So long from me.

Hello Everyone, Alan here for my "Last Saturday Post!" Here on HCI. Now I'm never one of those people that post a long story on goodbyes, but I'm giving a shot. It's been a great ride for me from November 8, 2013 that began my time with this blogger page. I had some ups, downs, lefts, rights, ins, and outs. In the end I put every critiquing I put on this site. Now it's no more, now HCI is on Instagram! Even thou I'm not part of it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't stop support them they got good guys doing their posts twice a day.
As I continue on with this I would like to give my thanks to two guys that were the reason why HCI came to light.

To Caden for giving me a kick in the butt to do a better job of posting my critiquing, and made me realize that there is more to it then just critiquing, I thank you for having me be part of HCI, and good luck on HCI Instagram.

Jake, you are bread, and butter of HCI, you work your butt off to keep this page going as much as Caden does, you have my respect for what you do, and hope you have a better ride over on Instagram.

As for the rest, I thank Ricky, Joey, and Justin for being a part of this great site, and put their dedication.

Well it's been a ride. Hopefully everyone has had a good time reading this site, as for me well I'll still be around just on my site for now. I thank you all and goodbye

~AJH

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW INSTAGRAMS WHOOO!

. . . Thank You and Good Night, Elvis Has Left the Building!

It is with regret that we must for the moment leave you from the Blogger-sphere. Thank you for allowing me onto your screens over the past six months. It has been wonderful to have your support of HCI during that span and beyond. We all have appreciated it very much and hope you keep submitting to the blog's e-mail, which will be accepting submissions for our new Instagram page. My blog BNG can fill your reading pleasure, but also you can find other blogs at my site as well. Please make your final purchases and proceed to the checkout counters.

Remember, this is not goodbye for us here at HCI but rather the start of the next chapter. We still have our new Instagram account and who knows - we may be posting here again regularly. But only time will tell. "Stay calm, be brave, wait for the signs."

With Highest Regards,

-Richard F. (Ricky) Mazella II
Proud Founder and Owner of Buffalo Nickel Graphics

Ayy!

Caden here! Check out the NEW HCI! JUST CLICK HERE!

or here!

Thanks. 3 more goodbye posts are coming on this site, so stay tuned! Friday, Saturday, And a final post Sunday! Don't miss it!

~Caden

Saturday: A IIHF concept made me

Hi everyone, Alan here for another Saturday post here on HCI. Due to me working at my job today, I won't be able to review a concept today, so for the first time in a long time I'm posting a concept made by me right here! This is a IIHF concept. The country is Liechtenstein, now this country doesn't have a good hockey history, but I decide to make a concept of what if Liechtenstein was part of IIHF, let's check it out shall we.

Simple concept the stripes is base on the country's flag. The logo I made has the letter "L" with red, and blue stripes, with the crown to go with all base on once again the country's flag. Numbers are the Ottawa Senators current fonts, and nameplate Anaheim Ducks fonts with only one trim.

Well that's my last post of concept made by me. Hopefully I'll have a concept made by someone else next Saturday, until then later.

Friday: Six Months Gone By

Those aforementioned changes in previous posts by various HCI writers are indeed coming. While we can't give the green light yet, I would like to reflect on the last half a year of blogging for HCI (which began six months ago this coming Thursday as well as today being the blog's 250th post. I also failed to mention that last week was my first full year of writing for any blog as I had started writing for HJC the day after (Saturday the 17th, but last year). Even though I had left HJC on November 22nd, Caden and the staff welcomed me with open arms and I started the following week here. I even got to celebrate my birthday by writing a post (rather than reading one). Twenty-seven posts (and weeks) later, I'm still here to promote the good will of the blog. While I don't know how long this format will keep up, it is likely you will hear from someone soon.

