We’ve discussed a few times this season how important having secondary teams is to us, and even though we’re enjoying the Devils and our secondary Tranny Brides quite a bit so far this season, it has recently seemed prudent to expand our horizons. After much deliberation, we tentatively decided to accept the Bruins as our Tranny Gentleman Callers, and despite the fact that they promptly suffered a rash of grievous injuries and started losing games left and right, we think they might stick. We watched yesterday’s Bruins/Blues game on tivo delay, and spent most of the time discussing the things we like enough about them to support a possible secondary-team relationship. Here, in no particular order, are some of our thoughts.
Lucic: The bomb.
Chara: The bomb.
Mark Stuart: Hott.
Kreijci: We love him. Schnookie had her reservations, because his name always seems to be spoken in Jack Edwards’s voice, but ultimately, our love is unconditional. Plus, it often sounds like his name is actually “Crunchy”, which means he probably grows his own loofahs.
Sobotka: CANS! We don’t know his number, don’t know whether he’s a forward or a defenseman, don’t know if he’s any good, and don’t know his first name. And we don’t want to know. But we love him, because CANS! (We figure since we’ve seen Season 2 of “The Wire”, we know what he looks like.)
Blake Wheeler: His name is the opposite of Jon Sim or Joffrey Lupul, in that he just sounds foxalicious and not at all annoying. He might very well be heinous and staggeringly annoying, but how would we ever know?
Tim Thomas: Look at that hobo! He’s killing a bar! With his bare hands! And… is that… is that… yoga???
Bitz: Dude. Just… Dude. His name is actually Bitz. His nickname is actually Bitzie. If he had a Tim Horton’s munchkin named after him it would be a Bitzbits. And if munchkins could produce their own smaller donut-holes, it would be a Bitziebitsie. Boston loves them some Dunkin Donuts, right? Get on that, Boston!
The Boston Arena: We went there once, a few years ago, to watch the Devils give up four goals to Marty Lapointe. Yeah, that Marty Lapointe. And yeah, those Devils. It was… awful. And we made merciless fun of Bruins fans for years afterward because of two things — one, they had this Smokey the Bear graphic on the jumbotron to whip the crowd into a frenzy, but his method of frenzy-whipping is to intone in a deep, inducing-a-cult-to-mass-suicide-or-human-sacrifice voice a dirge-like “Here we go Bruins, here we go”. And two, they are encouraged by the goal announements to cheer B’s goals with short, high-pitched, distinctly feminine “woo!”s. After a win, the fans slowly surge out of the arena, at a Smokey-approved pace, doing call and response “woo!”s. It’s really, really weird. But, now that we’ve got some time and space between us and those four Lapointe goals, it’s also kind of hilarious. *woo!*
NESN’s HD feed: This is what HD was invented for. Back when Jessica Fletcher mentioned HD being the future of TV on an episode of “Murder, She Wrote” (true story; we saw it with our own eyes), this was what she was talking about. We’ve seen a lot of team’s broadcasts, and we gotta say, there’s something about the overhead shot of the spoked-wheel on face-offs that makes our hockey-in-HD lovin’ hearts swoon. *swoon!*
Spokey The Bear: They almost named their mascot Spokey. We can love them now because we just pretend that’s what they actually decided to do.
Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley: You can’t fight City Hall.
Our Trip To Cambridge Six Years Ago: Back when we were living in Arizona, we launched ourselves on a trip back east to plan for sure that we wanted to move back to New Jersey. Along the way, we decided to stop in for a few days without pseudo-sister and beloved friend Jen, who lives in Cambridge. (It was on this trip that we caught the four Lapointe goals.) It was March, and the end of a hard New England winter; much to our delight, it snowed while we were there. Everyone else in the entire city was clearly pissed that it was snowing, but we’d spent the previous few years literally in the desert, and we were homesick for the east coast, and we were on vacation from our crappy, dead-end jobs, and we spent a day walking around Cambridge in a storybook-perfect snowfall just brimming with that feeling we like to call Newer, Better Life. It was one of those absolutely, completely, utterly perfect days, and after wandering in the snow, and stopping for hot cocoa at a coffee shop, and feeling like we were finally home after a long journey in foreign lands, we hunkered down in Jen’s cozy living room, watching a snowy evening fall. It doesn’t get better than that, and there’s something about watching Bruins games on NESN that makes us feel like that again.
