Skills or Thrills?

This weekend was fun. It wasn’t fantastic, and I really think the NHL has a long way to go before it’s fantastic…but it was exactly what I expected and I can’t be upset about that.

The Super Skills competition was enjoyable. The always lack luster fastest skater competition offered no real highlight, unless you count the insanely uncomfortable interview with Jay Bouwmeester that followed.

The hardest shot competition was equally quiet, although I’m still so damn impressed by anyone who can fire a puck at over 100 mph.

I think the shootout challenge was actually quite fun. I really wish that all three Ducks looked that good in shootout challenges during the regular season. I thought it was pretty cool that Ryan Getzlaf got to shoot against JS Giguere in one of his rounds. Even better was the physical reaction from Jiggy when Getzlaf got his puck by him, followed by what I'm sure was some interesting banter between the two. I really wish they had more of the guys mic’d up. I think it’s really fun to get to hear what some of them are saying to each other…this is a time where we get to see these guys out there having fun…it would be really cool to hear it too. One thing I didn’t like about who they did mic up was that they weren’t really able to talk during the game. If you recall, last year they had the goalies mic’d up. That was nice because there was always a period of time that they were able to chat when the puck was at the other end of the ice.

The biggest let down for me was the Fan Fav Breakaway Challenge, which probably should have just been called Fan Fav Challenge. I’m not going to say that Getzlaf should have won, but he had some nice moves. It was too bad that he missed that kick behind the goal. Am I correct in thinking that he was the only one who bothered to take the puck behind the net? Anyway, it seemed like everyone who lost, could have and probably should have won over Ovechkin. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the goofiness and fun out there…and I was laughing my butt of when he did what he did…but what was his trick shot? I missed it I think…I have a feeling that a lot of other people did too.

It’s just kind of crazy that the NHL doesn’t come up with more ways to allow these guys to show what they can do with a puck. I’d almost rather see 36 guys participate in a Breakaway Challenge than find out who can skate the fastest. Maybe that’s just me.

The game…well it was what I expected. Jiggy, ironically…or maybe not, had the worst SV%...but unless you look at the actual numbers, did anyone notice…or even care? Probably not. Getzlaf did his usual overabundance of passing instead of taking shots and Scott Niedermayer was Scott Niedermayer. He kinda looked like he was just out there playing with his kids at times. Fun.

Did anyone else hear Bro Hymn after a few goals? How Honda Center of them.

So the biggest bummer…the DVR stopped recording about 30 seconds into the OT. I MISSED THE OT. I missed Ryan Getzlaf draw a hooking penalty (which I think is overall, the most ironic thing about the whole game), I missed the Shootout…I’m bummed. BUMMED!

Anyway, the weekend was enjoyable. Hopefully the NHL will take the next two years to make it even BETTER!

It’s time to move on and get with the program. Hopefully the other guys had a nice relaxing weekend. Hopefully Getzlaf didn’t party too hard. Hopefully Jiggy has had an opportunity to unwind. Hopefully Scotty stays Scotty…maybe with an extra boost.

GO DUCKS!