This past Friday through today was the Blackhawks Prospect Camp. Since we're losing players faster than Patrick Kane probably loses bills at a gentleman's club, I figured I might as well go on Saturday and see the players who will one day (probably too soon) be replacing them. Plus it was free and it's not like I have anything better to do. They invited 70 kids to the camp and divided them into four teams. They had two sessions with two teams apiece - each had a 15 minute practice before a scrimmage of two 30 minute periods.
OK before you run screaming from this blog, I really don't have the runs. During one of my patented putterings on the internets, I found a few videos I had seen awhile back but had put out of my mind. Perhaps intentionally. Warning: after you watch these videos you will have these songs in your head.
I'm sure you are wondering what the hell you just wasted a minute of your time on. That clip is from Zuiikin English - a TV show that ran in Japan in the '90s with the purpose of teaching English whilst exercising. A strange concept to be sure, but then again this is the country that brought us Iron Chef (which I love 100x times more than Iron Chef America - I just want to slap Bobby Flay every time I see him smirk on my TV). I'm not sure why they chose this particular phrase - "I really need the toilet" would have sufficed but then again, it wouldn't have been nearly as funny.
Here's another one of my faves:
"Spare me my life!" is a great phrase when a man wearing a bandanna like my 80 year old grandmother tries to rob you!
I find weird and slightly inappropriate videos/links like this often, but am too lazy to make a proper post about them. Therefore, I created a tumblr account so house such things. My screen name is maschinenmensch for those who are daring enough to follow me.
No matter what your feelings were about Probert, 45 is way too young to go - especially when you have four kids. What's horrifying to me to me is he apparently went in front of his wife, children and other family. I don't know if I'd wish that on my worst enemy.
For myself, Probie was the guy you loved to hate when he played for the Wings. He did his job well - beating the shit outta anyone in his way. What most people forget though is is could also score - look at his point total in 87-88: 62. The Hawks gave him a second chance at playing after one of his frequent alcohol related run ins with the law and subsequent release from Detroit. The hate turned to love for the Chicago fans. Here was a man who protected his teammates, especially the skill players, with his fists. That's something you'll never see again with the instigator penalties they've instituted - another thing that has changed the game for the worst, IMHO. He was the last of a dying breed.
As his hockey card from 1990 states, "Bob had a much publicized drug and alcohol problem." Maybe that contributed to his early death, but why speculate? The man had demons, but it seemed like he had done his best to conquer them. By all accounts he was truly a nice, stand up guy off the ice.
Most of the tribute posts I've seen link to clips of Probert's best fights. If you'd like to see them, take a look at hockeyfights.com or youtube - they're there for the taking. I'd like to include the one below. It's a Hawks/Wings montage before Game 4 of the WCF Finals last year and includes the ceremonial puck drop by Probie himself:
"Kick their ass" indeed, Bob. Wherever you are now, I hope you're doing the same.
As the NHL commercial states, “There are no words.”
I am 34 years old, and 6/9/10 @ 10:06 PM CST will rank as the best sports moment of my life - unless of course the Cubs win it all, but since that’s a sign of the apocalypse (seriously, it’s in the Bible and everything) there may not be much celebrating. I was too young to fully appreciate the Bears in 1985. The Bulls’ six championships were nice, but I hate basketball. The Sox I treated as if any team from the AL won the World Series – I didn’t care. This was my holy grail. And I cried like a baby in public. And I’m not ashamed.
I am going to a ticker tape parade tomorrow, bitches. 24 years ago I pleaded with my mom to let me go when the Bears won it all – she refused. Finally all these years later, I get to attend one. I only wish my mom could be physically able to enjoy it with me in person.
What does it say about me that the news of Blanche Devereaux's (Rue McClanahan) death has depressed me way more than the Blackhawks' OT loss last night? A co-worker told me about it this morning and it has put me in a funk all day. By coincidence, I was watching the show just last night in between periods of the Hawks game - it was a great way to lower my stress levels and have a few laughs.
