This has not been an easy couple of weeks, Gentle Reader, as PandoNation has watched its emperor/god get shunted aside to make room for one of our all-time least favorite players. We’ve been angry and mopey by turns, and today, with the news that Pando was once again going to be scratched, but this time in his hometown, we reached breaking point. Here’s the thing – several years ago a friend of ours was devastated when her favorite player was traded from the Devils. We asked her if she was a fan of that player or a fan of the team, and she honestly couldn’t answer. We don’t want to be like that. We don’t want to be the fans who are more devoted to any one player than the team, even one who is as emblematic of all that’s good about his team as Pando. We had a long (totally work-related) discussion this afternoon that culminated in this proclamation from Schnookie:
I have no control over it, and it frustrates me too much to think about. Not least because I don’t want to be the person who hates her team because they’re jerking around her favorite player. Favorite Player should be nasty, brutish and short. Pando’s not it anymore. Travis is. The Favorite Player is dead! Long live the Favorite Player!
And so begins a new age here at stately IPB Manor. After almost a decade of Pando primacy, it’s time to let the apotheosis happen, let Pando ascend to the firmament, hang that 20 in the rafters of our hearts, and crown Travis an emperor/god.
If this means Travis is going to be traded this year, we quit.
FIRST PERIOD
19:34 Do the Bruins shoot at the wrong goal? Are they the opposite of everyone else? Seriously, the teams are both facing the wrong way to start this out.
18:28 TravisNation’s emperor/god starts the game off with an easy shot that Thomas has no problem stopping. Hm. New emperor/god, same old shit.
17:44 It should be noted that Chico spent the intro to this game comparing Zach to a mountain lion. Yes, we are going to spend all evening making that sound that the Panthers play after their goals. No, there’s nothing Zach can do to stop us.
16:57 Nothing much is happening in the Devils zone, and all of a sudden Thornton and the Iron Boar toss their gloves in the air and have a fight that involves the Iron Boar leaping on Thornton like a mountain lion. Zach seethes with jealousy on the bench.
It should be noted that we don’t really like when Iron Boar fights – it seems like it shouldn’t be his job, and we feel even more so when he skates to the box waving his hand as if it’s hurt.
15:57 The emperor/god of PaulieMartinNation flattens Lucic at the blue line. It doesn’t do much good, though, as the Bruins set up in the Devils zone and proceed to spend an entire shift looking like they’re toying with the Devils until Clemmer is forced to cover the puck in his typical bobbly fashion.
14:09 Chico gives us the Tim Thomas Tale of Redemption, and Pookie says, “I’ve just figured out what Thomas’s story is! He’s the girl who gets cut on the third episode of ANTM, and says ‘You’re going to hear from me again.’ And now Tyra’s hearing from him again.” Pause. “Clemmer’s story isn’t that good. He’s the one who gets to stick around because he’s an obnoxious reality show contestant.”
12:12 Our obnoxious reality show contestant makes a very good quick save off a shot from the slot. Whatever, Clemmer. Whatever.
11:05 Shortly after giving up the puck directly in front of his own goal, Madden hurtles headfirst along the far boards into Clarkson, and looks rattled for a moment. We wonder if maybe Pando might be playing himself back into the lineup right now.
10:32 Doc also thinks the name Byron Bitz is hilarious. He doesn’t say it in so many words, but we can tell.
9:23 Chico says, “Good news for the Devils: Dainius Zubrus has a big snarl for this game tonight.” We are puzzled, as Schnookie thinks he said that Zubrus has a big smile for this game.
8:31 The teams trade rushes, but the Bruins’ rush leads to sustained offensive-zone pressure. Pookie: “We’re not winning this game.” On the bright side, though, it appears that Paulie may have broken Lucic.
6:58 The Devils finally set up in the Bruins zone for the first time in what seems like months, and what happens? Shanahan takes a lazy hooking penalty on the near boards. Boomer: “I told you! What did I say? I said he’d take a penalty. Leave him on the bench!” We might be ready to not be the fans who hate their team for pushing Pando to the margins, but that doesn’t mean we’re ever going to relent on Shanahan. (It should be noted that Wideman took an enormous dive on the play. It was a legit hook, but also a legit dive if they’d wanted to call two and two.
6:41 Wheeler is sprung on a breakaway on a nifty set cherry-pick play, and Whitey manages to cleanly dive at him from behind and throw his stick into his feet. Wheeler still gets a shot off, though, and it beats Clemmer, but bounces out off the pipe. Of the lack of a penalty shot call on the play, Pookie says, “Well, that evens out the dive non-call.”
4:59 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What in the hell??? The Devils stay strong in the face of a pretty uptempo PP and suddenly Langer and Travis are rushing down the other way on a two-on-one. Langer doesn’t have a pass option thanks to some strong D, so he just flings the puck toward the net, where it bobbles around all over Thomas for a moment then bounces through him and just over the goal line. Just the way Langer drew it up. 1-0 Devils.
2:26 Hm. It seems Paulie did not, in fact, break Lucic. He’ll never be a henchman for Zach at this rate.
1:51 We come back from commercial to see a teaser for the upcoming intermission content; MSG is going to be providing us with “an insight into Tim Thomas”. Only one?
0:00 The period comes to an end with Whitey smushing Kessel on the near boards, and he gets interviewed on account of it. Now, we watched most of the big Bruins/Caps game earlier this week, and we’ve got to say, this was a way more feisty, up-tempo, intense period than we saw from that one.
FIRST INTERMISSION
Holy shit, you guys — Tim Thomas invented yoga.
SECOND PERIOD
19:55 Chico points out that the Devils, having given up nothing in the first, have further cemented their standing as the best first-period team in the league. Yes, but now it’s the second period. And there is no way they’re the best second-period team in the league.
