Dear NHL,
Contrary to what you might think, Columbus Day is not a holiday that is widely observed by employers in the US. Perhaps some of the games scheduled today that featured two American teams could have been saved for any of the “no games scheduled” days later this season?
Just a thought,
The Ookies
**********
Dear Tom Gulitti,
We truly think you are the greatest beat-reporter blogger in the business, and we are inclined to agree with you that Ilya Kovalchuk alone is not going to cure the Devils attendance woes. But please read the above open letter to the NHL. In light of our observations there, perhaps the attendance for today’s game should not be viewed as a definitive statement about Kovalchuk’s worthiness as a big draw.
If you’d like to stand by your statement, though, we guess you’re free to be as disingenuous as you want.
Passive-aggressively,
The Ookies
**********
Dear Tom Gulitti,
Maybe it wasn’t Kovalchuk who was the problem. Maybe it was Crosby.
Blowing your mind,
Boomer
**********
Dear Devils,
Please see the above letters.
Yes, we had to work today. Pookie also had to work late today. That means we have the choice of tivoing your game that was stupidly scheduled when we are both at work, and then watching it beginning at 10:00 pm after Pookie gets home. In light of your effort in your previous two games, we opted not to. Thanks for proving us right not to bother.
Lovin’ Losin’,
The Ookies
Gees, I turned on the Hawks/Sabres game. And the Sabres have scored twice in the first three minutes of the game on the Hawks all shiny new rookie goalie playing in his first NHL game. That is just sad. Come on, Hawks, don’t leave the little dude out to dry. Now he’s going to have to fight through a 5 on 3. Oh, the carnage. I don’t know if I can watch this. Eeek.
Wow, that sounds like a doozy! Heh. I’m watching the Flyers. They just had their Eastern Conference champion banner raising; Boomer was in the next room and couldn’t for the life of her figure out what the hell was going on. We… don’t remember much of anything from last year’s playoffs in this household.
If you’d like to stand by your statement, though, we guess you’re free to be as disingenuous as you want.
Passive-aggressively,
The Ookies
Love it.
Maybe it wasn’t Kovalchuk who was the problem. Maybe it was Crosby.
Blowing your mind,
Boomer
Love it even more.
I like watching the Sabres, but that was just painful.
Now, Timmy C has taken pity on the poor kid and got a penalty. Maybe he can have a break while they are on the Power Play.
Just from a goalie stand point, do you think it’s too soon to say that Chicago doesn’t stand a chance to repeat? Heh.
Just from a goalie stand point, do you think it’s too soon to say that Chicago doesn’t stand a chance to repeat? Heh.
Um, no offense to you Stars fans, but as soon as the Hawks added an element that rhymes with “Blarty Blurco”, that’s EXACTLY what I thought. :P
And Boomer’s “maybe it was Crosby” statement cracked me up. We were in different rooms, minding our own business, and suddenly she shouted that into the living room. I had to update the post to include it.
And I turned on the game to see Pominville go down. I have bad mojo today.
The only snippet of the Devils game that I saw live was the Devils goal. My mojo was kicking ass and taking names. :P
Fuck the Chicago Blackhawks. Fuck them hard.
And the horse they rode in on, mcguffers.
Pommerdoodle was just hauled off on a backboard/stretcher after a dirty bleeping hit where his head bounced off the glass at breakneck speed.
Pommers hit was pretty ugly.
I’m so violently pissed at the Blackhawks right now. It doesn’t help that I don’t like Patrick Kane, so the cheering for him made me gag.
I have to say the Chicago broadcast commercials are great.
And now I have to watch Maid Marian Hossa talk about their impressive penalty kill?! Are you kidding me right now?? Don’t try to paralyze our players and you won’t have to kill a major penalty you dumbass!
Um, no offense to you Stars fans, but as soon as the Hawks added an element that rhymes with “Blarty Blurco”, that’s EXACTLY what I thought. :P
Heh. No offense here. After watching our new goalie play, all calm, cool & collected, I’m all screw you Blarty for giving heartattacks all these years.
