Hockey Trifecta in pictures

I will keep words to a minimum because I’ve already bored you to death with the story.  That said, I do have to preface that my digital camera is a piece of shit when shooting hockey games.  I took about 1,000 pictures at the Sabres game hand had to delete 952 of them.  Which also happens to be why there are just a few pictures from the other game.  If I can get flicker to cooperate, I will most likely upload all of the pictures from the game into the set. 

Friday, Feb 27

Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers 

The view from our seats

Marty: "Let me in coach, I'm ready to play!"

The awesome Philly fans. That place was ELECTRIC.

Bad picture, best Cheese steak

It doesn't look like the Spectrum to you?

Saturday, Feb 28th 1:00PM EST

Florida Panters vs. NJ Devils 

I liked Stevens. He was hot for an old guy. Daneyko has grown on me since he was added to the broadcast team. It's amazing what teeth can do!

Yeah Devil! Well, except for that year the Avs won the cup. I do love me the Avs and Ray Bourque.

Ok, I can admit, I do like you. Even if you are trying to pass Patty Roy's records. I still love him more.

Yes, we really sat that far away.

Dear Devils Fans, Before making fun of the opposing goalie you may want to review the goals allowed to shots on goal ratio. In this game they are almost identical. Now, I understand the Devils scored 7 goals but they had 48 shots. The Panthers scored 2 goals on 17 shots. Just sayin'.

Saturday, Feb 28th 7:00PM EST

Buffalo Sabres vs. NY Islanders

As you’ll notice, I have a lot of ass shots.  This isn’t because I have a fascination with hind quarters, but actually due to my crappy camera.  90% of my pictures are from a stoppage in play which is the only time I could actually get the players standing in one place.  See, the shutter speed on my digital camera sucks.  Ergo, most of the pictures I went to take, were not there when the photo was actually snapped.  The other 10% of my pictures are from when I accurately guessed where said Sabres would go and was able to have them skate into the picture I was taking.  Such is life I guess.  Oh, and I love Goose, but you’ll know that soon enough.

It doesn't look like THAT big of a shit hole from the outside.

Holy Teeny Tiny Arena Batman! This game was like attending an AHL game...really, it is THAT small.

This is what "on the glass" means to the Islanders. Don't try to "bang" on the glass because you will get yelled at.

That bright light is Kevin Sylvester. Squint and I swear you can see him! (I think)

Droy leading Pommer to the face off circle while he scratches his muzzle.

Derek and the Ho

Goose about 2 minutes before getting ejected for 10 minutes.

Goose about 2 seconds before he heads to the box and then off the ice. Sniff, sniff

The Zamboni entrance. I wanna drive the Zamboni.

Best part of the intermission. Nassau doesn't have "holes" in the ground in which to shovel the ice/water dropped by the Zamboni. So this poor guys job is to mop up the floor and then SHOP VAC all remaining liquids. Shop vac, I kid you not.

Oh, Patty! You deserved MUCH better then this.

Hank, not Honk, more Honk later.

Pie-YAY! I tried to get an action figure, because he really does skate around with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. Careful boy, or you could lose that thing.

Cap'n Craig, Patty and Yo-yo

Jaro eat ref's whistle. mmmm, crunchy.

Last Honk I promise

Sparky the magic dragon, lives by the sea...

~Le Fin~

Love Sick Ass

I loved my time at the hair dresser on Saturday, but apparently missed a totally kick ass game.  Congrats to the Sabres for being undefeated in the new year.  Congrats to Matt Ellis for cementing a spot in the Sabres lineup.  That’s a bit o’ middle finger to Lindy for the “we can’t win a game when Matt Ellis is your best player.”  

I read poor Sekera got knocked in the nuts by a stick.  I know they wear cups and all, but come on, you know it hurts.  The fact he got booed by the Bruins fans just adds insult to injury.  I think the Sabres should have lined up at the exits and knocked all the male fans in the nuts.  How’s it feel now?  Anywho, it reminds me of when Hejduk score a goal a few years back.  Foppa took the puck to the privates and it rebounded right to Hejduk who stuck it in the net.  They refused to give Foppa an assist on the play.  Double ouch.

