Three things to do

Now, I know I'm not the only person who has to work on Memorial Day. So, if you're lucky enough to have the day off and family cookout is hours away, here is a hat trick of activities to keep you busy:

~ weigh in on the Hockey Bay Houndings Awards;
~ see who's made a play for a puck autographed by Colin; and
~ test your hockey knowledge on our latest hockey quiz.

You can thank me later.

Hockey Quiz No. 10

If it weren't for a handful of regular readers -- such as Brett, Drew and Moody -- I'd wonder whether these monthly installments are a productive use of my time. Geez, I don't believe they're that dofficult, given the amount of hockey intelligence that visits Hound Central 4.0.

So, to reward loyal readers, here are the latest mind-bending hockey exercises:

Name this logo

One might have to step back in time to recall this logo. Then again, maybe you won't. We'll see, won't we? Team and league, please.

Hockey Word Association

San Jose Sharks =
Vinny Lecavalier =
NHL playoffs =
Knee-to-knee hits =
Ruslan Fedotenko =

Hockey, scrambled

Masto Shrommolt =
Akiloni Bakbihunil =
Royce Rypre =
Noehas Norsimorn =
Nisden Geedsibren =

Hockey math

Puckhound, a Florida-based hockey hound, collected 330 pucks during the 2008-09 campaign. Sadly, he had only 278 cases at season's end. How much will Puckhound spend, at 55 cents a case plus $27.69 in shipping and taxes, to have a case for each autographed puck? As always, show the math.

A.) $56.59
B.) $55.89
C.) $56.29
D.) $56.09

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 9:

Name this logo: Greenville Grrrowl of the East Coast Hockey League
Hockey, scrambled: Kent Huskins, Tony Esposito, Kristian Huselius, Stan Mikita and Daniel Carcillo
Hockey math: B. There would be 23,597 seconds of overtime. Math: 21,600 seconds (18 20-minute periods) + 1,980 seconds (33 minutes) + 17 seconds = 23,597.

Hockey Quiz No. 9

Well, at least I know that Hound Central 4.0's Hockey Quizzes have at least two faithful and entirely correct readers -- Drew, an old Beantown hounding buddy, and longtime reader Brett. So, for them, I present the latest installment in this feature.

Join them, won't you, in testing your hockey knowledge. Your answers, should you choose, can be left in a comment.

Name this logo

If you ask me, this should be fairly recognizable. Remember, too, that spelling counts. Official team name and league, please.

Hockey Word Association

Jacques Lemaire =
John Tavares =
Steve Mason =
Victor Hedman =
Puckhound =

Hockey, Scrambled

Nket Nushkis =
Yton Soposite =
Strikani Shilusue =
Anst Katimi =
Alnide Locralic =

Hockey math

I know that not everyone enjoys math. So, we'll make this one easy. How's that?

In the first round of the NHL playoffs, there were 18 periods, 33 minutes and 17 seconds of sudden-death play. How many seconds of overtime was played? Show the math, too.

A.) 23,487 seconds
B.) 23,597 seconds
C.) 23,517 seconds
D.) 24,017 seconds

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 8:

Name this logo: Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League
Hockey, Scrambled: Kyle McLaren, Martins Karsums, Andy Wozniewski, Matthew Lombardi and James Wisniewski
Hockey math: D. The Metropolis MoneyBags saved $6.425 million with their salary dump. Math: $2.175 million + $3.75 million + $1.375 million minus $875,000.

Hockey Quiz No. 8

I know how much people like these hockey quizzes. It's one of the more popular search terms that steers readers to Hound Central 4.0. That's why I have so much fun putting them together.

Know what else is fun? Announcing that Steve G was the only one of three people to successfully navigate the monthly maze of hockey head-scratchers. Good job, Steve.

As promised, the logo was the tricky question. It showed the Oakland Seals, not the California Seals. The full blue circle was the clue.

Let's see how everyone does with this one. Good luck.

Name this logo

Kinda creepy isn't it? Kinda easy, too?

Still, you'll have to know your current hockey events, so to speak, to know this one. But, that eye, it is pretty creepy.

Hockey Word Association

Trade day winner =
Olli Jokinen =
April tee times =
Trade day loser =
Manny Legace =

Hockey, Scrambled

Leky Rancelm =
Stanrim Smasruk =
Yand Zowikswine =
Hewtmat Domibarl =
Asjem Skiwinewsi=

Hockey math

The Metropolis MoneyBags had to dump salary at the trade deadline by trading these three players -- Jimmy Stonehands, earning $2.175 million; Billy Fivehole, earning $3.75 million; and Frankie Fumblepuck, earning $1.375 million. In return, the MoneyBags got one player -- Peaux Tential, earning $875,000, and two draft picks.

