Still being sad Roy. In lieu of actual Sabres hockey (I was in Ohio for the last week and unable to see any games), I watched some random Derek Roy videos on youtube today.
Yeah, I have issues.
In other news, I attended a Cincinnati Cyclones and Toledo Walleye game on Tuesday. It was fun.. there were a lot of people there! The Cyclones lost but I had a good time with my friends.
And there were three former Purple Eagles playing in that game. Barret Ehgoetz- captain of the Cyclones, and Kyle Rogers and Tyler Gotto of the Walleye were all representin for NU. That was cool. I actually knew Ehgo from his time in Utah but only knew the other guys from announcing their names. Good to see Niagara boys making their mark in the ECHL. :)
That's it for tonight.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
coming coming soon
I am really distraught about Royzie. :( Obviously he's done for the season and the injury sounds pretty gross. I just hope he recovers completely and doesn't try to push it. But I will miss him!
And ugh.. I am so over this year's Winter Classic. I'm so annoyed (as I've said beforethat Sid and the Penguins get another turn. They could have given the game to someone else.. that would be fair! Share the wealth, NHL. Boo on that. I may watch some of the game (I'll be in Pitt for New Year's) but I don't care all that much. Go Caps. haha It will be cool if Sloaner gets to play though. He's back off the IR so I hope he'll get a shot. That would be awesome for him. Of course, this is all assuming the weather cooperates. We'll see, I guess.
That's pretty much what I have. I went to a Dayton Gems hockey game last night. They play in the Central Hockey League. It was a good time. I really do love minor league hockey- it has its own flair. The difference between these guys and the NHL is pretty extreme though. Hahaha. Bruce Boudreau's son plays for the Gems.. He's TINY! He's got some decent speed- but sometimes forgets where his teammates are. I doubt he'll ever make it to the show but he might get a shot at a higher league at some point.
Tomorrow is more hockey- the (defending Kelly Cup Champion) Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL this time. Should be a great time. :)
And ugh.. I am so over this year's Winter Classic. I'm so annoyed (as I've said beforethat Sid and the Penguins get another turn. They could have given the game to someone else.. that would be fair! Share the wealth, NHL. Boo on that. I may watch some of the game (I'll be in Pitt for New Year's) but I don't care all that much. Go Caps. haha It will be cool if Sloaner gets to play though. He's back off the IR so I hope he'll get a shot. That would be awesome for him. Of course, this is all assuming the weather cooperates. We'll see, I guess.
That's pretty much what I have. I went to a Dayton Gems hockey game last night. They play in the Central Hockey League. It was a good time. I really do love minor league hockey- it has its own flair. The difference between these guys and the NHL is pretty extreme though. Hahaha. Bruce Boudreau's son plays for the Gems.. He's TINY! He's got some decent speed- but sometimes forgets where his teammates are. I doubt he'll ever make it to the show but he might get a shot at a higher league at some point.
Tomorrow is more hockey- the (defending Kelly Cup Champion) Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL this time. Should be a great time. :)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas, Derek Roy
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547282
Torn quad tendon? That sounds awful. 4-6 months? That sounds worse. :(
This is not the first time my favorite player has missed half of the season, but this is the first time it's been Royzie.
He is the Sabres leading scorer. Not that they are any good with him, but this can't help. Unless they magically rally and start playing well for him. wouldn't that be ironic?
:(
Torn quad tendon? That sounds awful. 4-6 months? That sounds worse. :(
This is not the first time my favorite player has missed half of the season, but this is the first time it's been Royzie.
He is the Sabres leading scorer. Not that they are any good with him, but this can't help. Unless they magically rally and start playing well for him. wouldn't that be ironic?
:(
Thursday, December 23, 2010
welcome all again
I'm in Ohio spending Christmas time with my fam and various friends around the area.
And with Ohio and friends comes HOCKEY of course. I have plans to see the Dayton Gems (CHL) and the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) while I am here. 2 hockey games, 2 leagues (the CHL is one I haven't yet experienced) so it should be fun fun fun. :)
Oh and GO SABRES!
And with Ohio and friends comes HOCKEY of course. I have plans to see the Dayton Gems (CHL) and the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) while I am here. 2 hockey games, 2 leagues (the CHL is one I haven't yet experienced) so it should be fun fun fun. :)
Oh and GO SABRES!
Friday, December 3, 2010
good job boys
Geeeez..
This Sabres game is something else.
So far we're 3-0 and wow- this is the most complete game I've seen from the Sabres. It's not over yet but I like what's going on. Lots of scrappin, some goals, some great teamwork.
And all against Columbus, a team which usually beats us.
Some rough stuff:
McCormick has words with Commodore.
Monty had a little tussle with Boll- he did okay- especially considering his opponent.
And then..
All the Kaleta haters need to back off a little after that tilt with Dorsett. That was some old school minor-league style brawling right there. Nice job!
And some random, out of order thoughts:
Royzie's pass on the 2nd goal was SICK. That whole play was well executed. The boys are actually playing like a TEAM instead of a bunch of punks who've never met.
Now we're at 4-0. No, make that 5-0. WOWZERS.
Of course this would happen. I was going to go to the game tonight.. but things got a little crazy during the day. I was planning to take my nephew but my sis wanted him to go to this other thing so I said.. whatev. But then I couldn't find a friend to go with me on such short notice.. and I didn't feel like going alone. I also wasn't feeling terribly great- been having a headache (it's sort of sinus-y and PMS-y-- a gross combo) for the last 2 days, plus I was tired. AND the Sabres always play like crap against CBJ so I wasn't worried about this being a good game.
Well whaddya know? They have the frickin BEST GAME OF THE SEASON tonight. Oh well. I knew if I had gone they would have lost so if I stayed home they'd win.. figures.
This Sabres game is something else.
So far we're 3-0 and wow- this is the most complete game I've seen from the Sabres. It's not over yet but I like what's going on. Lots of scrappin, some goals, some great teamwork.
And all against Columbus, a team which usually beats us.
Some rough stuff:
McCormick has words with Commodore.
Monty had a little tussle with Boll- he did okay- especially considering his opponent.
And then..
All the Kaleta haters need to back off a little after that tilt with Dorsett. That was some old school minor-league style brawling right there. Nice job!
And some random, out of order thoughts:
Royzie's pass on the 2nd goal was SICK. That whole play was well executed. The boys are actually playing like a TEAM instead of a bunch of punks who've never met.
Now we're at 4-0. No, make that 5-0. WOWZERS.
Of course this would happen. I was going to go to the game tonight.. but things got a little crazy during the day. I was planning to take my nephew but my sis wanted him to go to this other thing so I said.. whatev. But then I couldn't find a friend to go with me on such short notice.. and I didn't feel like going alone. I also wasn't feeling terribly great- been having a headache (it's sort of sinus-y and PMS-y-- a gross combo) for the last 2 days, plus I was tired. AND the Sabres always play like crap against CBJ so I wasn't worried about this being a good game.
Well whaddya know? They have the frickin BEST GAME OF THE SEASON tonight. Oh well. I knew if I had gone they would have lost so if I stayed home they'd win.. figures.
okat this is just creepy
I have no idea how I haven't used this hockey SAB before, but it must be shared now. *I meant to post on Wednesday, but this week has gotten away from me a bit*
This one is really intense, because I saw him on tv the other night, and literally thought he was someone else- so that's when you KNOW a hockey SAB is imminent- so without further ado:
-Rangers coach John Tortorella
AND
-former player and current analyst, Ray Ferarro. (who was used earlier as a hockey SAB with football player Kurt Warner)
DUDE. I really did see Torts on MSG the other night in passing and thought he was Ray. That was wild. Separated at birth? YOU be the judge!
This one is really intense, because I saw him on tv the other night, and literally thought he was someone else- so that's when you KNOW a hockey SAB is imminent- so without further ado:
-Rangers coach John Tortorella
AND
-former player and current analyst, Ray Ferarro. (who was used earlier as a hockey SAB with football player Kurt Warner)
DUDE. I really did see Torts on MSG the other night in passing and thought he was Ray. That was wild. Separated at birth? YOU be the judge!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
confessions
I am highly enamored of Steve Montador and his eyebrows. LOOOVE the new Green Team commercial. I wish I could find it online. (we're going to ignore the fact that Monty has a dreaded neck beard going on there.. LOL)
I love how belligerent Mike Weber is. He's so fun. They could all use a dose of that fire. :)
I'm sort of watching the game but not paying quite enough attention to it to properly comment.
Why has Derek Roy forgotten how to play hockey? It's been ages since his last goal...
Time to put the nephews to bed. Maybe the Sabres will be better when I get back. (it's 3-0. Yick.)
I love how belligerent Mike Weber is. He's so fun. They could all use a dose of that fire. :)
I'm sort of watching the game but not paying quite enough attention to it to properly comment.
Why has Derek Roy forgotten how to play hockey? It's been ages since his last goal...
Time to put the nephews to bed. Maybe the Sabres will be better when I get back. (it's 3-0. Yick.)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hints of things left unseen
I've been hinting at this post for a few days now, so I guess it's time I just sat down and wrote it. So what do I really want to say? I said the other night that hockey is "home" to me. That's true, and has been true for over 16 years now. It was nothing something that was born and bred in me, it was something I discovered on my own (with a little help from my sis, Lance Links, and Pavel Bure) and felt a deep connection to. I think I've told those stories before, but become a hockey fan was, for me at least, a conscious choice that I had to cultivate once the idea was planted.
I've been through some times as a hockey fan. I've seen my teams win it and lose it in the first round of the playoffs, game 7 of the finals, not even make the playoffs.. I've been around and changed teams a few times and found some new players to cheer for (though Bure will always be my #1 no matter what) but it all started with the 1994 Vancouver Canucks. They were my first team.. and they will forever be special. I could probably still name every player from that team (or at least come pretty darn close). I still have some of the 1994 playoff games (including dreaded game 7 which I have never watched) on tape. They were MY boys and they will always be MY boys.
When I turned 13, I asked for a Canucks jersey for my birthday. Now, keep in mind that this was 1994, way before the internet could get anything delivered to your door in 24 hours. Also keep in mind that I lived in Dayton, OH and there was no NHL team in Columbus. And I wanted a Vancouver Canucks jersey- IN AUGUST.
My parents found one.. they had to go to Cincinnati (an hour away) to get it but they found one. I loved that jersey. I probably wore it once a week on average for 3 or 4 years. No lie. I now own 10 hockey jerseys but that was my first and for a long time, my favorite. Longtime readers may recall This photo, which was one of my senior pics. I loved hockey and I loved the Canucks.
My first NHL game was a Vancouver Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena on March 17, 1995. I wore my jersey and bought a hat and cheered my heart out for the Canucks (one of about 3 people in the arena who was). One of the best nights of my life.
Over time, when Pavel was traded to the Panthers in 1999, I moved my allegiance. (it is interesting to note that Pavel Bure and Bret Hedican were the last 2 members of the 1994 team to leave Vancouver.) I left with them but a part of my heart will always belong to Vancouver.
Over the past several seasons, I have paid more attention to the Canucks. They are a fun, young team. They also have some incredibly good looking fellas on their squad. They score a lot of goals and have a great stopper in Luongo. But, since they're in the Western edge of the Western Conference, I barely see them anymore. So when I saw they were on the Sabres' schedule this season, and my brother-in-law has season tickets, I grabbed that game. I wanted to see the Canucks again, after 15 and a half years.
I'm not going to lie, the game brought back a lot of emotions for me. I felt like I should be cheering for Vancouver. I enjoy the Canucks, but it's more of a passive enjoyment, and I would never pick them over my Sabres. There were lots of Canucks fans at the game, and they were wearing all different styles of jerseys. I saw 3 people with Pavel Bure jerseys (one of them was the 1994 SCF jersey- and I could tell that from the other side of the arena. True stories, but really, are you surprised? It's me!) There were many people with the blue, silver, maroon and black with the Orca "C" on them- I remember when they debuted those jerseys.. we found some pics online (this was early internet days) and I printed them out. I wanted one of those jerseys but never got one before Bure was traded (I eventually got a Panthers one, though.)
It's hard to describe the feelings I had on Monday. I've tried to break it down into words, but there aren't really words. It was odd.. but comforting at the same time. It's like coming full circle as a hockey fan. It was facing my first favorite team while cheering for my current favorite team and it didn't feel awkward and nasty, it felt good. It felt safe. It felt like no matter what I picked, I'd be okay. It felt like home. I keep going back to that, but it's true. Hockey is home. Old team, new team, home is home.
And I absolutely adore the current Canucks uniforms. The colors are gorgeous and I want to own one right now.
I've been through some times as a hockey fan. I've seen my teams win it and lose it in the first round of the playoffs, game 7 of the finals, not even make the playoffs.. I've been around and changed teams a few times and found some new players to cheer for (though Bure will always be my #1 no matter what) but it all started with the 1994 Vancouver Canucks. They were my first team.. and they will forever be special. I could probably still name every player from that team (or at least come pretty darn close). I still have some of the 1994 playoff games (including dreaded game 7 which I have never watched) on tape. They were MY boys and they will always be MY boys.
When I turned 13, I asked for a Canucks jersey for my birthday. Now, keep in mind that this was 1994, way before the internet could get anything delivered to your door in 24 hours. Also keep in mind that I lived in Dayton, OH and there was no NHL team in Columbus. And I wanted a Vancouver Canucks jersey- IN AUGUST.
My parents found one.. they had to go to Cincinnati (an hour away) to get it but they found one. I loved that jersey. I probably wore it once a week on average for 3 or 4 years. No lie. I now own 10 hockey jerseys but that was my first and for a long time, my favorite. Longtime readers may recall This photo, which was one of my senior pics. I loved hockey and I loved the Canucks.
My first NHL game was a Vancouver Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena on March 17, 1995. I wore my jersey and bought a hat and cheered my heart out for the Canucks (one of about 3 people in the arena who was). One of the best nights of my life.
Over time, when Pavel was traded to the Panthers in 1999, I moved my allegiance. (it is interesting to note that Pavel Bure and Bret Hedican were the last 2 members of the 1994 team to leave Vancouver.) I left with them but a part of my heart will always belong to Vancouver.
Over the past several seasons, I have paid more attention to the Canucks. They are a fun, young team. They also have some incredibly good looking fellas on their squad. They score a lot of goals and have a great stopper in Luongo. But, since they're in the Western edge of the Western Conference, I barely see them anymore. So when I saw they were on the Sabres' schedule this season, and my brother-in-law has season tickets, I grabbed that game. I wanted to see the Canucks again, after 15 and a half years.
I'm not going to lie, the game brought back a lot of emotions for me. I felt like I should be cheering for Vancouver. I enjoy the Canucks, but it's more of a passive enjoyment, and I would never pick them over my Sabres. There were lots of Canucks fans at the game, and they were wearing all different styles of jerseys. I saw 3 people with Pavel Bure jerseys (one of them was the 1994 SCF jersey- and I could tell that from the other side of the arena. True stories, but really, are you surprised? It's me!) There were many people with the blue, silver, maroon and black with the Orca "C" on them- I remember when they debuted those jerseys.. we found some pics online (this was early internet days) and I printed them out. I wanted one of those jerseys but never got one before Bure was traded (I eventually got a Panthers one, though.)
It's hard to describe the feelings I had on Monday. I've tried to break it down into words, but there aren't really words. It was odd.. but comforting at the same time. It's like coming full circle as a hockey fan. It was facing my first favorite team while cheering for my current favorite team and it didn't feel awkward and nasty, it felt good. It felt safe. It felt like no matter what I picked, I'd be okay. It felt like home. I keep going back to that, but it's true. Hockey is home. Old team, new team, home is home.
And I absolutely adore the current Canucks uniforms. The colors are gorgeous and I want to own one right now.
it's wednesday!
I still have that post wherein I wax poetic about the Canucks and hockey and rah rah rah memories... but it's still stuck in my head.
However, it is Wednesday, and that sometimes means that I provide you with a hockey SAB. Tonight, I have one that I noticed at the game on Monday.
-Criminal Minds actor Matthew Gray Gubler
AND
-Babyfaced Canuck Mason Raymond
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge!
However, it is Wednesday, and that sometimes means that I provide you with a hockey SAB. Tonight, I have one that I noticed at the game on Monday.
-Criminal Minds actor Matthew Gray Gubler
AND
-Babyfaced Canuck Mason Raymond
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
show and tell
A few things to share tonight-
Hellooooo Ryan Kesler. I'm down with that.
and our little Roy boy is growing up. . Nice article, Jerry Sullivan. :) I really liked this quote: ""I want to be an elite player in this league," Roy said. "I don't want to cruise through my career and just get 60, 70 points or whatever. I think that's a part of being a human being and growing up. Whatever you do in life, you want to be skilled at it. You want to be the best. I'm trying to approach it that way every day."
Let's hope he continues this growing up process. 21 pts in 20 games is not a bad way to start. Good on ya, Royzie. :)
I have some rambling memory and nostalgia-inducing thoughts from last night's game, but they aren't quite in coherent form yet. Expect thatbraindump post soonish (if anyone still reads this drivel).
The game last night was a superbly awesome time. The action was good, the crowd was fun, OT was out of this world.. just a fantastic night all around. I was really stressed before the game because I have a lot going on right now and I felt bad to be taking the time to go.. yet this game was on my radar since July, when the schedule came out- and I really felt like I *needed* to go. I'm so glad I did. It brought up a lot of emotions (back to that not-yet-written post) and was just a heck of a game. Besides, I like going to Sabres games. Hockey has always felt like 'home', and I've been missing it a lot lately. It's never too late to go home, and last night was a much-needed reminder of that.
Now I'm getting rambly (which isn't technically a word, but you know what I mean, right?) and that means it's time for bed. G'night friends!
Hellooooo Ryan Kesler. I'm down with that.
and our little Roy boy is growing up. . Nice article, Jerry Sullivan. :) I really liked this quote: ""I want to be an elite player in this league," Roy said. "I don't want to cruise through my career and just get 60, 70 points or whatever. I think that's a part of being a human being and growing up. Whatever you do in life, you want to be skilled at it. You want to be the best. I'm trying to approach it that way every day."
