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General Category => John Spencer Is Dead => Topic started by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 13, 2009, 12:07:01 PM

Title: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 13, 2009, 12:07:01 PM
I am in task avoidance mode. And I'm bored. OK, it's more the former. But I also have NHL playoff fever (so sue me, I'm a Caps fan). Anyway, I've often wondered how the NHL loyalties of the Cornell hockey fan base on eLynah are distributed.

Favorite NHL team?

Me: Washington Capitals (adult convert; born a Bruins fan)

Standings rules:

1.0 pts for an unfiltered, uncontested favorite
0.5 pts each for split favorites (e.g. nr53, below)
0.5 pts for half-hearted demi-endorsement (e.g. Beeeej, below)
0.0 pts for power-waffling or an answer that's impossible to decode (e.g. billhoward, below)

Standings, Day 4:

ATLANTIC
Rangers (6.0)
Devils (3.5)
Islanders (2.5)
Flyers (2.0)

NORTHEAST
Bruins (3.0)
Sabres (2.0)
Canadiens (1.0)

SOUTHEAST
Capitals (3.5)
Thrashers (1.0)

CENTRAL
Red Wings (2.0)
Black Hawks (0.5)

NORTHWEST
Canucks (1.0)

PACIFIC
Sharks (3.5)
Kings (0.5)
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Jacob '06 on April 13, 2009, 12:32:31 PM
Rangers
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Beeeej on April 13, 2009, 12:40:11 PM
I don't really have one - I follow the teams with Cornell alums on them.  For the sake of argument, the closest one geographically is likely to get the most attention from me, so we'll say the Islanders as long as Iggy's there.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: nr53 on April 13, 2009, 01:20:48 PM
Devils since I grew up in NJ and Sharks since they're the local team around here.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: billhoward on April 13, 2009, 02:01:09 PM
Bruins as long as Bobby Orr's Game 7 goal is remembered
Devils because it's our home turf (semi-convert)
Canadiens because of the Dryden link.
Any team with a Cornellian that makes a run at the Cup
Any team with stickhandlers/shooters like Malkin and Ovechkin who take the game to a highe level
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: ugarte on April 13, 2009, 02:41:11 PM
Detroit. I thought, and still think, that the winged wheel is the coolest logo in sports.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: French Rage on April 13, 2009, 03:11:34 PM
Capitals because I grew up in DC, but to be honest I didn't follow hockey until Cornell, but I still have to have the hometown price.  Sharks because I live out here now and they have Murray and Vesce and this is the team I've been in the area for more of since I started actually following the sport.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: ftyuv on April 13, 2009, 03:40:50 PM
Bruins
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Jeff Hopkins '82 on April 13, 2009, 04:46:20 PM
I'm a die-hard Flyers fan.

I grew up following the Bruins, but switched to the Flyers when I graduated from Cornell and moved back to PA.  Been a Flyers partial season ticket holder for the past 22 years.

If the Flyers can't be there, I'll switch to the Bruins, especially because of Bitz' presence (and I have family in Boston).
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: judy on April 13, 2009, 04:54:13 PM
Caps cuz I started following the NHL after I graduated and moved down here and needed hockey to watch. In theory, I should be a Bruins fan since I grew up there, but no, I didn't follow hockey growing up and really, I just can't do it.

I plan on attempting to watch as many of the Pens/Flyers games out of pure morbid curiosity as a Caps fan and see who ends up bloodiest in the end.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Jacob '06 on April 13, 2009, 05:27:55 PM
Oh yeah, I secondarily root for the Kings also. I was at Caltech for a few years and ended up going to a lot of their games for my hockey fix, and have to root for the young talent they have especially Dustin Brown.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: KeithK on April 13, 2009, 05:31:29 PM
I'm a native New Yorker and still a Rangers fan.  But these days I follow the Sharks more due to 1) proximity and 2) Murray. So split between the two.

I'd feel guilty having switched loyalties but then I never watched hockey before Cornell and have never been a big NHL fan.  If the Rangers or Sharks lost in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals I'd be disappointed but life would go on.  If Cornell had lost the way Miami just did I'd feel like someone had just torn the still beating heart from my chest.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Rita on April 13, 2009, 05:39:46 PM
Since the Hartford Whalers left for Carolina I have been a die hard hurricane hater, even after they brought back Ronnie Francis. So Hillel, put me down for -1 with respect to Carolina ;-).

Now I root for the Sharks because of Murray and that they play some very exciting hockey.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: cth95 on April 13, 2009, 09:26:14 PM
Grew up a Whalers fan, so am now a Bruins fan to stick with the rest of my New England pro teams.  Having Bitz coming up and doing so well just makes it that much better.

