Old Milwaukee and cheese versus Primanti's and Iron City!

Good day my friends! It's that time of year again... it's Super Bowl Sunday; and for most hockey fans, hopefully you watched the games that were on this morning because there ain't none on tonight. I, however, do like football a lot and will be watching the game. Not sure who I want to win though, because I'm still pissed about the Seahawks having their rings stolen five years ago against the Steeler; but the Packers are not only in the NFC, but they had Brett 'SwampThing' Farve for a million years. So, I'm sure I'll be watching mostly for Troy Polomalu and his glorious hair and that's about it. :)

In the spirit of Super Bowl XL and the two teams involved, I have two candidates for Boy of the Day, one from each state: David Steckel out of Milwaukee, WI and George Parros from Washington, PA.

Dave Steckel, drafted by the LA Kings as the 30th overall pick in 2001, played one season with the Team USA Developmental team and the US National team before heading to Ohio State University. Four years later, Dave joined the Manchester Monarchs where he spent one season. The next season, he signed with the Washington Capitals where he played a few games spent the rest of the season in Hershey. The next season, he made the big club and he's been centering the third line along with being a top member of their penalty kill.





George is a boy who combines brawn as well as brains as a forward for the Anaheim Ducks. Also drafted by the Kings as the 222nd overall pick in 1999, he graduated from Princeton University with a degree in economics and was voted 4th smartest professional athlete. He's also very involved with charities including growing his hair each season to be donated to Locks of Love; and his teammates love him so much, the Ducks petitioned to have his name added to the Cup in 2007 even though he hadn't met the game criteria.

Best day ever

It's just starting to snow here in the midwest and fantastic news just came in on the wire. We're closed tomorrow. Snow day for everyone!

Tomorrow I'll even write about hockey.

Dog days

It looks like we've lost our steam here in these parts. Maybe a summer off will help both of us off. I've given up on hockey because the thought of three of the four teams left lifting the cup makes me physically ill and having been to Montreal, I'd like to see it still standing if they should pull it off.

I miss having a team to cheer for. And unlike my counterpart here, I can't abide by baseball. It's gonna be along summer for this hockey fan.

Before I go, I wanna send out birthday greetings to Friend of the Chuckers Megan. Honey, I hope you have a fantastic birthday today!

Also, not that they read it, my folks have been married for 44 years today. Congratulations to you Paula and Corbin. For a lot of years, I didn't think you'd make it this far. I'm glad you did.

As promised.

Kept my eye on a few games last night, most notably the Sabres game and the Pens game.

As I watched buffalo take a nice lead on the Habs I began to wonder if Ryan Miller would get the shut out instead of just a win. The Habs ended up getting two by him but it in no way takes away from a well played overall game. Watching the slugs in the past when they would go up, you just knew a let down would come and their opponent would get back into the game and make games tight. Not great on the nerves. But now they are playing with confidence and one or two goals doesn't seem to change their game. Kudos for finally getting the dreaded system.

The Pens game was a different story. The Avalanche took an early lead and played a pretty good game until a late goal in the first sorta started the wheels coming off. Not to mention they didn't have Craig Anderson in goal (he was dinged by the Panther's Keith Ballard [who decided to take on goalies from other teams] who Adam Foote promptly beat the shit out of).

I think Sidney Crosby is on a personal mission to get his name on more trophies this year - maybe those of individual nature. If it were another player, I'd doubt his ability to keep it up but with Crosby, I don't think anything is impossible right now.

I don't think I like the new Pearl Jam tune. And the games tonight are boring. Good thing I won't be home.

"Brian Burke is everywhere"

That lovely tidbit comes from Chucker favorite Ryan Miller when asked if he was on top of his game in Toronto to make an impression. Really, does he have to perform well in Toronto to make an impression? Just look at the stats.

Plus he's a really good guy. In that game, Miller cleared the puck away and it ended up going through a hole in the glass cut out for photographers. Now this isn't a really big hole but he managed it not only get it through the hole, but smack the photographer in the cheek. OUCH!

But being the good guy that he is, he went over to see if the guy was ok at first and then at the end of the game, he gave the photographer his stick. Hey Ryan, I'll take a clearing attemtp in the face if I can get a stick out of it!

