At the rate I'm going, by the time I finish this, I'll be on my next vacation. Or the NHL season will have started.
Anyway.
Showing posts with label collecting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collecting. Show all posts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Stanley Cup Finals Game Four: Flyers 5, Hawks 3 - Mel brings out the big guns
Look, I'm pissed off and frightened now. I am not happy.
Honestly, the Hawks are lucky the series is tied 2-2 coming home. They haven't played a good game yet. Not even close. And if they don't for two of the next possible three games, I'm going to have a summer of heartbreak, and some assbags are going to be carrying something that doesn't belong to them.
Honestly, the Hawks are lucky the series is tied 2-2 coming home. They haven't played a good game yet. Not even close. And if they don't for two of the next possible three games, I'm going to have a summer of heartbreak, and some assbags are going to be carrying something that doesn't belong to them.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Stanley Cup Finals Game Two: Hawks 2, Flyers 1 - Mel gets treats
Well, I guess the real treat was the outcome. But as to what I'm referring to, you'll just have to wait until the end.
With the somewhat unexpected offensive explosion in Game One, you'd had to figure both teams would button things down. They wouldn't disappoint. The first period started out somewhat tentative - offensively at least (the Hawks won the SOG battle 9-3). The hits though came fast and furious - starting at the opening faceoff. Much was made about Daniel Carcillo entering the lineup. He made a few good hits, although none better than this one:
I guess this is why Carcillo was bumped to the third line shortly thereafter and was MIA in the third period. I loved Burish's chirp from the bench though: "That was your best hit all year!" LOLLERCOASTER!
The second period definitely had more jump to it - the Flyers outshot the Hawks 15-13. With better rebound control and positioning by both goalies, it seemed like we were going to the final period with two goose eggs on the scoreboard. Lo and behold, with the Flyers being sloppy clearing out the front of the net with 3 minutes left, a Panda swooped in and buried it over Leighton for his first tally of the Finals. You could tell Hossa was relieved more than anything - I think he has been the best forward so far in this series. The UC crowd was still buzzing when a mere 28 seconds later, Buff picked off a pass in the neutral zone and passed it to a waiting Eager who fired a laser above Leighton's glove hand. Ben *fucking* Eager? My brother said the crowd was the loudest after he scored, more out of disbelief than anything else. His celebration was reminiscent of the Nintendo64 kid. He needs to be a little more careful when jumping around though - he could have broken our Captain.
The Flyers came out in pure desperation in the final frame, perhaps realizing that we're not the Bruins. The Hawks seemed somewhat content in being complacent and focusing on defense, which isn't a bad thing, but I wish they would have come out with a little more oomph. Philly clobbered us in offensive chances, with the SOG being tilted 15-4. Enter our little Nemo. If not for a weird wobbly shot that went in from Gagne, Niemi would have had his third shutout of the playoffs. Again, Nemo follows up a shit game with one of his best ones. So after I nearly jumped out the window when Sharpie clanged the post on the empty net to seal the deal (what is with this team and fucking up the ENGs?), the Hawks go to Philly with a 2-0 lead. Thank you Flying Spaghetti Monster!
A brief note on the Pronger/puck/towel/Eager situation. I realize Pronger is a fucking asshole and probably took the puck just to piss the Hawks off. Doesn't he have enough pucks from his grade school days playing with Chelios? It just pisses me off because that puck belongs to Nemo - I mean look at this face from the post game interview - he's choking up because he can't believe the crowd is going crazy for him:
Why gritty players like Sami Salo suffer while filth like Pronger goes without being speared in the nuts is beyond me. Not that I'm advocating violence *whistles*
So Game Three: I'll light a candle for any Hawks fans brave enough to show their face there. I hope they bring ponchos for the beer and vomit showers. I know Toews and Kaner will be back in scoring form. I know Nemo will continue to amaze. I hope the Hawks come back home with at least a split.
Now onto the treats. My brother was kind enough bring me back a couple things I requested from the two games:
Another puck for the collection...