18:45 Zach suddenly finds himself at the side of the slot with the puck thanks to a Chara turnover, but he’s not quite able to beat a down-and-out Thomas. Pookie: “That’s why mountain lions shouldn’t play hockey.”
18:21 Langer’s fired. The Poppers are swirling madly, and when Thomas leaves a rebound in front of an open side of the net, but Langer’s facing the wrong way with his stick held at waist height, so he has no chance of putting it away.
17:46 Well, that was our favorite non-goal-scoring shift of all season. The Poppers just put on a clinic, and the whole thing culminates in a delightful exchange of Lucic trying to get back at Paulie by steamrolling him out of the zone and out of camera range, then Paulie springing back into the picture to deftly keep in a clearing attempt by the Bruins to set up one last good scoring chance before Thomas finally gets a whistle.
14:35 The fans are starting to get restless about the relentless Devils offensive pressure, and just as the boos are starting to crescendo on a Zubrus/Patty/Gio shift, Gio puts an end to the Devils momentum by taking a hooking penalty.
13:03 Patty whips a no-look backhand pass to spring Travis and Oduya on a short-handed rush, and honestly, we don’t know who this team is. Since when do the Devils look this interested in skating during the second period? Does this mean the third is going to suck? We don’t trust this game at all.
10:36 Things resume to normal when the Devils’ big, slow, dumb fourth line takes the ice, gets pinned in their own zone, and then, just as the Bruins look to be giving up control of the puck, Holik hauls Savard down from behind and gets called for holding. (Yes, Savard could have been called for the embellishment; once again we have a textbook case of when there is a legitimate infraction and a legitimate case for diving to be called as well.)
9:17 Schnookie: “I get the feeling that the momentum has…” Pookie, finishing for her: “Irrevocably transferred to the other team? Yes. The Unseen Hand has scampered down the ice to the other bench.”
8:36 That was a surprisingly emphatic PK. So emphatic, in fact, that Chico has to marvel at how every Bruins pass seems to be just “a couple of feet off. Or one foot.” For the shorter Bruins, that’s a big problem, but for Chara, there’s a wide margin of error when setting him up for a one-timer.
7:59 Kessel, that skanky little bitch, slashes the Iron Boar. The Iron Boar goes to the bench looking injured, and Kessel goes to the box.
7:00 This is an emphatically awful PP. Of course, it’s got Shanahan and Holik skating on it, so what did we expect?
6:34 Zach lace a perfect pass from behind the net through Thomas’s legs to Langer streaking down the slot, and Thomas makes an insane split save to get a foot on the shot. We’d fire Langer, but that was a really good save.
6:21 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Poppers dig hard at a tiny rebound off a Paulie point shot, and as the Bruins scramble to hold the post, Zach tosses the puck toward the paint from behind the goal line and it banks in off a stunned Thomas. 2-0 Devils.
4:31 Doc tells us that Rupp tortured him earlier today with a discussion of baseball, in which Rupp tried to convince Doc that Manny Ramirez was going to sign with the Pirates. Chico says very seriously, “You know that’s not true for two reasons. One is that the Pirates aren’t going to spend that kind of money. And the other is that Manny’s going to want to play for a team that has a chance to win, which the Pirates don’t.” Doc, feigning injury: “They’re not???” Chico, tenderly: “I know, I know. You don’t normally find that out until early April.” Have we ever mentioned how much we love Doc and Chico.
2:38 A potentially potent Bruins rush comes to naught thanks to some random chance (we may not have noticed the play), and Chico tells us it was the Unseen Hand at play. It definitely seems to have scampered back down the ice toward the Devils bench again.
0:00 The fans at the game don’t agree with us, but these forty minutes have been, without question, the best two periods we’ve seen in ages.
SECOND INTERMISSION
Boomer has busy this evening figuring out all the details that go into the transfer of power from PandoNation to TravisNation, like printing new money and stuff like that. Long after the conversation has moved on, she suddenly pipes up, “Oooh, you’ll have to issue new stamps, too.” That’s why we keep her around — she dots all the “i”s and crosses all the “t”s.
THIRD PERIOD
We come back from intermission to see footage of the old BC days for Clemmer, Mottau and Gio. We had no idea Gio and Mottau played together. In case you were wondering.
19:00 Lucic gets a mini-break, but his lumbering stride lumbers too much, so Oduya cuts him off. Lucic tries to crank a giant slapshot before running out of real estate, and in so doing, launches Oduya’s stick toward the glass. Remembering how Lucic stripped Greene of his stick during the second period, Pookie declares, “Lucic hates the Devils’ sticks!”
18:43 TravisNation throws up from sheer nerves as Travis rips a sassy little wrister through a defender, but hits the post. We demand a review of that! We’re pretty sure it went in. (Um, after further review, we’re pretty sure it didn’t.) Stupid Unseen Hand.
17:41 The hell? Kobasew strips the puck from an oblivious and criminally lackadaisical Clemmer behind the net, then tries to wrap the puck around to stuff it into the vacated goal, but for some reason ends up stuffing his shot hard into the short-side post so it just stays there. In the ensuing wrestling over it, the puck somehow kicks up into the air, and it looks like Clemmer has managed to pull it off the goal line with his glove. How… did that not go in?
Oh, Unseen Hand, you vixen. A video review ends up showing that the puck did go in, and it’s 2-1 Devils. It looks not unlike Salvador shot that into his own goal, too. He must hate the thought of a Clemmensen shutout as much as Boomer does.
13:43 It must be post-All Star Break, because we are nervous as all hell.
