Team Canada’s Executive Director Steve Yzerman had 23 roster spots to fill for Canada’s entry in the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament. Given the amount of talent that Canada boasts at a professional level, very few players were guaranteed to have a roster spot. So when the team was announced, there were some of the expected names and a few that came right out of left field. Get the roster and analysis after the jump. Continue reading
Hockey
Ranking The NHL’s Third Jerseys
The NHL was the first of the big four North American sports leagues to popularize the use of the third, or alternate, jersey. Baseball never really had a formal policy governing jerseys (or at least not one that has been well documented) while the NBA and NFL saw third jerseys come into use after the NHL. Given the long(-ish) history of third jerseys in the NHL, it should come as no surprise that 23 teams have some form of alternate outfit. However, while all jerseys are created equally, some are more equal than others.
So here’s a look at the best and worst that the stars of the NHL will don on special occasions. Continue reading
Wednesday Link-Off: Teeing Off On Tiger… Again
Let’s kick off with every nerd’s favourite: Olivia Munn.
Let’s kick off with some Tiger Woods links. Now that his personal life is in ruins, Tiger’s made a few changes to his daily routine. (Washington Post)
It looks like things just got worse for Tiger. He’s been linked to a Canadian doctor who may be supplying athletes with performance enhancing drugs. (New York Times)
Sponsors are once again reconsidering their deals with Tiger but not because of the possibility Tiger used PEDs. It’s more about the doctor. (Sports Pickle)
After the jump, the NHL tries to learn from Tiger, Christmas links, and a video. Continue reading
The Lowdown Radio: December 8, 2009
Christmas is still a couple of weeks away but the gang at Lowdown HQ have all your holiday shopping tips wrapped up for you in one easy to handle package. The show starts with Steve and Jackie reviewing DJ Hero and comparing Band Hero to Lego Rock Band. Then they talk about a few random trinkets for last minute shoppers. In an out of character moment, the gang gives their top environmentally-friendly shopping tips. The news includes the formula for the perfect Christmas gift and the benefits of drinking booze. Entertainment has a single from a Dutch artist and the return of Christopher Walken. After the commercial, Steve and Jackie wheel the Car Wall out of storage to look at how cool some new cars are. The show wraps up with sports where the guys pick their Olympic hockey rosters and lines.
Click here to download the 10 MB podcast version.
Click here to download the 26 MB high-quality version.
On the Extra, there’s additional talk about DJ Hero, Band Hero, and Lego Rock Band. Somehow they worked a lengthy discussion about Heidi Klum in there as well as throughout the show. They also pick out a couple more trinkets worth buying. The news features new stories about aliens from outer space and a Santa getting fired. There’s a bonus It Came From YouTube as well as Ke$ha being awarded the worst of music. Another car gets added to the car wall and more players get nominated for Olympic hockey team consideration. There’s an additional 54 minutes on this edition of The Lowdown Extra to make it 1:22:37 in length. That makes it the longest podcast in Lowdown and CHRW history by 13 minutes. As always, the Extra action comes to you uncut and uncensored.
Lowdown Radio Preview: December 8, 2009
It’s exactly 36 hours until the next edition of The Lowdown radio show. It’s the annual Christmas gift buying guide where the guys help you figure out what’s hot and what’s not this year and what you can get that special someone. The show starts with Steve and Jackie reviewing DJ Hero and comparing Band Hero to Lego Rock Band. They spiral out to a few random trinkets to pickup. In an unusual moment, the guys give their top environmentally-friendly shopping tips. The news includes the formula for the perfect Christmas gift. Entertainment has a single from a Dutch artist and the return of Christopher Walken. After the commercial, Steve and Jackie wheel the Car Wall out of storage to look at how cool some new cars are. The show wraps up with sports where the guys pick their Olympic hockey rosters and lines. It’s tonnes of stuff crammed into a packed half-hour of Lowdown insanity.
The show goes live at around 6:30 PM Eastern. If you’re in the London, ON, listening area, you can listen live on 94.9 FM. You can also listen online at CHRWradio.com/listen.
