Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Our pregame has us all kinds of wound up, because it’s MSG’s show about Game 6 of the 2000 SCF. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! It’s been a kind of rough past 24 hours for those of us who are friends with bottoming-out Sabres fans, as we’ve walked down memory lane to times when we’ve not loved hockey so much. But here’s MSG whisking us away from the lousy times and taking us right back to sheer, fucking awesomeness. Sure, it’s great as a fan to find the marvelous in the everyday, but you know what? Winning the Stanley Cup is, well… the best. It’s worth it. It’s definitely worth all the bad times. Just in case you’d forgotten. Heh.
Our pregame narrative from Steve is all about the star players for the Devils who are doing well these days. He’s all, “In the last game, Zach kept up his torrid goal scoring, and Patty was a beast, and Rolston is finding his all-star-caliber groove, and… ” He pauses, and searches for the right words, “Well, even Pandolfo got into the act.” PandoNation bristles, and wonders what he means by that.
FIRST PERIOD
19:51 Zach gets a lightning-quick shot basically off the opening draw, then sags when Turco turns it aside. “That’s strange,” he thinks, “That went in in St. Louis.”
16:48 There is some confusion in front of our TV as Pookie and Boomer are handing off some handcraft supplies, and Pookie sees Paulie following up on a rush down the slot after a Pando shot, dropping Stars all over the place as he goes. “Oooh!” She exclaims, “Paulie just made someone explode!”
15:57 Furious at his making-guys-explode trick not working, Paulie decides to carry the puck through the neutral zone and gets tripped up on the play. He falls down, slides a few yards, then in one smooth motion gets back to his feet, probably adding a “TA DA!” at the end. The Stars get a penalty, and it’s scorched earth time.
15:01 If by “scorched earth” we mean “offsides”.
14:22 Rolston misses the puck at the point, and as he turns to chug down the ice after it, Schnookie misreads his 12 as 17: “I just thought that was Rupp playing the point on the PP. I was like, ‘Has Sutter taken leave of his senses?’” Pookie: “Sutter, everything would not be tickety-boo then!”
14:04 Is it just us or is the ice nuclear-blast white?
12:52 Turco thinks he’s really hot shit, and decides to do some Ovechkin-style baseball-swinging, puck-bobbling clear of a Madden shot, but executes as well as Ovechkin did in last year’s ASG Superskills. Madden gets the puck back and has a look at the open net, but can’t finish on the bad angle. Pookie: “Madden’s got that barn he’s going to be taken out behind and shot flashing in front of his eyes.”
11:15 Zubrus flies up the ice with a little spinarama in the neutral zone, then barrels behind Turco’s net, passing to himself off the end boards, then wheels through a bunch of Stars defenders before finally losing the puck. Schnookie wonders aloud what the hell is going on with Zubrus, and Pookie answers, “Zach’s got him convinced there really is a plastic star scout in the building.”
10:42 We feel like we’re watching Blersus again, because there’s a penalty on the Stars and Chico has no idea how it happened. We get one replay, but no one can see what happened to earn Landon Wilson an interference penalty off a draw in the Devils zone. (When he goes to the box, Schnookie goggles, “Landon Wilson? The Landon Wilson?”)
9:51 Poop. The PP gets a dreadful reminder that it’s not a good idea to rest on your laurels. Eriksson scores on a long two-on-one that comes courtesy of a lazy, lazy change. 1-0 Stars. We all vomit copiously.
9:06 Clemmer thinks he’s Turco or something, and does a really good approximation of him, leaving his net to handle a mid-range dumped-in puck and completely muffing the whole thing. He barely scrambles back in time to be in net while an opportunistic Star fires a shot wide. We are further confident that the Clemmensen-as-this-year’s-Conklin Era is now over.
6:38 Clemmer freezes the puck after another flurry of Stars activity, and Schnookie wonders aloud, “Is Patty playing tonight? I haven’t seen him yet.”
5:32 Steve tells Chico he’s hoping for a Robidas “rabby-doo”, or however you spell Chico’s hilarious word for “scrap”. Chico giggles happily. We scurry to spend the next few minutes trying – and failing – to find any instance of this “rabby-doo” online, so as to verify the spelling at least. Do you suppose Chico invented his own language?
3:01 It’s good we haven’t been paying attention, because the Devils are pinned in their own zone.
2:30 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Applemotherfuckingsauce!!!! The Patty/Zubrus/Gio line creates all kinds of cycling havoc, and just as Schnookie is growling that someone needs to throw a garbage can at Patty’s head during intermission because of his insistence on touch-passing to guys at the point when he could otherwise be shooting, Mottau receives said touch-pass and blasts it through traffic to tie the game. 1-1 tie.
1:50 Another shift in the Stars zone yields a hooking penalty some Star. Let’s just not give up a shorty here, okay? (Wowza. Steve takes this stoppage to tell us that with that assist, Patty has now moved within 15 points of his entire season total from last year. Anyone who thinks the Devils have played in front of Clemmer the same way they’ve played in front of Marty the last few years need look no further than that.
0:32 The burned-out, blazing glare of the ice at center ice has been getting stronger and stronger all period, and now the Stars logo and red line are literally no longer visible.
0:23 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clarkson protects his eyes from the glare of center ice by parking behind the last PKer in front of the net, and is on the doorstep to dig loose a rebound of a Gio point shot and push it around a sprawling Turco to make it 2-1 Devils.
0:00 That period kind of encapsulated our point from the pregame – being a sports fan is all about high highs and low lows. And we get an interview with Applemotherfuckingsauce that MAKES OUR YEAR. Yeah, the highest high of all of 2008 is Mottau saying very earnestly that, as we all know, it’s good to have Intahchangeable Pahts.
FIRST INTERMISSION
For those who missed it the first time around, here’s the thing about the 2000 SCF again. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
SECOND PERIOD
19:30 Chico clearly doesn’t remember a single thing about last year when he tries to tell us Zach “has never been weak defensively”.
