Gizmo

True... but such a decision could have been made after 2002. Or, it might be a simpler reason: Smaller Letters and Numbers = Less cost to make.

I'll take a guess as to the reason... Since replicas come in all sizes, the normal size numbering and lettering would probably look too large when placed on replica jerseys that are a lot smaller than the sizes worn by players. I doubt many players wear the equivalent of an Adult Small jersey. So my guess is they go with a "least common denominator" size and go smaller than "the real thing". I'm not saying you have to like it, but "replica" can also mean a scale model. However, I don't think I'd accuse HA of perpetrating a fraud. There are a number of stylistic difference between the replicas and "authentic". In addition to lettering and numbering differences, the hems are also different and the "authentic" models don't have big ugly size tags above the front hem.

Of course the problem is that they are likely "stuck" with the situation this season. If they suddenly cut prices, that'll tick off the people that have already coughed up the current prices for seat for the games already released... as well as season ticket holders. They'd have to come up with some convoluted "refund" or "credit" system to try and keep those folks from getting restless. If you really want a good barometer of what's the "right" ticket prices for JLA, watch StubHub! The secondary market is where to good data is at!

I think the biggest factor is that they exhausted the season ticket waiting list and still didn't sell as many this season, so there are a heck of a lot more single game tickets available this year for each game. The "Captain's Package" that required people to buy lots of singles to games last year also probably helped pad the numbers last season. I agree that it was annoying. Another thing that was annoying about Versus was that they glossed over several of the penalties. A couple of times they'd flash up that the game was 4-on-4, and the announcers didn't say "boo" about what happened even though you could hear Bud on the PA in the background calling out the details. Oh, and Versus, please get Brian Engbloom a hair stylist! I've seen better groomed homeless people.

Looks nice.... now please improve the cookie cutter team "site" template! (And while you're at it, please change the Wings background color from pink to its proper red!)

Assuming they ship to Canada, try http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearc...12062&itm=1

Me thinks that's someone at the paper decided to have a little fun with that photo. I checked Getty's site and they have other vertical tight shots of Schneider from the same game, but they opted for the "baby" photo. Perhaps it was an editorial comment on the part of the photo editor!

I think the "It's the economy" excuse is overstated. As others have pointed out, the Tigers managed to set an attendance record in the same sucky economy. I think it's due to the reduced "buzz" over things like the loss of Yzerman and Shanny no longer can support sure fire sell-outs at current price points of the tickets. Edited: That's interesting.... I didn't start this thread, but only responded to it, however now I'm the only poster! Odd...

Just add alcohol!!!

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20072008/PL010092.HTM Unsportsmanlike 2 Min Interference 2 Min. Fighting major 5 Min. Game Misconduct 10 Min. Game Misconduct 10 Min.

I believe that it's up to the ref to decide whether or not the tie-down was properly attached. Edited: It's covered in Rule 47.13. The player's jersey must be "not properly tied-down and loses his jersey in a fight"

"Money Quote" from the Hockey News:

I can dig it!

Mickey: "Happy" Hulder... I like it!

However, the NHL rulebook doesn't require that a player's feet leave the ice nor require that the skater still be striding in order for it to be charging. The NHL defines charging as "the actions of a player or goalkeeper who, as a result of the distance traveled, shall violently check a player in any manner."

I think it's safe to say that Franzen's stock will be going up this season from what I've seen.

Try Rule "43.4 Match Penalty" on for size: "The referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player or goalkeeper attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent by charging." Page 94, NHL Rules, 2006-07 edition. This is what he got "hit" with in return.

Yep, looks like Babs is getting serious.

Last night I had one of the best seats at the Joe... on the glass right behind the net. So, of course I had to take my camera along! Pavel, setting up for a pass... Downey trying a wrap-around... Franzenstien was on fire this game... Gregorenko, pre-game... Igor, shooting the puck off a Pens stick And of course, some Homer photos! Homer, in the office... And an Ozzie...

E-mail sent...

Pretty cool... I'm in Photo #16. In the red jersey in the first row behind the cross in the Blue Cross ad!

They are actually on platforms over the entrance ways from the concourse and are roughly parallel with the goal line. We talked to the TV camera man next to us about that change. We said now they just turn the light on when they see the ref signal a goal. If you are holding an SRO ticket, congrats, you now have the same view as the goal judge!

Unfortunately, he's the only one with the strobes. The other thing you're not allowed to use is on-camera flashes at JLA. Here's what it looks like when you fire at the exact same time at the DetNews/FreeP guy (it of Datsyuk's break-away late in the 3rd that would have been the GWG):

I was 100% legit. I used my Nikon D70 with the 18-70mm "kit" lens. The JLA policy is "No cameras with lenses over 80mm". I'm also kicking myself because I meant to take my faster 50mm f1.4 and 28mm f2.8 lenses that would have allowed me to eliminate the motion blur due to the slower shutter speeds. Unfortunately, I spaced it and left them at home. The photos were taken at ISO 1600 and post processed with Noise Ninja to reduce the high ISO image noise. I also had what probably would have been my best two photos ruined because I got "strobed" by the arena stobes being used by the DetNews shooter. We fired at the same time and my photo looks like a small nuclear device is going off in the rafters!!

Thanks... nope I was in the public seating area. But I was talking to the TV cameraman sitting next to me in the aisle and he did say that they ARE planning on extending the seating in that section over two more seats to occupy the space formerly taken by the goal judges box.