Nordiques to Invade Islanders Game

Quebec has always been a hub for hockey. Many of the greatest players in hockey history have come out of the province. "Rocket" Richard, Patrick Roy, just to name a few. And the province of Quebec has a professional hockey team, the NHL's most successful franchise, in the Montreal Canadians. But there was once another. The Quebec Nordiques. The team was losing money and moved to Colorado in the mid-1990's and became the Avalanche, leaving a strong following or Nordiquers behind. But now, with a few clubs struggling with money and attendance, thoughts are popping up of relocation. There are quite a few markets open such as Winnipeg, Hartford, and, of course, Quebec. Winnipeg has not done much to garner interest, but Hartford and Quebec have. Hartford's AHL team recently changed names to the Connecticut Whale, in homage to the old Hartford Whalers, which is still, arguably, the NHL's most popular franchise, selling more merchandise than any other EXISTING team. Quebec is showing their support in another way. The Nordiques fan club, Nordiques Nation, is setting up a trip to invade tonights game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers, two struggling clubs. Plus, with the NHL's headquarters in New York, they are sure to get the attention of the league.  According to tsn.ca, "Fans have purchased about 500 seats behind each net. At the 15-minute mark of each period, the fans will cheer for 30 seconds to mark the 15-year anniversary of losing the Nordiques." This show of support is sure to get the NHL thinking, so sit back and grab a Quebec pizza (pop-tart and ketchup) and see if this immense show of Nordiques patriotism has an effect, and I sure think it will.


- Ryan McDermott

Sean Avery: Gutless Puke? Or Secret Weapon?

All around NHL fan boards, the subject of Sean Avery comes up. Avery has been up to a lot lately. The incident with Smid, throwing punches at Kennedy while they were on the ground among others. With the Smid incident, Avery was challenged to fight because of a clean hit, allegedly said no, then went on to give Smid a concussion with a vicious shot to the head. This was not a sucker punch. All the Avery haters are obviously going to say it was, but, was it really. Players like Matt Cooke and Carcillo and McSorley and Chris Simon are true sucker punch artists. But Avery? He was challenged and even though he turned down the fight, he was face to face with Smid. They both dropped gloves and Avery got there first. I have even asked numerous Avery-haters and even they believe it was not a sucker punch. Then there was his fight with Tyler Kennedy Monday night. It was a spirited scrap. Kennedy fell at the end and Avery throwing, but why? From the looks of the video, Kennedy threw a shot first from the ground. But I still dont think Avery should've kept throwing. A bigger person would have said forget it and would have obeyed the code. But Avery being Avery was not going to take that. So where should Avery be placed? Is he a cheap shot? He has gotten better. Years ago, Avery was on that list with Simon and Cooke. But he has been playing cleaner hockey and scoring points. So no I would not call him a cheap shot. But he certainly is an agitator. All of this talk about him? He is getting to your head. And that is exactly what he wants you to do.

-Ryan McDermott