Your “WOO! – Hockey’s Back!” Wednesday Evening Open Thread

Excuse me while I play the Canadian national anthem.


NFL News:

  • Leonard Fournette will not play for the Jags against the Chiefs.
    • His hamstring is still tenuous.
  • The League office finally got around to suspending Mychal Kendricks for his insider trading conviction.
    • He was given the rarely-used “indefinite” term, which means he’s done for the year, and likely forever after he’s sentenced in January.
    • At least the Seahawks got three games out of him.
  • Oof – LeSean McCoy is accused of physical abuse of his (ex-)girlfriend starting in the 2017 season.
    • “McCoy is extremely strong and was heavy-handed,” the lawsuit claims. “He would often grab Plaintiff in a manner that was painful and would leave Plaintiff’s skin reddened. McCoy did not care who was around when he would become enraged. McCoy once physically kicked Plaintiff out of the bed.”
    • This is in conjunction with previous allegations of physical abuse towards his son and his mother’s dog.
  • TV ratings are up over the first four weeks versus last year.
    • It’s only 2%, but it has as much to do with the quality of the football (read: offence) as with the lack of outside pressures (kneeling; President Bone Spurs).

Now,

during the offseason I had a half-brained idea to do a comparison on the complaints received by the FCC (in the US) and the CRTC (in Canada) about the Super Bowl broadcast. This was because people LOVE to complain, and the more trivial the issue the better. (See: the internet) That fell by the wayside for a couple of reasons:

  1. In the US, you can only contact the FCC via snail mail, and you apparently have to have an USA address for a response.
  2. In Canada, the CRTC only received 14 complaints – none about the game broadcast; most about the “signal substitution” during the pre-game show.

Now signal substitution, also known as “SimSub”, is the process by which a Canadian broadcast rights holder can substitute their broadcast feed over the American cable signal so as to claim advertising rights & revenue. Since there are only three national private media broadcasters in Canadian television, and they account for 75% of channel ownership, it is in their best interests to maintain this monopoly. I have written about this issue a couple of times before, mostly to express outrage.

Well, for two glorious years (2017-18), the US signal wasn’t blocked, due to a CRTC ruling that prohibited the practice for the live games.

They had received enough complaints about the shoddy SimSub work that they ended the practice. Consumers were happy, but the NFL and the networks were not. The NFL saw the value of its Canadian broadcast rights greatly reduced, and the Canadian network CTV saw a deep plunge in their first-quarter ad revenue. Still, score one for the consumer, right?

So imagine my outrage when I come across at Deadspin a story about how Roger Goodell & the NFL got Donald Trump to include a codicil in the new Free Trade Agreement about prohibiting the continuation of this practice. According to BNN BloombergAnnex 15-D of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) reads:

“Canada shall rescind Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-334 and Broadcasting Order CRTC 2016-335. With respect to simultaneous substitution of commercials during the retransmission in Canada of the program referenced in those measures, Canada may not accord the program treatment less favorable than the treatment accorded to other programs originating in the United States retransmitted in Canada.”

This Agreement not only deletes the CRTC ruling from 2015, it practically cements in place all SimSub practices in use by Canadian networks. The only recourse would be to propose eliminating the entire SimSub category from the CRTC code, which would be nigh-impossible, since that political party would be portrayed as weakening Canadian culture. Trudeau’s got it hard enough right now, he doesn’t need more sniping from the left-wing (NDP) or right-wing (Tories).

That’s not to say the Ginger Hammer isn’t happy. To quote Roger Goodell:

“We greatly appreciate President Trump’s leadership and determination in bringing about a resolution to our intellectual property issue in Canada,” Goodell said in a written statement released by the NFL.

Starting in 2019, the Canadian networks will get their SimSub rights back to the Super Bowl, and Canadians will be ‘treated’ to approximately 300 Canadian Tire ads. Bart Scott?

 


Tonight’s sports:

  • NHL:
    • Habs at Leafs – 7:00PM | Sportsnet
    • Bruins at Capitals – 7:30PM | NBCSN
    • Flames at Canucks – 10:00PM | Sportsnet
    • Ducks at Sharks – 10:30PM | NBCSN

  • MLB:
    • Athletics at Yankees – 8:00PM | TBS / Sportsnet1

HAIL GAMBLOR – HOCKEY IS BACK!

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Beerguyrob
A Canadian man-child of indeterminate age, he stays young by selling alcohol at sporting events and yelling at the patrons he serves. Their rage nourishes his soul, and their tips pay for his numerous trips to various sporting events.
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Unsurprised

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OUCH

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Hope it’s ok that I took a knee at the beginning of this post.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Unsurprised

She’s still as hot as she was 35 years ago.

Unsurprised

This was from February 2017.
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yeah right

We had rain!

Real rain! Like in a downpour.

And I’ve got a leak.

Motherfucker can’t I get a break!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkLTwX0duY4

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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BrettFavresColonoscopy

Have you tried those adult diapers?