Just named our new kitten Bitz after running through potential names that rhyme with the other cat's name, Mitts.  Dorky, but had to do it.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Lauren '06 on April 13, 2009, 09:42:34 PM
Vancouver.

Oddly, I follow them much less now that I live here.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 13, 2009, 11:26:35 PM
Caps and Sharks open up a shocking Day 1 lead (standings at top). I can't believe we're such a bunch of sunbelt snowbirds. No wonder the northeast is losing electoral college oomph. Bracing for a comeback from the Rangers, Isles, Devils and Sabres in the coming days.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: reilly83 on April 13, 2009, 11:28:13 PM
Current favorite NHL team: Sabres.  

Before that in reverse chronoloical order: Panthers, Leafs, Devils, Stars, and Flames.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: BCrespi on April 13, 2009, 11:34:43 PM
Big Rangers fan and feel odd that we seem outnumbered by Caps fans on this board!  Psyched for the playoffs, though I'll hate rooting against Ovechkin (though I'm sure that'll go away very quickly on Wednesday).
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: BCrespi on April 13, 2009, 11:36:32 PM
[quote reilly83]Current favorite NHL team: Sabres.  

Before that in reverse chronoloical order: Panthers, Leafs, Devils, Stars, and Flames.[/quote]

By this logic, shouldn't you be rooting for the Leafs now that Joe N. is back with them?
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: reilly83 on April 13, 2009, 11:49:37 PM
For me, its not the same if he's not playing.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Josh '99 on April 14, 2009, 02:11:37 AM
Rangers
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Jim Hyla on April 14, 2009, 07:42:06 AM
I grew up a Canadiens (and why doesn't spell check recognize the spelling, isn't this a hockey forum? ::twak:: ) fan; yes I'm old enough that it was pre-Dryden. We had an antenna that could pick up
"Hockey Night in Canada" from Kingston, but I still don't know why I picked them over Toronto since Kingston was Toronto territory. But after spending all my time away from the pros with CU, I'm now firmly a Sabre's fan.:-/ That's a 1.0 in case you wonder.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: gonyr on April 14, 2009, 08:32:10 AM
Rangers.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Beeeej on April 14, 2009, 08:51:53 AM
[quote Jim Hyla]I grew up a Canadiens (and why doesn't spell check recognize the spelling, isn't this a hockey forum? ::twak:: ) fan;[/quote]

The spell-check is your browser's, not eLF's.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Trotsky on April 14, 2009, 09:29:47 AM
Lifetime (theirs, not mine) Islanders fan.   1 full point.

Your cards and letters are appreciated.

1. NYI
2. Anybody with a Cornell player
3. Original Six
4. Canadian Teams
5. Anybody in the League before 1980
6. Anybody above 40 degree north latitude
7. Else
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll
Post by: judy on April 14, 2009, 09:59:04 AM
[quote Hillel Hoffmann]Caps and Sharks open up a shocking Day 1 lead (standings at top). I can't believe we're such a bunch of sunbelt snowbirds. No wonder the northeast is losing electoral college oomph. Bracing for a comeback from the Rangers, Isles, Devils and Sabres in the coming days.[/quote]

I think we're just chattier. I've got chattier Caps fan people over on my knitting board so it seems we outnumber everyone else, but no, it's just cuz we're chattier.

Northeast losing some electoral college oomph helped Virginia turn blue last year. Yay! Good to know that living down here went towards something.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 14, 2009, 10:38:43 AM
Most suprising no-shows so far, in my opinion: fans of Pens, Leafs.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: KeithK on April 14, 2009, 11:31:45 AM
[quote Trotsky]Lifetime (theirs, not mine) Islanders fan.   1 full point.

Your cards and letters are appreciated.[/quote]
No sympathy. I'm a Jets fan. At least you have championships in your lifetime.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Dpperk29 on April 14, 2009, 11:52:47 AM
I am a Habs fan.

though I do also pull for the leafs and any other Canadian team.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Jeff Hopkins '82 on April 14, 2009, 12:08:47 PM
[quote KeithK][quote Trotsky]Lifetime (theirs, not mine) Islanders fan.   1 full point.

Your cards and letters are appreciated.[/quote]
No sympathy. I'm a Jets fan. At least you have championships in your lifetime.[/quote]

I'm an Eagles fan.  At least you have a championship in MY lifetime.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Josh '99 on April 14, 2009, 06:17:13 PM
[quote Jeff Hopkins '82][quote KeithK][quote Trotsky]Lifetime (theirs, not mine) Islanders fan.   1 full point.