Let's hope he continues this growing up process. 21 pts in 20 games is not a bad way to start. Good on ya, Royzie. :)
I have some rambling memory and nostalgia-inducing thoughts from last night's game, but they aren't quite in coherent form yet. Expect that
The game last night was a superbly awesome time. The action was good, the crowd was fun, OT was out of this world.. just a fantastic night all around. I was really stressed before the game because I have a lot going on right now and I felt bad to be taking the time to go.. yet this game was on my radar since July, when the schedule came out- and I really felt like I *needed* to go. I'm so glad I did. It brought up a lot of emotions (back to that not-yet-written post) and was just a heck of a game. Besides, I like going to Sabres games. Hockey has always felt like 'home', and I've been missing it a lot lately. It's never too late to go home, and last night was a much-needed reminder of that.
Now I'm getting rambly (which isn't technically a word, but you know what I mean, right?) and that means it's time for bed. G'night friends!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Derek Rooooooyyyy
I feel that I should give Royzie some love here. He's been the only consistent Sabre on the roster this year, and with 19pts (8 goals) in 18 games, not only is he heads and tails above the rest of his team (ya bunch of slackers), but he is 8th in League scoring. Sounds good to me.
Perhaps, more importantly, he has played hard all season, something that cannot be said for all members of the Sabres. I LIKE that. That is why I started to like Derek Roy in the first place. I remember when he was first getting call-ups from Rochester back in 2003-04.. I vividly remember driving home one night after working a Niagara game and hearing RJ go on about how solid and tough and scrappy this kid was. And I liked him instantly. Then he started playing for the Sabres full-time and got a little lazy and people started hatin on him but I knew he could still be sweet- when he wanted to..
Yeah yeah you've heard it all here before. I just wanted to re-iterate that I have loved Royzie for a long time now and I never really gave up on him. I may have kicked him out a few times and threatened to change the locks on him, and occasionally cheat on him with Patrick Sharp or Steve Montador, but when the day is done, he's still my boy.
So I say, good on ya, Royzie. Keep it up, boyo. The Sabres NEED you and I like the fact that the player that I like most is playing like we all know he can. :) And if the rest of those hosers can get on it, we'd be in better shape.
Yup. That's all I've got. I haven't actually watched a Sabres game since..... October 16 I think. That's kind of pathetic but life has been on fast-forward for a while now. I'm GOING to the game tomorrow- (I have a few reasons to be excited about this, not the least of which is Mr. Ryan Kesler) and the simple fact that I will be able to watch hockey is brilliant all on its own. YAY!
Perhaps, more importantly, he has played hard all season, something that cannot be said for all members of the Sabres. I LIKE that. That is why I started to like Derek Roy in the first place. I remember when he was first getting call-ups from Rochester back in 2003-04.. I vividly remember driving home one night after working a Niagara game and hearing RJ go on about how solid and tough and scrappy this kid was. And I liked him instantly. Then he started playing for the Sabres full-time and got a little lazy and people started hatin on him but I knew he could still be sweet- when he wanted to..
Yeah yeah you've heard it all here before. I just wanted to re-iterate that I have loved Royzie for a long time now and I never really gave up on him. I may have kicked him out a few times and threatened to change the locks on him, and occasionally cheat on him with Patrick Sharp or Steve Montador, but when the day is done, he's still my boy.
So I say, good on ya, Royzie. Keep it up, boyo. The Sabres NEED you and I like the fact that the player that I like most is playing like we all know he can. :) And if the rest of those hosers can get on it, we'd be in better shape.
Yup. That's all I've got. I haven't actually watched a Sabres game since..... October 16 I think. That's kind of pathetic but life has been on fast-forward for a while now. I'm GOING to the game tomorrow- (I have a few reasons to be excited about this, not the least of which is Mr. Ryan Kesler) and the simple fact that I will be able to watch hockey is brilliant all on its own. YAY!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
boy oh boy
My blog has been quiet lately.
I will make no excuses- I should be able to talk about hockey, even if it's bad hockey.. but I have been so swamped with work and play practice and so uninspired by the Sabres that I find I have very little to say.
So there it is.. maybe I'll start babbling about hockey again. I've dealt with terrible teams before. (I haven't been a Sabres fan for all that long, but I was a Canucks fan in the 90s and then went on the Florida Panthers so I know about strugglin hockey.)
I do still think about hockey and if I ever get some nice spare time again, maybe I'll feel like writing. Till then I will keep reading and keeping an eye out for those separated at Births..
I will make no excuses- I should be able to talk about hockey, even if it's bad hockey.. but I have been so swamped with work and play practice and so uninspired by the Sabres that I find I have very little to say.
So there it is.. maybe I'll start babbling about hockey again. I've dealt with terrible teams before. (I haven't been a Sabres fan for all that long, but I was a Canucks fan in the 90s and then went on the Florida Panthers so I know about strugglin hockey.)
I do still think about hockey and if I ever get some nice spare time again, maybe I'll feel like writing. Till then I will keep reading and keeping an eye out for those separated at Births..
Saturday, October 16, 2010
S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G
OKay this is maybe amusing to me because I am such a spaz about spelling and grammar. Though this is more of a editing thing, it still should not have happened.
I was perusing the NHL-jobs website today (I do this every day, still looking for that elusive non-sales calls hockey job) and I saw this listing:
al
"Communications Internship - Edmotnon Oilers Hockey Club (Edmonton, AB)"
Yep, I want to work in communications for the Edmotnon Oilers. Clearly what they need is a copy-editor. Yeesh. I am not above the occasional typo myself, but this is just a personal blog. When I used to publish game stories to the internet for the minor league hockey team I worked for, I would proofread them 5 times to make sure all the names were right. Hello- spellcheck would have caught that one. I just find it particularly ironic, considering the context of the job it's listing.
In Sabres news, what a mess last night's game was. C'mon boys- get with it! (I'm looking at YOU (in particular), Tim Connolly, Drew Stafford, Thomas effing Vanek) Thank you, Derek Roy, for remembering how to score goals. Please share this magic with the rest of the team. How is it that the Sabres have 9 goals- 5 have been scored by Roy, 2 by Leopold.. and just 2 by the other 17 (non-goaltender) guys on the roster? W.T.F.?
Maybe tonight will be the turning point. Maybe tonight I can sit down and watch a whole game- something I have not yet done, except for the game I went to. Let's Go Buffalo?
That is all, thank you.
I was perusing the NHL-jobs website today (I do this every day, still looking for that elusive non-sales calls hockey job) and I saw this listing:
al
"Communications Internship - Edmotnon Oilers Hockey Club (Edmonton, AB)"
Yep, I want to work in communications for the Edmotnon Oilers. Clearly what they need is a copy-editor. Yeesh. I am not above the occasional typo myself, but this is just a personal blog. When I used to publish game stories to the internet for the minor league hockey team I worked for, I would proofread them 5 times to make sure all the names were right. Hello- spellcheck would have caught that one. I just find it particularly ironic, considering the context of the job it's listing.
In Sabres news, what a mess last night's game was. C'mon boys- get with it! (I'm looking at YOU (in particular), Tim Connolly, Drew Stafford, Thomas effing Vanek) Thank you, Derek Roy, for remembering how to score goals. Please share this magic with the rest of the team. How is it that the Sabres have 9 goals- 5 have been scored by Roy, 2 by Leopold.. and just 2 by the other 17 (non-goaltender) guys on the roster? W.T.F.?
Maybe tonight will be the turning point. Maybe tonight I can sit down and watch a whole game- something I have not yet done, except for the game I went to. Let's Go Buffalo?
That is all, thank you.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
hmm
Maybe I'm living in my own universe or maybe it's cuz my seats are so close and I'm easily distracted or maybe cuz I'm an optimist, but tonight was NOT the worst Sabres game I've ever been to. (see December 30, 2008 and December 7, 2009 for examples) It was far from the best, but I wasn't as bored/bothered/sickened/disgusted/etc as the general population seems to be. It was a bit sloppy, especially in the first period. The boys just didn't seem to be synced up very well, but there were some moments of decency. Miller owned everybody tonight and we have to remember we were playing the Devils- who (even though they've been crappy thus far this season) are typically a very good defensive team- and Marty Brodeur is a stud. I heard on the post-game that the Devils blocked 18 shots. I don't doubt it.
So yeah.. not the worst game, not the best either. Vanek MUST be better. Connolly is a lazy piece of shit. SOMEONE needed to score a goal (not looking at you, Ilya). Eh.. I wish they had won, but I'm not hitting the panic button yet. The season is young and the boys have a lot of potential to be decent this year.
but what is up with Myers? He's so hesitant this year.. like he's afraid he's going to make a mistake, so he doesn't know what to do with the puck. I don't like this Myers, I want the old one back! :(
So yeah.. not the worst game, not the best either. Vanek MUST be better. Connolly is a lazy piece of shit. SOMEONE needed to score a goal (not looking at you, Ilya). Eh.. I wish they had won, but I'm not hitting the panic button yet. The season is young and the boys have a lot of potential to be decent this year.
but what is up with Myers? He's so hesitant this year.. like he's afraid he's going to make a mistake, so he doesn't know what to do with the puck. I don't like this Myers, I want the old one back! :(
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
nothing to say
I feel like I should post about THE HIT and Monday's game in general, but I don't have much to say. I missed the game- took my nephews to Scouts- but saw the hit on the replay and it was ugly. Not intention to injure, but ugly and unnecessary and caused injury anyway. Tough call on that one but I'm glad he got a suspension. Should it have been more games? Probably. But at least they did something. Now the Sabres have to move on (AND PLAY CLEAN, HARD HOCKEY ON SATURDAY- NO BERTUZZI-LIKE RETRIBUTION BOYS!).
Poor Pommers. It sounds like he will be okay- we can hope so. Concussions are tricky things, so hopefully he will recover completely and get back to playing soon.
I'm going to tonight's game against the super strugglin Devils- so maybe the Sabres will win! I do like the Devils, but I want the Sabres to win. Although, in typical Buffalo fashion, the Devils will probably have their comeback game and play perfectly and the Sabres will roll over and die or try but get nowhere. Ugh. We'll see. It should at least be fun. :)
And how about Derek Roy? I know I've been a Roy apologist for pretty much my whole time as a Sabres fan.. but he's finally playing like the player we all KNOW he can be. Hopefully he will keep it up. The Sabres need his goals (since that POS Connolly is still around and playing terribly, and Vanek can't get out of his own way right now). I love seeing Roy play solid, goal-scoring hockey. Keep it up, my man! :)
Let's Go Buffalo!
Poor Pommers. It sounds like he will be okay- we can hope so. Concussions are tricky things, so hopefully he will recover completely and get back to playing soon.
I'm going to tonight's game against the super strugglin Devils- so maybe the Sabres will win! I do like the Devils, but I want the Sabres to win. Although, in typical Buffalo fashion, the Devils will probably have their comeback game and play perfectly and the Sabres will roll over and die or try but get nowhere. Ugh. We'll see. It should at least be fun. :)
And how about Derek Roy? I know I've been a Roy apologist for pretty much my whole time as a Sabres fan.. but he's finally playing like the player we all KNOW he can be. Hopefully he will keep it up. The Sabres need his goals (since that POS Connolly is still around and playing terribly, and Vanek can't get out of his own way right now). I love seeing Roy play solid, goal-scoring hockey. Keep it up, my man! :)
Let's Go Buffalo!
Monday, October 11, 2010
pretty smoothe, eh?
Wow.. this is really cool. Like 'em or hate 'em, the Blackhawks had a classy Banner-raising ceremony- bringing back some of the guys from 1961. It was pretty great.
But I still want the Sabres to win tonight!
But I still want the Sabres to win tonight!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
eww
Well, that was gross. I only saw about 5 minutes of this game, but that was enough.
Blech.
Stoopid Rangers. Wake up Sabres- get back with it. I can't really comment on the game since I didn't see it. (We went to Letchworth State Park today to look at the gorgeous leaves! Well worth the trip and better than what was on the ice tonight, eh?)
But whatev, it's just game 2/82. Not the end of the world.
So yeah, I'm just going to pretend that didn't happen and look forward to the Blackawks! on Monday. Wish I was going to that game. My bro-in-law has tickets- that I often get to use, but he already promised the ones for Monday to a friend who is taking his son for his bday. I'll just have todrool over Sharpie watch the game on tv.
And the quote of the night goes to the new Geico commercial:
"Maybe we should truck over to namby-pamby land where we can find some self-confidence for you, ya jackwagon!"
Awesome. Can someone share this with Vanek, please? ;)
Blech.
Stoopid Rangers. Wake up Sabres- get back with it. I can't really comment on the game since I didn't see it. (We went to Letchworth State Park today to look at the gorgeous leaves! Well worth the trip and better than what was on the ice tonight, eh?)
But whatev, it's just game 2/82. Not the end of the world.
So yeah, I'm just going to pretend that didn't happen and look forward to the Blackawks! on Monday. Wish I was going to that game. My bro-in-law has tickets- that I often get to use, but he already promised the ones for Monday to a friend who is taking his son for his bday. I'll just have to
And the quote of the night goes to the new Geico commercial:
"Maybe we should truck over to namby-pamby land where we can find some self-confidence for you, ya jackwagon!"
Awesome. Can someone share this with Vanek, please? ;)
Friday, October 8, 2010
yeah yeah
SABRES hockey is baaaaaaaack!
Royzie scored the first goal for the Sabres. Man was it pretty.. wooooweee. :) Good job, lad. :)
Can we PLEASE just part ways with Connolly now? I am tired of his lazy play. Get some hustle, bro. Lindy needs to put Niedermayer on the 2nd line, keep Goose at 3rd and throw Gerbe in the mix on the 4th line and let Connolly sit. I would take 42 Gerbes over one Timmay. Sick. Of. Him.
Can I say how happy I am that Sabre-killer Spezza isn't playing tonight? It's such a relief. my dude is like the boogeyman for the Sabres. It's better when he's not there. Alfie has been suspiciously quiet tonight too. (knock on wood) In fact, all the Sens seem to be a bit slow. Fine by me. :)
Gotta go do some laundry. Last time I left the room, Royzie scored. ;)Didn't work this time.. maybe when I go to put my nephews to bed in a little while..
Nope, kids are in bed and still the score is 1-1. 3rd period now.
WOOOOO Royzie with another goal. Vanek was on the doorstep, so even if it hadn't bounced off Leclaire's skate, he probably would have popped it in. Either way, a goal is a goal. 2-1 Sabres!
Oh my goodness the end of this game is crazy. 1.3 seconds left? ahhh just end it!
YAY! Sabres WIN! Over Ottawa, even. Way to go boys! YYYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
**though I'm a little worried about Royzie. He blocked that Kovalev shot point blank late in the game on the penalty kill. It clearly was hurting him but he gutted it out and finished the shift and blocked another shot (he shared that one with Pommers.) I don't believe he was on the ice any more during the game. Then at the end when they won, he was sitting on the end of the bench (they did a pan of the bench and Lindy walked by and patted him on the head.. lol) and he did jump on the ice but didn't go all the way over to the congratulatory line for Ryan Miller. He just came out at the end... doesn't look good, but I hope he's just a little sore and it's nothing serious. My boy is on fire, you can't shut him down now with an injury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**
Post game EDIT: Just saw the new Green Team commercial. How adorable is Goose? And Hellllooooo Mr. Montador. I LIKE the new hair. I liked it long but the short and messy thing might be even hotter. Not gonna lie, I have the hots for Monty. :)
Royzie scored the first goal for the Sabres. Man was it pretty.. wooooweee. :) Good job, lad. :)
Can we PLEASE just part ways with Connolly now? I am tired of his lazy play. Get some hustle, bro. Lindy needs to put Niedermayer on the 2nd line, keep Goose at 3rd and throw Gerbe in the mix on the 4th line and let Connolly sit. I would take 42 Gerbes over one Timmay. Sick. Of. Him.
Can I say how happy I am that Sabre-killer Spezza isn't playing tonight? It's such a relief. my dude is like the boogeyman for the Sabres. It's better when he's not there. Alfie has been suspiciously quiet tonight too. (knock on wood) In fact, all the Sens seem to be a bit slow. Fine by me. :)
Gotta go do some laundry. Last time I left the room, Royzie scored. ;)Didn't work this time.. maybe when I go to put my nephews to bed in a little while..
Nope, kids are in bed and still the score is 1-1. 3rd period now.
WOOOOO Royzie with another goal. Vanek was on the doorstep, so even if it hadn't bounced off Leclaire's skate, he probably would have popped it in. Either way, a goal is a goal. 2-1 Sabres!
Oh my goodness the end of this game is crazy. 1.3 seconds left? ahhh just end it!
YAY! Sabres WIN! Over Ottawa, even. Way to go boys! YYYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!
**though I'm a little worried about Royzie. He blocked that Kovalev shot point blank late in the game on the penalty kill. It clearly was hurting him but he gutted it out and finished the shift and blocked another shot (he shared that one with Pommers.) I don't believe he was on the ice any more during the game. Then at the end when they won, he was sitting on the end of the bench (they did a pan of the bench and Lindy walked by and patted him on the head.. lol) and he did jump on the ice but didn't go all the way over to the congratulatory line for Ryan Miller. He just came out at the end... doesn't look good, but I hope he's just a little sore and it's nothing serious. My boy is on fire, you can't shut him down now with an injury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**
Post game EDIT: Just saw the new Green Team commercial. How adorable is Goose? And Hellllooooo Mr. Montador. I LIKE the new hair. I liked it long but the short and messy thing might be even hotter. Not gonna lie, I have the hots for Monty. :)
HUZZAH!
There is hockey- real, live, regular season hockey on my television right now! :) YAAAAAAAAAAYY!!!