Philadelphia Flyers

Submitted by: Bradley DeBode

Let's in the mean-time discuss how ingenious this concept from Bradley is! Not the best one ever necessarily, but certainly creative and authentic. Another black uniform is certainly doable but I would like to see the alternate roundel in place of the Flyers logo. Because this is an alternate, I would like to see orange numbers with white rather than the current white with orange. If we're going to go with the nameplate, go orange there while keeping the black font. Finally either switch the striping color layout or the number color layout to match the other along the sleeves. Personally I'd prefer changing the numbers to match the striping. Still not a bad idea here though.

Happy 250th post!

I'm really looking forward to the future of HCI, I hope you do to. You all have been waiting a fairly long time for it, and while I can't be sure of when it will be, I can tell you it will be drastic. In the mean time, considering the post count in recent weeks, BNG is picking up. Head on over to fill your need - just keep checking in here considering the changes to come.

-Ricky

Saturday: Alan's Playoffs picks: Round 3 picks, and round 2 reviews

Hi everyone Alan here for your Saturday here on HCI. As we now know that round 2 is in the books, so before my round 3 picks, I'm going to review round 2.

Eastern Conference

Boston [A1] vs. Montreal [A3]

My Pick: Bruins over the Habs 4-3

The Result: Habs beat the Bruins 4-3
I knew this series will go all the way, but didn't expect the Bruins fall apart that bad!

Pittsburgh [M1] vs. NY Rangers [M2]

My Pick: Pens over the Rangers 4-2

The Result: Rangers beats the Pens 4-3
My reaction, nuff said.

Western Conference

 Minnesota [WC1] vs. Chicago [C3]

My Pick:  Chi beat wild 4-1

The Result: Hawks beat the Wild 4-2
I did hope for a quick 5 games, but the Wild got other plans to push them to a sixth game that ended in overtime.

Anaheim [P1] vs. LA [P3]

My Pick: Ducks over the Kings 4-2

The Result: The Kings "L.A. Kinged" the Ducks 4-3
I can't, I just can't believed the Ducks fell apart that bad to the Kings, just can't believe it.


To the Conference Finals

Eastern
NY Rangers [M2] vs. Montreal [A3]
NYR: Thanks for taking not only the series from the Pens, but also take my points too.
Mon: I have to say I never thought that this team would be back in the conference finals for the first time since 2010, but here we are.
Overall: These two teams really push themselves to game 7, but the question is, how much they got left in the tank for game 7 in this series?
My Pick: Rangers over the Habs 4-3

Western
Chicago [C3] vs. LA [P3]
Chi: They got this far from all those six games series, can they slay one more dragon to go on to the Stanley Cup finals?
LA: The Kings took down the Ducks, can they take down the Hawks?
Overall: Tough call on this one, but I'm taking the Hawks.
My Pick: Hawks over the Kings 4-2

Well that's my picks, hope you all will enjoy round 3 til then later.

Friday: From Purple Eagles to Foxes and Back

The official announcement came and went fairly quickly and without much if any detail several months back. The HCIHL's Skopje Foxes have split into two teams with one facet staying in Macedonia in the upstart Balkan Hockey League and the other moving to Buffalo who will represent the franchise in the HCIHL. The official announcement of their home venue(s) were selected as the regular home will be at Niagara University's Dwyer Arena and having select games held at the yet to be completed HarborCenter in the downtown area, the new hockey home of Canisius College (who previously played at Buffalo State College's arena.

The Ice

The boards

End to End (TV broadcast)

This is what is expected in the coming months . . . The new uniforms have been well prepared, and had been officially released on the team's page on the league website. While many of you may have noticed that I have decided the team not use the primary logo on the uniforms, I wanted to use logos that actually look like they belong on a uniform. But I am excited to see the next season of the league with all the other changes about it. Landrov Air will also be the official league airline, servicing all team destinations (notice their main sponsorship section along the boards). That will have to be it from me for now, but it's time to #PaintItOrange so I leave you with one final word for the weekend: quack!

-Ricky

Saturday: Two concepts shocker!