Your cards and letters are appreciated.[/quote]
No sympathy. I'm a Jets fan. At least you have championships in your lifetime.[/quote]

I'm an Eagles fan.  At least you have a championship in MY lifetime.[/quote]Oh please, your team JUST WON the World Series.  Man, Philly fans are NEVER HAPPY.  :-}
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: KeithK on April 14, 2009, 07:37:55 PM
[quote Josh '99][quote Jeff Hopkins '82][quote KeithK][quote Trotsky]Lifetime (theirs, not mine) Islanders fan.   1 full point.

Your cards and letters are appreciated.[/quote]
No sympathy. I'm a Jets fan. At least you have championships in your lifetime.[/quote]

I'm an Eagles fan.  At least you have a championship in MY lifetime.[/quote]Oh please, your team JUST WON the World Series.  Man, Philly fans are NEVER HAPPY.  :-}[/quote]
Have you ever been to Philly?  Do you blame them? :-D
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: nr53 on April 14, 2009, 08:41:01 PM
[quote Josh '99][quote Jeff Hopkins '82][quote KeithK][quote Trotsky]Lifetime (theirs, not mine) Islanders fan.   1 full point.

Your cards and letters are appreciated.[/quote]
No sympathy. I'm a Jets fan. At least you have championships in your lifetime.[/quote]

I'm an Eagles fan.  At least you have a championship in MY lifetime.[/quote]Oh please, your team JUST WON the World Series.  Man, Philly fans are NEVER HAPPY.  :-}[/quote]

As a Phillies fan since my uncle took me to games as a kid, I'm still in shock that they actually won the Series. Hell, I know I'm not that old (2007 grad) so I don't get the whole "I've been watching them for 30+ years..." street cred but I remember convincing my parents to let me and my brother stay up to watch the series in 1993 which was the worst thing that had happened to me at that point in my sports-fan life (only surpassed by Wisconsin in 2006) :-p
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: Dpperk29 on April 14, 2009, 08:52:43 PM
[quote nr53]the series in 1993 which was the worst thing that had happened to me at that point in my sports-fan life (only surpassed by Wisconsin in 2006) :-p [/quote]

two words...

Aaron Boone
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 14, 2009, 10:11:33 PM
As expected, New York State teams bounce back and take the lead after Day 2. Rangers now with as many points as all the Western teams combined.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: jkahn on April 14, 2009, 10:50:44 PM
At this point I root for players I like rather than having ongoing team loyalty.  That being said, the Sharks (Murray always in lineup and now sometimes Vesce) are #1 (1.0 pts.), with the Bruins #2 with Bitz playing.  These are the teams I watch most on Directv.  I'd love to see that as the Cup final.  Living in Chicago, it's good to see them turn it around and they'd be #3.

I grew up a Ranger fan.  My senior year, '69-'70, Cornell played in a holiday tournament at MSG.  Another guy and I threw hats on the ice when Dick Bertrand scored a hat trick.  We got ejected from MSG.  I tried to explain as we were being escorted out that people throw hats when someone scores three goals.  The security person said "Maybe where you come from."  I said "I come from New York."  But we were somewhat long-haired college kids and this guy wasn't too liberal.  So I never rooted for the Rangers after that. Ironically, my hat never even hit the ice, as Dick caught it skating back to the bench.  Also, as it was the 3rd period of a doubleheader, we snuck right back in, as there was no security at the exits.  I became a Detroit fan the next year when Ned went there, and also rooted strongly for Dryden and his Habs when he began play late in the '70-'71 season.  In '72-73 the newly-formed Islanders became my home team. and I rooted for them for a long time, until watching Millbury single-handedly destroy the franchise.  Still feel a little loyalty there, but not much unless Iggy is playing.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: ursusminor on April 15, 2009, 01:46:52 AM
If non-Cornell fans can vote, add one for the Rangers.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: RichH on April 15, 2009, 02:58:08 AM
I pretty much stopped giving a crap around the work stoppage.  The NHL was so much cooler in the 80s and 90s, and I blame the Bettman changes for most of my current apathy.  FWIW, I sometimes can be dragged to a game, and maybe I can pay attention to the later rounds of the playoffs out of boredom or Cornell alumni interest.

My 3 favorite teams: Blackhawks, Sabres, Leafs.

Oh, and I'm now a card-carrying member of the Hartford Whalers Booster Club. (Check the "plus" blurb at the bottom of this page (http://insidecollegehockey.com/inch/2009/04/12/frozen-four-championship-notebook/).)