That’s awful about Pommerdoodle! I hope he’s okay!
After watching our new goalie play, all calm, cool & collected, I’m all screw you Blarty for giving heartattacks all these years.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I can see how that would be very refreshing.
I ended up with Blarty for the second year in a row in Fantasy Hockey. I wonder how Khabibulin’s DWI case is going and if he’s available…
I hope he’s okay!
He has a concussion, but did not go to the hospital.
Do you realize that Wednesday is another epic Sabres/Devils matchup?
I wonder how Khabibulin’s DWI case is going and if he’s available…
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: He’s GOT to be an improvement on Blarty, even if he IS in jail.
Do you realize that Wednesday is another epic Sabres/Devils matchup?
What?? What is UO with the schedule so far? We lead off with Dallas, then get a beat-down in DC, then a Monday we don’t have off with a matinee against Pittsburgh, and then the Sabres? Is the scheduler mocking my vow to have more fun this season? Is this on purpose??
Poor Pommerdoodle. This is going to be his first major injury in what, 3 or 4 years?
(Also, Hjalmmarson is one of the Pieces. Ugh.)
Do you realize that Wednesday is another epic Sabres/Devils matchup?
If we get out of this game alive, it may be the epic matchup of two teams playing 9 forwards.
Wait, the Doodle didn’t have to go to the hospital after all? He really is (mostly) indestructible.
If we get out of this game alive, it may be the epic matchup of two teams playing 9 forwards.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Of course, you guys can at least afford to bring in fake stand-in forwards. Our stupid team is too dumb for that.
Oh. My. God. Hockey News, are you kidding me?
Jason Pominville was ejected in the first period after viciously hitting Blackhawks Niklas Hjalmarsson from behind.
Well, at least they played well for like 11 minutes out of 60.
Seriously, the highlight of the game for me was going into the official team store (the big one by the street) during the 2nd period and buying all 6 of their holiday themed pucks. I’d never been in the Prudential Center Elevator!
Ugh!
Ugh, indeed. Sorry the boys played so poorly on your birthday, Pam!
Hehe, it’s okay Pookie, I think I was expecting it.
In light of your effort in your previous two games, we opted not to. Thanks for proving us right not to bother.
Good call you guys!
I’m thinking we should sell out tickets to one of this weekend’s games. They’re gonna go 0-81-1 this year!
I guess that’s a good thing, Pam, that you got to see the elevator? And that you got all the holiday-themed pucks? Sigh. When I said I was excited that the team was going to be all new and that I had no idea what to expect from them, I didn’t mean that it would be like the beginning of the Sutter Era all over again! :P
Yes, seeing the elevator was a highlight. That’s how dull the game was. There’s even a person in there operating it for you! And the pucks are colorful! As a puck collector, I get really excited when they are different colors! They were orange, brown, white, red, pink, and green! Fantastic!
I think the same thing has happened at the start of the season for several seasons now. Last year, we left early for like the first five games. They were always getting killed! I remember complaining “I just want to stay for the whole game, just once this season”.
The leave early rule is this: when we deem that the game is “over” we leave the arena. We may not leave early if they are only down by 1.
It’s a little ambiguous, but it has never failed us. I have never left a game early and then found out that they tied it or won. In fact, it’s a fantasy of mine that I angrily leave a game early and get to the car to find out they won in OT.
However, all that being said, yesterday we stayed until the end because they were only down by 1 late in the 3rd.
Ooh, I forgot, the earliest we leave is with 10 min left in the 3rd. That rule has only been broken twice in history!
I picked a bad time to be able to go to games.
They were orange, brown, white, red, pink, and green! Fantastic!
That’s awesome! Total score!!
And I think your leaving-early scheme is a solid one. We actually only ever left one game early — and that was to get up with, like, 90 seconds left in the game. They were losing something like 8-2. We’re such idiots. We’ve gotten a LOT quicker with the trigger finger on the zapper now, though. For many, many years we’d watch to the end of a televised horrible game because, like I said, we’re idiots.