They Have A Prospect Named Wacey Rabbit!: Need we say more? Cal Clutterbuck wishes his name was Wacey Rabbit! Wacey Rabbit, Wacey Rabbit, Wacey Rabbit — no matter how many times you say it, it sounds like the greatest name ever!

Wacey Rabbit? I have no words.
I know, Meg! I know! It just… Wacey. Rabbit.
Admit it — you want a Wacey Rabbit sweater, don’t you?
That name has to be made up. Like. It has to be.
Similar to you gals, I also moved from NJ to AZ then back to NJ. The difference is that I nearly went completely insane when I moved back to NJ and had to once again run away to the desert. I got a nice apartment here for 400 a month and the light-rail finally opened. NJ can suck it :P
I do miss the snow and the way it makes indoors seem more cozy though. Basements and fireplaces are cool things missing from here too.
Hey! I wrote a bunch of whacky trade shit in my blog. Care to chime in on that field, or do you hate rumor mongering?
No way, roshacla! That’s crazy that you’re, like, the alternate universe version of us! :D There are definitely things I miss about AZ (The Attic Needlework, the three-season-long sunlight that has that quality of the perfect East Coast spring day, Christmas lights on saguaros, the amazing restaurants, good Mexican food, the AJ’s near our house…), though. What prompted us to really decide to move back was a trip to visit KtG in DC in late October, and we got the full-press perfect Fall weather while we were there. I’m such a Fall person that Arizona totally couldn’t compete anymore. That said, where in AZ are you? I think I could handle living up in the mountains if push came to shove. :D
I actually read your proposed trades a few minutes ago, and meant to comment, but suddenly developed a crushing “I’ve been staring at a computer screen too long” headache and wandered off! Dammit! I thought your post was spot-on, and honestly, if we can’t get Bouwmeester for any of the packages you’ve floated, I don’t know what’s wrong with the Panthers. (And I love that you also came up with Clarkson as the answer to the “when (not if) we trade Gionta, who moves up to the Patty/Zubrus line?” question. He was my pick too, and while that definitely tips the third-liners-to-top-liners ratio on that line more to the 2-to-1 end of things, for some reason it really works inside my head. And I am never wrong, so clearly Gio-for-Bouwmeester and then Clarkson-to-the-Patty-line is the way to go.)
Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley: You can’t fight City Hall.
Please tell me this does not mean you actually like them. Just. Please. I mean, Jack Edwards?
ARGH.
I could maybe possibly handle you liking the Bruins but not Jack Edwards. No. Definitely not Jack Edwards.
Oh, and I don’t think our speculating on trades counts as rumor mongering — I mean, who would actually believe anything I said? I’m the one who writes about Zach’s turtle butler! :P
(And also, I have no idea what to be thinking about Madden these days. Even I have to admit that Pando doesn’t have much future with the team, and I spent the lead-up to last year’s UFA day in a panic that we were going to lose him. Now I’m like, “Hm. About that Pando contract. Couldn’t there have been a way for him to just be a Devil forever without us actually having to have him on the roster?” So I can’t really tell myself that we should re-sign Madden, but I also can’t really bear the thought of him not being a Devil. Damn these career-Devil character guys who are aging too fast!)
I could maybe possibly handle you liking the Bruins but not Jack Edwards. No. Definitely not Jack Edwards.
It’s not so much liking Jack Edwards as learning to live with not hating him, you know? Like, you can only pick so many battles, and I’ve finally decided to stop fighting the Jack Edwards one. Instead, I’m just sitting back and laughing at the force of nature that is his staggeringly awful brand of play-by-play. :P (I love listening to Brickley trying to cope with having to work with him.)
I think a three team deal:
1. Gionta and Shanny go to Florida.
2. Bouwmeester and Shanny to Tampa.
3. Bouwmeester and Vinny to NJ.
Oh and the Senators just beat the Caps!
Weeeeeeeee!!!
Oh and the Senators just beat the Caps!
Weeeeeeeee!!!
DAMMIT! Why wasn’t I watching that??? (Just kidding. I know why I wasn’t watching — I was soaking up every delicious moment of the Canes beating the Pens in Pittsburgh. :D)
Pookie, that three-way deal could not possibly make more sense. It’s genius.
(I love listening to Brickley trying to cope with having to work with him.)
Yeah, that’s totally the best part. There was a moment in last night’s game where you could practically hear Brickley doing that thing where you’re so shocked at the stupidity of the person you’re talking to that all you can do is silently open and close your mouth like a grouper.
Sheesh. The Bruins. Do the Devils realize what they’ve pushed you to?
