Gator: "I wish I hadn't shaved my chest!!!"

semi scruffy (very blurry) Gator regrets his hair removal choices!

Well okay, at least that game is over. Sheesh. What the heck happened there? I know I personally wasn't all pumped up for a Rangers game, but I thought maybe we'd at least score a goal. Or not suck.

I should have known things were not going to go well when the boys came out for warmups shooting high and hard.

(hitting the glass directly in front of me repeatedly during warmups = sucky game.)

I do remember thinking they were gonna suck due to the multitude of shots headed my way. Then again, I always think they are gonna suck, so I may not be a great barometer for suckitude.

The highlight of the game came late in the third period. Gator was very fidgety and adjusty with his jersey, which made me wonder if maybe he shaved his chest recently. Ladyneat said he looked more like a waxer. I then had a mental image of gator in front of the mirror waxing his chest hair. Sadly, this was the only time I laughed during the game...

Other random notes from the game which most likely do not interest you:

-Jim Vandermeer sucks. Really, really sucks. Like Fitzpatrick level suck.

-Kudos to Downie for not taking a bitch out after he was goaded several times. And kudos to whoever is teaching him not to take a bitch out (Richie, I'm looking at you!)

-Jim Vandermeer sucks.

-Where the hell was the d tonight? Seriously. Really. They left both goalies out to dry.

-Um, we put like 7 shots on goal in the last 72 seconds of play. Where was this offensive pressure for the other 18 minutes of the third period? Seriously? Really?

-Jim Vandermeer SUCKS!!!!

Please stop talking about the loss to the Devils!

George Hanson wouldn't ask about the Devils loss!!!

So I'm sitting at home fast forwarding through Daily News Live, pausing only when they get to an interview with Danny Briere. (I mean, cmon, do they really think I'm gonna watch a story about Eli Manning on his way to the Super Bowl? Puh-lease.)

So Barkann is talking to Danny, blahblahblah and then someone asks him about the loss to New Jersey last week. Dude. Come on, knock it off. We have two regulation losses in the last 14 games, and both are to the Devils. Maybe it is because of moronic reporters asking moronic questions about losing to the Devils. Just a thought. Here are some questions that would have been more interesting:

1. "Danny, have you considered getting outside more? Cuz dude, you are pale!"
2. "Does Tom Brady have too many teeth, and does he look like Jack Nicholson's character in Easy Rider?"
3. Is it cold enough for ya?

Ugh. Please just no more Devils questions.

Breaking News: Downie suspended for Laraque hit!

Colin Campbell announced this morning that the NHL is suspending Steve Downie for 6 games, because he was hit by Georges Laraque.

Campbell said, "After close review of the incident, it is obvious that Steve Downie was asking for it. Just look at the way he was dressed! And his history speaks for itself."

Although some in the league counter that it was actually Laraque's fault, Campbell disagrees: "Look at the way Downie is skating in front of Georges, just begging to be hit. Downie is obviously looking to draw a penalty. Laraque gently nudged him into the boards."

When reached for comment, Laraque said, "He made me do it. I couldn't help myself. I'll cut a bitch if I have to."

What was Downie's reaction to the suspension? "Well, I wasn't really surprised. Since I got up and continued to play, I figured I was somehow to blame. And once I fought in the third, I figured it was all over for me. I was surprised at the length though...I figured I'd get at least 10 games!"

Go Habs!

The bright side...

We only play the Devils two more times this year!

Let's get ready to rumble!

Actually, I'd just prefer if we won by scoring lots and lots of goals. I can't be at the game tonight (stupid work! how dare you! how dare you supply me with the money to fuel my hockey obsession!) but I imagine things are gonna get a little chippy.

If anyone has a clip of Upshall taking out DiPietro yesterday, please send it my way. It was a tad hilarious!

OMG! I totally forgot!

happy hockey birthday to me!
and happy blog birthday!

It was two years ago today that I went to my very first hockey game! Flyers vs. Bruins in a 5-2 loss. Didn't matter, I was hooked. You can read the story of how I got hooked here.

Also, it was one year ago that I started this here lil blog! And I even managed to post on a semi regular basis! Wow!

I just want to say thanks to all the fine folks I've met through this wonderful crazy world, and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us! (such as me winning gary roberts' jersey at the april 2nd pens/flyers game)

Also, I had really big plans to spruce up the place, including updating my links, but I'm just too damn lazy. Anyone out there want to do admin for my blog? No? Oh well...

It only hurts the first time...

So I trudged down to the Wachovia Center yesterday for the STH meet the team event. As you may or may not know, I don't do the autograph thing. But, since I had never been to this event before, I wanted to check it out (on the off chance that it was something really exciting).