And speaking of idiots, Lou. Ugh. I’m glad we’re going away at the end of this week. It will give Lou some extra time before we’re really ready to sit down and commit to the season. During this separation, he can try to remember how to be a functional GM.
I picked a bad time to be able to go to games.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I think they might just be waiting for you to stop being able to go to games. :P
I haven’t even gone to one in the new arena yet! This is all just pre-emptive blowing. They want me to only go to college games with buddies? Fine, that’s what I’ll do.
This is all just pre-emptive blowing.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Maybe it’s them getting it out of their systems?
And I think your leaving-early scheme is a solid one.
It’s pretty good. It’s not clearly defined, but a 3 goal deficit usually means we’re outta there around mid 3rd period.
When I’m watching on TV, I have a pretty quick trigger finger too! They make me so mad, and then like an hour later it’s like, “let’s just check to see if they scored…” I usually regret that decision!
It’s not totally about the score though. It has a lot to do with the way they are playing. Especially when they are playing that special way that makes you think they will never score a goal again.
Oh Lou. Having 17 players on the bench was just adorable.
They make me so mad, and then like an hour later it’s like, “let’s just check to see if they scored…” I usually regret that decision!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Yeah, they don’t very often prove us wrong, do they? It really is all about how shitty they’re playing. I’m proud to say that the Devils normally telegraph when they’re going to lose. Either they’re really obvious about it, or we’re just really attuned to their awfulness.
Schnookie, I don’t think it’s obvious to the casual fan. You’re probably dialed in to their suck-o-meter!
he can try to remember how to be a functional GM.
You mean that potential/alleged signing of Adam Mair isn’t going to do it for you? :P
I have to wonder how long the league is going to let Lou continue to run with significantly less than the full complement of players he’s allowed on the roster? It’s also like Lou has stepped into the role of coach killer this year, as he’s effectively tying MacLean’s hands on what lines he can use and whether or not he can bench a player, etc.
What fun activities do you have planned for your trip?
Lou has turned into the Sim City player who’s gotten bored of his perfect city, and now he’s releasing tornadoes and lizard monsters into the streets.
Oh! I was down in DC this weekend and ate grasshoppers! They were in a delicious taco. Yum yum yum.
I have to wonder how long the league is going to let Lou continue to run with significantly less than the full complement of players he’s allowed on the roster?
At this point I don’t think I’d mind if someone forced his hand. I can deal, as a fan, with my team sucking on its own merit, but I hate when it’s sucking because of OBVIOUS mismanagement. It just makes me feel so very low. (Also making me feel so very low? That I was stupid enough to read TG’s reports about yesterday’s game. Is it just me, or is Jamie Langenbrunner the worst captain in the NHL?)
What fun activities do you have planned for your trip?
We’re going to a Stars game (I think we’re seeing the Blues. Last time it was the Avs. Our semi-annual Dallas trip seems to be becoming a tour of Western Conference Teams That Time Forgot), and the state fair, and doing some sightseeing around Dallas proper, and going to the Arboretum, and hitting a quilt shop in McKinney (Patty, did we mention that to you? :D), and eating at all manner of delicious restaurants, and hanging out, and generally having an awesome time. I can’t wait!!!
tying MacLean’s hands on what lines he can use
That reminds me: he broke up the “zip” line yesterday. I loathe that corny nickname by the way. I prefer to think of it as the ZZ-Chuckles line. He switched Jamie and Kovy. So the also lame ZZ-Pops line was back. And Kovy was skating with Arnott and Elias, so the line was 26-25-17. sigh.
Ooo, I’m hella jealous that you guys are going on a trip this weekend!
Lou has turned into the Sim City player who’s gotten bored of his perfect city, and now he’s releasing tornadoes and lizard monsters into the streets.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is PERFECT! I think it’s the only explanation for it, too.
And a grasshopper taco? That’s pretty cool! I feel like I read about the relative deliciousness of grasshoppers not too long ago, but now I can’t remember where. Isn’t that an interesting story? Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed them!