Horatio Cornblower

Welp, time to bully David Price into playing Fortnite for the next 48 straight hours.

Senor Weaselo

He’s gonna start Game 2, I assume? No way they’d let him pitch in the Bronx.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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HI HO, HI HO, OFF TO WORK WE GO!

Senor Weaselo

Chapman comes in and Padre Weaselo starts panicking again. Dude can’t locate the fastball right now. Or the slider.

Horatio Cornblower

Yeah, he had better aim with that handgun a couple year back, and that’s not saying much.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

DUDE!

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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yeah right

Barstool Sports. First known photo.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Unsurprised

Apropos of nothing, did anyone else know that FTVMILFs is a thing and has been for, looking at the model list, like a year? I know FTV tried to do a hardcore sex site FTVX for like a week almost a decade ago, but anyway, it’s just another reminder that the first generation of people being Extremely Online like me are now fucking middle-aged and our tastes have expanded to women our age as well as the teenagers who do FTV.

(Jesus, this is sadder than commenting on Pornhub)

Senor Weaselo

For nobody who cares, this weekend is apparently Comic-Con. So naturally the subway that goes to the convention center is under maintenance and not running there. Everyone makes another MTA joke.
/Remembers it took over an hour to get a bus from the Harbor on a late Saturday afternoon in Baltimore

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Unsurprised

NYCC is fun. I can’t remember if the anime expo is technically separate, but anyway, it’s always fun watching the cosplayers filing out at night when the con ends for the evenings. The last time I was in NYC was in part for that and then I hung out with a friend whose college football fans takes over a bar on Saturdays and so it was funny seeing a bunch of sad wookies, etc. being denied because it’s a couple blocks from Javits.

Anyway, fuck Governor Cuomo with a hot poker.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

THAT was weird.

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Horatio Cornblower

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Some peoples O-face…….. scary.

Unsurprised

Why is he pounding away at her leg?

Senor Weaselo

Well I’m no longer an angle grinder towards my thumbnail. So that’s improvement.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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yeah right

This requires further specification.

Horatio Cornblower

Just finished work and started drinking with a 9.3 ABV Imperial Stout.

One must make up for lost time after all.

(also it’s delicious)

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Started?

Horatio Cornblower

I had to walk the dog and didn’t feel like trying to get in 2 miles in the dark with a pint of 9.3 in me.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Makes sense….. SORTA.

Mr. Ayo

There’s nothing better than a Booze Cruise. Especially with a dog.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Did Selena Gomez go to college or is this just my imagination.

Horatio Cornblower

Your imagination and Roy Moore’s worst nightmare.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Over 18, maybe even a graduate student or two……. THE HORROR!!

Horatio Cornblower

Way tool old and S-M-R-T to fall for his shit.

Unsurprised

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She was basically in Neighbors 2 for these two shots. I wish she was in it more.

Thankfully, we’ll always have Spring Breakers.

Unsurprised

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I don’t remember this.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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WCS

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blaxabbath

Who all else is stoked for Fantastic Beasts 2?!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Oh, you meant something else.

Senor Weaselo

Will I go watch it? Yes. Was there moments in the trailer I went “Wait what the fuck?” Also yes.

SonOfSpam

Hey all. Red Sox-Yankees gonna be lit. (I mean, except for good people, who hate both teams.)

Go, uh, Colts tomorrow?

King Hippo

Not only good ppl, #BFIB even agree!

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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litre_cola

I have 0 interest in that game tomorrow. Will I watch? Yeah, Gamblor implores me but I have no read on it.

Horatio Cornblower

Zach Britton says “hold my beer”

WCS

Well, that’s one of the Sunniest Sunny moments of all time.

King Hippo

GLORIOUS. That entire last 7-8 minute sequence, just PERFECTION.

Gratliff

Gonna be in heavy gif rotation in coming months

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I will try to keep up, but I’m not sure I’m up to the monumental task.

Gratliff

Oh boy is this week’s Sunny giffable

Ian Scott McCormick

That’s my big boy baby man! Luke Voit fucking rules.

Ian Scott McCormick

AND 1

Senor Weaselo

Shane Motherfucking Sp—I mean, Luke Motherfucking Voit!

Horatio Cornblower

Kevin Motherfucking Maas. I mean, Shane Motherfucking Spencer. I mean, Luke Motherfucking Voit!

King Hippo

Speaking on behalf of the #BFIB – you’re welcome!

SonOfSpam

Asshole’s named after a cheap basketball brand.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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She takes a lot of time to get there.

Senor Weaselo

Eric Idle’s funeral?

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Horatio Cornblower

Oh that is sublime.

theeWeeBabySeamus

The Grinch died happy, at least.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Don T

I’m told this qualifies as enthusiasm.
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theeWeeBabySeamus

Hey, I own that same jersey and Alice is mah friend!!!!!!!

Well sort of my friend. We’ve talked a few times.