Official SCF program. I haven't read it cover to cover yet but a) it's got a nice section for the roster for both teams b) is far too ad heavy (though the Philadelphia area ads amuse me) c) has way too many mentions/pictures of Crosby/Ovechkin for a Finals between the *Blackhawks* and the *Flyers*. I hate you NHL marketing machine! I'll make sure to get completely pissed NYE so I sleep through the Pens/Caps Winter Classic. Phhhbbbbttttt!
With the somewhat unexpected offensive explosion in Game One, you'd had to figure both teams would button things down. They wouldn't disappoint. The first period started out somewhat tentative - offensively at least (the Hawks won the SOG battle 9-3). The hits though came fast and furious - starting at the opening faceoff. Much was made about Daniel Carcillo entering the lineup. He made a few good hits, although none better than this one:
I guess this is why Carcillo was bumped to the third line shortly thereafter and was MIA in the third period. I loved Burish's chirp from the bench though: "That was your best hit all year!" LOLLERCOASTER!
The second period definitely had more jump to it - the Flyers outshot the Hawks 15-13. With better rebound control and positioning by both goalies, it seemed like we were going to the final period with two goose eggs on the scoreboard. Lo and behold, with the Flyers being sloppy clearing out the front of the net with 3 minutes left, a Panda swooped in and buried it over Leighton for his first tally of the Finals. You could tell Hossa was relieved more than anything - I think he has been the best forward so far in this series. The UC crowd was still buzzing when a mere 28 seconds later, Buff picked off a pass in the neutral zone and passed it to a waiting Eager who fired a laser above Leighton's glove hand. Ben *fucking* Eager? My brother said the crowd was the loudest after he scored, more out of disbelief than anything else. His celebration was reminiscent of the Nintendo64 kid. He needs to be a little more careful when jumping around though - he could have broken our Captain.
The Flyers came out in pure desperation in the final frame, perhaps realizing that we're not the Bruins. The Hawks seemed somewhat content in being complacent and focusing on defense, which isn't a bad thing, but I wish they would have come out with a little more oomph. Philly clobbered us in offensive chances, with the SOG being tilted 15-4. Enter our little Nemo. If not for a weird wobbly shot that went in from Gagne, Niemi would have had his third shutout of the playoffs. Again, Nemo follows up a shit game with one of his best ones. So after I nearly jumped out the window when Sharpie clanged the post on the empty net to seal the deal (what is with this team and fucking up the ENGs?), the Hawks go to Philly with a 2-0 lead. Thank you Flying Spaghetti Monster!
A brief note on the Pronger/puck/towel/Eager situation. I realize Pronger is a fucking asshole and probably took the puck just to piss the Hawks off. Doesn't he have enough pucks from his grade school days playing with Chelios? It just pisses me off because that puck belongs to Nemo - I mean look at this face from the post game interview - he's choking up because he can't believe the crowd is going crazy for him:
Why gritty players like Sami Salo suffer while filth like Pronger goes without being speared in the nuts is beyond me. Not that I'm advocating violence *whistles*
So Game Three: I'll light a candle for any Hawks fans brave enough to show their face there. I hope they bring ponchos for the beer and vomit showers. I know Toews and Kaner will be back in scoring form. I know Nemo will continue to amaze. I hope the Hawks come back home with at least a split.
Now onto the treats. My brother was kind enough bring me back a couple things I requested from the two games:
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
My Totally Sports Themed Bday Presents...
...from the bestest gf ever!
My birthday was almost two weeks ago but I've been too busy (lazy) to post this. Bless Amy's heart for appeasing and dealing with my sports obsession. Thankfully, she realizes I grew up in a household where ESPN was on every waking minute. Growing up, we once stayed in a cabin in Yellowstone sans TV - my dad looked like a lost puppy. I think he read the sports section of the local paper multiple times. In any case, I'm grateful Amy was already a Cubs fan when I met her. Growing up in Iowa, she would go to a Cubs game in the "big city" every summer with her family. She wasn't much of a hockey fan, but I've dragged her into it the last couple of years and I think she really enjoys the game. Too bad she didn't watch it much as a kid since fights are her favorite part. Where we go our separate ways is football - she hates it, I can sing the "Super Bowl Shuffle" in my sleep. Luckily she usually does something else in the apartment during Bears games or joins the other football widows at Target. So here is a pictorial of her gifts to me - with a special bonus at the end.