18:25 In praising the Devils’ four lines while the Rolston/Clarkson/Some-Other-Guy line is working the Dallas zone, Chico tells us that players hate when their coach is all about line matching. After a pause, he adds, “Well, they don’t hate it when they’re on the checking line.” “Damn straight,” say Madden and Pando as they share a fist bump on the bench.
16:37 Chico is on a roll here. He is telling us some rambling story about Langer’s origins with the Stars, and finally just trails off. When he realizes what he’s done, he chortles, “I’m sorry. I get distracted when the puck gets down into that scoring area. When that happens, Steve, you need to just jump in.” As if we needed to be reminded of what a consummate professional Doc is.
15:50 Hm. This seems to be the icing period for the Devils. Things are not going the way Sutter drew up. We hope. We suppose he might have drawn up a bunch of icings during the intermission. Surely he’s done crazier.
15:08 The Devils look hopelessly lost in their own zone, and are just lucky that the Star who finds the puck all alone in front of the net spins around and fires way wide.
14:33 If the Stars don’t tie the game up in the next minute, we’ll eat our hats.
14:21 Okay, they tie the game up in the next 12 seconds. There’s only so much running around chasing the puck (or, in most of the Devils’ cases, not chasing the puck) you can do before someone’s going to put the puck through Clemmer. After all, he still is Clemmer. And yes, it is that Landon Wilson tying the game at 2.
12:32 Dude, this period BLOWS. The Devils have checked out completely, and when the Modano line overpasses down low in front of Clemmer, the Devils are so flat-footed watching it happen that the Stars have plenty of time to recover the puck after they should have given it up and still fire a point-blank shot wide.
11:36 It only took 8 ½ minutes for the dreadful play of the Devils to cost them a penalty. As play is whistled, Pookie, not looking up from her quilting, says, “Let me guess. It’s on Holik.” She’s right. She is also hell-bent on blaming this period’s sucktitude on Clemmer; she’s been saying since the Stars goal, “We want Weekes! We want Weekes! Or, um, we want Clemmer to play better. Probably the latter.” When Schnookie suggests that Sutter could perhaps call a timeout now to go all “Mount Sutter eruption” on his team, Pookie says, “Yeah, and to put Weekes in!” Schnookie and Boomer inform Pookie that they think she’s crazy.
10:45 Please note that every single Holik penalty of the season so far has been accompanied, on the replay, by Chico saying, “They’re going to call that every time this year.” Not that Holik’s a relic or anything.
10:02 Happy, Blobby? We get a long look at him skating, unchagrined, from the box after Leach and Clemmer mishandle a rebound to allow Parrish to score in close. 3-2 Stars. Pookie: “I’m blaming Holik for that.” Schnookie: “Actually, I was going to blame Clemmer.” (Chico blames Clemmer, too.)
9:33 There are Devils flying everywhere at the near point, and it seems that Ott is making a game tonight of running our boys. One man’s petulant little ice troll is another man’s cheapshot artist. Let it be said here, if he injures a Devil, he’s going to the very top of our list. Myra.
9:20 We go to commercial with the still overwhelmed Devils going on the PK. We don’t know who took the penalty or how. (When we come back from commercial we just see on the scoreboard that it was Greener, for hooking.)
7:46 We are deep in discussion of whether this is the worst period the Devils have played since that first post-Marty game against Buffalo. Pookie’s not sure, but Schnookie can’t remember a period of this sustained craptitude across the board.
6:07 Lehtinen’s still alive?
4:22 The most shocking stat of this period comes from Steve: the Stars are outshooting the Devils 11-2. There is no way the Devils have two shots here.
4:04 Rupp hits Ott hard at the near boards at the Devils blue line, Ott does that “I’m dropping the gloves” feint, and Rupp bites. The officials seem to have a sense of The Code here, whatever it is, and don’t call any penalties.
3:06 As the Devils continue to be complete ass in their own zone, Chico tells us that the Devils will need to take liberties with Ribeiro, since Ott isn’t going to fight because he has a broken hand. “Can’t fight City Hall,” Pookie cracks. “Especially since City Hall is also a yapping douchebag.”
1:52 Clemmer makes a snappy save on an out-of-nowhere shot from the slot by the reanimated corpse of Lehtinen. In the course of making some “why am I talking so loud? Because I’m wrong!” statement about Holik, Schnookie says, “Wow, that was a great save by Clemmer.” There is a long pause, then Boomer says, “No.”
1:13 There is finally something good happening for the Devils on a two-on-two rush, but Clarkson decides to barrel into Turco just as Paulie’s firing a turned-over puck into the net. No goal, of course, as Clarkson gets called for goalie interference. Way back when we were new fans, we heard the criteria for goalie interference hilariously defined as, “Could he have stopped himself if it was a pit of snakes he was falling into?” Pookie says of this one, as Chico tries to say it wasn’t necessarily a penalty, “He could have stopped himself if that was a pit of mice.” We watch as he settles into the box, and she adds, “Playing the part of Bobby Holik…”
0:22 Paulie gets called for cross-checking in front of the net. The wheels? Have fallen off.
0:00 It’s official: that was the worst period of hockey the Devils have played since that Buffalo game. That was dreadful, from top to bottom.
SECOND INTERMISSION
We get a feature about how they’re putting together the ice for the Winter Retread Classic. This should surprise absolutely no one to hear that we couldn’t care less about the NHL’s outdoor games.
THIRD PERIOD
We really hope Sutter made the boys ride the bikes during intermission, while he threw garbage cans at their heads.
19:50 The Stars start the period with a five-forward 5-on-3 unit.
19:08 And miracles do sometimes happen, in this case the Devils managing to kill the 45 seconds of two-man advantage.
18:12 Other miracles? Killing the remainder of the penalty, while Clarkson is out on the PK. We did not see that coming.
17:44 Zach tries to put on a razzly-dazzly rush to beat a defender straight-up, but leaves the puck behind in his deking. Pookie: “Obviously Zubrus believed Zach about the plastic star scouts, but the rest of the guys have managed to convince Zach since then that there is no such thing as a plastic star scout.” The idea of Zach no longer believing in plastic star scouts is almost too sad to bear.
16:34 Steve tells us the two shots the Devils got in the second is the lowest single-period total allowed by the Stars this season. Great.
