These are the things Martin Brodeur is capable of, the things that made the suggestion that he wouldn’t get the starting job back after his return preposterous:
– Notching a shutout in his first game back after missing more than 100 days, a feat that has been matched by… well… no one else in the history of the NHL.
– Notching a shutout in his third game back, too, a game that just happened to also be his third in four days.
– Bringing his shutout record this season to four in 13 starts. And 100 in his career. (But he’s just lucky and/or a product of the system.)
– Having an ability to shut down plays much faster than the guy some people suggested should have been keeping the starting job in his place.
– Playing a half-butterfly that makes him vastly better at keeping himself in plays that continue after rebounds than the guy some people suggested should have been keeping the starting job in his place.
– Controlling rebounds with said half-butterfly with such aplomb that he rarely concedes second chances.
– Handling the puck outside the crease in a functional manner, and communicating well enough with his D that it never appears that he’s working against his own teammates. We’ve missed that.
– Making us feel, when the first goal is scored by the Devils, “Well, this one’s over.”
– After coming back for a four-day stretch of 3-0-0 hockey with a 0.67 GAA and a .971 save percentage (that included beating the Flyers), he made a snowstorm blow up the East Coast so we could have a snow day on Monday. Because the only explanation for such good fortune is that Marty was responsible for it, right?
(We should say, though, that there is a down side to both events, Marty’s return and the snow day. The problem with Marty’s comeback is that the Devils are always best when they’re flying under the radar, but now everyone’s talking about how great they are. Hm. It’s a bit unnerving. And the problem with the snow day is that there was only ONE hockey game on today, and it was Avalanche/Islanders. On what planet is that an appealing match-up? It wasn’t appealing back in July when the schedule was set. Who let this happen?)
stupid nemesis. *grumble grumble*
But isn’t life more fun to have a nemesis?
hehehe I love snow-buried Victory-Euro Mats. He’s so cute!
and I am just swooning over Marty and his 2 shutouts in 3 games in 4 days-ness. There are no words.. Marty is brilliant. :)
And kudos for the rest of the Devils for remembering how to score. Maybe they could hold a clinic for the Sabres? We need some help in that department..
Isn’t Marty just the swooniest? I’m going nuts over him. :D
I think Sabres fans can take heart — the Devils had completely forgotten how to score just a week ago. All you need is your Hall Of Fame goalie to come back from a four-month stint on the IR with just a handful of wins needed to break the all-time record. Trust me — they’ll be SUPER motivated then. :P
It took me a second to see that was VE Mats. GREAT! picture!
Hee! Thanks, Patty!
This whole post is SO cute! You guys are so sentimental!
Poor VE Mats! Did he get buried in an avalanche? He must be freezing, he could probably use a good grog…
I love that VE Mats is your snow measurement device.
All you need is your Hall Of Fame goalie to come back from a four-month stint on the IR with just a handful of wins needed to break the all-time record.
I know he doesn’t yet have Marty’s credentials, but if Crunchy’s on the IR for four months because of his darn ankle, I may cry. The day he steps back on the ice to practice, I may start hanging Crunchy colored bunting in my cubicle.
he could probably use a good grog
We need some Playmobil pirates to give Mats a grog mug!
I may start hanging Crunchy colored bunting in my cubicle
:^::::::::::::::::::::: I wish I’d thought to hang Marty-colored bunting last week!
Good morning, everyone! I very nearly (like skidding out of control with no breaks) drove off an off-ramp this morning! Hooray for snow! And then, while driving on the roads that were not, apparently, plowed, two different pedestrians walked out in front of me. When I had no traction. And could barely brake. Thanks, folks. Thanks a lot. I have never driven to work under worse conditions. We shouldda had a snow day today too!
Sentimental! That’s so the word most people like to use for us! :P
Grrrreg, Mats spent the rest of the afternoon clinging to a giant bottle of Sailor Jerry spiced rum (no kidding — when I went to make drinks for us last night I discovered Pookie had hitched him there), so he was doing pretty well for himself after his snow ordeal.
Amy, I think Crunchy-colored bunting is SO the way to go when he gets back! (And it won’t be four months. That would be RIDONK!)
And good morning, everyone! I had a little excitement today when my car wouldn’t start, and then Boomer nearly got her car stuck in a snow pile while trying to back around mine to drive me to work. It was very nearly Keystone Kops’ Morning Kommute at stately IPB Manor. (I’m concerned about what kind of sign Pando not starting is, though. Maybe it’s just a coincidence? Nah. That’s impossible.)
Now if someone could tell me what color Crunchy colored bunting is, that would be great. I’m thinking it’s plaid for some reason.
