Yardbarker: Ed Belfour

Being Down One Superstar Isn’t So Bad

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:26:45 -0500

What is important to pull from last night’s victory is not so much that the Washington Capitals crushed the Florida Panthers, but rather the way they went about doing it. Six different players lit the lamp and 11 players had points on the evening. It may be easier to count who didn’t show up on the scoresheet than who did. Brendan Morrison turned in one of his most impressive performances of the year with one goal, two assists, and six shots. Meanwhile, Brooks Laich added an equally impressive night with two goals, one assist, and eight shots. In fact, only one line didn’t have anyone show up on the scoresheet, and that was the fourth line composed of Quintin Laing, Boyd Gordon and Matt Bradley. It wasn’t just the offense that turned in a stellar night. Jose Theodore, despite giving up three goals, had another outstanding performance between the pipes. He stopped 34 of 37 shots, and a couple of the goals could be attributed to sloppy defense. One thing that seems to have changed with Theodore as the year has gone on is his style in net. While he is still a butterfly goalie, he seems to be playing a little bit looser, and more by instinct. Quite honestly, it just looks as if he is having a blast out there, which is what sports are supposed to be, fun. One of the best parts about watching Jose recently is that he has consistently been throwing down the double pad stack like he is Ed Belfour or Jimmy Craig. Who doesn’t love a tribute to the glory days of pre-lockout hockey? Meanwhile, at the other end, one of the league’s best goalies, Tomas Vokoun, who boasts a .925 save percentage at home, was chased out of his net in last night’s second period. It may be unfair that Ovi has to sit out two games, but in reality it may help the team. Head Coach Bruce Boudreau and GMGM have both said they are going to try to get everyone playing time. With Ovi sitting, it provides an opportunity for more players to play and for Bruce to try different lineup combinations. Let’s be frank, Alex could probably use the rest anyway coming down the stretch run. Last night was the Caps’ sixth straight win over the Panthers, sweeping the season series, but what is more important is that it was Jason Chimera’s second straight rock solid game. The winger has been a solid addition to the team, but he has yet to turn in that string of outstanding performances. With his big frame, rocket shot, and quick feet, Chimera is a valuable asset for the playoffs. If we would all take a trip down Memory Lane to the playoffs last year, Matt Bradley was one of the Caps’ most clutch players, winning a couple of games for them. Chimera could be that this year, if he were to heat up right now and carry the momentum through the playoffs, and the Caps would have a legitimate scoring threat on every line. In short, this was nothing but a team win. Losing Ovi is bad for his public perception, but at this time of the season it’s not so bad for the Capitals. The team has already clinched the division and has all but locked up a top seed in the playoffs. Sure they haven’t won the President’s Trophy yet (Dallas pounded San Jose last night), but here’s a question: do they really want that since only three teams who have won it have gone on to win the Stanley Cup in the last 10 years? Oh, and two of those teams were the Red Wings. The Caps are now 6-1-1 since resuming play from the Olympic break. A helpful break indeed, when you think back to how they limped into it. Juggling lines and playing without your best player and still winning proves one thing: the Caps don’t have to rely on just Ovi. The Washington faithful sort of knew that, but they thought they knew that last playoff season. The Rangers and the Penguins largely shut down Ovi and Semin last spring, and the team struggled to score. Obviously there were injuries and things like that, but in short they shut down two of the team’s best scorers. This year is a much different team and it showed on the ice last night. Obviously it will help matters when Alex returns after Thursday’s game, but for now let’s bask in the glory of our ability to experiment on the fly — and still succeed. Bruce Boudreau sure seemed like he was having fun behind the bench last night, or at least sort of looked a bit happier than usual. A game like Tuesday night’s called to mind the not so infrequent upsets we see at this time of year, when one non-contending team has a roster full of guys playing for jobs for next season while the other is just trying to keep the good Mojo and remain healthy — except that the Caps didn’t come out flat and afford the ‘Cats any hope of an upset. They got on ‘em early and often, and perhaps better, kept the foot on the gas. Washington is a legitimate Cup-contending hockey team, they are a more complete team than they were last year, and their play looks as if it is only going to improve. Winning with out Alex is just one way to boost confidence and hone the details. So I am sorry you had to sit Ovi, and I certainly don’t agree with Colin Campbell (I could write a book about how much I disagree with him), but it may have been for the best, as we now know what the team is made of. And that is nothing but resiliency. And quality depth. ©2010 On Frozen Blog. All Rights Reserved..

