Not even an undercover CIA agent enjoys hearing their alias has to pretend to follow the Calgary Flames

This clip was from the September 30, 2012 season premier episode of “Homeland” on Showtime, so it’s a little old, but still neat to see hockey and an NHL team referenced in this show. Too bad it had to be the Calgary Flames that got the mention. Oh well. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

UPDATE:

It appears that this Flames mentioned in a spy show may not be as random as once thought — MacGyver, perhaps the greatest spy/secret agent of them all, was a Calgary Flames fan, and mentioned the team and often wore their apparel on the show.

It’s odd that Mac was a Flames fan, as his fictional biography notes he was born in Minnesota — which would suggest that he should have aligned with the North Stars. They arrived in Minnesota in 1967, when MacGyver was 16; which is a good age to solidify an allegiance to a team. The Flames didn’t move to Calgary from Atlanta until 1980, when he was 29. And there are no mentions of MacGyver cheering for the Atlanta Flames in the series, only the Calgary version.

Attempts to find the actor that played MacGyver, Richard Dean Anderson, aligned with any particular NHL team have proved inconclusive. Though it is well documented that he used to play as a kid, and continues to be involved in hockey through charity games and such.

But more to the Homeland correlation — the most plausible rabbit trail to follow is that Homeland actors Morena Baccarin (aka Jessica Brody) and Diego Klattenhoff (aka Mike Faber) both acted alongside Richard Dean Anderson (aka MacGyver) on Stargate SG-1 at different periods. Anderson was there as Jack O’Neill from 1997-2007, Baccarin appeared as “Adria” in six episodes from 2006-2007, and Klattenhoff appeared as “Team Leader” in one episode in 2005. Faber is also Canadian (born in Nova Scotia), so there’s that too. It’s believable that MacGyver/hockey/the Flames may have come up in conversation between any combination of the three, and then may have popped into Baccarin or Klattenhoff’s mind at a table read or something when it came time to mention a hockey team in the Homeland episode.

Maybe I should work for the CIA.

Calgary lost again? Some things never change.

(Glove bump to “hocko” on Reddit for picking up on the lead)

Hockey Fan Living Abroad? The Best Links to Free Online Streams of Games.

Follow @davecunningFollow @CunningAthletix

I’m Canadian, and if you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time, you’ve put together by now that I’m a big hockey fan too. As I’m currently residing in Asia, watching games can be quite the challenge. Major networks like TSN and CBC won’t stream games online outside of Canada. So I’ve been forced to sift through the internet for the best online streams I can find.

You’re welcome guys!

If you’re in the same boat as me, today’s your lucky day. I’ve hacked through all the junk, and compiled a list of all the best links to free hockey games that I’ve found. I’ve got no doubt the game you want to watch can be found at one of them. And for free!

The following links are my go-to’s. You’ll have to wade through them to find the best feed, but it’ll be worth the effort. Most of these sites will require you to close numerous ads to uncover the screen, but they’re all free, and don’t require any players or software to be downloaded.

Here they are:

1) http://www.wiziwig.tv/competition.php?part=sports&discipline=icehockey

2) http://myp2p.mu/index.php

3) http://www.frombar.tv/c-3.html

4) http://livetv.ru/en/allupcomingsports/2/

5) http://atdhe.eu/hockey

6) http://nutjob.eu/njtvx7.html

If you’re ok with downloading software, then download Sopcast. It’s a trustworthy P2P internet TV internal player, and you can stream much higher quality feeds from it than you can from any of the above links. Just be aware through the download process to uncheck all the non-sense it wants you to install along with it. If any of this sounds too risky for you, stick to the links above.

Did I miss any? Leave your favorite links in a comment, and I’ll add them.

Happy hockey watching!

Follow @davecunningFollow @CunningAthletix

Product Review: Spot It! NHL, and Fastrack NHL by Blue Orange Games

THE ROB REPORT:

“SPOT IT! NHL” & “NHL FASTRACK ” BY BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Follow @davecunningFollow @BlueOrangeGamesFollow @FlexMasterRob

If you’re starved for NHL action this hockey season, Blue Orange Games has a couple of titles that might just hit the “spot” for you. I recently took Spot It! NHL for a few laps around the rink, and here’s what I thought:

I’m into bigger style board games, so it was a bit deceiving when I saw Spot It! NHL was so compact. However, along with its miniature size came a great deal of fun, as it provided 5 different NHL hockey themed matching games.

The game’s single dimension is to spot matching NHL logos and other hockey-themed images before the other players can. This game has 5 different variations. The fun is all in the mayhem, trying to quickly make matches before everyone else.