My birthday was almost two weeks ago but I've been too busy (lazy) to post this. Bless Amy's heart for appeasing and dealing with my sports obsession. Thankfully, she realizes I grew up in a household where ESPN was on every waking minute. Growing up, we once stayed in a cabin in Yellowstone sans TV - my dad looked like a lost puppy. I think he read the sports section of the local paper multiple times. In any case, I'm grateful Amy was already a Cubs fan when I met her. Growing up in Iowa, she would go to a Cubs game in the "big city" every summer with her family. She wasn't much of a hockey fan, but I've dragged her into it the last couple of years and I think she really enjoys the game. Too bad she didn't watch it much as a kid since fights are her favorite part. Where we go our separate ways is football - she hates it, I can sing the "Super Bowl Shuffle" in my sleep. Luckily she usually does something else in the apartment during Bears games or joins the other football widows at Target. So here is a pictorial of her gifts to me - with a special bonus at the end.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Puck Nut
Seeing as my hockey obsession has reached critical mass proportions not seen since the Blackhawks' season of 1988-89 (the team of Larmer, Graham, Wilson, Manson, the rookie season of Roenick and of one Mr. Alain Chevrier), and I can't be arsed to do anything productive tonight, I decided to dig out my puck collection. I had forgotten I had started collecting them in the 90's, but found the one to the left in my old room at my parents a few weeks back. That was the first puck I ever received, and it is special for many reasons, mostly because it is from the last All Star Game in Chicago, at the old Stadium no less (*sniff*). My brother went to the game and bought me this - because even at the age of 12, he "knew people" and got tickets to the game. Little snot. Of course the game is most remembered for this:God, I miss Wayne Messmer and the Stadium *wipes eyes* - moving on....
My goal was to collect pucks from all of the NHL cities. I started out pretty good:
I got the Vancouver puck when I visited there in I want to say, 1998. I vaguely remember also buying my brother a Cannucks jersey - I'll have to ask him about that and give him the proper shit for that. The Maple Leaf puck I got in 1999. While I was in Toronto, I went to the Hockey Hall of Fame - somewhere I'm sure I have pictures - I'll have to find them and scan them when I finally buy a scanner. While I was there I bought this:
I also bought the mini Blackhawks stick you see in the right picture. I keep meaning to bring it to a Hawks game when they have someone I like signing, but I'm afraid they'll confiscate it as contraband - I really don't have time to drive to Toronto and get another one. Sadly, that was as far as I got collecting NHL team pucks, but I do have a few other pucks:
I was obsessed with the US Women's Hockey team in 1998 - so much so I have a jersey and the Wheaties box somewhere with their gold medal picture on it. I actually got up at the crack of dawn and skipped my first class to see the Gold Medal game vs. Canada live. I have no shame - I had a thing for Cammi Granato. There, I said it :P
This puck commemorates the Wolves' first of two Turner Cup Championships. Of course now it is the Calder Cup, and the IHL exists no more. I also happened to be at the Calder Cup clinching game in 2002. Somewhere at my parents' are the thunder sticks we got at that game.
Last but not least:
I used to go the the Illini hockey club games when I went to school there from '94-'96. I loved the Saturday night games - they were held in a small ice arena with a capacity of 200-300 people max. They had this huge banner of speedskater Bonnie Blair hanging in the arena as Champaign is her hometown. Oh the traditions - this is where I first heard the "I want to be a Zamboni driver" song, saying "THANK YOU" after the "one minute remaining in the period" announcement, the seats were so close to the ice you could give the Zamboni driver a high five as he drove by if you were in the first row of the balcony. Good times. I should drive down sometime and see a game.
Speaking of Zamboni drivers, I would be remiss not to include this little guy on the left. Seeing as I'll be in St Louis this weekend to catch the Hawks vs. Blues game, I'll just have to start collecting again and get a Blues puck. If anyone wants to barter for pucks from your NHL team let me know - Amy makes yummy cookies I can send you!
Amy has announced that the office has a overwhelming smell of rubber now. Thanks.
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