OFB Undergraduates Unleashed — Home for the Holidays and Hockey

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:57:08 -0500

We asked our two undergraduate associates, Andrew Tomlinson and Alexander Perlmutter, both liberated from their respective universities for the holidays this week, to detail what this winter break would mean to them in terms of taking in pucks without the obligations of class schedules, term papers or exams looming. Turns out neither has interest in heading for sun and fun down South, and both have well-developed plans to indulge their puck passion over the next few weeks. Andrew: It certainly has been a tough semester filled with long days, late classes and late nights. That isn’t even the tough stuff; while other students were struggling with papers and projects I had to cope with a bad Red Wings team and a schedule that all but cut hockey out of my life. The days of checking NHL.com highlights, watching little dots move around my phone screen and attempting to get accurate play by play via Twitter are over. Starting tomorrow it’s smooth sailing — well, except for Tuesdays next semester, as my schedule has been planned around the hockey season. Christmas break is the most exciting part of the year for me because it is the true start of my hockey season. His Delta name: Ed Belfour This is the time of the year when I can finally sit and analyze every statistic, blog about every team trend, and of course take the “Blades of Steel,” a struggling fantasy hockey team, on a monumental run from last place to regular season champions. The end of the semester is a little hockey Christmas present to myself. While many are looking forward to the Winter Classic on January 1, I have to say what I am most excited for are those nights with the wind blowing outside and the radio on and tuned to either the Red Wings or the Caps. Being from Detroit, winter is my favorite season, and I remember every winter of my youth being devoted to listening to hockey games. Sure, watching on a giant HD television, (providing CSN doesn’t show the Wizards) is great; but to me the radio symbolizes what hockey is. It is a highly personal experience where complete concentration is required and where imagining makes it even more exciting. Takes me back to what it must have been like for the early hockey pioneers. We are really lucky, I believe, to have the impassioned voices of Steve Kolbe and John Walton calling games in our organization. Welcome to winter and the start of my hockey season. It is the most wonderful time of the year, the start of my hockey coma. * * * * * Alexander: This winter, my last as a college student, will surely be the last fun one I’ll have for a long, long time. It’s a scary thought actually, because this 21-year old has to make some major decisions over this frigid winter in DC. I’ve no doubt that the ones who pay the bills will have no trouble finding a way to bug me about applying for jobs and to masters programs. While I find time to do that, the five-week span of my break will also include working for my father and for the best Capitals’ blog, hang out with the friends and family I haven’t seen since August, and get my hands on a now hard-to-get Caps’ ticket. I also must play some North American hockey (English hockey is rubbish), something I’ve longed for since August 24th. But just as equally, I’ll long for that Caps game. There are only six home tilts during these five weeks, thanks to the NHL’s awesome holiday season scheduling. March 8 was the last time I headed to Verizon Center, and those painful nine months without a live contest has rotted me. I simply must go this winter break. It’s so special to see your team play live. Until it is unavailable one doesn’t really understand how invigorating it is to see a live game. Season ticketholders are awesome, because I believe they are true fans; but I also suspect they are not nearly as emotional as I am when I go to a game and may for obvious reasons take a few contests for granted. Because I know I’ll only go to three or four a season, I live it up. Always. It’s also nice to be a little more awake and energized at 7p.m. here instead my midnight laptop cuddle at midnight in London. It’s also nice to be able to catch a hockey game at a bar like Bugsy’s in Old Town. In fact, I’ll try spending most of my time out of the house just to avoid the conversation with my parents about my future. When they bring it up, maybe I’ll just feign a need to get on Metro to get downtown for a game (hopefully my parents won’t be familiar with all of the Caps’ road play late this year). I’m motivated, but man, do I hate being pushed to do something I know I’ll eventually do. Then there’s my brother, who may be the coolest or most annoying person on the planet at any given time. This Christmas, I suspect he’ll be the latter. He’s getting a second shoulder surgery for a nagging rotator cuff injury he sustained two years ago. I also had the same injury and I took full advantage of being handicapped and having my left arm out of service for three weeks. “Mom, can you get me this? Patrick, can you get the remote? Dad, can you get tickets to the next game ?” But now that I have to take care of Patrick again, I have a feeling all those things I want to do will have an asterisk. *if Patrick doesn’t need my help. But Patrick has consistently been the only person in my family who has any sense when it comes to applying for jobs or masters programs, which makes him less bothersome than my parents in that regard. So, perhaps it’s not such a terrible thing that I’ll be forced to spend time with him. He might be an encouraging presence instead of a pestering nuisance. If I get a job, I might just reward him with the best seat in town. Maybe I’ll make that a Christmas present. Two brothers taking in a hockey game together isn’t a bad way to spend a portion of winter break. ©2009 On Frozen Blog. All Rights Reserved..

