Trending Topics: Why don’t we value the NHL regular season? (Social Media Management 202 436 6577)
Stanley Cup
Trending Topics is a new column that looks at the week in hockey according to Twitter. If you’re only going to comment to say how stupid Twitter is, why not just go have a good cry for the slow, sad death of your dear internet instead?
The Vancouver Canucks have now officially been the best team in hockey, since the beginning of October right up until today.
They have the Presidents’ Trophy all sewn up, and, barring a horrific collapse on their part, plus a huge turnaround by the Philadelphia Flyers, they will likely win it by a healthy margin.
However, as everyone on the planet is quick to point out, Presidents’ Trophy winners don’t traditionally win the Stanley Cup. Since they started handing out the formal trophy in 1985-86, the team with the most points in the regular season has won the Cup just seven times, and the 2007-08 Red Wings are the only ones to do so since the lockout.
So when teams like the Canucks or the Washington Capitals before them — those with playoff histories that are spotty at best — do go out from and lay waste to nearly every team from October through April, people just laugh. They’ll say that this is in no way indicative of how good the Canucks are as a team. Not really. Because: They Haven’t Won The Cup.
Even people like the wonderful Tom Benjamin, who believe winning the Presidents’ Trophy is remarkable thing that should be celebrated, say that in the same breath as they note it’s not the “big prize.” And what sense does that make?
There’s this illogic in North America that places the importance of a season not on the 82-game, six-month slog of a schedule, but rather on a 28-game-at-most, needlessly drawn out crapshoot of a lottery. One which rewards luck rather than an ability to win, a lot, for more than half a year.
I’m not sure what it is that makes people think the playoffs are so much more important than the regular season.
(Coming Up: Disgusting taunts against Theo Fleury(notes) on Twitter; Where is TJ Oshie(notes)?; and your Pearls of BizNasty.)
What little I know of baseball history indicates to me that the World Series, the oldest postseason tournament in North America, was little more than a way to make money and determine whether the winner of two totally separate leagues — the regular season champions, in fact — was better.
That the Stanley Cup, or really any postseason trophy, has taken on this level of import is curious, given what it takes to win it: a winning percentage as low as .571, or about a 94-point regular season pace. Boy if that doesn’t scream excellence, nothing does.
This concept that the real teams are separated from the pretenders during the postseason is of course ridiculous. You know that. There’s never been a conversation about a mediocre playoff team with a good goalie where you haven’t said, “…but he could steal a series.”
“Steal” being the operative word, as it implies that the series and indeed the playoffs themselves rightfully belong to the league’s best teams at their core.
And players with amazing regular-season numbers but so-so playoff stats? Chokers. Joe Thornton(notes) is a choker. Can’t possibly be one of the best players on the planet. That makes sense. Because Proven Playoff Warriors like Pavel Datsyuk(notes) or Bill Guerin(notes) have never had stretches of seven or 10 games in their career where they weren’t particularly effective.
Oddly, people actually also say — and, I guess, fully believe — that Alex Ovechkin(notes) is a choker, despite his having more points per postseason game than anyone currently in the NHL and scoring more than he does in the regular season. It probably has something to do with his inability to also be both defensemen and the goalie as well as a ruinous and highly productive sniper.
And don’t get me wrong, I love the playoffs for all the drama that the ping-pong-ball probability brings. But the value placed on them, rather than the regular season, seems far too great to be reasonable. Winning in the playoffs isn’t everything. In fact, it’s occasionally a complete fluke. You don’t get Edmonton/Carolina Cup Finals otherwise.
Yeah, winning the Stanley Cup is a pretty cool accomplishment, and one that should obviously be celebrated to some extent. But to also denigrate beating the hell out of everyone you play for 82 games? That’s just stupid. Because winning the Presidents’ Trophy is a more impressive achievement.
Canucks fans prove the worst people in the universe
Speaking of trashing the Presidents’ Trophy winner as being unable to compete in the playoffs, Theo Fleury recently hopped on Twitter and asked his followers if they thought the Canucks can make it out of the first round (and of course they can) because he’s not sold on Roberto Luongo(notes).
Maybe a bit of trolling of Vancouver fans, but you’d think no harm, no foul, right?
Wrong. Apparently this is the type of thing that really brings the mouthbreathers out of the woodwork. So offended were Vancouverites that Fleury had the temerity to suggest the Canucks or Luongo were not infallible that things got really ugly, really fast.
For making this statement, Fleury was taunted by some of the most vile human beings on earth for his substance abuse problems and, worse, the sexual abuse in his past. Fortunately, these cretinous embarrassments were shouted down fairly quickly, and certainly do not represent the entire fanbase, but some people are the absolute worst.
