NHL All-Star Game

I was unfortunately busy yesterday and only saw the 3rd period, OT and shootout of the ASG. At one point, shortly before the end of regulation, I was asked the following question: Why is the score so high?
I tried to explain that you have the biggest names, "best players", etc, playing in an exhibition game and they don't want to hurt each other so it's a different style of play than you'd normally see, blah blah blah, but they weren't buying it. Their assessment was they may have the best players on the ice, but the worst goalies in the league in the nets. How else could the score be that high?

I lold.

Superskills and YoungStars Weecap

Just some quick thoughts from yesterday's Superskills Competition & YoungStars game.

I wish it was longer.

What I like better than inane commentary is knowing who has the puck, Versus. Also, please to not be showing replays when there's a running clock. We missed goals. We didn't really care that much, but it's the principle of thing.

Ovechkin is the best showboater currently in the league. Period. That bit with the hat was hilarious. "I bet that was Malkin's hat!"

Streit, man, I am sorry that you will forever be that guy falling down at the All-Star Game.

Chara's shot was crazy. 105.4. A tip of the hat to Iafrate, who's record stood for 16 years.

The accuracy comp. is always impressive. Just wow. But McDonalds branded plates? feh.

Does anyone know how they picked people for the events? We were curious.

We enjoyed the elimination shootout way more than we should have.

How to fill the void between games

First things first, I owe you guys some cartoons. I've been ill and has that cut into my ability to work. I'll be doing my best to catch up on those between my other work during the All-Star Break and the coming weeks.

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Wondering what to do during the All-Star break? Bored to tears because there's no games on? Wondering how you can pass the time? Well, fear not, I have a few suggestions for you.

Catch up on Battlestar Galatica. You have 4 season of frakking awesome show to watch. Go do it. New episode tonight, by the way.

Write your own "My Sharks History" entry over the Fear the Fin.

You could re-watch classic games and pretend they're new.

You could make paper dolls of the Sharks and whatever team you hate most, stage your own version of the Stanley Cup Finals, have the Sharks win, and post it on YouTube. (send us the link if you do this)

Watch every episode of Leafs Fan Reaction ever.

Come up with a new system for voting in the All-Star Game.

Did I mention Galatica?

Hopefully these suggestions will keep you occupied until tomorrow, when the skills competition begins. (and Young Stars too)

Thornton Gets The C

That's right ladies and gentlemen, our very own Joe Thornton has been named Captain of the Western All-Star team. Go Joe! Kovalev got the C for the Eastern All-Stars.

It's Official

Patty Marleau heads to Washington Montreal. He replaces the injured Datsyuk. One more Shark to cheer for during the All-Star Game.

Cheer Up, Charlie

There is some good news. Dan Boyle will be attending his first All Star Game this month and Joe will be attending his 80th* While I sadly see no mention of Seto or Marleau, at least the Sharks will have someone on the ice to balance out the Ducks.

Much like the baseball All Star Game, I generally only care about the skills competition and not the actual game itself. It's fun to see these guys do what they do best, without restrictions or the pressure of game time. Maybe this year some people will bust out some crazy stuff for the Breakaway Challenge like Ovechkin did last year. (video of the entire challenge is here in case you haven't see it.) Stuff like that is fun to watch. Since the game itself has no baring on the season, aside from adding travel and a day of work to a player's schedule, and it somewhat requires me to root for players I don't normally like, I have a harder time getting into it. Same goes for baseball. (root for the Angels? GAH!)


*number of All Star Games attended may be slightly inflated

Better Late Than Never (Vote!)

We enjoyed watching this when we saw it posted on Fear the Fin. Hopefully you'll enjoy it here too.

I Have to Ask

Why, Sharks promotional department, perhaps marketing department, why, oh why did you give the Sharks All-Star campaign such terrible artwork to run with? I don't want to sound rude, but, did you guys look at it before you approved it? I only ask because compared to the other campaigns out there, it's terrible and judging by the vote totals, rather ineffective. (maybe it's scaring voters away? It's really kinda freaky looking)

Have you not seen the awesome that is the Blackhawks propaganda machine? Pensblog has, without fancy creepy vector portraits, managed to get some of their players over the Habs hump. The fan driven write in Seto push has worked, giving him the highest amount of write in votes. That's with fan created art and campaigning.

While I like the idea of running with the political tie in, seeing as how this was a major campaign year, it just wasn't done right. (see the above videos for examples of how to do it right and do it well) Next time, I suggest not using drawings that kinda freak fans out. Maybe try fun little flash games, cool video ads, awesome posters, and most importantly, flattering portraits of your players.

Seriously.

And Now, A PSA From Devin Setoguchi*

*Ok, so it's not really from him. But, vote Seto anyway.