It appears the Sabres made through another night with their big boy undies on.  I’m not convinced they’ll be able to make it three games.  See, the Bruins are supposed to be better then the Sabres this year, and the Sabres are supposed to be better then the Sens.  (Not on paper, just in reality.)  We beat the Bruins so the Sens will beat us.  That’s my prediction, and it seems to be history with the Sens.  Anywho, I’m going to liken this game to one time I was babysitting my nephew.  He’d just gotten into his big boy undies and says laughing “I have to toot.”  So we of course tell him that’s fine.  He toots and gets this unbelievable look of shock on his face as he says “Woaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, I did more than toot.”  Just like it was OK for A, it’ll be OK for the Sabres.  Sometimes, you drop a load in your pants, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it.  Unfortunately, I think tomorrow is going to be one of those “load in the pants” type of games.  (Please, Please, Please prove me wrong.  Please!)

I read somewhere that Timmy might be back tomorrow.  Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, I would love it if Lindy let him sit in the box a little longer.  Please, pretty please?!?!?  Plus, the Sens have already almost killed him once.  Maybe they’ll try to finish off?  Wait, now that I think about it, please let him play tomorrow.  Then he’ll be on IR until the playoffs.  

Max appears to have a groin injury.  Max, how do you expect the Sabres to get a good return for you when we trade you at the deadline if you’re always hurt?  For once, take one for the team.  Please and thank you.

Now onto a serious subject.

I’m really glad Pie and Ellis are friends, but why, WHY does Pie always have his mouth open.  (I would have zoomed in on Pie, but Picnik isn’t working.)

Pie Yay the Mouth Breather

It reminds me of -

Wonderfalls Alec "Mouth Breather"

This picture doesn’t show it that well, but the video shows the mouth breather in his full glory.  There’s some faces from “Cold Case” and “Pushing Daisy’s” you may recognize.  AND Eric is HOTT.

I love this show and if you’re curiosity has been piqued, you can find full episodes on youtube.  This show RAWKS.

Anywho, Sabres, I hope you prove me wrong.  If not, I’ll be watching my Mouth Breather and Jaye DVDs.

Twice the speed of life

So much to say so much to do!  I’m glad to be back in the snow belt after my little excursion to OH, next week NC.  Yiiiiiippppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

I’m very happy to report that I finally figured out how to get NHL Gamecenter to work and you’ll never believe in a million years just how I got it to work.  Here’s the steps for anyone else that may be having this issue.

1. Go to NHL.com
2. Click on gamecenter
3. Log-in to gamecenter
4. Stare at the blank page for 5 minutes.
5. Click the “return to NHL” arrow at the top of the page.
6. Click gamecenter again
7. Click on the game you want to watch.
8. Voila!  Hockey

I can’t believe I’ m such a dumbass that I didn’t figure this one out before.  Ahem.

Now that’s I’ve been able to “watch” a game, I have me a very strong opinion of the NHL Game center.  Ever heard of Buffering?  I barely remember it from back in the days of dial-up, but there’s no need to worry, just watch a game on gamecenter and you’ll be in buffering heaven.  Thankfully, it managed to not buffer T-Vanek’s breakaway goal which was kick ass or Gooses’ fight which was equally kickass.  Everything else those cool bloggers on the right side of the page talk about…yeah…I missed it. 

My interview candidate showed up today in a black suit and white, stiletto, open toed shoes.  Umm, have I mentioned where I live…

See, it starts out all pretty like this...

and ends up looking like this... Totally stiletto weather.

The Leaves are coming!  The Leaves are coming! 

Last year, I attended my first ever Leaves/Sabres game in Buffalo.  See, when I saw the Leaves in Toronto I fully expected the fans to be a$$holes.  I’d heard, um, bad things about Leaves games in Buffalo.  Did I mention, they lived up to their reputation?  I was surrounded by them…they were everywhere!!!  Did I mention the Sabres lost?  Cause that just made it SO much better.  While I will be at tonight’s game in spirit, I really hope the Sabres kick their ass AND Crunchy gets a shutout.  I also hope all the fans get in a good 2-4-6-8 we want 10 chant.  That would make me REALLY happy.  GO SABRES!

I finally updated my Timmy Ho count over there on the right.  Before you point out my math issues, I updated it through year end, because we all know there is no way in hell he’ll come back before then…  I hope I’m wrong, but let’s face facts, I’m probably not.

Crunchy needs to tread lightly…very, lightly.  It seemed obvious to me, after the buffering, that play should have been a stoppage, not a penalty.  Then to hear about is overly dramatic “keeping the puck in play” move, probably didn’t win him any ref points.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Crunch-o-matic called for boarding, diving, goaltender interference, playing with too many sticks and illegal substitution tonight.  The illegal substitution will drive the refs over the edge and he’ll get ejected.  Mark my words, they ARE out to get you, Crunchy.

Does anyone have suggestions for a good mascara?  I hate mine.

This was T-Vanek last year. Tiny and left behind in a cloud of dust.