It was very nearly Keystone Kops’ Morning Kommute at stately IPB Manor.
Hee! When we had our last big snowstorm, a co-worker and I had to go to an off-site meeting. Since we both live close to the meeting site, and the meeting was at the end of the day, we both drove our own cars so we could go home afterward. On the expressway on the way to the meeting, my co-worker spins out. I pull over so that I can call her and see if she’s alright and I get stuck in the snowy muck that’s on the unplowed shoulder. I got unstuck, she got unspun and we both made it to the meeting on time, though slightly shaken.
Morning IPB! Yay Marty… that seriously bowls me over that he got that shutout.
Also, VEM brightens my day!
It was very nearly Keystone Kops’ Morning Kommute at stately IPB Manor.
I just have a mental image of you three skidding around and falling in snow piles while Yakety Sax plays in the background. (Poor Schnookie and Boomer!)
I’m thinking it’s plaid for some reason.
HAHAHAHA! With polka dot trim. Definitely. :D
And that’s AWFUL, Amy, the story about getting to your off-site meeting! At least our antics and hilarity were in the comfort of our own driveway.
I just have a mental image of you three skidding around and falling in snow piles while Yakety Sax plays in the background.
That’s pretty much exactly what it looked like. :D
I just have a mental image of you three skidding around and falling in snow piles while Yakety Sax plays in the background.
All you’re missing is the feline residents of IPB Manor looking out the window and wondering what their people are doing out in such nasty weather.
Hee hee! Yeah, the cats would have their little noses pressed up to the back door, stoically watching the pathetic goings-on outside.
Poor VE Mats…
The problem with Marty’s comeback is that the Devils are always best when they’re flying under the radar, but now everyone’s talking about how great they are. Hm. It’s a bit unnerving.
This makes me uneasy as well.
It’s all starting to sound a bit 2001, isn’t it? And we all know how THAT ended. Sigh.
Schnookie, if Gomez didn’t kick in the puck in game 6, they would have won the cup. It absolutely crushed the momentum. That’s my story. ugh.
Good morning everyone! How’re we all doing on this fine day!? The black clouds are rolling in over here, looks like another day of rain. I love it!
I try not to think about it. Ever. :P
Andrew, I’d take rain over snow anyday!
And schnookie, that was painful just to think about.
Andrew, I’d take rain over snow anyday!
That’s what I usually hear from people who live in snowy areas. I have no frame of reference! All I know is that this drought has been killing us and every day that it rains is a good one.
Good morning, andrew! WOO HOO for rain! Sounds like a perfect day!
I’m so happy today because there’s finally going to be some hockey on. Yesterday nearly killed me. No one should ever have to suffer a day with only an Islanders/Avs game.
I’m so happy today because there’s finally going to be some hockey on. Yesterday nearly killed me.
I know, right? I had a hockey-less evening last night, because fuck the Avs and the Isles.
Tonight looks much more promising. And honestly, can we get a trade or two? This trade deadline has been so boring. I can’t handle it.
I can’t say I’d trade yesterday’s snow day for rain. And the snow was so dry and light that it’s all pretty much blowing away now. It seemed very much to be a “spring is coming” sort of snowstorm.
This trade deadline has been so boring. I can’t handle it.
The problem is, look at the names of players who might be moving. Who cares about any of those guys? It’s going to be a dull deadline one way or the other! (Not that I’m calling Havelid boring. He’s a very exciting acquisition. VERY exciting.)
The most exciting thing about Havelid is that Greene/Mottau will be out of the lineup!
Greene! Let it be Greene! :P
Agreed
Awwwwwww! Victory Euro Mats is almost as adorable as real Mats! I’m glad he got some rum. This post is soooooo cute.
And to the surprise of no one, the Rangers picked up Avery. Slats was quoted as saying “that over time, you learn to love him, just like I do.”
Dammit! I wanted the Islanders to pick him up! Can they do nothing right?! Don’t answer that.
Yeah, I guess the players that are on the block aren’t the most exciting…but still! I don’t care if it’s as lame as Nik Antropov to the Wild, I just want to see some movement! I miss the old days when there would be 20-30 trades in the last few days before the deadline.
I miss the old days when there would be 20-30 trades in the last few days before the deadline.
Yeah, I miss the old days of non-salary restricted trades. When GMs could just be as crazy and stupid as they wanted to be. It was a golden age, that’s for sure.
And what’s WRONG with the Islanders that they couldn’t do everyone a favor and scoop up Avery first? I thought they hated the Rangers! BOOO!
When GMs could just be as crazy and stupid as they wanted to be.
Exactly! I love me some stupid GMing.