Then again, he probably felt pretty shitty for almost banging up the camera (being a photography guy himself).

I'll have more hockey stuff tomorrow because once again, the league scheduled everyone and their brother for games tonight and like no one I care about is playing tomorrow. And probably a run down of the latest rash of injuries.

Oh and if you are so inclined (and this really doesn't matter if you hate the leafs or not) but say a word for Jonas Gustavsson as he'll have more surgery for his ticker.

In a not hockey related note. Yesterday I went and was tested for bone marrow donation. It was easy to do and you know if I can maybe try to help save a life, it's worth it. But as part of my signing up, the information I got about what more can I do said I should encourage my friends to also sign up. So that's what I'm doing. Please consider becoming part of the bone marrow registry. You can get more information here at be the match.org. You never know until you try.

I'm not stuck under something I swear!

I'm taking time from my very busy international starlet schedule to touch base on the best game....yeah, I can't even type that honestly. I've just been lazy but I've watched a lot of hockey in the first month of this fine season and I've seen a lot that I wanna comment on.

Head Shots
There has been an awful lot about shots to the head lately and the issue of preferential treatment. I'm sorry, but if you hit a guy high and he has to go hospital for a concussion, you should miss the same amount of time the injured player does. End of story. No matter who you are or what you intended or not intended to do. That will stop shots to the head. A paltry $2,500 fine will do nothing. Hit them where it hurts - with ice time.

Killing Your Fantasy Team One Injury At A Time!
Some big (and not so big) names are on the shelf and it's really tossing some wrenches into fantasy hockey teams (well yeah, and I guess the NHL clubs they play for).

The latest injuries include Ilya Kovalchuk, Marc Savard, Jonathan Toews, and Sergei Gonchar. Those are some big names. For a complete list of who is banged up, check out Yahoo's Injury Report. There are a LOT of guys there. Now there are also some injured players that (perhaps to my down fall) holding on to for now because I don't want them to slip through my fingers when they come back to their rosters. I'm doing alright in my leagues. Leading one, upper middle of the packs in two others. Not bad for my first go around.

Will Wonders Ever Cease?
Now on to the surprises of this season. Hell, there are a ton (and not all for the good).

The Colorado Avalanche: A hall of fame shoe-in captain retired, two 18 year old boys on the roster and an somewhat untested goalie in net. Should spell disaster right? Wrong. They are leading the west with a hard working style of play. I give credit to the new coach and captain for that - Sacco and Foote dont strike me as the sort who want floaters around. Who knew Anderson (he gets my vote for a goalie for team USA in Vancouver) would be that good? Who could have guessed Duchene and O'Reilly would be ready to play with the big boys? Did anyone pick this version of the Av to win games? Total surprise and even if they do fall back to earth a bit, I think barring a huge injury bug settling down in Denver, this could be a playoff team.

The Buffalo Sabres: Read it here now. If Ryan Miller keeps up his play, he will be in the Venzia running. He's just got an all around solid game right now. Last season before an unfortunate run in with Scott Gomez, Miller was going to get his team into the playoffs. He's right back at it now and this time, the team in front of him are helping out. And for the record, I love Tyler Myers - all eighteen feet of him. Yes, he's made a mistake or two but what veteran in the league hasn't? He's allowed, and for all the good he's done, he should stay. I think he's shown that he can't learn much more in junior. He needs to stay in Buffalo (plus, he's giving Hank Tallinder a chance to get his confidence back. A good thing all around)

The Tampa Bay Lightening, the Ottawa Senators and The Atlanta Thrashers: Now, losing Kovalchuk will sting a bit for the Thrashers but these three teams surprise because they don't stink this year. I'm not sure they can sustain the success but as the Av have proven, you never know with this game of ours. And I still have a crush on Ronnie Hainsey. Shut it, I'm allowed.

The Pittsburgh Penguins: Is anyone really surprised by this team? As Shelly Anderson writes over at the Post Gazette "The Penguins don't feature a top-10 scorer despite employing skilled stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Haven't got a hot-shot rookie. Don't have one of the NHL's top-10 power plays. Haven't gotten a shutout victory, even though goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been stellar almost every game.

