Saturday night means we’re too drunk and/or distracted to give you a running game diary, so instead, Gentle Reader, we offer a looser-structured taste of our thoughts, hopes, dreams and impressions as the game wore on.
PREGAME
– We hate this new pregame show format, where we only get 1/3 of a pregame because MSG has combined Islanders, Rangers and Devils into one pregame. We don’t care about the Isles’ lineup or what Jagr has to say about his game tonight. Come on! Give us boring Devils analysis! (Okay, they gave us Zach, Paulie and Travis interviews, so we will only complain mostly about this stupid format.)
– We were also trying not to freak out about Marty’s “personal reasons” for leaving the team. Damn you, Tom Gulitti, for giving us more news about the Devils than we know what to do with! We used to be able to do a very good job just imagining how dysfunctional this team is, without any facts to back it up. Now? We’re basketcases.
– The pregame show tonight forced us to take up smoking (a la Frisby) so we could avoid the mailbag. Al Trautwig led into it by saying, “We’ve gotten a great response from Rangers fans, Islanders fans are letting us know what they think, but Devils fans, you need to get online! This is your show too!” No, Al, this is a Rangers show because it’s hosted by you.
FIRST PERIOD
– We really, really liked the Madden goal. Great work in the zone by Pando and Asham, great pass by Asham after leading the 3-on-1, fantastic finish by Madden. Are they trying to send a message to Sutter that they like playing together? When was the last time Pando and Madden were on an odd-man rush that scored?
– We really can’t help but wonder what Matvichuk did to lose his spot in the lineup to Johnny Oduya, who was basically single-handedly responsible for three of the first four goals the Devils gave up this season.
– Okay, being outshot 200,000 to 4 was probably not Sutter’s gameplan for tonight. But on the bright side, Weeks looked fantastic – we can’t imagine Clemmensen being able to hold back as relentless a tide as the Panthers were in the first, especially with as listless a defense in front of him as Weekes had here.
FIRST INTERMISSION
We spent an hour and a half on the phone with Comcast because our Center Ice spontaneously turned itself off when we went to record the Pens game. Naturally, they had no idea how to fix it, so now we get to spend all day tomorrow waiting for a technician to come and have no idea how to fix it.
We returned to the Devils game on a lengthy TiVo delay.
SECOND PERIOD
– With every punky shift he takes, we find ourselves falling more and more in love with Clarkson. We loved how he forced the turnover that led to Madden’s second goal (!!!), and we loved how, at the end of every shift, he’s stepping up in Panthers’ faces. He doesn’t seem assy, just… Gionta-y. But bigger.
– Dogs and cats are living together – what is with Pando taking a second penalty in as many games? Has he decided discipline and responsibility is for losers or something? Or did he decide he’d have a better chance of winning a Selke this year if he’s a suckier defensive player, after losing to the clearly suckier Brind’Amour?
– The worst news we heard in this period was that Cam Janssen’s surgery was successful. In slightly better news, though, was the report that there has been no date set for his return.
– Have we mentioned Andy Greene is 10 times cheaper than Brian Rafalski and almost 10 years younger? His power play goal was something we can’t remember Raffie ever coming close to accomplishing: forcing a turnover at the blue line (Raffie always played the point more in the “I am a stationary object around which the other team can skate unhindered” school of thought), then leading the odd-man charge, then finishing the goal from a bad angle deep at the goal line. Bubbles all around!
THIRD PERIOD
– We were troubled to discover Doc doesn’t read BoC or pore over our comment threads. The nickname, Doc, is not Ruslan “One Horse Open” Salei. It’s “Cirque du” Salei. Come on. It’s not hard.
– We are encouraged by a Devils team that can feature Andy Greene making our favorite offensive play of the game, and Zach Parise making our favorite defensive play. That diving, desperate block midway through the third to stop a sure Panthers goal was just the sort of thing that we hold up to say, “See?? We don’t just love him because he’s the cute one.”
– After the Mottau goal, Pookie said nervously, “Oh no. We’re going to lose. Devils players never score their first goals in wins. I’m calling a 9-4 final.” (It’s really true. Morgan once joked that every former Devil gets to say, when reminiscing about the past, “Yeah, my first goal game in garbage time of a 7-1 loss…”)
– We spent what seemed like an eternity waiting out that commercial break after Pando went down (on a hit Chico pointed out should have been an interference penalty – and would have been in the first period if Paulie’d done it) and looked grievously injured. Of course we should have known Pando would still be on the bench when we came back, because Pando wouldn’t leave the bench even with splinters of bone sticking out all over his body. (We can only assume Zach was jealous of Asham’s response to the hit, getting into a whale of a fight with Horton. That, Zach, is a henchman.)
That was much more like it! After a really nerve-wracking first period of colossal sucktitude by everyone but Weekes (and one great rush by Asham, Pando and Madden), the guys pulled their shit together and gave us a look at what they’re capable of. And while we’re willing to admit it was just the Panthers (our traditional get-well team), we’re still really pleased to see our faith in the Devils is not wholly misplaced.
Hey, kids–KKM and Boomer here…what was the score? And what’s the dope with Marty??!
We could read other blogs about it, but that wouldn’t be authoritative…..
Hi KKM and Boomer! I hope your girls’ weekend in is going great! The authoritative dope was the final score was 4-1 Devils and the game ROCKED. And Marty seems to be a non-issue or something. He was on the bench, looked fine, whatevs. As with every other Devils issue, we’ll probably never hear anything further about it, or he’ll go into rehab. One or the other.
*sigh* I love this team.
Aren’t they just so lovable? I was trying to decide if I’d still love them, after game 1, if they went 0-82. I decided I probably would, if they kept skating the way they have been. (Well, I’d love them all except Johnny Oduya. And Cam Janssen.)
God, why can’t my team win like everybody elses? :::more whining here:::
Yup, me too. On all counts. (Oduya really needs to stop doing stupid things that lead directly to goals. It’s depressing)
awww, Heather…..*patpat*
But how did your fantasy guys do?
Heather, they’ll get around to it. Here’s to hoping they do it in time.