So the also lame ZZ-Pops line was back. And Kovy was skating with Arnott and Elias, so the line was 26-25-17.
Oof. I feel like that’s the clear evidence that the Devils are fucking with us right now. :P
Oh, and I meant to add:
I loathe that corny nickname by the way. I prefer to think of it as the ZZ-Chuckles line.
AND HOW! Who would EVER choose to use the name “zip line” instead of “ZZ-Chuckles”? I mean, come ON.
The grasshoppers just tasted like the salsa and fried onions they were covered in, but they were very, very crunchy.
he broke up the “zip” line yesterday. I loathe that corny nickname by the way. I prefer to think of it as the ZZ-Chuckles line. He switched Jamie and Kovy. So the also lame ZZ-Pops line was back. And Kovy was skating with Arnott and Elias, so the line was 26-25-17. sigh.
:’(
but they were very, very crunchy.
That’s what I would expect of them. I suspect soggy grasshoppers are pretty gross. :P
Reports are that Winky has a sports hernia. May be out 2 months. He can wink at his physical therapist.
Lou has turned into the Sim City player who’s gotten bored of his perfect city, and now he’s releasing tornadoes and lizard monsters into the streets.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Sue, I don’t want to hear that he can’t play for 2 months! I want to hear that he can’t play for the rest of the season!
Sue, I don’t want to hear that he can’t play for 2 months! I want to hear that he can’t play for the rest of the season!
We have to start somewhere. After that, you have to rely on the surgeon and the physical therapist to make sure he’s incapacitated. Or, Mrs. Winky.
Weeee! Ookies are coming to Dallas!
Stars v Blues games are usually pretty good. Although they can sometimes turn into slugfests. There is no love lost between those two.
I’m so sorry about the clutterbuck with the Devils. Has Lou finally gone over the edge?
BTW, Leblond cleared waivers and they signed Mair to a contract. So, they will have a stunning 16 skaters against the Sabres tomorrow. Can Hedberg pretend to be a defenseman and dress as a skater? I mean, we have lots of guys pretending to be defensemen (and forwards). What’s one more?
Can Hedberg pretend to be a defenseman and dress as a skater?
It worked for North Korea in the World Cup.
Letourneau-Leblond will never be a good player until they put his whole surname on his jersey.
Oh and guess who took the day because she finally gets paid vacation?!?
Dave and I are celebrating our 19th Anniversary today!
And Dave is going to Kansas City for an interview on Thursday.
Things are looking up in L2L Land.
Happy anniversary!
I don’t want to hear that he can’t play for 2 months! I want to hear that he can’t play for the rest of the season!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m optimistic that this might be the end of Winky for us. I mean, consider how the Devils’ doctors botched Paulie’s broken arm last year, and then consider all the advancements the Flyers’ team doctors have been making over the last few years with botching sports hernias. SURELY our team doctors are better than the Flyers’!
I mean, we have lots of guys pretending to be defensemen (and forwards). What’s one more?
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It kind of makes me wonder why we even need a full roster, since most of them are fake anyway. :P
And Myra, WOO HOOOO! and congratulations on the paid vacation! And the anniversary! And Dave’s interview! I hope you guys are partying hard!
I mean, we have lots of guys pretending to be defensemen (and forwards). What’s one more?
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I’m so sorry about the clutterbuck with the Devils. Has Lou finally gone over the edge?
I am SO referring to Cal Clutterbuck as… the other thing… from now on. Too bad I never watch Minnesota games so I don’t have any reason to refer to him at all. Bummer.
Happy anniversary, Myra & Dave!
Happy Anniversary Myra & Dave. And best of luck to Dave on the job interview.
It kind of makes me wonder why we even need a full roster, since most of them are fake anyway.
Heh. I wonder why the NHLPA hasn’t gotten it’s knickers in a twist over Lou keeping players out of jobs.
Heh. I wonder why the NHLPA hasn’t gotten it’s knickers in a twist over Lou keeping players out of jobs.