How remarkably vile.
NHL Hockey
#WhereisOshie
TJ Oshie missed practice the other day, leading to his being left home for two games by the team (he later donated his paychecks for those matches to charity). While no official reason was given for the quasi-suspension, a lot of people had theories.
@dgregson: trying to get 3 stars on all levels of Angry Birds
@itsjuststarla: Getting in line SUPER early for the last Harry Potter movie.
@JoeYerdonPHT: He’s trying to get back that Filet ‘O Fish.
@TheFecklessPuck: Writing a savage missive about bloggers in the press box
@theactivestick: Criminal Minds marathon on A&E
@AnthraxJones: “Up where he belongs.” – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
@SkinnyPPPhish: At the bottom of a well with Timmy O’Toole
And your very topical winner:
@SpeakoftheDevs: Looking for the cobra that escaped from the Bronx Zoo.
Pearls of Biz-dom
We all know that there isn’t a better Twitter account out there than that of Paul Bissonnette(notes). So why not find his best bit of advice on love, life and lappers from the last week?
BizNasty on getting chirped by a certain former shoe-fighter: “Milbury? The guy who traded chara and the second pick (spezza) for yashin? That guy?”
If you’ve got something for Trending Topics, holla at Lambert on Twitter or via e-mail. He’ll even credit you so you get a thousand followers in one day and you’ll become the most popular person on the Internet! You can also visit his blog if you’re so inclined.
Website article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Trending-Topics-Why-don-8217-t-we-value-the-NH?urn=nhl-wp1646
Emme Porter, Bruce Porter Jr
Bruce Porter Jr the Social Networks Manager
Email Bruce@EmmeGirls.com 202 436 6577
Social Media Management by EmmeGirls Modeling
Wife and business partner Emme Porter is a three time
member of the Washington Capitals Red Rockers
Getting To Know Your Fellow Red Rockers: an Interview with Emme Porter (Hockey Buzz Covering the Washington Capitals) (via EmmeGirls Blog)
Read original post in our Models Blog
Original Post by Steven Hindle at www.HockeyBuzz.com
Emme Porter, Bruce Porter Jr - photo credit Vithaya Photography
Getting To Know Your Fellow Red Rockers: an Interview with Emme Porter
Author’s Note: Now that I am in my 4th year covering the Capitals here at www.hockeybuzz.com, I thought it would be a nice change of pace to get in touch with some of those faithful Red Rockers. Of course, I speak of Caps fans, and from time to time throughout the season I will be bringing you interviews with a variety of friends, partners and fans of the Washington Capitals.
First up in “Getting To Know Your Fellow Red Rockers” are Emme Porter and Bruce Porter Jr. of EmmeGirls Elite Model Staffing
Without further ado, here’s my interview with Emme and Bruce:
SH: What is your connection to hockey?
Emme Porter: We have many connections to hockey. First and most obvious is that I am a Red Rocker. Bruce Porter Jr, my husband and business partner, was a division I prep school hockey player. We are both competitive Ice Dancers and will be competing together at International Ice dancing championships all over Europe this year. We both coach skating at the Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington VA, the training facility for the Washington Capitals. My Russian step-father is an Olympic skating coach and also an avid hockey player…so skating and hockey roots run deep in our family. Actually my brother-in-laws family owns one of the largest ice rink Olympic training facilities in CT….we are a skating family!
SH: How did you come to be involved with the Washington Capitals?
EP: I am a coach at Kettler Capitals IcePlex and the skating Director at the time recommended that I audition to be one of the Red Rockers, apparently they were looking for skaters to be part of the team. I was actually interviewed and asked to be profiled through the audition process, I made it and officially became the first Red Rocker!
Emme Porter
SH: What events have you participated in with the Capitals?
EP: I have participated as a Red Rocker at countless events over the past three years entertaining, dancing and cheering with the squad. Some of the most memorable events are the Sneaker Ball, the EKS Fun Run and Walk and of course the Capitals Convention.
SH: How was the Capitals season opener?
EP: The Capital’s season home opener is always one of my favorite games of the year. The buzz and energy in the Verizon Center rushes through the veins of every fan. The game this year was great, very physical and we totally dominated. There was an unforgettable moment when Alex Ovechkin took his penalty shot and every fan was on their feet. The moment the puck hit the net completely changed the momentum of the game and the Capitals went on to dominate 7-2 for the final.
SH: What is EmmeGirls?