Hm. I knew I shouldn’t have logged in here. We’d been avoiding the other comment thread because we didn’t want to know the Sabres score — we’re watching it now on tivo delay. Huh. Guess I know how it ends now. Thanks, Heather! :P
But seriously, how ’bout those Devils? Show of hands — who here wants to marry David Clarkson? *Raises hand emphatically*
DS, too early to tell. I have a bunch of guys going now so we’ll see how it all sorts out in the morning.
Mags, they’ll be fine. They actually looked really good tonight for the most part – they created a ton of great chances, just couldn’t get the puck in the net. The defense looked better except for one little bit which unfortunately led to TLB getting a goal. Hank was back to his excellent, unassuming self, even pinching in a little more than usual. Despite the loss, I am much encouraged. (Still… a win would be nice.)
Show of hands — who here wants to marry David Clarkson? *Raises hand emphatically*
*raises hand and waves it around in the air in a “call-on-me, call-on-me” manner* Oooh, oooh! Me! Me! I want to!
Schnookie, well you don’t know the actual score. That could be a surprise!
And Clarkson? Yeah, I’d do him. He even sounds good over the radio. (he’s going to suck now that I’ve said that. I just know it)
Oh, crap. Sorry, Ookies! I should’ve kept my misery in the other thread! I forgot about your whole DVR thing. It was still a pretty entertaining game? Does that help? Maybe?
Oh, it’s fine Heather. We’re still watching. It’s pretty hard to get through games without seeing at least partial scores from the other games. And it’s nice to at least have another game to watch, considering our cable totally crapped out on us, so no Caps or Pens for us to save for tomorrow. But nothing makes for a fun Saturday night like drinking half a bottle of wine and then spending over an hour and a half on the phone with Comcast. I think I shouted lots of things that sounded like, “Arrrrhhmmmpphhhharrrrggghhhaahhhhhgh.” I was very eloquent. (And seriously, the Sabres could suck major, major ass tonight and I wouldn’t care — the Devils looked great!)
And seriously, the Sabres could suck major, major ass tonight and I wouldn’t care
Well, that’s comforting.
Despite the loss, I am much encouraged.
Good.
But nothing makes for a fun Saturday night like drinking half a bottle of wine and then spending over an hour and a half on the phone with Comcast. I think I shouted lots of things that sounded like, “Arrrrhhmmmpphhhharrrrggghhhaahhhhhgh.”
Ah. Good times :)
G’night IPB. It’s 5 am, and I may have to show up to play a game at 2 pm. We’ll see how that pans out. Have a good night :)
Well, that’s comforting.
What can I say? When the Devils look as spunky and good on a night Marty doesn’t start, there’s nothing that can get me down. Not even Pando getting painfully smushed at the end of the game. Or the lingering, niggling concern I have about these “personal issues”. (Plus they had interview snippets with Paulie in the pregame and during intermission — so cute!)
‘Night Mags!
Question for anyone who records Center Ice games on TiVo:
We managed to trick our messed up cable into TiVoing the Caps/Canes game tonight, with the intention of watching it tomorrow. Only now we realize that there’s a message on the TiVo menu saying that it’s going to delete the game at 1:00 am Sunday morning due to TiVo copyright restrictions. We’ve never ever seen this on our DirecTv TiVo box. Has anyone else ever gotten this message? It seems really fishy to me.
…message on the TiVo menu saying that it’s going to delete the game at 1:00 am Sunday morning due to TiVo copyright restrictions
I have never seen that before, either. I haven’t TiVo’d any Center Ice stuff yet. I could try it and see what happens. Because that is BULLSHIT.
Ahhhh, this game is going so much better! My boys are up 3-1. My darling Matty O scored. Nazzy scored, so he got that monkey off his back. And three power play goals! Usually the Canucks power play blows. I LOVE hockey!
See! Everyone gets to be happy but me! Where’s Kate?! I need another Sabres fan in here stat!
On a more positive note, I just requested the night of our Columbus game off so the Ookie/Kate/Heather B. extravaganza is now officially on my radar!
On a more positive note, I just requested the night of our Columbus game off so the Ookie/Kate/Heather B. extravaganza is now officially on my radar!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patty, after more discussion, Schnookie and I have come to the conclusion that the copyright issue is related to the general fucked-up-titude of our cable cards, and isn’t a Center Ice/TiVo-wide problem. We didn’t have any problem at all TiVoing games on the satellite, and have had all manner of problems with the Center Ice package on our cable, so we think it’s safe to conclude this is a problem that effects no one outside IPB Manor.
Alix, sorry I encouraged you to skate Travis with the Meatballs tonight. He so wanted to score for you, but it just wasn’t in the cards tonight. Sorry!
Are you guys still watching the Sabres game? Seriously, what do you think of them so far? Whereabouts are you?
That’a ok Pookie! I know he tried. And he at least had a shot on goal. Veela had zeros across the board. Phaneuf is a little bitch!
Everyone gets to be happy but me!
Hellooo! Unhappy girl here! I choose to dislike Mason right now. Maybe in the future I’ll reconsider.
Also, I hate all the Racoons. They’re just wandering around, picking through trash, sneaking in people’s doggie doors, while McCrotch’s Marauders are kicking our asses!
And tomorrow, none of my players have a game. So this week is basically over. When does the EC intend to get up and running?
I gotta be honest, Heather — we got really derailed (and distracted) by the crazy-assed fucked-uptitude of our cable situation and were in no place to be paying attention to the game. From what I could tell, the D still looks like a trainwreck, Peters is his usual detriment-to-the-team self (I don’t know why he gets any ice time, seriously), and the offense seemed to kind of be pressing. I mean, there’s certainly a lot to be encouraged by — the goals will definitely come — but I’ve been really surprised how unprepared the Sabres have looked in these two games. (I’ve been really surprised at how much like the real deal Staffy’s looked, though. Ladies and gentlemen, there’s the Sabres future captain.) I get the distinct feeling that the team just needs to calm down — it’s like all the guys are out there trying to prove RIGHT NOW that they can still be as good as they were last year. It’s time for Lindy to assert himself and prove he’s still the coach we all think he is. He lost the team last Spring, and now he needs to get them all back in line.