And my boyo Sharpie got a point. Hossa took the goal, but that's okay- because I have both of them on my fantasy team(s). Not the same team or league but they are both representin. The stinky Avs are winning at the moment (early in the 3rd) but there is still time.
My nose itches. Just wanted to share that.
C'mon 'Hawks! Where's your Defending Stanley Cup Champs "swagger"? They seem quite fond of that term tonight.
Colorado is blocking shots left and right on this power play. Wow.
Man I have missed hockey. Have I said that lately? But guess what? HOCKEY IS BACK!
Wooohoo just saw a clip from Jordan Eberle from Edmonton's goal. It was pretty. He's on one of my teams. :) But man oh man, what is up with the Oilers' uniforms? They are uuuugly. Looks like retro night or something and that is just not necessary. Shorthanded goals are great though.
SHARPIE SCORES! Great heads-up play to grab a loose puck in front of the net. I love that man. Now we're tied.
Out of town update again- Eberle has another goal- this one a PPG. What a nice fantasy addition!
Oh man now they are talking about Sharpie and how awesome he is (duh) and they showed one of those nice little cut-away videos where he turns around with a hockey stick over his shoulder.. and ooooh my I had to rewind it and watch it again. Those EYEBROWS. I'm a little puddle of goo. Sorry, I'm embaraassing myself.
Let's get back to hockey. It's overtime.
Awwww. Poo. The Avs won. :( Oh well, it's just game 1 of 82. There's time. Turco looked a bit sloppy at times tonight. He needs to be better but it wasn't a bad game.
And my boyo Sharpie got a point. Hossa took the goal, but that's okay- because I have both of them on my fantasy team(s). Not the same team or league but they are both representin. The stinky Avs are winning at the moment (early in the 3rd) but there is still time.
My nose itches. Just wanted to share that.
C'mon 'Hawks! Where's your Defending Stanley Cup Champs "swagger"? They seem quite fond of that term tonight.
Colorado is blocking shots left and right on this power play. Wow.
Man I have missed hockey. Have I said that lately? But guess what? HOCKEY IS BACK!
Wooohoo just saw a clip from Jordan Eberle from Edmonton's goal. It was pretty. He's on one of my teams. :) But man oh man, what is up with the Oilers' uniforms? They are uuuugly. Looks like retro night or something and that is just not necessary. Shorthanded goals are great though.
SHARPIE SCORES! Great heads-up play to grab a loose puck in front of the net. I love that man. Now we're tied.
Out of town update again- Eberle has another goal- this one a PPG. What a nice fantasy addition!
Oh man now they are talking about Sharpie and how awesome he is (duh) and they showed one of those nice little cut-away videos where he turns around with a hockey stick over his shoulder.. and ooooh my I had to rewind it and watch it again. Those EYEBROWS. I'm a little puddle of goo. Sorry, I'm embaraassing myself.
Let's get back to hockey. It's overtime.
Awwww. Poo. The Avs won. :( Oh well, it's just game 1 of 82. There's time. Turco looked a bit sloppy at times tonight. He needs to be better but it wasn't a bad game.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
spice it up
Today is Wednesday.
Hockey starts tomorrow! for really for realz. :) I am soooo excited and ready to roll.
So, in honor of the return of hockey, I present you the return of Hockey Separated at Birth.. I am going to try and make it a weekly thing again, because I enjoy doing them. (It may also help me to post more..)
This one was inspired by a post that Anne wrote over at Queen City Sabres about the Kings. Enjoy!
Today we have:
The ever-lovely (even though I won't watch "Supernatural" because it's too creepy) Jensen Ackles
AND
LA Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier.
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge. Anne used that pic of Bernier and I was immediately struck with the likeness.. and some definite hotness. :)
Hockey starts tomorrow! for really for realz. :) I am soooo excited and ready to roll.
So, in honor of the return of hockey, I present you the return of Hockey Separated at Birth.. I am going to try and make it a weekly thing again, because I enjoy doing them. (It may also help me to post more..)
This one was inspired by a post that Anne wrote over at Queen City Sabres about the Kings. Enjoy!
Today we have:
The ever-lovely (even though I won't watch "Supernatural" because it's too creepy) Jensen Ackles
AND
LA Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier.
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge. Anne used that pic of Bernier and I was immediately struck with the likeness.. and some definite hotness. :)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
damn it feels good to be a gangsta
WOW. I went to the Sabres/Flyers game tonight and it was fun.
Now, granted, the Flyers were really the Philly Phantoms (AHL) and I had only heard of about 4 guys on the ice (literally, I think the only names I recognized were Shelly, Carcillo, Guerin and Mezaros.) But all of that is beside the point because the Sabres scored 9 BEAUTIFUL goals and won the game 9-3 after falling down 2-0 about 5 minutes in.
It was a ton of fun. I had my youngest nephew with me and he had a good time counting all the goals and cheering. :) It was great to be back in my brother-in-law's awesome seats in section 116. I missed hockey in a serious way. :) I know it was just the preseason, but the Sabres played hard all night and didn't give up when they had the game in the bag. Every goal was a work of art and many were from a lot of determination and excellent passing.
I love love love the Roy-Stafford-Ennis line. Such energy, such skill! Sign me up. (and don't lose it, boyos!)
I still hate Tim Connolly. He looked completely useless and LAZY out there tonight. In a game your team is DOMINATING, you should be more involved. Blah on him.
And Royzie was top-notch tonight. He was all over the place. THIS is the Royzie we know he can be.. lets just hope he remembers it too. : )
Let's Go Buffalo!!!
I am SO ready for the season.
Now, granted, the Flyers were really the Philly Phantoms (AHL) and I had only heard of about 4 guys on the ice (literally, I think the only names I recognized were Shelly, Carcillo, Guerin and Mezaros.) But all of that is beside the point because the Sabres scored 9 BEAUTIFUL goals and won the game 9-3 after falling down 2-0 about 5 minutes in.
It was a ton of fun. I had my youngest nephew with me and he had a good time counting all the goals and cheering. :) It was great to be back in my brother-in-law's awesome seats in section 116. I missed hockey in a serious way. :) I know it was just the preseason, but the Sabres played hard all night and didn't give up when they had the game in the bag. Every goal was a work of art and many were from a lot of determination and excellent passing.
I love love love the Roy-Stafford-Ennis line. Such energy, such skill! Sign me up. (and don't lose it, boyos!)
I still hate Tim Connolly. He looked completely useless and LAZY out there tonight. In a game your team is DOMINATING, you should be more involved. Blah on him.
And Royzie was top-notch tonight. He was all over the place. THIS is the Royzie we know he can be.. lets just hope he remembers it too. : )
Let's Go Buffalo!!!
I am SO ready for the season.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
WOOOOT!
I'm going to the Devils-Rangers game tonight in NJ with my sis! :)
We were hoping they would be at MSG tonight just to add another arena to our collection, but the Rock is an incredibly fun place for hockey so no worries there. :)
YAY hockey!
We were hoping they would be at MSG tonight just to add another arena to our collection, but the Rock is an incredibly fun place for hockey so no worries there. :)
YAY hockey!
I didn't want to wait till Wednesday
We're watching VH1s top artists of all time.. and Bruce Springsteen was on. I always think he's totally scraggly but still kinda hot. Then I noticed something.. he looked like a certain rugged hockey player that is also hot. SO without further ado, I give you a random hockey SAB.
The BOSS
and
Brendan Shanahan
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge!
The BOSS
and
Brendan Shanahan
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I want to, I really dou
Hockey is about to matter again. YAY!
On the new jerseys- in general, I like them, but I think the yellow nameplates are ugly as heck and could do without the weird outlined numbers on the dark jerseys. I don't mind the funky stitching on the numbers though- that is kind of neat.
I feel like I have some poetic and meaningful post about hockey buried here somewhere but I can't quite say it yet. I've been a bit buried lately with work and a play that just ended and drama with our theatre group (haha insert pun here) and my sister leaving for Afghanistan in 2 weeks so it's there, I just can't find it. But I will. It's almost time for hockey again and I can feel it in the air and in my blood. It feels good. DAMN good.
And eventually I will make enough sense out of it to tell you more.
In the meantime, I'll be reading. :)
On the new jerseys- in general, I like them, but I think the yellow nameplates are ugly as heck and could do without the weird outlined numbers on the dark jerseys. I don't mind the funky stitching on the numbers though- that is kind of neat.
I feel like I have some poetic and meaningful post about hockey buried here somewhere but I can't quite say it yet. I've been a bit buried lately with work and a play that just ended and drama with our theatre group (haha insert pun here) and my sister leaving for Afghanistan in 2 weeks so it's there, I just can't find it. But I will. It's almost time for hockey again and I can feel it in the air and in my blood. It feels good. DAMN good.
And eventually I will make enough sense out of it to tell you more.
In the meantime, I'll be reading. :)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Can you smell the hockey?
It's almost hockey time. The leaves are starting to change, the air is cooler.. football is happening (who cares? not this kid.) and all of that means that hockey is just around the corner! YAY!!!!
As usual, I won't be attending Puck Drop. Not because I don't want to- believe me- I DO- but I always end up having something else to do that day. This year I think it's going to be parking cars at my brother-in-law's building in Palmyra for Canal Days or something of the sort. Whatev. I'm sure y'all will provide me with all the scoop on how fat Royzie got over the offseason and how snarky Drew Stafford was on twitter about the rookies, and how tall Tyler Myers still is, and how sad Thomas Vanek looks when he misses shots. I will happily read all the hockey chatter on the interwebs and re-live it through my fellow bloggers. :)
In preparation for the coming season, I wandered over to BlackhawksTV last night to hunt down Sharpie's summer visit with The Cup and was not disappointed. :) Yes, I still have my stupid dirty love for the 'Hawks and the Sharpster. (though with the trading of Adam Burish, my trifecta of hotness (never really went into that one- a different post for a different day) is now a duo- just Sharpie and Seabs.) Does this mean Sharpie is going to make videos with Seabrook full-time now? Questions, questions. I will always love you, Adam Burish, even if you now play for the stinky Stars.
I'm so sad though- my brother-in-law has season tickets again. I often get to use these tickets, as he is quite often busy and he knows I love hockey. It's a pretty sweet deal. I take one of my nephews when I can, and have also brought several friends along. I was super excited to see that our 2nd home game was against the Blackhawks. I don't remember if I wrote about it here, but I did not see last year's 'Hawks game- though it was on the BEST. WEEK. EVER (sharing with the Caps and Devils, 2 games I did attend. I think the Caps game was the best I saw from the Sabres last year. The Devils was among the worst but it was Marty's record-tying 103rd shutout so that was sweet.I digress.) The Blackhawks tickets had already been given to another, plus we had this ridiculous snow-storm and were pretty much buried in our valley here that night, so I watched it on tv instead of the 2nd row seats. I did get to drool over Sharpie in person in Columbus in February but it wasn't the same.
So... I was all ready to go this year. But someone else has a claim on the tickets already, which would be fine except I really want to see them and I will miss seeing Sharpie again this year. Boo. :( I really shouldn't complain, I will get to see many more games up close and personal, and I'm not really complaining, just lamenting. I shall watch from home. But I AM swiping the Canucks tickets so I can shamelessly drool over Ryan Kesler all night. :) That's right- I HAVE NO SHAME.
It feels good to be talking about hockey again, even if it's silliness. Not that I ever really stop, but hockey is about to matter again. That is really exciting!
As usual, I won't be attending Puck Drop. Not because I don't want to- believe me- I DO- but I always end up having something else to do that day. This year I think it's going to be parking cars at my brother-in-law's building in Palmyra for Canal Days or something of the sort. Whatev. I'm sure y'all will provide me with all the scoop on how fat Royzie got over the offseason and how snarky Drew Stafford was on twitter about the rookies, and how tall Tyler Myers still is, and how sad Thomas Vanek looks when he misses shots. I will happily read all the hockey chatter on the interwebs and re-live it through my fellow bloggers. :)
In preparation for the coming season, I wandered over to BlackhawksTV last night to hunt down Sharpie's summer visit with The Cup and was not disappointed. :) Yes, I still have my stupid dirty love for the 'Hawks and the Sharpster. (though with the trading of Adam Burish, my trifecta of hotness (never really went into that one- a different post for a different day) is now a duo- just Sharpie and Seabs.) Does this mean Sharpie is going to make videos with Seabrook full-time now? Questions, questions. I will always love you, Adam Burish, even if you now play for the stinky Stars.
I'm so sad though- my brother-in-law has season tickets again. I often get to use these tickets, as he is quite often busy and he knows I love hockey. It's a pretty sweet deal. I take one of my nephews when I can, and have also brought several friends along. I was super excited to see that our 2nd home game was against the Blackhawks. I don't remember if I wrote about it here, but I did not see last year's 'Hawks game- though it was on the BEST. WEEK. EVER (sharing with the Caps and Devils, 2 games I did attend. I think the Caps game was the best I saw from the Sabres last year. The Devils was among the worst but it was Marty's record-tying 103rd shutout so that was sweet.I digress.) The Blackhawks tickets had already been given to another, plus we had this ridiculous snow-storm and were pretty much buried in our valley here that night, so I watched it on tv instead of the 2nd row seats. I did get to drool over Sharpie in person in Columbus in February but it wasn't the same.
So... I was all ready to go this year. But someone else has a claim on the tickets already, which would be fine except I really want to see them and I will miss seeing Sharpie again this year. Boo. :( I really shouldn't complain, I will get to see many more games up close and personal, and I'm not really complaining, just lamenting. I shall watch from home. But I AM swiping the Canucks tickets so I can shamelessly drool over Ryan Kesler all night. :) That's right- I HAVE NO SHAME.
It feels good to be talking about hockey again, even if it's silliness. Not that I ever really stop, but hockey is about to matter again. That is really exciting!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
posting again
I'm posting again- trying to get back into the habit of talking about hockey. There isn't a whole lot going on right now to talk about, but that will change soon. September starts in 3 days and that means we are getting closer and closer to training camp. YAY!
I joined a fantasy hockey league- with Anne from Queen City Sabres and other fun folks from the blogosphere. I haven't investigated fully to see which of my other blogger buddies are on board, but I'm sure there are some familiar folks in the league with me. :)
I will probably also participate in the Amazing/Super League with the Ookies et al when they get it up and running. I may have to hold it there, or possibly end up doing 3 Leagues again, as I have some buddies I've been playing fantasy hockey with for 3 years.. don't know if they are still doing it or not. I don't think I'll start my own this year but who knows.. depends on if my sisters want to play or not. Yeesh.. so much going on! And inevitably, I start ignoring my team by about late February/early March and they die a slow and painful death going into the playoffs. I'll try to be better but I know myself.
And maybe I'll actually post regular updates (as if you care) on the blog. More for my own benefit than for anyone else, but it's kind of fun to watch the progression of things. I had a nice thing going on last year for a bit, with my MVPs and MUP (most USELESS players) of the week. Think I'll try to do that again. It will also get me posting more.
I love my little hockey blog, and I love the people I have met through blogging, and I don't want to let it die through attrition. So here's my pledge to attempt to be a better blogger this season. :) HOLD ME TO IT, GUYS!
I joined a fantasy hockey league- with Anne from Queen City Sabres and other fun folks from the blogosphere. I haven't investigated fully to see which of my other blogger buddies are on board, but I'm sure there are some familiar folks in the league with me. :)
I will probably also participate in the Amazing/Super League with the Ookies et al when they get it up and running. I may have to hold it there, or possibly end up doing 3 Leagues again, as I have some buddies I've been playing fantasy hockey with for 3 years.. don't know if they are still doing it or not. I don't think I'll start my own this year but who knows.. depends on if my sisters want to play or not. Yeesh.. so much going on! And inevitably, I start ignoring my team by about late February/early March and they die a slow and painful death going into the playoffs. I'll try to be better but I know myself.
And maybe I'll actually post regular updates (as if you care) on the blog. More for my own benefit than for anyone else, but it's kind of fun to watch the progression of things. I had a nice thing going on last year for a bit, with my MVPs and MUP (most USELESS players) of the week. Think I'll try to do that again. It will also get me posting more.
I love my little hockey blog, and I love the people I have met through blogging, and I don't want to let it die through attrition. So here's my pledge to attempt to be a better blogger this season. :) HOLD ME TO IT, GUYS!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
YAY!
Had to post this before I lose the link:
The Hockey News' Top 10 Canucks of all time--- and guess who's #1?
Of course- Pavel Bure!!!! :) The best player of my life. I don't see that ever changing. I like lots of hockey players, but none have impacted me the way Pavel did. I have rambled about him many times, so you don't need to hear more but it was nice to see that someone else appreciates him as well. :)
The Hockey News' Top 10 Canucks of all time--- and guess who's #1?
Of course- Pavel Bure!!!! :) The best player of my life. I don't see that ever changing. I like lots of hockey players, but none have impacted me the way Pavel did. I have rambled about him many times, so you don't need to hear more but it was nice to see that someone else appreciates him as well. :)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
sometimes, I amaze even myself
Wow guys, I don't know why this took so long- it is SUPER obvious..
I have a SAB for you, that I've been sitting on for WEEKs, but since it's Wednesday, I will now share it with you fine readers. :)
I present to you:
-Mark Tremonti- guitarist from Creed/Alter Bridge
AND
-Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks.
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge!
That is just uncanny, and I don't know why it took so long to put together in my mind. I'm not really a fan of Getzi (unlike many of my friends) so I don't look at him much, and I haven't cared about Creed or Mark Tremonti in ages so maybe that's it.. but this a match made in heaven. WOW.
I have a SAB for you, that I've been sitting on for WEEKs, but since it's Wednesday, I will now share it with you fine readers. :)
I present to you:
-Mark Tremonti- guitarist from Creed/Alter Bridge
AND
-Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks.
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge!