My general rooting rules:

1) My 3 favorites
2) Canadian Teams
3) Original 6
4) Any team north of STL/DC
5) Against Dallas, Anaheim, and the Whoricanes.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: Jeff Hopkins '82 on April 15, 2009, 08:18:39 AM
[quote RichH]4) Any team north of STL/DC
[/quote]

You got that right. Draw a line at Denver, STL and DC.  No team south of that line should ever touch the Cup.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 1 shocker: Caps, Sharks take lead)
Post by: DeltaOne81 on April 15, 2009, 04:11:54 PM
I have to give a point to the Devils to at least get them tied with the lowly Isles :-P
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: rmandel on April 15, 2009, 06:05:25 PM
Put one point on the board for the Atlanta Thrashers.

We get to enjoy our TV color commentator - Darren Eliot '83

Robert
Atlanta, GA
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: Liz98 on April 15, 2009, 08:32:23 PM
Let's go Caps! (Grew up a Whalers fan.)
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: Flyers1037 on April 15, 2009, 08:46:31 PM
Flyers (duh)
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: jtwcornell91 on April 15, 2009, 11:00:22 PM
Not that they need it, but the last time I thought much about the fortunes of a particular NHL team, I was a 0.5 for the Rangers.  I liked to refer to myself as a "Rangers sympathizer" because I rooted for them on behalf of a friend, but didn't want to call myself a Rangers Fan.

Of course my favorite pro team is SC Bern, and my second-favorite pro team, EHC Eisbären Berlin, just won the DEL championship for the second year in a row! ::banana:: http://eisbaeren.de/content/13.php?action=detail&n_id=6278
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: David Harding on April 15, 2009, 11:18:44 PM
I don't really care much, but to the extent that I follow any team it's the Blackhawks, because that's who gets the attention of the local newspapers.  I am impressed with with the turnaround of the organization since the old man died.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 15, 2009, 11:59:41 PM
Rangers open up what may be an insurmountable lead.

Team(s) from largest metropolitan area not represented yet: Kings, Ducks

Most recent Stanley Cup winner not represented yet: Ducks

Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs

Team that's closest to Cornell alumni epicenter (NYC) not represented yet: Penguins

Only original six team not represented yet: Maple Leafs
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: imafrshmn on April 16, 2009, 03:03:14 AM
I'm a half-assed Rangers fan.  Count me for 0.5.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: RichH on April 16, 2009, 11:09:31 AM
[quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: oceanst41 on April 16, 2009, 11:33:46 AM
Bruins fan...watching the clock seemingly go in reverse as I get ready for tonight's game.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: BigRedBrouhaha on April 16, 2009, 12:33:34 PM
Islanders Fan, through the ups, downs, 75 year goalie contracts, and the drafting of two goalies with the 1st and 4th pick in the draft within three years of each other.

Naturally I missed out on a lot of the fun as I was born the year after they won their last Stanley cup, and only really started paying attention in the early 90s. That 93 upset of Penguins was amazing though.

Count me down for 1 point
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 16, 2009, 02:23:28 PM
[quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/[/quote]
Sorry, Rich, the judges grudgingly accept a split, but having three or more favorite teams with (exactly) equal emotional investment meets the universal standard for power-waffling.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: ugarte on April 16, 2009, 03:00:13 PM
[quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/[/quote]
Sorry, Rich, the judges grudgingly accept a split, but having three or more favorite teams with (exactly) no emotional investment meets the universal standard for power-waffling.[/quote]
FYP.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: ftyuv on April 16, 2009, 03:22:26 PM
[quote oceanst41]Bruins fan...watching the clock seemingly go in reverse as I get ready for tonight's game.[/quote]Ditto that.

I'm hoping we take it in 5* and that the Rangers win a 7-game grinder with plenty of double-OTs.  :-)

* I'd take a win in 4 too, of course...
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: RichH on April 16, 2009, 03:25:22 PM
[quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/[/quote]
Sorry, Rich, the judges grudgingly accept a split, but having three or more favorite teams with (exactly) equal emotional investment meets the universal standard for power-waffling.[/quote]

Fair enough.  But when two of your teams have awful, ancient, tightwad owners who say things like "I won't listen to any plan to win a Stanley Cup...they cost too much money," and keep their team off of TV because it might adversely affect attendance, there's little you can do BUT find a 3rd team to get through the bad times.

But hey, look what happens when bad ownership finally kicks the bucket!

Leafs under Ballard: 13 straight seasons without a winning record.
Ballard died in 1990.  The Leafs were in the Conference finals by 1993, and were solid the rest of the decade.

