The Hockey Show - Episode 114

The Hockey Show, Canada's only campus-produced hockey radio show, is excited to have not one, but TWO, guests on the show tonight! We've been lucky enough to have a few musicians on to talk about their hockey experiences such as Vince Fontaine and Jay Bodnar, and we're going to feature two more musicians who want to talk some puck! I had the pleasure of listening to the newest single from their upcoming album, and I have to say that these guys should be on your playlist going forward!

Tonight, The Hockey Show is proud, honoured, and privileged to speaking with Ciarán Downes, Jake Heise and Cole Mortillaro of the Burlington, Ontario-based band known as Big Lonely! These guys are "a picnic basket of smoldering emotion, waiting to erupt" - their words, not mine - as they make their way onto the Canadian and worldwide music scene! Honestly, they have a great sound, and we'll lead into the show with their new single, Dirty Clocks, which you can find embedded below as a preview! We'll talk to Ciarán (vocalist and guitarist), Jake (lead singer and guitarist) and Cole (drummer) about their music, their influences, their new video linked below which features hockey, their hockey interests, and a pile of other stuff. If you're trying to decipher which two of the four pictured above are Jake and Cole, Jake is on the very left of the photo, Ciarán is out front, and Cole is on the very right!

There will be no 3 ROUNDS DEEP! or Russian Roundup tonight as we talk with the gents unless they want to play. The phones will also be closed as we chat with Jake and Cole via phone, so we're not going to put them on hold by any means. However, if you have a question for the guys that you want asked on-air, feel free to use the Twitter or Facebook link below!

Here's the video for "Dirty Clocks", Big Lonely's newest single off the album Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking that is set to hit record store shelves on December 5th! It makes a great Christmas gift for your music-loving, hockey-mad Christmas wish-maker this year, so get down to your local record store in a few weeks and pick up Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking!

We'll be live on the air at 5:30pm with Big Lonely's Ciarán Downes, Jake Heise and Cole Mortillaro! Hit us up on 101.5 UMFM on your radio dial in the Winnipeg region or you can listen live between 5:30pm and 6:30pm CT on your web-enabled device at the UMFM webpage! You can tweet us anytime you like by hitting us up at @TeebzHBIC on Twitter. You can also post some stuff to Facebook if you use the "Like" feature, and I always have crazy stuff posted there that doesn't make it to the blog or show.

PODCAST: NOVEMBER 13, 2014: Episode 114

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

It's All Your Fault, OHL

Junior hockey fans held their collective breath on Tuesday night as it was announced that Erie Otters phenom Connor McDavid had injured his hand in a fight. Erie had a comfortable lead on the Mississauga Steelheads last night when Mississauga's Bryson Cianfrone threw a check on McDavid behind the net as he passed the puck out to the half-boards. The puck came back around the boards behind the net where McDavid whacked Cianfrone with his stick up high on his left arm - a little retaliation for the hit. Cianfrone, though, then whacks McDavid, and both players come nose to nose and toes to toes. Several punches to Cianfrone's head later, and the linesman guided McDavid to the penalty box while clutching his right hand. There's your story as McDavid is "out indefinitely" with a hand injury.

Wait! Not so, says Sportsnet scribe Damien Cox! The problem with McDavid's injury is a result of a combination of gladiatorial combat and old stereotypes imposed on him by the hockey pantheon according to Mr. Cox. Connor McDavid, the most polished of all the gems in the CHL, was lost to the unexplainable and barbaric ritual of fighting in hockey according to Mr. Cox. In fact, Mr. Cox writes,

Imagine what it says about a society that allows unpaid teenage boys to fight with their bare knuckles for the amusement of paying customers.

For all the good things there are about junior hockey in Canada, and there are many good things, this continues to be an appalling black mark on the sport at this level.

Yes, there's a lot less of it than there used to be. A lot less.

That there's any at all is sickening.

Wait a second. Hold on here. There's a lot less fighting than there used to be, yet this is still "sheer barbarity" according to our fair scribe? How is this an appalling black mark if OHL Commissioner David Branch has imposed some of the toughest penalties for fighting in hockey anywhere on the planet? All Mr. Cox has done is taken an isolated incident of the best player in junior hockey and turned it into a crusade against the CHL for allowing fighting in hockey.

