A WIN FOR THE WHEEL

I think Groundhog Day came a week early because Peter Duthoy from Frederick, Maryland, has now won the Distant Replays NHL “Ice Picks” contest for the second straight week, and is the winner of another FREE shirt or cap of his choice from Distantreplays.com  He was the only entry to finish with a 4-1 record, and would have gone undefeated had it not been for the Habs rout of the Red Wings last night (Hey, even though I went 2-3, I was the ONLY person to pick the Canadiens!). Congrats AGAIN Peter!

Anybody sick of Peter winning yet?  Will he score a Hat trick of Distant Replays t’s?  Somebody else out there needs to shut him out, step up, and grab the crown!  What better time than ALL-STAR WEEKEND (Nothing personal Peter!)?  But before we get to the next round of games, we must go over the rules for those just joining us for the first time and here they are:

1) Every week (usually Thursday or Friday) over the next 2 months, I will preview 5 of the most compelling NHL games on the schedule for the upcoming week and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof, as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score (So far I’m 11-4 this year. Not too shabby)

CANUCK LUCK

2) Contestants will enter their picks for the same 5 games, and the person that beats me and/or the person who picks the most games correctly – straight up wins and losses – will win a FREE  t-shirt or cap ($38 or less) of their choice from the Distant Replays website.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Enter your picks in the “leave a reply/comment” section at the bottom of the post no later than the puck drop of of the first scheduled game to be counted!  ***ONLY ONE ENTRY PER CUSTOMER***

3) I will announce the winner on this blog and our Facebook page the following week, and then we’ll do it again!  NOW TO THE GAMES FOR WEEK # 4! 

GAME 1:  1/29 – Team Chara/Lupul vs. Team Alfredsson/Lundqvist:  How cool is the All-Star format for hockey?  The coolest.  On top of the draft, you have all the skills competitions.  Too bad Mr. Ovechkin won’t be around to win the Breakaway Challenge for a 4th time.  Team Chara Captain Zdeno Chara will be on hand though, and he’ll probably put himself in the Hardest Shot competition to go for his 5th straight victory!  You guys have the luxury of making your pick after the draft on this one.  Regardless who ends up where, it’s going to be high scoring and it’s a toss up.  I’m going with the Bruin-Ranger captain connection.  CHARA/LUPUL – 11, ALFREDSSON/LUNDQVIST – 10.

BUFFALO STANCE

Game 2:  1/31 – Detroit Red Wings (33-16-1) @ Calgary Flames (23-21-6):  I can’t remember the last time the Red Wings have dropped 2 straight this season (maybe once?), and I don’t think it will happen in Calgary.  I love the Flames uni’s, but the Detroit wheel of the Original 6 is still one of the very best ever!  RED WINGS – 5, FLAMES – 3.

Game 3:  1/31 – Chicago Blackhawks (29-15-6) @ Vancouver Canucks (30-15-4):  Speaking of awesome Original 6 uni’s, are there any better than the Blackhawks?  I don’t think so.  So are you down with the Sedin brothers or Hossa-Toews?  Teams are downright equal, but I give the edge to the brothers Sedin with a little home ice for luck.  CANUCKS – 6, BLACKHAWKS – 5.

Game 4:  2/1 – New York Rangers (31-12-4) @ Buffalo Sabres (20-24-5): New York team in first place, or New York team in last place?  Hmmm.  Upstate Upset special!  SABRES – 3, RANGERS – 2.

PACIFIC POWER

Game 5:  2/2 - Dallas Stars (25-21-2) @ San Jose Sharks (27-14-6):   Sharks center Logan Couture seems to have his goal scoring swagger back after a recent outage (12th in the league), and their + 21 to the Stars -10 is telling.  As in telling me it’s a San Jose W.  SHARKS – 5, STARS – 2.

Done and Done.  LET’S SEE THOSE PICKS!  FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FUN, AND ALL THAT IS DISTANT REPLAYS, PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

IN HONOR OF BLUES LEGEND ETTA JAMES.

Darn Ducks!  If you include week #1 of the Distant Replays “Ice Picks!” contest, their 6-2 drubbing of the Coyotes put an end to my 9 game winning streak.  The Ducks victory did enable Peter Duthoy from Frederick, Maryland, to secure a 4-1 record and tie me for most victories for last week’s set of games.  It’s not stated in the contest rules, but if I’m in a tie for first place, CUSTOMER WINS!  Therefore, Peter is the winner of a FREE shirt or cap of his choice from Distantreplays.com  CONGRATS PETER! 