Also, I can’t tell you how eagerly I’m awaiting the inevitable Comrie point-production fall-off. I mean, doesn’t he always start off strong for new teams, then disappear after three games?
Also, I hate all the Racoons. They’re just wandering around, picking through trash, sneaking in people’s doggie doors, while McCrotch’s Marauders are kicking our asses!
I had no idea how good these WC players could be! (I honestly don’t think Legwand would have gotten that hat trick when he was just playing for the Predators. Once he’s got that famous Marauders “Double-M” logo under his NHL sweater, he becomes a SUPERSTAR.) But don’t worry, Patty. Most of the other teams you’ll have to play suck — you just had the misfortune of starting the season off against the cream of the crop.
I think it is the WC. My other team is doing famously! Once the EC starts playing some games, maybe I’ll do better. Maybe I need to hurry up and get rid of some these Rangers.
Ditching Rangers players seems like a great place to start!
I honestly don’t think Legwand would have gotten that hat trick when he was just playing for the Predators.
I think the Stars are trying to get back at me for not having any of them on my team. I tried to explain that I could only have EC players, but they wanted to teach me a lesson. So they gave Legwand, of all people, a hat trick.
Patty, it all be better soon. Right?
The Tally-Hos are doing well atleast although Dustin Penner never does crap unless I have him on the bench. Geez, no wonder Burke let you go, ya big loser!
So Heather, am I way off base in my take on the Sabres? Am I being too hard on them? Projecting too much of my hatred for Comcast onto them?
So Heather, am I way off base in my take on the Sabres?
Oh, did you notice I was more or less ignoring the subject? ;-)
I think you’re right about a lot of things (everybody’s pressing too hard, Peters should never set foot on the ice, Staffy is the future captain, and no one can hit the net – oh, wait, I added that one) and I think you’re being too hard on some things (defense was much improved with Hank back to his stellar self, Campbell turning in a pretty good game, and Dmitri soaking up Toni’s minutes and looking good doing it; Staffy looked good tonight but seemed a step behind the play much of last night). I would like to see the defense quicker to come to Ryan’s defense though. There were Islanders in the crease all night.
Those Islanders jerseys are a sight to behold.
Oh, and the power play was off and on but the PK was a thousand times better.
Wow, that was a good game. Flames scared me there for a while and tied it up. But the Canucks managed to pull it out in overtime. They were flying out there. That was definitely not boring.
Hey, did you guys see Neil elbow (oh, sorry “shoulder”) Avery in the head? Battle of the douches!
Congrats, alix! And alix’s boyfriend, MattyO.
Staffy looked good tonight but seemed a step behind the play much of last night
Pookie just grumbled, “Staffy was behind the play because his linemates blow.” Aren’t the two of us just the most rational casual Sabres fans? :P I guess my foul mood about our cable situation probably did make me unfairly grouchy about them, though. (And it must be the Devils fan in me who says, “Wait, there were guys in Crunchy’s crease all night? Then how can you say the D was okay?”)
I’m so sorry to hear that Avery was injured, if just because it means he’ll be less likely to poison the dressing room if he’s out of the lineup for any length of time. Get well soon, asshat! We need you healthy to make the Rangers into the fetid stew of rancid personalities we know they can be!
Congrats, alix! And alix’s boyfriend, MattyO.
Hey, he’s my Marauder boyfriend, too! :D
(And it must be the Devils fan in me who says, “Wait, there were guys in Crunchy’s crease all night? Then how can you say the D was okay?”)
Well, I said they were better not great!
I’m just not sure what to do with Staffy. He really needs to be with more offensively capable players but I’m not sure who would play on the third line then. I think he’ll be in better shape when Kotalik is back and Jochen is playing with him. Jochen’s hardly a scoring machine but he’s more capable than Paille and Ryan. I think a line of Goose, Staffy, and Yo-Yo will be a lot of fun actually.
Oooh, I didn’t think of Avery being out of the lockerroom. That’s definitely not good. Hey, rumor has it that Chris Drury had a turnover that led to a goal… but surely it’s not true!
Hey, he’s my Marauder boyfriend, too! :D
No congrats for you!!
Well, I said they were better not great!
Hee hee! (If it’s any help, my oh-so-superior Devils gave up 21 shots in the first period tonight.)
I love the idea of Staffy playing with Goose and Yo-Yo. I can see how he’s kind of stuck in no-man’s land, not quite the guy you want to put with the top-line guys, but too good for the standard third-line sort of players. I know the type all too well, because they basically comprise the entire Devils lineup. :D I think things will shake out well for him though. The only thing that really worries me about the Sabres right now is their D, and I think some calming down will go a long way for them.
All I’ve seen of the Rangers game is the highlights of the goals — and both were atrociously awful. I failed to take note of which Rangers were involved, but if one of them was Drury, then HA! That BLEW! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Goose, Staffy, and Yo-Yo are all hard workers so I think they’ll get their share of goals through sheer will. You’re right that the D is concerning – I hate listening to the whiners but we really could use one big, physical stay-at-home d-man who will pound the living hell out of anyone who thinks about coming in Ryan’s crease.
As much as I’d like to pretend that Drury and Briere’s absences have no affect, I think it will take a little time for the guys to figure out how they fit together both on and off the ice.
So yeah… I’m fine. I’m tooootally fine.
I hate listening to the whiners but we really could use one big, physical stay-at-home d-man who will pound the living hell out of anyone who thinks about coming in Ryan’s crease.
Fortunately for basically everyone in the East, no one in our conference really seems to have that guy. But yeah, if you can figure out where to get one, let us know, okay?