Hello everybody, Alan here at HCI with for the first time in a long time this post featuring "TWO" concepts. I'm so pumped up for this one, let's not waste time and get this post going.

Team Netherlands concept [by Jake88]

Up points: The stripes on the arms, socks, and angled stripes on the front of the jerseys is cleverly well put together. The logo is the best to my mind, one of those logos that can be use for any international tournament, including the Olympics!

Down points: The collar (you know what I'm talking about.) All the equipments (except the helmet) are black and I felt like it didn't fit well with the jerseys.

My Suggestion: Make the pants orange with two stripes like the jersey's stripes, the gloves orange with some white to it.

Quebec Nordiques concept [by Jake 88]

Up points: For a relocated team this is the best way to debut with! Using the logo made by Tyler Roger as main crest for the jerseys gives it a complete feel to it. Using the fleur-de-lis logo on the hem and the shoulder designed by Derschwigg really gives the modern era of the Nords the edge. Lastly like the stripes on the arms, and under the yoke in front.

Down point: The number fonts is alright but on the dark jersey I felt like it should be white instead of lighter shade of nordic blue as the main color on the numbers.

My Suggestion: Read the down points.

Well Saturday is in the books, hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend, til then later. 

Friday: Land of the Other Rising Sun

No concepts, not a problem. Happy to write you again this fine Friday. I pulled something out of the BNG archives a midst my Ducks beating the Kings last night. As we go forward, I am glad to give the concept a polishing off from about seventeen months or so ago. This was before I knew about the goings of how this arena thing would work in Skopje.

So the big thing is that the logo is actually discolored and I had a difficult time brightening it. As for the arena, the exterior was only to cover the already existing ice which is adjacent to the actual arena. Not only that but they did have an open air dome put over it. Fine. As for the actual jerseys, I adjusted to the area of competition and used the KHL inspired template.

What's wrong with this picture? This is old, not yours, and a review of my own work. Please, I beg you to send in your work! Now I know that we've slowed down here a bit, but for me it's the joy of someone finding my work on a site is ecstatic. I would hope you feel the same. Until (probably) the next round of the playoffs, happy hockey and wish your mothers a hearty Happy Mom's Day.

-Ricky

Wednesday: Round 2

Hello everybody, and welcome to HCI.

If you haven't watched any Montreal vs Boston games, you should. The B's making amazing comebacks, (reminds me of game 7 against the Leafs last year) Montreal utilizing all of their lines - it's great hockey! Plus, a rivalry between the two teams! It sucks that Boston fans made racist comments towards P.K. Subban - classless. It just makes the Bruins look bad, and could set a little bit of a fire under the Canadiens - plus, Subban will score even more!

On to the concepts:

Oh, there aren't any right now - don't want this to happen? Send some in! :)


Thanks for reading my post! See ya next time.

Saturday: Alan's Round 2 Playoff picks, plus Round 1 review

Hi everyone, Alan here on HCI. I got no concept this week, but I do have my NHL playoff picks round 2, now I know the 2nd round already started, but why not? Enjoy my Round 2 picks. But first I got my round 1 review. Let's get to it.

Eastern Conference
Boston [A1] vs. Detroit [WC2]

 My Pick: Bruins over the Wings 4-1

The Result: Bruins over the Wings 4-1
"Called it!" I knew that the Bruins have their way and keep their "A" game up, and keep the Wings from pulling an upset in this series. 

Tampa Bay [A2] vs. Montreal [A3]

My Pick: Habs over the Lightning 4-3

The Result: Habs sweeps the Lightning 4-0
I thought this was going all the way, but the way the first 3 games played this one was going to be a sweeper, until game 4 and Tampa gave it all they had, but in the end the Habs seal the deal, and moving on to the 2nd round.

