After being greeted in Calgary last night by four degree weather upon exiting the plane, it has risen to a robust 18 degrees amidst some light snow that has continued to fall downtown. Snow doesn’t necessarily photograph well – just take my word for it. Weather can change rapidly in this city – I’ve been outside in October in short sleeves here, followed 24 hours later by a trace of snow. I’ve previously thought of Calgary as “Canada’s Denver”. The Rocky Mountains are a short drive away, there are plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts, and a cowboy culture prevails. If you’ve ever been to the Calgary Stampede, I’d love for you to share your recollections in the comments below. Here’s the view from the 12th floor of our downtown hotel:
My first Calgary Stampede was the second year I moved to Calgary. It’s quite the carnival with a great Western feel. While the midway is great, the exhibits of agriculture and First Nations that were there provided a great diversity from the cowboys there. Oh…and of course all the beer tents and mini-donuts to be had are a plus, too.
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Nice weather… Meanwhile I’m going to walk down to the beach today.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:40 am
@Cortex949, 16 degrees currently, with light snow….hockey weather for sure…
the World’s Safest Beach is just over a mile away, and a walk sounds good…
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Cortex949 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:47 am
@Real 7, it’s still warming up where I am. About 60 now but I’m like 100 yards from the beach (salt creek in California). I think a morning jog is in order.
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Neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:40 am
@Cortex949, Snowing in Acton (55 miles north of L.A. )…….
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DesertKing Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:48 am
@Cortex949,
At least there are no man-eating sharks in Calgary. I guess that is a positive.
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Cortex949 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:51 am
@DesertKing, oddly enough I have been “attacked” by a shark once in my life. Thankfully for me it was only about a 3 foot juvenile and he only bit my calf once. A few stitches and a Vicodin and I was fine
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Real 7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:59 am
@Cortex949, gata look out for them sharks, Dana…get the Point? have a nice jog up the creek, and don’t forget your paddle….
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:00 am
@Cortex949, San Jose fans are nasty little creatures.
Goring 19 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:08 am
@Cortex949, it took “beat L.A.” a little too seriously eh?
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:22 am
@Goring 19,
“Eat LA”?
I was at the game yesterday and heading to the game today. Hopefully the same result with a few more goals. Go Kings.
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Shakes Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:16 am
@meman, don’t change your socks. they’re lucky! they’re lucky!
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:24 am
@meman, Nice! What made you a King’s fan living in that area?
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meman Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:53 am
@KC23, Gretzky trade when I was 9. I was more of a player fan than a team fan at the time. Been with the Kings ever since. I live in Red Deer which is right between Calgary and Edmonton.
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This seem to be the same system as last season(with T.M. )….my question to the coach would be….The team was struggling to score till Carter came along and you tweek a few things and the team started scoring…(If I remembber the avg. was very good the last part of the season)….what is happenning this season??? Same system as TM?? Players out of shape/injurede…..desire…Please explain coach…
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:24 am
@Neil,
TM only sent in one forechecker, DS sends in two. Yes, players were out of shape. Kopi and Brown are dinged.
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:31 am
@Neil, It’s called 3 starting defensemen out of the line up.
Least that is how I see it.
While Mitchell doesn’t put alot of points up, he is always near the top or at the top of plus/minus rating. Mitchell consistently gets the puck up the ice out of harms way which leads to more offensive zone time which leads to more goals. I don’t think there is a lot of drop off with Keaton Elleby, but there is a significant drop off with Muzzin and DD2.
On a side note. I think DL absolutely got the steal of the year getting Elleby for a 5th rounder.
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Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:43 am
@KC23, hey, an Ellerby supporter. I didn’t think you guys existed. I thought I was all alone out here lol.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:47 am
@Robyn, I am liking Ellerby. I don’t understand why people don’t like him. Yes it is an adjustment coming to the Western Conference from the East, but he appears for the most part to doing it well. Yes there will be some hiccups but the positives outweigh the negatives.
PRMan Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:30 am
@Robyn, He’s slow. His ice time got cut last night because he was getting torched by their speed, but I’ve been impressed with him against guys who aren’t supersonic.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:37 am
@PRMan
Ellerby is pretty mobile, especially for his size. You want slow, that’s Drewiske. Anyway, the key is reading the speed and taking proper angles and knowing when to step up to get to the right spot first. The Oilers probably have the most pure speed in the League. They make a lot of D look slow.
Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
@Jeff_R, I definitely agree with that assessment, which is why I don’t get the Ellerby haters. He’s out here working his tail off, learning a brand new (to him, coaching) system, playing a totally different style of hockey and appears to have a good attitude about it. Yes, he’s had a few flubs, but no one can say that WM and MG have never made any mistakes.