I am operating under the assumption that the Devils won’t figure their shit out until at least late November, which is what they did last year (and the year before that they didn’t get it all into gear until January). They’ve had so many changes, and have so many new players that it seems ridiculous to think they’re going to be able to hit the ground running. I think the same really applies to the Sabres. Of course, the way people are talking about the losses of Briere and Drury, I bet there will be plenty of media types proclaiming them a lost cause by the end of next week, but come on. Everyone need look no further than Briere and Drury’s Sabres team from last year to realize that teams who look great in October don’t necessarily still have it in April. So there’s no reason to worry — they’ve got a lot of the essential pieces, and thanks to not re-signing Briere and Drury, they’re not handcuffed by the salary cap again and are capable of improving the roster as the season wears on. It’s all good!
mmmm…..drunk! right there with ya! at least your thoughts and typing skills are better than mine!!! ( I mean, they are usually anyhow, but….)
Of course, the way people are talking about the losses of Briere and Drury, I bet there will be plenty of media types proclaiming them a lost cause by the end of next week, but come on.
Evidently you didn’t read the Buffalo News this morning :-) They may as well run a Drury/Briere box score in the paper every day. I had started reading the paper again here and there but I’m back to avoiding it. Ugh.
But yeah, they’ll get it together. They will!
Heather, thanks again for Briere!
Kristin, you have noooo idea how much I look forward to hearing all about Briere’s goal all #$@!!##! day tomorrow.
Heather, thanks again for Briere!
Hope he’s still producing at this rate for you in six or seven years! :P
Of course, I could just follow up with, “Did Philly win? No? Oh, that’s too bad.” ;-)
I’m a stoopid Flyers fan, I only think about rightnow!
Yean we lost but it was a great game! And Briere earned his keep!
Evidently you didn’t read the Buffalo News this morning :-) They may as well run a Drury/Briere box score in the paper every day. I had started reading the paper again here and there but I’m back to avoiding it. Ugh.
I know I said it all summer, but I just have to say it again — it amazes me how these non-signings have become the biggest non-signings in the history of the NHL. I mean, in the very same UFA crop the low-scoring Devils failed to re-sign their top forward and their top point-getting defenseman, which seems to me a much bigger across-the-board blow to a roster than losing two forwards on a very deep-at-forward team. I mean, I’m not asking for anyone to be keeping a “What a bunch of sucky losers you guys are for not keeping Rafalski and Gomez!” watch for us, but I’m just really surprised that everyone in the hockey media seems to still be beating the Briere/Drury drum. I think teams like the Islanders (losing Blake and Smyth), Canadiens (losing Souray) and the Devils were actually facing much more gaping holes thanks to their free agent departures than the Sabres were, and I’m starting to get annoyed not just on behalf of Sabres fans who have to keep hearing about this, but because dudes, MSM, there are other teams you can be excoriating for not re-signing their big UFAs.
During the game last night they put up a graphic of all the guys the Islanders lost and how many points it added up to and Mark was having a conniption. “What?! They lost three times as many points as we did! Somebody go pick on them and leave us alone!” It is extremely annoying and I really don’t know how the players have answered question after question about it without snapping and beating a reporter with the nearest stick. I feel like I’m going to lose it on somebody and it doesn’t really affect me personally.
there are other teams you can be excoriating for not re-signing their big UFAs.
“excoriating”? cmon Schnookie, I’ve had a bottle of wine here and can barely keep up with your vocabulary when I am sober! Remember, I am a Flyers fan! All these big word are making me tired!!!
gah. stupid italics didn’t work. i am blaming the wine. or gagne.
“excoriating”? cmon Schnookie, I’ve had a bottle of wine here and can barely keep up with your vocabulary when I am sober! Remember, I am a Flyers fan! All these big word are making me tired!!!
I’m just lucky I spent so long on the phone with Comcast because it sobered me right up tonight. But I’ll throw you a Flyers-fan bone, Kristin — Look! Briere’s scoring! He’s lived up to that entire contract in just these two games! :P
Oh, and Heather, I can NOT understand why the Islanders aren’t being held up as the most mismanaged team in hockey right now. It makes no sense to me at all how anyone looks at this last offseason and says, “The goofuses here are the bunglers running the show up in Buffalo.”
Look! Briere’s scoring! He’s lived up to that entire contract in just these two games! :P
One of which you lost!
Oh, crap, we were being nice to the Flyers fan, weren’t we? :-)
Ack, Saturday night on the phone with Comcast??!!? Id’ rather watch a Devils/Flyers game. No, wait, I’d rather be on the phone with Comcast.
Yeah Heather, remember you guys hate the Rangers more!
Kristin, I apologize, you’re right. I do hate the Rangers more. And I am actually more upset with Drury than Briere. I’m glad you’re happy, how about that? :-)
I feel much better, thank you. Now I can sleep (the wine was gonna make that easy anyhow, bit this helps…)
or but this helps…damn you wine!!!
OMG. Are you guys still awake?
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Depends. Is that an “You should all be in bed now OMG” or a “I’m so glad there are people still here OMG”?
Kristin’s been hitting the booze so she only counts as half awake :-)
zzzzzz….wha? what’s going on? did we win?
HEAAATHER! The guys clearly need me! They can’t play without me! I have to quit my job and cheer for the Sabres full time or they will never win again. My defensive boyfriend’s upper body is injured! On both nights I was able to watch a good chunk of the first period and then a little snippet of the second, and things seemed under control for the most part. As soon as I turn my back they lose! What are we going to do? Do you think that Crunchy will pay me to quit my job and watch the games?
The thing that sucks about not being able to watch the games is that I have no where to turn for reasonable info. I turned on the radio- yikes! No thanks. I tried to read the BfloBlog open game thread- JAY-SUS! No thanks.
Kate, I’m currently working on a more optimistic post about the game but for now, trust me – it’s not as bad as all that. In fact, it’s a game that we very easily could’ve won. It wasn’t a perfect game by any means but we didn’t get the bounces and sometimes that happens.
And what was with that BfloBlog open thread? Hello! I don’t want to talk about POLITICS during my hockey game!
My defensive boyfriend’s upper body is injured!
That may be the funniest thing you’ve ever said. I don’t know why but it totally cracked me up.