13:21 The Bruins fly up the rink on a three-on-three rush, and as soon as they gain the zone, bodies and sticks start flying everywhere. The Devils finally retrieve the puck, and the whistle blows as it’s Whitey who’s crumpled on the ice, clutching at his throat, neck, and shoulder. We go to commercial break as the fans lustily boo (why? The Devils had the puck when the whistle went, morons), and Whitey staggers to the dressing room. When we come back from commercial, we see on replay that Krejci basically ended up skewering Whitey in the throat with the toe of his stick on the rush. Whitey has already returned to the bench, and we get a long look at the vicious welt all over his neck.
12:49 Poop. The Devils to a hapless job of defending a play where the Bruins carry the puck behind the net, and leave Savard alone in front to put a half-whiffed-on shot past Clemmer, who is slow to figure out which side of the net the puck is on. 2-2 game, and Pookie half-jokingly declares, “I am so sick of Clemmensen.” We’re not nervous anymore.
10:51 Chico says what we’re all thinking on a play by Bitz: “Well, Doc, it’s Bitz puttin’ on the Ritz!”
8:40 We have seen so little of the Bruins end of the ice in this period that Doc drily remarks, “It has been a 60 minute game for over a century…” Burn.
8:31 There is what seems to be the first offensive-zone draw for the Devils in the period, and immediately off it, Rupp gets called for picking Savard. Replay reaffirms our long-standing dislike of Savard based on his days with the Rangers where he was the league leader in whipping his head back as if he’d been high-sticked on every play. The first two penalties taken by the big, slow, dumb fourth line could have been two-and-two; this one is just a flat-out missed call where the official bit on the dive. Oh well.
6:30 Just as we are about to say there’s justice in the world, and the PK ends successfully, the PK doesn’t end successfully. Wideman fires a shot from below the blue line, and Lucic appears to tip it past Clemmer to make it 3-2 Bruins. Clearly the trade-off for a good second period from the Devils is to have the usual second period in the third.
3:33 We pin all our hopes and dreams on our new emperor/god as he works the puck up the ice after Langer makes a nice play on the far boards to clear the defensive zone, but then Doc calls Travis “Shanahan” and our hearts break.
2:04 Clarkson isn’t seeing much ice time now, either, having lost his spot on the third line to none other than Shanahan. Shanny’s like a virus spreading across this entire team.
1:45 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Patty! Patty! Patty Elias! It looks like absolutely nothing is going on as Gio pulls up with the puck in the corner to Thomas’s right, and then Gio flings a prayer of a shot/pass toward the net, and Patty, crashing the crease, deflects the puck off his foot and/or leg into the net. 3-3 game.
1:10 Clemmer manages to get a piece of a giant slapshot from the point, and Boomer mutters darkly, “Do you think he can hang on for just this much longer?” We’re suddenly nervous again.
0:16 Zach gets a chance from an impossible angle at the side of the goal, but hits the outside of the net. He then tries to bank a shot in from behind the goal line, and Thomas says, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
0:00 Whew! That’s one more point than we thought we were going to get after watching the wheels fall of in the third period!
OVERTIME
3:49 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY FLIRKING SCHNITT! WOOOOO!!!!!! Travis and Langer work the puck smartly off a dump-in, Travis sweeps a pass out to Whitey at the point, Whitey fires a rebound-creating shot at the net, Travis jostles the puck loose, and then Langer is there to whip the puck past Thomas. 4-3 Devils! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
So is Zach the mountain lion or the mountain? I was a little lost on that one.
Zach is the mountain lion because he’s “quick as a cat”. Uh… yeeeah. Quick as a sleepy cat, maybe! :D Just kidding, Zach. I could watch that falling-down assist over and over and over and over…
WOO! I got power back just in time for the game! Unfortunately Time Warner is still having issues. My Center Ice channels say, “Please wait, this channel will be available shortly.” Thank goodness for NHL Gamecenter.
You’re little Bouwmeester just scored against the Habs. Shouldn’t he be somewhere churning butter or building a barn?
My Center Ice channels say, “Please wait, this channel will be available shortly.”
Oooh, I hate that!
Shouldn’t he be somewhere churning butter or building a barn?
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: “I shall do those chores later; thous shant worry, goody mcguffers.” (I know, I know, they don’t say “goody” but whatevs.)
I’m not complaining though, they say it could take up to 3 weeks to get everybody’s power back on. I even heard that Obama declared Kentucky to be in a state of emergency.
Poor Zach, he’s a sleepy cat. The NHL wanted to embarrass a sleepy cat in the fastest skater contest.
it could take up to 3 weeks to get everybody’s power back on.
Really? Wowza! Well, I’m sure glad your power came back on!
This game has been kinda crazy. There seem to be a lot of guys sprawled on the ice every time I look up from my dinner!
Egghhhh. I’m watching the Panthers feed tonight and I just saw a promo for Inside Panthers where they previewed a spot of their AHL team, the Rochester Americans. I keep forgetting I’m connected to this. So technically, Bouwmeester does play for my organization. And yes, recognizing myself connected to the Panthers made me throw up in my mouth.
“I shall do those chores later; thous shant worry, goody mcguffers.”
8^:::::::::::::::::: (I’m wearing my glasses tonight)
I’d love to hear him mic’d for a game
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Langer! Shortie! EEEEEEEE!!!
mcguffers, it’s okay — we won’t hold the Amerks against you!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
It seems like Langer’s been a beast lately!
WOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Langer scores a shorty for the Ice Trolls. Hub will be so happy.
Ok, I’m going to have to fire Hub as GM. He didn’t play Langer.
Oooh here’s one…
Panthers Play by Play: “We knew Bouwmeester was good and he’s a good defenseman, we just didn’t realize how good he is defensively.”
I’m not going to get into the verb tense issues, but if he’s a good player AND a good defenseman, wouldn’t he be good defensively? Maybe it’s me
mcguffers, it’s okay — we won’t hold the Amerks against you!