This is T-Vanek this year, in all his stud glory. Your conversion tactics are working, Sir.

‘Nuff said on T-Vanek as I don’t want to jinx anything.

Words I never thought I would have to say…

Joey vs Snowblower - Snowblower with the KO

Joe, you seriously snow blow your own driveway?  Get the fuck out…I just don’t buy it. 

I can’t believe you A) actually own a snowblower and B) operate it yourself.  With your travel schedule, I seriously thought you’d pay someone to rid the driveway of snow.  Do you make Debbie use the snowblower too?  This is all WAY too much.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

Good gravy.  WTF was that?  I turned on the TV expecting to see Portland, cause you know I fired all the Sabres.  Ummm, no Pirates and same Sabres.  Did I mention I’d fired the Sabres?  Apparently, they missed that memo. 

At this point, I would usually turn on an Avs game to cheer me up, but they are sucking as well.  Ya know how depressing it is when all of your favorite teams are suckin’ donkey ass?  Oh, that’s right…the Bills are sucking now too….guess you do know….sorry.

Anywho, it’s not that I really hate the Sabres (or the Avs) they just make me want to slash my wrists. 

I’m going to watch “Happy Feet” now and attempt to feel better about life.  (Although a win tomorrow night would do it Sabres.  Hint, hint)

Good Intentions

I had every intention to do some live game blogging for last nights Avs/Flames game.  Between Budaj and Kipper, I knew there would be a bevy of goals. 

Instead my evening when something like this…

Game Start – Well this is good.  Both teams are starting the game 0-0.  I was sure they would handicap the teams like golf.

15:00 - Left in the 1st, Avs down 2-0.  Riiiiiiiight, where’s that bottle of Riesling I opened for dinner? 

End of the 1st Period- the score is 3-2 Flames, I think.  One bottle of Riesling down, I’m going through the 15,000 bottles I bought on my wine tour in July.  Ahh, I think I’ll go with one of my “Nautie” wines.

Sometime during the 2nd Period – Peter McNabb mentions Budaj has been excellent during the current period.  I slur reiterate the key phrase is “this period”.  I then log into the NHL gamecenter in an attempt to watch Monday’s Sabres/Islanders game.  Damn gamecenter says it’s unavailable.  Woops, apparently the Avs have scored.  3-3. 

Start of the 3rd Period – I pass out am tired so I decide to go to bed.  I turn the game on for some background noise.  With one foot on the floor so the room would stop turning, I vaguely remember hearing a couple goals being scored.  I hear the final buzzer and look up to see 5-4, Flames win. 

Quelle Surprise, the Avs sucked AGAIN and my head hurts.  The Sabres better kick some Ranger ass tonight because Project Runway is on and a repeat of last night is unacceptable.  At least I don’t have my boss screaming in my ringing ears.

You REALLY thought this was a good idea?

I think most of you would agree that I’ve been rather quiet about the Avs even though I’ve stated they are one of my top two teams.  I really wanted to give them an opportunity to show me they weren’t going to suck.  Now, I don’t want to hear that I’m one of those people that only likes teams when they’re good, because that’s not true.  I do, however, have a very, VERY hard time watching a game in which MY favorite team can’t tell their ass from their elbow.  It doesn’t mean I like the team any less, I just can’t watch them make jackasses of themselves.

Dear Francois (Giguere)

I would address you formally, but I don’t think you’ve earned that honor.  You’ve spent the summer attempting to convince we fans that Peter Budaj would be just fine in net.  Then you hauled off and brought in Andrew Raycroft as his backup.  I hear the Bulin wall is available, and I know T-bo is available.  Maybe you could convince one of them to come to the mile high city.  I’m sure most Avs fans will agree with me that losses to Boston (5-4) and Edmonton (3-2) were not acceptable. 

You’ve spent money on players that shouldn’t be in Avs uniforms (Parker and Arnason) and to try and lour players to play for the Avs (Sundin and Foppa) instead of addressing the real issue.  Keeping pucks out of the net.  Why don’t you ask any Sabres fan how last year went?  The Sabres had NO problems putting the puck in the net.  They had trouble keeping it out.  They didn’t make the playoffs either. 

In closing, please, drop the Foppa/Sundin crap, demote Parker and Arnason to the AHL and bring in a real goalie.

Thanks,

Chaz

Private to Footer,

Congrats on playing 1,000 games.  Too bad the GM put a shit team in front of you so you were unable to pull out a win.  Good luck against the Flames tomorrow.  At least one of you will get your first win of the season.

Sincerely (depressed)

Chaz