I really am beginning to have dellusion’s of grandeur, so can somebody please kick my buttocks this week?  I’ve NEVER won twice in a previous contest, let alone back-to-back!  Ok, then.  Now before we get into the picks, here are the rules for those just joining us for the first time, and a refresher for the rest:

1) Every week (usually Thursday or Friday) over the next 3 months, I will preview 5 of the most compelling NHL games on the schedule for the upcoming week and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof, as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score.

THE OTHER NEW YORK TEAM

2) Contestants will enter their picks for the same 5 games, and the person that beats me and/or the person who picks the most games correctly – straight up wins and losses – will win a FREE  t-shirt or cap ($38 or less) of their choice from the Distant Replays website.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Enter your picks in the “leave a reply/comment” section at the bottom of the post no later than the puck drop of of the first scheduled game to be counted!  ***ONLY ONE ENTRY PER CUSTOMER***

3) I will announce the winner on this blog and our Facebook page the following week, and then we’ll do it again!  NOW TO THE GAMES FOR WEEK # 3! 

GAME 1: 1/24 – Pittsburgh Penguins (25-17-4) @ St. Louis Blues (28-12-6):  Malkin, Malkin, Malkin.  With the Crosby Kid out, the league leader in total points has held the Pens in contention with his stellar play.  The Blues however, have the hotter hand winning 7 of their last 10, and boast the 4th best record in the league.  Make it 8 of their last 11.  BLUES – 5, PENGUINS – 3.

NORDIQUES OVER NORTHSTARS

GAME 2: 1/24 -Winnipeg Jets (22-20-5) @ New York Rangers (29-12-4): Call me Mr. grudge.  I was mad when the Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes, and then they took my Atlanta Thrashers - MINE I TELL YOU!  Well, I’m really an Islanders fan, but have lived in Atlanta for the past 20 years, so we’ll call them my adopted Thrashers.  I really don’t even know who I have a grudge AGAINST.  But these new Jets are playing the other New York team, so J-E-T-S-JETS!  My feaux cheerleading won’t do any good though.  RANGERS – 6, JETS – 4.

GAME 3:  1/24 - Minnesota Wild (22-18-7) @ Colorado Avalanche (25-21-2):  These two Northwestern division rivals are separated by just 1 point at the moment.  That means nothing to me and my pick ‘em strategery.  You already know my ridiculous disdain for the Wild not being called the North Stars, so that’s strike one against them.  Strike 2 is that I love the old Quebec Nordiques Uni’s even better than the North Stars, and Joe Sakic was one of my favorite players ever, period, end of story.  AVALANCHE – 4, WILD – 2.

BIG B

GAME 4:  1/24  Boston Bruins (30-13-1) @ Washington Capitals (25-18-2):  Don’t hate me cuz I have a Bruins game every week.  They’re too damn good to be ignored.  Hats off to Zdeno Chara for being chosen as an NHL All-Star Captain!  Lest we not forget the Caps aren’t too shabby either.  Ovie hasn’t been a goal scoring machine we know, but imagine when he comes around?  Toughest pick on the slate goes to the visiting team.  BRUINS – 4, CAPITALS – 3.

GAME 5:  1/25 – Detroit Red Wings (31-15-1) @ Montreal Canadiens (17-21-8):  What appears to be a lopsided “gimme” to you, appears as an upset special to me.  Heck, the Canadiens still have twice as many Stanley Cups as the Red Wings.  VIVA LA CANADIENNE!  CANADIENS – 3, RED WINGS – 2.

VICTORIOUS V-NECK

So that wraps it up for this week.  We will have one more round of picks before the All-Star Weekend, and I’ll post those next Thursday.  Perhaps we’ll be picking who wins the Skills events?  Stay tuned.  NOW LET’S SEE THOSE PICKS AND GOOD LUCK!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FUN, AND ALL THAT IS DISTANT REPLAYS, PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

I JUST KNEW IT! ABBEY IN THE BUCKEYE NUTHOUSE.

“It was a very, very, difficult decision, but I have decided to attend….fill in the major College University.” This may very well be the most common sentence uttered out of every top High School prospect come any given signing day.