Blues hire Belfour as consultant to work goalies

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:00:54 -0500

The St. Louis Blues have signed former goalie Ed Belfour as a consultant, bringing in an experienced veteran who used to give the team fits when he played for the rival Blackhawks.

Belfour signs on to work with Blues goalies

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:32:49 -0500

The St. Louis Blues have signed former goalie Ed Belfour as a consultant, bringing in an experienced veteran who used to give the team fits when he played for the rival Blackhawks. Belfour is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner. Blues president John Davidson said Thursday that Belfour will work with young goalies, including those at the minor-league affiliate in Peoria, Ill. Belfour was 484-320-125 with 76 shutouts in his 18-year career with Chicago, San Jose, Dallas, Toronto and Florida.

St. Louis Blues hire Ed Belfour as goalie consultant

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:17:10 -0500

The St. Louis Blues have signed former goalie Ed Belfour as a consultant, bringing in an experienced veteran who used to give the team fits when he played for the rival Blackhawks.

Belfour to work with Blues goalies

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:07:16 -0500

The St. Louis Blues have signed former goalie Ed Belfour as a consultant, bringing in an experienced veteran who used to give the team fits when he played for the rival Blackhawks.

Ex-villain Belfour joins Blues as goaltending consultant

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:21:48 -0500

Ed Belfour, a longtime villain in St. Louis as goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks, has been hired by the Blues as a goaltending consultant. Blues fans no doubt recall with fondness the days when the derisive chants of "BELLL-four! BELLL-four!" rai...

Blues Add Belfour as Goalie Consultant

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:18:00 -0500

Ed Belfour won two Vezina trophies as the league's best goaltender and played in 963 career NHL games. ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson ann...

Veteran NHL goalie Ed Belfour asks agent to call clubs

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:23:52 -0500

Ed Belfour, who turned 44 last April, is working out near his suburban Dallas home as he seeks a return to the NHL.

Martin Brodeur: 100 Shutouts

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:30:02 -0500

If you read this space with any regularity, you I know I love me some Martin Brodeur. You know I think he's the best goalie there's ever been. The best goalie I've ever seen. A regular shutout machine.

February Last Games (Sioux 7)

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:03:46 -0500

Last week in the WCHA the playoff picture cleared up some. With UND sweeping UAA and DU sweeping UW, both teams have locked themselves into home ice. CC's sweep of UM helped them into 3rd place, but have only 3-games left. UMD took 3pts from MTU to help them stay in the race for home ice. MSU-Mankato is pretty much guaranteed a road trip to start the playoffs which means they join UAA and MTU as teams that will be on the road for the first round.

WCHA STANDINGS
1 North Dakota..............15-6-3...33
1 Denver......................15-7-3...33
3 Colorado College.......12-8-5...29
4 Wisconsin................13-9-2...28
5 Minnesota-Duluth.....10-8-6...26
6 St. Cloud State.........12-11-1...25
7 Minnesota..............10-10-4...24
8 Minnesota State........9-13-2...20
9 Alaska-Anchorage......7-14-5...19
10 Michigan Tech..........1-18-7...9

#16 Wisconsin at Minnesota State
This is the only series these two teams play against each other this year. Last season the Mavericks owned a 2-1-1 record against Bucky. The Badgers need some wins to keep their position in the top half of the league and improve their odds of getting into the NCAA tourney. It looks as if UW will most likely finish somewhere between 3rd and 6th place. While the Mavericks look to finish between 6th and 8th place. MSU-Mankato needs loads of luck to get home ice, so now they can play the spoiler role. UW is 3-3-0 and MSU-M is 2-3-1 in their last six games. Both teams were swept in their last WCHA series. The Mavs magic number seems to be 2, if they hold their opponents to 2 or fewer goals they have a good record, 11-0-1 overall. Bucky has been shut-out in 2 of the last 5 games, so they need to score. I'm going with the Mavericks this weekend, they had last weekend off to rest up and get ready for their final push. Mavericks sweep the Badgers.

#19 St. Cloud State at #5 Denver
The Pioneers are pretty much a lock for the NCAA tourney, and most likely will finish 1-2 in the league. The Huskies are only a point out of the final home ice spot, after a bye last weekend, so they need points to keep the dream alive. Back on Nov. 14-15 SCSU sweep DU at the National Hockey Center. DU is coming off a big road sweep of UW, so they hope to keep momentum rolling, and hope they do not suffer a let down, this weekend. The Huskies would like nothing better than to get a season sweep of DU and really improve their chances for home ice in two weeks. DU would like to take four points and lock them into at least #2 in the league. DU might be without forward Tyler Ruegsegger (5th in team scoring 12g, 11a) who suffered an "upper body injury" last weekend. With that in mind I'm going to call a split in this series. Huskies on Friday and Pioneers on Saturday.