Pookie, they play the commercial every other break, so I’m suffering enough.
Myra, it was very nice of the Stars to score when I switched over. That cheered me up. Thank you :)
Myra, it was very nice of the Stars to score again while I’m still watching. It was also nice of Ott to be there for both. Thank you again :)
Ok, I’m going to have to fire Hub as GM. He didn’t play Langer.
:^:::::::::::::::
“We knew Bouwmeester was good and he’s a good defenseman, we just didn’t realize how good he is defensively.”
Those Panthers guys are really pieces of work, aren’t they?
Ha I love how Zach just like slid after the whistle blew.
Poor PandoNation. Now I’m going to have to buy a new hockey globe.
Now I’m going to have to buy a new hockey globe.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Yeah, those land grants in the Western Territories that splintered off and called themselves TravisNation? They’re a recognized sovereign nation now. :P
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
For comparing Tim Thomas’s time in the spotlight to ANTM. Brilliant. That’s exactly what it’s like.
I adore Paulie, but how DARE he kind of break Lucic. How DARE he.
Myra, a GM’s life is a tough one.
Oh. My. Gosh. We’re up 3-0!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
(It’s very early, so I haven’t popped the champagne yet. But still. I checked to see if it was cold.)
Now I’m going to have to buy a new hockey globe.
and
I haven’t popped the champagne yet. But still. I checked to see if it was cold.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I adore Paulie, but how DARE he kind of break Lucic.
I kinda thought the same thing! :D
OK, Blobby Holik is a menace. TO THE DEVILS! GAH!
I’d be careful, Patty. The Canucks were up 3-1 last night and then decided to give up 3 straight power play goals. *grumble grumble grumble* Frackin Vancouver losers…
Yeah, alix, we had a game like that recently. It was so traumatic, I’ve forgotten who it was against.
I kinda thought the same thing! :D
Heh! It must be interesting when you guys meet your new gentleman callers and the Devils at once. You’re like having a nice, comfortable dinner with the Devils, and then the Bruins come in with a hot looking suit on and a tasty hair cut, and you remember that wild night you had together when you and the Devils are on a break…
Heh. Sorry. Got a little carried away there. I think I’ve used the Canucks as a bad boyfriend metaphor too often lately…
I am in shock! We are up 3-0 against Detroit at the Joe!! I may hyperventilate.
Oh and mcguffers, the Stars, Ott and I say your are very welcome.
alix, :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s all about the tasty haircut!
Poor Bouwmeester! All these years of the Panthers sucking and it’s finally time for him to shed himself of them and they start improving. It just makes his decision to become a Star that much tougher!
alix, :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I think the Ookies’ dinner party is a leeeeetle awkward!
Boomer points out that we only entertain the gentlemen callers on the front porch.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Everyone together now — [mountain lion roar]! Zach!
Pookie, Hee! Good call by Boomer. You can avoid all that akwardness.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
So far, this has been the best game I’ve seen in a while, I think!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Am I in some alternate dimension or something? Or high? What the hell’s going on?
That must be it, Patty, we must be high.
Alright, Eff the Habs. I’ve watched about 6 (non consecutive) minutes of the Stars game and they scored 4 times. I’ve watched 37 minutes of the Habs game, and they only scored when i flicked away for three minutes.
I think the Habs found out about the Sabres and they’re punishing me. The Habs are sucky gentleman callers.
Stay on the Stars, mcguffers!
OH! That’s what I have to do to stay loyal to the Canucks all season! Just make pot brownies before every game and get stoned out of my skull!
mcguffers, it sounds like, as gentleman callers, the Habs are no gentleman.
Patty, :^::::::::::::::::::::::
mcguffers, it sounds like, as gentleman callers, the Habs are no gentleman.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Well, if they’re tranny gentleman callers, that’s often the case.
OH! That’s what I have to do to stay loyal to the Canucks all season! Just make pot brownies before every game and get stoned out of my skull!
:^:::::::::::::: I honestly think that’s why a local winery, Bully Hill, has a Sabres wine. They’d probably sell Sabres pot if it was legal. Anything to get us through the season
mcguffers, it sounds like, as gentleman callers, the Habs are no gentleman.
No, they’re nicely dressed with a “tasty” haircut, but then they steal your social security number and ruin your credit.
Yeah, no goal!
Poop. What was Clemmer doing?!
Poop. What was Clemmer doing?!
texting?
I honestly think that’s why a local winery, Bully Hill, has a Sabres wine. They’d probably sell Sabres pot if it was legal. Anything to get us through the season
I’m thinking of sending Gillis my liquor store bills…that’s fair right? :D
Well, if they’re tranny gentleman callers, that’s often the case.
Oh, that’s true! I forgot that a tranny gentleman caller is NEW to the gentleman part.
First this game seemed like it was speeding through, but now it seems to be taking forever.
I can verify that Kentucky is indeed been declared a state of emergency! I have two siblings without power, and one of them is in my spare room for the second night in a row.
On the plus side, I got to stay home from work on Tuesday and Wednesday!
This game does sound delightful! I am endlessly amused by the noises played by teams with large cat mascots when they score – I’ve generally gone to schools with bird mascots, so it always seems ridiculous to me.
alix, I think your claim would definately hold up in court
Patty, I think my head is going to explode before this period even ends.
Karen, was it ice or snow or ice and snow?
It was snow then freezing rain then rain then snow! Wheeeeeeee! :)
Or as I like to call it, Icy Doom.
Conklin’s from the Roloson school of mask-fastening.
Hee! Holmstrom can suck it!
Babcock can double-suck it!
This is late, but I hate Clemmer.
Karen, you got my snow day! I was supposed to not have to go to work on Wednesday and all we got was rain and fog! Boo! (That said I hope your siblings get their power back soon!)