14:34 There is a faceoff in the Devils zone for which the Poppers take the ice. Chico tells us this is a big shift, on which Zach and his cohorts will want to “keep up the momentum”. Pookie: “What momentum? The ‘not getting scored on’ momentum, I guess.”
13:41 The teams are trading grade-A chances, which, while frustrating that the Devils are giving up grade-A chances, is, we guess, a step up, since they’re at least taking some in turn.
12:52 Steve has insisted all night on calling Niskanen “NEESH-ka-nin”. It’s driving us batty.
11:59 What is this we see? Hard work? By a Devil? Say it isn’t so! Rupper bowls down the wing and draws a holding penalty for his trouble. Ott yaps at him all the way back to the bench, and we hope he’s saying something about how he’s not worried, and the Devils aren’t going to score on the PP anyway. That would be funny because it’s true.
10:52 The Stars get another great shorthanded chance. We are having a special New Year’s Eve countdown now – to the end of this game.
9:59 Gio carries the puck in offsides, but it confuses Chico to no end that the Devils are getting called for too many men because the lineman waits about a week before making up his mind and blowing the whistle.
9:50 Pookie, as Chico calls the Devils’ opponent “the Northstars”: “He’s as out of it as the Devils are.”
5:53 We don’t have much to say about this one anymore. It’s kind of surprising that, after how wretched they’ve been so far, the Devils are only one goal back. But one goal seems like a completely insurmountable lead.
4:38 We go to commercial and see the one for the Marines with the guy talking about facing his greatest challenge while diving off a platform. Pookie regales the room with the biggest challenge of her workday: “Someone asked me to explain what the Marines are. And I had to do it without using the word ‘badass’.”
4:23 Madden’s out with Rolston and Clarkson, and Chico tells us this is a move made for “more speed.” We’re stunned. Pookie: “You know the game has passed you by when A) your name is Derian Hatcher, or B) you’re getting replaced by Madden for more speed.”
3:05 Patty gets sprung on a mini-break, but he can’t beat Turco five-hole while defying his poke-check. Pookie is aghast: “Turco never stops those!” Schnookie: “Well, he can stop them now because he’s not tanking to get rid of Avery.” (It merits mention that Patty’s fired.)
0:46 The last best chance for the Devils is a not-very-wild wild scramble in front on which the white sweaters are all blocking each other’s shots.
0:40 The foregone conclusion when a Devils goalie leaves the net is an empty netter. Honestly, the other teams in the NHL are shooting 100% when the Devils have the extra attacker in the final minutes. Ericksson gets this one, and it’s 4-2 Stars.
0:00 We hated, hated, hated this game. It was nothing short of puketastic. But hey. It’s New Year’s Eve, so we’re supposed to be looking at the big picture – our boys are doing a hell of a lot better than we ever would have expected when Marty got hurt. And to cap off the year with a happy thought, let’s all just think back to Patty in the far corner, firing a backhand pass off the boards to Arnott down low… Yeah. The high highs are so much better for having been through the low lows.
And win, lose, or tie (we wish!), we hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2009!
Are your guys talking about the party in the plaza out front? That nut Ric Renner was saying they’re expecting 30,000 people. Then five minutes later he said 50,000. So I’m sure he’s making it all up. :D
Our guys aren’t talking about your party at all. They’ve been talking about the 2000 Stanley Cup. :D
30,000, 50,000, it’s all the same. Is he like Hal Gill from those Knob Hockey videos? “The crowd is 300 feet… tall!”
Is he like Hal Gill from those Knob Hockey videos? “The crowd is 300 feet… tall!”
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
“The crowd is 300 feet… tall!”
HAHAHA!
(I miss Knob Hockey.)
You know, y’all were talking about Razor using words incorrectly and such… When the Myras were over for a game, I freaked out at one point because he actually said, “LACK-adaisical,” instead of, “LAX-adaisical.”
I’m sure Kid thought I was nuts.
He always says LAXadaisical! It’s AWFUL! You should email him. Before he overjoys you. :D
I assure you the Kid is well versed in Razorisms and it did not phase her. That particular one is not one of my favorites.
Patty, what do you think about Razor’s outfit?
Hee hee hee! I miss Knob hockey!
The Canucks did a video podcast about their New Year’s Resolutions and Rob Davison said he wants to become a more voracious reader and right now he’s reading the Twilight series. HAHAHAHA.
alix, are you serious?!? That’s incredible!
Drive-by “Happy New Year!” from Raleighwood. Flipping Le Tube between the WJC game and the ‘Canes game. I think those younguns in the WJC game are going to kill each other before this game ends. The ‘Canes/Thrashers not so much.
Go Dallas! (throws a rock and runs away)
Hey Pokecheck! Happy New Year to you and yours, too! And… (throws the rock right back). :D
Totally serious. Delightful! I heart Rob Davison.
No, Pookie! I think he’s trying to correct himself on the LAXadaisical!
(I heard one of the guys calling the WJC say lax-adaisical.)
I guess Rob Davison yearns for pure, pure love.
Poopy Stars. That sucked.
*tiny voice* woooooo.
Oh, you can use your normal goal voice. That’s fine. *weighs rock in hand to test throwing trajectory*
What’s the score at the WJC, Pokecheck? (Nobody’s avoiding that spoiler, are they?)
*weighs rock in hand to test throwing trajectory*
Doodly-doo!*kicks dirt innocently*
It’s 5-4 for Canada, Patty. This game is bizonkers.
I guess Rob Davison yearns for pure, pure love.
Hee hee hee! I’m still single… :P
Hee hee hee! I’m still single… :P
He’s like, “Great! Can I watch you sleep now? And do you mind if I glitter in the sun? Like a giant disco ball?”
Yikes, alix! When I left, it was 3-0 US! That’s crazy. They’ll probably both get more than 10 goals, instead of just one of them, like their games against the hapless Khazaks.
Hee. Hee. Hee.
**ducks and runs**
Yikes, alix! When I left, it was 3-0 US! That’s crazy. They’ll probably both get more than 10 goals, instead of just one of them, like their games against the hapless Khazaks.