I thought the first period looked pretty good! You know, I really really really don’t want to deal with the Buffalo panic. There has GOT to be a way to be hard core about the Sabres without getting sucked in to the Buffalo vortex. It’s just so irresistible. So many people who want to talk about hockey!- but they are so CRAZY! Hmm. I don’t know how to manage it. I was pretty shocked at the tone of the BfloBlog thread.
I’m so glad you haven’t given up hope! I haven’t either, in fact I am sort of secretly convinced that this is good for them. Whatever was wrong in the playoffs is not the sort of ghost you want rattling around in the rafters. They need to exorcise that shit, even if that means a lousy start.
And Yo-Yo was sort of captainly there at the end, wasn’t he?!
If it helps you at all to hear it, Katebits, the Devils were atrocious last year until Thanksgiving. Marty was giving up 5 or 6 goals a night, the team was panicky and disorganized, and they generally looked like a huge-assed pile of puke (why do you think we started watching the Sabres in the first place?). They bottomed out by getting swept on their Thanksgiving-weekend western road trip (including a listless loss to the Coyotes). And by Christmas they were in first place in their division. No one in the East — not even the Sabres — got more points in the standings between December 1 and March 1. So yeah, there is no need to panic. I’m sorry there’s no way to avoid the rest of the Sabres fanbase panicking, though! (Pookie and I were laughing tonight that the entire Devils fanbase, after the loss to Tampa, was going, “Holy crap! Look at how they skated! Wait, they lost? Oh well — did you see you they skated?”)
Yo-Yo was totally captainly at the end. He decided he was going to get a goal and dammit, he got it.
The third period was way better than last night. They were playing together more rather than doing that every man for himself thing they’re so fond of. They had tons of SOG (17, I think) and some really great chances, they just wouldn’t go in.
And this is definitely good for them. I don’t think you want a team that’s as young as this one getting it in their heads that they can coast. We see how well that worked last season. If they have to struggle to get their heads on straight, so be it. It’s a long season and they have plenty of time yet to get it together.
I will admit though that it’s very difficult to not get sucked into the Buffalo mindset. Even Mark was getting cranky tonight. During the season I never listen to WGR unless I’m listening to the game. I hardly ever touch the newspaper and even then I avoid certain writers. We might have to be each other’s safe haven.
By the way Heather, while I’m thinking about it — you should totally cross-post your letter to Bucci onto HLOG!
Oh, Pookie just told me you did.
Never mind!
Oh, Pookie just told me you did.
Yeah, nice to see you paying attention and all :-)
She was hogging the computer all day! I haven’t had a chance to go to any other blogs!! She’s a selfish, cruel sister!!! :D
Thanks, Schnookie! That does help.
Probably because I wasn’t around for last year, I don’t feel super attached to the Sabres being THE BEST. I just want them to be a fun, exciting team that we can be proud of. I don’t mind that they might be disorganized right now. They sure looked disorganized the last time we saw them (playoffs)! I don’t know why we’d expect anything else, really. But they have the talent! They can do it! I know they can.
Heather, we DO need to be each others safe haven. I think that in my enthusiasm I have just been so ravenous for all things hockey that I haven’t been a very discerning audience. Frankly, I don’t care what everyone else is thinking, but I don’t like how I start to think when I engage in the Buffalo discourse. (Someone brilliant needs to study this town because I’m telling you, there is some really interesting/fucked-up psychological forces at work here.) I want to ENJOY hockey, for pete’s sake, even if they go 0-82. It’s still hockey. Hockey is fun!
Frankly, I don’t care what everyone else is thinking, but I don’t like how I start to think when I engage in the Buffalo discourse.
Kate, it is very, very easy to get sucked in. I had to apologize to someone at work the other day because I walked in the office, she said something about Daniel Briere, I held up a hand, said, “I am NOT talking about Daniel Briere” and then stormed out of the office. But I’m just SO SICK of hearing about it. Guard your heart, Kate! Guard your heart!
Sorry that took me ten years to write. I just realized that i missed Heather’s also comforting response to my whining!
Thanks, Heather!
Rough night for the Fancy Bits! I bench my most productive Bit! (Brad Richards)
My number one piece of advice however would be to avoid the post-game call-in show on WGR at all costs. It brings out the crazies and it’s very easy to start feeling more pessimistic listening to it.
Guard your heart, Kate! Guard your heart!
I DO need to guard my heart. I try not to be a guarded person, but in this instance, I think it would be wise. Listening to (and reading) non-stop hockey news is like CRACK. (Crack is whack.)
Jesus! It’s 3:00! Time for the -Ookies to go to bed! See you all in the morning, and don’t worry Katebits — it is all fun!
My number one piece of advice however would be to avoid the post-game call-in show on WGR at all costs.
When I left the hall today I didn’t know who won the game, so I turned on the radio. Big, big mistake.
Goodnight Ookies!
When I left the hall today I didn’t know who won the game, so I turned on the radio. Big, big mistake.
I understand. Just don’t do it again! :-)
Sadly, as much as I would love to stay and comfort you some more, I have to work in the morning so I should probably get to bed as well. Remember, don’t buy into the hype! It was NOT a terrible game, I swear!
Goodnight, Heather!
My defensive boyfriend’s upper body is injured!
I’ve heard that it was migraines. Lydman was suffering from them before the game and took some meds, which did not work so well (and I think a well placed elbow from TLB didn’t help matters).
Usually the Canucks power play blows. I LOVE hockey!
I thought the Canucks were cooked when Luongo went down in the second period after his own teammate pushed someone onto him. I was glad to see him get back up and stay in the game.
Well, I guess migraines do count as upper-body, don’t they? I just hope they’re not Flyers-esque migraines, the kind used to force guys back into the lineup too soon after concussions (Recchi, Roenick, et al). (Not that I suspect the Sabres of doing that. It’s just something I can’t avoid mentioning when hockey players announce they’re suffering migraines…)
Poor, Peapod. I hope your noggin feels better soon, Toni Tony Tone.
Toni Tony Tone says, “Thanks, Sugar!” (He does call you “Sugar”, right?)
:D He does now!