@Kenny44, DD2 seems to be getting better, but you’re definitely right that the Boilers
Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
@Robyn, confounded smartphone! I meant that the Oils are definitely one of the fastest teams in the Western conference
Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
@KC23, I don’t know if I’d agree that there is not a lot of drop off from 33 to 5, but that’s by no means any knock on KE who has done a pretty decent job since being hurled in at the deep end like he has.
It’s just that WM’s influence is missing significantly in all phases. His confidence and experience are irreplaceable, at least in the current market.
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And now is Bernier’s turn to start in Goal Tonight and This Saturday because Quick will Start versus the Ducks so what do you think
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Real 7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:53 am
@Adam M, if Bernier WINS tonight he might get a repeat back-to-back chance….
that’s assuming he gets the start v. CALG…
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:32 am
@Adam M, Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if DS went with Quick again tonight. That is what I expect in fact.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:42 am
@KC23, Quick wins by a split decision….Darryl, what say ye?
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:07 am
@KC23, I agree, but remember after 5-7 straight starts, Quick starts to play ONE soft game except during the Play-off of course.
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Here is something I have never mentioned before…Why did the Kings practice with one set of lines and played the game with a different set???? Not one comment about that….Cliffy was on the first line during the practices but ended up on the second line….
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:03 am
@Neil,
And you’re missing the biggest change of all with Lewis on the same line with Carter and Richards. My recap discusses it.
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Neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:21 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Your site is looking good !!!!
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:24 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Link?
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:25 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Sorry Paul, that was lazy. Somehow, I think I’ll be able to find it.
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:18 am
@Michael J., Just click on paul’s name
neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:26 am
@Michael J., You need more compete in your game !!!!!!
Who will be in goal tonight?
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Neil Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:23 am
@Jay GoLAKings, Quick is my guess…unless Quick’s back cant handle it. DS likes to have his #1 goalie play alot…so no changes for tonight…
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:39 am
@Neil, Yep, that is what I expect as well. Be foolish not to ride Quick when he gets hot.
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Robyn Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 9:47 am
@KC23, don’t know if 2 days is enough rest for Quickie if he’s going to start on Saturday afternoon against the Avs for Legends night.
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:10 am
@Jay GoLAKings, I’d like to see quick in goal tonight. See what a couple games off does to Quick. AWESOME!!! Makes him hungry and mentally rested.
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Do you think there is a good chance that we see Campbell in the line-up tonight? He’s seen a fair share of practices now and one would think he is due to see some game action soon, this game makes sense coming off a back to back. What do you think?
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Jon,
It looks like you always have the same view from every hotel room you’re staying. Can’t you have a room with a garden view ?
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I use to work at that hotel. Seeing the players was the best part of the job.
As a Calgarian i hate the stampede. Everything is lined up and busy, and there are drunks everywhere. Usually like to be the only afternoon drunk.
I will be at the game tonight!! GO KINGS!
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mash-ola Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:50 am
@Perro, Actually, I LOVE the Saddledome… It’s one of my favorite buildings to see a game. It has a state-fair-kind-of atmosphere to it. The concourse is huge and they seem to have a ton of stuff going on between periods and before/after the game. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but they had a really great Angus Beef sandwich (AB Angus, of course), a lot of memorabilia and history during the Flames’ glory years in the 90′s, and there’s a casino just across the street for some pre/post-game gambling. What’s not to like? A visit to the French Maid afterwards is also recommended (if its still around)…
GO KINGS GO!
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Perro Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
@mash-ola, I said nothing against the dome. I was talking about the stampede that happens in July here. Where the dome is called the Stampede grounds so I can seewhy it would be confusing.
The French Maid (downtown) no longer exists it has been moved (still downtown) and has been renamed.
Although teh Saddledome is getting outdated I still love it as well. It is definately unique shape. It is unfortunate that Calgary gets skipped over by a lot of concerts because the roof at the dome cannot support all of the speakers and stage equip that alot of the bigger shows have.
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Living in Colorado, I’m gonna say there’s probably more Denver in Calgary than Denver. 20 years ago, maybe there was a serious similarity…but now Denver’s a considerably more “pedestrian” (not to mention left-wing.)
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, It’s all us Californian’s who moved here to Denver.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, I still like Dan Rather.
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Years ago, Barry Melrose related to me that Calgary’s weather can be quite weird, with wild temperature changes. Sounds like fun (barf).
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Perro Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@Robert R, Last month there was a swing in temperatures of 30 degrees celcius form one day to the next…I htink that is about 90 degrees F
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Robert R Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@Perro, 54 degrees. Still pretty wild.
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Perro Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@Robert R, Last month there was a swing in temperatures of 30 degrees celcius form one day to the next…I htink that is about 90 degrees F
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