That is just uncanny, and I don't know why it took so long to put together in my mind. I'm not really a fan of Getzi (unlike many of my friends) so I don't look at him much, and I haven't cared about Creed or Mark Tremonti in ages so maybe that's it.. but this a match made in heaven. WOW.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Echo
Helllooo (hello hello hello)
It's a little echo-y in here, isn't it? *looks around* A little dusty too. I should get housekeeping around the place to clean up a bit, eh? It's been a while.
But sadly, the hockey world is a bit quiet at the moment. Or at least hockey news that is relevant to my little corner of madness is pretty quiet. I wrote a hockey song that I need to share but it's not quite ready. Ugh. I really should get on that, but I have been stupidly busy lately with real work. Ha- real work! (You know when I write my best songs? When I'm doing surveys at SUBWAY and no one is in the store.. No joke, I've written 2 songs and a few imaginary conversations while standing around waiting for people to come into the store so I could ask them some questions. Must be the smell of Subway bread inspires me to write about hockey. Or just that's where my mind naturally wanders, and without the distraction of the internet, I have to get creative.)
Wow, that was an odd rant. I don't really know as I have anything constructive to say, but I thought I should update, so you (if any of y'all are still reading) will know that I am still alive, just buried in the madness that is my summer this year.
So I guess I can comment on the (small) moves the Sabres have made.
*I like the Rob Niedermayer acquisition. I will always think of him as Niedermayer (the Lesser), thanks to The Ookies, but that's okay. I like him better than Scott anyway. :) I think he's a solid addition to the group. He's a veteran dude, he's won a Cup and he won't get frazzled. He seems like a hard worker (and Heaven knows, the Sabres could use more of those) and will chip in some points for us here and there. I like it.
*Keeping Patty Lalime- good move. From everything I've heard and read, Patty is the ultimate team player. He and Ryan have a great relationship, and he's actually a decent goalie. (when he gets enough playing time- AHEMLINDYAHEM- and the boys don't hang him out to dry.) Hopefully this will be the year that it all falls into place.
*Shaone Morrisonn- I think I spelled it right. I should look it up but I'm just gonna leave it for now. Until he does something to impress me, I'm not going to bother to learn his name. That's a little rude- let me take it back. I know little about this dude, aside from seeing his name from time to time on the Caps blog I read for info about T-Sloan. He seems competent enough. I guess time will tell if he fits in or not.
EDIT: I did spell his name right! Go me!
*Timmay Kennedy. What a weird scenario that one was. Clearly, it was about money and not appreciating being told by an agent what a player should be making, and then having to fight it out in arbitration. As I just learned in my Hockey GM and Scouting course- (which is really cool, btw), if I understand it correctly, a Club may only buy out a player whose salary is in excess of $1M. So if Kennedy had elected for less money, he might still have a job, whereas he is currently sitting in the limbo of the unsigned. Sad fate for a decent kid. (bad on his agent. Seriously- what was he thinking?) But the Sabres are saving money on a player who wasn't exceptional, just decent, and with others like him (and maybe better) on the way up, he was expendable. Bye Timmay, it's been real. Hope you land somewhere else- far far away, not in our division, please?!
And that is about what I have. When does the season start again?
P.S. I will try to remember my hockey SAB that I've been saving for weeks.. and post them on Wednesday, in keeping with tradition..
It's a little echo-y in here, isn't it? *looks around* A little dusty too. I should get housekeeping around the place to clean up a bit, eh? It's been a while.
But sadly, the hockey world is a bit quiet at the moment. Or at least hockey news that is relevant to my little corner of madness is pretty quiet. I wrote a hockey song that I need to share but it's not quite ready. Ugh. I really should get on that, but I have been stupidly busy lately with real work. Ha- real work! (You know when I write my best songs? When I'm doing surveys at SUBWAY and no one is in the store.. No joke, I've written 2 songs and a few imaginary conversations while standing around waiting for people to come into the store so I could ask them some questions. Must be the smell of Subway bread inspires me to write about hockey. Or just that's where my mind naturally wanders, and without the distraction of the internet, I have to get creative.)
Wow, that was an odd rant. I don't really know as I have anything constructive to say, but I thought I should update, so you (if any of y'all are still reading) will know that I am still alive, just buried in the madness that is my summer this year.
So I guess I can comment on the (small) moves the Sabres have made.
*I like the Rob Niedermayer acquisition. I will always think of him as Niedermayer (the Lesser), thanks to The Ookies, but that's okay. I like him better than Scott anyway. :) I think he's a solid addition to the group. He's a veteran dude, he's won a Cup and he won't get frazzled. He seems like a hard worker (and Heaven knows, the Sabres could use more of those) and will chip in some points for us here and there. I like it.
*Keeping Patty Lalime- good move. From everything I've heard and read, Patty is the ultimate team player. He and Ryan have a great relationship, and he's actually a decent goalie. (when he gets enough playing time- AHEMLINDYAHEM- and the boys don't hang him out to dry.) Hopefully this will be the year that it all falls into place.
*Shaone Morrisonn- I think I spelled it right. I should look it up but I'm just gonna leave it for now. Until he does something to impress me, I'm not going to bother to learn his name. That's a little rude- let me take it back. I know little about this dude, aside from seeing his name from time to time on the Caps blog I read for info about T-Sloan. He seems competent enough. I guess time will tell if he fits in or not.
EDIT: I did spell his name right! Go me!
*Timmay Kennedy. What a weird scenario that one was. Clearly, it was about money and not appreciating being told by an agent what a player should be making, and then having to fight it out in arbitration. As I just learned in my Hockey GM and Scouting course- (which is really cool, btw), if I understand it correctly, a Club may only buy out a player whose salary is in excess of $1M. So if Kennedy had elected for less money, he might still have a job, whereas he is currently sitting in the limbo of the unsigned. Sad fate for a decent kid. (bad on his agent. Seriously- what was he thinking?) But the Sabres are saving money on a player who wasn't exceptional, just decent, and with others like him (and maybe better) on the way up, he was expendable. Bye Timmay, it's been real. Hope you land somewhere else- far far away, not in our division, please?!
And that is about what I have. When does the season start again?
P.S. I will try to remember my hockey SAB that I've been saving for weeks.. and post them on Wednesday, in keeping with tradition..
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
another post about a familiar topic
Welcome to my 2nd post in a row featuring Chuck Weber. As you can see here, Chuck has been named the head coach of the Amerks. Congrats to him. (and the article was written by my best friend!) I know both of them. :)
If any of my Cincinnati buddies wish to take a road trip to see Chuck with his new team, you know my house is always available for crashing. :)
I may get around to posting about the Sabres eventually. I also have a new hockey song and a SAB to share with you when I'm not being such a slacker. Just lots to do right now.. ARGH!
If any of my Cincinnati buddies wish to take a road trip to see Chuck with his new team, you know my house is always available for crashing. :)
I may get around to posting about the Sabres eventually. I also have a new hockey song and a SAB to share with you when I'm not being such a slacker. Just lots to do right now.. ARGH!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
movin on up
This is an interesting article about Chuck Weber. He was the assistant coach of the Grizzlies when I was there and a great guy. He's also from Lockport. He's quite a talented coach and I would not be at all surprised to see him in Rochester. Best of luck, Chuck! He deserves a shot.........
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A tale of two Patricks
One Patrick Sharp and one Patrick Kane were interviewed at the NHL Awards last night. It was.. interesting:
Kaner is such a creepy-mccreepster! He's all... "Guurrrlllss... huh huh huh"
And here's Sharpie, totally eyeing him like "C'mon, bro, stop acting like such a fratboy, we're STANLEY CUP CHAMPS!"
Sharpie looks slightly uncomfortable around the half-naked women. He's such a gentleman. And oh man I love his eyebrows. I already have an eyebrow fetish and he just feeds the frenzy. ;) I. Love. that. man.
Kaner is such a creepy-mccreepster! He's all... "Guurrrlllss... huh huh huh"
And here's Sharpie, totally eyeing him like "C'mon, bro, stop acting like such a fratboy, we're STANLEY CUP CHAMPS!"
Sharpie looks slightly uncomfortable around the half-naked women. He's such a gentleman. And oh man I love his eyebrows. I already have an eyebrow fetish and he just feeds the frenzy. ;) I. Love. that. man.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Gretzky's Tears
I am reading a book that I heard about over at The Goose's Roost. The guys there are reading and reviewing as part of a "Read With the Roost" series that they are doing. Since they talked it up, and I happened to have a coupon for 40% off at Borders, I made a purchase. The book is Gretzky's Tears:Hockey, America, and the Day Everything Changed by Stephen Brunt. I already read Searching for Bobby Orr, another great book by Brunt so I was thinking I'd enjoy this one as well.
I'm not quite done (got another 40 or so pages), but so far I really like the book. I will probably review it in more detail in a later post, but for now I want to point something out.
On page 200, it says "In the early part of the 1989-90 season he was closing in on Gordie Howe's career NHL goal-scoring record, a stunning achievement given that it had taken Howe 1,767 games to record his 801 goals, while Gretzky would hit the mark in just 780."
There is something very wrong with this fact. Gretzky did not score his 802nd goal until 1994- March 23, 1994, to be exact-- and I remember because I WATCHED THE GAME. I still have it on tape somewhere. It was during my first, fledgling season as a hockey fan. I came on to hockey during the all-star game and watched some games here and there before becoming fully immersed during the playoffs. We knew Gretz was getting close to the record, so we started recording games and we manged to get this one on tape. It happened to be against the Canucks (my first favorite team) and they stopped the game and made a huge presentation. (it was a big deal, but couldn't they have waited till the game was over?) I think the Canucks actually won the game, and I know that Pavel Bure scored his 50th goal, and the Canucks made an ironic show of being excited for him. Wild stuff.
What I think Mr. Brunt meant to say there was that Wayne was approaching Howe's point-scoring record, which he did break in 1989, against the Oilers. (his 802 goal took around 1, 178ish games to complete, still pretty amazing.) MAJOR difference there.. and I am really surprised that no editor caught that. I noticed it just from reading, then did some quick internet research to be sure that I wasn't imagining things.
I have a really good memory for sports-related things, especially when it comes to Pavel Bure and the Canucks, so I was pretty sure I was right about this one, and it turns out I was. Hmmm..
I'm not quite done (got another 40 or so pages), but so far I really like the book. I will probably review it in more detail in a later post, but for now I want to point something out.
On page 200, it says "In the early part of the 1989-90 season he was closing in on Gordie Howe's career NHL goal-scoring record, a stunning achievement given that it had taken Howe 1,767 games to record his 801 goals, while Gretzky would hit the mark in just 780."
There is something very wrong with this fact. Gretzky did not score his 802nd goal until 1994- March 23, 1994, to be exact-- and I remember because I WATCHED THE GAME. I still have it on tape somewhere. It was during my first, fledgling season as a hockey fan. I came on to hockey during the all-star game and watched some games here and there before becoming fully immersed during the playoffs. We knew Gretz was getting close to the record, so we started recording games and we manged to get this one on tape. It happened to be against the Canucks (my first favorite team) and they stopped the game and made a huge presentation. (it was a big deal, but couldn't they have waited till the game was over?) I think the Canucks actually won the game, and I know that Pavel Bure scored his 50th goal, and the Canucks made an ironic show of being excited for him. Wild stuff.
What I think Mr. Brunt meant to say there was that Wayne was approaching Howe's point-scoring record, which he did break in 1989, against the Oilers. (his 802 goal took around 1, 178ish games to complete, still pretty amazing.) MAJOR difference there.. and I am really surprised that no editor caught that. I noticed it just from reading, then did some quick internet research to be sure that I wasn't imagining things.
I have a really good memory for sports-related things, especially when it comes to Pavel Bure and the Canucks, so I was pretty sure I was right about this one, and it turns out I was. Hmmm..
Sunday, June 20, 2010
somebody explain it cuz I can't seem to
What IS is about those Blackhawks? I still get weepy when I see them with the Stanley Cup. It doesn't make sense- they're not even "MY" team! They are one of my teams, and quite an enjoyable bunch of fellas, but they aren't my #1 dudes so WHY do I care so much? Why is it so touching? I never felt this way about the Wings or the Devils and they've won it several times.. I dig them and I got excited when they won, but it didn't make me CRY (multiple times). Maybe I'm just messed up. Who knows.. it's pretty cool though.
this video is Sharp, Toews, Kane and Keith singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Totally worth a watch.
Also, this and this are really great stuff. I love how the Blackhawks have worked with the Cubs and the WhiteSox (and I think they have done things with the Bears too) to co-market their athletes. The baseball players seem to think it's really neat to meet the hockey players. :)
I'm tellin ya'll- the Blackhawks PR peeps need a serious raise. They are geniuses.
this video is Sharp, Toews, Kane and Keith singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Totally worth a watch.
Also, this and this are really great stuff. I love how the Blackhawks have worked with the Cubs and the WhiteSox (and I think they have done things with the Bears too) to co-market their athletes. The baseball players seem to think it's really neat to meet the hockey players. :)
I'm tellin ya'll- the Blackhawks PR peeps need a serious raise. They are geniuses.
Monday, June 14, 2010
boo hoo
Why is everyone so up in arms about Adam Burish's comments about Chris Pronger? First of all, he was ASKED WHAT HE THOUGHT OF PRONGER. He didn't bring it up on his own, it was ASKED on him by a reporter. What do you expect? You really think he's gonna be like "oh yeah, we're buddies!" Hell no. he said it like it is, Pronger is an idiot. Fair enough. Chris Pronger's job is to be a thorn in the side of his opponents. He's the villain in this saga and he plays it well. (from what I've heard/read about the guy, it's not a far cry for him) Sorry you're a sore loser. Quit stealing pucks, asshole.
Now let's look at Adam Burish. He's not a guy who is going to score a lot of goals. He is most definitely a heart and soul player, and he provides some muscle on the 4th line and a spark- he's certainly not afraid to fight. Even though he's only 6'0 adn 190lbs, not too big for a fighter. (214 PIMS in 81 games 2 seasons ago will speak to that, as well as the 93 PIMS in 66 games last year) He only played 13 games this season, due to rehabbing a knee injury that took up almost the whole year. He played 15 playoff games (out of 22) and while he didn't have any points, he was certainly a factor for the Blackhawks. He's an "intangibles guy", someone you know you want on your team, but hard to pin down exactly why on paper. I'd take him on my side any day. Because, while he can be tough and rough and nasty on the ice, off the ice, he seems like a decent human being, which is more than we can say for Mr. Pronger.
And really- it's hockey, and Burish just won the STANLEY CUP. He's not going to hold anything back, nor should he. If Pronger gets his feelings hurt over some measly words, then too bad for him. His follow-up comments that he won't be seeing Adam Burish cuz Bur will be in the minors are as ignorant as they are reactionary. Don't think he guy who has played 3 full (aside from injuries) seasons with the Blackhawks will be headed back to the AHL anytime soon. So shut your ugly mug already.
Now let's look at Adam Burish. He's not a guy who is going to score a lot of goals. He is most definitely a heart and soul player, and he provides some muscle on the 4th line and a spark- he's certainly not afraid to fight. Even though he's only 6'0 adn 190lbs, not too big for a fighter. (214 PIMS in 81 games 2 seasons ago will speak to that, as well as the 93 PIMS in 66 games last year) He only played 13 games this season, due to rehabbing a knee injury that took up almost the whole year. He played 15 playoff games (out of 22) and while he didn't have any points, he was certainly a factor for the Blackhawks. He's an "intangibles guy", someone you know you want on your team, but hard to pin down exactly why on paper. I'd take him on my side any day. Because, while he can be tough and rough and nasty on the ice, off the ice, he seems like a decent human being, which is more than we can say for Mr. Pronger.
And really- it's hockey, and Burish just won the STANLEY CUP. He's not going to hold anything back, nor should he. If Pronger gets his feelings hurt over some measly words, then too bad for him. His follow-up comments that he won't be seeing Adam Burish cuz Bur will be in the minors are as ignorant as they are reactionary. Don't think he guy who has played 3 full (aside from injuries) seasons with the Blackhawks will be headed back to the AHL anytime soon. So shut your ugly mug already.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Freshly-shorn Sharpie. I loved the playoff beard but he does have one of the best jawlines of anyone in the world. Man he is beautiful.
It's quite an enjoyable interview as well. "I hope they spell my name wrong. No sorry, I hope they spell it right." Poor guy. You know he's barely slept in the past 5 days. <3
Friday, June 11, 2010
special post
I haven't done one of these in ages, but here ya go. I have only done 2 so far- here and here if you wish to re-visit them. The idea was one (of many) inspired by my almost-mentor (though she didn't know it at the time) in the hockey-blogness, Mrs. Diana Laurence You should really visit her blog if you have not done so for that post alone- it may explain some of my madness.. haha
Anyway she used to have a random feature called "hockey freaks of nature" and I stole the idea (and submitted some to her on the old Hockey Snacks site) and use it from time to time, when I find something particularly brilliant. Well I have something particularly brilliant to share with you good folks tonight.
I present to you the "Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Champions Train Collection: Championship Express" (and yes, that is the full name.) Observe:
It's actually kind of awesome! It comes with a track, and a mini-Stanley Cup. Word. (Hey, nobody said HFON had to be lame, just weird.)
*it fully lights up!
*it has aluminum alloy wheels!
*it comes with a speed controller!
*it is certified authentic!
Sign me up. Only 3 payments of $23.33 plus $9.99 S&H
If you need more info, here is the linkie.
Brilliant!
Anyway she used to have a random feature called "hockey freaks of nature" and I stole the idea (and submitted some to her on the old Hockey Snacks site) and use it from time to time, when I find something particularly brilliant. Well I have something particularly brilliant to share with you good folks tonight.
I present to you the "Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup Champions Train Collection: Championship Express" (and yes, that is the full name.) Observe:
It's actually kind of awesome! It comes with a track, and a mini-Stanley Cup. Word. (Hey, nobody said HFON had to be lame, just weird.)
*it fully lights up!
*it has aluminum alloy wheels!
*it comes with a speed controller!
*it is certified authentic!
Sign me up. Only 3 payments of $23.33 plus $9.99 S&H
If you need more info, here is the linkie.