Yeah, John Tavares scored twice in about three minutes. Then they tied it up a minute later. Then the US went back up. Then Canada went back up. There was a million penalties in between there. End to end. Craziness.
HOLY SHIT! What a great save!
He’s like, “Great! Can I watch you sleep now? And do you mind if I glitter in the sun? Like a giant disco ball?”
AHAHAHA!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! AppleMFSauce! WOOO!!!
alix, that game sounds awesome!
It might be the best Canada/US junior game I’ve ever seen.
YAY Devils!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Clarkson! That was so subtle for him.
clarkson with a goal that was NOT a clark-a-round!!!
POOP.
mottau just said “interchangeable parts!!” he reads this blog!
Clarkson’s probably all, “I shot the puck around Turco; can that count as a mini-Clarkaorund? Please?”
Sorry, Myra! There’s still plenty of Johannes BRAAAA-AHMS! left to be played.
Wow, they just showed a John Tavares interview on the NHL Network and I’m not sure it’s even POSSIBLE for him to sound less dynamic. I mean, really.
Wow, they just showed a John Tavares interview on the NHL Network and I’m not sure it’s even POSSIBLE for him to sound less dynamic. I mean, really.
Tavares always sounds like the biggest mini douchebag. Heh. I’ll take his performance on the ice though!
Luckily, I like Brahms.
That is a shame about Tavares, since we will be seeing tons of him in the next few years. Always hoping for some players with personality. But then they can’t all be like my petulant little ice troll. :P
poopy
I’ll take his performance on the ice though!
True.
mottau just said “interchangeable parts!!” he reads this blog!
Next thing you know he’ll be referring to himself in the third person as Applemotherfuckingsauce!
That totally sucked.
Not really.
That totally sucked.
Not really.
Hee!
Myra, :^:::::::::::::::::::::::: No, I’m pretty sure you’re wrong. It sucked. :PPPPPPP
Thank you Blobby.
And Clemmer. Don’t forget Clemmer.
WOOOOOO! That was AWESOME!
Chico just mentioned the big party but didn’t promise any 300-feet-tall crowds.
alix, is the game over? Who won?
There’s a 300-foot video screen with a picture of the crowd on it, does that count?
Canada won 7-4 :) 2 were empty netters.
I’m guessing if alix is Wooing then Canada must have won.
2 empty-netters? That does not sound very smrt.
There’s a 300-foot video screen with a picture of the crowd on it, does that count?
No, that does not count. :P
Yeah, I’m not really sure how 2 empty netters happened. Cody Hodgson the baby Canuck had 3 pts!
Was Cormier super-foxy?
Yeah he really was actually! He was a hott sized wrecking ball out there and had some very nice moves in front of the net. They had a Devils scout guy on in the pre show and he said Cormier can probably be an even fancier (more offensive talent) John Madden.
Fancier than John Madden?! Perish the thought! (I think that’s the first time “fancy” and “Madden” have been used in the same sentence!)
An even fancier Madden??? I can’t imagine such a thing! :P
Hee hee hee! Yeah, I didn’t think Madden was fancy. :D But I think he meant Cormier can have all of Madden’s checking ability, but have some extra…Zachniess as well.
But I think he meant Cormier can have all of Madden’s checking ability, but have some extra…Zachniess as well.
That sounds DELICIOUS. And a bit Travisy! Sweet! :D
Mmmmmm extra Zachiness… I like the sound of that!
Ok I just watched my ‘Canes beat the Trash and now it’s on to the Devils/Stars tilt. Nobody cares, but with Our Lord Marty on the IR, my new favorite Devil is Clemmer. The Clemm. Clemm-holio. Mr. Clemmy Pants.
Oh yeah. Go Dallas. *throws a pinecone*
Two great hockey anncr words = gassed and mauled.
*throws a bushel of pinecones* *extra sappy ones*
Pinecone fights are funny AND they hurt so they are awesome.
I just threw a pinecone at Gionta.
Pinecone fights are funny
So true!
Are you watching the Stars feed, Pokecheck? Because gassed and mauled sound like Razor.
I just threw all the pinecones in the Pine Barrens at the entire Devils line-up.
I was thinking the same thing, Patty.
I just threw a whole fucking pinetree at Elias.
Yep it’s the Stars feed on Center Ice. I’m so torn here. I have no dog in this race, but I like Clemmholio and the Devils because they are actually doing okay without Darth Marty and I like Turco because he’s funny and I like Modano because he looks like Timmy Turner from The Fairly Oddparents. I’m obviously watching this game for the wrong reasons.
Devils: It’s hard to stick-handle while we’re ducking pinecones!
Devils: It’s hard to stick-handle while we’re ducking pinecones!
Yeah, and the Star committing various hooking/slashing penalties that went uncalled! But mostly the pinecones.
Those are fine reasons, Pokecheck!
Devils: It’s hard to stick-handle while we’re ducking pinecones!
Hehehe.
RAWR. Matty made the hits of the week!
Devils: It’s hard to stick-handle while we’re ducking pinecones!
Excuses, excuses.
They’d better watch out. As we recently learned from the Sabres troubles, if you’re really crappy bad things happen. The coach might even rearrange your locker room!
Congratulations, Stars fans!
Meg, are you serious? That was Lindy’s response all that? Rearranging the dressing room? That’s… Wow. I hope it works!
Excuse my Canadian stupidity, but are Nashville and Atlanta close together?
My EVIL back keeps me home rather than oot and aboot on NYE but my hat is tipped to all at Ookie Central for being funny-ass people. Don’t stop hating!
Thanks, Pookie! We’re even now! Except the Devils didn’t look nearly as bad in this loss as we looked in ours.
Kind of close, alix. They’re both in the lower right corner. If that helps.
Meg, are you serious? That was Lindy’s response all that? Rearranging the dressing room? That’s… Wow. I hope it works!
Yes. He says he’s thought about it for a long time and made the decision with the coaches. And there might be more stalls moved at a later date (dun dun dunnnnn). I sincerely hope this isn’t his ONLY response.
alix, they’re a little closer than Ottawa and Toronto.
alix, no nashville and atlanta aren’t THAT close together. they are about three states away from each other, but still southern cities.