The waiver wire is the only thing that’s seen any action. Brendan Morrison, Miro Satan and Gary Roberts were all put on waivers today.
B-Mo!!!! He really should have never left Vancouver…
Brendan Morrison, Miro Satan and Gary Roberts were all put on waivers today.
Boooooooooooring.
Brendan Morrison, Miro Satan and Gary Roberts were all put on waivers today.
Let’s not forget Jon Sim.
Brendan Morrison, Miro Satan and Gary Roberts were all put on waivers today.
Let’s not forget Jon Sim.
I was about to agree with Mags that that’s boring, but then Jon Sim entered the mix. EXCITING!
Sigh.
Let’s not forget Jon Sim.
Is it possible to forget someone you never knew existed? I know it’s harsh, but I’ve never even heard of that guy.
I’m having a spectacularly good day. Surely this means something is going to go fantastically wrong on the trade front today.
First Sabres related article that says the Sabres should pick up Satan will seriously push me over the edge. Satan is not the answer to the team’s problems.
And I’m currently listening to two co-workers discuss whether or not a thank you card is required from a birthday child for a gift from their party attendees if the birthday child hands out goody bags. I thought thank yous were standard etiquette and not interchangeable with goody bags. But then again, kids these days…
There’s also Aaron Voros, Brenden Bell, Craig Adams, Eric Reitz, and Eric Perrin. And Gerber. Again. WOOOOOOOO.
First Sabres related article that says the Sabres should pick up Satan will seriously push me over the edge.
Ditto with the Devils. IT WASN’T FUNNY THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE SAID IT, AND IT’S NOT FUNNY NOW HOWEVER MANY YEARS LATER! :P
I thought thank yous were standard etiquette and not interchangeable with goody bags. But then again, kids these days…
On what PLANET are goody bags considered sufficient replacement for thank you notes? Tsk tsk.
(Oh, and good news — all my car needed was a jump. Just like the real Pando! I’m figuring today’s jump start is my car’s version of Marty coming back to the lineup.)
There’s also Aaron Voros, Brenden Bell, Craig Adams, Eric Reitz, and Eric Perrin. And Gerber. Again. WOOOOOOOO.
Oh, salary cap. How well everyone seems to cope with you. :D
There’s also Aaron Voros, Brenden Bell, Craig Adams, Eric Reitz, and Eric Perrin. And Gerber. Again. WOOOOOOOO.
Well braid my hair and call me Betsey. How well are we dealing with the cap again?
I thought thank yous were standard etiquette and not interchangeable with goody bags.
I was a fricking terrible party host then.
Man, that is a sorry bunch going on waivers. B-mo and Satan might have a bit of life left in them, given the right situation, but the rest of those guys…sheesh.
Oh, salary cap. How well everyone seems to cope with you.
Remember at the beginning of the season when the joke was whether the Kings would hit the cap floor? How many teams wish they were in the Kings boat right now.
How many teams wish they were in the Kings boat right now.
I’ll take a stab: none of the teams that are in a playoff spot do. That’s for damn sure.
I’ll take a stab: none of the teams that are in a playoff spot do. That’s for damn sure.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m sure a lot of them would take the cap situation, though. The Flyers are like, “Ummm… That actually sounds really nice right about now…” :P
I’m sure a lot of them would take the cap situation, though.
Absolutely. (I knew what you meant, Amy…I just couldn’t hold back the snark.)
(Also, if I were the Kings, I’d punch myself in the face.)
(Also, if I were the Kings, I’d punch myself in the face.)
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Tell us how you really feel!
Kings: Hey, andrew, why are you hitting yourself in the face? Huh? Huh?
Quit hitting yourself! Quit hitting yourself!
The Flyers are like, “Ummm… That actually sounds really nice right about now…”
The Rest of the League: “If you hadn’t signed someone to a large ass contract with a no trade clause, you wouldn’t be in this boat, now would you?”
The Rest of the League: “If you hadn’t signed someone to a large ass contract with a no trade clause, you wouldn’t be in this boat, now would you?”
Toronto: “I’m sorry, come again?”
Flyers: Oh yeah?! [Sics a goon on The Rest of the League]
The Rest of the League: “If you hadn’t signed someone to a large ass contract with a no trade clause, you wouldn’t be in this boat, now would you?”
Flyers: “Well, we probably shouldn’t have chased that contract with a whole bunch of huge contracts to mid-level players. That’s where we really got ourselves into trouble.”
Pens: “What now?”
So you are saying that Marty controls the weather, but not the NHL schedule. Because he wouldn’t have chosen to give us that matchup last night.
