GOAL!

GOAL by Sidney Crosby!!!!!! That game was pretty intense. Going to be a party downtown today, and tonight!

Olympics, Day 17

Zach Parise scores with a little more than 20 seconds left!!!!! We will see who wins, as the game is currently going into overtime.

The closing ceremonies are tonight unfortunatly, but fortunatly the parolympics are still to come. Looks like Joannie Rochette is going to be the final flag bearer.

Olympics

With the Gold Medal game tomorrow, the streets of downtown Vancouver are going to be packed and flooded with people.

A few years ago, I thought it would be cool to collect something. Back then, I didn't collect autographs or hockey cards. So as I was walking in Gas Town, I saw a huge collection of pins in the window. So I thought that I should collect pins. I have a collection right now, of a whole container of pins, from Disneyland, and different events. I was going to collect Olympic pins a few years ago, but got distracted by NHL hockey and the Canucks. I have some Olympic pins in my collection right now. Its pretty cool walking in downtown Vancouver, and the different people that have little tables set up, and that are willing to trade. I got a Drew Doughty jersey pin today. They have other pins such as mascots, sport events, etc.
Overall, pin trading and buying pins is pretty neat! You can order pins online, on Vancouver2010.com. Just go to the online store.

Team Canada goes to the Gold Medal game!

Team Canada Mens team is going to the gold medal game!!!!! With like a few seconds to go, anyone see that Pavol Demitra shot? Must be a sickening feeling to have. Team Canada will now play Team USA on Sunday for the gold medal. Anyways, each team will come away with a medal, win or lose.

TTM autograph Request Update
I just mailed my Brett Hull request out.
Will mail to:
Brian Gionta
Jonathon Cheechoo
Kris Russel
Jason Spezza
Martin Havlat
Scotty Bowman
Peter Stastny
Rick Nash
Ted Lindsay
Doug Gilmour
Yvan Yournoyer
Eric Staal
Brian Lee
Brian Elliot
Mason Raymond
Semyon Varlemov

Have already sent to:
Willie Mitchell
Steve Bernier
Kevin Bieksa
Darcy Hordichuk
Brad Lukowich
Mikael Samuelsson
Rick Rypien
Andrew Raycroft
Johnny Bower
David Moss
Tanner Glass
Darryl Sittler
Brett Hull

I have received:
Mike Eruzione
Kari Lehtonen
Alex Burrows
Don Cherry
Shane O'Brien
Henri Richard

Gold Medal...Team Canada!

The Team Canada women have just won the gold medal! Pretty Amazing. Team USA won silver, while Team Finland won bronze. Its cool, on how I got to go to a Team Finland game, against Russia, since I live in Vancouver. The experience is even more special, now that they have won bronze. Really looking forward to the mens hockey game tomorrow. As usual, I don't want to jinx anything here, but I think Canada will win 4-2. I think Dany Heatley will score one of the goals.

TTM update
Haven't received any back since the Lehtonen one. I thought it would be pretty cool if I mailed like tons of them out, and then one month later, I get one back nearly everyday! I still have my Johnny Bower TTM request still out there, Darryl Sittler, and a bunch of Canuck ones. Not expecting any back for the next few weeks. But unfortunatly, I'm always to busy to mail my other TTM requests out. I am still hoping to mail something to:
Eric Staal
Brett Hull
Doug Gilmour
and possibly Mason Raymond

Kari Lehtonen TTM autograph!

Just got a TTM autograph back today. It is from Kari Lehtonen! I thought that it may have been lost in the mail in the trade to Dallas, but I guess he checked all of his mail before he left. Very happy to have this one back. He signed 2 index cards, and 1 Fleer card. On to Eric Staal next I think. I have a ton of TTM requests that I would like to mail.

Mail!

Just mailed my Darryl Sittler TTM on Saturday. Will try to mail my Doug Gilmour/Mason Raymond one tomorrow. I know it may get a little boring listning talk about NHL stats, and events happening around the Olympics, so I will do my best to talk about other things.

I got one package in the mail today. It was from a member on Sportscardforum. I recieved a Marian Hossa Hot Prospects card. Pretty sweet looking card.

Trying to Get Brian Gionta's autograph

So, I thought I'd make it a goal to get an autograph back from Montreal right winger, Brian Gionta, through the mail, no matter how many tries it will take. Gionta had 2 goals and an assist on Febuary 6, against Pittsburgh. This is his second NHL team that he has ever played for. The last team he played on was with the New Jersey Devils. I obviously kind of admired that team, because they had Brodeur in net, Parise up front, along with Gomez and Gionta. I still like that team, even though Gomez and Gionta are traded. They have Lagenbrunner, plus all of those other all-stars.