Kind of close, alix. They’re both in the lower right corner. If that helps.
Kind of close…silly NHL office back to back road trip close?
Thanks, Pookie! We’re even now! Except the Devils didn’t look nearly as bad in this loss as we looked in ours.
I agree with Patty. Good game all around tonight. The Stars didn’t even show up for the last one.
You can’t just jump in the car and zip from one to the other. But they’re not at opposite ends. Here in Texas we have a bad sense of what’s close. :D
If you’re from Vancouver and you have to go to both places, they should probably be on the same trip.
*finds map to explain where Tennessee and Georgia exist in relation to one another because apparently Google does not exist everywhere*
You can’t just jump in the car and zip from one to the other.
They’re like four hours apart by car. So kinda of like Boston and NYC? Is that not a good reference for a Canadian? :D
Except the Devils didn’t look nearly as bad in this loss as we looked in ours.
I dunno… The Stars were Avery Killing then, so they had an excuse. A bad one, but an excuse nonetheless. The Devils were just disinterested in working hard tonight. They didn’t win one single puck battle. Not one. That’s… not good. I’m not freaking out — not until they show up just as lazy on Friday night — but it’s really, really annoying. I’m going to go move their lockers around.
Hee. Thanks guys! It just seemed a little absurd to me that the Canucks have to dash out on the road for 2 games and play Nashville and Atlanta back to back, but maybe it’s not as bad as I was imagining. And they are wearing those circadian rhythm bracelets now so I maybe I don’t need to worry. :D
That game sucked ass. But nevertheless, congrats, Stars fans. :D
Good game all around tonight. The Stars didn’t even show up for the last one.
Au contraire — the Devils were nowhere near the ice in the second period. :PPPPP
Meg, that’s HILARIOUS that Lindy rearranged the dressing room! All the Sabres and their cliques! What a disaster for them! Heh. (Was it Julien who did that to the Devils? I remember that happening a few years ago… but I might be making that up.)
Hub says they are 4 or 5 hours apart. Heck, that’s just a trip home for us here in Texas! It’s about the same as from here (in Dallas) to San Angelo. I know that clears things up completely for you, alix. :P
The problem is, alix, that Nashville should be in the East.
The Stars were Avery Killing then…
I think we were being Avery-killed. :P
but it’s really, really annoying. I’m going to go move their lockers around.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Devils: “NOOOOOO!!!! Anything but that!”
And you could TOTALLY make Nashville-to-Atlanta a day trip. It would be a long day, but you could do it.
It’s about the same as from here (in Dallas) to San Angelo.
I’ve never even heard of San Angelo! It’s kinda like if I drove to work and back twice in a row. Does that help? It’s like if Nashville and Atlanta both left a train station going at 50 mph…
All the Sabres and their cliques! What a disaster for them! Heh.
Yeah, apparently now the defensemen have to sit with the defensemen and the forwards are with the forwards. Oh, the pain! Pommers, of course, says he likes it.
4 hours? I’m going back to saying they’re close. :P That’s about the same as here to Houston.
The Kid’s teachers constantly rearrange their desks to deal with discipline issues. But then she is in sxith grade. :)
It’s like if Nashville and Atlanta both left a train station going at 50 mph…
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Yeah, apparently now the defensemen have to sit with the defensemen and the forwards are with the forwards.
Wait, they didn’t before? What the hell kind of ship is Lindy running up there?
Razor has two little girls in the press box with him! I wonder if they’re related to him. I don’t think he said who they were.
Anyone else watching the Ducks and the BJs have at it?
Hee! the dressing room set up endlessly cracks me up. Mike Brown got moved when Sundin came because Mike Brown was near “Swede” corner. Now Mike Brown is apparently down “defencemen row”.
That’s a sure way to divide a locker room, Lindy!
Wait, the forwards and d-men weren’t sitting with forwards and d-men before?! I thought that was pretty standard. Was it a big deal that they didn’t go by that plan beforehand? Kinda like when the Canes stopped having morning skates? How bizarre! I wonder who on the team is like those people at work who just canNOT deal with their work stations being moved. Hee!
The Kid’s teachers constantly rearrange their desks to deal with discipline issues. But then she is in sxith grade. :)
I’d say that’s where the Sabres belong but that would probably be crediting them with more maturity than they seem to have at present.
“Swede Corner”? “Defenceman Row”? That’s awesome!
Our lockers are all mixed up! We get to see them in the post-game now sometimes.
Lindy Ruff makes me weep for the future. Please, think of the children! And Ryan Miller.
“Swede Corner”? “Defenceman Row”? That’s awesome!
Isn’t it, though? I hope they wear matching accessories to show where they sit in the dressing room.
Anyone else watching the Ducks and the BJs have at it?
We just turned that one on. Has it been good? I’d very much like to see Getzlaf and Nash get a billion goals each. That’s the least the Hockey Gods can do for me after that Devils game.
I hope they wear matching accessories to show where they sit in the dressing room.
And I hope it’s like those “Relentless” coins the Canes had to carry around; if a guy is caught without his “Swede Corner” beanie, he’s fined. Heavily. Baldilocks says, “Yo, Matty, could you have maybe mentioned this to me when I was asking what it’s like to play here?”
I think we should definitely have a “Swedes’ Corner”. Although they are already pretty cliquish. The four of them ride to practice together all the time.
Patty Elias is all, “Yay! We can have a Czech Corner! Oh. Right. Blobby. Um… Did I say Czech Corner? I meant, uh, Czech Isolation Booth.”
Patty Elias is all, “Yay! We can have a Czech Corner! Oh. Right. Blobby. Um… Did I say Czech Corner? I meant, uh, Czech Isolation Booth.”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And speaking of Ducks/CBJ, dude — Mike Peca? Really? Her?
There can be no Czech iso booth without Jagr’s permission.