I guess that makes sense. I mean, the man can only do so many things.
Pens: “What now?”
Rangers: “Waive a couple guys and sign a shit stirrer. Cause of and solution to all life’s problems, right?”
Pens: “What now?”
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: But Schnookie, remember, Ray Shero doesn’t do bad GMing.
But Schnookie, remember, Ray Shero doesn’t do bad GMing.\
That’s interesting. I thought he just wasn’t really a GM.
I guess that makes sense. I mean, the man can only do so many things.
Hey, he can control the weather, but he’s not the Hockey Gods. I mean, that’s just hubris to suggest. :P
“Waive a couple guys and sign a shit stirrer. Cause of and solution to all life’s problems, right?”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Here’s hoping it’s as bad as we all suspect it can be! :P
But Schnookie, remember, Ray Shero doesn’t do bad GMing.
That’s interesting. I thought he just wasn’t really a GM.
Oooh… BURN! and BURN! Heh.
Yeah signing Fleury to a 7 year contract was just GENIUS! Because one good playoffs totes means he’s a rockstar.
Oh and signing old bald Swedes is just good business. :D
Oh and signing old bald Swedes is just good business.
You can never have too many Swedes in your organization.
And Vogl is suggesting that the Sabres take a run at Gerber, to back up Lalime while Crunchy is out. His thinking is that it’s better to have proven talent in Gerber backing up Lalime in the event of an injury than a wee untested one from the minors. I think I’d rather take my chances with Enroth.
Just popping in to agree-the only thing that sounds better than having Marty back is watching the Devs win the cup live–so jealous! Can’t Marty use his powers to 1) clear snow; 2) Cure our colds; C) Make Asshat Avery disappear?
It was so funny–after the Sabres game the other day, they show little game clips at the end as they are wrapping the broadcast, and I caught a little clip I didn’t see in the game of Lalime with a d-man in front of him facing him, and Lalime waving his glove in front of the guy’s face JUST LIKE Avery’s little stick-waving episode (the guy’s eyes followed it everywhere). Was he thinking “You can’t do this to me, but I can do it to you–ha!ha!”?
I think I’d rather take my chances with Enroth.
I haven’t seen much of Enroth, but I’ve seen enough of Gerber to agree with you! :D
SOrry, didn’t mean to be thread killer!
*slinks away*
Can’t Marty use his powers to 1) clear snow; 2) Cure our colds; C) Make Asshat Avery disappear?
I think now is the time to try refinancing my house again, I’m pretty sure Clemmensen was responsible for my low appraisal last time.
Mike,I think Clemmensen suffers from Chris-Osgood face–he’s a serial killer masquerading as the most boring white guy EVER–in addition to being responsible for the mortgage crisis!
SOrry, didn’t mean to be thread killer!
*slinks away*
Don’t slink away! You just timed that comment to when I was busy with work! (I know. It’s terrible.)
I haven’t seen much of Enroth, but I’ve seen enough of Gerber to agree with you!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ditto!
I’m pretty sure Clemmensen was responsible for my low appraisal last time.
Oh, TOTES. There’s no other explanation.
I think Clemmensen suffers from Chris-Osgood face–he’s a serial killer masquerading as the most boring white guy EVER
HAHAHAHAHAHA! That’s the perfect description of him!
I think I’d rather take my chances with Enroth.
I haven’t seen much of Enroth, but I’ve seen enough of Gerber to agree with you! :D
Ah, well, according to the Buffalo News blog and Bucky, the rumors have Marty Biron waiving his no-trade clause to come back instead. Unless he can score goals these days I don’t see that fixing the Sabres.
But…here’s the question, is Clemmensen (in his disguise) more boring than Chris Drury???
I mean, Clemmensen might be worse, as you point out, he’s probably a serial killer masquerading as the most boring white guy EVER/
But, Chris Drury is over-rated as Captain Clutch when in fact he’s just, well, infinitely dull.
the rumors have Marty Biron waiving his no-trade clause to come back instead.
Oh-kaaaaaay. I, uh, guess that makes sense? :P
You make a good point, SueNJ97. Of course, a few weeks ago, Clemmensen was a serial killer masquerading as the most boring white guy EVER, while also being talked up as a guy who should be getting starts in place of Marty Brodeur. That’s pretty vile. :D
Dude, Gabby, you are so right about Clemmer having Chris Osgood Face! :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I bet he’s responsible for me being tired and cranky and wanting to go home, too.
according to the Buffalo News blog and Bucky, the rumors have Marty Biron waiving his no-trade clause to come back instead. Unless he can score goals these days I don’t see that fixing the Sabres.
Whaaaaaaaaa?