Blackhawks under Wirtz: In addition to the above, they were named "worst franchise in professional sports" in 2004 by espn.  The Wolves outdrew them.  The Cup drought stands at 48 years, closing in on the 54 of the Rangers.  No playoffs since 2002.
Wirtz died in 2007.  2009, back in the playoffs, seeded 4th.  It's not embarassing to have their jersey anymore.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: Jacob '06 on April 16, 2009, 03:54:23 PM
Guess my half a vote for the Kings didn't count. Hey, I did buy center ice this year just so I could see a bunch of their games!
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: KeithK on April 16, 2009, 04:39:09 PM
I love the "can't televise because it might hurt attendance" argument. I can understand how baseball owners might have thought that about radio back in the 30's. But we now have 75 years of data to disprove this silly theory.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 2: The Empire State strikes back)
Post by: Jeff Hopkins '82 on April 16, 2009, 04:46:07 PM
[quote Flyers1037]Flyers (duh)[/quote]

Yay!  I'm not alone  ::banana::
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: DeltaOne81 on April 16, 2009, 05:04:41 PM
[quote KeithK]I love the "can't televise because it might hurt attendance" argument. I can understand how baseball owners might have thought that about radio back in the 30's. But we now have 75 years of data to disprove this silly theory.[/quote]

Was that in response to Center Ice? Considering Center Ice is for out-of-market games, it doesn't really have anything to do with concerns about tv taking away attendance.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: Rita on April 16, 2009, 05:53:51 PM
[quote DeltaOne81][quote KeithK]I love the "can't televise because it might hurt attendance" argument. I can understand how baseball owners might have thought that about radio back in the 30's. But we now have 75 years of data to disprove this silly theory.[/quote]

Was that in response to Center Ice? Considering Center Ice is for out-of-market games, it doesn't really have anything to do with concerns about tv taking away attendance.[/quote]

I think Keith's response was to Rich's post about certain owners (Ballard, Wurtz) finally kicking the bucket thereby allowing their teams to join the 21st century of sports team ownership.

I was shocked that when I moved out here in 2004, that I couldn't watch the Blackhawks on TV due to Wurtz's belief that televising games would decrease attendance. My "hockey fix" (besides internet college hockey) was from an occasional STL Blues games that didn't get blacked out on the apartment's satellite system (which was based out of STL).

Now that the 'Hawks games are on TV, a few more people in this state acknowledge that hockey does indeed exist. Lo and behold, people in Chicago-land are going to the games because 1) they have seen a few games on TV and have liked what they have seen, 2) they are playing some exciting hockey and 3) have a good group of young, talented kids.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 17, 2009, 10:34:27 AM
[quote Jacob '06]Guess my half a vote for the Kings didn't count. Hey, I did buy center ice this year just so I could see a bunch of their games![/quote]
I will count it since you seem to be saying it's a true split and not a "second favorite" situation. But that means taking away 0.5 from the Rangers.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: Hillel Hoffmann on April 17, 2009, 10:38:56 AM
[quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/[/quote]
Sorry, Rich, the judges grudgingly accept a split, but having three or more favorite teams with (exactly) equal emotional investment meets the universal standard for power-waffling.[/quote]

Fair enough.  But when two of your teams have awful, ancient, tightwad owners who say things like "I won't listen to any plan to win a Stanley Cup...they cost too much money," and keep their team off of TV because it might adversely affect attendance, there's little you can do BUT find a 3rd team to get through the bad times.[/quote]

The judges feel your pain and ask you to try this mental exercise: Imagine the Hawks, Leafs and Sabres are playing a three-team, round-robin tournament, with nothing at stake except some dumbass trophy (no management will be strategically removed because of a loss). Who do you want to win? 'Fess up and I'll give that team half a point. If you really can't decide because your emotional investment in the teams is equal to the last decimal, then that's power-waffling and no points.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: ftyuv on April 17, 2009, 10:50:26 AM
[quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/[/quote]
Sorry, Rich, the judges grudgingly accept a split, but having three or more favorite teams with (exactly) equal emotional investment meets the universal standard for power-waffling.[/quote]

Fair enough.  But when two of your teams have awful, ancient, tightwad owners who say things like "I won't listen to any plan to win a Stanley Cup...they cost too much money," and keep their team off of TV because it might adversely affect attendance, there's little you can do BUT find a 3rd team to get through the bad times.[/quote]

The judges feel your pain and ask you to try this mental exercise: Imagine the Hawks, Leafs and Sabres are playing a three-team, round-robin tournament, with nothing at stake except some dumbass trophy (no management will be strategically removed because of a loss). Who do you want to win? 'Fess up and I'll give that team half a point. If you really can't decide because your emotional investment in the teams is equal to the last decimal, then that's power-waffling and no points.[/quote]

What is this, even "which team do you like best" contests have shootouts now?

