MAX!!!!!!!

ack! Jagr didn't surprise me. Max did.

Alright Shero, now go get me Carcillo.

Craig Adams

woo!

Thanks for keeping the sexy in Pittsburgh.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Man, I haven't posted here in a while. A lot has happened since January 25th, boy. What a season. I just had to come here to post how I am feeling right now. Which is AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!



Mike Rupp is awesome, but we already knew that.

"Honestly, there was a bit of a chip on our shoulders back when our big guys got hurt," Rupp said. "The hockey media across North America questioned us. When you read or hear that we're 'hanging on' until those guys come back, you take that personally. I mean, we're obviously a better team with Sidney and Evgeni in the lineup. But we're also a good team without those guys."

He thumped his thumb on his chest.

"I deserve to be here. I deserve to be in the NHL. So does every guy on this team. We've done our work. This was our opportunity to show that we're still the Pittsburgh Penguins. I didn't want to wait for help. I wanted to get it done."

I'm particularly fond of that quote because I have spent months saying, "The Penguins are a team. Of course, they are Sidney Crosby's team but they are not one guy." I mean, it feels terrible being tired of hearing about Sidney Crosby. Sacrilege. Tell me when he will play. Until then, let's focus on who is playing. Let's root for the guys that got us here. Don't get me wrong, I will be ECSTATIC when he comes back just like the next person. But just... ugh.

And I'm sure I haven't mentioned it here yet but Zbynek Michalek is ~ let me see how I can put this into words without dishonoring my love and devotion to Rob Scuderi ~ Zbynek Michalek makes me feel really warm inside. I feel safe when he is on the ice. And when he scores? uh. Let's just say I get tingly.

Kris Letang is the BEST thing. I just wanted to put that reminder here for anybody who might be reading this who at one point or another has maybe forgotten that little fact. Not me. I haven't forgotten.

And now for some pic spam because my bloggy has been neglected.

Is Alexei Kovalev the sexiest man alive? He's certainly in the running.

I'm sure the caption of this picture was something like "Look guys, it's Sidney. Sidney skating on the ice!!!!" But the caption in my head said, "AWWWW MATT COOKE! Look guys, Sidney is smiling at Matt Cooke!" Because I love and miss Matt effing Cooke so very, very much. And I don't at all think he is evil and/or the devil himself (or herself, depending who you talk to).

I just... I can't even. Is Mark Letestu the most adorable thing or what? Z and Marky hugging and smiling and being all things beautiful. It's too much. *exploding ovaries*

Oh remember how I said that one time about Alexei Kovalev being sexy? Yeah, I somehow have just forgotten all about it. Because this man here makes all of my insides explode. With all due respect to my husband and every other sexier than all get out man in the universe; Craig Adams is easily the sexiest. Hands down. No contest. Even with a fauxhawk. there are no other things that do the things to me that he can do. Maybe we all have somebody that does that kind of thing to us, for us. I don't know. Just. GAH.

Playoffs start tonight. Get yourself all tidied up and ready to party.

Let's Go Pens!!!!

"It's as if he knows I am here"

Before every Penguins game, my husband and I play this little game. We will each say who we think is going to score. Sometimes we make wagers. His usually is some sexual task I must perform. Mine usually involves him doing some household chore. I say "Craig" a lot. He says "Max" a lot. My intense love for Craig Adams is well known, so my dear husband usually just rolls his eyes and hopes that his guy scores so he can cash in on some kink. Mr. Adams isn't known for his goal-scoring.


My dad bought us Penguins v Islanders tickets for Christmas. So we get to the arena a little early. We're sitting there in our seats. Me in my Adams shirtzee. I turned to him and said, "Craig is going to score tonight". He rolls his eyes and says, "pfffft. No he isn't." I, with a straight face, said, "He is. He scores every time I come to a game." We both laughed. (Note: I have been to one other game. It was game one in the first round of playoffs last year against the Senators. Craig scored but we lost.) My husband says, "If Max scores, you know what you have to do." I say, "No, there's no time. I have to clean the cat litter." He said, "If Craig scores, I'll clean the litter boxes." Then it occurs to me that my friend and I got there early at that game at the Mellon and we watched all the guys drive in and walk into the arena. I almost dropped my camera over the wall when Craig stepped out of his car (that's when I realized how intense my love for him was) because my hands started shaking. I yelled, "Love you, Craig!" like some idiot. So I told my husband that he might not score because I didn't get to tell him I love him.


So I'm giving Craig juju while he's sitting on the bench. Wiggling my fingers at him and sending him telepathic messages of how deeply I love him.