Speaking of Bruins, up until two minutes ago, when the Sens beat the Capitals (yes, THOSE Senators) the Northeast had the biggest point difference between first and last place teams. (I’m nerdy with number things.)
Sheesh. The Bruins. Do the Devils realize what they’ve pushed you to?
Well, to be fair, it was a Lucic thing. And then as soon as we were like, “Yeah! I like Lucic, so I’ll like the Bruins!”, he got hurt. So… there you go. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the 2008-2009 NHL season. :P
And then as soon as we were like, “Yeah! I like Lucic, so I’ll like the Bruins!”, he got hurt. So… there you go. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the 2008-2009 NHL season.
Did you guys just profess your love to Rick DiPietro today too?
Pretty Ricky’s bad mojo is strong enough that he doesn’t need our influence!
Did you guys just profess your love to Rick DiPietro today too?
You betcha! Pretty Ricky, now and 4evah! :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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It’s a good thing he’s pretty. He can always fall back on modeling if this hockey thing doesn’t work out for him. I don’t think anyone’s regretting that 100 yr contract now….
And I know this sounds highly irrational, but the only reason I don’t like the Bruins (besides being in our division and being good and having fans from Boston) is Bruce Shoebottom. A million years ago I was taken to my first and last Sabres game. They played the Bruins and I learned to hate Shoebottom. Then a few years later, he signed with the Rochester Amerks. Call it my version of Shanny signing with the Devils. I’ve never forgiven Boston. It’s highly irrational, but that’s my story.
Shoebottom? Rabbit? This team is like the Bermuda Triangle of names! I love it! (But I’m sorry Shoebottom — teeheehee! Sorry, lost myself for a sec there — made you so miserable!)
OK, I’m being wild and crazy and going to bed before 11. It’s shocking. Anyway, good night everyone!
No one should ever have to provide a rational reason for liking or disliking a team! I think Shoebottom, whoever he may be, is a GREAT reason for not liking the B’s!
(On that note, I’m turning in early tonight. I didn’t leave the office until 6:30 today — that’s, like, two hours late! I’m EXHAUSTED! :P)
I live in Tempe right now. I was going to move into Phoenix proper, but then I discovered the city actually kind of sucks. Actually, as far as cities go, this whole area is pretty lame; not much in the way of quality art or music and public transpo is cheap but limited. I will probably hang around here for another year or two to save money and then move to Oregon or California. None of my immediate family or friends has ever lived outside NJ, so I guess I’m kind of on a mission to explore the world for them :D
I should also point out that it is 70 degrees here right now. That is always fun to tell people :D I do miss seasons though. *sigh*
Anyway, I really hope the team doesn’t resign Madden. He is one of my all time favorite Devils and I wish him all the best, but this team needs to start moving past its veterans. Pelley can take over his spot and in a few years will probably be almost as effective as him. It really sucks that awesome players like Pando and Madden are getting older and slower, but unless we want to end up like the Leafs, we need to know when to move on and this is definitely the time to start. We got a bunch of kids in Lowell chomping at the bit to get into the line-up and we are clogging up our salary cap with 14 million dollars worth of 3rd and 4th liners. Quality players all, but in a couple years most of them won’t be here anymore.
I dunno. I hate to have to sound so cutthroat but that just seems like the way it has to be to me. I don’t envy Lou, that’s for sure.
Oh, and I’m glad you didn’t think I was crazy for the Clarkson on the first line thing. It could work! The kids got moves and creativity and could draw a lot of attention away from Zubrus and Patty.
Wacey Rabbit? How long before someone trips up and calls him Wascally Wabbit?
It really sucks that awesome players like Pando and Madden are getting older and slower, but unless we want to end up like the Leafs, we need to know when to move on and this is definitely the time to start.
Oh man, thank you! I totally needed it put into those terms because I was really starting to get all irrational about how we can’t repay Maddog for all he’s done for us but just letting him walk and it’s awful that Pando’s being sat and blah blah blah Brylin blah blah blah. But you’re right. I do NOT want to see the Devils become the Maple Leafs. Get rid of ‘em all!
I live in Tempe right now. I was going to move into Phoenix proper, but then I discovered the city actually kind of sucks.
Yeah. It really does. I think saving up money to move somewhere nicer is a great plan, and Tempe’s as good a place as any to do that. We were up in the newer area of Scottsdale and it was just not the place for us, I don’t think. Our great aunt and uncle moved out to Scottsdale when it was still new, something like 25 or 30 years ago, and we used to go out and visit all the time. So I remember what it was like when all the big roads now were two lanes and there was never anyone out on them.