Here's the thing: fighting actually isn't allowed in hockey! That's why players are penalized for doing it! That's why there are rules against it, and why most leagues are tightening the noose around fighters to ensure that hockey comes first. The fact that Mr. Cox has used Connor McDavid's injury to try and shame the OHL is shameful.

Let's go back to the video and watch what happened. I'm pretty sure that McDavid is no saint in this clip.

All McDavid has to do is skate away. Let Cianfrone have his little whack at the end, don't put your glove in his face, and don't let yourself be goaded into a fight. Your first OHL fight. Your first fight in your career where another teenager is trying to take your head off. McDavid was an active and willing participant in this scrap the moment his hands came up and towards Cianfrone's face. The slash he laid on Cianfrone after he took the hit started the dominos falling which resulted in McDavid's injury.

Mr. Cox writes, "Not one little bit of this superb player's game is about toughness, or being tough, or fighting. He won't ever bring spectators to an NHL rink with the promise he might fight. He will pack 'em in with his scoring talents and ingenuity." All of that is true. The problem is that he started the skirmish with Cianfrone when he slashed him. Cianfrone took exception, McDavid threw his hand in Cianfrone's face, and off came the gloves. So when Mr. Cox writes about how McDavid's game doesn't contain "toughness, or being tough, or fighting", he's right that his game doesn't contain those elements, but he's still a 17 year-old kid. They're just a tad unpredictable in their behavior most times.

Mr. Cox writes, "Was it McDavid's choice to fight? Ultimately, yes. But we know the pressure that is put on hockey players to 'man up' and drop the gloves, and we know of the sport's general indifference to the abuse heaped upon the better players by the less talented." This is such an ignorant, sweeping generalization that it astounds me that Mr. Cox has a job in sports. I'm quite certain no one in the Erie Otters organization has ever told McDavid that he should fight more, to "man up", or to show some toughness. The fact that the kid takes a ton of abuse from opponents on a nightly basis as the best junior player in Canadian major hockey is evidence enough of how tough he is. He needs to prove nothing when it comes to toughness, and everyone - including any scouts watching - would tell you that, Mr. Cox.

Secondly, McDavid actually started this fight. Watch the video above. He's no angel. He took a hit, slashed Cianfrone up high on the arm, Cianfrone responded to the slash, and then McDavid had his gloves in Cianfrone's face. Even if both players drop the gloves, McDavid has to know that his hands are worth more than just chucking knuckles at the top of a guy's head. Wrestle Cianfrone to the ground, and walk away! There's no need for McDavid to take this fight, but he instigated it. The fact that he stood in there is a good enough show of toughness considering this fight wouldn't have happened had he not slashed Cianfrone.

Mr. Cox writes, "We also know that there are knuckle-dragging scouts out there who would excitedly put a star beside McDavid's fight as though it represents his guts and desire. These are the same folks who see PIMs are a big plus with any player." This isn't the 1970s with the Broad Street Bullies, Mr. Cox. The fact that you wrote this shows how disassociated you are with the game today. All of the CHL teams that are exceptionally good base their game plans on skill and speed. In fact, Erie has the lowest team PIMs in the OHL's Western Conference at 210, and the second-lowest in all of the OHL. They are 16-1-1. Scouts aren't going to watch anyone on the Otters for their pugnacious skills.

Mr. Cox writes, "So if he's been injured badly in a fight, let's make sure the game, and the junior game, doesn't get away without taking significant responsibility. If you permit players to fight and remain in the game, to some degree you are promoting fighting, allowing it to be used as a tactic and encouraging players to fight. It's that simple." So when Vincent Lecavalier and Jerome Iginla fought in the 2004 Stanley Cup Final, they both should have been tossed? When Sidney Crosby crotch-punched Boris Valabik a few years ago, Crosby should have been tossed? Look, none of those players have a long rap sheet of fights that can be pointed at and used as an example of "promoting fighting". One was a highly-intense game where emotions bubbled over, and the other was a player tired of the abuse and decided to do something about it. To try and spin fighting and allowing a fighter to serve his penalty as a way to promote fighting is one of the dumbest things I've ever read by Mr. Cox, and it really has me questioning how he arrives at his conclusions.