Brilliant!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I'm a mess
So it continues.
My #1 team will never win. Sorry, Sabres. However, my other teams have no problems winning. (See Devils, New Jersey; Red Wings, Detroit) So it only follows that the Blackhawks, Chicago, are right there with them and tonight's game. The 'Hawks have quietly snuck (sneaked?) their way in to my fandom in the last few years.
I'm very excited for them, for the city of Chicago and several of my dear friends who are diehard Blackhawks fans. :) My boy Sharpie will have his name on the Cup now. YAY!
The Flyers, as gross as they are, made it a great series. It was a fun way to end the season. Well done, guys.
The Stanley Cup makes me cry. I don't know if I have cried watching the Cup presentation before. I *wanted* to cry that first season, back in 1994, when the evil nasty Rangers tore my heart out but I couldn't cry. I was just.. empty. (the void is still there, by the way. Pavel Bure never won a Cup) In the years since, I have seen teams that I love win the Cup several times, but never my one true love and never my #1 team.
All that being said, I'm happy for the Blackhawks and I cried for them. I cried for the guys that made it and all those that didn't. **speaking of, did y'all see Jeremy Roenick crying on the post-game? Poor guy. I always liked JR, he was a great and entertaining player. He had a wonderful career but never won a Stanley Cup so I know he was hurting tonight.
I don't know why I'm so weepy. Lord Stanley IS beautiful though. I like what Mike Emrick said- "They work so hard for a ring that will be so gaudy they won't wear it everyday, and for their names on a trophy they can't keep. But they will not forget this night or these feelings."
Damn straight, Doc. Thanks, and we'll see you again next season.
*****ANd now, a few notes:
-Danny Briere looks HOT with a playoff beard and a black eye. Yeah, I said it.
-If I never have to see Scott Hartnell's ugly mug again, it will be too soon.
-Congrats to Jonathon Toews on the Conn Smythe trophy. There is some talk that it maybe shoulda been Kaner, but it's all good. At least it was someone from the WINNING team!
-I love how we only got about 2 seconds of Gary Bettman. *phew. He's so lame. And he looked like a hobbit next to Toews when he was presenting the Cup.
-Sharpie got #3 star of the night on the Daily Line show after the game. yay! He had 11 goals and 11 assists during the playoffs. Brilliant. I love that man.
....and I say that's about it. I'm off to bed. G'night.
My #1 team will never win. Sorry, Sabres. However, my other teams have no problems winning. (See Devils, New Jersey; Red Wings, Detroit) So it only follows that the Blackhawks, Chicago, are right there with them and tonight's game. The 'Hawks have quietly snuck (sneaked?) their way in to my fandom in the last few years.
I'm very excited for them, for the city of Chicago and several of my dear friends who are diehard Blackhawks fans. :) My boy Sharpie will have his name on the Cup now. YAY!
The Flyers, as gross as they are, made it a great series. It was a fun way to end the season. Well done, guys.
The Stanley Cup makes me cry. I don't know if I have cried watching the Cup presentation before. I *wanted* to cry that first season, back in 1994, when the evil nasty Rangers tore my heart out but I couldn't cry. I was just.. empty. (the void is still there, by the way. Pavel Bure never won a Cup) In the years since, I have seen teams that I love win the Cup several times, but never my one true love and never my #1 team.
All that being said, I'm happy for the Blackhawks and I cried for them. I cried for the guys that made it and all those that didn't. **speaking of, did y'all see Jeremy Roenick crying on the post-game? Poor guy. I always liked JR, he was a great and entertaining player. He had a wonderful career but never won a Stanley Cup so I know he was hurting tonight.
I don't know why I'm so weepy. Lord Stanley IS beautiful though. I like what Mike Emrick said- "They work so hard for a ring that will be so gaudy they won't wear it everyday, and for their names on a trophy they can't keep. But they will not forget this night or these feelings."
Damn straight, Doc. Thanks, and we'll see you again next season.
*****ANd now, a few notes:
-Danny Briere looks HOT with a playoff beard and a black eye. Yeah, I said it.
-If I never have to see Scott Hartnell's ugly mug again, it will be too soon.
-Congrats to Jonathon Toews on the Conn Smythe trophy. There is some talk that it maybe shoulda been Kaner, but it's all good. At least it was someone from the WINNING team!
-I love how we only got about 2 seconds of Gary Bettman. *phew. He's so lame. And he looked like a hobbit next to Toews when he was presenting the Cup.
-Sharpie got #3 star of the night on the Daily Line show after the game. yay! He had 11 goals and 11 assists during the playoffs. Brilliant. I love that man.
....and I say that's about it. I'm off to bed. G'night.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
don't make me hurl
For real?
This stupid article claims that more women are watching hockey because of starlets like Hilary Duff and Carrie Underwood. W.T.F.?
Get real. There are plenty of reasons to love hockey-and the cuteness of players is enjoyable- but a driving factor? Most people don't even realize that hockey players are cute, cuz you can barely see what they look like when they're on the ice. Oh, that.
Sickening. And now all my dreams of Derek Roy randomly falling in love with me and giving me a sparkly ring... are all in the toilet. LOL Cuz you know that was the whole reason I was watching hockey in the first place..
This stupid article claims that more women are watching hockey because of starlets like Hilary Duff and Carrie Underwood. W.T.F.?
Get real. There are plenty of reasons to love hockey-and the cuteness of players is enjoyable- but a driving factor? Most people don't even realize that hockey players are cute, cuz you can barely see what they look like when they're on the ice. Oh, that.
Sickening. And now all my dreams of Derek Roy randomly falling in love with me and giving me a sparkly ring... are all in the toilet. LOL Cuz you know that was the whole reason I was watching hockey in the first place..
Monday, May 31, 2010
yep.
So this here is a sorta live-blog about Game 2. Well it is live and it's sort of a blog. I'm watching the game and playing bejewled blitz on facebook. LOL I am stupidly addicted to that game. :)
Some thoughts on the game so far..
-Will the announcers PLEASE get off of Carcillo's jock? I swear you'd think Sidney Crosby was playing they way they keep talking about him. The dude is a punk (go figure, he's a Flyer) and woo.. he's playing. Get. Over. It.
-Chris Pronger is nasty. (go figure, he's a Flyer)
-Patrick Sharp has a sexy playoff beard. (duh)
-It's LOUD in Chicago. I was there for a regular season game.. and it was loud then, I can only imagine how wild it is there tonight. :)
-I love John Madden. At least if he couldn't be a Devil anymore, he went to a good team. :)
*not hockey but* That Inception movie looks insane.
-I know he's a nasty Flyer, but I always enjoyed Ian Laperriere- he's a feisty, fun kind of player to watch.
-Diggin the "Pronger Sucks" chant. Haha.
-Sorry, fell off the wagon there a bit. 2-0 Blackhawks after 2. I like it!
-When they showed the Stanley Cup during a commercial lead-in, OF COURSE they'd have to focus on the 1996 Avalanche names. EWWWWWWWW. (and yes, only I would notice that..)
-Thank you, Adam Burrish for your awesome trash talking skillz. Much amusement. Even though it's 2-1 'Hawks now.
-Where are Kane and Toews?
-C'mon Chicago.. Philly has really been on in the middle of the period here.
-Oy vey what is the obsession with Claude Giroux? I mean really, guys. He's good, he's versatile, WE. GET. IT.
-Whaa... Sharpie hit the post on the empty-net attempt? Or did it just go wide? I couldn't tell and I'm on the bad tv with no dvr-rewind option..
-C;mon Blackhawks- 20 secs left.. y'all got this. :)
And there it is. Hawks go up 2-0 in the series. Sweetnesssssss. :)
Some thoughts on the game so far..
-Will the announcers PLEASE get off of Carcillo's jock? I swear you'd think Sidney Crosby was playing they way they keep talking about him. The dude is a punk (go figure, he's a Flyer) and woo.. he's playing. Get. Over. It.
-Chris Pronger is nasty. (go figure, he's a Flyer)
-Patrick Sharp has a sexy playoff beard. (duh)
-It's LOUD in Chicago. I was there for a regular season game.. and it was loud then, I can only imagine how wild it is there tonight. :)
-I love John Madden. At least if he couldn't be a Devil anymore, he went to a good team. :)
*not hockey but* That Inception movie looks insane.
-I know he's a nasty Flyer, but I always enjoyed Ian Laperriere- he's a feisty, fun kind of player to watch.
-Diggin the "Pronger Sucks" chant. Haha.
-Sorry, fell off the wagon there a bit. 2-0 Blackhawks after 2. I like it!
-When they showed the Stanley Cup during a commercial lead-in, OF COURSE they'd have to focus on the 1996 Avalanche names. EWWWWWWWW. (and yes, only I would notice that..)
-Thank you, Adam Burrish for your awesome trash talking skillz. Much amusement. Even though it's 2-1 'Hawks now.
-Where are Kane and Toews?
-C'mon Chicago.. Philly has really been on in the middle of the period here.
-Oy vey what is the obsession with Claude Giroux? I mean really, guys. He's good, he's versatile, WE. GET. IT.
-Whaa... Sharpie hit the post on the empty-net attempt? Or did it just go wide? I couldn't tell and I'm on the bad tv with no dvr-rewind option..
-C;mon Blackhawks- 20 secs left.. y'all got this. :)
And there it is. Hawks go up 2-0 in the series. Sweetnesssssss. :)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I don't know about you
And I may have already griped about this.. but why does Pittsburgh get to play in ANOTHER Winter Classic? That's RUDE. There are 22 teams (if you count the Heritage Classic game back in 2003) that HAVE not had a chance to play in one.. and the League gives it to one that already has? Bad form, NHL, bad form. The game will attract an audience all on its own, it does not need the CROSBY-OVECHKIN storyline too. Cros already had his turn, let someone else play.
lame!
Is is Finals yet?
lame!
Is is Finals yet?
perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Wow so maybe I should comment on the coming Stanley Cup Finals. If you recall back before the playoffs started, I made my predictions. I had Buffalo (hahahahaahahaaa) and CHICAGO playing for Lord Stanley. At least I got one right. I was terribly off on my picks, only getting one team right past the first round in the East, and 2 in the West. Yet somehow I picked the right team to come out on top in the West.
And really, I don't even want to talk about the East because the Flyers are repulsive. They are just GROSS. If they win I might throw up. Besides, I already liked the Blackhawks so it's easy to cheer for them.
So without further ado- GO BLACKHAWKS! :)
And really, I don't even want to talk about the East because the Flyers are repulsive. They are just GROSS. If they win I might throw up. Besides, I already liked the Blackhawks so it's easy to cheer for them.
So without further ado- GO BLACKHAWKS! :)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Fill 'er Up!
The Cincinnati Cyclones won the Kelly Cup last night. I know their coach and their Captain. The Coach- Chuck Weber (who is from Lockport, btw), was the Assistant Coach in SLC when I was there. He's a really great guy and a very smart coach. This is his 2nd championship with the Cyclones. He also won with the Orlando Solar Bears of the old IHL back in the late 90s..
And their Captain- Barret Ehgoetz, played at Niagara University for 4 years before going pro with the Grizzlies in 2005-06. I knew who he was at NU, from announcing, and then actually got to know him a bit in SLC. He went to Cincinnati with Chuck and was part of their Kelly Cup winning team in 2008 as well.
Congrats to the Cyclones! :)
And their Captain- Barret Ehgoetz, played at Niagara University for 4 years before going pro with the Grizzlies in 2005-06. I knew who he was at NU, from announcing, and then actually got to know him a bit in SLC. He went to Cincinnati with Chuck and was part of their Kelly Cup winning team in 2008 as well.
Congrats to the Cyclones! :)
le Rocket
No comments on my last entry, eh? hmm..
I just finished a really cool book. It's called "The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard" by Benoit Melancon. I have read lots of books about hockey. I try to read books about players from before my time so I can have a better understanding of what they were like. It is good in that it gives me a sense of the history of hockey, but bad in the sense that it makes me wish I had been alive to see them play.
Actually, I had a really interesting sequence of things happen around Christmas. I got a movie and a book for Christmas- the book was Ken Dryden's "The Game" and the movie was "The Rocket"- produced by Charles Biname, starring Roy Dupuis, and released in 2005. I also was reading "Searching for Bobby Orr". The 3 combined to present me with a great picture of hockey from 1942-1979. I'd highly recommend both of the books and the movie to anyone.
But back to the topic at hand. In this book I just read, Melancon breaks down the appearance of Richard as a cultural icon, a man, a myth, a legend. He uses many examples from all over the spectrum and it is just fascinating. I loved the movie "The Rocket" because it really showed a lot of what was going on in Quebec and for Maurice personally. This book delves even deeper into all of it.
It's a good read. A bit technical at times, but mostly just an interesting look at the creating of a national legend who became so not because of his hockey prowess (he did score MANY MANY goal) but because of his sheer tenacity and utter determination to SCORE goals, no matter what. He did not give up on playing hockey (even when told he was too fragile), he did not give up on scoring goals (as his 626 will attest-- and the many overtime goals in there), he did not give up on being a decent human being (as far as we know.. there have been no sordid tales of Maurice after his death or during his life) even though he lived much of his life in a very public (and often unwanted and uncomfortable) spotlight.
It's been nearly 10 years since his death. (May 27, 2000) We will never have heroes as pure as they used to be or as untainted as Maurice was. I just wish I had seen him play. Guess I'll have to stick with my books and movies. And now I have a fountain of information for finding out more about Maurice. And you know I shall. :)
I just finished a really cool book. It's called "The Rocket: A Cultural History of Maurice Richard" by Benoit Melancon. I have read lots of books about hockey. I try to read books about players from before my time so I can have a better understanding of what they were like. It is good in that it gives me a sense of the history of hockey, but bad in the sense that it makes me wish I had been alive to see them play.
Actually, I had a really interesting sequence of things happen around Christmas. I got a movie and a book for Christmas- the book was Ken Dryden's "The Game" and the movie was "The Rocket"- produced by Charles Biname, starring Roy Dupuis, and released in 2005. I also was reading "Searching for Bobby Orr". The 3 combined to present me with a great picture of hockey from 1942-1979. I'd highly recommend both of the books and the movie to anyone.
But back to the topic at hand. In this book I just read, Melancon breaks down the appearance of Richard as a cultural icon, a man, a myth, a legend. He uses many examples from all over the spectrum and it is just fascinating. I loved the movie "The Rocket" because it really showed a lot of what was going on in Quebec and for Maurice personally. This book delves even deeper into all of it.
It's a good read. A bit technical at times, but mostly just an interesting look at the creating of a national legend who became so not because of his hockey prowess (he did score MANY MANY goal) but because of his sheer tenacity and utter determination to SCORE goals, no matter what. He did not give up on playing hockey (even when told he was too fragile), he did not give up on scoring goals (as his 626 will attest-- and the many overtime goals in there), he did not give up on being a decent human being (as far as we know.. there have been no sordid tales of Maurice after his death or during his life) even though he lived much of his life in a very public (and often unwanted and uncomfortable) spotlight.
It's been nearly 10 years since his death. (May 27, 2000) We will never have heroes as pure as they used to be or as untainted as Maurice was. I just wish I had seen him play. Guess I'll have to stick with my books and movies. And now I have a fountain of information for finding out more about Maurice. And you know I shall. :)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
dude..
So I got an e-mail from The Hockey News inviting me to re-subscribe. I have had a subscription on and off for at least 10 years now. I really do enjoy reading it, but let the subscription lapse when I realized that I had a 2-foot stack of UNread issues in my room. But I kinda want to have it around again. I do enjoy print media, even with the glut of internet-ness out there *much of it very good*, sometimes it's nice to have something to HOLD in your hand. I very much feel this way about books. I think the idea of e-books is great, but I still prefer bound paper and probably always will.
Anyway the point of all this is to tell you about a bizarre picture I found on the site. It was a photo teaser about the magazine, as well as the Draft Preview and Future Watch, 2 special issues of THN that you receive with your subscription. It also included a picture.. of either the season in review magazine or the Preview, I'm not sure which. I remember getting it but don't recall which one it was. It features everyone's favorite player, Sidney Crosby, holding The Cup. Fair enough, it was the Penguins who won last year. My issue is not with Sid, but the picture, and the photo editing..
Observe:
So.. either Sid has a random 3rd hand no one knows about.. or someone miffed a photo editing job. Hmm.. I wish I still had the magazine around so I could check if it made it to the print copy..
Anyway the point of all this is to tell you about a bizarre picture I found on the site. It was a photo teaser about the magazine, as well as the Draft Preview and Future Watch, 2 special issues of THN that you receive with your subscription. It also included a picture.. of either the season in review magazine or the Preview, I'm not sure which. I remember getting it but don't recall which one it was. It features everyone's favorite player, Sidney Crosby, holding The Cup. Fair enough, it was the Penguins who won last year. My issue is not with Sid, but the picture, and the photo editing..
Observe:
So.. either Sid has a random 3rd hand no one knows about.. or someone miffed a photo editing job. Hmm.. I wish I still had the magazine around so I could check if it made it to the print copy..
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
so ya see..
I haven't been watching nearly as much hockey as I should lately.. I am busy with another play. I guess it's actually okay that the Sabres aren't in the playoffs anymore, because I would have to miss a lot of games and that would make me sad.
So yeah. I'm sad that the Wings are out, but I wasn't expecting them to get past the first round anyway. Yay for Montreal beating Pittsburgh and what is up with Philly? Oh well I don't like Boston or Philadelphia so I want Montreal to win the East at this point. Whoa, scary though, eh?
In the West, though I enjoy the Canucks, I must say that I like the Blackhawks more. I only saw part of one game in the series cuz I'm a slacker like that but yay for Chicago winning! :)
And since it's Wednesday and I actually have one- suggested by my dear sister Brett, here is a Hockey SAB for you:
-Actor Aaron Eckhart- seen recently as Harvey Dent in "The Dark Knight"
AND
-Former player/Current Asst Coach of the Habs, Kirk Muller
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge. I think it's a pretty good one, but again, I can't claim it- my sis sent it to my attention. She's got a good eye, non?