Wacey Rabbit? How long before someone trips up and calls him Wascally Wabbit?
I have to admit, I’m a little afraid someone’s pulling a fast one on us. I even checked a couple other sources after seeing the Providence website just to make sure it wasn’t a hoax but I’m still not convinced there is actually a Wacey Rabbit out there. It looks like he played for the Vancouver Giants — isn’t that where alix’s cousin played? Maybe she can confirm or deny the existence of one Wacey Rabbit.
Good morning, everyone! I just spent 90 minutes listening to my VP’s boss give us a “state of the department” address. It was just him repurposing the contents of a book on business leadership that he recently read. It was kind of hilarious, how every new section of the meeting was led off with an anecdote from the corporate world. “Now, let me illustrate this point first with the story of Company X and Company Y…”
I can’t believe it: Pando sits again according to TG.
I believe the night demands a goal from Shanny as penance, or maybe he should skate with pencils in his boots…
Mechanical pencils, so every time he pushes off with a skate, it clicks one more clicks-worth of lead into his feet.
I believe the night demands a goal from Shanny as penance, or maybe he should skate with pencils in his boots…
HA! Pencils in his boots is a good start! Maybe he could spend the intermissions in the stocks. They could install a stock on one of the Zambonis, and he could be driven around the rink while they resurface so fans can hurl insults and rotten vegetables at him. Man… talk about depressing. No wonder I’ve so enjoyed watching secondary teams this year — between Holik and Shanahan, it seems my primary team is being populated by elderly players who openly loathe Devils fans and are stealing Pando’s job.
They could install a stock on one of the Zambonis, and he could be driven around the rink while they resurface so fans can hurl insults and rotten vegetables at him.
That’s a GREAT idea! Quick, someone write Lou!
They could install a stock on one of the Zambonis, and he could be driven around the rink while they resurface so fans can hurl insults and rotten vegetables at him
The only downside to that plan is that a rotten veggie could miss and hit the Zamboni driver instead. And that would be bad.
As a member of Jay’s underground official fanclub, Pando Fando Ltd, I wholly approve of the Pre-Enlightenment punishments. Maybe Shanny can wear a hairshirt underneath his sweater…
Sadly, my secondary team, the Sharks, has put the Fr Canadian Rasputin on the big boy roster (why does the NHL network say Clood, instead of Clawed? It’s baffling…and the perfect topic for Gel-O’s new investigative pre-game segment called..wait for it…timing…hold and relaese: Gel-O Shots!!!! All the investigation and twice the shmaltz! )
Apologies to all. It was too easy. Plus, if this Gel-O business is gonna stick, it needs some PR.
EXCELSIOR!!!!!
Gel-O Shots!!!! All the investigation and twice the shmaltz!
Why hasn’t MSG+ hired you?!
The only downside to that plan is that a rotten veggie could miss and hit the Zamboni driver instead. And that would be bad.
That’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Stalky, you’re on fire today! Pando Fando Ltd.? Gel-O Shots? Putting Shanny in a hairshirt? BRILLIANT! (We could also put him in a brank if need be…) Pando Fando Ltd. is actually the most popular company in PandoNation. We don’t know what they manufacture, but everyone buys stock.
Morning, IPB! I’m late, but morning!
Pando Fando, Ltd. might be one of the greatest things I’ve heard all day.
Yipes!! A scolding brank!!! Let loose with yer in de Sade!!
Hooray for me! I just got a paper accepted to a conference in Calgary in February! Which really means I’m going to the Saddledome for the Flames/ Wild!!
WOO HOOOO! That’s great news, Stalky! Congratulations! (About the game. And the paper, I guess. :P)
I just got a paper accepted to a conference in Calgary in February!
Congratulations! I hope everyone loves it, and has constructive stuff to say about it (or nothing at all, because it is awesome).
Good afternoon everyone!
Thanks. Feedback is always the scariest part as it can expose your previously “impervious” arguments to the flaws you missed or elided during writing/ reserching. Sort of the “I know my kid’s not that ugly…is he? Egads, he’s an uggo. How did I not see that?” fear.
Has anyone been to the Saddledome? WHere’s a good place to look for a seat. BTW, the seating application for the rink is really cool. Run you mouse over the seat for pricing (but not availability).
Sort of the “I know my kid’s not that ugly…is he? Egads, he’s an uggo. How did I not see that?” fear.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: If all else fails, you know you can wow them with your Gel-O ideas.
