Happy New Year!
This is week 2 of three great weeks for us Andersonian puckheads. The Winter Classic -- where my beloved Capitals defeated the Penguins, 3-1 -- was fantastic, and the HBO 24/7 series featuring the two teams was captivating. Tomorrow is the final installment of the series, which no doubt will focus on Eric Fehr scoring two goals for my Capitals en route to the 3-1 win.
But nothing will beat Monday late morning, when Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, will be on campus here at UCLA Anderson! We at the Sports Business Association are very excited at the chance to hear insights from one of the most accomplished executives in sports.
Then on Tuesday morning, we've been invited by our colleagues at USC to a breakfast hosted by Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League. He surely must be thrilled at the runaway success of the sport in 2010, as well as this year's Winter Classic.
Hockey''s resurgence has given us cause to put a greater emphasis on the sport in our programming for the SBA, which is exciting for me both professionally and personally!
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There are two myths about the Penguins that I hope are finally being exposed, either by HBO in 24/7 or by NBC in its own Winter Classic coverage.
Myth 1: The Penguins are an offensive team. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When they have the lead, the Penguins play the same 1-4 neutral zone trap that former -- and current! -- Devils coach Jacques Lemaire used pre-lockout en route to three Stanley Cups. When the Penguins are ahead or at the start of games, it's chip and charge -- never carrying the puck over the blueline unless they have an odd-man rush -- and two forecheckers attacking the other team's defensemen. Classic Lemaire!
(Saying that, while HBO has made Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau into an internet sensation with his cursing, I actually have gained an immense appreciation for the way Penguins coach Dan Byslma goes about his business. He really has his pulse on the games, makes timely adjustments, and has great control over his dressing room. Watching Bylsma has been a revelation for me during the series).
Myth 2: Sidney Crosby is always cool as a cucumber. There's no denying Crosby's talent, especially this season, but on the ice, he can be angry, foul-mouthed, arrogant, whiny, and agitated, all on one shift. And frankly he's a better player for it - hockey is an emotional game, players typically play best when their emotions are running high (so long as they don't cross the line and take penalties - or worse). He might always say the right things off the ice, but on the ice, he's an intense competitor. It's what sets the best players (like Crosby, Ovechkin, Stamkos, and Toews) from other great players (like Malkin and Semin).
Time to set up the DVR for the week!
-- Sreesha