Zach probably keeps putting together special little groupings just for him and Travis. Things like “Batman-and-Robin Boulevard” and “Shot Club Lane” and “Sioux Cul-de-Sac”. Travis has disavowed his Batman years, burned his Shot Club membership card, and had his UND academic record expunged, but Zach just keeps coming up with new things.
if a guy is caught without his “Swede Corner” beanie, he’s fined. Heavily. Baldilocks says, “Yo, Matty, could you have maybe mentioned this to me when I was asking what it’s like to play here?”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::
And Matty’s all “It’s cool, your baldiness. It will keep your cue ball warm when it rains. And it gets you free stuff at the Swediah Touch Massage parlour.”
Believe it or not, I kind of want the Ducks to win that game.
Believe it or not, I kind of want the Ducks to win that game.
Strangely, I can believe that. :P
“Batman and Robin Boulevard” is opening a can of worms the Devils really don’t need. :/
“Batman and Robin Boulevard” is opening a can of worms the Devils really don’t need. :/
That’s what Travis tried to tell Sutter, but Sutter’s like, “It’s your own damn fault for agreeing to go that year for Halloween with him as Batman and Robin.”
And Matty’s all “It’s cool, your baldiness. It will keep your cue ball warm when it rains. And it gets you free stuff at the Swediah Touch Massage parlour.”
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Zach just keeps coming up with new things.
No wonder Johnny Mac is so bad with the special teams! All his time is spent trying to manage Travis vs. Zach in the dressing room!
No wonder Johnny Mac is so bad with the special teams! All his time is spent trying to manage Travis vs. Zach in the dressing room!
Oh noes! But Johnny Mac’s advice would be, “If things get too tough, just demand a trade.” Zach’s like, “But… but… I’m the future face of the franchise!” Johnny Mac’s all, “So was I, kid. So was I.”
DAMMIT!!
The NJ Sutter is all bidness. Ditto his offspring. Brandon Sutter is like, 9 years old and he will eat your children so long as they are wearing a jersey. What are your thoughts on Brett there in the N.J.?
DAMMIT!!
Boy, it’s been a really rough night for you, hasn’t it? :P
Now Edmonton will probably win, too!
My official line on Sutter right now is “I like the cut of his jib”. :D (I mean, not tonight. Unless I hear that he’s made the guys ride the bikes. But in general, his jib has a nice cut.)
The NJ Sutter is all bidness. Ditto his offspring. Brandon Sutter is like, 9 years old and he will eat your children so long as they are wearing a jersey.
Hee! That’s what we like to hear! :D I actually really like Sutter. He took a LOT of getting used to, and there was quite a painful getting-to-know-you period (that lasted, oh… a season and a quarter), but I think he’s finally started to shape this team into what we were promised when he came aboard. I’m definitely pro-Sutter, but considering the Devils’ history, I try not to get too attached to coaches.
Johnny Mac’s all, “So was I, kid. So was I.”
Just… No. Not funny. No.
So you’re a bit ‘whatever’ about Brett Sutter. Roger that. Does Lou = SOUP NAZI or is that just me?
So you’re a bit ‘whatever’ about Brett Sutter.
No, no! I think I’m much more “Yay! Sutter!” than “whatever”. I just… well… Devils fans know better than to get too attached. That’s all. :D
Boy, it’s been a really rough night for you, hasn’t it? :P
Well, we went up to 12th, and now back to 13th.
“No, no! I think I’m much more “Yay! Sutter!” than “whatever”. I just… well… Devils fans know better than to get too attached. That’s all. :D”
Ya know, I kinda feel for Devils fans. Historically, such a GREAT team, yet little love in the meadowlands. And Lou is kinda ogre-like. Brett Sutter as coach and Marty sidelined seems to be bringing some shweet to the Devils. Now as long as Lou will just sit still and hush …
And Lou is kinda ogre-like.
Bite your tongue! Lou’s a pussycat! :D
I actually really like that he’s a hard-ass. His way of running the team is why there’s so much continuity and success for the organization, so while there are definitely some decisions he’s made about the team [marketing comes to mind] that have undermined the growth of the fanbase, we have him to thank for a dynasty. I’ll take it. :D
It’s been interesting how, after Lou had to take over after Robinson had his nervous breakdown in ’05-’06 and then he felt he had to replace Julien in ’06-’07, he’s made a point of being really hands-off about Sutter’s team.
Happy New Year Eastern-Timers!
Thanks, and Happy New Year right back at ‘cha! (I don’t know if I’ll still be up at midnight your time.)
Thanks, Patty. I’m setting the bar low and just hoping it’s better than the old year. And also going to bed because I’m spending tomorrow painting my bathroom. Fun!
Happy New Year y’all! WOO HOOO!!!!
Oops, I thought Dallas was in a different time zone. Nevermind!
I’m setting the bar low and just hoping it’s better than the old year.
All things considered, I feel like that shouldn’t be hard. :P
And also going to bed because I’m spending tomorrow painting my bathroom. Fun!
That sounds awesome! G’night, and sweet dreams of painting! :D
Meg, here’s wishing you a bedbug free 2009! And have fun painting the bathroom!
All things considered, I feel like that shouldn’t be hard. :P
That’s what I’m figuring. :D
And have fun painting the bathroom!
Thanks! The painting actually might be fine. The scraping, plastering, and sanding the ceiling that we have to do first? Probably not so much.
The scraping, plastering, and sanding the ceiling that we have to do first? Probably not so much.
Oooh, ouch. That’s… less fun. :(
We’re watching the Oilers/Flames game, and I’m vaguely interested because I have a few Flames on the TinTats. So some non-TinTat Flame scores just now, and I’m all sadly hoping one of my guys got an assist, and Pookie says, “I haven’t got a horse in this race. All my horses are done. They’re being euthanized as we speak.” Heh. I guess it wasn’t a good night for the BoxPanners.
Dallas is in a different time zone! It’s still 2008 out here in the sticks! :D
Bathroom painting is fun!
Sorry, I meant that I thought Dallas was in a different time zone than the one that I was thinking of. I knew y’all are still stuck in the past and all, I just thought you were an hour more backwards than you are. :D
Ah! Well, we’re backward, but we’re not that backward. :P
Now that I have wrested my computer back from Hub,
Happy New Year on the East coast!!!