EP: EmmeGirls is a national promotional marketing agency headquartered in Washington, DC. We staff elite models for various events including, trade show models, spokesmodels, producing in-game entertainment at sporting events, runway fashion shows, hot promotional models and dancers from DC to Las Vegas.
Bruce Porter, Jr: EmmeGirls represents a new breed of hybrid marketing agency that uses smart, beautiful models in viral grass roots advertising campaigns and the management of social media through networks, search engine optimization, and clever marketing techniques to create the social buzz for advertising and branding.
SH: Besides Emme being a Red Rocker for the Caps what other sports teams do you work with?
EP: I have personally also cheered for the Washington Castles World Team Tennis, Bruce actually asked me to marry him at the Championship match(Washington Post Article)!
Emme Porter, Bruce Porter Jr Marriage Proposal at the World Team Tennis Championship - Photo from the Washington Post
EmmeGirls is a sponsor of the Military Bowl and we are responsible for staffing their in-game entertainment at the bowl as well as their grassroots marketing campaigns.
SH: What about work outside of the realm of sports?
EP: I am always very busy. EmmeGirls demands a lot of my time, managing the thousands of models needed to be a nationwide model staffing agency is exhausting! Bruce handles the marketing and SEO so that the business keeps coming in. We’re excited about the future.
SH: What are you looking forward to this year?
EP: I am looking forward to ice dancing competitively at international competitions all over Europe and launching and producing our reality tv show Bella Vita. Bella Vita TV is a reality show that features the triumphs, trials and tribulations of our hectic busy lives. It profiles our business with EmmeGirls, our lives as husband and wife, our new role as parents raising our beautiful daughter Bella, training to compete as ice dancers on the international stage, my professional cheerleading career and of course our many beautiful models.
SH: Will you be doing more sporting events in D.C. ?
EP: EmmeGirls loves all types of events, especially sporting events! We will continue to staff and produce shows, entertainment and viewing parties in DC and across the United States. This year we are looking forward to branching into branding an entertainment team for the Capital Polo Club.
SH: Finally, who’s your favorite player on the Caps?
EP: It is very hard to pick just one, we have such and amazing team. I continue to be impressed by Alex Ovechkin, he is such a natural raw player. All great players get their Stanley Cup and I’m sure he will too. I’ll be there to cheer him and the rest of the team on, one way or the other!
I would just like to say thank you to both Emme and Bruce for doing the interview, it was a great pleasure and be sure to check them out if you’re in need of some lovely ladies for any of your upcoming events.
You can follow Emme, Bruce and all the girls from EmmeGirls on Facebook, FourSquare and Twitter.
Call EmmeGirls at 202 436 5114 and Click here to get in touch with Emme, Bruce and their phenomenal staff.
Capitals Rally to Victory at 2011 NHL Winter Classic Heinz Field Pittsburgh (via EmmeGirls Blog)
Read original post at our Models Blog
Heinz Field NHL Winter Classic - Photo credit: Megan Herod
It was not the most picturesque of days, it was not the Winter Classic of 2010 in beautiful Boston with the ultimate outdoor weather conditions for a nostalgic outdoor game. It was raining, dreary, a wet, raw Pittsburgh day for the perfect match-up of one of the best games in hockey history. Over 68,000 hockey fans converged at the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2011 NHL Winter Classic. The media surrounding the NHL’s crown jewel annual event has been unprecedented this year. The Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins won over the attention of America with an HBO reality show series, 24/7. The four part mini series took hockey fans old and new on a journey following the two teams, from the inside with a behind the scenes view of the months leading up to the most successful sporting event of the year, the 2011 NHL Winter Classic. HBO’s reality TV series offered a backstage pass to the coaches and players lives and showed the differences in the philosophies of the two teams.
This is the fourth year the NHL has hosted a Winter Classic game on New Years Day and the second year that the Penguins have played in the mega match-up since 2008. What made the 2011 NHL Winter Classic so dynamic was the matchup between the two teams, who are such long time rivals they didin’t even shake hands after yesterdays game. To make things even more interesting, there was stark differences and drama in each of the teams in the month leading up to the event. The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Olympic gold medal and Stanly Cup winning forward Sidney Crosby, won 18 of the last 20 games leading up to the Classic. The Capitals didn’t win a game from Dec 3rd to Dec 19th until they finally broke an eight game losing streak in Ottawa when they beat the senators 3-2. The Capitals regained their composure and added momentum in the next week and a half putting them in good position, they won 4 out of the next 5 games. Ironically the one loss they faced was to Pittsburgh, at the Verizon Center, in a nail bitting shootout.