Not for Abbey Deckop.  While she has played softball and volleyball her entire life, she is definitely not a highly recruited High School prospect, but her decision to attend Ohio State University was not very, very. difficult.  For the subject of today’s “I LOVE COLLEGE HOOPS” Distant Replays interview, It was love at first sight.

Andy:  Choosing a college to go to can be stressful (You need to get accepted first!), and as alluded to above, a very. very, difficult decision to make.  What was it about Ohio State that sealed the deal for you?

Abbey: The minute I set foot on campus I knew it was the perfect place for me.  It was IMMEDIATE. I could feel the energy from the students everywhere.  There is just a perfect mix of sports and academia that is magnetic.  I’m not saying other schools don’t have that same mix, but of all the places I visited, Ohio State was the only one that I connected with so emotionally.

Andy:  Nothing wrong with going with your gut!  You mention the perfect mix of sports & academia.  Can you expound on that a little more for us?

16,000 SCREAMING FANS.

Abbey: I’ve been a sports nut my whole life.  Aside from playing volleyball and softball, I was always involved in all of the pep rallies and functions supporting my High School.  Being part of Block “O” (official Ohio State student cheering section) and the Buckeye “Nut House” (name for the student section for basketball) has been the MOST AMAZING experience!!  The cheering at football games is SO LOUD for the ENTIRE GAME, that it basically takes your breath away.  Basketball isn’t much different – especially when 16,000 fans are waving rally towels and screaming AIR BALL (when opposing players are shooting foul shots).  I LOVE COLLEGE HOOPS!!

Andy:  With all of that excitement, you forgot to mention the other part of the mix – academia?

Abbey: (laughs) Oh yeah, sorry – see how easy it is to get carried away?!  I’m majoring in International Business and Linguistics, so I do manage to make it to class and the library!

Andy:  I’m sure your parents will be relieved to know this.  I do prefer the sports angle myself, so I’ll ask about your new football coach.  Can you describe the attitude on campus as it pertains to the incoming Urban Meyer?

Abbey: First let me say that the amount of support and respect for Coach Fickell (outgoing OSU alum & interim coach Luke Fickell) is genuine.  Secondly, and obviously, the student body is very excited and optimistic about Urban Meyer.  It’s been a real challenging time in the school’s history with what has happened here recently, so the “Urban Renewal” brings a strong positive feeling of a new era that will get us back on track.

Andy:  You’re right – I guess that was obvious.  I see you support your school in Distant Replays gear.  What do you like about our apparel so much?

Abbey: There you go again with another obvious question!  I love the quality – the fabric itself.  The shirts have that worn out look and ARE SO SOFT.  I get tons of compliments on them, and I gave away quite a few as Christmas gifts!

ABBEY(R) & FRIEND QUIN THOMAS DISHIN' IN THE DORM.

Andy:  Ok, you got me again.  Well it’s obvious (that word again) that Abbey knows what she loves, and we enjoyed having the opportunity to find out.  Thanks for taking time out from your studies & sports to talk with us and best of luck to OSU the rest of the basketball season.  SEE YOU IN THE TOURNEY!

If you’re a big fan of College Basketball and/or part of your schools’ Student Cheering section and want to be featured as our next interview, please forward a picture of yourself (preferably in one of our shirts!) and a brief description of how your involved to andyphyman@gmail.com  If we like what we see & read, you may be contacted for an interview. We’ll even send you a Distant Replays T-Shirt if we decide to post your story!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FUN, AND ALL THAT IS DISTANT REPLAYS, PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

CHICAGO CLASSIC

Do you believe in miracles?…… YES!!  No, it wasn’t the “Miracle on Ice,” but yours truly did pick all 5 games correctly in week # 1 of the Distant Replays “ICE PICKS” Hockey contest.  This is a first.  We’ve held many a contest on this blog over the years, but I have never ran the table.  This may be good news for me, but bad news for those who participated last week.  Regrettably, a free t-shirt from www.distantreplays.com will not be awarded this week beacause I BEAT EVERYBODY!  Maybe I’ll treat myself to this New York Islanders beauty (They did knock off the Red Wings in my upset special).

I do hope my obnoxious braggadocio doesn’t deter any of you from participating this week, and despite it being Friday the 13th, I’m feelin’ lucky again!  But before we get to the 5 games for this week, it’s time for a rules refresh….