Todays USA/Canada Game

Sorry that I haven't been updating every my blog every single day. Its because I haven't found anything to write about!
As for the Canada/USA game today, I think that Team Canada (as usual, I don't want to jinx anything) will win 3-2. But not in overtime. I think that Dany Heatley, Patrice Bergeron, and Jarome Iginla or Rick Nash will score. I am just pretty amazed at Team Canada's passing. They just sort of know where each other is. Sort of like the Sedins. Team Canada also has size with 14 of Canada's 20 players 6-foot-2 or higher. It should be a good game.

Different Olympic Events Happening Around Vancity Today!

A lot of events were going on today at the Olympics in Vancouver. The Team Canada women defeated Sweden by a score of 13-1! Should have watched that game, but didn't even know that it was on. To make up for that, I watched a little bit of short track speed skating. I'm not a huge fan of that, but if I get a chance to watch that, it is definetly exciting. I'm not a 100 percent sure if I have the countries correct, but during one of the races, a member from Great Britain, and a member from France, crashed into each other leaving Korea and the US racing against each other. I'm just looking at the stats, and guess what????? China beat Canada by 9 milliseconds in the other race after the Korea/USA race. Canada had a time of 6:43.610 while China had a time of 6:43.601. Close race. Like I said, I'm not really a big fan of speed skating so correct me if I'm wrong with the times and all of that.

In other news, American downhill skier, Lindsey Vonn won the gold medal today. Vonn unfortunatly was battling injuries in Turin, 4 years ago, so it definetly is an accomplishment for her. Julia Mancuso also from the US, won the silver medal, while Elisabeth Goergl won the bronze.

Like I said above, the Team Canada women beat Sweden 13-1. Marie-Philip Poulin scored the first goal. Cherie Piper scored the second, while Meghan Agosta scored 2 goals to lift Team Canada to the big win!

Team Canada

With the mens hockey finally starting up, I will have to say that Canada will beat Norway 9-1. I mean Norway doesn't have any NHL star power. Actually, just from reading an article on NHL, it says that Norway doesn't have any players from the NHL. Obviously, their chances are not very good, as they go up against the best players in the NHL and probably the world. Roberto Luongo will start in goal (WOOT!!!!). I heard yesterday on the TV (I think) that putting Luongo in goal is a smart idea. He is on his home ice, which makes it a comfortable place to play. And I think Brodeur may play most the games anyways. I hope not though. Against a team like Norway though???? It will be good practice for Loungo, say if Brodeur did get injured.
Game starts at 4:30 PST.
Also, I hope to get Iginla's autograph on a Team Canada tee, when he visits Vancouver again in April, against the Canucks. I really hope I can meet him.

Craig Conroy Player Profile

After playing hockey for 20 seasons (not all in the NHL), Craig Congroy finds himself as a leader. Even though he is a centre, he has scored 2 goals and 10 assists this season. Still pretty good for a 20 year veteran. During his career he has 179 goals and 358 assists in the NHL, AHL, ECAC, etc.
He kind of reminds me of Trevor Linden. He may not score that many goals, but he is assistant captain, just like Linden was a few seasons ago, before he retired. I think that Conroy is full of energy. If any of you have seen him talk, he is always happy, and is always smiling, and talks sort of fast lol.

Card Collecting

I know that some people might find it strange that people collect cards for no real reason, and the whole point to card colecting is just looking at them. Some people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on cards. But I guess the whole point to it, is that it is all about having fun, and if you can make money off of it, thats great! But really, it is all about fun and not really about making money. Its fun buying cards from players like Matt Duchene, then 5-6 years later, he becomes this big NHL superstar. Your cards will be worth a lot more. But of course, if he becomes an average NHL, his value will drop. But really, it is all about trying to build a big collection and you sorta feel connected to a player if you get his autograph or game-used jersey.

Sportscardfroum.com

After finding out about Sportscardforum.com, I have completed 17 trades so far. It has been a really useful website with a lot of nice and kind members. I have gotten autographs such as a Ryan Kesler autograph, Mason Raymond autograph, Ryan Suter autograph, Phil Myres, and more. I have been able to build a collection, and now have about probably 400 cards. About 100 of those cards have come from members on the boards. My favourite card would probably be the Ryan Kesler autograph because it is hard-signed, and the blue ink looks really good on the card.

TTM autograph send list

I was on the computer all day yesterday looking for players to send TTM (through the mail) autographs to. I found a bunch.