Saturday Nights were a routine for me as a kid: take the L downtown for my ballet lesson in the Fine Arts Building from 3:15-4:15. My parents would order either pizza (half bacon/half mushroom) or Chinese (pork chop suey) for dinner. Facts of Life on NBC at 7pm. Some other show (I remember 227 for awhile there) at 7:30. The Golden Girls at 8pm. I loved the Golden Girls even though I was only 9 when the show started. Several times a year my brother and I would spend Saturday nights over at my Grandma's house so my parents could enjoy a night out. I would always clamor for her to put the Golden Girls on. "That show is not for children!" she would state, but then end up putting it on for me anyway. I really couldn't understand what she meant - I thought it was hilarious. It wasn't until many years later, when the reruns were always on Lifetime that I realized what she meant. I was innocent enough then that all that innuendo went completely over my head. It's amazing to me now how much they got away with.
In memory of Blanche, here's a few of my favorite clips:
The laughter by Rue and Bea is genuine - Betty White had them both in stitches while she deadpanned.
"Lesbian. Lesbian. LESBIAN." That line makes me LOL Every. Damn. Time.
Finally...the Best of Blanche.
I'd like to think that somewhere, Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia are at the kitchen table sharing a cheesecake, chatting away until it's time for Rose to join them (which I hope isn't for a long, LONG time - I heart Betty White!). God, this makes me sad. Wherever you are Rue, Godspeed! You will be missed!
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!
[blogger's note: please excuse the probable crapiness and nonsensical ramblings of this post. I am sick, on cold medicine and my nose is more chapped than a infant who has diaper rash's ass. Whee!]
Well we all know how this ended up - Blackhawks swept the Sharks in four. I don't think anyone (including myself) expected that. Sure, a lot of folks say all four games were hard-fought (which they were) but sweeping a team out of the NHL playoffs is difficult - case in point: this is the only sweep in the playoffs this year at this point.
A few thoughts on Game Four from the standpoint of someone in attendance - with pictures!
Just a bit of Saturday night (or is it Sunday morning?) silliness:
I don't know what's worse: the name "Disco Body Shaper" or the jump suits. And who the hell wears a belt when working out?
I got this off the Museum of Classic Chicago Television - a site I have wasted countless hours on. If you're looking for the old Empire commercials, Son of Svengoolie or any other TV staples from the 70s and 80s, make a visit!
I'm gonna jam a ton of crap in this post as we're leaving tomorrow morning for a weekend trip up to Minnesota for Amy's niece's 2nd birthday. Which is cool, but doesn't leave much time for internetting and hockey obsessing. I'm hoping I'll get to watch the Bruins/Flyers game tomorrow night, but considering Amy's family only really cares about the Cubs, Vikings (*vomit*), hunting and NASCAR, we'll see how far I get with that.
Well that was fun wasn't it? Unless of course you're a Nucks fan - then I just pity you and your trash throwing brethren.
Even before the series started, all the media wanted to talk about was Dustin Byfuglien and Roberto Luongo. Unfortunately, Buff was useless as a forward in Game One - well in all fairness, most of the Hawks were. He was shuttled between D and Forward in Game Two depending on what Q's magic eight ball told him. Finally by scratching Troy Brouwer in Game Three (which I hope is a wake up call and we see him tearing things up tomorrow), Hendry was brought back to pair up with Sopel (which makes me twitchy every time they have a shift) and Buff was moved to the top line with Toews and Kane.
I think Booby Lu and the Nucks must have thought the hot tub in their locker room was actually a time machine and it was 2009 again. Wow. Buff is maddening because he only seems to play when he feels like it. Imagine if he could put this kind of effort and consistency in a game on a regular basis. He'd be unstoppable. Here's what's scary: with last night, Buff now has two career hat tricks. Kane and Toews? One apiece.
