Stars-Flames, Avery thoughts
Let me start with the game. That was a good win. I thought they played a solid road game. Marty Turco was outstanding in net. They needed that win. They needed it to get over that stupid two win in a row thing and they needed it because of all the nonsense that went on earlier in the day with Sean Avery. More on Avery in a moment.
I thought they got a lot of good efforts. Toby Petersen had a good game and a big goal. Obviously Fabian Brunnstrom got a few more shifts Tuesday night and he scored the game-winner. I thought Chris Conner had a great game. Andrew Hutchinson seemed to be fine. It’s kind of hard to judge on TV sometimes. Overall, a good team effort. Calgary had a lot of shots, but I don’t think that was a little misleading. The Stars did a nice job defensively. Marty had to make some tough saves but I didn’t think he was under siege. He was under control most of the night though. That’s the best he’s looked this season. That’s a good sign.
And now let’s move on to Avery. What he did was just flat out stupid and juvenile. He would have been better off doing what he’s done most of the season and that is not talking to the media. I don’t think the sloppy seconds comment is the worst thing I’ve ever heard, but that’s not the point. The point is that he made sure the media all gathered around him so he can make a statement and then rolled out that gem. Sean’s a bright guy. He should know better.
I was listening to Les Jackson on the Calgary Flames radio broadcast and Jackson said Avery embarrassed the organization.
Avery also embarrassed his coach, who earlier in the day stood up for him in front of the Canadian media, telling them how hard Sean played, how he played hurt and how the media just blows stuff out of proportion.
Here’s what Tippett said prior to Avery’s comments: “I think he’s been quiet around us. There’s been a couple instances where the media blows things way out of proportion and our players recognize that. The distraction has been much overblown.”
A few hours later Tippett has to say this: “There is a lot of trash talk that goes on the ice and stuff, but to announce something like that for everybody to hear, to me that crosses the line. Our ownership feels the same way.”
I have no idea what Stars ownership does with Avery. We’ll see what Gary Bettman and the league does.
I thought Avery could be a good player for the Stars when they signed him back in July. I still think he is a good player. But I am not sure he’s turned out to be a good fit for the Stars. And it’s not just this sloppy seconds incident. There’s other stuff. Maybe it’s time to move on, but I don’t know how they go about that. Time will tell. It’s going to be interesting here in the near future.
Big game tomorrow too. Maybe three wins in a row and four of five. Hey, they are creeping up on .500.
Marty’s postgame comments
Some pretty good stuff from Marty Turco after the game about Sean Avery. Here’s some of the audio.
Avery’s comments
Here are Avery’s comments today. Wait a little after it goes to black. There is reaction from some of the Stars players.
League suspends Avery
Hicks statement on Avery
Stars release on Avery:
The National Hockey League announced this afternoon that it has suspended Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in accordance with the provisions of NHL By-Law 17 and Article 6 of the NHL Constitution for conduct “detrimental to the League or game of hockey.” The suspension was imposed following inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game, made by Avery earlier today.
“I completely support the league’s decision to suspend Sean Avery,” said Dallas Stars owner Thomas O. Hicks. “Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so.”
The date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Top story out of today’s morning skate
Appears to be this little tidbit, which the Canadian media is all over:
The crowd of reporters was waiting for Sean Avery on Tuesday morning and wondering if the Dallas Stars’ super pest would deign to say something else about Jarome Iginla, a player he criticized in the off-season as “boring” when asked for his thoughts on marketing the National Hockey League.
Instead, Avery turned that page and began a new chapter by targeting a new subject.
As he emerged from the dressing area at the back of the visiting dressing room, he asked if a TSN camera were present.
When he saw that it was, Avery stepped in front of the microphones, didn’t wait for a question to be asked and started talking.
“I’m really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada,” began Avery. “I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my (former girlfriends).
“I don’t know what that’s about, but enjoy the game tonight.”
And with that, Avery walked away and didn’t stick around to explain any further.
It didn’t take much to connect the dots, however. Avery’s disparaging reference was most certainly directed at actress Elisha Cuthbert, who is currently dating Calgary Flames’ defenceman Dion Phaneuf but who once dated Avery. Cuthbert has also been romantically linked in the past to Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens.
Avery has also dated actress Rachel Hunter, now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings’ centre centre Jarrett Stoll, a former member of the Edmonton Oilers.
Avery delivered his extraordinarily uncouth manifesto after the Flames had left their morning skate, so Phaneuf was not available for comment. But it’s unlikely the hard-hitting blueliner would have said anything, given that he’s made his private life off limits to reporters.
More from the Globe and Mail
More on Hull and Modano’s fine dining establishment
Here’s more on Hully & Mo Restaurant & Tap Room, which will be opening later this month, from the Dallas Business Journal:
Hully & Mo Restaurant & Tap Room will be opening in mid-December. Former Primo’s operator Eddie Cervantes developed the idea with Dallas Stars center Mike Modano, Stars co-general manager Brett Hull, and Tim Headington, Dallas billionaire and owner of Hotel Joule.
The 7,000-square-foot space is under renovation in the Quadrangle at 2800 Routh St., the former home of upscale Riccardi’s Italian restaurant, which closed in July.
Stars coverage: Canadian style
One of the great things about the Stars playing in Canada is the get some attention from the Canadian hockey media. Here’s a sample of what’s being written about the Stars in today’s Calgary Herald:
It opens this way:
Steve Ott is out. Sean Avery is in.
Kind of like that outbreak of psoriasis clearing up, only to find you’ve developed a particularly nasty case of hemorrhoids.
And then goes on to talk about the Stars woes in the first quarter of the season:
The D in Big D these days standing for doom, debacle and disillusionment.
You scan the standings over a Tim Horton’s double-double in the morning, and even now, a quarter of the way into the season, it still doesn’t seem within the realm of possibility.
The Dallas Stars, last in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
The Dallas Stars, last in the league with a 3.65 team GAA. Yes, the franchise of Ken Hitchcock, Guy Carbonneau, Mike Keane, Jere Lehtinen, Mike Modano, coach Dave Tippett himself—a virtual roll call of Selke Trophy recipients or contenders over the past 15 seasons—leaking goals at an unsightly pace, hemorrhaging on their own lack of commitment to the ingredient of the game they made their hallmark.
The Stars were recently selected Top Turkey on ESPN.com’s NHL U.S. Thanksgiving list.
As is so often the case, this fall from grace can’t be blamed on any one thing.
The entire article can be found here.
Monday practice update
The Stars held a short practice this morning since they are flying out early this afternoon for Calgary. Andrew Hutchinson was on the ice. He was wearing No. 27 and spent most of the time paired with Darryl Sydor. The other pairings were Nicklas Grossman-Stephane Robidas and Trevor Daley-Matt Niskanen. Doug Janik practiced as a forward. Dave Tippett said he wasn’t sure if the pairings would stick.
No Mike Modano or Brad Richards at practice today. Both were resting, according to Tippett. The line combinations looked basically the same as yesterday.
Saw Steve Ott today. He said his his hand is doing better and he hopes to start skating next week. He said the time frame from the surgery was 3 to 6 weeks and obviously he is hoping for the shorter time frame.
Other than that, not much going on.