How much money did the MoneyBags save with their trades?

A.) $6.423 million
B.) $6.424 million
C.) $6.426 million
D.) $6.425 million

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 7:

Name this logo: Oakland Seals
Hockey, Scrambled: Tobias Enstrom, Tomas Fleischmann, Brendan Shanahan, Adam Burish and Blake Wheeler
Hockey math: B. Rusty Slowstride will earn $1,314,634.23 over his abbreviated 49-game season. Math: $2,200,000 divided by 82 games = $26,829.27 times 49 games.

Hockey Quiz No. 7

A tip of Hound Central 4.0's roughed-up Cooper SK600 goes out to reader Steve G. for providing correct answers to all of the questions in Hockey Quiz No. 6.

As expected, the Finland or Suomi Finland logo proved a bit too easy, but it was the spelling of a few names within Hockey, Scrambled that tripped up earlier respondents. I'll make no apologies for placing an emphasis on accuracy.

And, like last month, I'll wait until month's end to post readers' entries.

Having said that, let's see how readers do with this quiz:

Name this logo

This, too, is probably recognizable to many old-school hockey fans. Just don't leap to conclusions, though. The image shows a very important clue and I'm a stickler for accuracy.

Hockey Word Association

Vincent Lecavalier =
Trade deadline =
Alexander Ovechkin =
NHL officiating =
Jonathan Toews =

Hockey, Scrambled

Stobia Mornest=
Masto Chenslinfam =
Drabenn Hansnaha =
Amda Rubish=
Kleba Lewhere =

Hockey math

With 49 games left in the season, Rusty Slowstride signed a prorated $2.2 million contract with the Green Bay Geezers. How much will Slowstride earn over his abbreviated season?

A.) $1,314,979.32
B.) $1,314,634.23
C.) $1,314,286.49
D.) $1,314,581.37

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 6:

Name that logo: Finland or Suomi Finland
Hockey, Scrambled: Nikolai Antropov, Richard Park, Scottie Upshall, Fabian Brunnstrom and Daniel Paille
Hockey math: C. Michel Muchtoojung had earned $614,000 in bonuses through the All Star break. Math: 8 x $7,500 (for every goal) = $60,000 + 12 x $4,500 (for every assist) = $54,000 + $500,000 (lump-sum bonus for participating in an All Star Game event) = $614,000.

Hockey Quiz No. 6

Maybe I'm getting tougher in my old age, but I can't bring myself to declare a true winner in last month's Hockey Quiz. Though there were three entrants (I was hoping for more, folks), not a single one submitted a completely accurate offering.

One came awfully close, but couldn't figure out the logo. Another two knew the logo, but got dinged through the misspelling or omission of names.

Sorry, folks, but there's no grading on the curve here at Hound Central 4.0. Then again, maybe Hockey Quiz No. 5 was one of the toughest ever.

Having said that, let's see how y'all do this month. I'll wait awhile, too, before posting readers' answers. Maybe we'll get more than three.

Name this Logo

To me, this is the easiest part of these monthly tests of your hockey intelligence.

Most logos are designed to be instantly recognizable, images that are imprinted upon our brains, even with minimal exposure. Or, at least, that's what I remember from my college advertising and marketing classes.

What do you think? Is this one instantly recognizable?

Hockey Word Association

Michael Peca =
NHL Live! =
Mats Sundin =
Montreal fans =
Nikolai Khabibulin =

Hockey, Scrambled

Oklinia Portavon =
Darirch Krap =
Etstico Lapsluh =
Anifab Mornburnts =
Edlani Apelli =

Hockey math

Michel Muchtoojung signed an entry-level, but incentive-laden, contract to play professionally, rather than spending another season gaining much-needed experience in the juniors. In it, he gets $7,500 for each goal, $4,500 for each assist and a $500,000 lump-sum bonus if he participates in an All Star Game event.

At the All Star break, Muchtoojung has eight goals and 12 assists and was named to the rookie team for the YoungStars competition. How much has he earned in bonuses so far this season?

A.) $615,000
B.) $613,500
C.) $614,000
D.) $614,500

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 5:

Name that logo: Charlotte Checkers, East Coast Hockey League
Hockey, Scrambled: Wojtek Wolski, Guillaume Latendresse, Toni Lydman, Brett McLean and Evgeny Artyukhin
Hockey math: D. Larry Looselips earned $47,961 a game and $3,932,802 a season. Math: Game salary - $671,454/14; Annual salary: $47,961 x 82.