I played with 4 friends, 2 of which don’t follow hockey regularly.  All of us thought the game was great. My friends I played with play a lot of board games (they have a few shelves dedicated to them) and they decided to add this game to their regular lineup of games to play on game night.

The gameplay time is short enough that it does not get tiresome (3-5mins). Short is also good because players can exit a game anytime without disrupting a very involving showdown. There are a few variations that can potentially take a little longer (up to 8-10min) to finish than others, and the time difference adds to the variation.

You can keep score, but I found it more fun when each game is mutually exclusive from the other, since there is potential for players with superior matching skills to run away with the score over the course of multiple games. The game has a tendency to favor better players, as the real good players can go on long streaks, and slower-matching players could become frustrated. I’d recommend players organizing games amongst evenly skilled players, rather than letting the game even it out for you. But then again, playing the game is the only way to truly find out what level of matcher every player is.

The game comes in a durable case so game owners do not have to worry about wear and tear outside of actually the game.

Overall this is a great game to play for not only hockey enthusiasts, but for everyone. The learning curve is extremely low and the logos are easily distinguishable.

You can order these games online, or find a local retailer to pick them up at.

Below is their official press release, and some additional info.

**********

While the NHL hockey season is on hold, Blue Orange Games is proud to be the source for the hottest NHL^® licensed games to kick start the action!

Blue Orange gave their wildly popular games, Spot it! and Fastrack a sporty makeover that Wayne Gretzky would approve of! Now hockey fans have the perfect family games to fuel their passion and show off their pride. Packaging and instructions for both games is in French and English.

**********

Whether you are a die-hard hockey fan or you just want to break the ice, Spot it! NHL^® is for you. Hockey themed symbols give this collectible edition its cool edge. There is always one, and only one matching symbol between any two cards! To become one of the Greats of the game, be the first to spot the match. Officially licensed by the National Hockey League, this hockey card game contains the logos of every NHL^® team. Have a blast skating through all 5 mini-games: make that “Sweet Pass,” avoid “The Penalty,” and score in “The Net,” and more! Packaged in a puck-size tin, Spot it! NHL is the perfect stocking stuffer for hockey heads young and young-at-heart!

Ages 7 to Adult • 2 to 8 Players

**********

Here’s another NHL themed game from Blue Orange games that we think you’d also enjoy…

NHL^® Fastrack brings your favorite sport to your fingertips! Officially licensed by the National Hockey League^®, this puck passing game produces kinetic energy and exhilarating competition. The first to send all 10 pucks to an opponent’s side takes home the trophy! Just like a hockey game, NHL^® Fastrack calls for lightning-speed, accuracy and just the right amount of chance to win. This eco-friendly speed game is made of 100% sustainable wood and the rink’s sidelines feature logos of teams adored by hockey fans all over North America. With quality you can see and ready to play right out of the box, NHL^® Fastrack makes an unforgettable holiday gift. And what’s more—Blue Orange plants two trees for every tree used to create this game!

Ages 5+ • 2 Players

**********

About Blue Orange Games:

With 12 years experience creating stimulating and easy-to-learn games,
exquisitely designed for maximum fun, Blue Orange Games looks to the future
with consistent ideals.Using durable materials, Blue Orange pledges to produce high quality games that are enjoyable for the whole family. The eco-friendly company remains committed to planting two trees for every one tree used in game construction. Blue Orange has won multiple awards, such as Parenting Magazine’s “Mom Tested Toys of the Year,” Parents Magazine’s “Toys of the Year,” Family Fun Magazine’s “Toys of the Year,” Oppenheim Toy Portfolio’s “Platinum Seal,” and Dr. Toy’s “10 Best Games,” among others.

Blue Orange Games was founded in 2000 and is based in San Francisco. For
more information about the company, go to www.blueorangegames.com or email pr@blueorangegames.com

You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Product Review: Don Cherry’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey 24!!

If you’re still looking for Christmas gifts for the hockey fan on your list, or are just generally hockey starved during the current NHL lockout, the 24th installment of Don Cherry’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey series is sure to satisfy.

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em 24 features a pile of fantastic video montages from the 2011/12 NHL season, the ever hilarious “piano desk”, the year’s best saves (feature on Martin Brodeur) and goals (feature on Steve Stamkos), plenty of regular speed and slow-motion hits, Don mentioning “trolley tracks”, bloopers, some vintage Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em techno and Cherry rapping, Don mentioning how many NHLers he saw play as kids (Tavares, Stamkos), Don mentioning players from Kingston, Ontario (Mike Smith), Don wearing a top hat and supporting fighting in hockey, Coach’s Corner commentaries (featuring classic opinion pieces like, “Kids, if you ever really want to get benched…”, and “Why do they never run Tim Thomas?”), and all the best highlights from every round of last year’s playoffs.