On top of that, the penalties for fighting a second time within the same OHL game have now reduced the chances of a repeat offender. As per the OHL rulebook, "The number of fighting majors that a player can receive in a game before a game misconduct is assessed shall be reduced from three (3) to two (2)", meaning that if you decide to drop the gloves a second time in the same game, you get an early dismissal from the game. Again, I'm not sure if Mr. Cox simply doesn't understand the rules in the OHL or completely ignores them, but he's way off the mark here.

Mr. Cox writes, "Surely an organization that can take drastic punitive action against teenagers who say inappropriate things on social media can take a similarly hard stand against bare-knuckle brawling." Yes, just like police can prevent fights outside bars by outlawing it. Or how police can prevent robberies by outlawing it. Or how there are no more murders because law enforcement takes a hard stand against murdering another human being. Just because it's not allowed doesn't mean it won't happen, and that's why there is a rulebook for hockey that contains the penalties that should be assessed if a player breaks the rules.

Idealism is a fantastic fantasy, but Mr. Cox needs to check back into reality. The cold, hard facts in this case are simple: McDavid instigated the fight, McDavid didn't back down, McDavid threw a number of punches, and now McDavid has a sore hand. No one, to my knowledge, had ever questioned McDavid's testicular fortitude at any point yet, but Mr. Cox seems to believe that the OHL and the hockey establishment played a large part in questioning McDavid's toughness. Again, the massive dissociation that Mr. Cox has from the actual men on the ground - scouts, coaches, players, and fans - is clearly evident in his outrageous claims.

As MacLean's magazine's Nick Taylor-Vaisey wrote on October 2, 2013, "[T]wo truths emerge: Fighting is a part of hockey. Everybody hates an injury." No one should be excited about Connor McDavid's injury, but it wasn't because junior hockey or the NHL had a hand in it in any way, shape, or form. To suggest that they do and all but absolve McDavid from any responsibility for his part in the fight is about as irresponsible as one can get.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Lest We Forget

Bless all those who have served, who are serving, and who will serve our country. Thank you for keeping us safe, keeping the peace, and for helping those who ask for our help. People talk of superheroes, but the men and women of the Armed Forces are true superheroes. HBIC is proud of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, both present and past!

Until next time, lest we forget!

It Finally Happened

It finally happened tonight. The flurries turned to snow and, thanks to the below-freezing temperatures, my fair city now has snow on the ground. There's not much, mind you, but it's the start of the best season of the year: ice-making season! Hundreds of ice-makers will be getting themselves ready to head out with hoses and equipment to make outdoor ice while thousands more will be grooming outdoor rinks all winter long. Honestly, if you've never skated on outdoor ice, it's literally one of life's greatest things.

I prefer skating outdoors to the indoor arena skating variety. Indoor arenas keep humidity and temperature fairly regulated so that the ice is "optimal", but this is also done for the people sitting in the stands. It can't be too cold or people won't be in the arena watching. This is where outdoor ice is supremely better.

Ice gets harder as it gets colder which makes it faster to skate on. The puck slides more true on the ice as there's no slush and rarely any chips because, again, the ice is harder. While I completely understand that not a lot of people enjoy -30C temperatures with a windchill, there's something about stepping onto ice that feels like a polished stone and taking those first few strides.

Another part of the greatness of skating outdoors? The fresh air. If you walk into an arena, you get that chlorinated-ammonia scent that fills your nostrils. That's a very recognizable scent, and, to me, is what makes watching a hockey game in an arena memorable. But you certainly don't get that outdoors. And thankfully, you don't get the locker room scent outdoors either.

Instead, you get fresh air. You maybe catch the smell of smoke from a burning fireplace. There's something magical about skating down the boards and breathing in deeply, feeling the frost move into your body as the cold air hits your lungs. I can't explain why I like it - it's just one of those things that makes skating outdoors incredible.

There are a few things that should be noted when skating outdoors, though. First, you need to bundle up. I can't stress this enough. Skate boots aren't winter boots, and I've seen too many people come off the ice complaining of cold feet only to get into the clubhouse or skate change facility to have their "toes burn". Guess what, skater? You've got frostnip! It's not quite frostburn, but you're getting close. Bundle up those toes!

Make sure you keep all extremities warm! I have seen kids wearing hockey gloves because they want to be like their favorite NHL players, but they come in and complain of frozen fingers. No one is going to think you're any less of a hockey player if you wear mittens, and your five fingers together share more warmth than they do individually separated. Unless it's a warm winter day, go with mittens to save your fingers. They'll thank you later.