This is late, but I hate Clemmer.
Seconded. Big style.
I heart Mike Babcock.
Hee! Holmstrom can suck it!
Babcock can double-suck it!
Agreed. The D has been great in front of the net tonight!
Ooo. Icy Doom. No fun.
Crap. :( I really need to stop making bets when the Devils play the Bruins.
You know what I mean, alix! Just in the context of the game! Holmstrom sits on Turco’s lap and of course Babcock has to act like it’s a travesty that he got called on it. I certainly understand. :D
Oh I gotcha, Patty! I heart Holmstrom’s ghetto booty until it’s in Lui’s face all night! And then I’m all “Get out of here Jenny from the Block!”
Sorry about the Devils. They can still rally!
“Get out of here Jenny from the Block!”
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
What the fuck? The Devils tied it up! No the fuck way!
Patty you are my hero! I love you more than Zach right now. And Travis. Woah.
Ah Mountain Lion!
Patty you are my hero!
Oh, well, it was noth— Oh. Never mind!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
The Devils just beat the Bruins! EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Captain FTS!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Was Travis hugging Langer? Or trying to pull him away because he wanted to score the OT winner?
Patty you deserve credit, you said they could still rally.
They won?!?!!! I TOLD YOU! :P
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Way to go Devils!!!
Oh winning…I don’t think I remember what that feels like…
Happiness?! How lovely and foreign…you’ll have to describe to me what if feels like.
The Canucks haven’t won a game since the 7th.
Poor alix! Better to have the swoon now than in March!
True, Pookie! They did that last season! At least they’re not…predictable!
And I’m sorry. YAY DEVILS!!! WOOOOOOO!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe this game!
Happiness?! How lovely and foreign…you’ll have to describe to me what if feels like.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Aw, poor alix!
Breathe, Patty, breathe.
If I get through this without throwing up, I’ll be happy.
They DID IT! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! They slew the giant!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh sweet justice. I knew they would win! (well, except for when they were losing.)
Langer has not sucked lately. This makes me happy.
I’m cracking open the
champagnebrownie mix!Nice job Devils and Stars! Those were both awesome wins!
I’m gonna chug some Sabres wine, eat some Habs brownies, and sleep until May.
Langer has not sucked lately. This makes me happy.
I know! It’s crazy! I like the team so much more when he’s not sucking! :D
And WOOOOOOO! for the Stars! Our teams all rawk!
Woooo, Stars! Brownie mix sounds like a great plan!
I knew they would win! (well, except for when they were losing.)
:^::::::::::::::::::::::
sleep until May.
Aw, poor mcguffers! Maybe the Sabres will score 10 again in their next game?
Maybe the Sabres will score 10 again in their next game?
They better or I’m calling the Stars for another bootie call.
Gees. I’m exhausted.
Shirtless Loui! WOwza!!
What? Where?
Did you tivo the post-game, Myra? It was right at the beginning of Turco’s interview, in the background.
I found it. Hee.
Holy shit, you guys — Tim Thomas invented yoga
Were you treated to shots of Thomas doing yoga? I can’t say he’s one of the top NHLers that I’d want to see getting his yoga on.
Yeah, we were totally treated to shots of Thomas doing yoga. And you will too! That feature is like the Gionta hardware store piece of 2009.
Good morning, everyone!
Good morning, everyone!
Pookie’s so right — there’s no one who’s getting out of this NHL season without seeing Thomas doing yoga. Because he invented it. :P
Because he invented it. :P
Well he does tend to seem kind of old and crusty.
Well he does tend to seem kind of old and crusty.
And he doesn’t seem like he’s very bendy, either. I mean, Crunchy looks bendy. Thomas looks like you’re average non-bendy dude you’d see at the local tavern.
Well he does tend to seem kind of old and crusty.
Thomas looks like you’re average non-bendy dude you’d see at the local tavern.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: This is why it makes such compelling intermission-show filler — it’s that it’s sooooo unexpected. ::Eyeroll:: I shouldn’t complain, though. They could be doing intermission features on the remarkable comebacks of Scott Clemmensen and Brendan Shanahan instead, so I’m going to be thankful for the little things. :P
On a not hockey-related but winter-sport-related note, apparently ,a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/sports/othersports/30curling.html?_r=1″>there’s a Brazilian curling team challenging the US for a spot in the World Championships. Who knew! I think that’s kind of awesome.
Uh, well that was a total fail in the linking department. This is the link.
Brazilian curlers?! What next!
So I work with a really nutty coworker, right? Today he asked me if I’ve ever been to “this store… this place called… IKEA?” He’d never heard of it before. Moreover, he was shocked that I had actually been there. He was all, “I’ve never met anyone who’s been there! You’re the first person I’ve asked today who’s actually been there! What’s it like?” So I explained that I have a negative attitude about going there and that he should ask the rest of the people here who’ve graduated from college in the last ten years to get a more balanced view than mine. He was like, “I don’t believe you that other people have been there.” He then proceeded to ask the next two people who walked by and they were like, “Yeah, of course I’ve been to IKEA.” He nearly fell off his chair. “That’s now three people in this department that have been to IKEA! What are the odds?!” Uh… like 1:1 that everyone here has been to IKEA? Now he’s wandering around the building telling everyone he runs into that IKEA even has a restaurant! Sigh.
Good morning IPBers!
Once again the Devils snatch victory from the jaws of Clemmensen snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. While picking on Clemmensen is fun and I still super hate him and really want to see Weekes tonight, what do you all think of Rolston? It seems to me he is doing absolutely nothing and generally botching things up on the power play.
“That’s now three people in this department that have been to IKEA! What are the odds?!” Uh… like 1:1 that everyone here has been to IKEA? Now he’s wandering around the building telling everyone he runs into that IKEA even has a restaurant! Sigh.