I hope to see some more of the Conference Finals but not guarantees- the next 2 weeks are gonna be BUSY!
So yeah. I'm sad that the Wings are out, but I wasn't expecting them to get past the first round anyway. Yay for Montreal beating Pittsburgh and what is up with Philly? Oh well I don't like Boston or Philadelphia so I want Montreal to win the East at this point. Whoa, scary though, eh?
In the West, though I enjoy the Canucks, I must say that I like the Blackhawks more. I only saw part of one game in the series cuz I'm a slacker like that but yay for Chicago winning! :)
And since it's Wednesday and I actually have one- suggested by my dear sister Brett, here is a Hockey SAB for you:
-Actor Aaron Eckhart- seen recently as Harvey Dent in "The Dark Knight"
AND
-Former player/Current Asst Coach of the Habs, Kirk Muller
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge. I think it's a pretty good one, but again, I can't claim it- my sis sent it to my attention. She's got a good eye, non?
I hope to see some more of the Conference Finals but not guarantees- the next 2 weeks are gonna be BUSY!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
YIKES!
I have a few comments about the San Jose/ Detroit series:
*It feels like 1994 again. 'Sup rookie Red Wing goalie?
*PUT OSGOOD IN NET! You know that Ossie has had a crappy regular season but he (and the rest of the old man Wings) knows how to turn it on for the playoffs.
*I hate San Jose. Especially Joe Thornton. YICK.
*It feels like 1994 again. 'Sup rookie Red Wing goalie?
*PUT OSGOOD IN NET! You know that Ossie has had a crappy regular season but he (and the rest of the old man Wings) knows how to turn it on for the playoffs.
*I hate San Jose. Especially Joe Thornton. YICK.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
something new and different
Hi everyone.
I'm still a bit sad about the Sabres and have been too busy to follow any of the 2nd round yet but I found this little gem and wanted to share it. Some of y'all may have already seen this article but I thought it was really neat. In my wanderings of the Caps website (I visit there from time to time and read their "insider" blog to keep up with my boy T-Sloan), I have seen quite a bit about Brooks Laich. Besides being a pretty good hockey player, he seems like a swell guy. (and he's quite funny, from the video clips)
Well, apparently, he's also a Good Samaritan". Click to read the article, but the gist of it is this- after the Caps lost game 7, he stopped on his way home to help a lady change the tire on her car. Awww.
I may eventually get around to writing a post about the Sabres and what I think they should change/keep but I haven't really come up with anything worth sharing lately. I'm just tired of hearing about Derek Roy should go. I'd much rather part with Connolly and Stafford any day of the week. I may delve further into that whole argument, because it seems to be going around.. but I'm not quite ready to make my case. It's close though.
I'm still a bit sad about the Sabres and have been too busy to follow any of the 2nd round yet but I found this little gem and wanted to share it. Some of y'all may have already seen this article but I thought it was really neat. In my wanderings of the Caps website (I visit there from time to time and read their "insider" blog to keep up with my boy T-Sloan), I have seen quite a bit about Brooks Laich. Besides being a pretty good hockey player, he seems like a swell guy. (and he's quite funny, from the video clips)
Well, apparently, he's also a Good Samaritan". Click to read the article, but the gist of it is this- after the Caps lost game 7, he stopped on his way home to help a lady change the tire on her car. Awww.
I may eventually get around to writing a post about the Sabres and what I think they should change/keep but I haven't really come up with anything worth sharing lately. I'm just tired of hearing about Derek Roy should go. I'd much rather part with Connolly and Stafford any day of the week. I may delve further into that whole argument, because it seems to be going around.. but I'm not quite ready to make my case. It's close though.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
2 legit
Well so much for my playoff predictions.
It was a crazy goal anyway but hey, as fans, we can believe whatever we want to. And if the Sabres had bothered to play more than 2.5 inspired games in the series and considered scoring a power play goal, things may have been quite different. It reminds me of the old cheer my brother's baseball team used to do:
"you've got to want it, to win it, and WE WANT IT MORE!"
Clearly, Boston was the team with that attitude and I have idea what the Sabres were thinking.
But I guess they'll have a lot of time to figure it out.
Get rid of Tim Connolly, stat. I'm sick of his soft play.
Aside from him, I don't have much to say about the rest of the fellas at this juncture. I may come up with something down the line.
Luckily for me, I have some backups. I rather enjoy the Blackhawks (and Patrick Sharp and his super foxy playoff beard) and the Canucks and it looks like those two teams are primed for a rematch so things could get really interesting out west. Speaking of, even though I'm a Red Wings fan, I picked Phoenix to win that series and they are going to a game seven. It could be really something..
Montreal.. what the? Halak was pretty ridiculous tonight, eh?
Enough for now. Goodnight Sabres. Sorry that only half of you wanted to play only half the time. The rest of those suckers dragged you down too much. I hope the guys who did show up really give it to the dead weight. They need to hear it. UGH.
It was a crazy goal anyway but hey, as fans, we can believe whatever we want to. And if the Sabres had bothered to play more than 2.5 inspired games in the series and considered scoring a power play goal, things may have been quite different. It reminds me of the old cheer my brother's baseball team used to do:
"you've got to want it, to win it, and WE WANT IT MORE!"
Clearly, Boston was the team with that attitude and I have idea what the Sabres were thinking.
But I guess they'll have a lot of time to figure it out.
Get rid of Tim Connolly, stat. I'm sick of his soft play.
Aside from him, I don't have much to say about the rest of the fellas at this juncture. I may come up with something down the line.
Luckily for me, I have some backups. I rather enjoy the Blackhawks (and Patrick Sharp and his super foxy playoff beard) and the Canucks and it looks like those two teams are primed for a rematch so things could get really interesting out west. Speaking of, even though I'm a Red Wings fan, I picked Phoenix to win that series and they are going to a game seven. It could be really something..
Montreal.. what the? Halak was pretty ridiculous tonight, eh?
Enough for now. Goodnight Sabres. Sorry that only half of you wanted to play only half the time. The rest of those suckers dragged you down too much. I hope the guys who did show up really give it to the dead weight. They need to hear it. UGH.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
the kids are alright
Helllllooo Tyler Ennis. I don't know if I've said it here or not but man I like that kid. He is the real deal and he is so fun to watch. Lots of moxie, and tons of speeeeeed. :) Tennis the Menace indeed.
And Nathan Gerbe looked great in his playoff debut. I love him, every time he plays I just want to grab him and squish him. He's SO LITTLE!
I've also been very impressed with McCormick. He's not as flashy and Gerbe and Ennis but he's a tough kid who hits everything that moves and he's got some quick feet himself.
What a fun game tonight. The building was rocking again, of course and the boys finally gave us a proper effort. (FOR THE WHOLE GAME!) I must say though, I felt much better with a 3 goal lead than the dreaded 2 goal lead. No real meltdowns, though they let Boston have a ton of chances in the 3rd, they also kept the pressure on themselves.
Lots of hitting, lots of blocked shots, lots of hustle and calm, smart play. Ennis's move to snag the puck and pass it to Roy who set up Pommers for the 2nd goal was just SICK. There were a couple of moves like that tonight. The Sabres finally showed that they can play hard and solid for 60 minutes and it totally paid off for them. Good job, boys. :)
A few notes:
-What do we have to do to get Tim Connolly to HIT SOMEBODY? He shies away from contact more than any hockey player I've ever seen. It's absurd. I'm sorry dude, but if Tyler Ennis and Derek Roy can hit Chara (and they both did, separately and together), then you can frickin lay a hit on someone.. anyone. You're a big enough dude. Quit being a wuss.
-I'm seeing shades of the old sparkplug Royzie that I miss so dearly. He really seems to thrive playing with Ennis and Gerbe. (maybe cuz they're all the same size.. lol) Whatever it is, he needs to keep doing it. He played hard tonight and had an assist on the scoreboard but was good all around.
-GOOOOOOOSE! He was very much a leader on the ice tonight, by example. He and Grier were going hard all night and the rest of the boys too their cue from those two and actually got involved physically as well. I usually like Goose, but I thought he was looking a bit rough in the last few games. Glad to see him back in form.
-I hate Chara. 'Nuff said. He was a -2 tonight! YAY!
-In the post-game interviews, Paul Hamilton asked Gaustad if he slashed Chara to start that scrum at the end of the game and Goose said "I don't know. Did I?" It cracked me up. I was literally in my car laughing. Just his tone of voice.. so innocent. awesome.
The mood tonight was crazy after the game. People were cheering and dancing in the streets and just acting wild. It made me laugh because this wasn't even a deciding game. But it does mean that the Sabres have at least one more game.. and if we're lucky, at least 2 more...
Let's Go Buffalo!
And Nathan Gerbe looked great in his playoff debut. I love him, every time he plays I just want to grab him and squish him. He's SO LITTLE!
I've also been very impressed with McCormick. He's not as flashy and Gerbe and Ennis but he's a tough kid who hits everything that moves and he's got some quick feet himself.
What a fun game tonight. The building was rocking again, of course and the boys finally gave us a proper effort. (FOR THE WHOLE GAME!) I must say though, I felt much better with a 3 goal lead than the dreaded 2 goal lead. No real meltdowns, though they let Boston have a ton of chances in the 3rd, they also kept the pressure on themselves.
Lots of hitting, lots of blocked shots, lots of hustle and calm, smart play. Ennis's move to snag the puck and pass it to Roy who set up Pommers for the 2nd goal was just SICK. There were a couple of moves like that tonight. The Sabres finally showed that they can play hard and solid for 60 minutes and it totally paid off for them. Good job, boys. :)
A few notes:
-What do we have to do to get Tim Connolly to HIT SOMEBODY? He shies away from contact more than any hockey player I've ever seen. It's absurd. I'm sorry dude, but if Tyler Ennis and Derek Roy can hit Chara (and they both did, separately and together), then you can frickin lay a hit on someone.. anyone. You're a big enough dude. Quit being a wuss.
-I'm seeing shades of the old sparkplug Royzie that I miss so dearly. He really seems to thrive playing with Ennis and Gerbe. (maybe cuz they're all the same size.. lol) Whatever it is, he needs to keep doing it. He played hard tonight and had an assist on the scoreboard but was good all around.
-GOOOOOOOSE! He was very much a leader on the ice tonight, by example. He and Grier were going hard all night and the rest of the boys too their cue from those two and actually got involved physically as well. I usually like Goose, but I thought he was looking a bit rough in the last few games. Glad to see him back in form.
-I hate Chara. 'Nuff said. He was a -2 tonight! YAY!
-In the post-game interviews, Paul Hamilton asked Gaustad if he slashed Chara to start that scrum at the end of the game and Goose said "I don't know. Did I?" It cracked me up. I was literally in my car laughing. Just his tone of voice.. so innocent. awesome.
The mood tonight was crazy after the game. People were cheering and dancing in the streets and just acting wild. It made me laugh because this wasn't even a deciding game. But it does mean that the Sabres have at least one more game.. and if we're lucky, at least 2 more...
Let's Go Buffalo!
Friday, April 23, 2010
CRUNCH TIME
I don't even know what to say about the Sabres. It's all been said, it's all been done. I could spout some platitudes about hey they are the better team and they have the firepower and WHY IN THE HELL HAVE TIM CONNOLLY AND DEREK ROY DECIDED TO DISAPPEAR NOW? but I think we've all exhausted that line to death.
I'm sick of being disappointed, but then again, I chose to be a Sabres fan. It wasn't thrust upon me by some old family traditions or ingrained sense of hometown pride. I'm not from here, I've only lived here for 6 years (and "here" is actually 40 miles south of Buffalo proper) and really been a Sabres fan for about 4 of those years. I chose this, knowing that the Sabres inevitably let us down. So I guess I brought it upon myself. I want to think that THIS is the year that they will manage to put together all those pieces and make them into something sweet. I doubt it but... anything can happen.
I feel like Fox Mulder from "X-Files"-- I WANT TO BELIEVE.
But wanting is not always doing and the rational part of myself is preparing for the (almost) inevitable let down. I will be at the game tonight, cheering my little heart out because playoff hockey LIVE is amazing. I've dealt with much worse heartache than a first round exit but I'm tired of being let down by my hockey teams. I'm ready for some vindication. Wanna play, Sabres?
I guess that's all part and parcel of the sports experience. We want to hope and believe even in the most adverse circumstances and if things go well we rejoice and party like there's nothing better in the world. Luckily, if things go downhill, it IS only a game and we can recover and try again next year. There is always next year. (I just don't want to be 'next year' already.)
Let's Go Buffalo!!!
I'm sick of being disappointed, but then again, I chose to be a Sabres fan. It wasn't thrust upon me by some old family traditions or ingrained sense of hometown pride. I'm not from here, I've only lived here for 6 years (and "here" is actually 40 miles south of Buffalo proper) and really been a Sabres fan for about 4 of those years. I chose this, knowing that the Sabres inevitably let us down. So I guess I brought it upon myself. I want to think that THIS is the year that they will manage to put together all those pieces and make them into something sweet. I doubt it but... anything can happen.
I feel like Fox Mulder from "X-Files"-- I WANT TO BELIEVE.
But wanting is not always doing and the rational part of myself is preparing for the (almost) inevitable let down. I will be at the game tonight, cheering my little heart out because playoff hockey LIVE is amazing. I've dealt with much worse heartache than a first round exit but I'm tired of being let down by my hockey teams. I'm ready for some vindication. Wanna play, Sabres?
I guess that's all part and parcel of the sports experience. We want to hope and believe even in the most adverse circumstances and if things go well we rejoice and party like there's nothing better in the world. Luckily, if things go downhill, it IS only a game and we can recover and try again next year. There is always next year. (I just don't want to be 'next year' already.)
Let's Go Buffalo!!!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
'Bout that time, eh chap?
I know I've been neglecting it lately (my last one was JANUARY? Goodness sakes, I'm a bit of a failure in this department, eh?) but this Hockey SAB hit me so hard I couldn't let it bide. Luckily, it's already Wednesday (clock-wise) so it even fits into the grand scheme of things quite nicely.
As much as i don't like to even think the name of this fellow, the resemblance is uncanny and must be discussed. So without further ado (or confusing comments), I give you this week's Hockey Separated at Birth:
-Random actor Sean Marquette (seen most recently by me on "In Plain Sight" but has had bit parts in several CSI and other such shows)
AND
-He Who Must No Be Named (a.k.a. Danny Briere- remember, the fear of a name only increases the fear of the thing itself!)
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge! It's kind of uncanny, non? And in the show I was watching, he had this scraggly beard thing going on, much as Danny often does, 'specially in the playoffs. Can't say as I would know if he has such going on at this time, SINCE VERSUS DECIDED NOT TO CARRY ANY GAMES FROM THAT SERIES! And no, I'm not over it.
As much as i don't like to even think the name of this fellow, the resemblance is uncanny and must be discussed. So without further ado (or confusing comments), I give you this week's Hockey Separated at Birth:
-Random actor Sean Marquette (seen most recently by me on "In Plain Sight" but has had bit parts in several CSI and other such shows)
AND
-He Who Must No Be Named (a.k.a. Danny Briere- remember, the fear of a name only increases the fear of the thing itself!)
Separated at Birth? YOU be the judge! It's kind of uncanny, non? And in the show I was watching, he had this scraggly beard thing going on, much as Danny often does, 'specially in the playoffs. Can't say as I would know if he has such going on at this time, SINCE VERSUS DECIDED NOT TO CARRY ANY GAMES FROM THAT SERIES! And no, I'm not over it.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A side of beef
I don't know what to say or think about the Sabres.
They are missing Thomas Vanek. It can't matter. It can't be ALLOWED to matter. Ditto Jochen Hecht.
GET IT TOGETHER YOU FOOLS!
P.S. Timmay Connolly is on my last nerve. I don't have much patience for Timmay and think he rarely plays to his potential. There is something about him that just bugs me to no end. I think it's because he always strikes me as SO effing lazy. I am a total Derek Roy apologist, but at least Royzie is usually trying something. It's not always the best thing to be trying and sometimes he tries too much, but usually he's making an effort. Tim is just a lazy piece of crap most of the time.
Meanwhile, there is other hockey going on and I've seen a bit of it. Ryan Kesler already owns me but I must say his playoff beard is mucho foxy. Ditto Patrick Sharp. MMmhmm. I may watch the 'Hawks game tonight, we'll see if I make it back downstairs. I'm feeling a bit lazy tonight and like I might decide to read and then turn in early.
Oh yes and here it the reference to my title- WHAT is up with Versus NOT playing a single game from the Devils/Flyers series? everyone else gets airtime but not them. Is there some sort of weird dealio going on that I don't know about? I think that is HIGHLY rude.
They are missing Thomas Vanek. It can't matter. It can't be ALLOWED to matter. Ditto Jochen Hecht.
GET IT TOGETHER YOU FOOLS!
P.S. Timmay Connolly is on my last nerve. I don't have much patience for Timmay and think he rarely plays to his potential. There is something about him that just bugs me to no end. I think it's because he always strikes me as SO effing lazy. I am a total Derek Roy apologist, but at least Royzie is usually trying something. It's not always the best thing to be trying and sometimes he tries too much, but usually he's making an effort. Tim is just a lazy piece of crap most of the time.
Meanwhile, there is other hockey going on and I've seen a bit of it. Ryan Kesler already owns me but I must say his playoff beard is mucho foxy. Ditto Patrick Sharp. MMmhmm. I may watch the 'Hawks game tonight, we'll see if I make it back downstairs. I'm feeling a bit lazy tonight and like I might decide to read and then turn in early.