1) Every week (usually Thursday or Friday) over the next 3 months, I will preview 5 of the most compelling NHL games on the schedule for the upcoming week and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof, as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score.

BACK TO BACK

2) Contestants will enter their picks for the same 5 games, and the person that beats me and/or the person who picks the most games correctly – straight up wins and losses – will win a FREE  t-shirt of their choice from the Distant Replays website.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Enter your picks in the “leave a reply/comment” section at the bottom of the post no later than the puck drop of of the first scheduled game to be counted!  ***ONLY ONE ENTRY PER CUSTOMER***

3) I will announce the winner on this blog and our Facebook page the following week, and then we’ll do it again!  NOW TO THE GAMES FOR WEEK # 2!!

GAME 1: 1/15/12 - San Jose Sharks (24-11-5) @ Chicago Blackhawks (26 – 13-5):  Both of these teams are currently in first place in their respective divisions.  Of course this has no bearing on my pick, as this one is purely on uniform preference (it worked last week).  And in this case it’s a no-brainer.  The shark biting the stick logo is tough and all, but I can’t get past the teal.  Classic Chicago baby!  Blackhawks – 4,  Sharks – 3.

BROAD APPEAL

GAME 2: 1/16/12 - Boston Bruins (28 -11-1) @ Florida Panthers (21-13-8): Like game # 1 above, both of these teams are currently in first place in their respective divisions.  The Bruins league leading goal differential is just too hard to ignore (+71 as of today).  Is having the red hot tandem of rotating goalies Tim Thomas & Tuukka Rask, and the top 6 (!) plus/minus leaders in the league a reason to think Back-to-Back Cups for the black & gold prematurely?  No.  Bruins – 6,  Panthers – 2.

GAME 3:  1/17/12 - Minnesota Wild (22-16-6)@ Philadelphia Flyers (26-12-4):  Unlike the games above, both of these teams are in second place in their respective divisions.  I’m going to continue my old school trend and go with the Broad Street Bullies.  I know this is really stupid, but I still can’t deal with a hockey team from Minnesota that isn’t called the North Stars.  Flyers – 5, Wild – 3.

GAME 4:  1/17/12 – Edmonton Oilers (16-22-4) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (11-26-5): No time to break the pattern – both of these teams are in last place in their respective divisions.  I’m still mad at Gretzky, Messier, Fuhr, etc., for ending my Islanders Stanley Cup streak at 4 in ’84.   Holding a grudge a bit too long perhaps?  Nah…  Blue Jackets – 4, Oilers -2.

GRUDGE GAME

GAME 5:  1/18/12 – Phoenix Coyotes (20-17-7)@ Anaheim Ducks 13-22-7):  Ok, this one breaks the pattern a little bit, but they do share 4th & 5th place respectively in their division.  Have to give props to Teemu Selanne.  The 41 year old Finn is still fab in his 20th season (17th in scoring).  Props for Teemu – loss for teamo.  Phoenix – 5,  Ducks – 3.

COYOTE NOT UGLY

Ok, so is anybody going to knock me off my pedestal?  Bring it on and LET’S SEE THOSE PICKS!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS AND FUN FROM DISTANT REPLAYS,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

KING FOR A DAY.

Christmas, New Year’s, and the Winter Classic are all in the books and they were ALL FANTASTIC!  Now it’s time to bear down for the cold hard winter months, and meat of the NHL season that lie before us.  Cold hard winter months mean breaking out the shovels and ice picks…

And I mean the Distant Replays NHL “ICE PICKS” Hockey contest!  If you like hockey, winning FREE stuff, and our NHL apparel by the Original Retro Brand, then you’re going to want to enter our weekly pick’ em!  It’s fun, easy, & free.  Here’s the hat trick…

1) Every week (usually Thursday or Friday) over the next 3 months, I will preview 5 of the most compelling NHL games on the schedule for the upcoming week and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof, as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score.

I'M UNI-FIED FOR A TORONTO WIN.

2) Contestants will enter their picks for the same 5 games, and the person that beats me and/or the person who picks the most games correctly – straight up wins and losses – will win a FREE  t-shirt of their choice from the Distant Replays website.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Enter your picks in the “leave a reply/comment” section at the bottom of the post no later than the puck drop of of the first scheduled game to be counted!  ***ONLY ONE ENTRY PER CUSTOMER***

3) I will announce the winner on this blog and our Facebook page the following week, and then we’ll do it again!  NOW TO THE GAMES FOR WEEK # 1!!