Eric Fehr rejoices after scoring his second goal to lead the Capitals to a 3-1 victory at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic - Photo credit: Gregory Shamus
The Winter Classic was delayed due to the warm weather and rain from 1pm to 8pm yesterday. Approximately 30,000 Caps fans and 40,000 Pens fans converged at Heinz Field for what was to be the most exciting game of the year, and the game did not disappoint. The time change seemed to help, the overall TV ratings were reportedly up by 8%. The first period the Pens started out hot with goal tender Marc-Andre Fleury stopping all 20 shots and getting an assist on Evgeni Malkin goal. This would be the only goal for Pittsburgh on New Years day. Mike Knuble answered with the first goal for the Caps in the second period. The real star of the day was Eric Fehr. He picked a high profile game to let the world know that he is a force to be reckoned with scoring both of Washington’s other goals to make the final score 3-1 Caps. This was such an important win for the Capitals. They emerge victorious, the month long HBO special, that didn’t start out well, ended with the big win in front of millions of hockey fans worldwide. Not only did the Capitals steal the Winter Classic title from the Pens in their own backyard…literally, but they also presented themselves as a team that doesn’t need to rely on their star player to win games. People are thinking this could be the year for the Caps to bring home the coveted Stanley Cup that has eluded our Nations Capital to date.
One of the best parts about the Winter Classic is the nostalgia of playing hockey outside in the elements where hockey originated. And what old time hockey game would be complete without two bruisers squaring off and dropping the gloves. In a fight that will be carried on hockey channels for years John Erskine unleashed the fury with Pittsburgh’s Michael Rupp. These two hockey players fought it out old school style, blow by blow. At one point it looked like Rupp had the upper hand as Erskine lost his footing. The seasoned Capitals veteran regained his balance and landed some massive blows to the Penguins center. The fight ended in a draw as the two exhausted players were subdued by the officials and the game continued to the applause of the crowd. This is real raw hockey.
The word has trickled down from Ted Leonsis that the most exciting game in hockey, the NHL Winter Classic, will come to Washington, DC in the next two to three years. Places being considered for hosting the event are Nationals Park, Fedex Field, M&T Bank Stadium, Camden Yards and RFK Stadium. Nationals Park seems to be the favorite candidate with M&T Bank Stadium as a viable option possibly increasing the Capitals fan base. National Park holds 41,000 fans, RFK Stadium holds 46,000, Camden Yards holds 48,000 M&T Bank Stadium holds 71,000 and Fedex holds 91,000. Caps fans have been trying hard to BRING THE NHL WINTER CLASSIC TO DC and it looks like we may get our wish.
Emme Porter, Bruce Porter Jr celebrating the 2011 NHL Winter Classic win
EmmeGirls is a national promotional marketing agency headquartered in Washington, DC. We staff elite models for various events including, trade show models, spokesmodels, producing in-game entertainment at sporting events, runway fashion shows, hot promotional models and dancers from DC to Las Vegas. The agency is led by CEO Emme Porter. She is former Miss Massachusetts, Bella Vita REAL Reality TV Star and a three time member of the Washington Capitals Cheerleading squad called the Red Rockers. She was recently featured on www.HockeyBuzz.com. You can read the article here: Getting to Know Your Fellow Red Rockers: An Interview with Emme Porter
EmmeGirls represents a new breed of hybrid marketing agency that uses smart, beautiful models in viral grass roots advertising campaigns and the management of social media through networks, search engine optimization, and clever marketing techniques to create the social buzz for advertising and branding. Call today 202 436 5114 and visit our EmmeGirls Promotional Models website.
If you were at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic you can send your photos to have them featured on our websites: Email to Emme@EmmeGIrls.com with photo credit information
EmmeGirls Trade Show Girls at NBC4 Health Fitness Expo 2011 (via Models Blog)
Read the original post on our Models Blog
Garrett Hartley with SportsBUZZ Models by EmmeGirls
The EmmeGirls trade show girls will once again grace our nations capital for the 2011 NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo. The mega fitness event is held at the famed Washington Convention Center this January 15th and 16th. News4 Anchor/Health Reporter Doreen Gentzler is hosting the event with close to 100,000 attendees expected for the free exposition. Learn all of the best healthy cooking practices and enjoy the live shows at January biggest event in DC. While you’re in town make sure to check out the Newseum and catch a professional hockey game at the Verizon Center.
Make sure you have the professional staff needed to make the most out of your time in San Francisco and increase your return on investment (ROI). EmmeGirls staffs CEO level spokesmodels, trade show models and hot promotional models to draw attention to your booth, set appointments for you, create a social buzz to promote your after parties, golf outings and more. EmmeGirls is led by CEO Emme Porter. She is former Miss Massachusetts, Bella Vita REAL Reality TV Star and a three time member of the Washington Capitals Cheerleading squad called the Red Rockers. Trust the hottest promotional marketing agency to know the best male and female talent. Call today 202 436 5114 and visit our EmmeGirls Promotional Models website.