It’s really a fantastic highlight tape, and everything you’ve come to expect from Don Cherry. In the words of Don himself, it’s a beauty. This is a no brainer! Pick up a copy today. cbcshop.ca and other retailers will hook you up.

Follow @davecunningFollow @vidservFollow @CoachsCornerCBC

Below is the official press release:

——————————————————————————————-

No Lockout For Rock’em Sock’em!

Canada’s most controversial and outspoken hockey personality, Don Cherry, brings his brash brand of hockey to his 24th DVD with the release of Don Cherry’s Rock’em Sock’em Hockey 24 from Video Services Corp (VSC). This year’s release features the first “Blue”-ray in the Don Cherry catalogue, endorsed by Don’s ever-present terrier companion, Blue.

“I’m glad to be working with a good Canadian studio in VSC,” said Executive Producer
Tim Cherry, “we’re not pulling any punches this year!”

The release includes Coach’s Corner segments and all the best goals, saves and hits from the 2011-2012 season, right up to (spoiler alert!) the Los Angeles Kings’ historic Stanley Cup win. Bonus features will include extra footage from the Kings’ win on the Blu-ray, and vintage Rock’em Sock’em techno with Chris Sheppard on both formats.

Even Don himself is looking forward to the release, “I love doing Rock’em Sock’em. Players come up to me and tell me how they got Rock’em Sock’em as a gift every Christmas. They’ve grown up with it. It’s become a Christmas tradition in a lot of homes,” said Cherry, “This year’s is great, and we have lots of highlights from one of the best playoffs in years.”

The Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em series is Canada’s longest-running and best-selling DVD property. “We’re all huge hockey fans at VSC and we’re so excited to add Don Cherry to our catalogue – it’s a new chapter in VSC’s hockey history,” says VSC President Jonathan Gross, “Tim and Don create an exciting summary of the season and it’s time for an HD version to be available – that’s the only way to watch a hockey game these days!”

DVD DETAILS:
SRP: $19.98 | TRT: 70 min
Street Date: 13 November, 2012
UPC: 7-78854-19199-0 | Catalog: CHE1919
Genre: Sports

BLU-RAY DETAILS:
SRP: $24.98 | TRT: 70 min
Street Date: 13 November, 2012
UPC: 7-78854-19209-6 | Catalog: CHE1920
Genre: Sports

DVD Extras: Vintage Rock’em Sock’em techno with Chris Sheppard
Blu-ray Extras: Bonus footage from Kings’ win, vintage Rock’em Sock’em techno with Chris Sheppard

*************

About Video Services Corp.
Founded in 1993 by former rock critic Jonathan Gross, Video Services Corp. is a leading independent DVD distributor with offices in Toronto and Los Angeles. With a vast catalogue strong in television, sports and comedy, some of VSC’s releases include Corner Gas, The WHA Chronicles, Comedy Now! Starring Russell Peters and Canada Cup ’87. Other 2012 releases from VSC include the second season of the hit series Portlandia and the theatrical film Union Square starring Oscar® winner Mira Sorvino. VSC also owns the e-commerce websites
sportonvideo.com, laffstock.com and jewishflicks.com.

Video Services Corp.
5145 Steeles Ave W, Suite A201, Toronto, ON, M9L 1R5
P: 416-597-8325 / 877-341-7577 F: 416-597-9142
www.videoservicecorp.com vidserv@globalserve.net facebook.com/videoservicecorp twitter.com/vidserv

Product Review: Toe Tape-It by Stick-Aid

Hi folks! Friend of the blog, Rob Cunning, is back with his latest installment of The Rob Report. In this edition, Rob takes a look at the Toe Tape-It, by Stick-Aid. It’s a great time-saving product for hockey players out there that tape their toes, but are ready to ditch the scissors in the back they’ve been toting around for far too long. Have a look at what he thought!

-SDC 

Follow @davecunningFollow @FlexMasterRob

================================

The Rob Report:

The “Toe Tape-It” by Stick-Aid

Christmas is just around the corner, and the folks at Stick-Aid have a fantastic little product for the hockey player on your list who you still need to find a stocking stuffer for.

If you are, or you know a player who is a habitual taper of the toe of your hockey stick blade, Stick-Aid’s “Toe Tape-it” is for you.