(And sadly, I’ve never been to the Saddledome…)
There’s always room for Gel-O…
Congratulations, Stalky! Good luck with the paper and have fun at the game!
There’s always room for Gel-O…
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Wacey Rabbit used to play for my cousin’s junior team!
HAHAHAHAHA. He’s actually quite foxy too. A very hott skater.
I’m not convinced Wacey Rabbit is real. I think you’re in on the hoax, alix! :P
Hehehe.
Oh and guys, my team is never going to win again!
I’m sorry, Alix. Maybe the all star break will be just what they need to turn over a new leaf!
Thanks, Meg! Yeah I think I would have hung myself if it weren’t for the all star break. Heh. Thank goodness.
And now they’re playing about a million times better but they still can’t win.
Awww, but Big Baldy is staying in Vancouver for the all star break so he can work out and skate!
I have no doubt that the All Star Break will cure what ails the Canucks! I mean, it’s like a month long! It’s like a full off-season! They’ll be coming back out of the gate totally re-energized! (Meanwhile, what the hell am I supposed to do to entertain myself during this gaping maw in the schedule? Since when do they have Thursday and Friday off?)
Yeah, I’m actually going to have to study and do homework and shit. WHAT THE HELL.
As always, just wanted to pop in to wish my favourite Devils fans good luck (not really).
I’d be joining in the fun, but you know, Lost!!!!!
Yeah, I’m actually going to have to study and do homework and shit. WHAT THE HELL.
Okay, that’s just dreadful.
And hey, HabsFan29! I’m happy to wish my favorite Habs fan good luck, too! And, um, we’d be in on the fun this evening except Pookie’s working late. So it’s tivo delay and cranky, tired post-game recap at 1:30 in the morning for us. (Who schedules Devils games on Wednesdays anyway? It’s probably Holik, Shanahan and Clemmensen behind this…)
It’s probably Holik, Shanahan and Clemmensen behind this
There is NO other explanation!
Since when do they have Thursday and Friday off?
Probably since someone bitched and moaned about the travel required to get to the ASG.
And I really hope that someone was recording yesterday’s Sabres team bonding activity. Lindy took them to a paintball range. From what I read on Sabres Edge, it sounds like it was a ridiculously good time for the guys.
Paintball, eh? They guys could then get their aggressions about having to move lockers out on each other! :D
Who schedules Devils games on Wednesdays anyway?
Perhaps Shivers STRIKES AGAIN!?
Just kidding.
Lindy took them to a paintball range. From what I read on Sabres Edge, it sounds like it was a ridiculously good time for the guys.
Heh, I was watching the Stars’ ’99 SCF DVD that they put out last night and they showed mad closeups of Lindy on the bench during the SCF. He looks EXACTLY THE SAME. I was so shocked.
And that’s my marginally-related story. Heh.
Why didn’t I consider Shivers? This has his fingerprints all over it! :P
And I also hope we get to see some Sabres paintball footage! That’s priceless — it should be shared with the world!
He looks EXACTLY THE SAME. I was so shocked.
He does, doesn’t he? There might be a little less hair, but he’s still the same.
There might be a little less hair, but he’s still the same.
Everyone looks different except for him. It was so weird!
Sabres paintball footage would be awesometastic.
Hey all. I scored an F -R – E – E ticket to tonight’s Devs game! Liz is watching Max at home, the whole nine.
Oh and as Tranny Brides go, you can do a lot worse than the Spoked B’s.
Hey, F-R-E-E is always good! Have fun at the game tonight! Throw a bushel of rotten apples at Shanny (aka Brankahan) for me!
Brankahan! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Sigh. And yeah, have a great time tonight, Morgan! F-R-E-E tickets are AWESOME! :D
A post about your love of the Bruins, on a day where the devils will face the habs?? That’s it, THIS IS WAR!!
Grrrreg, it’s nothing personal! (And we can’t watch the Devils live, so I’d kind of completely forgotten that we were playing the Habs tonight!) Please don’t declare war! We didn’t mean it! COOOOME BAAAAAACK!!!! :P
Well, allright… I retract my war declaration then, and to be nice, I wish you a good game, where Shanahan is completely inefficient and won’t score a single point.
Grrreg, I think we can all agree on that!
That’s too bad you can’t watch the game live… I won’t comment here then, I don’t want to spoil anything.
You can comment all you want! We just won’t be around — I’m going on radio silence tonight. :D