Their knickers are in a twist. They are investigating the fact that NJ is playing with a short roster even though the NHL says it’s an emergency situation (injuries/suspension) and, not only has NJ played short before (as few as 16 skaters), Calgary did this several times before. Nobody, not other teams, not the NHL, not the NHLPA, said a word.
I’m annoyed with Lou for letting it get to this point. I think he should have been prepared. However, I’m getting a little tired of the selective memory of GMs, the NHLPA and the NHL. I expect it from the fans (and, I admit, from a few GMs…Burke, Sather, etc.)
I’m annoyed with Lou for letting it get to this point. I think he should have been prepared. However, I’m getting a little tired of the selective memory of GMs, the NHLPA and the NHL.
I agree. I feel like Lou deserves whatever mockery he gets for mishandling the team’s cap situation this year, but beyond that, isn’t this just business as usual? It’s not like there aren’t any other teams that have done this.
All of that said, it’s kinda fun to know that this new-look Devils has adopted the role of “laughingstock” so early in the year. It’s nice to establish a real identity from the get-go. :P
All of that said, it’s kinda fun to know that this new-look Devils has adopted the role of “laughingstock” so early in the year. It’s nice to establish a real identity from the get-go. :P
Well, Ilya’s nickname here is “Chuckles”, and he’s supposed to be the new face of the franchise…Chuckles, laughingstock, it seems to work.
Oooh, Sue, you’re so right! How could I have missed that?
Ilya’s nickname here is “Chuckles”, and he’s supposed to be the new face of the franchise…Chuckles, laughingstock, it seems to work
And a marketing campaign is born. :)
The new team slogan can be “You think we’re funny? Funny how?”
Pookie, :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Can I just say I can’t wait for the NHL-Stan Lee comic book?
When does the season start?
Not a moment too soon.
Apropos of nothing, I think the Stars are going to have 20 games in hand on everybody else by the end of the season. We still haven’t played our third game.
Apropos of that stupid “questions will be answered” campaign, a co-worker is going to be on the radio this week for a big program the library is putting on. I told her to break the ice with “first time, long time” but she had no idea what I was talking about. Gah! Non-sports fans are the worst!
Fuck the Chicago Blackhawks. Fuck them hard.
WORD.
Wait. Monday’s games wasn’t for Canadian Thanksgiving?
Why, I never!
Chicago fans are revolting. I keep having to remind myself that they aren’t all like that, and that there are plenty of Buffalo fans that are just as gross. I had to turn off the post-game show Monday because it was all “rabble rabble rabble we should take out TWO of their guys blah blah blah” and basically calling the Sabres pansies because they were rattled by seeing their teammate seriously hurt. Yo, beergut, these guys are actual human beings. I’d be worried if they weren’t upset. Male hockey fans blow.
(Apologies to Andrew, Grrrreg, et al. Some male fans are awesome.)
Rabble rabble rabble fight rabble rabble broken glass rabble concuss him rabble rabble rabble.
Rabble rabble rabble fight rabble rabble broken glass rabble concuss him rabble rabble rabble.
Thanks for living up to the stereotype, Tim! We need a lot more of that around here because we’re far too pansy to be a real hockey blog.
And as for the response of the Chicago and Buffalo fans to the situation here, I think it’s pretty universal. That’s how all fanbases seem to respond to this sort of thing, so I’m not sure that Blackhawk fans are exceptionally revolting, or if it’s just a case of hockey (and, well, all sports fans) being idiots in general. :P
Uh-oh. I’m too stupid for the Peace Corps. I have to take a French Exam and/or volunteer somewhere that does AIDS or health education or something. This is a bummer.
Taking concussions out of the game is going to turn this sport into soccer! Stop getting hurt on purpose, you pansies! BOO!!! HISS!!!
Uh-oh. I’m too stupid for the Peace Corps. I have to take a French Exam and/or volunteer somewhere that does AIDS or health education or something. This is a bummer.
Oh dear. Does that take the Peace Corps off the table for you? (And what else goes into applying for it?)