Heh. That’s funny when one doesn’t have to deal with him at least.
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I can’t believe “Dickie” was so stunned everyone had been to IKEA! (Name changed to protect his anonymity… :P)
Once again the Devils snatch victory from the jaws of Clemmensen snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Oh my god, that is the PERFECT description of it! Well played!! As for Rolston, I’ve been actively trying to ignore him because I was so excited when we signed him and now that signing looks awful. Obviously, it’s not hurting the team right now, but dude. Just… dude. Maybe it’s coming back from the ankle injury that’s making him look so bad? (How long do we get to use that as an excuse?) I suppose we could also say he’s a bit hampered by being on a line with some of the team’s lesser offensive lights. Not that I’d move anyone from the top two lines right now. It’s actually kind of a good problem to have, not having room on our top lines for a guy like Rolston. Granted, it’s a less-good problem looking at his cap hit for the next umpteen years, but right this minute, I’m trying not to think about that. (In short, I’m conflicted about Rolston’s level of contribution, but the team offense is good enough that it’s not a huge concern. :D)
Once again the Devils snatch victory from the jaws of Clemmensen snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s the story of this season!
My theory on Rolston is that he’s looking terrible but at least he’s not taking dumb penalties on every shift like some other ancient once-and-future-ex-Devils I can think of.
Now he’s wandering around the building telling everyone he runs into that IKEA even has a restaurant!
Now I want some of the Swedish meatballs from IKEA’s restaurant. Thank you Pookie’s co-worker “Dickie” for giving me a food craving that isn’t easily rectified anytime soon.
And that’s my story.
That’s such a sad story, Amy! I’m hungry for just about anything right now, but there’s always a line for the microwave this time of day. I’m just going to have to wait until after 1 to go zap my chili.
And that’s my story. Also sad. But probably rectified sooner than the IKEA meatballs.
That’s so funny about your coworker, Pookie! There was a time when I was the only one I knew that had ever been to IKEA, but that was back when the nearest one was in Houston.
I wouldn’t mind some IKEA meatballs about now, myself. And some of those really thin spice cookies that come in a big can.
I wouldn’t mind some IKEA meatballs about now, myself. And some of those really thin spice cookies that come in a big can.
Mmmm….and lingonberry jam.
Ditto on Patty’s story. We used to have to drive to Emeryville to hit up Ikea. It’s not as rare and exciting when there’s one in West Sac.
A common thing back in olden times was for us to stop into Ikea on the way to Sharks games. Tracie loves the store and I figured it was only fair, having dragged her to the game in the first place. Well, in 2004 we went to game 1 of the WCF against Calgary. It was an afternoon game, and I drank the entire way down there, as well as through the entire game. I was fairly trashed by the time they lost 4-3 in OT. It was terrible! Anyways, I had forgotten that we had previously agreed that we would stop at Ikea on the way back. I had to walk around looking at chairs and sheets and shit for like 2 hours with a rapidly oncoming hangover and a Sharks playoff loss fresh in my mind. Least fun Ikea trip ever.
So I guess that’s my story.
andrew, that’s a terrible way to go through IKEA!! It’s bad enough if you start with a good mood. I always go too fast through the last part, because I spent too much time in the first part.
Oh, and good for Tracie for making you stick to your deal!
It’s bad enough if you start with a good mood.
I know!
Now that we’ve had one here in town for the past few years, people are much less insane about it. Wading through isn’t a nightmare like the Ikeas of old.
Oh, and good for Tracie for making you stick to your deal!
Yeah, she’s a take no prisoners kinda gal. That includes me.
Oh, and good for Tracie for making you stick to your deal!
Hee! She’s quite the taskmaster, but I guess she’d earned the trip to IKEA.
Last time I went to IKEA was a DISASTER. I’m told the one in Elizabeth is especially bad, but dude, I vowed NEVER AGAIN. Plus, Pookie got SARS while we were there. Not a good day at all. And I didn’t even have the excuse of rapidly-developing hangover or a playoff loss.
I love IKEA. Most of the furniture in my house (and then some) is from IKEA. That said, I have learned that the only reasonable time to go there is in the morning or early afternoon. But not on a Wednesday afternoon (schools let out at 12 on Wednesday), and DEFINITELY not on the weekend. Not unless you want to die in any case.
It’s not as rare and exciting when there’s one in West Sac.
The thing is, the one in Elizabeth, NJ is one that’s been there forever and any person who has ever gone from Jersey to NYC (so, like, 99% of the population of NJ) has driven past it for at least the last 20 years or so. So it hasn’t been rare and exciting in NJ for the longest time and thus totally bizarre to have Dickie get so excited about it! It was just so bizarre. (He also made me take the seat that gets asked more questions so that he could stare at the picture of the ugly tv stand he wants for two hours. Dude, just order it online and shut up, okay?!)
It sounds like Dickie might need some help.
The first time my sister and I went to IKEA, we became petrified that we would get separated, get lost and never find each other or our way out again. (She did not have a cell phone at the time.) We had to fight the instinct not to cling to each other and were so relieved when we finally reached the end. Kinda scary for two grown women who normally love to shop and have a decent sense of direction.
And that is my IKEA story.
Also, I am still totally pumped about the Stars game last night.
Also, I am still totally pumped about the Stars game last night.
Congrats on beating the Wings. They’ve lost 2 in a row now! Woo!
Also, Nabokov has a new franchise shutout-streak record going, which is exciting. 170 minutes and counting!
Also, I am still totally pumped about the Stars game last night.
Hee, good for you! I’m watching it on TV right now, actually. Even though I know what the final score is, it’s still fun to watch :D
Hey andrew! How’s it going? I’m sorry to hear about your job situation. But I’m very excited about your prospective garden. Those seed choices sounded awesome!