GAME 1:  1/9/12 – Washington Capitals (21-15-2) @ Los Angeles Kings (20-14-7):   The Caps are on a 4 game winning streak as of this post, and the Kings have a pretty hot goaltender in Jonathan Quick (leads the league in shutouts with 6).  Being that I pick many of my games based solely on which team uniform I prefer, or think is cooler, the previous sentence really doesn’t matter!  Love that purple.  CROWN ME!  Kings – 4, Capitals – 3.

EXACTLY HOW I REMEMBER THEM. GO ISLES!

GAME 2:  1/10/12 – Buffalo Sabres (18-17-4) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (20-15-5):  If I were going to base this game on cool uni’s, it would be a draw, because they are both SICK!  It’s also a tough call because these teams are so evenly matched in many categories.  Regardless, Toronto comes off a nice shutout to sneak in to the top 8 in the East, so I’m going with them.  Maple Leafs – 5,  Sabres – 3.

GAME 3:  1/10/12 - Detroit Red Wings (25-13-1) @ New York Islanders (14-17-6):  Ok, ok, this appears to be your first gift from yours truly, but my Islanders (yes, MY Islanders who won those 4 Cups in the light of my youth growing up in Suffolk County, NY.  Trottier, Bossy, Gillies, Nystrom, Smitty, Chico, etc.,  4 ever!) have a nice little 3 game winning streak going on here, and they will continue to roll in my first upset special!  Islanders – 6, Red Wings – 5.

GAME 4:  1/10/12 - New Jersey Devils (21-16-2) @ Calgary Flames (18-19-5):  Had to pick this game because Devils and Flames just seems to go well together in certain places – H.E. double hockey sticks?  Yes, you will figure out (if you haven’t already), I am NOT a hockey expert, and will be basing many of my picks on facts & fiction that have nothing to do with the game at hand.  Hey, it’s all about you winning a free shirt and not my hockey picking prowess, right?!  Ok, this game – The Devils seem to have improved quite a bit this year, and the Flames have dropped 3 straight.  That’s why I’m going with Calgary at home:  Flames – 4, Devils – 2.

WILL CARRY THE VICTORY TORCH

GAME 5:  1/12/10 – Montreal Canadiens (15-18-7) @ Boston Bruins (26-10-1):  Gotta have an Original 6 matchup for this first week!  Gimme gane # 2?  Kinda.  Islanders are going to beat the Wings remember?  This game has two teams going in completely opposite directions, and the Bruins are going the right way.  +69 in GF-GA?!!  Won 9 of last 10. They are killin’ it.  Canadiens not so much.  Bruins – 7, Canadiens – 3.

BEANTOWN BEAUTY

So there you have it for week #1.  Enjoy the NFL weekend and BCS Championship game Monday, and then get your HOCKEY ON!  Now let’s see those picks and GOOD LUCK!!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS AND FUN FROM DISTANT REPLAYS,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

Just in time for the Holidays and Bowl season – BRAND NEW Distant Replays College short & long sleeve t’s, tanks, hoodies, & thermals!!  YES!!!!!

We thought we’d spiff up the website with a new look too – Hope you like it!

With SO MUCH new gear to choose from, I thought I’d help you out by presenting my personal favorites in the form of a TOP TEN list. To each his own of course, but THESE ARE THE BEST!

10. Any new Georgia shirt works for this die-hard DAWG!

9. Jayhawk logo from 1912. That is a true DISTANT REPLAY! ROCK CHALK!!

8. Cowboys own the state of Oklahoma this year. GO POKES!

7. This is one B-U-tiful bear. Congrats RG3!!!

6. 'THE BLUE' Big East Bound!

5. BUCKY is headed (and hoodied) for the Rose Bowl!!

4. Dean Smith, Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Phil Ford, Antwan Jamison. Tyler Hansbrough, and 2,040 games won!?!?! CAROLINA BLUE BASKETBALL!

3. URBAN RENEWAL!

2. 1950's Notre Dame. Show off that Shamrock!

1. # 1 in 1958. # 1 on our list. # 1 in the nation. GEAUX TIGERS!!