Here is a list of the players I will send to in the next month.
-Brett Hull
-Brian Lee
-Brian Elliot
-Mason Raymond (I have met him twice and he seemed really nice. But since I collect him and he is my favourite player, I thought, well, it doesn't hurt to add another autograph to my collection, and maybe I can update and tell him about my collection)
-Semyon Varlemov
-Eric Staal
-Darryl Sittler
-Yvan Cournoyer
-Doug Gilmour
-Ted Lindsay
-Jarome Iginla (he might send pre-signed postcard though)
-Rick Nash
-Peter Stastny
-Scotty Bowman
-Martin Havlat

I have heard that the Canadians legends are good at signing fan mail also. Might send Sittler and Gilmour a picture or something like that.

Will update you guys on how I do.

Canada beats Slovakia...18-0

The Canadian woman have beaten Team Slovakia 18-0 in Vancity. Hayley Wickenheiser had 3 assists and was a plus 6. "We're happy with it," she said. "We came out and played just like we would play anyone else, knowing the score would be high. We did a good job with that. It was a tough game to play no matter what side you are on. Now we have this out of the way and can move forward." Danijela Rundqvist made it 1-0 during the first period, while Tina Enstrom made it 2-0 shortly after that. Tina Enstrom, is the sister of Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta Thrashers defensemen.

Items to get Autographed

There are different items to get autographed such as:

a shirt
baseball hat
book
magazine
(game used) equipment
pucks, basketballs, baseballs, etc.
8x10 photos
index cards
sportscards
jerseys

or anything that has the team logo, or players name on it.

For me, I think my least favourite would be 8x10 photos. I would still like autographs on 8x10 photos, but out of that list, 8x10 photos would be my 2nd least favourite. I just don't like how they can get bent easily, they flop around whenever you carry them, and then it doesn't seem right not to frame it. So it is almost as you are forced to frame it. Just my opinion. I know a lot of people like 8x10 photos. But for me I like getting items signed, not just a picture. I like getting pucks, hats (but that may not be a good idea just in case it starts raining, then I think, not 100 persent sure if this is true, but the autographs might smudge. Just don't wear it in the rain, just to be sure) shirts, magazines, and books signed. I don't really think I'd like a signed jersey because it is big and would be worth like $400 if it was signed, so you don't really want to wear it. I use index cards for TTM autographs, but for some reason, I actually do like getting them signed. Don't like getting cards signed. Only like the certified cards. Don't know why though....just don't (this is my opinion again. I know a lot of people that like cards signed). I think cards would be my least favourite item to get signed. I would still like getting cards signed but not as much as pucks, shirts, etc. I also think it would be cool if you got some kind of equipment signed, like a signed goalie glove, or blocker. Even a stick blade, I think would be a great piece. You can get game-used equipment at team yard sales, or auctions. That would be another item that would be awesome to add to your collection.

TTM Update and a quick Stars/Flames Preview

These are the TTM (through the mail) autograph requests that I amiled out a few weeks ago.

Johnny Bower
Kari Lehtonen
Tanner Glass (Hopefully he can answer my fan mail during the Olympic Break)

Those still out there that I mailed in September are:
Willie Mitchell
Steve Bernier
Kevin Bieksa
Darcy Hordichuk
Brad Lukowich
Mikael Samuelsson
Rick Rypien
Andrew Raycroft
David Moss (mailed on December 19)

The Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames will do battle tonight. Tius will be the last meeting between the 2 teams for the season. The Stars have won the last 2 of the 3 games this season. Kari Lehtonen was picked up from the Thrashers, and is still injured because of this back probalem (I really hope my fan letter isn't lost). The Stars have won 26 games compared to the Flames who have won 3 more, with 29.

Should be a good game between 2 Western conference opponents.

Burrows chat and a quick Canucks/Panthers preview

Today, I didn't get to chat with Burrows :(. Really, really disapointed. First of all, I was trying to get my ipod to find one of the pages on the internet, for the link to the chat. I spent my entire lunch break trying to figure that out. And to make it even worse, there were autographs being given away. The 3 prizes given away were an autographed Burrows hat, autographed puck, and autographed photo. From reading all of the questions, Burrows seems like a great guy to meet. There was actually a picture of him on the computer in his hotel room reading everyones question lol. Hopefully I can get into the next chat.