Long story short, it was pretty underwhelming. If I wanted autographs, stalking after practice or games would be a quicker, less stressful way to do it. This event was a good way to get a free hotdog and soda out of the Wachovia Center though!

As we waited in line for Smith/Umberger, I hoped and prayed that Smith was first. I knew that if Umby was first, I was going to have to bypass him. I knew if I was going to finally get an autograph, Gator was going to be the one to sully my jersey!

Sadly, Umby was first, and I totally dissed him. The good part for him was that he got to take a drink of water while I passed him right by!

Somehow, I was able to go to Gator's table, give him my jersey, and say hi. He asked, "where do you want it, on the numbers?" And I said "wherever you want, you're my first!" He signed it, I said thanks and ran away as fast as I could! Gator!!!!!!!

Man, how I hate getting autographs! I need to hang out with ladyneat more and get over it!

Anyhow, after the Gator autograph, I was torn. Should I just leave my favorite guy on there all by himself? Or should I go nuts, now that my jersey's virginity had been taken?

After a looooooong wait in the Marty/Nitty line, I decided to add two more signatures.

I figure it's all downhill from here!

Click here for totally embarrassing pictures of me from the event. Gah!

no gator pics today...

I was having some technical difficulties during warmups on Saturday, and by the time I fixed them, Gator was pretty much done warming up. (He leaves the ice early to leave personalized notes for each player in their stall...)

So, all I got were some lame Biron and Hartnell shots. Great, just great.

I am fascinated by this picture of Randy Jones blowing a bubble during warmups. A few of the guys appeared to be chewing gum before the game. Weird.


Two great games this weekend...the loss on Saturday was a tough one, but it was still a great game. (how many times have I said that after a home game this year? Let me count...)

Gator needs a haircut! During his fight on Sunday, he lost his bucket, and damn is he furry! I may just tell him that this week if I see him at the STH meet the team party (yep, I'm going!)

Got my ticket for the Pittsburgh game...sitting in the same seats as the Boston game. There were some awesome fans there, and I hope to see them again! (I just hope they don't mind all the swearing I will be doing...)

hmmm...I think that's all for now....

Gator, where are you?!?!?!?

That must be one heckuva "bruised calf". Get back soon please! (Like, maybe in time for Saturday's game? I need more pictures! Who will I shoot if you are not there? Coburn? Please.)

Please to be Lehtonen a lot of goals!

With Johan Hedberg starting Sunday, Kari Lehtonen figures to be back in net Tuesday. Lehtonen has never beaten the Flyers, going 0-4-1 with a 3.31 GAA in five appearances, including four starts.

edit: WTF is Hedberg doing in net? I've been duped! I want my money back!!!!

edit: Oh, I read that on the Flyers site, not goaliepost.com!

Why, Hatcher, Why?

What did Lupul ever do to you?

OMFG! No suspension for Downie?

*passes out*


Wait. Huh? Whoa. Did they know it was THE Steve Downie from THE Philadelphia Flyers?

Did they know that it was a totally acceptable (if not douchey) punch?

Wow. Stunned here....

Steve Downie is insane!

I love it! I mean, sure, he shouldn't be punching Jason Blake in the eye, but look at that crazy look on his face as he skates towards the penalty box. Dude is batshit crazy. He's lucky that all he got is 4 minutes! I'm sure a suspension is on the way...

(a good view of the sucker punch is at the 40 second mark...)

(and let me be clear, I love that he is insane, not that he sucker punched Blake...)

The return of Michael Leighton

(bruce bennett getty images)

Well, he's not returning to the Flyers, but he is starting in goal for the Hurricanes tonight, after the Canes waived John Grahame...

Woohoo!

Now, when the Flyers go down in flames tonight, I can switch over to watch Leighton vs. Lehtonen.

They pre-empted Seal on Ice for that?

(getty images)

Thank goodness there is no Triple Crown racing in January, eh? OT and a shootout? I was shocked...SHOCKED, I say, that NBC stuck with the Winter Classic. I mean, it ran 30 minutes past its scheduled time and they didn't pull the plug. I wonder why. Oh yeah, cuz Sid was playing.

In what have must have been Gary Bettman and the NHL's dream come true, Sidney Crosby scored the game winning shoot out goal in today's Winter Classic. It couldn't have been scripted better if they tried. As much as I can't stand Crybaby, the Kid comes through when it matters. Ya gotta respect that.

I loved that it was snowing for the game. I did not love that they had to stop every 5 minutes to patch up or otherwise service the ice.

In other NHL news (wait, there were other games today? I thought all the NHL players had to be in Buffalo to watch the game...), the 28th place Capitals continue to OWN the 2nd place Sens. Now that you really gotta love!

Happy New Year everyone!