Faces, ears, and noses also need warmth so invest in a good toque, a neck warmer, a scarf, or a balaclava. These should be used in tandem - toque and neck warmer, toque and scarf, etc. - to ensure that all facial features remain warm and cozy. You may think you look like a dork, but I assure you that having frostbitten cheeks, ears, or a frostbitten nose is a thousand times worse for the winter months. Use your noggin and save your face.

Just as an aside, you may discover that your neck warmer, balaclava, or scarf develops some condensation on it as you skate thanks to your breathing. This is an unavoidable fact, and if you have facial hair you may find that your chosen facewear has frozen to it. Your first reaction may be to remove that facial wear, but use your noggin! That condensation is only frozen on the very outer layer because you're continually breathing! Just keep going and stop worrying about what you look like. Fashion and style has no bearing on anything when it's -30C out, but frostbite does. Having wet skin is asking for frostbite to attack. Again, use your noggin.

Ok, enough with the frostbite PSA! It's almost time for some outdoor skating, so if you're in an environment where this is possible, strap on the skates and head out when your local rink is ready! I can't wait for it to get started here in my town, so you know what I'll be doing most nights this winter!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

It's Not The Same Program

My mom celebrated her birthday this weekend, so it was a chance for the family to get together and chat all things going on in the world. One of the topics that came up was Sportsnet's coverage of hockey, and it seems that the family doesn't really like some aspects of Rogers' presentation of the game. There were different opinions put forth and discussed, but the household seemed to agree that it's not as good as CBC's presentation was and probably won't measure up without some serious tweaks being made.

The first thing that we all seemed to agree on was that George Stroumboulopoulos needs to step up his game as host of the Saturday night broadcasts. George seemingly doesn't hold a candle to Ron MacLean's hosting duties when he sat in the big chair on CBC, and he really needs to convince the audience that he has the knowledge to be able to pick up on subtleties in the game. MacLean, while overbearing occasionally, was respected for his deep and intricate knowledge of the game, and George needs to start showing that he's not afraid to ask the tough question or inject some insight that may run counter to the butterflies and rainbows on the Rogers set.

In saying that, the fact that Rogers has cut the Coach's Corner segment down to what seems to be a thirty-second commercial for Don and Ron is absolutely criminal. Look, no one is denying that Don Cherry has been controversial with his views in the past, but that's the hill that Sportsnet chose to stand on when they signed the guy. However, cutting his time down to what seems like a drawn-out Budweiser commercial even had Grapes fired up this weekend.

Look, if Don says something controversial, that's EXACTLY why Rogers signed him to a deal. It's what made him popular with fans - he speaks his mind and damn the establishment. Instead, it feels like Rogers has muzzled him with his quick segment now. You knew what you were getting with Don, Rogers. Let him loose so that the fans stick with you.

Having a pile of hockey on every Saturday night is awesome in most cases. The issue is that there are literally too many games and channels to find it on now. I understand that Rogers is filling the channels it owns with all these games, but the average human being doesn't need more than three simultaneous games. FX Canada? I'm sure it's in a package I don't get because I don't get Rogers TV. I watched hockey on CBC, Sportsnet West, and Sportsnet 360 last night when I wasn't watching women's hockey, and there were still three games I didn't watch.

I know that Sportsnet is trying, but this crap with the hockey sticks was garbage when CBC was doing it, and they scrapped it. Trying to mimic NFL broadcasts with the former players and analysts showing the play that happened is plain dumb. Just use the telestrator! That's why it was introduced in hockey - you can see the play develop on the ice! That aspect needs to end quickly.

All in all, it feels like Sportsnet has forced this "new concept" down our throats. Hockey broadcasts used to be simple: Ron and the panel talking hockey topics, throwing to a remote for an update on the game, going to the ACC for the weekly Toronto game - it was all so simple and it felt genuine as a viewer. Sportsnet is simply trying way too hard to convince us that it can do hockey better.

The problem is that no one asked for better. We just want to watch it without all the bells and whistles. I hate to say this, but it feels like Fox's broadcasts of hockey in the 1990s. All Sportsnet needs at this point is the FoxTrax puck, and I might be convinced that we're back in the 1990s with all the graphics and glitter that hockey broadcasts never needed.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!