It’s not off the table yet. I just need to do well on a French exam by the end of the month despite not having spoken French since April, and/or find somewhere to volunteer on the weekends so I can go teach people AIDS is bad.
I had an interview which went really well on Friday, so I think these two things are the only things stopping me right now. If I can knock them down, I’ll be leaving for Africa in February/March.
I’m super nervous about the whole thing.
Wow, that’s really exciting! I bet you will do well on the French exam (although there’s nothing wrong with AIDS education, yo :P) — where in Africa do you think you’d be going?
All they said was Sub-Saharan Africa. I know it’s not Zimbabwe or South Africa as I’ve got family there and I can’t serve where there’s family.
Huh. I had no idea that having family there would rule a country out for you in the Peace Corps. You learn something new every day!
Oooh, Peace Corps! Awesome, Tim! Good luck on the French exam and/or volunteering with AIDS education!
Hey Tim, si tu veux de l’aide avec ton français, just let me know, maybe I could help. :)
That sounds really exciting in any case. I’ll cross my fingers for you.
It’s not off the table yet. I just need to do well on a French exam by the end of the month despite not having spoken French since April, and/or find somewhere to volunteer on the weekends so I can go teach people AIDS is bad.
I had an interview which went really well on Friday, so I think these two things are the only things stopping me right now. If I can knock them down, I’ll be leaving for Africa in February/March.
I’m super nervous about the whole thing.
I had a friend who was just in Swaziland for a year (who knows, maybe you’re filling her spot), and she had to go through very similar things. She definitely had to due AIDS volunteer work, and I think she had to test in a language that she spoke. That sounds pretty standard.
If I were a better student, I wouldn’t need to do either and they could just make me an English teacher.
Swaziland would be nice, my uncle could visit me there as it’s driving distance from Durban.
Good luck with the French exam, Tim.
And your Devils were thrown off the ice this morning in Buffalo. MacLean called them too lasseiz-faire for a team that hasn’t won yet. Apparently, a bad pass from Zach set MacLean off.
In other hockey news, the hated Blackhawks are starting Crawford instead of Turco. Turco for sale Turco for sale!
And your Devils were thrown off the ice this morning in Buffalo.
Nice! Maybe we’ll luck out tonight and Johnny Mac will pull them all from the game if they’re not playing well!
Turco for sale Turco for sale!
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ew! I’ll pass.
And that’s great news that the Devils got in trouble! I hope Johnny Mac throws a garbage can at their heads.
Turco for sale Turco for sale!
Hehheheheeeeehheeee….Tuuuuuuuuuuuuuurccccco! Oh Schadenfreude, delicious, delicious Schadenfreude.
Schadenfreude is the best!
Schadenfreude ist die schoenste freude!
Oh dear. I hope Boxworthy is on hand to console Zach. He’s probably sobbing into his Cheerios right now after getting yelled at by the boss.
Wow, Tim! I just looked that up.
* Schadenfreude ist die schönste Freude.
o Translation: Joy from others’ misfortune is the best joy.
o Meaning: Taking pleasure from someone else’s misfortune is most enjoyable.
D’oh! I feel bad now. Snort! No I don’t! Did someone just get hit in the head with a rubber ball? Heh! Hahahahahaha!
Okay. I think I got that out of system now.
Carol’s gone mad! No one else speak German!
Carol’s gone mad! No one else speak German!
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, who knew it was so easy to set her off like that?
Hey y’all! The IPB mojo continues, I just got a job!
Yep, having a baby in 2 months, starting a new job Monday. No lack of excitement here, whoo! (And possibly insanity as well, but it’s far too late to worry about that!)
Since the BJ’s only games so far have been in Sweden, it really doesn’t feel like the season has started. Home opener the 15th, yay!
Congratulatoins, ohsofancy! I’m so happy for you — and I’m sure it’ll be a total piece of cake. :D
Congratulations, Karen! Good luck on Monday!
Congratulatoins, ohsofancy! Does this mean you snagged a job while 7 months preggers? AMAZING!