The REAL # 1 item to discuss is the aformentioned NEW LOOK Distant Replays website.  Being it’s the Holidays and all, we figured it’d be nice to celebrate with A SITEWIDE 40% OFF SALE!!!  Just enter code OFF40 @ checkout and receive 40% off your entire order.  Offer ends this Sunday night 12/18/11 at midnight so get your orders in – it’s also the cutoff date for guaranteed Christmas delivery.  WELCOME BACK AND ENJOY!!

Did you see that hole in one last night?  Pens forward Craig Adams sent a routine slapper on Islander Goalie Rick DiPietro that deflected off his stick, rolled up his arm over his head, and landed squarely (roundly?) in his water bottle (see awesome video below).  If you add that to the final score, you get a 4-0 Penguins shutout over the hapless Islanders.  You also get the final game of the 7 week long Distant Replays “Puck Picks” Contest.

In a way, I’m kind of glad all of this fun has to come to an end (at least until a new contest comes along which will be soon!), because as those of you who’ve been involved in the contest from the beginning know, I SUCK!

2-3 is my mantra.  That’s my record again for last week, bringing my final record to 14-21.  Keep in mind I had to pick upset specials (in which ZERO came to fruition) to give ya’ll a fighting chance!

Jonathan Agin from Marietta, Georgia, did just fine on his own thank you, picking all 5 games correctly to win the FREE Original Retro Brand NHL t-shirt for the second time!  Agin Again! Had to do that…  Jonathan was a bit cocky when he sent in his picks, claiming a San Jose Sharks shirt as his prize in advance saying ” When I win, I’m thinking this is a pretty cool shirt to sport!” What can you say?  He won twice. The dude backed it up.

JONATHAN THE TRUE SHARK

Thanks to everybody for playing, and enjoy the second half of the NHL season.

And before you go, we throw a little love your way for Valentine’s Day.  Check out the deal below, & click over the image to get to the gear!

FOR  GREAT DEALS, CONTESTS, AND FUN FROM DISTANT REPLAYS,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

HOUSE OF CANE

The more things stay the same, the more they stay the same.  Translation?  I SUCK AT PICKING HOCKEY GAMES! Yes, another pitiful performance last week in the Distant Replays “Puck Picks” contest (2-3) brings my 6 week tally to a very uninspiring 12 – 18.  I guess it could be worse (Islanders, Devils, Oilers).

Somebody who doesn’t suck at picking hockey games is Jonathan Mann from Hewlett, New York.  He went a perfect 5-0 this past week to take home the trophy!  Well, a FREE Original Retro Brand NHL T-shirt anyway.  Further proof he doesn’t suck is that this is the second time that Jonathan “Mann – Alive” has won.  If he wins this week, he’ll be able to open up a small kiosk at the Hewlett Harbor Shopping Mall! Well done Jonathan!

It’s been a fun run, as we head into the NHL All-Star weekend, and the last installment of the Distant Replays “Puck Picks” Contest.  So for the last time, here are the rules for those of you that have missed the past 6 weeks and want in on the action:

COOL L"O"GO DOESN'T HELP

1) Today I will preview 5 NHL matchups for the upcoming week, and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof (as proven by my horrible record) as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score.

2) Contestants will e-mail their picks for the same 5 games to me, and the person that beats me, and/or the person who picks the most games correctly (straight up wins and losses) will win a FREE NHL Original Retro Brand t-shirt of their choice.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Send your picks to me at andyphyman@gmail.com no later than the first scheduled game to be counted.

3) I will announce the winner for this final contest next Thursday, February 3rd.

Let’s get to it….

CAP'N CRUNCH CANADIENS

GAME 1:  1/30/11, The NHL All-Star Game, Team Lidstrom vs. Team Staal -  Eric Staal has made it known he is gunning for goalie Cam Ward from Carolina in the All-Star Fantasy draft Friday night, so he can get as many Hurricanes for the home arena as possible.  If that means Team Lidstrom gets my player of the year, Boston goalie Tim Thomas, then my pick is sealed like the net Tim protects!  LIDSTROM – 12, STAAL – 7.