Expectations High for Capitals Season Opener (via EmmeGirls Blog)
All hockey fans will be watching as the Capitals open their season this Friday in Atlanta against the Thrashers. The Capitals are boasting one of the youngest and most familiar teams in the league and are expected to bring the fight to Philips Arena this Oct 8th at 7:30 p.m. Varlamov is recovering from an undisclosed injury so Neuvirth is starting the season in the net with the star studded supporting cast of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, Mike Green, John Carlson, Mike Knuble and Jeff Schultz to name a few. Neuvirth who played in 17 games last season has been playing strong in training camp. Ted Leonsis and the rest of the Capitals management have put together a young strong team of players this year. Between the Capitals and the Hershey Bears these guys have been playing together for years. Hopefully this will be the year for our boys to bring home the Stanley Cup which has eluded our nations capitals to date!
Headlining their “Voice Your Passion” campaign FanSpeak is hosting a Washington Capitals Season Opener Viewing Party at McFadden’s DC this Friday. They are featuring the beautiful FanSpeak Promotional Models provided by EmmeGirls, FREE BEER, free Capitals Cow Bells, autographed gear to be raffled off and more! Wear your best Caps gear and mention you’re with the Washington Capitals Season Opener Viewing party by FanSpeak at the door. Come and enjoy the free beer, hot models and great hockey with your fellow Caps Fans on the big screen TV’s. See you there! 
EmmeGirls is a National Promotional Marketing Agency headquartered in Washington, DC. We staff and produce in-game entertainment at sporting events, Runway Fashion shows, Trade Show Models, Spokesmodels and Promotional Models from DC to Vegas. We use beautiful models, SEO, Social Networks management and viral marketing for the advertising and branding of our clients. EmmeGirls is led by CEO Emme Porter. She is former Miss Massachusetts, Bella Vita Reality TV Star and a three time member of the Washington Capitals Cheerleading squad called the Red Rockers. Trust the hottest promotional modeling agency to know the best male and female talent. Call today 202 436 5114 and visit our EmmeGirls promotional models website. EmmeGirls was pleased to staff models for electronics giant Sony this week at the Washington Convention Center.
You can join the dialog on the Washington Capitals Season Opener Viewing party by FanSpeak Facebook page
via EmmeGirls Blog
Washington Capitals Season Opener (via EmmeGirls Blog)
EmmeGirls is pleased to staff Models for FanSpeak’s big Washington Capitals Season Opener Viewing Party. Coming on the heals of an exciting Washington Capitals Convention held at the Washington Convention Center kick off the season right with fellow Caps fans as the Capitals begin their journey for the coveted Stanley Cup! This year even HBO is in the mix featuring a reality show about the matchup of the NHL’s two marquee players Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby in the NHL Winter Classic. They will be shooting footage at Kettler Capitals Iceplex today, the home of the Washington Capitals and the Washington Elite Ice Skating School. EmmeGirls and the wonderful Capitals Fans tried hard make Fedex Field a Sea of Red and BRING THE NHL WINTER CLASSIC TO DC but in the end our beloved Capitals will have to bring home the win from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. At least our boys are getting to play in this exciting cash cow event! This year Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom and the rest of the veterans look good and the word is that Bruce Boudreau is happy that the Caps signed Michal Neuvirth and Tom Poti with two year extensions. In the pre-season the boys have looked stellar, I think this may be the year for DC’s golden boys to bring the Stanley Cup to our Nations Capital!
“Voice Your Passion” is the FanSpeak tag line. This Washington Capitals Season Opener viewing party features FREE BEER, Capitals Cow Bell Give-Aways for the first 100 attendees, Raffles for autographed gear and the beautiful FanSpeak Models provided by EmmeGirls. The Viewing party will be held in the party room at McFadden’s in downtown DC. The game starts at 8 PM against the Thrashers so sport your best Capitals gear, arrive early and enjoy the free beer, great hockey and live entertainment. EmmeGirls is a National Promotional Marketing Agency led by CEO Emme Porter. She is former Miss Massachusetts, Bella Vita Reality TV Star and three time member of the Washington Capitals cheerleading squad called the Red Rockers. EmmeGirls uses beautiful models, Search Engine Optimizations and Social Networks Management for advertising and branding. Call today 202 436 5114 and visit our Promotional Models website.
via EmmeGirls Blog