Of course the Nucks and their fans have spent the last 24 hours wearing the tin foil hats and complaining about Buff's third goal and our running into Lu. Hey, you guys brought all of this up before Game One. How about instead of whining, your goalie not look like his pads are made of trampoline and your asshats stop going after noted tough guys Brian Campbell, Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa. I don't know what Bolland did to one of the creepy ginger twins (I'm not going to bother to find out which one it was), but he looked like a guy who was just told there's no Santa Claus. Here's a thought: maybe if you stop bitching to the refs and the press about everything and just play hockey, the calls will come your way. Because I'm sure this is how the refs see you:
Back to the Hawks' play: Without Nemo in the first, this would have been a completely different game. He made some incredible saves and I am in awe of his splits. One day some woman's going to have a very flexible husband there. The Hawks power play finally came to life - thanks for the opportunities Vancouver! Bolland must have finally heard the Hawks' faithful bitching about him lately because this was his best game in the playoffs by far. I thought Toews didn't have one of his better games, but he still managed to get three helpers. That's how good he is.
We'll see if the bloodbath continues in Game Four. I fully expect the Hawks to get called for at least one goaltender interference against them, as to just shut up Lu for five minutes. It'll be interesting to see if the Nucks continue to try to goad us, or just play hockey. In any case, the worst we can do is split the two games in BC, which is what I wanted anyway. I hope the Hawks decide not to let up, and head back to the UC with the opportunity to shut the door before the weekend's over.
Oh and if you're wondering about the McNuggets reference:
I couldn't find a better picture of this, but this was Buff at some McDonalds shin-dig a few months back. Thus the moniker, BUFF MCNUGGETS!
I know I should be writing two Hawks recaps (have I mentioned how much I hate back-to-backs?) but I am way too grouchy and out of sorts to put forth the effort. So you'll have to wait - I'm sure everyone is just waiting with bated breath.
Work has just been too much this week. Not anything particulary *bad* has happened, but I am in no mood for bullshit and annoyance and I've been getting extra helpings of both since Monday. I haven't been sleeping well (or much) this week either, so I basically feel like a sack of potatoes that's been sat on by a sumo wrestler.
I'm trying to be productive at home by doing the dishes and four loads of laundry so I can go out and "play" this weekend. At this point, my ideal would be lying in bed with covers on watching DVDs on Saturday and Sunday, but I'm going to make an effort to be social.
OK, enough bitching - here's something amusing I found on YouTube recently (it repeats itself so you don't have to watch the whole thing). I have to go fold some more goddamn clothes.
Within the first five minutes of this game I remembered why I missed Adam Burish all season. How can you not love a guy who gets an assist and five for fighting in his first two shifts back from IR? I was hoping for the Gordie Howe had trick but it was not to be - he did miss on a open side of the net in the third. Maybe it's for the best - I don't know if any woman in a bar after the game would have been safe had had gotten it.
As per usual, this game played out like a Choose Your Own Adventure book (god I loved those as a kid):
Blackhawks come out with an edge - score opening goal less than 3 minutes in. Go to page 3
Two bad penalties give them a 5-on-3 advantage. This could really break the game wide open! Hawks proceed to stink up the UC. Go to page 17
Hawks outshoot Kings 13-6 in first period. Go to dressing room cursing Jonathan Quick. Go back to page 7
Hawks look like dog shit in second - proceed to let Kings score two goals due to bad defense and poor goalie positioning. You can: Fold like a tent and let the opposition score several more goals this period while Mel pokes her eyes out with a pencil. Go to page 9. Or: Decide you actually feel like playing this period and score a tying goal. Go to page 21.
Congratulations! You finally picked the correct choice (and you didn't even cheat and look ahead). Versteeg scores a tying goal halfway through the second period. Go to back to page 5
Was a third period even played? Go to page 25 (Overtime)
Your choices: OT ends after countless chances and goes to the shootout. The shootout ends after 57 rounds after the Kings' backup goaltender scores. Go to page 26 Or: Someone actually scores in OT. Go to page 27.
Sweet baby Jesus! Sharp gets his second of the night off a terrible Kings turnover two minutes into OT. Bras and phone numbers litter the UC ice. Burish takes them all home.