I've always liked the play-till-someone-scores model better. So, RichH, what are your two favorite teams?  And if you can't answer that, let me ask you: what are your two favorite teams?  And if you can't answer that, let me ask you: what are your two favorite teams?  And if you can't answer that, let me ask you: what are your two favorite teams?  And if you can't answer that, let me ask you: what are your two favorite teams?  And if you can't answer that, let me ask you: what are your two favorite teams? ...
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: RichH on April 17, 2009, 04:59:45 PM
[quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann][quote RichH][quote Hillel Hoffmann]
Team that's closest to Ithaca not represented yet: Maple Leafs[/quote]

I guess I got counted in the billhoward 0 point category.  :-/[/quote]
Sorry, Rich, the judges grudgingly accept a split, but having three or more favorite teams with (exactly) equal emotional investment meets the universal standard for power-waffling.[/quote]

Fair enough.  But when two of your teams have awful, ancient, tightwad owners who say things like "I won't listen to any plan to win a Stanley Cup...they cost too much money," and keep their team off of TV because it might adversely affect attendance, there's little you can do BUT find a 3rd team to get through the bad times.[/quote]

The judges feel your pain and ask you to try this mental exercise: Imagine the Hawks, Leafs and Sabres are playing a three-team, round-robin tournament, with nothing at stake except some dumbass trophy (no management will be strategically removed because of a loss). Who do you want to win? 'Fess up and I'll give that team half a point. If you really can't decide because your emotional investment in the teams is equal to the last decimal, then that's power-waffling and no points.[/quote]

No, no.  I accept the zero point distinction of loserdom mainly because of my first sentence I wrote on this thread: "I pretty much stopped giving a crap around the work stoppage."  I think the last time I watched a complete NHL game start-to-finish was over 2 years ago?  Now, that's not to say I won't jump in to defend the sport and league when I'm around a "pfft...hockey?  Is that still a sport?  Who cares about the NHL? har har har" comment.  Just that the product that the Bettman era is selling, I'm not buying a whole lot compared to what we had when I was growing up.  And the college game gives me enough of the fix I need.  Maybe I'll try to make an effort to catch more of the playoffs this year.  Heck, I found myself watching the Flames-Blackhawks game at the SFO airport last night.

Now to actually answer your question.  This is easy for me, since the Sabres & Leafs have matched up in prior playoff serieseses.  Each time, I found myself embracing my Western New Yorkness and fully rooting for the Sabres, despite the fact that the Leafs are the only team that satisfies all 5 of my "rooting rules" I've spelled out.  So if you're giving out pennants on sticks and I only have 2 hands, I choose the Blackhawks and Sabres.  One East, one West, and that's a good setup for me.

Edit: Read your question again.  To finish the round-robin, in a Chicago-Buffalo series...I'd probably pull for the Sabres.  First, that 15-year stretch of futility by Chicago broke my original bond of allegiance.  I also found that once I left the Upstate NY nest, the home-cooking fondness for "the local team" defined me more.  Getting a "Let's Go Buf-fa-lo!" comment  would mean more to me than an "Awright Blackhawks!" shout-out if I wore each respective jersey out in say, Santa Monica.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: ftyuv on April 17, 2009, 05:07:19 PM
[quote RichH]I choose the Blackhawks and Sabres.[/quote]There should be a variant of "that's what she said" where instead of "she" it's "the typical 19th century American."
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 3: Rangers widen gap)
Post by: profudge on April 18, 2009, 05:10:28 PM
OK complete and die hard  Red Wings fan as I grew up and played hockey in suburban Detroit.  

Secondarily if  any the Boston Bruins  -
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: jhib on April 19, 2009, 11:16:08 PM
Devils.

We're the Devils!  The Devils!!

(gotta support the team)
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: madAgaskar07 on April 20, 2009, 10:27:57 AM
[quote jhib]Devils.

We're the Devils!  The Devils!!

(gotta support the team)[/quote]

Devils + 1.0.

Do we get a combo bonus?

Also, I believe each voter should be able to distribute -1.0 points among their most hated teams.  If that rule were in effect, I would say:

-0.6 to the Flyers
-0.3 to the Rangers (although -.15 of that will follow Sean Avery wherever he goes.)
-0.1 to Ottawa
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: IDidntRegisterThisToGameTheSurvey on April 20, 2009, 01:24:42 PM
I vote Bruins!
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Rita on April 21, 2009, 10:11:15 PM
For a series that most people do not seem to care about (me, and others at least by the lack of games on NBC and VS) the Whoricane-Devil series seems to have the most excitement, barely missing another OT game by 0.2 seconds and the series is tied at 2 games a piece.

The only reason why I caught the last few minutes is that the STL game was in the 2nd intermission and the other games had ended.