And yay, we are not that backward.
Thanks, Myra! Happy Early New Year to you, the Hub and the Kid!
Happy New Year, y’all!
And Lou is kinda ogre-like.
So if Lou is Shrek, does that make Sutter Donkey?
Happy New Year to you, Amy!
Happy New Year, Amy!
Happy New Year, IPB!
We are still in our pjs, watching the Rose Bowl Parade and waiting for the big Winter Classic to start.
Myra, guess what? SO ARE WE! :D Boomer loves the Rose Parade. I make a big show of complaining about it because I can’t stand the parade banter but don’t tell anyone — once it’s on the TV, I do kinda get a kick out of seeing the floats. Also? That marching band from Mexico rocked. I want the Devils to skate in those eagle head helmets.
Myra, we’re totally twinsies today! :D
And Happy New Year!
Rose Parade on the big screen in HD is AMAZING!
Skating in Eagle Head Helmets, a whole new form of intimidation.
Totally twinsies!
Boomer was just marveling at how far her TV experience of the Rose Parade has come since she was a kid. (I was all, “Yeah, it’s not on the radio anymore!” :P) HD is a great addition for it!
Oof. You know who I haven’t missed associated with hockey? Blob Costas. And I haven’t missed McGuire either. He was probably totally annoyed that he and Pete Kane had to be wearing so many layers during that interview. He really wanted to cop a feel, but his outdoor gear got in the way.
We were too busy laughing at Kane’s eye black to notice much else.
Plus, sorry, but I will always love, love, love Bob Costas.
Tell Boomer my first experiences of the Rose Parade were on a vintage 50′s black & white TV. Except it wasn’t exactly vintage then, just old.
We were too busy laughing at Kane’s eye black to notice much else.
I’m too busy thinking about how much I hate baseball to notice much else.
Kane’s eyeblack today is a little ridiculous. I did like that yesterday the Hawks put their area codes on their eyeblack during practice as a shoutout to their hometowns.
I’m still trying to figure out whether Kane has the hardcore Buffalo accent or not. There are times I hear it, and times I don’t.
Check Milbury’s water bottle. He just called Soupy an elite defenseman.
Check Milbury’s water bottle. He just called Soupy an elite defenseman.
I also liked him quoting Soupy talking about how the players are looking forward to being all cold playing in the elements, as if Soupy is the voice of wisdom and respect for Outdoor Game Events. Uh, Milbury? Soupy also called last year’s the “fucking stupid Ice Bowl.” I’m not holding him up as the league’s spokesman for these things. :P
Yes, Amy, I was wondering about “elite defenseman” comment, too.
I hate that Doc is not going to be there.
I love the Blackhawk’s jerseys, Detroit’s, not so much.
I hate that Doc is not going to be there.
I know. It’s so sad. :( (I appreciate how effusive they just were about him, though.)
I hate that Doc is not going to be there.
Me too, me too. He sounded so awful in the last game he did for the Devils, though. So I just hope he’s feeling better!
I like the Detroit socks, but otherwise, meh. I’m waaaay too curmudgeonly for this kind of event.
The Chicago crowd is waaaay too quiet for my liking.
The Chicago crowd is waaaay too quiet for my liking.
I thought the Buffalo crowd sounded just as quiet on TV last year. I think that’s one of the difficulties with televising an outdoor game — it’s just really hard to convey the energy of the crowd with as intimate a sport as hockey.
Now I’m going to have the Canadian anthem stuck in head all day. I’m going to have to learn the words one of these days. He didn’t exactly nail that last note. Ouch.
The crowd was definitely noticeable then.
I think those hats that Mike Babcock and his coaching staff are wearing are amazing.
Happy New Year Everyone!
I’d like to personally thank Conklin for playing today, because if we had to focus completely on that other dude who played in last year’s Winter Classic, I’d jam pencils in my ears.
We’ve had to turn the game off for some important IPB-related work — which coach is wearing the least amount of outerwear? His team will win, guaranteed. Oh wait. That didn’t work in last year’s Ice Bowl. Hm. Maybe Gregg Easterbrook’s theories don’t work for hockey.
Blackhawks are the “home team” and wearing vintage. I say Red Wings 2-1 in a shootout.
I just hope this game ends before Seal on Ice comes on. I love me some Seal.
Um, I think Mike Babcock is a fox, hat or no hat. I feel like such a traitor for saying that. Sorry, Tipp, don’t worry, I still love you more.
I adore Mike Babcock. I know that’s not a popular opinion on here, but there you go.
You guys I’m wasting away. I have no food in my room and everywhere else is closed for New Year’s Day. :(
Happy New Year, IPBers! I’m still in my pjs too! I promise I’ll get dressed in the first intermission.
I’m really loving the Blackhawks’ entire unis. I love the stripe around the bottom edge of the pants.
I’m also sad that Doc isn’t there. But Dave Strader is one of my other favorites, so it’s not bad.
I’m remembering how nice it’s been all season without Pierre.
And those are my stories.
Also, I love the brick wallpaper around the outside of the rink. :P
Well this is certainly interesting.
Also, what is this I hear about the anthem? That bad eh?
I have no food in my room and everywhere else is closed for New Year’s Day. :(
I know how you feel.
alix, want me to send my mom over there? She can make you a nice dinner with nothing but Cokes and condiments. I’ve seen her do it! :D
Patty, that sounds lovely! Tell your mum to dress warm. :D
Really, guyswhoaredoingredwingsradio, did Conks REALLY play in all 3 outdoor games? Why, I had no idea!
Tell your mum to dress warm. :D
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Sorry, alix! That’s awful!
Thanks, Pookie! Maybe I’ll find a vending machine…and have some rum and coke. Heh. I do have alcohol…
Hub loves the brick effect, too. He says it’s so Wrigley. :P
Wow, Patty, your mom is good. Girls, I wish I could help you out. :(
I know how you feel.
*fist bump* Mags.
Rum and Coke might have been what she made. :P Just kidding.
I will say one thing nice about the Wings: I love their socks.
*fist bump* Mags.