10 Things Gary Bettman Should Be Thankful For
NHL fans may be wondering what good there has been for their league this season. Sure, the standings have been pretty scrambled and you’re never really sure who will win on a given night (unless the Leafs are playing) but that was the whole point of the salary cap and the attempt to create parity. Of course, that was the reason why the owners hired commissioner Gary Bettman in 1993. If he were to listen to the fans, Gary wouldn’t think he has a lot to be thankful on his Thanksgiving. But I think there are a few things that he give thanks for helping the NHL. Continue reading
The Lowdown Radio: November 24, 2009
It’s two days until American Thanksgiving but you had something to be thankful a little early this year. The latest episode of The Lowdown had something for everyone. The show starts with Steve and Jackie talking about the Canadian Swine Flu vaccination program. Steve investigates the program in depth when he goes to a vaccination clinic to get a shot. In the news, the guys talk about the UWO police brutality lawsuit and the WWII veteran who fought off an attempted armed robber. Entertainment features Jackie’s new single and Alex Trebek comes from YouTube. Sports includes the NHL quarter-year awards complete with a new sports game called Too Soon.
Click here to download the 10 MB podcast version.
Click here to download the 26 MB high-quality version.
On The Extra, Steve kicks off with a trademark rant that starts with Twitter and ends with the guys’ general life dissatisfaction. The H1N1 talk includes a pile of added and uncensored banter. The news has a story about a woman that’s allergic to sperm and a man who tried something drastic to get out of work. The honours of being the worst in music goes to David Guetta and Akon this week. Sports includes an exclusive evaluation of the Red Wings’ and Maple Leafs’ seasons thus far. There is also more discussion behind each of the quarter-season award winners and more Too Soon questions. In total, there’s nearly 40 minutes more of exclusive Lowdown Extra goodness for you to enjoy. As always, the action comes to you uncut and uncensored.
Lowdown Radio Preview: November 24, 2009
We’re exactly two days from the next big episode of The Lowdown radio show on 94.9FM CHRW. The show kicks off with the guys talking about the H1N1 vaccination program. Steve goes in depth on this when he goes to a vaccination clinic to get a shot. In the news, the guys talk about the UWO police brutality lawsuit and the WWII veteran who fought off an attempted armed robber. Entertainment features Jackie’s new single from Dashboard Confessional and Alex Trebek is “in the hizzouse” from YouTube. Sports this week is the NHL quarter-year awards complete with a new sports game that debuts on this episode. It’s another great half hour of Lowdown fun where men are men and censors are nervous.
The show goes live at around 6:30 PM Eastern. If you’re in the London, ON, listening area, you can listen live on 94.9 FM. You can also listen online at CHRWradio.com/listen.
Wednesday Link-Off
Here’s Ashley Greene. She’s in some movie that teenage & university girls like. Guys, don’t say I never help.
This Saturday is national semi-final Saturday in Canadian university football. Before the game, here’s a great story about the fans of the nation’s best team, the Laval Rouge et Or. (French: Le Soleil, English: Google Translate)
If the NFL is more your football speed, maybe you’d like this comparison of all 32 NFL teams to pop stars. (National Lampoon)
You and your beer swilling friends aren’t the only ones obsessed with fantasy football. Beer swilling senior citizens are just as good as you. (Deadspin)
After the jump, more sports links, overheard at my alma mater, and the greatest Twilight spoof ever. Continue reading
Saturday Link-Off: Big Winners
I’m a late call-up to drop the links today. Making her first appearance on the blog, here’s Nicole Kidman.
We all think that the NHL just hands out suspensions randomly. We know that’s how they do it in the OHL. But the NHL does have a very scientific method to dole out punishment. (Down Goes Brown)
Speaking of hockey suspensions, a minor league coach was suspended indefinitely for one of the best tirades of all time. This man should be given a medal for his performance. (Deadspin)
One last hockey(-ish) link: There’s hockey and Canadian content in this competition to find the worst jersey in the history of North American sports. (Uni Watch)
After the jump, lots of car stuff, sports fan protests, and some photo gallery. Continue reading
The Lowdown 