Also, Nabokov has a new franchise shutout-streak record going, which is exciting. 170 minutes and counting!
Dude, that is impressive! I’m counting on the Sharks continuing to beat everyone else but us! :P
Mags, that game is well worth watching even knowing the score.
How’s school going? It seems weird that 20+ years later, I am using my business education more than ever.
and DEFINITELY not on the weekend. Not unless you want to die in any case.
And DEFINITELY not at back to school time. My down comforter was well worth it, but I thought I was going to die.
At least none of y’all have to go to another country to find your closest IKEA.
Cold Weather + IKEA + Two-year-old+ Swedish Meatballs = 2 Hours Not Trapped in Apartment + Lunch
Myra, school’s been pretty good so far. I’m totally hung up about all the stupid mistakes I made on my last exam (I couldn’t get the fricking balance sheet to balance, despite checking everything 3 times. So I gave up). I’ll get over it eventually. But it’s a damn sight better than dentistry, that’s for sure.
Hey andrew! How’s it going? I’m sorry to hear about your job situation. But I’m very excited about your prospective garden.
Hi Myra! S’going good, it’s Friday! How’s about you?
Thanks for the sympathies on the job front. I know you guys have been through it…times are crazy. Luckily I got a sugarmama to get me through, so I’ll be alright.
I am stoked about the garden and the new seeds. I found this book online yesterday that is a comprehensive guide, specifically for growing in the California central valley. I am really excited about it. It seems like every gardening book I read is eastern United States speific. It will be nice to have a gardening book that never once mentions waiting until the snow thaws.
Damn East Coast gardening bias.
I don’t like shopping so IKEA is, shall we say, less than fun for me. My roommate loves IKEA though so she just asks me if I want anything when she goes. Good deal.
Oh btw, Myra, how’s work?
At least none of y’all have to go to another country to find your closest IKEA.
Heh. Geographically my closest IKEA is in Germany, but it’s easier from a logistics POV to get to the one in Holland.
Damn East Coast gardening bias.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::: Damn straight! And that’s the way it should be! As in all things. :P
Cold Weather + IKEA + Two-year-old+ Swedish Meatballs = 2 Hours Not Trapped in Apartment + Lunch
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: OOF. I think I’ll stick to parenting my cats instead of human two-year-olds. :P
And I gotta say, on the whole it’s been a really good hockey week for all of us, hasn’t it? It makes me nervous. When does the other shoe drop?
When does the other shoe drop?
My guess is, tonight. There’s no way I’m going to live if the Devils win tonight. My mom will kill me in my sleep.
Damn straight! And that’s the way it should be! As in all things. :P
Nuh uh!
That’s the best I can do. I got nuthin’
When does the other shoe drop?
I’ve been saying that all year (with the Sharks, anyway). The shoe never seems to drop!
The Sabres on the other hand keep toying with my emotions. It’s not been easy. I’ve watched the Edmonton game twice already, just because.
And I gotta say, on the whole it’s been a really good hockey week for all of us, hasn’t it?
Speak for yourself, BEEYATCH! :D
But WHEEEEEE! I’m still going to practice on Monday! Maybe the guys will get in another fight right in front of me.
Damn East Coast gardening bias.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: All those East Coast plants don’t stay up late enough at night to see how the West Coast plants are growing.
Mags, work is going great. I guess I’m going to be Hub’s “sugarmomma,” as andrew puts it, once the end of March comes. Sorry you couldn’t get your balance sheet to balance on your exam. That is always so frustrating. But when it does balance, it is one of the pure pleasures in life at least from an accounting geek perspective. :P
I hear ya on the East coast gardening bias, andrew. We have a couple of guys who write books for the local climate but the pickens are pretty slim otherwise. Yes, I love reading gardening books just like I love reading cookbooks, but don’t garden or cook (at least not fancy stuff).
And speaking of work. I must get busy. Have a great afternoon everyone.
Speak for yourself, BEEYATCH! :D
Heh heh heh. Of course, you’re the one who gets to watch her guys fight shirtless (they will be shirtless, right?) in practice, so while they might not be winning, hockey’s still treating you right. :P
Sounds like you and I are opposites, Myra! I don’t like reading gardening books or following recipes! But I am excited for the book because I know I’ll learn some good stuff. I’ve been getting by on nothing but living in a dummy-proof location and overwatering.
Have a good afternoon! Don’t work too hard!
I’ve been getting by on nothing but living in a dummy-proof location and overwatering.
:^:::::::::::::: And we’ve been getting by on nothing but spending shitloads on nice soil and underwatering!
All those East Coast plants don’t stay up late enough at night to see how the West Coast plants are growing.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And have a great afternoon, Myra! Work hard! Do good! Avoid evil! (As our father used to exhort every day when we left for school.)
I’ve been getting by on nothing but living in a dummy-proof location and overwatering.
It seems to me that most of my gardening reading has pretty much boiled down to advice to plant in a dummy-proof location and overwater. So I think you’ve got it all figured out, andrew!
Of course, you’re the one who gets to watch her guys fight shirtless (they will be shirtless, right?) in practice, so while they might not be winning, hockey’s still treating you right. :P
Oh we can only hope! Who needs winning really…
It seems to me that most of my gardening reading has pretty much boiled down to advice to plant in a dummy-proof location and overwater.
haha…no I’m not even talking specifics like planting. I’m just talking about the region that I live in! I’m in an area that is basically one giant farm, about the size of Tennessee. Dummy proof!
Pookie, you’re totally right about the soil. I’m learning that…quickly. That’s why I bought the cover crop seed blend.
alix, buck up little trooper. The Nucks will be okay, I’m telling you! Stay stong.
Pookie, you’re totally right about the soil.