Brodeur was miffed due to a bump by Olliken (sp) on the last shot prevented (delayed) him from getting into proper position for the shot from the point (NJ announcers take on it). Switch to the Carolina PBP guys Brodeur has nothing to whine about since the bump occurred outside the crease and it seemed Marty put himself in position to potentially be bumped since he came so far out.

I thought Pitt-Philly would be the blood bath, it now might be NJ-Car.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: judy on April 21, 2009, 10:29:58 PM
[quote Rita]
I thought Pitt-Philly would be the blood bath, it now might be NJ-Car.[/quote]

While Pittsburgh is probably the better team, I was really hoping for Philly to beat the crap out of them in 7. It's like deja vu of last year. For whatever reason, I seem to get more excited about this series than the Caps/Rangers. I think it's cuz I can sit back and wait for the two teams to bloody each other up without caring who comes out the winner. Although, neither team is really cooperating on that right now.

Ya, may have to start trying to watch the NJ/Car series. Brodeur looked pretty pissed off there at the end.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Jeff Hopkins '82 on April 22, 2009, 08:18:30 AM
Just be glad you didn't watch the Flyers-Pens game last night.  That had to be the worst officiating I have ever seen, and that includes some of the most horribly officiated ECAC games.

A Flyers player hits a Penguin in the face with an out-of-control stick?  No call.  A Penguin goes full tilt into the Flyers goalie feet first.  No call.  But let a player get his stick horizontal and simply touch an opposing player?  That they call.  ::wank::

I'll watch the rest of that series and then I'm done with the NHL for the year.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: DeltaOne81 on April 22, 2009, 11:20:47 AM
[quote Rita]
Brodeur was miffed due to a bump by Olliken (sp) on the last shot prevented (delayed) him from getting into proper position for the shot from the point (NJ announcers take on it). Switch to the Carolina PBP guys Brodeur has nothing to whine about since the bump occurred outside the crease and it seemed Marty put himself in position to potentially be bumped since he came so far out. [/quote]

The GWG was a gray area.

The Whoricanes 3rd goal was blatant goaltender interference not called. I think it just boiled over for Marty.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Rita on April 22, 2009, 01:09:03 PM
[quote DeltaOne81][quote Rita]
Brodeur was miffed due to a bump by Olliken (sp) on the last shot prevented (delayed) him from getting into proper position for the shot from the point (NJ announcers take on it). Switch to the Carolina PBP guys Brodeur has nothing to whine about since the bump occurred outside the crease and it seemed Marty put himself in position to potentially be bumped since he came so far out. [/quote]

The GWG was a gray area.

The Whoricanes 3rd goal was blatant goaltender interference not called. I think it just boiled over for Marty.[/quote]

I didn't see the 3rd goal, but just by the very different commentaries of the PBP guys, grey and muddy seem like good words.

I guess I wouldn't mind seeing that series go to 7 games, and hopefully putting whoever advances at a disadvantage for the next round.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: ftyuv on April 22, 2009, 01:47:44 PM
[quote Rita][quote DeltaOne81][quote Rita]
Brodeur was miffed due to a bump by Olliken (sp) on the last shot prevented (delayed) him from getting into proper position for the shot from the point (NJ announcers take on it). Switch to the Carolina PBP guys Brodeur has nothing to whine about since the bump occurred outside the crease and it seemed Marty put himself in position to potentially be bumped since he came so far out. [/quote]

The GWG was a gray area.

The Whoricanes 3rd goal was blatant goaltender interference not called. I think it just boiled over for Marty.[/quote]

I didn't see the 3rd goal, but just by the very different commentaries of the PBP guys, grey and muddy seem like good words.

I guess I wouldn't mind seeing that series go to 7 games, and hopefully putting whoever advances at a disadvantage for the next round.[/quote]

Clip on NHL.com: http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=382&id=40456

You can see the bump fairly clearly about 27 seconds in. Brodeur is out far enough that you can see the bottom of his skates but not one pixel of the crease.  I don't really have any vested interest in either team, but it doesn't look like interference to me.


Edit: Just realized that was the fourth goal.  The third goal was indeed suspect.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: DeltaOne81 on April 22, 2009, 06:04:13 PM
[quote ftyuv][quote Rita]
I didn't see the 3rd goal, but just by the very different commentaries of the PBP guys, grey and muddy seem like good words.

I guess I wouldn't mind seeing that series go to 7 games, and hopefully putting whoever advances at a disadvantage for the next round.[/quote]

Clip on NHL.com: http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=382&id=40456

You can see the bump fairly clearly about 27 seconds in. Brodeur is out far enough that you can see the bottom of his skates but not one pixel of the crease.  I don't really have any vested interest in either team, but it doesn't look like interference to me.