Oh yes and here it the reference to my title- WHAT is up with Versus NOT playing a single game from the Devils/Flyers series? everyone else gets airtime but not them. Is there some sort of weird dealio going on that I don't know about? I think that is HIGHLY rude.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
it had to be done
Today I read a very amusing article about the Vancouver Canucks and sex the night before a game. It's not bad, I promise. You should read the article, but basically it was a question of what kind of habits the players have during the playoffs and how they differ from regular season and such. "Coach, what are your expectations, and in fact your advice to players, with respect to daily health routines, whether it is sleep, eating habits, training, recovery, diet, sex? You know, all the normal things people do every day?" was the question posed to Vigneault."
He deflected the question with a 'you'll have the ask the players, I can't control that' response and so she asked the players. Their responses were quite amusing. So, naturally it got me wondering how our dear Sabres would handle such a query. I think we can all imagine the scene. I think it might go something like this:
(female) Reporter: "So, Sabres, what do you think about sex on the night before a game? Good idea? Bad idea?"
Timmay Connolly: I'm undressing you with my eyes. Want to do it right here and now?
Jason Pominville: (clearly uncomfortable) Um.. well, every night I go home and eat dinner and then after dinner I clean the kitchen and walk the dogs and then after that I come home and take a bubble bath then we read stories and I go to bed.
Patrick Kaleta: (giggles) Sex? Yeah! Good idea! *high-fives Timmay*
Ryan Miller: I can't change any of my habits. Don't want to mess with the mojo. But it is an interesting study. I look forward to hearing the results.
Derek Roy: I know a place on Chippewa..
Patrick Lalime: Have you SEEN my wife? *grin* Besides, I'm not likely to play, am I?
Craig Rivet: No comment.
Adam Mair: Ya know ladies, 31 is the new 21.. *wink*
Tyler Myers: *looks around confusedly*
Paul Gaustad: I am much too much of a gentleman to even consider the question.
Thomas Vanek: I think that would have to be no, ya know, because if I played poorly the next day, I'd never be able to have sex again!
.....
Yeah, I think it'd be something like that. I can't add much more, player-wise because the rest of the boys just don't lend themselves to responses in my mind the way those guys did. If any of you wonderful readers want to add to the discussion, feel free to leave a comment. ;)
He deflected the question with a 'you'll have the ask the players, I can't control that' response and so she asked the players. Their responses were quite amusing. So, naturally it got me wondering how our dear Sabres would handle such a query. I think we can all imagine the scene. I think it might go something like this:
(female) Reporter: "So, Sabres, what do you think about sex on the night before a game? Good idea? Bad idea?"
Timmay Connolly: I'm undressing you with my eyes. Want to do it right here and now?
Jason Pominville: (clearly uncomfortable) Um.. well, every night I go home and eat dinner and then after dinner I clean the kitchen and walk the dogs and then after that I come home and take a bubble bath then we read stories and I go to bed.
Patrick Kaleta: (giggles) Sex? Yeah! Good idea! *high-fives Timmay*
Ryan Miller: I can't change any of my habits. Don't want to mess with the mojo. But it is an interesting study. I look forward to hearing the results.
Derek Roy: I know a place on Chippewa..
Patrick Lalime: Have you SEEN my wife? *grin* Besides, I'm not likely to play, am I?
Craig Rivet: No comment.
Adam Mair: Ya know ladies, 31 is the new 21.. *wink*
Tyler Myers: *looks around confusedly*
Paul Gaustad: I am much too much of a gentleman to even consider the question.
Thomas Vanek: I think that would have to be no, ya know, because if I played poorly the next day, I'd never be able to have sex again!
.....
Yeah, I think it'd be something like that. I can't add much more, player-wise because the rest of the boys just don't lend themselves to responses in my mind the way those guys did. If any of you wonderful readers want to add to the discussion, feel free to leave a comment. ;)
I don't know if there are words
Guys, I've been a hockey fan for 16 years. I have watched more hockey games on tv that I can count. I have watched the Stanley Cup finals (at least a few games) every year since 1994 except 2007- I was on a cruise and couldn't get the games. I have seen live games in 8 different NHL arenas (and one baseball stadium), 6 AHL arenas, and 9 ECHL arenas. I have been to many ECHL playoff games- even seen the Kelly Cup awarded (to the other team on my ice) twice but before today, had not been to an NHL playoff game.
Today I went to the Sabres game.
It was UNreal. The atmosphere in the arena exceeded my expectations. There was so much energy and feeling in the place that words fail me trying to describe it. It was just a rush of pure adrenaline and magic and I wanted it to go on forever. Sabretooth rappelled down from the rafters to a chorus of cheering and whistles. Doug Allen's (always stirring) renditions of the Anthems almost brought me to tears. The first few minutes of the game felt like a dream, with the chanting of 'Let's Go Buffalo' floating down all around me. (Usually I'm the one trying (in vain) to incite the citizens of section 116 *a rather quiet lot* to cheer on our boys. Then when the Sabres scored, I thought the roof might actually blow off the building.
Things quieted down a bit later, when the game got kinda rough, but wow.
It was moments like today that remind me why I love going to hockey games so much. There is a magical quality about 18,690 people (minus the few Bruins fans in attendance) whose minds are melded to the same purpose. It wasn't enough to propel the boys to a win today, but that did not diminish the incredible feeling that I found at the game. My love of hockey is rooted in THE GAME, but my love of being a hockey fan is rooted in days like today. Imagine if we could harness that feeling and power. We could save the world.
I will break down my actual thoughts on the play later but for tonight I just want to savor the feelings I had today. I love this city and I love this team. Is THIS the year? In a lot of the ways that matter, it already has been for me. Now let's make it even better.
Let's GO BUFFALO!
P.S. Speaking of 'dreams'- The Buffalo News had a really great article about Patrick Kaleta and Tim Kennedy, two Buffalo boys who made it to the Show. It's worth a read if you haven't already. :)
Today I went to the Sabres game.
It was UNreal. The atmosphere in the arena exceeded my expectations. There was so much energy and feeling in the place that words fail me trying to describe it. It was just a rush of pure adrenaline and magic and I wanted it to go on forever. Sabretooth rappelled down from the rafters to a chorus of cheering and whistles. Doug Allen's (always stirring) renditions of the Anthems almost brought me to tears. The first few minutes of the game felt like a dream, with the chanting of 'Let's Go Buffalo' floating down all around me. (Usually I'm the one trying (in vain) to incite the citizens of section 116 *a rather quiet lot* to cheer on our boys. Then when the Sabres scored, I thought the roof might actually blow off the building.
Things quieted down a bit later, when the game got kinda rough, but wow.
It was moments like today that remind me why I love going to hockey games so much. There is a magical quality about 18,690 people (minus the few Bruins fans in attendance) whose minds are melded to the same purpose. It wasn't enough to propel the boys to a win today, but that did not diminish the incredible feeling that I found at the game. My love of hockey is rooted in THE GAME, but my love of being a hockey fan is rooted in days like today. Imagine if we could harness that feeling and power. We could save the world.
I will break down my actual thoughts on the play later but for tonight I just want to savor the feelings I had today. I love this city and I love this team. Is THIS the year? In a lot of the ways that matter, it already has been for me. Now let's make it even better.
Let's GO BUFFALO!
P.S. Speaking of 'dreams'- The Buffalo News had a really great article about Patrick Kaleta and Tim Kennedy, two Buffalo boys who made it to the Show. It's worth a read if you haven't already. :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
I'm sure everyone has read about all the angles of the matchup, and I don't really have anything constructive to offer. I'm just excited for post-season hockey that I really care about with MY team in the running. (not to say that the Red Wings and Devils aren't MY team as well, but the Sabres are different because I live here and watch them all year, not just when they are on VS or during the playoffs.)
I think I'm going to Saturday's game.. wooooo!
I will be watching tonight- but on a bit of a delay since I have a commitment this evening. SOOO excited though- I'm wearing my Sabres jersey- in April! (*and not just for fun, which I do, but this time it has a purpose. hehehe*)
To all my buddies going to the game- have fun! :)
And the only tidbit about the matchup that really caught my eye was this:
Coaching Experience: The longest active tenured coach with one franchise (and 3rd all-time behind Al Arbour and Billy Reay), Lindy Ruff will step behind the Sabres' bench in the post-season for the seventh time. Ruff's.591 playoff winning percentage ranks third among active coaches behind Dan Bylsma (.667) and Mike Babcock (.644). In the six years that Ruff has guided his teams into the post-season, they have reached the Conference Finals three times and the Stanley Cup Final once.
WOW is all I have to say. WOW.
Let's Go Buffalo! :)
I think I'm going to Saturday's game.. wooooo!
I will be watching tonight- but on a bit of a delay since I have a commitment this evening. SOOO excited though- I'm wearing my Sabres jersey- in April! (*and not just for fun, which I do, but this time it has a purpose. hehehe*)
To all my buddies going to the game- have fun! :)
And the only tidbit about the matchup that really caught my eye was this:
Coaching Experience: The longest active tenured coach with one franchise (and 3rd all-time behind Al Arbour and Billy Reay), Lindy Ruff will step behind the Sabres' bench in the post-season for the seventh time. Ruff's.591 playoff winning percentage ranks third among active coaches behind Dan Bylsma (.667) and Mike Babcock (.644). In the six years that Ruff has guided his teams into the post-season, they have reached the Conference Finals three times and the Stanley Cup Final once.
WOW is all I have to say. WOW.
Let's Go Buffalo! :)
Bring on the Cup!!
I wrote a little ditty (well it's my version of a very popular song) in honor of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Enjoy! :)
It's the most wonderful time of the year
When flowers are blooming
And playoffs are looming
The games will begin
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the best and most fun season of all
With the super overtimes and hard fought uphill climbs
When the winner stands tall
It's the best and most fun season of all
There will be short four game sweeps
Series that go for weeks
And everything in between
There will be goalie sensations
And standing ovations for
The boys on our hometown teams
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There will be lots of rejoicing
And champagne for toasting
When Stanley is here
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Let's Go Buffalo!!
Enjoy! :)
It's the most wonderful time of the year
When flowers are blooming
And playoffs are looming
The games will begin
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the best and most fun season of all
With the super overtimes and hard fought uphill climbs
When the winner stands tall
It's the best and most fun season of all
There will be short four game sweeps
Series that go for weeks
And everything in between
There will be goalie sensations
And standing ovations for
The boys on our hometown teams
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There will be lots of rejoicing
And champagne for toasting
When Stanley is here
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Let's Go Buffalo!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Preview Time
Please keep in mind that my playoff predictions are based less on fact and numbers and more on gut feelings and randomness- (but I have been randomly right in the past with nothing to back it up..) so, with that in mind, I bring you:
Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2010
East Siiiiiide:
1. Washington Capitals
VS
8. Montreal Canadiens
*Washington in 6 games. The Habs just don't have it this year and the Caps are too strong up front.
2. New Jersey Devils
VS
7. Philadelphia Flyers
*New Jersey in 5. The Flyers have weak goaltending and the Devils are ready to rumble. And I just love them and hate the Flyers.
3. Buffalo Sabres
VS
6. Boston Bruins
*Sabres in 6. The Bruins don't scare me. Vanek remembers he's a goal scorer. Roy has been playing more like that scrappy kid who came into the league back in 2003 and made me love him. Miller OWNS them all.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
VS
5. Ottawa Senateurs (of DOOM!)
*Pittsburgh in 6. Ottawa has too many injuries to compete with the Penguins at top speed. I don't particularly like either team so I'd be fine with whichever way this one goes.
Quarterfinals:
1. Washington Capitals
VS
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
*Washington in 7. The Caps are going to take it this time. I think they are a deeper team than a lot of people give them credit for and if the goaltending can hold up they'll be fine.
2. New Jersey Devils
VS.
3. Buffalo Sabres
*It hurts me but I have the Sabres winning in 7. The Devils are tough (and the Sabres have not played well against them this year) but the Sabres want it (NEED IT) more.
Eastern Conference Final
1. Washington Capitals
VS
3. Buffalo Sabres
*Sabres in 7. Just 'cause I said so. Theodore/Varlamov are no match for Miller/Lalime.
---------------------
West Siiiiiide:
1. San Jose Sharks
VS
8. Colorado Avalanche
*I don't like either team but I just want to see San Jose continue their choking ways with a loss here, so Avs in 6.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
VS
7. Nashville Predators
*Chicago will have an easy go with a sweep. The Preds don't have it and the 'Hawks are too powerful.
3. Vancouver Canucks
VS
6. Los Angeles Kings
*I like the Kings as an underdog but I think the Canucks have the better team, just a bit. The Kings are young and that might hurt them here. 'Nucks in 7.(I sense OT)
4. Phoenix Coyotes
VS
5. Detroit Red Wings
*I am a Red Wings fan but I see a strange series here. The Coyotes have been surprisingly good this year (and the Wings surprisingly bad) and Phx has a lot to prove. I see them winning in 6.
Quarterfinals:
2. Chicago Blackhawks
VS
8. Colorado Avalanche
*The Avs have their surprise, then they are done. Chicago takes this one in 5.
3. Vancouver Canucks
VS
4. Phoenix Coyotes
*They are done after the series with the Wings. There might be some nice goalie battles in this series but the Canucks have it in 6 games... setting the stage for..
Western Conference Finals
A nice rematch from last year:
2. Chicago Blackhawks
VS
3. Vancouver Canucks
*Chicago will triumph again in a hard-fought series. These teams are really well-matched and it will be fun to watch. Chicago in 7.
Stanley Cup Finals:
Buffalo Sabres
VS
Chicago Blackhawks
*Yes, I like to dream big. But really, if the Sabres can keep it going on all cylinders, then they have something special. The wild card for the 'Hawks is the goaltending but they have some serious firepower up front and can hold their own on D which can make up for that... to a point. The Sabres have a nice core of D and a committee of goal-scorers so you never know where the threats will come from night to night. The Sabres won the only match-up this season-- one of their most well-played games all year, I thought. And Lalime was in net. He finished the season strong so we should feel good about our goalie situation.
I could see the Sabres winning it in 6 games.
-------------
You heard it here, folks. My hard-hitting analysis. (or something like that) Hey, it's my blog, I can dream if I want to, right? right. And just think of the Sabres and the Blackhawks (2 teams full of some fine looking gentlemen) with full-on playoff beards. I might swoon at the thought..
Let's GO BUFFALO!!!!!
Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2010
East Siiiiiide:
1. Washington Capitals
VS
8. Montreal Canadiens
*Washington in 6 games. The Habs just don't have it this year and the Caps are too strong up front.
2. New Jersey Devils
VS
7. Philadelphia Flyers
*New Jersey in 5. The Flyers have weak goaltending and the Devils are ready to rumble. And I just love them and hate the Flyers.
3. Buffalo Sabres
VS
6. Boston Bruins
*Sabres in 6. The Bruins don't scare me. Vanek remembers he's a goal scorer. Roy has been playing more like that scrappy kid who came into the league back in 2003 and made me love him. Miller OWNS them all.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
VS
5. Ottawa Senateurs (of DOOM!)
*Pittsburgh in 6. Ottawa has too many injuries to compete with the Penguins at top speed. I don't particularly like either team so I'd be fine with whichever way this one goes.
Quarterfinals:
1. Washington Capitals
VS
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
*Washington in 7. The Caps are going to take it this time. I think they are a deeper team than a lot of people give them credit for and if the goaltending can hold up they'll be fine.
2. New Jersey Devils
VS.
3. Buffalo Sabres
*It hurts me but I have the Sabres winning in 7. The Devils are tough (and the Sabres have not played well against them this year) but the Sabres want it (NEED IT) more.
Eastern Conference Final
1. Washington Capitals
VS
3. Buffalo Sabres
*Sabres in 7. Just 'cause I said so. Theodore/Varlamov are no match for Miller/Lalime.
---------------------
West Siiiiiide:
1. San Jose Sharks
VS
8. Colorado Avalanche
*I don't like either team but I just want to see San Jose continue their choking ways with a loss here, so Avs in 6.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
VS
7. Nashville Predators
*Chicago will have an easy go with a sweep. The Preds don't have it and the 'Hawks are too powerful.
3. Vancouver Canucks
VS
6. Los Angeles Kings
*I like the Kings as an underdog but I think the Canucks have the better team, just a bit. The Kings are young and that might hurt them here. 'Nucks in 7.(I sense OT)
4. Phoenix Coyotes
VS
5. Detroit Red Wings
*I am a Red Wings fan but I see a strange series here. The Coyotes have been surprisingly good this year (and the Wings surprisingly bad) and Phx has a lot to prove. I see them winning in 6.
Quarterfinals:
2. Chicago Blackhawks
VS
8. Colorado Avalanche
*The Avs have their surprise, then they are done. Chicago takes this one in 5.
3. Vancouver Canucks
VS
4. Phoenix Coyotes
*They are done after the series with the Wings. There might be some nice goalie battles in this series but the Canucks have it in 6 games... setting the stage for..
Western Conference Finals
A nice rematch from last year:
2. Chicago Blackhawks
VS
3. Vancouver Canucks
*Chicago will triumph again in a hard-fought series. These teams are really well-matched and it will be fun to watch. Chicago in 7.
Stanley Cup Finals:
Buffalo Sabres
VS
Chicago Blackhawks
*Yes, I like to dream big. But really, if the Sabres can keep it going on all cylinders, then they have something special. The wild card for the 'Hawks is the goaltending but they have some serious firepower up front and can hold their own on D which can make up for that... to a point. The Sabres have a nice core of D and a committee of goal-scorers so you never know where the threats will come from night to night. The Sabres won the only match-up this season-- one of their most well-played games all year, I thought. And Lalime was in net. He finished the season strong so we should feel good about our goalie situation.
I could see the Sabres winning it in 6 games.
-------------
You heard it here, folks. My hard-hitting analysis. (or something like that) Hey, it's my blog, I can dream if I want to, right? right. And just think of the Sabres and the Blackhawks (2 teams full of some fine looking gentlemen) with full-on playoff beards. I might swoon at the thought..
Let's GO BUFFALO!!!!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
playoff schedule whaaaat?