It’s just the migraines, though — they’re making him a little crazy. Once they clear up he’ll be back to calling you “Ms. Katebits”, because he prefers to keep your relationship (the Katebits-Katebits’ Favorite Sabre one, I mean) a professional one.
It’s true, whenever Toni gets knocked in the head (or has too much to drink), he starts calling me all sorts of goofy pet names. Once he feels better he’ll go back to Ms. Katebits, but I can’t wait to tease him about this lapse of formality.
Poor Toni! He’s going to be so embarrassed when he returns to his senses, especially when he realizes he called you “Sugar” in a public forum.
Aw, maybe I’ll go easy on him this time.
Hey wow — guess who just left? The comcast guy! And guess who had NO IDEA HOW TO FIX OUR PROBLEM? The comcast guy! Grrrr…
Hey wow — guess who just left? The comcast guy! And guess who had NO IDEA HOW TO FIX OUR PROBLEM? The comcast guy! Grrrr…
Brilliant.
The saddest thing about this whole Comcast affair (so far — I suspect I’ll be sadder when we finally give into Comcast’s monopolistic ways and go back to using their pile of puke DVR instead of the TiVo Series 3 we paid an armload for) is that every single rep we’ve talked to (the count is at 7 so far) has no idea what “NHL” or “Center Ice” means. No one recognizes it’s a sports package. And twice the reps referred to it as “NFL” or “NBA” and when corrected have responded as if “NHL” is just a bunch of nonsense letters we put together to make trouble. The tech support supervisor informed me they have not heard indication that anyone else is having this problem. I was all set to shout, “You’ve got to be kidding me that there is not a single other person in this market that is having problems with Center Ice on their TiVo Series 3!” then I realized that, well, it’s highly likely that there aren’t very many people in our area signing up for Center Ice, let alone people who also have the Series 3. Sigh.
Toni had some smallish issues with migraines last season so this isn’t totally off the wall. Last season he missed a handful of games and then was back on the ice. I’m pretty sure this is a pre-pro hockey thing for him. (I could totally be making that up.)
I’m so sorry about your Comcast woes, -ookies! I will pray for a speedy recovery for your tivo system. I know from experience that cable providers are one of the WORST people to try to deal with when there are technical issues beyond, “I need cable”. I wish you well. My thoughts are with you.
Poor, Toni! I have never had migraines but my mother has suffered from them her entire life, and from what I have witnessed they can be brutal. I wonder if Toni has a good acupuncturist? He should get one, ASAP.
Pookie and I played “good cop, bad cop” with the technician who came out today. He tried to tell us that the problem was that our Tivo is a one-way device, and told his supervisor we were trying to run comcast cable cards through our DirecTV receiver, so I ripped into him, then Pookie stepped in and soothed him and ended up getting the direct extension for some higher-up in the technical division, whom she left with a threat hanging over his head that she is going to call him every single day until our Center Ice is working. It was a blast. The best part of this all is that we’ve now spoken to seven different people over the last 48 hours about this and we’ve gotten seven different answers. Good times! (It should be noted the cable is just our auxiliary tv. Our satellite is still working fine.)
I wonder if Toni has a good acupuncturist? He should get one, ASAP.
Are you volunteering, Kate?
There’s a great picture of Toni grinning at TLB over the ref in the photo gallery of last night’s game. You can practically hear Toni saying, “That’s right, you’re a little bitch!”
Schnookie, I got married so I wouldn’t have to deal with cable people. Mark hates doing it too but I flatly refuse.
At this point I am imagining your entertainment unit as some sort of Frankenstein television setup. I’m picturing cables and wires all over the place, and like twelve different tivos all precariously stacked. Duct tape, twine, bunny ears with tinfoil attached, and a giant remote control that looks like this.
That’s like Sid Crosby’s remote! And Heather, Pookie normally does take care of these things, but I just lost it today when the guy was here. As for how frankensteiny our TV appears, it looks pretty benign. It’s just when you try to make it all work together that the lightning bolts start crackling down the giant, spiral conductors on the roof and the big metal slab we use as a TV table starts humming with corpse-reanimating energy…
but you know :x even with all that trouble I’d still really want this whole TiVo concept (hahaha hi Canada. MAKE ME SOMETHING ROGERS!) It sounds really fantastic.
and as an aside – also fantastic is Toskala :0 i don’t know how much more heart-attack inducing overtimes I can take from the Leafs!
and happy thanksgiving canada :D
It’s just when you try to make it all work together that the lightning bolts start crackling down the giant, spiral conductors on the roof and the big metal slab we use as a TV table starts humming with corpse-reanimating energy…
You guys just had to go against the laws of nature and try to combine satellite and cable. You are messing with God’s Plan, here!
Oh yeah — happy Thanksgiving, you crazy Canucks! (What kind of country has Thanksgiving in October??? We all know the Pilgrims had the first Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November. Come on, Canada! Get it right! :P)
Katebits, you’re right. We’re learning a very valuable lesson about defying the natural order of things.
Nah, Schnookie. In a few years, everyone will have a Frankenvison set in their den. You ladies are pioneers, paving the way for future hockey fans.
Yeah, to put our contributions to the world in terms Bucci might understand, the -Ookies are to multiple-input television setups as Daniel Boone was to the Cumberland Gap.
Yay Thanksgiving! I don’t eat turkey but I love all the sides so it’s all good. And I’m in such a good mood because my boys won last night. Matty O kicked ass and Nazzy is on fire. He actually hit Phaneuf into the boards and Phaneuf was a little bitch and whined to the refs. It’s probably a little unhealthy the Canucks affect my mood so much. Good luck with your cable Ookies!
The TV setup sounds absolutely awesome. Now if Comcast would work, it’d be even cooler.
put our contributions to the world in terms Bucci might understand
Now WHY would you do that? I prefer to watch him struggle with his own rampant feelings of inadequacy which are all inexplicably linked to his ability to find the worst possible match of a song lyric and an actual situation.
And I’m in such a good mood because my boys won last night. Matty O kicked ass and Nazzy is on fire.
Whooooo! Good for you!