So when Crunchy’s healthy would we keep Marty and dump Lalime? I’m not sure how I feel about that.
So when Crunchy’s healthy would we keep Marty and dump Lalime? I’m not sure how I feel about that.
Biron was so happy with that set-up the first time around! He’s probably like, “Okay, I got a chance to set out in the world and have my own team. And you know what? I didn’t really like it.” (No one tell him that the Flyers don’t count.)
Looks like the Sharks have lost Grier and Roenick for 4-6 weeks each. That means DW is bringing emergency old people in…Recchi or Roberts to the Sharks by tomorrow morning, bank on it!
Clemmer is responsible for all bad events in the world, because he’s evil-dull, while Drury is responsible for all things that disappear on you (like socks), because he is a black hole of dull.
Andrew, emergency old people!!!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::!!!
I want my cutie-pie Lalime to stay in Buffalo!!! Dump the rest of those suck faces, but not him!!!
Ooof. Fun times for Sharks fans, eh?
Recchi or Roberts to the Sharks by tomorrow morning, bank on it!
Oof. I’m so sorry! :D
Biron was so happy with that set-up the first time around!
As was Crunchy.
So when Crunchy’s healthy would we keep Marty and dump Lalime? I’m not sure how I feel about that.
I hope that’s one of the many false rumors one hears this time of year, Lalime has been great from the last few games I have seen. I have never been that impressed with Biron from back when he was with the Sabres and I was glad when the Flyers picked him up as I suspected he would not be able to handle the load, especially considering how goalies are always made the scapegoats in Philly.
Biron was so happy with that set-up the first time around!
As was Crunchy.
The only complaint I ever heard from Crunchy about Marty was that Marty used an entire roll of tape every practice/game and Crunchy was now deaf in the ear that faced Marty’s locker from having to listen to the ripping sounds of that much tape.
Ooof. Fun times for Sharks fans, eh?
A little bit. Roenicks been out for most of the season anyways, but the loss of Grier stings.
If Mitchell can get his happy ass back onto the ice and Goc gets healthy soon then it won’t be so bad. But Wilson will still deal for some depth, because that’s what he always does.
Amy, that sounds like cranky Crunchy! :D
The only complaint I ever heard from Crunchy about Marty was that Marty used an entire roll of tape every practice/game
That’s because of those awesome tape balls that he straps to the back of his skates! God Marty is so weird and awesome. I miss him.
Well Lemiux does need some friends to play shuffleboard with.
The Canucks need a defensive third line center. I don’t think as much as I adore him Happy Meals is going to cut it in the playoffs. Do we claim B-Mo or wait for Halpern or something in a trade…hmmm.
Recchi or Roberts to the Sharks by tomorrow morning, bank on it!
Well, if it’s only one of them, it’s one old guy replacing another old guy (Roenick). It’s if both of them land there that you have to worry about the AARP setting up a branch office in the San Jose locker room (with Claude, Recchi and Roberts there, they’d need one).
that sounds like cranky Crunchy!
But he said it with a smile on his face, so I knew he was joking.
If this Marty deal goes through, we may have to keep an eye on Heather, as Hank would be shipped to Phoenix.
Lemiux does need some friends to play shuffleboard with.
And go for early bird dinners with before heading out to the bingo game. Or is that only around here?
It’s if both of them land there that you have to worry about the AARP setting up a branch office in the San Jose locker room
For real. t’s a good thing Freezer and Ozo didn’t make the cut this year. The Sharks would be battling the Wings for doddering old team supremacy.
And go for early bird dinners with before heading out to the bingo game. Or is that only around here?
I think that happens everywhere. Mostly in Florida, but still…
It’s all starting to sound a bit 2001, isn’t it? And we all know how THAT ended. Sigh.
This is a test right?!
This is the most boring trade deadline ever. At least Brian Campbell was good for some excitement last year.
This is a test right?!
HAHAHAHA! It might just be, mcguffers. Might just be. :P
“Lamoriello looking to move Clemmensen” – Best title on a Fire and Ice blog post ever!
“Lamoriello looking to move Clemmensen” – Best title on a Fire and Ice blog post ever!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! That’s AWESOME!!!!
Best headline ever! Unless it ends “… into Stately IPB Manor”. That wouldn’t be good.
speaking of fire and ice, tom gullitti is apparently going to be the guest between the first and second periods on MSG+ … that’s about 180 degrees different and better than listening to stan talk about three goal leads, eh? :P
I love when TG’s the guest because now it’s like seeing a celebrity during the game! (Also, there’s a fresh new thread for tonight’s game.)
oops….let me spell tom gulitti’s name correctly