On a serious note, I'm glad the Hawks won - for a city unaccustomed to winning much, Chicago sports fans sure love to head to the ledge if a team has a bad stretch. I'm also glad Niemi had a decent game - he saved 28 of 30 SOG. Or else the lemmings would have called for this guy to be brought up from Rockford:
For the record, his name is Hannu Toivonen and I actually saw him play when he was still with the Blues' AHL affiliate in Rockford a few weeks ago. He wasn't that bad - certainly he provided no comic relief like in the video.
Weekend games against at Flyers and versus Ovie & the C(r)aps at the UC. I saw pairs of tickets in the 300 level for that game going for $300+. Jesus, Mary & Joseph.
Although I may go to Columbus for my "spring break" to see the Hawks play the Blue Jackets (I think this is a dumb name for a sports team) on March 25th. I haven't worked out the logistics yet, and I also have to figure out if we can afford it (small detail). Additionally, I'll just have to get over my extreme dislike of Ohio - that wedding several years ago while staying at the Youngstown Days Inn scarred me for life. You try to enjoy your stay when there's mold in the bathroom, hairs on your pillow, no internet and the guys a couple rooms down are mixing Meth in their bathtub. Last spring's trip to Cincinnati made me feel a little better about the Buckeye State, so I'm willing to give it another chance.
Anyway, back to the task on hand, I have only three words: Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Honestly if you switched the first and second periods from Saturday's game, Sunday was almost identical. I'm baffled why Q played Niemi for the fourth game in a row, and on the end of a back-to-back. He said he was playing the "hot hand." Uh, if Niemi's got a hot hand Whitney Houston, we have a problem. He hasn't been terrible - just average (read: Huet-like). I don't see the logic in sitting your supposed #1 Huet for a month - he last played on the 5th versus the 'Yotes and at best he'll play on 3/2 versus the Isle. Are they trying to shop Niemi? Is Huet hurt? Has Q been smoking something? I don't know but they've got two weeks to figure this out.
With Hossa, Sopel & Eager scratched and Madden on IR (insert wife & limo pictures joke here) our boys from Rockford - Bickell & Dowell - each had a goal, with Dowell getting the #3 star (he also had an assist on Bickell's tally). Makes me excited to see them on the 27th - note to self: buy tickets. The other highlights (lowlights?) was Kane getting Ovechkin'ed by Stralman and the resulting beat down by Brouwer:
My god, could the BJ announcers be any more whiney? Later in the period, Torres went inexplicably apeshit and tackled Sharp. Hey Banana-Phone - you might not want to forget what Sharp did to Lidstrom in last year's WCF. So of course, we went to OT and the Shootout (Booooo) and in a case of poetic justice, Kane and Brouwer scored, with Troy's goal being the winner. Enjoy the break boys - and those of you playing for medals, please come home intact.
Oh one last thing, only watched the first period really of yesterday's women's game between the US and China (I had to do laundry and token housework to avoid the wrath of my gf), but for every person who mocks women in sport, watch this:
It is really, really tempting to call off of work tomorrow to be able to watch this. My boss is off though and my employees would commit mutiny if I don't show up. Yes, this really is that important to me:
This is my favorite movie of all time, and probably one of the main reasons I have a mostly unused BFA in film. But I'll wax poetic on this at other time. A couple videos for the uninformed:
It figures they'd have this exhibit six months *after* I visit Berlin. Grumble. If you haven't seen this film please Netflix it yesterday. For god's sake, it's where C-3P0 comes from!
Here's hoping I can find it somewhere online this weekend. I can't wait months until the DVD comes out.
[Disclaimer: I really didn't intend this to be a sports blog when I started it. But hey, it's winter in Chicago and I hibernate. What the hell else am I supposed to watch and talk about? I cannot help that my father is a man whose favorite book is the sports section of the newspaper and my mom used to take two weeks off of work just to watch the Olympics. See, it's genetic!]