GAME 2:  2/1/11,  Ottawa Senators @ New Jersey Devils – Since we are finishing up the contest this week, why not pick 2 teams that are finished for the season as well (look at me pickin’ on the Devils again)?  At least the Devils are making a run of sorts, winning 6 of their last 10, while Ottawa is vying for a run to the NHL cellar, winning just once in their last 10. DEVILS – 5, SENATORS – 3.

DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE SHARKS

GAME 3:  2/1/11,  Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals – Caps need to take any opportunity they can to dump the team that shocked them out of the first round last year.  They’ll do it this time.  CAPITALS – 4, CANADIENS – 2.

GAME 4:  2/2/11,  San Jose Sharks @ Anaheim Ducks – Anaheim at home with Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne leading the way, give them the edge over their Pacific division rivals.  DUCKS – 3, SHARKS – 2.

GAME 5:  2/2/11,  New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins -Will I?  Should I?  I’m talking one last shot at an upset special!  So far I’ve been wrong EVERY TIME.  The Isles are only 2 points less pitiful than the NHL’s dead last Devils (Sorry again Devils!), but I’m going with them over the mighty Penguins anyway.  ISLANDERS – 5, PENGUINS – 4.

UPSET SPECIAL!

There you have it.  Enjoy the NHL Fantasy draft, super-skills and All-Star game, but get me your picks first!  Can somebody beat Jonathan Mann – Alive this week?  Let’s see what you got, and GOOD LUCK!

CHOICE, CHOICE!

Saturday night’s alright (for fighting), and the schedule in the NHL this weekend is just too enticing, so all 5 games are going down Saturday night for this week’s “Puck Picks” contest.  Before we get to the games on that slate however, we need to announce the winner of the FREE Original Retro Brand NHL T-shirt for last weeks contest.

It’s kind of surprising that it took 5 weeks before any of our entries ran the table and picked all 5 games correctly, but that’s exactly what Jeff Shirrell, from Northbrook, Illinois did.  A bunch of entries had strong 4-1 records (yours truly went 3-2, bringing my 5 week record to 10-15….blahh), but Jeff knocked out any shot at a drawing for first place by going perfect.

Jeff did pick out a knockout of a shirt in this pretty darn awesome Chicago Blackhawks beauty for his prize (above).  Congrats Mr. Shirrell!

Now that we have announced our latest winner, let’s get to the contest rules for those of you just joining us, and here they are:

1) Today, and next Thursday (our last week of this contest),  I will preview 5 NHL matchups for the upcoming week, and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof (as proven by 10-15 record) as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score.

MAKE ROOM ON THAT BANNER!

2) Contestants will e-mail their picks for the same 5 games to me, and the person that beats me, and/or the person who picks the most games correctly (straight up wins and losses) will win a FREE NHL Original Retro Brand t-shirt of their choice.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Send your picks to me at andyphyman@gmail.com no later than the first scheduled game to be counted.

3) I will announce the winner for this weeks contest next Thursday, and the final winner on February 3rd.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!! Here we go….

GAME 1:  Chicago Blackhawks @ Detroit Red Wings – Defending Stanley Cup Champs are keeping consistent of late, as they head to the home of NHL All-Star Captain Nicklas Lidstrom.  Being that Detroit handed me a loss last week, I have to believe the first place Wings led by Team Lidstrom won’t let me down again!  REDWINGS  – 6, BLACKHAWKS – 4.

LOVE AT FIRST LEAF

GAME 2:  Boston Bruins @ Colorado Avalanche - I’m all over the hot handed Bruins and goalie Tim Thomas (who it seems I mention every week).  The Avs are playing some excellent hockey behind Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny as well, but for now, I’m all about the boys from Beantown. BRUINS – 5, AVALANCHE – 3.

GAME 3:  Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs – I will use this game for my upset special.  The Caps just don’t have me convinced they’re at the top of their game yet, and they may be taking the lowly Leafs too lightly heading into All-Star weekend.  For that reason, and the fact that I LOVE the Leafs uni’s, I’m going with Toronto at home.  MAPLE LEAFS – 3, CAPITALS – 2.

