Checkers broadcaster Jason Shaya checks in each week with his 10 Thoughts - a series of observations about the team and the hockey world in general.
1) Was Dalpe’s overtime shot really a goal? The consensus after the game is that the puck went in. Sitting in the broadcast booth and watching the replays, I agreed with the referee. Upon further review, it appears that it should’ve counted. But, doesn’t this bring a bigger issue to the fore? When is the league going to utilize video review?
2) For the first time in the regular season, Michael Murphy is the undisputed number one goaltender for the Checkers. He can relax a bit knowing that he will be given the majority of all games while Justin Peters is up with the Canes. The blue paint belongs to him and so does the responsibility of keeping Charlotte in every game despite the perplexing lack of goal support this season.
3) Randy Cunneyworth doesn’t speak French yet, he is now the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens and that has some Candiens fans and writers upset. Don’t the French get mad when a person like Don Cherry says bad things about French players simply because they are French? Now, fans don’t want someone to be their head coach on the arbitrary basis that he doesn’t speak French? Absurdity comes from all directions. I still think it’s a matter of time before Colorado or Montreal hire Patrick Roy.
4) I wanted to reflect a moment on a celebrated writer who passed on last week: Christopher Hitchens. I must say that it is a shame the thing Hitchens will be most (in)famous for is the weakest of his work and the most unskilled of his polemics. For almost all else, he was utterly brilliant. He once said, “For a lot of people, their first love is what they'll always remember. For me it's always been the first hate, and I think that hatred, though it provides often rather junky energy, is a terrific way of getting you out of bed in the morning and keeping you going.”
5) Another somber note is the death of dissident, poet and first President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel. This quote from Havel pretty much sums up his life’s work toward demolishing a seemingly immovable edifice with brilliant writing and a simple look, “I really do inhabit a system in which words are capable of shaking the entire structure of government, where words can prove mightier than ten military divisions.” Requiescat in Pace.
6) On CBC’s Hot Stove this week they talked about widening the rinks in order to cut down on the number of concussions. It is estimated this could cost around $10 million per team in loss of revenue from ticket sales. I’d like to know who suggested this was a good idea in the first place. If people wanted to eliminate all harm from the game so to “protect” the players from themselves, let’s just shut this whole thing down.
7) Zach Boychuk lost part of his front teeth the other night. He already looked funny enough before, but after that, it was just ridiculous.
8) Woody and Wilcox from 106.5 FM wanted to know if my color commentator, Chris Jablonski, and I could work in the phrase, “email the bagpiper” into a game. Mission accomplished. That segment should air on their show this week.
9) No offense to Kirk Muller, but it seems the Milwaukee Admirals win no matter who their coach is. They’re just a really good team and have been for quite some time, which is a direct result in the drafting of the Nashville Predators. Anyone else think Muller would’ve been named the Montreal head coach if he stayed there as an assistant?
10) The Canes win over the Canucks last week was incredible and congrats to the good Michigan-born boy, Drayson Bowman, for scoring two huge goals that game. I was amazed by how pumped up that crowd was. John Forslund had an incredible call during the broadcast.
11) Speaking of Michigan, I will be going back to the Mother Land after Tuesday’s game. Can’t wait to get back and skate with my buddies...and eat all the food in my relatives’ homes.
12) Best quote yesterday came from head coach Jeff Daniels when asked about the Bellemore goal to tie the game, "Guys were asking him what he was doing there, and he said he didn't know." Great shot by Bobby too, who finished the game with two assists.
13) Who do you want on your team, Shea Weber or Ryan Suter? I’ll take Suter.
14) Merry Christmas to everyone. In the immortal words of Donald S. Cherry, “We should always remember, December 25th, baby Jesus was born. Have fun with Santa but remember, December 25th, baby Jesus born!”