Schnookie, I got married so I wouldn’t have to deal with cable people. Mark hates doing it too but I flatly refuse.
I stopped using cable so I wouldn’t have to deal with cable people.
the -Ookies are to multiple-input television setups as Daniel Boone was to the Cumberland Gap.
:^:::::::::::::::
Can you just hook up your TiVo 3 between your satellite and your auxilliary TV?
I have a bedroom TV with a plain DirecTV box and a Series 1 TiVo box. (They hadn’t even started calling it a series yet. It was the first one.) I don’t know what the difference would be for Series 3. I’m hoping you can do that because I want one.
We also stopped using cable to not have to deal with cable people, then moved into a house with the world’s most beautiful maple tree smack-dab in the middle of our southern exposure. So the only way to get half our HD channels is to go cable (which also offers more HD sports programming in the first place). Sigh. There really is no perfect solution, is there? I guess on the bright side, we’re not putting all our eggs in one basket — if our satellite craps out we still have the cable and vice-versa.
That’s like Sid Crosby’s remote!
Is that so that, when Sid accidentally sits on it with his giant caboose, it won’t be lost forever?
It’s also so that it’s more like his Jitterbug phone — the little old man trapped inside that 20-year-old’s body can cope easier with all those giant, simplified buttons. But yes, it’s also to keep his giant caboose from completely obscuring it from sight. Sid squeaked with delight the first time he saw it, “Finally! Something that’s bigger than my caboose!”
Of course, I’m not saying I never have trouble with satellite, but they usually panic earlier and start giving you stuff for free, or sending managers, if you complain the right way. :D
I’m getting mine upgraded for all the new HD channels this Friday. I have a fear that they’ve screwed up the schedule somehow and the local contractor won’t show up, but I can’t seem to get them on the phone to confirm it. I really can’t wait to see all the new HD channels. Can “pommerdoodling” apply to non-hockey situations?
…then moved into a house with the world’s most beautiful maple tree smack-dab in the middle of our southern exposure.
I have a tree right in front of my dish, too, but fortunately, it’s the worlds ugliest pear tree. I want to have it taken down, but I’m saving my money until it actually affects my reception, which it hasn’t so far.
You guys, I’m watching the DVRed Devils game from last night, and David Clarkson is adorable. They just interviewed him and I totally wanted to reach into the television and affectionately smoosh his face.
I’m so jealous of your HD-capability! I’m sure the install will be fine — you’re so right that the DirecTV people are waaaaaay more capable and responsive than any cable people anywhere are. Unfortunately I really love our maple tree more than I would love more HD channels on our satellite. I mean, it was the reason we bought the house! Anyway, you should totally be pommerdoodling about this!
I’m boooored.
Unfortunately I really love our maple tree more than I would love more HD channels on our satellite.
I totally understand that! If my live oak tree were blocking it, I’d just have to figure out a different place to put it. Like on a totally illegal pole in the alley or something. :D
If you like Clarkson, I put together highlight reel from last night’s game. [link]
The pregame show tonight forced us to take up smoking (a la Frisby)
That would depend on what it was you were smoking. ;)
I’m sorry to hear about your cable troubles, good luck with that.
Frisby, those are some fantastic highlights! I LOVE CLARKSON!!!
Oh, and I should clarify that I love Clarkson, but totally within the boundaries of recognizing he is your boy, Frisby! :D
As long as you recognize that, we’re cool. :P
I think my favorite Clarkson moment from last night’s game was the way, after he drew that slashing penalty on whichever Panther it was, that he stood there, not retaliating, and just nodding at the Panther like the awesome punk he am. He is like a big, young, enthusiastic second coming of Gionta. I LOVE IT!
Ookies, I’m sorry to hear about your cable troubles. Utility companies as a whole are just horrible to deal with. At least on the bright side, there’s not a lot of hockey for you to miss tonight.
Oh, for anyone who pays attention to that sport they call “baseball” — is Grady Sizemore, like, hitting grand slams at every at bat or something? We had over 100 views yesterday from people searching for him, and over 70 today — and the only thing they’re finding here is the ONE mention we had of him in our All-Star Game Diary. I have to say, these Sizemore fans (including the SEVERAL who hit us searching “Grady Sizemore naked calendar”. HUH????) are a kind of obsessed that make us feel really well-balanced and normal.
At least on the bright side, there’s not a lot of hockey for you to miss tonight.
Thanks for your concern, Amy! But actually, it’s only a minor annoyance (as much as one can be minorly annoyed after spending as much as we have to get the cable and tivo in the first place) because we also have satellite. So we’re still Center Ice-enabled, and we still have tivo capacity to record another game while watching the Devils. What we don’t have is the ability to record two other games on top of that. So we didn’t get to record the Caps and Pens games last night. It’s terrible! How can we live like that??? (Actually, it kind of bit because we were planning to spend this afternoon watching those games and instead ended up like Katebits: BOOOOOOOORED!)
Seriously. So bored.
We’re playing Katamari, if it’s any help. And trying to figure out why so many baseball fans are finding us all of a sudden. I hope they’re all reconsidering their sports affiliations right about now…
I’ve been playing Bookworm, and I managed to get the word, PULVERIZE. Thank you. Thank you very much. *waves*
I hope they’re all reconsidering their sports affiliations right about now…
If they don’t, then there’s no hope for them.
I believe Grady Sizemore is currently kicking Yankee as which makes him a-okay in my book. And though I am hockey loyal, if there were a naked Grady calendar out there… well, it might be worth looking for.
Bored? But Sunday is cartoon night, starting now with the Simpsons. Ending at 12:30 am with The Oblongs. I can’t watch the hockey game because Marleau, Cheechoo, AND Budaj are all proud players for the Evil Orange Stripes.
I’m looking at the Sabres pictures on Yahoo. Some of them are pretty funny.
I’ve been playing Bookworm, and I managed to get the word, PULVERIZE. Thank you. Thank you very much. *waves*
:::applause:::
PULVERIZE? Patty, I’m humbled!