What they do have is a 9-2 record, giving them the most wins in the NHL." Hard to argue with teamwork.

Other not so surprising surprising teams include the Flames, the Sharks and the Craps. All playing some pretty darn good pucks.

Now To The Stinkers.
Is there team out there that can top the Maple Leafs in stinkatude. Granted, I feel bad for the players (some, not all) because they are out there and mostly young. Who I can blame is Brian know it fucking all Burke and Ron Wilson. Any takers on how long they will have their jobs?

While they aren't stinking so much as struggling, I give you the Red Wings. Now I have a personal belief on why they are struggling but I'm not going to say it (lets just say that I believe any team with a particular player on it won't have success. Hockey karma and all that) but they took some summer time losses and now are facing some injuries....that's gonna hurt any team. But they just don't seem to be the teams of old...which could be the problem. They are growing old and not adapting.

The Vancouver Canucks: after a blistering hot training camp schedule, the Canucks have slowed a bit. The all world goalie isn't looking so unbeatable and while they've also had some injuries, they seem to me a team that lacks something. I don't want to say focus but something.

Scheduling
I realize that with just a month into the season, there is a LOT to shake out yet. Also, this schedule? Blows. Hard. I'm tired of every one playing on Saturday and then sparse games through the week. I'm hoping it evens out over the next few weeks.

On a "not hockey" note, I just want to talk about a special anniversary I had on the 25th. A year ago, my folks and I went down to Coldwater and came back with a dog. Not just any dog, but my dog. Max has been the best dog for me - we're talking life changing - and I couldn't be happier with the way things have worked out. It's been a fun first year for the two of us and I look forward to many many more with him. If you can work it out in your life, I highly suggest getting a pet. You won't be sorry.

I've had this tidbit brewing for a few days

I was talking with Amy the other night and I said I was gonna write about it because it struck me as hilarous at the time. We were watching a game - was it Monday's Pens/Habs game? No, probably the Slugs/Wings game on Saturday and IMing each other.

Now in order to set this up you really should know that Amy is I think the sweetest person on the planet. No really, she's very kind and good hearted. I often tell people that I'm the evil twin and, frankly, they aren't suprised.

So we're chatting and she drops this on me: I got suckered into Mafia Wars.

Mafia Wars for those that don't know is a game on Facebook where you basically thug about and do jobs for a crime lord. My little gangster Amy.

Ok, so it's not as funny probably to you but did I mention she was eating taco salad when she typed that? Maybe it doesn't come across well second hand.

Just to make this a totally nonhockey post: Having seen the Sabres play on Saturday (WHOOO RYAN!) and then reading about Patty having a great game - dare I say it? Could this be the year the drought ends? I know I know...*knocks on wood and gets out the bubble wrap*

Coffee with 8 creams

I was in line at McDees this morning and the person in front of me ordered a small coffee with 8 creams. The first thing that came to mind as I read the still lingering order on the screen when I pulled up was that I read it wrong. Then I asked the order taker if the order was really 8 creams she smiled and rolled her eyes. "Yup, every morning. Eight creams."

Then I thought, "what is the point of that?" A little coffee with your milk there?

That's gotta be what the Colorado Avalanche must be thinking this morning after taking the Sharks to a scoreless shootout last night. They eventually lost but holding the Sharks to no regulation/OT goals this year has been pretty tough. But since the Avalanche are in the basement of the Western Conference, that point gained probably doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot.

I hate to say it, but I think it's time to stick a fork in the Buffaslugs. They are in 10th and four points behind the kitties (in 9th) and 6 points behind the 8th seed (Ranger$). They have three games left (Toronto, a suddenly very good Carolina [and speaking of them can SOMEONE throw a wrench at them? - Sorry Jenni] and then Boston) but I don't see them getting three points out of that let alone 6. And I've said it before, I think it might be best to not make the playoffs rather than get embarrassed in the first round. Sigh. But maybe Crunchy will be chosen for the Worlds, wonky ankle and all (and yes, that was my question on NHL Live the other day, thanks for noticing!)