I’m going to write a gardening book that says:
1. Plant in the sun.
2. Buy nice soil.
3. Diversify your crops so when one fails another does fine.
4. Harvest more veggies than you can shake a stick at.
And I’ll make millions! That’s all there is to it! Then I can quit this crummy job! Heh. Speaking of crummy jobs, I have shelves and shelves of mysteries that need reordering. At least the titles are funny.
Thanks, Andrew!
Speaking of crummy jobs, I have shelves and shelves of mysteries that need reordering.
Pookie, it could be worse. I read on CNN this morning that a woman gave birth in a library yesterday. She got off the bus, stepped inside the doors and the kid popped out.
Holy crap. That woman that just gave birth to octuplets already has 6 kids. I don’t think I could handle one kid!
So, I just found out I don’t get interview access to players/coaches. Boooo. But I do get to meet Chris Zimmerman the Canucks CEO, which is pretty badass, right?
Holy crap. That woman that just gave birth to octuplets already has 6 kids. I don’t think I could handle one kid!
I just read that somewhere else, alix! I’m reeling just thinking about it.
And BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! that you don’t get to meet the players/coaches! How else are you going to ask Matty for his thoughts about cabs? That’s awful! (Um, wait, no… meeting the Canucks CEO is super cool. Totally. Sure. Whatever you say. :P)
But I do get to meet Chris Zimmerman the Canucks CEO, which is pretty badass, right?
Hey, you could do a lot worse. As far as NHL CEOs go, I hear he leads the league in successful synergystic marketing webinars.
Lame, I know. I’m seriously bored. Can you tell?
And BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! that you don’t get to meet the players/coaches! How else are you going to ask Matty for his thoughts about cabs? That’s awful! (Um, wait, no… meeting the Canucks CEO is super cool. Totally. Sure. Whatever you say. :P)
Hee! That’s kind of what I said! But oh well. Maybe when they realize we’re not psychos, next time we go we can meet players. Le sigh.
Lame, I know. I’m seriously bored. Can you tell?
I was about to say to buck up, and that it’s almost time to go home, but that’s actually only true here. Stupid East Coast time bias. :P
I’ve had a very exciting day of finding out I’m going to be heading out on more travel visa-acquiring excursions into NYC in the next six weeks. Aside from my boss and VP needing more visas themselves, my VP’s boss needs one, and his admin’s terrified of going into the City, so maybe I can get myself onto the big bossman’s radar by taking care of that for them…
And that’s my story. And it’s almost time for me to go home. :D
As far as NHL CEOs go, I hear he leads the league in successful synergystic marketing webinars.
Hehehehe! It sounded good. And he used to work for Nike, so he’s probably pretty cool, I suppose.
Stupid East Coast time bias. :P
God! I know! Why is the Sun always over on the east coast first? It’s bullshit!
And he used to work for Nike, so he’s probably pretty cool, I suppose.
I’m sure he is. Those guys probably don’t have a lot to stress over, like the GMs. (except for those in Phoenix, Nashville, etc)
I hear the Sharks CEO Greg Jamison is pretty cool, can’t say that I’ve met him though.
Pookie, it could be worse. I read on CNN this morning that a woman gave birth in a library yesterday. She got off the bus, stepped inside the doors and the kid popped out.
Yikes! Time Out New York had this thing with librarians this week and one of them had this to share:
“Someone used to repeatedly call me at work and want to have dirty phone chat. He’d ask, ‘Do you have any books on female orgasms?’ and then expect me to read all the titles to him.”
It’s kind of funny but at the same time, the poor librarian. And also, what a weirdo.
Librarians attract weirdos, I guess.
Yesterday I read about a 54 year old Russian man getting his…package bitten off by a raccoon after the man was drunk and tried to rape it.
I…might have laughed for 10 minutes straight.
Why is the Sun always over on the east coast first? It’s bullshit!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Meg, that story totally sounds like something Pookie would deal with at work. Big style. :D
alix, that’s amazingly hilarious about the drunk guy and the raccoon. That’ll teach that guy to take liberties with Mrs. Pando!
Librarians attract weirdos, I guess.
More likely, free places to come in from the cold attract weirdos.
I read about a 54 year old Russian man getting his…package bitten off by a raccoon after the man was drunk and tried to rape it.
No matter how many times he tells the drunk Russians he just not that into them, Anze Kopitar is still occasionally attacked. This time things got violent.
Again, sorry. It’s the boredom. I think it’s finally getting to me.
No matter how many times he tells the drunk Russians he just not that into them, Anze Kopitar is still occasionally attacked.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Poor Anze!
More likely, free places to come in from the cold attract weirdos.
Yeah, I think it’s more that than the librarians themselves. I can assure you that Pookie never attracted weirdos before she started working in a library. :P
Yeah, I should have said On duty librarians. I’m sure Pookie doesn’t attract weirdos when she’s at the yarn store or whatever. Heh.
That raccoon doesn’t take her virtue lightly!
HAHAHAHAHA!!
Poor little Anze!
That raccoon doesn’t take her virtue lightly!
Or his virtue. If that was the case.
All I’m saying is the drunk Russian probably didn’t take the time to check.
Yeah, they didn’t specify gender. And I think if you’re that drunk/horny you’re not going to care.
Yeah, they didn’t specify gender. And I think if you’re that drunk/horny you’re not going to care.
Yeah, if you’re trying to molest a raccoon, it’s pretty obvious you’re not picky. :D
Yeah, if you’re trying to molest a raccoon, it’s pretty obvious you’re not picky.
…or concerned about your personal safety. Apparently.
Clemmensen again tonight?!? AARRRRGGGHHHH!!! I can only hope we pull a Ftorek on Sutter towards the end of the season.
But Mike, we love Clemmer! Him and his stellar rebound control.