The traditional toe tape job requires either a two or even three step process to complete – and some people even require a pair of scissors to be on hand to finish the job. Not exactly ideal variables when you need to re-tape mid game, are in a rush to get on the ice and are in desperate need of a new TJ, or are in any other scenario that is may result in the sacrifice of a fresh wrap on your blade. And who wants to dive into their bag and run the risk of getting stabbed by a pair of scissors anyway?

Toe Tape-it cuts the labor process of toe taping down to just one step: just stick the product on either the forehand, backhand, or both sides of the toe of your blade. That’s it. You’ll have to smooth over the edges and confirm you’ve aligned it properly, but this approach is no where near as labor intense as the old way, and it’s every bit as effective. Way simpler, and faster. Boom. Win.

Watch the instructional video here (you’ll need to use Internet Explorer to see it)

There are 12 TTI’s per pack, so you’ll be stocked for a good while with every pack you buy. TTI even comes in five colors (black, white, red, orange, blue), so you can customize your tape job to match your team’s colors, or whatever you please, really. But if I were you, I’d just stick with good ol’ black. If it was good enough for Wayne Gretzky, it’s good enough for you too.

Potential Cons:

1) First off, if you don’t tape your toe to begin with, this product probably isn’t for you. Hockey players are creatures of habit, and very rarely stray from traditional/superstitious methodologies, but if you’re willing to try something new, this could be a good catalyst towards a new approach to your tape job. Personally, I made the switch to taping my toe in college, and never looked back. It might be the way to go for you too, if you give it a chance.

2) You’re gonna have to have a rounded toe stick blade – if you’re a square toe guy or girl, this ain’t gonna work for you. Unless you get out the scissors and customize further, but then that’d defeat the whole purpose of the product.

If you’re game to give it a shot, here’s a list of shops and dealers that can help you get your hands on Toe Tape-It: http://www.stick-aid.com/dealer_page.html

You can contact them via e-mail: sales@toetape-it.com , Telephone: (562) 760-3726 or visit their website www.stick-aid.com for more info. Check out their Facebook page too.

 

Product Review: The Tape Tiger by 3M Hockey

Hi folks! The following is a product review done by friend of the blog, Rob Cunning. Rob is a software developer at Thinkingbox, an Athletic Therapist working out of the Langley/Vancouver BC area, and also my brother. He formerly was the AT for the Mt.Royal University Cougars men’s hockey team, and Trinity Western University Spartans men’s soccer team and men’s & women’s volleyball teams. He also played a little puck for Trinity Western University of the BCIHL, and some baseball for the University of Calgary Dinos, Kelowna Jays, Kwantlen Eagles and Burnaby Bulldogs too.

That all being said, Rob recently reviewed 3M’s Tape Tiger, a new hockey tape removal device, and below are his findings. Enjoy!

-SDC

Follow @davecunningFollow @FlexMasterRobFollow @thinkingbox_Follow @3MNews

==========================================

The Rob Report:

 

The Tape Tiger by 3M Hockey

The Tape Tiger is a new device from 3M’s Elite Series of hockey products, and is highly effective for easing the hassle of tape removal from a player’s hockey stick blade.

After using it, I was reminded of the “Shark” tape cutter, a tool Athletic Therapists use to remove tape from an athlete’s taped body part – a great tool which we use often in our field.

Upon using the Tape Tiger, I found that it removed hockey tape well, and did not leave any cut marks on the blade afterwards. Also, it did not matter which side of the blade I cut on, it was effectively removed the tape from both faces. However, I think it would be easier to remove tape from the backhand side of more curved blades with this tool, in my opinion.

The Tape Tiger was also able to cut through multiple layers of tape, for those who like to double-wrap (inexcusable, by the way), and have inadvertently thickened their tape removal problem.

It was really easy to cut fresh/more recent tape off of a blade with the Tape Tiger, however it did have some difficulty removing older tape (tape on a stick for 1+ years, maybe from that stick in your basement you haven’t re-taped since minor hockey, for example). That being said, it did get the job done in the end.

If ever necessary, the Tape Tiger’s blade may be a bit time consuming to change, as you have to unscrew it from the body in order to facilitate replacement. Once it’s unscrewed though, the replacement process is pretty easy – it only requires the user to slide the old blade out, slide a new one in its place, and retighten. However, treat it right and its stainless steel blade should serve you well for many seasons before any maintenance is required.

The deluxe version (which I demo’ed) comes equipped with a few handy little extras that the original version does not include:

1) A stone for removing burrs and nicks from skate blades – perfect to tune up an edge in a pinch when you’ve lost one mid-game and a trip to the hockey shop for a sharpening is out of the question.