GAME 4:  Anaheim Ducks @ Montreal Canadiens -The Ducks and Canadiens have the best home records in the league.  Ducks ain’t home Saturday.  CANADIENS – 4, DUCKS – 2.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

GAME 5:  Carolina Hurricanes @ Pittsburgh Penguins - Last week I must have had my head in a zamboni when I declared the Penguins were hosting the Red Wings at “the Igloo” (pointed out to me by one of  our customers).  As we all know, the Penguins play in the Consol Energy Center, so I apologize for the Distant Replays slip (I still want to call it the Igloo anyway!).  Well the Pens are hosting the Hurricanes this week, and the Pens are hot (3 straight wins) and the Canes are not (2 straight losses).  NHL All-Star Captain Eric Staal won’t be enough to lead the Canes at the Igl…Consol Energy Center.  PENGUINS – 6, HURRICANES – 4.

Another Saturday night, and YOU DO got somebody – 5 AWESOME NHL GAMES!  Now let’s see those picks and GOOD LUCK!

FOR  GREAT DEALS, CONTESTS, AND FUN FROM DISTANT REPLAYS,  BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

Now that college football is officially over, and the NFL is almost over, it’s time to really turn our attention to the ice.  There are tight races in just about every division, the NHL All stars’ have been named with the game just a few weeks away, and Bruin goalie Tim Thomas continues to dominate the nets – just check out this save below in overtime against the Leafs - AMAZING!

It’s also amazing that Distant Replays continues to give out a FREE Original Retro Brand NHL t-shirt every week to the winner of the “PUCK PICKS” contest.  Our winner for last week is Jonathan Agin of Atlanta, Georgia who was the only entry to pick 4 out of 5 games correctly.  He’s picked the Orange Flyers shirt for his prize.  Nice job Jonathan!

Now that we have announced our latest winner, let’s get to the contest rules for those of you just joining us, and here they are:

1) For the next 3 Thursdays (including today),  I will preview 5 NHL Matchups for every upcoming week, and offer my expertise, or more commonly lack thereof, as to who will win & why, along with a predicted final score.

ROAD WARRIORS

2) Contestants will e-mail their picks for the same 5 games to me, and the person that beats me, and/or the person who picks the most games correctly (straight up wins and losses) will win a FREE NHL Original Retro Brand t-shirt of their choice.  In the event of a tie, we will have a drawing to determine the final winner.  Send your picks to me at andyphyman@gmail.com no later than the first scheduled game to be counted.  We’ll conduct the contest for the next 2 weeks leading up to the NHL All-Star game.

3) I will announce the winner every THURSDAY, following the prior week of games.  Enough of my yackin’ …..here are the games!

GAME 1:  1/15/11,  New York Rangers @ Montreal Canadians – This Original Six matchup features 2 teams with nearly identical records.  Rangers are 25-16-3 & Canadians are 24-17-3.  The Rangers actually have an excellent road record as Montreal does home, but since I’ll actually be in the Big Apple this weekend, I have to go Rangers!  RANGERS – 4,  CANADIANS – 2.

KING FOR A DAY

GAME 2:  1/15/11,  Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings – Since this is Distant Replays, I’m allowed to pretend Wayne Gretzky is still playing…for both teams.  His Oilers were better than his Kings.  My, how things have changed.  The Oilers are just a step above the lowly Devils (what happened to them?!?!), and the Kings are right in the mix with the NHL elite.  KINGS – 6, OILERS – 2.

GAME 3:  1/16/11,  Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins – The Hurricanes can boast the leagues 14th leading scorer in center Eric Staal, but the aforementioned Tim Thomas is having a career year in goal. More importantly, the Bruins uniform kicks butt! BRUINS – 5, HURRICANES – 2.

GAME 4:  1/18/11,  Washington Capitals @ Philadelphia Flyers – Confident describes the Caps of late, as they try to get past the Conference Quarter-finals this year.  They’ll probably have to go through Philly to get there.  Tough call on  this one.  Both teams are hot.  Personal ties to the City of Brotherly Love means I’m going with the Broad Street Bullies.  FLYERS – 4, CAPITALS – 3.

GAME 5:  1/18/11,  Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins – Zetterberg & Lidstrom take their show on the road to the Igloo.  The Wings have the second best road record in the league & despite the Pens win last night, they’ve been a bit inconsistent of late, thus…..  RED WINGS – 5, PENGUINS – 4.

RED WINS

Enjoy all the snow you must have received (except Florida), and enjoy all the hockey action!  Now let’s see those picks, and GOOD LUCK!

FOR  GREAT DEALS, CONTESTS, AND FUN FROM DISTANT REPLAYS,  BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.