*fist bump* Alix.
Speaking of food, how long do you soak your beans. I’m making black-eyed pea and ham stew later and have my peas soaking.
Boy, Chicago is gray. If it weren’t for the McDonald’s roof, I’d have thought that overhead shot was in black and white.
When I use dried pinto beans, Myra, I soak them overnight. But I have no idea about black-eyed peas.
I love them, though. That stew sounds DEE-lish.
Speaking of food, how long do you soak your beans. I’m making black-eyed pea and ham stew later and have my peas soaking.
I soak my beans overnight, but Rancho Gordo’s directions are always “soak for four hours”. You can actually go without soaking at all, but it’ll just take longer to cook.
(Soak time is all kind of contingent on how fresh the beans are. Just any amount of time’ll probably be fine.)
I put them in to soak really late last night. This morning they had soaked up all of the water, so I added a lot more. They seem to be soaking up any more water, so I was hoping I had not messed things up.
I hate my cable service.
Also, Happy New Year, IPB!
You’re probably good to go with the beans, then, Myra!
And Happy New Year, Caitlin! Sorry your cable sucks!
Okay, I will probably go see Mall Cop. I think they got the idea for his name from IPB. :P
Black-eyed-pea and ham stew sounds like total comfort food.
How in sam hill are you supposed to spot the one player without a Rbk logo on the back of their sweater? The cameras almost never zoom close enough to the players backs to see what’s there (or not).
Caitlin, sorry about your cable! Is it something fixable?
Happy new year IPB!
I love the winter “classic”. Especially since I don’t have to miss sleep to see it…
I’m so glad Huet got the start, he’s such a nice guy. Let’s go Hawks!
Are you a Time Warner victim, Caitlin? You poor thing.
Is it something fixable?
Nah, it’s something on their end. And if we could switch to Verizon, I TOTALLY WOULD. Sadly, oh well. It’ll be okay, though! Perhaps my cable was just trying to do me a favor, given my hatred of Detroit.
Now I remember why I hardly ever watch television (yet I pay for it..)
Black-eyed-pea and ham stew sounds like total comfort food.
It is delicious stuff and I bet Myra’s is yummy! :D
So, the game just started here on NASN. And I know I’m TOTALLY late to the party but OMG the anthems were BAD. BADBADBADBADBAD.
WOOO! Subway around the corner was actually open! A veggie sub has never tasted so good.
And now I don’t have to drink on an empty stomach. :D
Are you a Time Warner victim, Caitlin? You poor thing.
Yes. This is why I have still not gotten TiVo. If you can’t get service, I don’t see the point in paying money for a TiVo if you can’t record anything. :D
I make this stew almost every New Year’s Day but I’ve never soaked the peas before. I decided to try it this year. The Kid was totally freaked when I bought pork neck pieces to cook in it besides the ham. I couldn’t find any ham hocks. What is the South coming to?
WOOO! Subway around the corner was actually open!
WOOOOOOOO! indeed.
I couldn’t find any ham hocks. What is the South coming to?
Sigh. It’s times like these I miss butcher shops. (Sorry, IPB vegetarians. :( )
Oh good, alix, I was worried about you!
Caitlin, you can totally come to our house! We aren’t in our pjs anymore.
And yes, Mags, the anthems were not pretty.
Oops, sorry about that vegetarians. I wasn’t being very considerate there. That’s what growing up next to a butcher shop will do for you. I’m totally oblivious on that kind of stuff. Very little can gross me out that way.
Oops, sorry about that vegetarians. I wasn’t being very considerate there
@@@@@@@ No, Myra, you’re good… I just didn’t know if talk of butcher shops would gross anyone out.
Well, probably most normal people would be. :)
Oops, sorry about that vegetarians.
No need to apologise. At least, I don’t think so. Not to me anyway.
Oops, sorry about that vegetarians.
No need to apologise. At least, I don’t think so. Not to me anyway.
Nor me :) It`s all good.
What a goal by Datsyuk! I`d take him over Ovechkin as my team`s Rushian any day.
Teeheehee. I know who doesn’t have a logo.
Me too, alix, of course I’m partial because Datsyuk looks like a younger version of Hub, to me. I’m a lucky girl. (But also for his hockey skills, too.)
Ok, spill it, Mags.
Byfuglien. Since I can’t enter (not a legal resident of NA *weep*)
Hey, Cheli can carry a tune! Who knew!
Ugh. LaBarbera’s starting tonight. I’d rather see my baby rookie.
Yeah, Chelios was the better one of the bunch, not that that is saying too much.
Soupy, on the other hand, cannot.
I’m intrigued by the idea of a hockey version of this song.
I’d take him over Ovechkin as my team`s Rushian any day.
Hmmm, I sure wouldn’t mind having either one of them, but I’m not sure I’d pick Datsyuk over Ovie. Ovie is younger, so I think I’d choose him.
Hmmm, I sure wouldn’t mind having either one of them, but I’m not sure I’d pick Datsyuk over Ovie. Ovie is younger, so I think I’d choose him.
Yeah, but Datsyuk’s cheaper and he’s not going to get jaw cancer. :P
Datsyuk isn’t that old. :P
alix has got a point!
Wait, 12:30 start times? Did they do that last year? I totally don’t remember that.
Pookie, I think last year was 1pm ET start times. 12:30 games are just odd.
12:30 games are just odd! Icky!
Datsyuk’s cheaper and he’s not going to get jaw cancer. :P
But he doesn’t love hockey as much. Because clearly that is what is most important about Ovie.
Damn… Huet is out, and it doesn’t look good for Chicago.
HAHAHAHA. I don`t think you can buy peanuts and crackerjack at a hockey game. That was cute though.
We have peanuts at our hockey games!
You guys have, like, candied nuts at your hockey games! Mmmmm… candied nuts. :D
WHAT?!? JEALOUS! I want candied nuts…mmmmmmmm…
[...] one. I neglected to recap it out of sheer laziness, but it really was a good game. Over at IPB, the Ookies blamed it on the Devils being flat, which may have been true (they watch the Devils pretty closely), but I also thought the Stars [...]