Zamboni Ramblings: Fall in Love with The Locks of Stamkos

By Eric Rosenhek

Bolder than Carey Price, chattier than Scott Hartnell, sneakier than Corey Perry; it’s time to crank up that rambling zamboni and focus on the second-half of the NHL’s regular season. But first…

Damn! The format works

I was not pleased when the NHL announced the new fantasy draft format for the All-Star game. I still don’t like it. However, it appears to be thriving.

The reason is with the allocation of the participants. The host city has managed to have all its players on one team. This makes it easier for fans attending the game to choose a side. It worked with Team Staal in Carolina last year and continued with Team Alfredsson in Ottawa. Of course, it also helps when one of the “captains” is from the host city.

Most fans watching the game on television had an easier time as well. All the Leafs were on one side; ditto for the Bruins, Canucks, Red Wings and Blackhawks. Still, Predator, Ranger and Flyer fans (for example) were conflicted from having players on both teams.

The NHL will likely continue this format next year in Columbus. Like it or not, it does create excitement for those in the arena. I wonder if fans of the Blue Jackets will use the same voting method employed by Sens fans this year.

The Stamkos flow

Is there anything sexier than the luscious flow of Steven Stamkos’ hair?

I might not be an expert or an insider, but I do know this: Steven Stamkos has the best hair in the NHL.

It’s a combination of Kelly Gruber and Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig. It’s a style that gracefully runs through the air as Stamkos glides across the ice. Guy Lafleur and Ron Duguay are probably jealous. Even Ryan Smyth would doth his cap to the league’s leading goal scorer.

If Stamkos and his Tampa Bay teammates manage to turn things around, children will likely emulate him in the vein of Roch Carrier’s The Hockey Sweater.

“We taped our sticks like Steven Stamkos. We grew out our hair like Steven Stamkos and bleached it to match his colour tone. On the ice, it was five Steven Stamkos’ against five other Steven Stamkos’.”

I wonder if I’m getting ahead of myself.

Political power play

Boston’s Tim Thomas caused quite a stir when he refused to join his teammates and meet President Obama. I guess you can say his political angst was……bruin for a while (Hiyo!).

I won’t go into what was said – or posted on Facebook in this case. I will say this: We shouldn’t be surprised Tim Thomas did this. He is a goalie after all.

Goalies are unique creatures. Patrick Roy talked to his goal posts. Glenn Hall threw up before every game. Hockey54.com’s very own Launy “The” Schwartz – a goalie himself – dedicated a portion of his flesh to another goalie, Ken Dryden.

Therefore, there’s no reason to over-analyze Thomas’ actions. He made a statement and moved on. We were all simply caught off guard.

Besides, this will be forgotten by April.

Meanwhile in Atlantic City

Finally, Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall was the site for the American Hockey League’s All-Star game on January 30. In front of 6113 fans, the Western Conference needed a shootout to defeat the Eastern Conference 8-7.

Goalie Ben Bishop of the Peoria Rivermen was named MVP. He made 10 saves in the third period and then stopped all four shooters in the decisive shootout.

As luck would have it, Bishop wasn’t supposed to play in the contest. He was added to the West roster after Lake Erie’s Cedrick Desjardins suffered an injury and was unable to take part.

Also of note: Corey Locke of the Binghamton Senators played in his sixth All-Star game, tying a league record.