It's been awhile since we've had our gator fix...

Devils lose. I win.

Stick, together we will crush Kristin's spirit!

Ha Ovechkin! Nice try! Sure, the Flyers lost, but so did the Devils. And honestly, a Devils loss makes me just about as happy as a Flyers win. (Okay, a Devils loss makes me happier. *sigh*)

It was Hextall Hall of Fame induction night, and it was great to see all the old footage of Hextall. Kinda makes me wish there was a goalie out there today with those kind of douche moves. Hextall gave a great speech, and even moved Holmgren to tears. I was impressed by that!!! (I didn't know Homer had tear glands!)

The game was made of suck, and honestly, next game I am bringing rotten eggs to throw at Vandermeer's car afterwards. From where I was sitting, the Caps seemed to have things going on defensively. It was hard to tell if the Flyers were fanning on shots, or if they were being blocked by the Caps. Either way, it was a very frustrating evening. To make things worse, the boys staged a comeback in the waning minutes of the third, but of course, it was too little too late.

Regarding the no goal: I knew there was no way in hell they were gonna call that a goal, which was a shame because it could have really been a turning point. Oh well. Toronto hates us.

Also, note to Gator. I did notice what a maniac you were this evening. Lots of stunning blocks and gorgeous hits. I know you are worried about this whole Pronger thing, but fear not, The Pronger is almost out of my system. Just keep up the good work with the blocking and the hitting, and you'll be number one again in no time. (Your picture in the Flyers Yearbook is certainly working wonders...)

It only hurts the first time...

So I trudged down to the Wachovia Center yesterday for the STH meet the team event. As you may or may not know, I don't do the autograph thing. But, since I had never been to this event before, I wanted to check it out (on the off chance that it was something really exciting).

Long story short, it was pretty underwhelming. If I wanted autographs, stalking after practice or games would be a quicker, less stressful way to do it. This event was a good way to get a free hotdog and soda out of the Wachovia Center though!

As we waited in line for Smith/Umberger, I hoped and prayed that Smith was first. I knew that if Umby was first, I was going to have to bypass him. I knew if I was going to finally get an autograph, Gator was going to be the one to sully my jersey!

Sadly, Umby was first, and I totally dissed him. The good part for him was that he got to take a drink of water while I passed him right by!

Somehow, I was able to go to Gator's table, give him my jersey, and say hi. He asked, "where do you want it, on the numbers?" And I said "wherever you want, you're my first!" He signed it, I said thanks and ran away as fast as I could! Gator!!!!!!!

Man, how I hate getting autographs! I need to hang out with ladyneat more and get over it!

Anyhow, after the Gator autograph, I was torn. Should I just leave my favorite guy on there all by himself? Or should I go nuts, now that my jersey's virginity had been taken?

After a looooooong wait in the Marty/Nitty line, I decided to add two more signatures.

I figure it's all downhill from here!

Click here for totally embarrassing pictures of me from the event. Gah!

Happy Birthday, Gator!

I should have known you were a Scorpio!


After I find the picture of you covered in blood from last night's game (that doesn't ahve the NHL logo plastered over it), I will post it here.

Home opener recap

Whew, what a game. The opener was great and I love the new graphics for the team. Reminiscent of something, but I can't put my finger on it. I want to say an early 80s pop band album cover, but I don't know why. If anyone saw the graphics and knows what I am thinking, please feel free to help me out here.

I will skip the introductions, since they were long and overdone and everyone was just waiting to cheer for Briere.

The first few minutes of the first period were eerily quiet. It's like the crowd was afraid of what could happen. After last season, I can totally understand. Turns out, not much would happen, except for the Flyers turning it over like 5000 times. The period ended scoreless, which was good enough for me with how poorly they played. They were lucky to escape with no score.

The second period started, and it seemed like the players had laced up concrete skates. They were sooooooo slooooooow. I will have to watch the replay to see if they were as slow as I think they were, but damn. Again, the crowd was eerily quiet. (Except of course for the seven boneheads sitting in front of me who ALL got up to get beer every five minutes.)

Things get fuzzy for me when the scoring starts. Even though I was looking at the net, I didn't see either goal go in and both times I could have sworn they didn't. My vantage point was pretty bad, as I was nosebleed and also had the up/down people in front of me. The rest of the second period is a blur to me, since I was happy again to just get out of it without the Isles scoring.

What I remember from the third period (at least the last 10 minutes or so) is the amazing defensive play by pretty much the whole team, but especially Kapanen. This team was fighting to hang onto this lead, and did a pretty good job as a team of doing so.

The last minute and a half were so intense that I nearly passed out. First off, the crowd started clapping like we had won. Gah! Don't do that unless you are up 8-2, people! A little hockey etiquette please! The Isles had the extra attacker and both teams were passing, giving it away, and basically skating around like crazy. It was really insane!!!! And when Gator cleared the puck (was he down on the ice?) and got the empty netter, I really did almost pass out! I'm not trying to speak in hyperbole here folks, I had some physiological problems!

That's pretty much it, I will add more after I watch the replay if I see anything that bears mentioning.

A few other notes:

I don't really know how many times I can say it, but Smith is truly amazing. He blocked some key shots in the first period. His skate, stick, leg, arm or whatever always seems to be in position to stop the puck. He is so subtle about it that you don't even realize he is doing it (unless of course you are me and you are mesmerized by his every move). It looks like the puck is magnetically drawn to him just so he can deflect it. It is weird.

Biron was magical again. The best part about him is how he doesn't get rattled.

Gagne and Witt...what was going on there? Nice to see Simon getting scrappy.

Hope Eager is okay. At first I was scared when he was laying there, then I was scared he was going to get called for diving. We'll see what happens.

Cote and Simon....really, that's all ya got? Lame, and looks like Cote didn't even land a punch.

Somebody should have kicked Bootland's ass, but I can't remember why.

I hate going to games with people, next time I am going alone (except next time I will meet up with Nadine first....sorry it didn't work out this time).

Hell Yeah, part 2

Yeah, we lost, but it was seriously a great game. Pardon the typos, as I have had an entire bottle of Malbec during tonight's tivo'd broadcast.

A few things:

1) Smith is so amazing that it brings tears to my eyes. Fer real.

2) Briere is seriously gifted, keep it up lil fella!

3) This team has a good D

4) Biron is freaking sick. Really!



That is all for now...more after I sober up!

Told you so!

Not to be annoying or anything, but he was my prediction and also my choice for captain.

Bruce Bennet Getty Images