There is no scoring in this game and I know it's driving my husband nuts. It's thrilling for me because I love defense. By the third period, everybody is on the edge of their seats because we all know that it's only going to take one goal. And I am loving this game more and more as the minutes tick away. Fleury is playing out of his mind, which I sensed was going to happen anyway. He's been amazing lately and he had such swagger during warm-ups. I turn to my husband and say, "the next shift they're out. That's when Craig is going to score." And to me, Craig scoring is just him showing up on the scoresheet but to my husband it means his stick has to put the puck in. Tomato Tomahto. So the 4th line has a shift or two come and go. And then it happens. I scream and celebrate like the drunk guy in the penguin costume down by the glass and then I bust out laughing. Because how funny is that? So I turn to my husband and say, "It's as if he knows I am here." He rolled his eyes at me. I mean, I know I'm not the only Craig Adams fan in Pittsburgh but I'm pretty sure I was the only one there who was actually betting on him to score and I'm 99% positive that I was the only one in attendance (aside from him) sporting his name and number on my back.

When we got home, I hung outside with the dogs for a few minutes. When I came back in, husband was cleaning out the litter box. But he got the sex. He knew he was getting some anyway because, I mean, come on, Craig Adams scored.

Thank you, Craig, for once again being my hero.

Happy Birthday, Mike Rupp!

And to me, of course. (I still think he looks older than me.)

Thank you, Jordan, for the early birthday present. Three-point night. woo!

Mr. December

My love knows no bounds.

But seriously. How awesome is he?



"We've talked about how good he can be," said Bylsma, referring to conversations his coaching staff has hosted with Letang. "His development this season isn't a shock to us. Every time he goes over the boards, as far as we're concerned, he's now a shut-down defenseman. The great thing is, Kris still has a long way to go. As good as Kris is, he's going to get better."

another reason to play fantasy football

I've always liked football. I've followed the Steelers practically all my life. But playing fantasy football opens my eyes to so many different teams. It gives you a clearer understanding of the game. I've developed a love for football beyond my team. I can name you players from almost every team that I've developed a soft spot for just by them scoring me points over the past three seasons. I won't. But I could.


Two years ago, I picked up a running back named Peyton Hillis who was given the nod in Denver's injury-laden running core. He turned out to be a fantasy owner's dream (until he too suffered an injury). So I looked him up and watched some plays. That's when I found out what he looked like. Now he plays for the Cleveland Browns and has effectively given their fans something to cheer about. And, once again, has proven to be a fantasy owner's dream. (My husband somehow managed to talk me out of drafting him but I snatched him off the waivers week 2.) It also seems pretty likely that the Browns have a lot of new female fans.



So this year, I picked up a guy named Danny Amendola, WR for the St. Louis Rams, because I thought he might have a pretty high upside. Sam Bradford is a good QB after all and it looked like Danny Boy was going to be his go to guy. I dropped him last week to grab a defense that I thought might help me out (they didn't but it turns out I didn't need them to anyway). I'm sitting here today thinking I might want to go ahead and pick him back up. So I googled him. If I was undecided...
... he lifted his shirt to help me with that decision-making process. Thank you, Danny.

(As I'm typing this, the little preview box is showing only the lower half of that picture. It's hypnotic. His belt...)

Anyway.

So I think next year I'm going to draft all hot guys. That will give the guys in my league something to make fun of me about... until my hotties prove that their looks aren't the only thing setting my roster on fire. This year I have Peyton Manning. Next year? Sanchez? Bradford? Although Peyton Manning has a voice that I find sexy. I think we can accept that. I'll have to rename my team though. Manmeat? I'll have to give that some thought. I'll be taking suggestions for my new team name as well as players to add to the potential roster. Oh, but don't say Tom Brady. That man leaves me cold as a popsicle.

happy happy happy happy

I went to the Penguins website and now I too has a happy.

Please don't come back before you're all better, Jordanlove. But. Please come back SOON.

I finally finished watching post-game interviews from the Canadiens game. Why didn't anybody tell me I MUST watch the Max Talbot interview????? Of course, Max's big head was in the way most of the time, but there were glimpses of Craig undressing. Are there any Letestu interviews out there (he was being interviewed on the other side of Craig)? Must check.

Toronto tonight.

Power to the Penguins.

not worried

It's only been two games. Sure, it's a shame that the first two games at the BRAND NEW arena have been losses. Yeah, it sucks. If you ask me though, our team has looked real pretty. Mike Comrie is a bargain. He is going to score really soon. You can feel it when he's on the ice. It's happening. I like the chemistry that Letang and Martin are developing. Of course it's not perfect yet but it's nice to watch them feel each other out. They're getting it. And when they do get it? they'll be the #1 pairing. The combined minus of Orpik and Michalek is scary, but they're a "shut down" pair. They're out there against top lines. Minuses will happen. I like the PP. The PK looks good. Malkin looks phenomenal. Eric Tangradi is delicious. Tyler Kennedy has been a little ball of fire. Sure, Fleury let in a couple stinkers that he wishes he could get back. Obviously we miss JStaal (and Rob Scuderi). It's only been two games. I refuse to jump off a bridge over it.

