only recently got into hockey. Missed twenty years of it.

[Sepukku]

I'm a new fan to hockey in general, but I said that in the playoff thread last season. I grew up largely in Kentucky, which was nothing but UK and UofL football/basketball, and wasn't exposed to hockey until I moved near Pittsburgh. Went to my first game March 12 this year against the Sabres. We scored 7 goals, but I wasn't hooked because of the fact we crushed Buffalo, I was hooked because of the fans and atmosphere.

Haven't missed watching a game since, and it's a damn shame I only recently got into hockey. Missed twenty years of it.

Me and 7 friends (one of whom is from Philadelphia and wore a Flyers jersey) student-rushed the Pens-Flyers game in December 2006 that is now in the Penguins 10 Best Games DVD set. $20 for Section C (good luck ever pulling that off now with popularity) and we CRUSHED them, racked up 8 goals on them, including the 8th being Jordan Staal scoring SHORTHANDED on a breakaway with 10 seconds left to slap them in their ugly, brutish faces. My poor Flyers friend had popcorn thrown on him and had stuff screamed at him and we were all teasing him too to pile it on, he went and sat in the car during the third period hahahahahaha Now the ticket is the center ticket in my collection of tickets on my wall. One of the best 5 nights of my life.

Edit: Emphasis on shorthanded.

[Izzy]

I can't wait until Buffalo comes to MSG next Q_Q

[Abraxas]

I hate Philadelphia, they play dirty, and their fans are ignorant and barbaric, but at least they're passionate, diehard fans who do it right.

clearly, you let what stereotypes you hear dictate your perception. the flyers "being dirty" is the biggest excuse for getting your asses rocked for the past 10 years.

but after reading that argument you had with the rangers fan, he's right that you dont know as much as you think you do about hockey.

and as much as I hate to say it, if I wasn't a flyers fan, i think the Sabres would be my hockey team. its so hard to say that after being beaten by them for the past few years, but man are they good

[Norelco]

and as much as I hate to say it, if I wasn't a flyers fan, i think the Sabres would be my hockey team. its so hard to say that after being beaten by them for the past few years, but man are they good

Ah, as a Sabres fan, this is music to my ears. Was sad to see that we let go Danny Briere and you guys got him. I really miss him and Marty Biron.

I also love Mike Richards and (Jeff?) Carter. Can't wait for the few matchups we have this year.

[Abraxas]

Me and 7 friends (one of whom is from Philadelphia and wore a Flyers jersey) student-rushed the Pens-Flyers game in December 2006 that is now in the Penguins 10 Best Games DVD set. $20 for Section C (good luck ever pulling that off now with popularity) and we CRUSHED them, racked up 8 goals on them, including the 8th being Jordan Staal scoring SHORTHANDED on a breakaway with 10 seconds left to slap them in their ugly, brutish faces. My poor Flyers friend had popcorn thrown on him and had stuff screamed at him and we were all teasing him too to pile it on, he went and sat in the car during the third period hahahahahaha Now the ticket is the center ticket in my collection of tickets on my wall. One of the best 5 nights of my life.

Edit: Emphasis on shorthanded.

wow, you're talking about a game you guys spanked the flyers when they were the worst team in the league. newsflash dude, every team spanked the flyers that year. you really came out of the woodwork when they got Crosby, didn't you? and on top of that, it's one of your top 5 nights in your life? and you have nerve to call Philly fans brutish? if it's going to be in your fave-5, at least make it a game that counts.

[Abraxas]

Ah, as a Sabres fan, this is music to my ears. Was sad to see that we let go Danny Briere and you guys got him. I really miss him and Marty Biron.

I also love Mike Richards and (Jeff?) Carter. Can't wait for the few matchups we have this year.

the year before Vanek broke out, i remember watching him and wishing we had him. i also like Derek Roy alot. he's a great centerman. but i'd have to say Pominville is my favorite. the guy can shoot a one-timer like few others.

yea, im glad we kept Carter and let Umberger go. I liked RJ, but to be honest, a guy who played 4th line for about a third of a year doesn't deserve 4million. thats good the Jackets offered it to him and if they're willing to pay it, god bless him. But im glad we saved the money for Carter instead.

[Norelco]

the year before Vanek broke out, i remember watching him and wishing we had him. i also like Derek Roy alot. he's a great centerman. but i'd have to say Pominville is my favorite. the guy can shoot a one-timer like few others.

yea, im glad we kept Carter and let Umberger go. I liked RJ, but to be honest, a guy who played 4th line for about a third of a year doesn't deserve 4million. thats good the Jackets offered it to him and if they're willing to pay it, god bless him. But im glad we saved the money for Carter instead.

Yeah, I have a Pominville jersey. The kid is solid. Roy is getting better, but he still has a reputation as a diver (some calls he deserves, others he doesn't). Vanek is on fire so far this year.

[Norelco]

In terms of Philly fans being brutish...unfortunately it's a reputation they have. I remember last year (or maybe two years ago) one of the Sabre's D-men got hurt and the Philly fans were booing him as he was carried off of the ice. That kind of upset me.

It's not indicative of all Philly fans, but man, they are a tough crowd.

[Ratatapa]

Personally i just hope habs will jump back after the 6-4 lost against ducks.<

I know they will just because 4 days break is hard for players.

but go habs go!

[Sepukku]

. the flyers "being dirty" is the biggest excuse for getting your asses rocked for the past 10 years.

The 1990's =/= the past 10 years. Last I checked, two years ago we swept the season series against you 8-0-0. Oh, and the whole we eliminated you from the playoffs thing this past year. I guess if you're referring to the 10 years before the last few years, you're right...

And the flyers being a dirty team is totally unfounded? You know, cause you guys didnt finish 8 PIM shy of being the most penalized team in hockey last year. Or in the top 5 PIM the year before that. Or your team didn't recieve multiple lengthy suspensions for dirty hits that put players out for long periods of time. For cripes sake, you guys recieved a public warning from the commish's office for your team's behavior. Campbell and Bettman were ready to start suspending your coach and fining the franchise.

Randy Jones got suspended for ending Patrice Bergeron's season, Steve Downie got TWENTY games for charging Dean McAmmond, Jesse Boulerice got 25 games, and Riley Cote and Scott Hartnell also picked up suspensions. That little rat Biron you got in goal should be suspended too for the slashes and stuff he's put on players too, very Ron Hextall-esque.

You're right, TOTALLY unfounded. Daniel Briere is a good player and pretty much the only one on the team who plays with technique, but hes not a product of good drafting or anything, he's just a free agent you threw a bunch of money at. I just picked him up for my fantasy roster, thankfully, as someone was foolish enough to drop him cause he's going to be out for 3-4 weeks. I dropped Stamkos's sorry butt finally, as even with missing 15ish games, Briere will still finish the season with more points than Stamkos. But other than Briere, I don't see who else you got. Other than maybe also Gagne and Richards, there's just no one else on that team who plays respectable hockey.

To summarize:
--Your team is dirty and barbaric. This is verifiable through documented facts. It is not misguided views of someone who knows nothing about hockey thinking back to the days of the 1970s flyers.
--You DON'T have our number anymore. You did in the mid 1990's through the lockout, but we've wooped your sorry behinds for a couple years now, and if your record is any indication, we'll do it again this year.