As we approach the 2010 Winter Olympics, I am not ashamed to say I look forward to them every four (two if you count that the Summer & Winter games alternate) years. I know it's commercial as hell, and US media coverage sucks and is highly jingoistic (ice dancing instead of the US/Canada game - are you fucking kidding me?) but I'm suckered into it every time. This will be the first games that I own a DVR for, so I'll be able to watch what I want when I want and fast forward through Bob Costas and those touching tear jerky stories about the athletes they show instead of actual sport.
I think it's safe to say that was a game we were expected to win - and I'm glad we did or the Johnny-Come-Lately Fans/Media would have been heading for the Fallout Shelter. Nice to see us jump out to the lead within the first minute, and a dominating second period. I think I recall hearing recently that the second period has by far been the best one for the Hawks this year, but not being a stat-monkey, I have nothing to back that up. The third period could have been better - it appeared the Hawks might have been thinking ahead to the Sharks game and took a bit of a breather. I guess against a team as horrid as the Oil you are allowed that luxury. But one more goal and I would have delved into Minnesota collapse convulsions.
A few notes:
- I couldn't get over how quiet Rexall Place was. You could hear a pin drop at times. I feel for the Oilers' fans - their team is nothing short of putrid this year, and I bear no ill feelings toward the organization (which is more than I can say to several other Canadian teams). I think the UC was still much louder when it was half empty during the last decade. I dunno, maybe Hawks fans just drink more which lends itself to louder fan outbursts. - Hossa was everywhere last night - more so than his lone goal indicates. He easily could have had 3 to 4 points with a little more luck. I keep trying to tell Amy how much of a greater impact he has had for us than Havlat, but she still pines for Marty. Perhaps I should be jealous. - Awful turnover by TOFTBO that led to the second goal. Must have been longing for meatballs. - Every once in awhile someone does something to surprise you. Like this:
Now if Huet could make a save like that per game I think a lot of the "Hawks can't win without a #1 goalie" folks would go away.
A lot is being made of tomorrow night's game vs. the Sharks as a test of who is the best in the West. Um, it is only January. I think it is more important for the Hawks at this point in the road trip to put forth a solid effort and hopefully get a point - two if they're greedy. I probably won't last much past the first period as I have to get up so damn early for work. Normally I wouldn't give a shit, but Friday is the final day of the government audit I have been dealing with most of this month, and I don't want to look like I went on an all night bender. Whee.
My brother and I played the crap out of this game back in the day. That and Tecmo Bowl. I have Tecmo Bowl on my Wii Virtual Console - it's not the same though as they took off all of the players' names during the game - I'm sure at the NFL's request. Maybe I'll download BoS for the Console this week.
I wonder if the fools who unceasingly whistle during games got it from this. Sure sounds like it.
Well that was fun. To think I could have stayed at work another 3 hours and spent quality time with Excel and Navision and probably had a more enjoyable evening. No I lied - at least I got to eat delivered chow fun & chinese broccoli at home.
You can't win them all I suppose. I guess I'm more bothered by the crap defense, mediocre goaltending (honestly, how many times has Huet gotten his skates caught that resulted in a goal? I played broomball with sneakers and fell on my ass less), and general lethargy of the team tonight.
Oh, and THIS:
Christ on a cracker! I guess it isn't your night when that happens. Poor Sad Panda.
Here's hoping the boys shake this one off, because you know Calgary & Vancouver are chomping at the bit to smack us around in their house.
I'm guessing the Calgary game is a late local start? Great, I'll just staple gun my eyelids open when I roll into work Friday morning at 7.
It's always nice to have a day off, but let's not forget the reason for it:
The "I have a dream" speech is legend - but this one kills me every time. It's almost as if he knew his life would be taken from him and is such at peace with it.
A lot of folks said we'd reached The Promised Land when Obama was elected. Sadly, one only needs to read this report to see we're really not there yet. Trust me, I witness the segregation every day at work. Here's hoping that every year on MLK day we're all a little closer to the cause that he died for.
