Guess Who's Back? Back Again....

So not much feedback from yesterday's post - not sure if that's good or bad. You should have learned by now that I never run out of things to talk about. Today starts the first of many many "Top Lists". I guess maybe the 2nd since I did list the best concerts that I've been to a couple of weeks back.

Remember that the NHL starts again today after a year off while they cry and complain about needing an extra million dollar raise in order to feed their families. I blame both the owners and the players when it comes to crap like that. The only losers out of the deal are us the fans that can't afford to go to the games anymore. No, I don't think I just called everyone reading this a loser.

But since I have nothing else to talk about today other than hockey, here are some of the rule changes for this year (for those who don't get out much) and my take on them.

New Zones - more room in the attack zone thanks to moving the goal line back two feet towards the end boards and the neutral zone is smaller as well. This gives more room for the power play and hopefully some more scoring opportunities. Most of the new rules were implemented to get more goal scoring. They've done the same with the NBA and with MLB by building smaller parks in order to get higher scoring which they feel is why people are out there. I hate seeing football type scores in baseball and it didn't work in the NBA (probably because all the players are too dumb to realize the changes) but I don't think the scores will be that outrageous this year. Less of a neutral zone is fine by me.

Two-line Passes.... GONE - this one's pretty cool. For those that never could understand what the two line pass was in hockey, well - it doesn't really matter anymore. There will be a HUGE advantage to the quicker skaters and break away goal opportunities will be increasing a ton. This seriously will make me watch a whole lot more this year!

Smaller Goalie Equipment - reduced "11 percent" and should allow more goals, or allow more dramatic saves by some of the game's best!

Goalie Trap Zone - there is a new triangle behind the net now... in that area and the area in front of the goal are the ONLY areas that the goalie can handle the puck. Sorry - guess it's called a "trapezoid" area. My bad. If the goalie handles it in the corners, it's a 2 minute minor penalty.

SHOOTOUTS - I was unsure about this, but there will now be NO more ties. I know a lot of the fair weathered hockey fans hate ties so I can see how this will help with the fans. After the 5 minute overtime (4 on 4 for that OT), if it is still tied (most likely will be) the teams send 3 players each in a shootout. Pretty sweet. I don't think this will pertain to the post season. That would suck. There's nothing better than Overtime Playoffs! Seriously.

There are some other rule changes but those are the main ones. I know I'm looking forward to it. GO RED WINGS!!!

So I'm correct with 2 of my 3 picks for baseball after yesterday. We'll see what happens today. GO BRAVES!!

Iowa State plays Baylor this weekend and I'll be at the game again. GO CYCLONES!!

I'm flying home Friday morning back to Rochester..... GO ME!!!!

Oh - and my nephew Elliott had another soccer game but did not score any goals. He still enjoys it though so I'm sure even Beckham didn't score in EVERY game he's ever played in. He'll pick it back up in the next game. GO ELLIOTT!

Song of the Day - the only thing on the radio anymore is Kelly Clarkson. Heard 3 different songs of hers on the way in this morning on 3 different stations on XM. Now I have the dang SINCE YOU WERE GONE going through my head. Although not a bad song, it does linger which I don't like one bit. She's doing well right now and I'm all for it as I think she was the best American Idol winner. The rest have just been crap.

Video of the Day - nothing new to share here. I see Robots just came out on DVD and I'm a huge Robin Williams fan so I'm excited to see it. Anyone have any reviews to share?

Webpage of the Day - http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20051004/112846962000.html U2 gets an entire Conan O'Brien show to themselves on Thursday. Need to remember to tell the roommate to Ti-Vo it for me. That's gonna be pretty sweet! Only the greatest band alive gets that kind of treatment!

ENJOY THE DAY!!!