Hockey Quiz No. 5

I know everyone is busy and all, with the holidays fast approaching, but if you're in need of a hockey-related diversion in the weeks ahead, why not test your hockey intelligence on Hound Central 4.0's exclusive Hockey Quiz?

Last month, we had two entrants -- Rob Quick and Drew -- who combined to unlock the mysteries of the monthly quiz. Join them, won't you, in testing your knowledge?

In the interest of accuracy, too, I must admit to botching the initial spelling of one of the Hockey, Scrambled names (it was corrected). I tried a little harder this time.

Hound Central 4.0 is trying something new. Comments with answers won't be posted immediately. Maybe that will encourage more competition.

Name this Logo

I'm glad I don't keep score any more when it comes to this contest. If I did, it would be embarrassing. With all due respect to Rob, I suppose the logo showed just a little too much to make it recognizable.

Let's see if this one is just as easy. This time, though, only this visual clue.

Hockey Word Association

Sean Avery =
Boston Bruins =
Barry Melrose =
Biggest surprise =
Radim Vrbata =

Hockey, Scrambled

Tojkew Islwok =
Lemugilua Setladserne =
Tbert Lecman =
Oint Dymnal =
Vyneeg Hiknutary =

Hockey math

Last season, Larry Looselips was fined $671,454 -- the equivalent of 14 games worth of pay -- for conduct unbecoming humanity and the wonderful game of hockey. How much does Looselips earn a game and what's his annual salary?

A.) $47,954/$3,932,228
B.) $47,959/$3,932,638
C.) $47,968/$3,933,376
D.) $47,961/$3,932,802

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 4:

Name that logo: Kingston Frontenacs, Ontario Hockey League
Hockey, Scrambled: Patrick Lalime, Valteri Filppula, Steve Eminger, Darren Haydar and Nikolai Zherdev
Hockey math: A. Slash Hookhisman's team paid $10,056.43 to keep the slow-footed defenseman in sticks over the course of a season. Math: 67 x 1.18 x 127.20

Hockey Quiz No. 4

It's was good to see longtime Hound Central 4.0 reader Brett make a return visit to our little monthly assortment of brain-teasers, thought-provokers and mathematical gymnastics. To his credit, he picked up right where he left off -- the first to successfully navigate the labyrinth of hockey knowledge.

He was the first of only two people to enter, though. Surely, these quizzes can't be that hard, are they?

Half of my mission is to inform, educate and promote the sport. C'mon, learning takes a little effort. I've done my part, putting these together. It'll take you less than an intermission to finish.

Name this Logo

Well, I'm thinking last month's logo, which featured a popular Russian club, proved a bit too easy. That's what I get for trying to slip one past.

I imagine this month's contestant, this striking artistic representation, might prove familiar to North American hockey fans. It looks like a face, but no one I've ever seen.

Hockey Word Association:

Winter Classic =
Nicklas Lidstrom =
San Jose Sharks =
Barry Melrose =
Shoulder-to-head hits =

Hockey, scrambled

Krcatip Mealli =
Revlarti Plaflupi =
Vetes Grimene =
Rendra Dyhara =
Lokanii Rhezved (Correct, now. Sorry) =

Hockey math

Slow-footed defenseman Slash Hookhisman broke an average of 1.18 sticks, costing $127.20 a pop, over the course of his 67 games played. How much did his team pay for his sticks?

A.) $10,056.43
B.) $10,054.91
C.) $10,057.06
D.) $10,055.28

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 3:

Name that Logo: HC Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League
Hockey, scrambled: Patrice Bergeron, Frantisek Kaberle, Doug Weight, Brent Burns and Mathieu Schneider
Hockey math: C. Wally Wristshot had a 9.1 shooting percentage and averaged 1.13 points per game

Don't forget about this

As much whining as I do about the occasional lack of responses to Hound Central 4.0's monthly Hockey Quiz feature, I'm realizing that some of the pain might be self-inflicted.

Seeing that I've filed nine posts over the past two days, from sharing bounty from Tampa Bay's Dave Andreychuk and Steven Stamkos to reporting on our latest fan pack and hockey card purchase, it's easy to see how this month's quiz could get lost in the shuffle.

Humor me, will you, and test your hockey knowledge. Answers should be left in comments. And when you get done with that, check out Hound Central 4.0's predictions for the 2008-09 NHL season. At the least, Canadiens fans might find it interesting.

As always, thanks for reading.

Hockey Quiz No. 3

I've got to hand it to my fellow Florida hounding buddy Moody, he knew nearly all of the answers to Hockey Quiz No. 2. I'm a bit concerned, though, that he was the only person to take part. I mean, this isn't work. It's supposed to be fun.