2) A lace tightener – which is useful, but not something I’d use. Perhaps it would   be useful for a younger player still learning to tie their skates, or someone who struggles to tie their skates tight enough, but personally I can tie my skates well enough with my hands at this point. But again, useful if a scenario calls for it.

3) The lace tightener also triples as a bottle opener and a flathead screwdriver–great for beer league hockey, or any sort of post game celebration in the dressing room; and for when some knucklehead brings bottles into the dressing room instead of cans for the post-game.

4) The screwdriver is perfect for tightening or removing helmet screws, and possibly skate screws depending on which brand of skates you own.

5) There’s also a key ring thrown into this Swiss-Army knife-like mix, for, you know, attaching your keys to.

Overall, the Tape Tiger is a great device that does exactly what it says it does – quickly and easily removes hockey tape from a stick blade. Plus, it provides extra tools for situations that all hockey players encounter at some point and need a tool for. It’s especially great for players who already lug around toolbox worth of gadgets in their bag and could use some consolidation. However, if you have one of these, you run the risk of either becoming that guy with all the weird tools in his bag, or else the guy who never gets to use his own sweet stuff because everyone’s always borrowing it. It would be an asset to any team’s equipment manager too.

I rate this product as a buy. Pick one up at your local Canadian Tire next time you’re in one and chuck it in your hockey bag.

 *************

For more info, visit: http://www.3m.com/intl/ca/english/centres/home_leisure/hockey/3Mhockey-tapetiger.htm

Or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/3MHockey

To browse 3M Hockey’s full-line of Hockey Canada backed Core & Elite Series hockey products, visit: www.3MHockey.ca

Product Promo video:

Fischer Hockey gear now available in North America

With so many composite hockey stick brands on the market, I’m happy to help promote one with a tie to my home province in Canada. Fischer (you may recognize the name from their ski equipment) is in the game of one-piece twigs.

Anton Belov is currently bombing these in the KHL

Fischer touts that one of the key advantages of Fischer sticks over other leading brands is their “Cap Technology”. This technology (currently being used in their ski gear) utilizes a patented thin foil wrap around the composite stick — the same foil used to wrap Fischer skis. This process is used only by Fischer, at their manufacturing plant in the Ukraine. Their studies have compared Fischer composite sticks to the other leading sticks/brands in the market and their results show their “Cap Technology” produces a stick which is less likely to break and is stronger than the other brands’ sticks by up to 30%.

Unlike other major stick companies, they only have one plant, which is owned and operated by Fischer Hockey. This plant in the Ukraine is the same plant they use to produce their skis. Other companies use outside plants in many different countries to manufacture their sticks, which may result in quality control issues. Fischer owns their digs and stays on top of all production issues, treating them on the spot if they occur. In Addition to sticks, they also make shafts, blades, visors, bags, bottles, jerseys, and socks.

Roger Pettersson and Gord Piercey of Duncan, BC, owners of G&R Sport Services, have become the new Western Canadian Distributors for Fischer Sports Composite Hockey Sticks, and are responsible for their introduction to Western Canada. The duo will be providing Canada’s west coast with the latest in Fischer’s composite hockey sticks, which have been extensively used in the European Pro Leagues (including Finnish and Swedish Elite), and the KHL since 1988. They’ve also recently become one of the official suppliers for both the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).

Partners of G&R Sport Services since January 2011, Gord and Roger have dedicated themselves to providing the ultimate in composite stick repair, and top-quality brand-name Fischer Sports products. Since that inception point, the two men have been successfully repairing pricey composite hockey sticks to like-new condition for teams, players, and parents in Cowichan Valley by utilizing the Integral Hockey Stick Repair system, which uses actual aerospace technology. They are already working closely with several BCHL teams, and currently have Fischer sticks in play with three Vancouver Island Junior teams. Understanding first-hand just how costly hockey-related products and services can be, they are pleased to offer, in their opinion, the best in composite stick repair, along with top-quality new, used, and repaired sticks, for purchase at a substantially reduced cost to the consumer. So hit these guys up if you need a brand new stick, or need your old lucky one brought back from the dead!

More details may be found on the Fischer Hockey page: http://www.fischer-hockey.com/en/Hockey and at G&R Sport Services’ website: http://www.gnrsportservices.com/

For repair and/or stick sale inquiries, contact Gord, at 250-737-1661, or info@gnrsportservices.com

Follow @davecunningFollow @gnrsports7Follow @Integralhockey