filmgoerjuan's profile

filmgoerjuan
536
Name: James Long
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Member since: June 28, 2002
Last visit: December 06, 2004

filmgoerjuan has posted 0 links and 23 comments to SportsFilter and 0 links and 3 comments to the Locker Room.

Sports Bio

I know what my most memorable sporting event *should* be: Game 4 of the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals, Canucks vs. New York Islanders. But at the age of 12 (and with a father who was a low-key hockey fan and didn't indoctrinate me into the sport) I somehow didn't appreciate how special it is to see the Stanley Cup presented (or to see Mike Bossy awarded the Conn Smythe trophy).

My next most memorable sporting event should be Game 6 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, Canucks vs. New York Rangers; however, this time I was out of the country -- still not addicted to hockey -- and only found out about that game after I got back (nor did I learn about the post-Game 7 loss riots until later, either).

So what I'm left with is a special memory of Game 3 of the First Round of the Cup Finals. Monday, 16 April, 2001 -- the first playoffs in Vancouver in a number of years. I don't think I've ever been in a noisier, more charged arena than GM Place that night. The Canucks were down 2 games already, but fought hard and nearly came away with a victory; eventually, they lost in OT, 4-3.

Perhaps not the sweetest of memories, but for sheer energy and excitement (and a sea of white towels being waved), it's hard to beat!

Recent Comments

Manhattan judge gives woman go-ahead to sue MSG.

Here in Vancouver, they're using a thick, black netting that seriously hampers your view of the game. Frankly, I don't even see how they can justify the higher cost of the seats in those sections (as opposed to higher up, but unobstructed views). You'd think that they could install some kind of lightweight, clear or light coloured superstrong netting, but NOOOOOOOOO!

posted by filmgoerjuan at 02:25 PM on January 06, 2005

Are the players starting to cave?

There is no hockey lockout. The season is progressing normally and, if anything, the games are more exciting than normal. *waves hand* STUPID JEDI MIND TRICKS...WORK BETTER!

posted by filmgoerjuan at 03:21 PM on October 30, 2004

Meet Neve and Gliz.

Well we have a ball, a cube...why no snowcone? I weep to think what we're going to have as mascots for 2010 games here in Vancouver, I really do.

posted by filmgoerjuan at 12:43 PM on October 03, 2004

Courting the Jilted NHL Fan:

Why do people insist on calling him Gary Bettman? Can't we all just agree to call him "that snivelling little rat-faced git"?

posted by filmgoerjuan at 12:42 AM on September 21, 2004

Brian Burke's 15 point plan to get the NHL sorted out.

I was shocked to see Brian Burke actually *smiling* during his sessions with Ron McLean and Kelly Hrudey...now all we need to do is get Pat Quinn on there (although he's a tougher nut to crack).

posted by filmgoerjuan at 12:36 AM on September 15, 2004

Woo Hoo! First stop: Maude Flanders!

Some of us are sent to stud, Ufez...it's just that we don't have any takers :(

posted by filmgoerjuan at 02:49 AM on August 03, 2004

How tough is it too sweep a three game series in NY/NJ?

You'd think those teams could do Vancouver the decency of putting in an appearance here in town; however, none of the three play a game in Vancouver this season. In fact, only one team from the Atlantic Division plays in Vancouver this season: Pittsburgh. [And let's see if the Canucks can make *another* weak-assed pass up the middle of the ice in the last few minutes of play...turning it over and giving up a goal...totally weak, guys!]

posted by filmgoerjuan at 02:59 AM on February 05, 2004

Just this past November, I had the opportunity of attending a New Jersey Devils game...what struck me as slightly odd was that, despite the fact that the opposing team that night was Pittsburgh, every so often the crowd would chant "RANGERS SUCK!" One can only imagine what they'd do if they had two Ranger fans disguised as Santas on the ice.

posted by filmgoerjuan at 11:08 AM on December 26, 2003

I'm in again this year (after coming oh-so-close to finishing second last year). I was looking for the sidebar mention too as I don't check the locker room on a regular basis. <trash talk>so grum, how soon are you going to want to dump Belfour *this* year?</trash talk> ;)

posted by filmgoerjuan at 10:08 PM on September 29, 2003

New Logo

Personally, I don't like it...still, it's not Anaheim 95-96 3rd Jersey, Kings 95-96 3rd Jersey or Canucks (pick a year) Jersey bad. Really, it seems like a lateral move in my mind. They've exchanged one cartoonish logo for another. At least the old logo had the merit of being distinctive with its SouthWestern flavour.

posted by filmgoerjuan at 08:12 AM on September 04, 2003

What are the Ducks thinking?

I don't think Kariya's worth $10 million to the Ducks or to any team, particularly given his more recent play; however, he has been loyal to Anaheim, even when most people thought he should move on to a Cup-contending team. Well now the Ducks have had their run (and a good run it was, while it lasted). Kariya's free to go to someone else without guilt, without feeling that he's got to stick around and try to win Anaheim a cup. If I were him, I'd take less money to play for a better team...he's got nothing left to prove in Anaheim. Disney has shown that they will milk the franchise for every last penny they can squeeze out of it, then sell it as quickly as they can. I know the money aspect of hockey isn't pretty (on either the ownership or player's side), but at least many of the owners have a love of the game. For Disney it's just another attempt to cash in on a franchise and capture another market.

posted by filmgoerjuan at 12:09 AM on July 03, 2003

Canada, eh?

Hell, if Canada makes the finals again verses the US, they may sell out BC Place stadium for the final. Could you imagine the attendance for that hockey game! It probably won't happen, but it would be awesome to think about that possibility! Actually, it's my understanding that it's not even 100% certain that GM Place (home of the Vancouver Canucks) will host the hockey games; traditionally, the largest venue is used for the figure skating competitions, which would mean the old Pacfic Coliseum might be the main venue for Olympic hockey (it's a nice enough building, but GM Place is better).

posted by filmgoerjuan at 11:57 PM on July 02, 2003

The soft goal to end all soft goals?

That was an amazingly flukey goal...however, don't take credit away from Anaheim for the way they played (and again tonight). They are evening up the chances and defending much better than in the first two games. We might even have ourselves a series here...

posted by filmgoerjuan at 12:36 AM on June 03, 2003

Could Marketing Defense Save Hockey?

Personally, I'm in the camp that thinks that the defence-first style of play is killing hockey. I understand why teams, especially expansion teams, do it. Quite simply, without a bigger budget and the ability to sign more offensive-minded players, the only way to achieve any measure of success is to keep the other teams from scoring and take those 1 goal games. I think that within hockey fandom, good defensive players are given a lot of credit. Many people (myself included) love to see goaltenders make great saves...it's one of the exciting elements of the game. I found that watching Gigeure in the first two rounds was a lot of fun as he was facing a lot of shots and coming up with some amazing saves to keep his team in there. I also like Brodeur, but how much fun is it watching him face 16 (relatively weak) shots in a game? As for the marketing of the game...hockey's a hard enough sell in the U.S....but marketing the defensive side of it is pure death. Soccer has never really achieved mainstream success, but if they were trying to market it, I doubt their pitch would be "Hey it's a great defensive game...look at all our 0-0 and 1-0 scores!".

posted by filmgoerjuan at 10:54 AM on May 31, 2003

(*) Nude Tennis!

There's only one thing that could make me even consider watching this...Anna Kournikova. Sorry, make that two things...Anna and the possibility that this is a tournament that even she might win.

posted by filmgoerjuan at 01:54 AM on May 15, 2003