Pittsburgh [M1] vs. Columbus [WC1]

My Pick: Pens over CBJ 4-3

The Result: Pens over CBJ 4-2
I'm hoping for this series would go all the way to 7, but the Blue Jackets just ran out of gas in game 6, but at least they put on a good series. For now the Pens are going to the 2nd round.

NY Rangers [M2] vs Philadelphia [M3]

My Pick: NYR over the Flyers 4-2

The Result: NYR over the Flyers 4-3
I thought the Rangers got game 6 in the bag, but the Flyers seem to put all of whats left in their tank in game 6. In the end they ran out of gas, and time to beat the Rangers. New York is going to Round 2.

Western Conference
Colorado [C1] vs. Minnesota [WC1]

My Pick: Aves over the Wild 4-1

The Result: Wild beat Aves 4-3
It was bad enough that the Wild drag on all the way to game 7, but also beating the Aves in overtime to go on to the 2nd round. Thanks a lot Wild.

St.Louis  [C2] vs. Chicago [C3]

My Pick: Hawks over the Blues 4-2

The Result: Hawks over the Blues 4-2
Right on the money! Just like last year the Hawks gave the Blues a butt whooping after being down 2 games to none. Round 2 look out the Hawks are back!

Anaheim [P1] vs. Dallas [WC2]

My Pick: Ducks over Stars 4-0

The Result: Ducks over Stars 4-2
I called for a sweeper, but the Stars somehow seem to give the Ducks a hard time in ending their season. In the end the Ducks are going to Round 2.

San Jose [P2] vs. LA [P3]

My Pick: LA over SJS 4-2

The Result: LA beat SJS 4-3
At first I thought the Sharks was going to bust my playoff bracket, but thank god the Kings came back and beat them.

Well here's my Round 2 picks

Eastern Conference
Boston [A1] vs. Montreal [A3]
Bos: The Bruins took out the Wings in five games as I call for it, the quicker the series the Bruins finish, the more tougher they get.
Mon: The Habs surprised me by sweeping Tampa in 4 games, now they are rested and ready for the Bruins.
Overall: Sadly the Bruins got this series, but Montreal will make them work for it.
My Pick: Bruins over the Habs 4-3

Pittsburgh [M1] vs. NY Rangers [M2]
Pit: The Pens had trouble with their game play, hopefully they fix their problems wisely.
NYR: The Rangers came out of game 7 so it'll be hard for them to be ready for this round.
Overall: If the Pens play their cards right, they got this series.
My Pick: Pens over the Rangers 4-2


Western Conference
 Minnesota [WC1] vs. Chicago [C3]
Min: The Wild slayed the Avalanche dragon, can they do it again with the Hawks?
Chi: Chicago is still standing, but for how long?
Overall: Wild is in the 2nd round, but this one will be a short for them.
My Pick:  Chi beat wild 4-1

Anaheim [P1] vs. LA [P3]
Ana: Hopefully the Ducks learn their lesson in keeping their "A" game up.
LA: Came back from a 3-0 to take the series, and move on to the 2nd round.
Overall: LA may came back from 3-0, but the Ducks got this series in the bag.
My Pick: Ducks over the Kings 4-2

Well that's my NHL playoffs review and picks. Hope you all enjoy round 2 of the NHL playoffs, until then later.

Friday: The Lighthouse is Working

Second round ahoy, HCI readers! One game is in the books and what a doozie it was. The Canadiens won it in two overtimes and took the first lead of the series. My Ducks go at it tomorrow, while the remaining two series start tonight. Until then, let's view a concept.

New York Islanders

Submission by: DDragon60 Studios (Phil Beck)

Phil has brought us a home and road of the first ever Islanders alternate (which was orange) and my gosh does it look gorgeous. If the alternate were brought back, c'est magnefique! The rest of the equipment and uniform look very solid to boot. I really appreciate that the Stadium Series logo is no more then a shoulder patch logo here.

While I'd love to stay and chat, it imply cannot be. Until next time, I bid you good hockey!

-Ricky