#14 Minnesota-Duluth at #18 Minnesota
Well this is another big series in the race for home ice. IF the Bulldogs sweep the Gophers, UMD is in good shape to hold a playoff series, and the Gophers would be on the road, possible to Duluth... IF the Gophers sweep they would be in position to grab home ice, but would need some help this weekend and next. The Bulldogs are 4-6-4 away from the DECC, and the Gophers are 8-5-5 at Mariucci this season, but are 1-3-1 in their last 5 home games, ouch! If the UM doesn't get some points this weekend, Coach Lucia might feel worse now then when he had his medical condition earlier this year. UMD plays well when they have the lead, and UM has not played well when they have been trailing. With that said the first goal of the games is going to be important and I also say who ever scores first wins the game.

#13 Colorado College at #8 North Dakota (Sat. & Sun.)
The Sioux have secured home ice for the first round, and the Tigers are in a good spot to hold onto home ice. If UND can sweep CC they would only need one more win secure the top spot in the WCHA. CC has 3-games left, these two at Grand Forks and one at Denver, not an easy way to end the season. The Tigers got their second WCHA sweep of the season last weekend, their last was back in mid-October against MTU. While the Sioux swept UAA on the road, in doing so goalie Brad Eidsness became only the 3rd UND freshman goalie to hit the 20-win plateau, joining former Sioux greats Ed Belfour and Karl Goehring - Congratulations Brad! Since the start of 2009 the Sioux have been scoring over 4goals/game and giving up just a shade over 2 goals/game. I watched the CC-UM games last weekend, and CC capitalized on some UM mistakes and got a few bounces. The Tigers were outplayed by the Gophers for large chunks of time, and where out shot 37-19 on Saturday. I don't think they have "turned things around" in C-springs just yet. This is a big weekend for both teams, but with the Sioux rolling and being back at home and CC being 5-5-4 on the road this season, I'm taking the Sioux, sweep.

UAA at UAF (Non Conference)
All I know that this series is for the Governor's Cup, I hope Governor Sarah Palin presents the winners the Cup... A look the standing and records this year points to the Nanooks being the favorite. UAF is 4th in the CCHA and UAA is 9th in the WCHA. So with the "Battle for Alaska" going on this weekend in a home-and-home series, I'm backing the WCHA, and saying the Seawolves sweep the Nanooks.

MTU is on a bye week, next week they host the Gophers.

The wild world of Swedish hockey with Peter Westermark

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:16:49 -0500

If you're looking for someone who knows as much about, say, Frolunda defenseman Ronnie Sundin as Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mats Sundin, Peter Westermark would be a great bet. The 32-year-old Skelleftea native blogs for HockeySverige.se, and is a longtime contributor to outlets such as McKeen's Hockey, Hockey's Future, and IHWC.NET, the official site of the IIHF World Championship.

Update: Carolina Has Diving Penalties Reviewed

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:38:41 -0500

This is starting to turn out to be a nice rivalry between the Hurricanes and Panthers. Apparently the Canes are not happy with the outcome of Wednesday's match in South Florida and have asked the league to review the 2 diving penalties called on Chad LaRose and Justin Williams. Alot of Canes are crying out about articles that were written prior to the match in South Florida papers and feel they have swayed the refs to pay closer attention to the Hurricanes. With a rematch coming up on Saturday in Carolina, things could get interesting. Defenseman Bret Hedican was especially testy about the calls… "We're not a group that dives," defenseman Bret Hedican said. "We're a group that forces teams to play at a higher level and any time you force an opponent to play at a higher level and they can't, what are they gonna do? They're gonna clutch and grab, they're gonna hold, because that's all they can do." Rutherford was even blunter about the Panthers' complaints. "Usually what happens when a team's whining about something, they aren't very comfortable with their own team. It may work for a game or so, but in the long run, it doesn't work," Rutherford said. "So we just have to go back to work and play our game and forget about the foolishness that they're trying to put on." Again, Eddie Belfour thinks your a bunch of diving fools.

Carolina Divers: Eddie the Eagle Takes Flight

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:00:08 -0500

Since the Cats took on the Carolina Divers last night I figured I would try to round up that video of Ed Belfour imitating the Carolina Hurricanes during a match up at the BAC last year. If you didn't read, the Hurricanes were pretty pissed off with the diving calls in last nights games. Read More for quotes

PWNED: The Greatest Hockey Cards of All-Time...Or Worst

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:41:53 -0500

We all collected hockey cards. But if you were around during the card collecting boom of the early 90s you know there was one hockey card set that outdid them all.