I've had several people tell me they look forward to these Hockey Quiz postings, but the participation is minimal, at best. And with the full hounding season only a few days away, I'm going to put my time into projects that garner more interest.

All I ask for, folks, is a few minutes of your time. Participating in projects lets me know that my efforts are not all for naught. I don't want to waste your time, and I sure as heck won't waste mine.

Having said that, let's see how many people can provide the correct answers, posted within a comment, to these hockey brainteasers:

Name this logo

While last month's Name this Logo contest carried the hint that the selection was drawn from a professional league in North America, all I'll say is a worldwide search would prove pretty darn useful for this one.

Hockey Word Association:

Def Leppard =
Bobby Ryan =
Gary Bettman =
Joe Thornton =
Stanley Cup champion =

Hockey, scrambled

Catpire Regnorbe =
Tarksifne Lekrabe =
Godu Ghitwe =
Trenb Nrubs =
Uthmaie Cherdines =

Hockey math

Wally Wristshot scored 37 goals while taking 405 shots, and logged 88 points in 78 games played. What is Wally's shooting percentage and points-per-game average?

A.) 9.2 shooting percentage, 1.15 points per game
B.) 8.9 shooting percentage, 1.07 points per game
C.) 9.1 shooting percentage, 1.13 points per game
D.) 8.5 shooting percentage, 0.98 points per game

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 2:

Name that logo: Bakersfield (Calif.) Condors of the East Coast Hockey League
Hockey, scrambled: Ilya Bryzgalov, Brian Rolston, Scott Niedermayer, Shawn Horcoff and Pavel Kubina
Hockey math: A. Billy Blocker had a 2.81 GAA and a .913 SP

Hockey Quiz No. 2

Well, what do you know? I finally was able to stump Hound Central 4.0 readers with the latest Name this logo contest in the first Hockey Quiz of the 2008-09 NHL season.

While two of Hound Central's most loyal readers correctly made their way through the quiz, I must admit to a little delight that the logo, of the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was able to stump them.

Let's see how we all do with this edition. Please leave your answers in a comment.

Name that logo

The only hint I'll provide for this edition is that I'm pulling logos from any established professional hockey league within North America.

Still, I'm thinking that this one should be easy. All it takes, I believe, is a little research.

Hockey Word Association

Alexander Radulov =
Training camp =
Chicago Blackhawks =
Richard Zednik =
Herbies =

Hockey, scrambled

Alyi Gazbrovy =
Nriba Srotoln =
Tosct Damienryree =
Naswh Forcfho =
Velap Nibuka =

Hockey math

Billy Blocker made 1,967 saves on 2,155 shots in 67 total games. What is Billy's goals-against average and save percentage?

A.) 2.81 GAA, .913 SP
B.) 2.79 GAA, .915 SP
C.) 2.89 GAA, .909 SP
D.) 2.85 GAA, .911 SP

Answers to Hockey Quiz No. 1

Name that logo: Gatineau Olympiques, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Hockey, scrambled: David Legwand, Braydon Coburn, Mason Raymond, Petteri Nokelainen and Robyn Regehr
Hockey math: B. Gerry Glovehand posted a 2.58 GAA and a .914 SP

Hockey Quiz No. 1

So, think you're pretty smart, don't you?

Well, then, why don't you try these out.

You can even leave your answers in a comment.

Name this logo

As is usually the case, any time I have the slightest inkling that I might slip something past you, one of Hound Central 3.0's most faithful readers humbles me.

In less than three hours after the quiz was posted, Brett correctly identified not just the logo, but didn't miss a beat in all of the other quizzes as well.

Let's see how long it takes before he nails this one, too.

The answers for the last quiz are below.

Hockey Word Association

Steven Stamkos =
Best young goalie =
Pittsburgh Penguins =
Pascal Leclaire =
Victory Hockey =

Hockey, scrambled

Didva Gwadlen =
Darnoby Runcob =
Nasmo Darmony =
Reptite Koalninnee =
Boryn Greher =

Hockey math

Gerry Glovehand gave up 178 goals on 2,065 shots in 69 games. What is Gerry's goals-against average and save percentage?

A.) 2.61 GAA, .912 SP
B.) 2.58 GAA, .914 SP
C.) 2.52 GAA, .917 SP
D.) 2.55 GAA, .915 SP

Answers to the last quiz

Name that logo: Regina Pats, Western Hockey League
Hockey, scrambled: Joni Pitkanen, Duncan Keith, Travis Zajac, Gilbert Brule, Kurtis Foster
Hockey math: D. Tony Toesave posted a 2.56 GAA and a .915 SP