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~

Winter Cleaning

As you’ve most likely noticed, I’ve done a little cleaning up around these parts.  See every once and a while, I get bored with the way things look.  Normally, that would mean rearranging the living room furniture.  Since, I’m living with the rents, rearranging the living room is generally frowned upon, so these parts got nailed instead.  =)

Now onto the subject at hand!  HOCKEY!

Is anyone else surprised Timmy made it through two back-to-back games?  I’m shocked as shit.  I really think we’re going to hear before Wednesday’s game that he’s broken is bicuspid. 

I really wish the Sabres (as a collective) would have stepped with half the effort of Crunchy.  Seriously, he did his best to steal both those games and was only successful once.  The Sabres gave the Wings WAY too many chances to put them away.  Crunchy shouldn’t have to stand on his head two nights in a row.  There should be a little lot of help.

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be seeing the Bruins in Raleigh.  It really all boiled down to Rick Nash being injured vs Marc Savard.  Cause, when I don’t care about either team, I look at the hotness factor of the teams.  That’s just how I roll.

Trades!

No, there haven’t been any yet, but they’re coming.  Admit it, you too can feel them coming. 

I’m sick and tired of hearing about Vinny Lecavalier.  Just ship him to Montreal already.  We’ve all been hearing about this for years, and now that Brad’s gone is there anything left for him in Florida?  (Other than the Sun?)  It’s like there needs to be something else to talk about now that Mats Sundin has finally landed in Vancouver. 

The rumor here is Drew Stafford for Ryan Kesler.  Before I dissect this one, there really needs to be a disclaimer that rumors from this website need to be taken with a 5lbs bag of salt.  My initial feeling on this surprise.  This is seriously telling the Canucks to bend over.  Maybe I’ve just been watch a little too much of Drew’s suckitude, but I think Kesler would be a serious upgrade.  The Canucks have slapped an “A” on him, so he must have some sort of leadership in the room. 

Truth be told I would love to see Darcy pull the trigger on a trade.  I think this team needs some sort of shake up.  We all know Lindy’s not going anywhere, so the only shake-up that can occur is on the ice.  The thing is, there are a LOT of trade possibilities that could happen.  If Timmy can stay healthy for a few weeks, we might be able to pawn him off on someone.  There’s Max, who no one will take until his freakin’ groin heals.  How about Staffy, Yo-yo or Paille?  This hasn’t even touched who could go on the “D” corps.  Do we all agree Chris Butler has made his case to stay in the big leagues?  That leaves Spotcheck, Hank, Teppo?  I think it’s safe to say that Teppo isn’t going anywhere, because he’s going to be just like Peca.  He’ll announce he’s retiring from the Stars Sabres and then immediately announce his new job with the Sabres. 

So, what do I think will happen?  I think the Sabres will send Hank and Staffy to the ‘Nucks for Kesler and a 3rd round draft pick.  We’ll then ship Kesler and Alice to the Rangers for Dru.  Now, before you haul off and start mailing me poisoned chocolates, lets examine a few things here. 

• The Rangers are banging there head on the salary cap.   
• Dru hasn’t been Dru since he left.  I was happy when Dru was in Buffalo because it was like watching the Avs Dru.  There was something with B’lo that brought his Mojo back. 
• He and his wife  are raising two small children in NYC.  There are a lot of great things about NYC, don’t get me wrong, but it’s sensory overload. 
• Hindsight is 20/20.  When I left MN, I told everyone how I hated it.  The truth was, at that time I did.  Now that I’m almost 2 years removed, I look back at my time there fondly.  Sure, there are things that I still don’t like about it, but there is a much longer list of things I do like.  I have a feeling Dru may feel the same way.  He may not have had his privacy when he was out and about, but I doubt people were knocking down his door day and night to talk to the druster.

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.