/also owns two other ‘Yotes jerseys.
//is now embarrassed and will shut up now.

WCS

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Unsurprised

The Sewer Socialists fucking ruled. It’s a shame Milwaukee has since become the most segregated large city in the U.S. and Wisconsin has become a Republican-controlled shithole.

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

Still have a 1999-00 Tkachuk home jersey in my closet.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Dude!!!!!!

My Shane Doan is collecting dust as we speak!!!!!!

(never went foar the Roenicke, lol)

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

I don’t know why my father got me that for Christmas one year, neither of us are Coyotes fans.

I still love those old ass jerseys.

theeWeeBabySeamus

When I moved to PHX in ’98, I tried to like them. And did sort of. But honestly, I more hated the Stars.

Plus there was this really hot chick I met who was a ‘Yotes fan. If I hadn’t been married at the time….well, you get where I’m going.

litre_cola

You would have run away to Honduras, had 4 children and open a convenience store? Or did I read your situation wrong?

Senor Weaselo

They’re called bodegas!

theeWeeBabySeamus

She was actually a very white, very blonde, very stacked, very bikini model.

And she was a Baltimore native too. If only I hadn’t been married at the time.

Ooooooof.

litre_cola

He is a real big right wing evangelical. I loved him as he was a Jet then they moved. Some views are problematic, or were, he may have changed his tune.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Well, unlike SOME people:

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SonOfSpam

NO MORE MR. ALIVE GUY

Unsurprised

I wish I knew more conspiracy theories. These are better than anything I’ve ever written.

Senor Weaselo

I do like it when people hit Fernando Rodney. Bonus when it’s my team!

herodotus450

Fernando Rodney is still alive?

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Gratliff

Are the Bruins bad again? I’m really hoping so

WCS

WEEAH A FACKIN’ BAHHSBAWLL CITEE AHNYWAHY!

/Sox lose Division Series

WEEAH A FACKIN’ BAHHSKETBAWLL CITEE AHNYWAHY!

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

DEE BRAWN HAD IT CAWMING

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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theeWeeBabySeamus

Bad day for CJ Fuller.
In spite of him being a Clemson Tigger, this is a fucking shame.

jeebus.

theeWeeBabySeamus

Sorry, forgot to add the link….

(22 years old….that ain’t right)

https://www.wspa.com/sports/former-clemson-running-back-cj-fuller-dies/1495899577

herodotus450

[Fuller] announced he would be transferring to another school in the winter of 2017.

If I were Kelly Bryant I would be reconsidering transferring right about now.

Gratliff

They used a goddamn Taxi picture on the license

Redshirt

Its may be the heat getting to me but I can almost hear the closed winter-capped pool mocking me outside my bedroom window. Either that or I goofed and a neighbor kid is under the cover. Eh, I’ll find out in the Spring.

Senor Weaselo

Eh, it would be the kid’s problem, not yours.

LemonJello

Later, Taters!
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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Gratliff

I can’t believe I watched an hour of Grown Ups 2 to get to Always Sunny. Taking every unconscionable action of the last 20 years, Adam Sandler is still the worst part of it.

King Hippo

ADAM SANDLER HAS NO DISCERNIBLE TALENT AND NEVER HAD ANY

Redshirt

The best thing he ever did was “Big Daddy” and that was a C+.

Mid 90s SNL was a very dark time. Its a wonder it survived.

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

Andrew Dyke Clay: “So I’m like, what is she a BREEDER?!? OHHHHHHHHH”

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

“Hickory Dickory Dock, I don’t go near the cock OHHHHHH”

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

What is everybody drinking tonight?

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Senor Weaselo

At some point I need to drink my Angry Orchard Iceman, but not sure when.

King Hippo

you reminded me that I have a lime alkie fizzy water in the fridge that I can imbibe with It’s Always Sunny, thanks, Imaginary Donks Frenemy!!

ballsofsteelandfury

Milk

King Hippo

McPoyles!!!!

Redshirt

Tap Water.

Why yes, my credit card is maxed. How’d you know?

Unsurprised

o7

theeWeeBabySeamus

I really want Kuznetsov to get the hat trick.
It will make me feel smrt.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Senor Weaselo

All right, Green-Robertson-Chapman/Britton?

Buddy Cole's Halftime Show

We like to keep our final three innings WASPy around here, thank you much!

herodotus450

Mon-Tor looking like OT. Habs don’t have a chance 3 on 3 do they?

King Hippo

oh God, Betances, somebody check on Senor and Horatio

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Senor Weaselo

Betances with men on is key. Heart is still in the chest cavity.

And Lucroy took two steps and still almost got doubled off second.

King Hippo

he seems to have settled down quite a bit

theeWeeBabySeamus

Did he kill somebodeh?

Sorry, I’m busy watching hockey. Fuck Basedballs.

Senor Weaselo

But frabjous day, Buck and Duquette are out!

theeWeeBabySeamus

Yep. I’m keeping my mouth shut, however.