For the Sabres fans in the room, we changed our Sabre player wallpaper so the team should be ready to go Thursday. The last guy clearly wasn’t cutting it so we really felt it was time to move on. (More or less our only hockey superstition.)
I guess if I was smart, I would have benched Budaj. The Rabid Chinchillas have no goalie playing tonight and EOS was already leading in those stats.
Pulverize?! Holy cow, that’s an awesome Bookworm word!
The PanBoxers on the Avs are a little conflicted tonight, since they’re shooting at their own Nabokov. This can’t be good for team chemistry. They’re all going to have to head out to the low-ropes course tomorrow to make up for it.
The PanBoxers on the Avs are a little conflicted tonight, since they’re shooting at their own Nabokov.
Haha! Still, a lotta teams don’t even have their own Nabokov!
Pulverize?! Holy cow, that’s an awesome Bookworm word!
Pulverize is just a good word all ’round. :D
Pulverize is a good word, for example, when you’re trying to describe what the Marauders are doing to the Raccoon Wives.
Fantasy hockey is turning me into a monster — I’m cheering for the Avs! This is terrible! That play was PanBoxer-to-PanBoxer-to-PanBoxer. Just the way I like it!
Pulverize is also a good word to describe what the Avs are doing to the Sharks. I’m so, so sorry, andrew!
Is it better to get offensive points in Yahoo, or better to get good goaltending? My Av troika is cleaning up tonight, but it’s all against my goaltender. Is this good or bad? Pandora’s Boxworthy is like a snake eating it’s own tail. It’s getting a nutritious dinner, but at what cost?
Pandora’s Boxworthy is like a snake eating it’s own tail. It’s getting a nutritious dinner, but at what cost?
Pookie, you’ve opened Pandora’s Boxworthy’s Pandora’s Box!
There are more offensive categories, aren’t there? I’d go with that. Do Thornton and Marleau have any points?
I have to admit that I was kind of cheering for Olli Jokinen against the Devils for a few minutes last night. (Not to win the game or anything, but maybe to score a goal.) He’s a Fancy Bit. So are Marty and Zach, though. Fantasy makes for an interesting viewing experience when you are not watching your primary team.
Fantasy makes for an interesting viewing experience when you are not watching your primary team.
I think it’s kind of nice to have someone on both teams playing, that way you’re really happy either way. For me it’s not nearly as stressful as watching my real team play.
Pookie, you’ve opened Pandora’s Boxworthy’s Pandora’s Box!
Ooooh, you’re right! I think I’ll just assume that it’s best to get a zillion points from the Avs than decent numbers from Nabby. I wish they’d pulled him after the first goal, though.
Remember when I said I didn’t want to have so many Avs in my line-up? I was wrong.
Wait, Brian Engblom does studio work for “Altitude”? Wha-huh??? (And is there a stupider name for a channel than “Altitude”? I was saying to Pookie earlier tonight that it makes Versus sound like “PBS”.)
Fantasy hockey is turning me into a monster
So true, so true. For some idiotic reason, I forgot to play Gerber last night, and he got a shutout. I was totally spazzing and my sister was about to smack me.
Oh and Patty, excellent job on pulverize. :)
Paul Stastny is so hideous. Wear your teeth, fool.
is there a stupider name for a channel than “Altitude”?
Sounds like those tv show excerpts they show on airlines instead of an actual movie.
Pandora’s Boxworthy is like a snake eating it’s own tail. It’s getting a nutritious dinner, but at what cost?
HILARIOUS!!!!
Pulverize is a good word, for example, when you’re trying to describe what the Marauders are doing to the Raccoon Wives.
I hate fantasy hockey!!! *runs away crying*
Sounds like those tv show excerpts they show on airlines instead of an actual movie.
zot, you’re totally right! That’s probably why the Avs don’t seem like a real, quality NHL team anymore, either. (Or is that just me?)
I hate fantasy hockey!!! *runs away crying*
Well, maybe you should have let Yahoo autodraft better for you.
Well, maybe you should have let Yahoo autodraft better for you.
Or maybe I should have pretended I was a Tampa Bay fan. :P
Patty, you could always pick up Tim Connolly! I really feel your fortunes would change then!
Patty, you could always pick up Tim Connolly! I really feel your fortunes would change then!
Yeah! I mean, notice how Timmy’s just tearing up opposing goaltenders right now.
When’s his next game? I got nobody playing right now.
I gotta get rid of some Rangers. They’re really screwing up my chi.
Yeah! I mean, notice how Timmy’s just tearing up opposing goaltenders right now.
He’s really ripping up those goalposts though. He’s hit atleast three! It’s just a matter of time!
I gotta get rid of some Rangers. They’re really screwing up my chi.
Yeah, they’ll do that.
Besides, Timmy’s a playmaker not a lowly goal scorer. It’s all about the good mojo of picking him up off the scrap heap.
Besides, Timmy’s a playmaker not a lowly goal scorer. It’s all about the good mojo of picking him up off the scrap heap.
If you were to pick up Stephane Robidas, I’ll think about it. :D
I soooo love Robidas, but he got zero goals last season. Plenty of assists. Led the team in hits, even, but that’s not a fantasy stat.
Patty, what position does Robidas play? I need to do some shuffling.
He’s defense! I’m just kidding about picking him up. I really doubt he’ll do anything offensively.
http://stars.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=339431
He thinks he’s can do it, though, so maybe he can. He got 3 goals in the pre-season, and even a shootout goal.
(Dave Tippett said he wished he had a camera when he told Robidas it was his turn in the shootout.)
He’s defense! I’m just kidding about picking him up. I really doubt he’ll do anything offensively.
So he’s not an adequate replacement for Scott Niedermayer, is that what you’re saying? :-)
So he’s not an adequate replacement for Scott Niedermayer, is that what you’re saying? :-)
In a nutshell. :)
Now that everybody’s probably gone to bed, I just want to mention that my blog is no longer hypothetical. It’s just as lame as I feared, but it’s up and running.
So, check it out if you feel like it, but take it easy on me. My feelings are easily hurt by the truth. ;D