Roberto Luongo will face his former team tomorrow night. The Vancouver Canucks will play the Florida Panthers. The Canucks won the last game against them on December 14 2008 (was that when Canuck Nation Invasion came to Florida?) The Canucks currently have 35 wins, while the Panthers have 24. The Canucks have a game in hand, playing 58 compared to the Panthers with 59 games played. Florida goalie, Thomas Vokoun is tied with Martin Brodeur for shutouts this season with 7, both leading the NHL.

Tuesday Night Hockey Talk

I'm pretty excited for tomorrow when I will be able to chat with Alex Burrows online. Since I really want his autograph, I think I will ask him if he has anymore autograph signings in March, and I will thank him for respnding to my letter that I had sent him (post is in a previous post). I signed up for the Canucks Fan Club is why I have this oppurtunity.

The difference between hard-signed autographs and non-hard signed autographs are that hard-signed autographs are autographs that the player signed directly on the card. A non-hard-signed autograph is when the player signed on a sticker (also known a sticker autograph). Hard-signed autos are more attractive and there are chances that those are more authentic. A sticker autograph is cheaper though. But if you want to buy an autograph (on a card), a hard-signed is definetly the way to go.

Corey Perry scored a goal and 2 assists as the Ducks beat the LA Kings on Febuary 8/10 (last night) Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf, and Saku Koivu scored the other goals. Koivu currently has 11 goals, 21 assists, and 31 points in 50 games this season.

Getzlaf injured

With the Olympics days away, Anaheim Ducks superstar centre has been injured with a sprained left ankle."Hopefully he won't be out too long", Scott Niedermayer said. "I don't have to say what he means to this team and what he does for us, so hopefully its not bad".
I don't think that he will stay out for the Olympics. Just because , I heard that this could possibly be the last time NHL players will play in the Winter Olympics. And I don't think a sprained ankle will keep him out. As long as it isn't bad, I believe that he will be fine.

Monday Night Hockey Talk

With 4 games in the next 6 games, the Canucks will have a tough week, thats for sure. I know that a few people are complaining about the Sedins, and they haven't been really producing, but give them a break. They are the reason why the Canucks have won most of their games. If the Canucks didn't have the Sedin twins, who would do the scoring? Maybe Burrows? But Burrows doesn't produce as well with other players. But maybe with Kesler? I think the line of Burrows/Kesler/Raymond would be a good line (if the Sedins weren't here). The Burrows/Sedin/Sedin line is probably the best line in hockey right now. I think it is the Sedin line competing against the Thornton line for the best line in the NHL.

With the game tomorrow, the Tampa Bay Lightning are looking for the 4th straight win....for the first time in seasons! The last time the Lightning were on a 4 game streak, was a five game streak in November 2007. Both teams have played 57 games. The Canucks have won 35 games while the Lightning have won 25 games. The Lightning have 11 overtime losses. 9 more than the Canucks who have 2. "We want to make sure that we are better than .500...on this road trip" captain and Canucks all-star goalie, Roberto Luongo explained.

The game between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins last night was a battle between 2 great superstars. Alex Ovechkin got 3 goals and 4 assists, and superstar, Sidney Crosby got 2 goals, with 7 shots on goal.

Christian Ehroff Player Profile

With about a week until the Olympics begin, Christian Ehroff looks to be the best defensemen the Canucks have at the moment. And I think he is one of the best players on the Canucks. He will suit up for Team Germany at the Olympics. He currently has 11 goals in 57 games. More than his 2006-07 season with the Sharks when he had 10 goals in 82 games. He has been a solid defensemen for the Canucks, and the Canucks were lucky to get him from the Sharks.

-Christian Ehroff has 17 assists this season, and is ranked 172 in the NHL in assists.
-In 2003-04 he played 41 games with the San Jose Sharks scoring a goal and getting 11 assists.

Canucks/Bruins Post-game

The Boston Bruins have lost 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks. When I saw that the Bruins were leading 2-1, I didn't think there was any hope. The Canucks looked bad in the first period, and I am not saying that just because they were down 2-0 in that period. They looked sloppy on the power-play compared to the Bruins, and I thought the Bruins were the faster team. The Bruins I thought got by Canuck players so easily. Well, that was how I saw it. Mason Raymond (my favourite player) scored in the second period and Pavol Demitra scored with about 5 minutes left in the third period to tie the game. No scoring was done in overtime, but Roberto Luongo made a glove save with about a second left in OT. Luongo is the main reason why the Canucks won, stopping 41 shots!!!!! Pavol Demitra scored the only goal in the shootout as Luongo stopped all 3 shooters.

Henri Richard

Yesterday I recieved a few autographs back from Henri Richard, Maurice Richard's brother! I had actually forgotten that I had sent it out. He signed my index cards, and also added in 2 signed hockey cards and a postcard. Very happy with this success.