Game 1: Thursday, April 15, Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 17, Boston at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, April 19, Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 21, Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, April 23, Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
*Game 6: Monday, April 26, Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 28, Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
*If necessary
Note the 1 p.m. start on Saturday for Game 2 and the two days off between a potential Game 5 and Game 6.
Saturday's game at 1pm? WEIRD. I will most likely be going to one of those games... wooooot!
:) I'm not scared of the Bruins. The Sabres have played well against them and if Vanek is really back (and Royzie too, he is suddenly a scoring MACHINE) then we have nothing to worry about.
Bring it on!
I will do some other predictions and whatnot at a later time.. just excited that the season is done and it's time for the dance. (for the first time in blog-form.. whee!)
Game 2: Saturday, April 17, Boston at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, April 19, Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, April 21, Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, April 23, Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
*Game 6: Monday, April 26, Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.
*Game 7: Wednesday, April 28, Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
*If necessary
Note the 1 p.m. start on Saturday for Game 2 and the two days off between a potential Game 5 and Game 6.
Saturday's game at 1pm? WEIRD. I will most likely be going to one of those games... wooooot!
:) I'm not scared of the Bruins. The Sabres have played well against them and if Vanek is really back (and Royzie too, he is suddenly a scoring MACHINE) then we have nothing to worry about.
Bring it on!
I will do some other predictions and whatnot at a later time.. just excited that the season is done and it's time for the dance. (for the first time in blog-form.. whee!)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
5 things
This post is inspired by the lovely and talented Diana Laurence, author extraordinaire and the partial inspiration for this blog. (she is the author of the former e-zine "Hockey Snacks", which I think I've referenced before) She recently wrote an entry listing 5 things that she is happy to have done and I think it's a brilliant idea. So brilliant, in fact, that I am going to emulate it- both here (hockey related things), and on my personal blog (livejournal), with a range of things I've done in my life that are not necessarily hockey related. :)
So, without further ado- 5 hockey-related things I'm glad I got to do: (in no particular order)
1. Skate on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa "The World's Largest Skating Rink".
My sis and I took a trip to Canada's capital back in March of 2007 for the sole purpose of skating the canal. We picked the perfect time to go, the weather was great and it was the last weekend the canal was open that season. We skated the full length (15.6 KM total) in one evening. It was a crazy workout and it was very cold but I'm quite happy to say that I have done it. I have since returned to the canal- the same sister and a friend and I competed in a Winterlude Triathlon there in 2009- we competed as a team, I skated 8km on the canal, Renee' (sis), ran 5km on the canal and Brenda (friend) did a 3km cross-country ski. We didn't exactly own the race, but none of us finished last in our category and we had fun. :)
2. Creating my own ice surface in my front yard.
I don't know how many of y'all follow me on facebook (if you don't, feel free to add me!) but if you do, then you will know of the trial it was to make this happen. A little bit of history is in order here. I moved to WNY in the late summer of 2003. I moved in with my sis and her family, who had just purchased a place out in the sticks- a tiny town called Delevan (about halfway between Buffalo and Olean, on Rt. 16) We've got a nice house and a decent bit of land- and a pond! I was very excited about the pond, because it gets and stays cold here for long periods of the winter. I was sure it would freeze and we could skate.. right? WRONG! The darn thing refuses to freeze properly and has been a thorn in my side for years. To make a long story short, I've given up on the pond. I tried a "jiffy rink" kit that I bought a Canadian Tire a couple of winters ago, but it never worked right. This year I decided to take matters into my own hands. I did tons of research and formulated a plan. It was January (typically the coldest part of the winter) and we had over a foot of snow on the ground. No problem. I cleared away the top layer of a huge section of the yard and prepared to work- the job was wetting down the snow that was left with the hose, then stomping it down into packed ice until I had a nice base. Then it was a matter of smoothing that out with misted on water in the cold of night. I worked on this for several freezing nights and it was coming along nicely (though hard hard work, especially since I had to drag the hose inside every night so it wouldn't freeze) Then I went to Dallas for the weekend, and it was in the 40s while I was away. I was a bit stressed but the snow was still here so I kept working on it the following week. THEN it rained for 3 days and ALL THE SNOW MELTED! I wanted to cry from frustration. But I had one more idea.
I had saved some old 4x4 pieces of wood from a fence with the idea of useing them to create a mini-rink. Then I tried the other plan but since that was done, and we were down to bare grass, I figured I'd try this one last plan and if it didn't work, I'd concede that it wasn't going to happen. So I bought a tarp from the hardware store (20x25') and laid out my boards, stapled the tarp to them to make a frame, then started filling it with water. Basically, after several days of filling and then having to add snow to level it out, I had ice. It was super bumpy and I had to go out with hot water and a shovel and do a bit of manual zamboni work, but I was able to create an ice surface in my yard. It was very small but still skateable. And now I know that this method can actually work here so next year I will make it bigger! I am still immensely proud of this accomplishment.
3. Attending the Winter Classic II in Chicago.
Sure, it wasn't Buffalo (couldn't make that one) but it was an incredible game between 2 teams I like with a fantastic rivalry. I went with my sister (who is my best friend and hockey buddy) and a great friend and we had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, the game was intense, the fans were loud and crazy and it was everything I could have asked for. And the best part was that it was a surprise. I didn't know about it until 3 days before when my sis told me we were going. I will never forget that day. It was truly a special experience.
4. Teaching myself about hockey and how to ice skate.
I am a huge proponent of learning by doing. When I started to watch hockey, I didn't have a mentor guiding my every step, I didn't have anyone to ask, or even the internet to research things. I did it the old fashioned way- I went to the bookstore and bought every scrap of hockey literature (which wasn't much in Dayton, OH in the summer of 1994) I could get my hands on and started reading. I memorized players and stats and trying to soak up everything I could and counting the days till October. This zest for hockeyness has not left me. I still regularly read books about hockey- trying to learn as much as possible about what happened before my time, and I try to keep up with current news of the game. (it's much easier now, in Buffalo and with the internet, though I have less time to devote) Pretty much everything I know about hockey (and that's quite a bit, if I do say so), I learned on my own- by watching, and listening, and reading, and talking. I love the game, I couldn't live without it and I certainly wouldn't want to try. And I have an ownership in my fandom that I earned through lots of time and energy.
Along with the learning came a desire to DO. I knew that actually playing hockey wasn't really an option (not many teams in the area and whatnot) so I did the next best thing. I taught myself how to ice skate. I'm sure it was funny to watch. I was a very good rollerskater back in the day, but it had been some time since I had been on skates at all. I was 13 years old and I'm sure quite awkward, but I didn't care. My sister and I used to go to the open skate on Saturday nights and just have fun. I basically flailed around until I figured it out. It took awhile, but I was patient and I loved it. I watched the other kids (the hockey players of course) and tried to do what they did. I fell all the time but I didn't care. I used to race my sister's boyfriend from blueline to blueline. We went all the time and I got pretty decent at it. Eventually I moved on from awkward to an okay skater. I fell less and felt less out of control. But it never stopped being fun. I got figure skates for my 14th birthday (but I should have just asked for hockey skates, I dunno what I was thinking..) and finally got hockey skates for my 16th birthday. (still the best birthday gift I ever got and I still have those skates, they fit me like a glove) We still skated almost every weekend, all through high school. Soometimes friends would come and sometimes not, but it was always 'Nee and I. We had fun and it was a time to just exist and occasionally pretend that I was someone who could actually play hockey.
In college, I took a hockey skills class. It was awesome- counted for credit even. We did a lot of skating drills then actually got into the hockey. There wasn't much I didn't know already, though I was able to refine my skills in turning around and such, and I finally learned how to do a hockey stop. I took the class again the next year, and 'Nee joined me (even though she went to a different school) It was better the second time because the class as a whole was more advanced with the skating to start. We got into some strategy and did faceoffs and a few line changes even. (over the boards, I fell down on my first try jumping over. It was hilarious.)
I still skate whenever I can. I take my 4-yr old nephew skating about once a week, trying to share with him what I learned. I have rollerblades and try to get out on them fairly often when the weather is nice, but nothing is as great as the feel (and the sound) of blades on ice.
(phew, that got long)
5. Visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame
This may sound a bit lame, but the HHOF is super cool. I have been a few times, but could go a few more, there is something special about that place. And the neatest thing is how small the hockey world really is. I went to the HHOF in 2007 with my sister (of course, do you notice a trend here?) and as we looked around at all the displays, I kept running into names of players that I was familiar with. They change the displays often, but have equipment and jerseys and whatnot from minor leaguers of all levels and jr. hockey players as well. I found several items from players that I had met and known through my minor league hockey jobs and watching games at that level. It was kind of uncanny, actually.
And then there was the Kelly Cup (trophy for the ECHL) I worked for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL in 2005-06. We got to host the Kelly Cup one night as part of a tour. Unlike Lord Stanley, Kelly came unaccompanied, in a plain box with scant literature or a lengthy history. (he was only about 5 years old at the time.) So the task fell to me to be the 'keeper of the Cup" for the night. I embraced it with relish, being the hockey nut that I am. I found a bit of info about it and made up some little fliers. I did not wear the nasty gloves (not clean and crisp like Phil Pritchard's) that came with it, instead letting my fingers leave marks. LOL Our coach and one of our players had won the Kelly Cup back in 2003 so their names were on there and that was kinda cool for our fans. It was a bit cheezy but I enjoyed my night with the Cup. I had some bittersweet memories about it, having seen the Greenville Grrrowl win it on MY ice in Dayton back in 2002 but that was just another story to tell.
Anyway so that was in the HHOF and I thought it was cool cuz I had touched it and knew some folks whose names were on it.. and then of course THE STANLEY CUP is there as well. You can get pictures with it and touch it and hear some history if you want to. Totally worth the trip right there.
I highly suggest you make the trip to Toronto and check out the Hockey Hall of Fame, if you haven't done so.
So there it is.. my rambling trek through memory lane, hockey style. There are many other hockey-related things that I am glad to have done or taken part in, but I think I've written enough for now. What about you?
So, without further ado- 5 hockey-related things I'm glad I got to do: (in no particular order)
1. Skate on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa "The World's Largest Skating Rink".
My sis and I took a trip to Canada's capital back in March of 2007 for the sole purpose of skating the canal. We picked the perfect time to go, the weather was great and it was the last weekend the canal was open that season. We skated the full length (15.6 KM total) in one evening. It was a crazy workout and it was very cold but I'm quite happy to say that I have done it. I have since returned to the canal- the same sister and a friend and I competed in a Winterlude Triathlon there in 2009- we competed as a team, I skated 8km on the canal, Renee' (sis), ran 5km on the canal and Brenda (friend) did a 3km cross-country ski. We didn't exactly own the race, but none of us finished last in our category and we had fun. :)
2. Creating my own ice surface in my front yard.
I don't know how many of y'all follow me on facebook (if you don't, feel free to add me!) but if you do, then you will know of the trial it was to make this happen. A little bit of history is in order here. I moved to WNY in the late summer of 2003. I moved in with my sis and her family, who had just purchased a place out in the sticks- a tiny town called Delevan (about halfway between Buffalo and Olean, on Rt. 16) We've got a nice house and a decent bit of land- and a pond! I was very excited about the pond, because it gets and stays cold here for long periods of the winter. I was sure it would freeze and we could skate.. right? WRONG! The darn thing refuses to freeze properly and has been a thorn in my side for years. To make a long story short, I've given up on the pond. I tried a "jiffy rink" kit that I bought a Canadian Tire a couple of winters ago, but it never worked right. This year I decided to take matters into my own hands. I did tons of research and formulated a plan. It was January (typically the coldest part of the winter) and we had over a foot of snow on the ground. No problem. I cleared away the top layer of a huge section of the yard and prepared to work- the job was wetting down the snow that was left with the hose, then stomping it down into packed ice until I had a nice base. Then it was a matter of smoothing that out with misted on water in the cold of night. I worked on this for several freezing nights and it was coming along nicely (though hard hard work, especially since I had to drag the hose inside every night so it wouldn't freeze) Then I went to Dallas for the weekend, and it was in the 40s while I was away. I was a bit stressed but the snow was still here so I kept working on it the following week. THEN it rained for 3 days and ALL THE SNOW MELTED! I wanted to cry from frustration. But I had one more idea.
I had saved some old 4x4 pieces of wood from a fence with the idea of useing them to create a mini-rink. Then I tried the other plan but since that was done, and we were down to bare grass, I figured I'd try this one last plan and if it didn't work, I'd concede that it wasn't going to happen. So I bought a tarp from the hardware store (20x25') and laid out my boards, stapled the tarp to them to make a frame, then started filling it with water. Basically, after several days of filling and then having to add snow to level it out, I had ice. It was super bumpy and I had to go out with hot water and a shovel and do a bit of manual zamboni work, but I was able to create an ice surface in my yard. It was very small but still skateable. And now I know that this method can actually work here so next year I will make it bigger! I am still immensely proud of this accomplishment.
3. Attending the Winter Classic II in Chicago.
Sure, it wasn't Buffalo (couldn't make that one) but it was an incredible game between 2 teams I like with a fantastic rivalry. I went with my sister (who is my best friend and hockey buddy) and a great friend and we had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, the game was intense, the fans were loud and crazy and it was everything I could have asked for. And the best part was that it was a surprise. I didn't know about it until 3 days before when my sis told me we were going. I will never forget that day. It was truly a special experience.
4. Teaching myself about hockey and how to ice skate.
I am a huge proponent of learning by doing. When I started to watch hockey, I didn't have a mentor guiding my every step, I didn't have anyone to ask, or even the internet to research things. I did it the old fashioned way- I went to the bookstore and bought every scrap of hockey literature (which wasn't much in Dayton, OH in the summer of 1994) I could get my hands on and started reading. I memorized players and stats and trying to soak up everything I could and counting the days till October. This zest for hockeyness has not left me. I still regularly read books about hockey- trying to learn as much as possible about what happened before my time, and I try to keep up with current news of the game. (it's much easier now, in Buffalo and with the internet, though I have less time to devote) Pretty much everything I know about hockey (and that's quite a bit, if I do say so), I learned on my own- by watching, and listening, and reading, and talking. I love the game, I couldn't live without it and I certainly wouldn't want to try. And I have an ownership in my fandom that I earned through lots of time and energy.
Along with the learning came a desire to DO. I knew that actually playing hockey wasn't really an option (not many teams in the area and whatnot) so I did the next best thing. I taught myself how to ice skate. I'm sure it was funny to watch. I was a very good rollerskater back in the day, but it had been some time since I had been on skates at all. I was 13 years old and I'm sure quite awkward, but I didn't care. My sister and I used to go to the open skate on Saturday nights and just have fun. I basically flailed around until I figured it out. It took awhile, but I was patient and I loved it. I watched the other kids (the hockey players of course) and tried to do what they did. I fell all the time but I didn't care. I used to race my sister's boyfriend from blueline to blueline. We went all the time and I got pretty decent at it. Eventually I moved on from awkward to an okay skater. I fell less and felt less out of control. But it never stopped being fun. I got figure skates for my 14th birthday (but I should have just asked for hockey skates, I dunno what I was thinking..) and finally got hockey skates for my 16th birthday. (still the best birthday gift I ever got and I still have those skates, they fit me like a glove) We still skated almost every weekend, all through high school. Soometimes friends would come and sometimes not, but it was always 'Nee and I. We had fun and it was a time to just exist and occasionally pretend that I was someone who could actually play hockey.
In college, I took a hockey skills class. It was awesome- counted for credit even. We did a lot of skating drills then actually got into the hockey. There wasn't much I didn't know already, though I was able to refine my skills in turning around and such, and I finally learned how to do a hockey stop. I took the class again the next year, and 'Nee joined me (even though she went to a different school) It was better the second time because the class as a whole was more advanced with the skating to start. We got into some strategy and did faceoffs and a few line changes even. (over the boards, I fell down on my first try jumping over. It was hilarious.)
I still skate whenever I can. I take my 4-yr old nephew skating about once a week, trying to share with him what I learned. I have rollerblades and try to get out on them fairly often when the weather is nice, but nothing is as great as the feel (and the sound) of blades on ice.
(phew, that got long)
5. Visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame
This may sound a bit lame, but the HHOF is super cool. I have been a few times, but could go a few more, there is something special about that place. And the neatest thing is how small the hockey world really is. I went to the HHOF in 2007 with my sister (of course, do you notice a trend here?) and as we looked around at all the displays, I kept running into names of players that I was familiar with. They change the displays often, but have equipment and jerseys and whatnot from minor leaguers of all levels and jr. hockey players as well. I found several items from players that I had met and known through my minor league hockey jobs and watching games at that level. It was kind of uncanny, actually.
And then there was the Kelly Cup (trophy for the ECHL) I worked for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL in 2005-06. We got to host the Kelly Cup one night as part of a tour. Unlike Lord Stanley, Kelly came unaccompanied, in a plain box with scant literature or a lengthy history. (he was only about 5 years old at the time.) So the task fell to me to be the 'keeper of the Cup" for the night. I embraced it with relish, being the hockey nut that I am. I found a bit of info about it and made up some little fliers. I did not wear the nasty gloves (not clean and crisp like Phil Pritchard's) that came with it, instead letting my fingers leave marks. LOL Our coach and one of our players had won the Kelly Cup back in 2003 so their names were on there and that was kinda cool for our fans. It was a bit cheezy but I enjoyed my night with the Cup. I had some bittersweet memories about it, having seen the Greenville Grrrowl win it on MY ice in Dayton back in 2002 but that was just another story to tell.
Anyway so that was in the HHOF and I thought it was cool cuz I had touched it and knew some folks whose names were on it.. and then of course THE STANLEY CUP is there as well. You can get pictures with it and touch it and hear some history if you want to. Totally worth the trip right there.
I highly suggest you make the trip to Toronto and check out the Hockey Hall of Fame, if you haven't done so.
So there it is.. my rambling trek through memory lane, hockey style. There are many other hockey-related things that I am glad to have done or taken part in, but I think I've written enough for now. What about you?
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