Edit: Just realized that was the fourth goal.  The third goal was indeed suspect.[/quote]

Finally found highlights of the 3rd goal, thanks to TSN.
http://work.tsn.ca/window/oneclip_nhl_playoffs.html#
(click on the video titled "Highlights: NJ 3, CAR 4" under News & Highlights, and then the third Car goal is 0:20 into the video).
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: Luke 05 on April 22, 2009, 09:59:18 PM
Living in Dallas for the last 4 years, I've invested in partial season tickets since it's the only hockey in town (David McKee's Texas Tornado were in hiatus last year while their rink was under construction).

With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, they have gained the majority of my hockey heart. The Flyers remain a rooting interest for me, but it's just too difficult to follow team news down here with much consistency.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: RichH on April 23, 2009, 12:02:50 AM
[quote Luke 05]With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, [/quote]

You do know of the internet, right?
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: Beeeej on April 23, 2009, 12:17:12 AM
[quote RichH][quote Luke 05]With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, [/quote]

You do know of the internet, right?[/quote]

The internet?!  Luxury!!
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: ugarte on April 23, 2009, 03:24:05 AM
[quote Beeeej][quote RichH][quote Luke 05]With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, [/quote]

You do know of the internet, right?[/quote]

The internet?!  Luxury!![/quote]
I had to type my post into a cup and string!
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: judy on April 23, 2009, 09:25:14 AM
[quote RichH][quote Luke 05]With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, [/quote]

You do know of the internet, right?[/quote]

Or the NHL Center Ice package?
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: RichH on April 23, 2009, 02:39:10 PM
[quote Beeeej][quote RichH][quote Luke 05]With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, [/quote]

You do know of the internet, right?[/quote]

The internet?!  Luxury!![/quote]

Didn't you already do that joke this week?
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: Beeeej on April 23, 2009, 04:06:54 PM
[quote RichH][quote Beeeej][quote RichH][quote Luke 05]With each passing year and with the paucity of hockey news available for other clubs, [/quote]

You do know of the internet, right?[/quote]

The internet?!  Luxury!![/quote]

Didn't you already do that joke this week?[/quote]

More than one new joke in a week?!  Luxury!! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callback_(comedy))
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: ugarte on April 23, 2009, 04:14:11 PM
I guess CalgARI isn't following eLF anymore - his favorite NHL team was obvious.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (Day 4)
Post by: Rita on April 23, 2009, 04:20:41 PM
[quote ugarte]I guess CalgARI isn't following eLF anymore - his favorite NHL team was obvious.[/quote]

Maybe he was waiting for us to PM him for details.
::deadhorse::
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: mnagowski on April 24, 2009, 01:51:31 PM
Chalk one up for the Sabres.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: CowbellGuy on May 27, 2009, 02:40:12 PM
Late to the party. Should read this forum more often. At any rate, RANGERS, of course.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Rita on May 28, 2009, 09:37:26 AM
For those of you who are not fond of the current style of NHL play, there is hope for a new type of game (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nhl_tries_to_woo_fans_by) if the staff of The Onion gets its way.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: ftyuv on May 28, 2009, 09:47:43 AM
[quote Rita]For those of you who are not fond of the current style of NHL play, there is hope for a new type of game (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nhl_tries_to_woo_fans_by) if the staff of The Onion gets its way.[/quote]

They stole my joke!  I've been doing that one for years, talking about how, e.g., basketball would be more exciting if they lowered the nets, got rid of screeching sounds by putting ice on the ground, gave players skates to better move on said ice, etc.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: css228 on February 10, 2011, 10:27:47 PM
ORANGE AND BLACK. GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Jeff Hopkins '82 on February 11, 2011, 08:02:34 AM
Quote from: css228ORANGE AND BLACK. GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!

I like this guy  ::cheer::
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: Roy 82 on February 16, 2011, 10:15:38 PM
Grew up in NY as an Islanders fan during their dynasty.

Now a Sharks fan 'cause I live out here and we get to visit with Douglas M. each spring.

Still like Islanders and any other team with a Cornellian on their roster.
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: munchkin on February 17, 2011, 05:15:28 AM
Capitals with all my heart. It was so hard to watch O'Byrne playing against them on the Habs last season.  That said, any team with a Cornellian is a team I'll support (at least when not playing my hometown heroes).
Title: Re: NHL favorite team straw poll (End of Week 1: Devils gaining, but Rangers in control)
Post by: polar on February 19, 2011, 04:38:26 PM
Devils. I remember staying up till late in middle school watching the failed cup run in '02, and the successful one in '03. Devils are the reason I like hockey, simply.