Ottawa/Canucks Preview

The Vancouver Canucks will play the red-hot Ottawa Senators, tonight. The Sens have a winning streak going with 10 straight wins. The Canucks would have had eight straight, if they had won against Montreal on Tuesday. The bad news is that Willie Mitchell is still injured, when he suffered a concussion on January 16/10. Henrik Sedin who is on a role and now has 7 points in his last 5 games. He currently leads the NHL with 78 points.
I think that if the Sedin line can do the scoring with the second line also helping out, the Canucks will have a chance to win. Also, if guys like Rick Rypien, Tanner Glass, and Darcy Hordichuk can play physical, it will wear a tired Ottawa team down, because the Sens just played Buffalo last night recording a 4-2 win.

Nice Phil Myre autograph

This past Tuesday, I recieved a Phil Myres autographed 1972 this year in Hockey card, in the mailbox. Very good looking card, with a hard-signed autograph on it. I recieved it from a member on Sportscardforum.com.

-In the 1966 Amateur Draft, the Canadians selected Phil Myres. It took until 1969/1972 until he first played his first game. He went 4-3-2 with a 2.27 GAA.

Colorado Wins, while Vancouver loses

Colorado won and the Canucks lost. The Avalanche are currently 2 points behind the Canucks. T.J. Galiardi had 4 assists as he led his talented Avalanche team. Brandon Yip also had 4 points with 2 goals and 2 assists. Ryan O'Reilly, just like Yip had 2 goals and 2 assists. The young players for the Avs came through and led the young team to an easy 5-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Meanwhile, the Canucks and the Canadians were battling hard out in Montreal. Ryan Kesler scored a goal and added an assist while Sergei Kostitsyn, just like Kesler, had a goal and an assist. Jaroslav Halak made 45 saves for the win, as Montreal snapped Vancouver's 7 game winning streak.

-Mikael Samuelsson scored the other Vancouver goal.
-Roberto Luongo stopped 25 shots.

Blue Jackets/Avalanche

This game between the Avalanche and the Blue Jackets may be crucial for the Canucks for the Northwest division title. The Blue Jackets are probably out of it, and will not be a big threat even if they do make the playoffs unless the Blue Jackets can make a few deals, and if Steve Mason can get over his slump (I guess thats what you call it). The Avalanche compared to the Blue Jackets are a threat in the western conference, and it looks like it will be a race to the finish for both the Avs and the Canucks, with less than 30 games left. The Canucks currently sit atop the Northwest divsion with a 4 point lead on the Avalanche. The Avs sit in 6th place in the Western conference.

-With a rookie like Matt Duchene, the Avalanche look like a strong team.
-But with the Sedin line doing all of the scoring and Roberto Luongo in net, the Canucks look just as strong, maybe even stronger.

Alex Burrows TTM autograph

After mailing a bunch of letters to Canuck players in September, I finally recieved some back. Shane O'Brien was the first one I ever recieved back. I also recieved an autograph from Alex Burrows. Burrows had a great season last year...and an even better one this year. I think I was pretty lucky to get this one back because right after that, was when Burrows all of a sudden started to get hot, and be on all of these streaks such as scoring hatricks, short-handed goals, game-winning, game-changing goals, etc. I am very happy to have gotten this one back because his autographs mean a lot more to people than when he wasn't on a big point streak.

Don Cherry TTM autograph

The Don Cherry TTM success was very quick. It took about a month, which I believe is pretty quick. I wanted him to sign 3-4 index cards...but instead he enclosed 4 signed and personalized photos of himself. This was a great success and I am happy to add those autographs to my collection.

Canucks/Canadians Preview

After the Canucks won easily 7-1 early in October, the Canucks will battle the Montreal Canadians tomorrow. It will be an exciting game, because I'm curious to hear (I'm going to listen to the game on the radio because the game is on Pay-Per-View) if the Canadians will play harder against the Canucks than last time. The Canucks are the better team on paper, winning 34 games compared to the Canadians who have just won 25. The Canucks won a rewarding 5-3 win against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Canucks had come back in that game. The Leafs at one point were leading a commanding 3-0, before they blew it as Burrows scored a short-handed goal. The Sedin, Sedin, Burrows line had controlled that game. If you want to read more about thatr game please see my previous post. Mason Raymond (my favourite player) has gotten 5 points in his last 3 games.

-The Canucks are atop the Northwest division with a 4 pont lead.
-The Canucks have 70 points. The Canadians have 56.