Speaking of the Worlds, I'm also hoping Crunchy's bff JM Liles will also make the team for USA. I think that'd be swell. Ron Wilson said this is sort of a tune up for the Olympics. Granted, a lot of guys who will be in Vancouver will still be playing in the playoffs but I think Ronny can get a good feel for what's out there. I'm thinking he can get a pretty good team built up.

Easter is coming and my mom called wondering if I wanted a chaffing dish. It's not like I entertain all that much and hell, where would I put it? She's a card. But Easter also brings on the end of the NHL regular season. It will be sad for yet another year to end, but that just means the playoffs are close at hand. Keep an eye out for Amy and my fearless and (and at least on my part) clueless playoff predictions. Hey you never know, I came in 3rd in a basketball pool and I don't even like that sport!

Until next time....happy hockey!

*bounce, bounce, bounce... SWISH!*

You'll have to excuse me for being not here yesterday... not only am I fighting Le Grippe, but I spent most of the day on the couch in front of the TV cursing my NCAA bracket. In fact I have the UCLA-Nova game in the background, but that's only because there's no hockey on until 1... yeah, that's it. :)

So, I'm sitting here looking at the schedule for today's games and I'm surprised there are not more afternoon games, but maybe that was because of the basketball. Just looked at the CBC webpage and the guest for After Hours is the captain of the Canucks, Roberto Luongo; and that is good. I like him a lot. Since they're in Phoenix, I was sort of hoping for a Yote, and maybe even that Yote being a candidate for the future captain, aka Peter Mueller. I miss Pete... he's a good kid; and as much as I see of him on line both on and off the ice, he's becoming a wonderful man. But then I've met his mom and dad... they're good people.

But can I tell you how proud I am to be a Canucks fan right now? Two months ago, they were in the middle of an 8 game losing streak, even more at home; and were precariously close to the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Since then, they have made some adjustments, the biggest one is that Mats Sundin has become Mats Sundin again; and they're now in 4th and may just get home ice in the playoffs if they can hold on for a few more weeks. *squees like a mofo*

My baby boys, the Silvertips, have started their playoffs against the Tri-City Americans and lost a heartbreaker in game 1 last night in Richland. It looked good in the first with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes; but whatever happens to them when they come out for the 2nd happened again last night, as they gave up 4 goals to T-C. The Tips were able to get another goal, but the Amerks scored again; and it all seemed to be lost.

Then, with just about 3 minutes to go, Shane Harper put one in and after pulling the goalie, our 20yr old Czech Daniel Bartek was able to tie it up with 21 seconds to go. I swear that JR, the radio guy, was going to have a stroke on the air; and I was too! Oh man... I can only imagine what it must have been like in that building, not only in the stands, but in the locker room between periods 3 and 4. Well, the magic was not to continue, as one of the TC boys slipped one past Heemer for the win.

So, they'll come back out tonight, hopefully with the same fire that they ended the game with; and get a split before they come home for game 3 on Wednesday and 4 on Friday. One other good thing is my good pal Dale Hunt was back on the ice last night. He hasn't scored a whole lot; but he shoots a lot, he's fast and he brings so much grit and heart to the game.

Anyway... that is my report for this lovely first Saturday of Spring. Yay for sun! *shakes pom poms*

File this under "Trouble, huge"

I did not see the game last night (but I better have it on my DVR) so I can't comment on what happened to Ryan Miller. Turns out, I don't have to. The awesomeness that is The Goose's Roost did it for me with more eloquence than I could muster without seeing the game and it being pretty early in the morning. They do a great job covering the Buffalo sports scene and they are one my 'read daily' places on the net.

I also missed the Penguins game yesterday (see above about the DVR) so I missed Bing's two goal game and general good times over beating the Flyers. Today, another early game against the Craps. The Guins are now very very close to sniffing at 8th and sadly, with the Miller Situation, that looks a lot more reachable than it did 24 hours ago.

I missed hockey because I was with family and friends hanging out and laughing my self sore. Don't get me wrong, I love hockey and would have been here otherwise with my rump on the couch knitting and watching the games. But sometimes, you do need to recharge and hang out with people who really get you. That's what I'm doing again today and honestly, that's what DVRs are for (plus I get to fast forward through the annoying intermissions with Pierre and Milbury on NBC).