Weird that the game starts at 4 today. I wish somebody would have refreshed my memory on that before I left the house this morning. I'm excited to see how Paul Martin does against his old team.

Let's Go Pens!

time to change the calendar

I came into my office this morning and flipped my Pens and Paws calendar to the Craig Adams page. It kind of made my day.

My protector, my companion, my soul

You have been my best friend for so long. I have no idea how to get through a day without seeing your face or feeling your fur. I don't expect that is something I will ever be able to figure out. I will miss you every day for the rest of my life, until we meet again. You are a part of me and I will love you forever. Rest in peace, dear Sasha.

December 1994 - July 4, 2010

In case you were wondering

what good things come out of Thunder Bay, Ontario.



I don't even know what else to say.

Summer is officially on

Bring it.

Matt Cooke has agreed to a three-year contract. I am ecstatic. I took off July 1st and 2nd because I remember what last year was like with the whole Rob Scuderi thing. I didn't want to put myself through that again. I'm not even kidding. I'm being serious. Now I get to kick back and enjoy a 5-day weekend. woo!

This might call for some sparkles.

Stanley Cup Finals

Playoff hockey does strange things to me. I am, and I’ve said this repeatedly, an emotional person. I’m a passionate fan. I love hockey. I think the players are among the very best human beings on the planet. I love how much they love what they do. Their passion for their sport is infectious. Their desire to win is awe-inspiring. Watching their emotions bubble over after a win or a loss brings forth such an emotional reaction from me that it’s impossible to deny how invested I am as a fan of the sport. I care more about the men on my team than I care about most of the people I see on a daily basis. But everybody knows how deeply I care about the Penguins. Unfortunately, they are enjoying a long summer while the Stanley Cup Finals are about to get underway.

Chicago vs. Philadelphia.

Mike Richards is a great Captain. Simon Gagne, Jeff Carter, Chris Pronger, Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, JVR… all players I can respect. In fact, most of the Flyers roster commands respect. (The gross exception is Scott Hartnell. It would be a travesty to have his name on the Stanley Cup. Somebody just told me that I would like him if he was on our team. Uhhh… No. No, I would not.)

Like I said, playoff hockey does strange things to me. An argument can be made to cheer for them, I suppose. But I can’t root for the Flyers because I’m a Penguins fan. I can’t root them on in the Finals because I love my team. My team would not be happy for that team to win. That team’s fan base is disgusting to my team. They are grotesque when it comes to the Captain of my team.

I’ve questioned how the Flyers could possibly have fans but after watching them during these playoffs, I totally get why they have fans. It’s just a shame that their fans are the way they are. I’ve cheered them on up to this point. As soon as they beat the Devils, I kept rooting and rooting. In the process I may have even developed a crush on Simon Gagne because that’s my way. In the process my respect for Mike Richards has grown so much that it actually exists. Chris Pronger is a huge asset to their team. Any team would be lucky to have him. Michael Leighton makes me feel a strange sort of softness towards him. They deserve to be where they are. But I cannot root for them to hoist The Cup.

So it works out pretty well for me as a fan that their opponents happen to be one of my favorite teams. I don’t need a whole lot of reason to root against the Flyers at this point. But that’s what I got… a whole lot of reason. I adore the Blackhawks. I love the way they play. The Blackhawks remind me a lot of the Penguins so my adoration is understandable. I love their Captain. Duncan Keith, who will hopefully be your Norris Trophy winner, is as good as they get and better than most. (Not to mention, he lost seven teeth in game four vs. San Jose and didn’t miss a beat. What a man.) I would cheer them on against anybody but my team. I am thrilled for their fans because I remember that feeling. The pride and belief in your team, it takes over your life. It’s overwhelming.

I feel almost sorry for fans who only watch their team. Once their team is out, so are they. I’ve run into so many people that say they don’t care who wins now because they stopped watching when the Penguins lost. I’ve talked to people who are rooting for the Flyers. Hey, to each his own, of course. But I can’t. I can’t because I am a fan of the Penguins. The reason that comes up all too often is the "anybody but Hossa" argument. Listen. That’s not a good argument. It doesn’t even make rational sense. The guy was a rental player that turned down an offer to stay here. He went to the team that beat us in the Finals. We played him/them the following year. We won. He lost two years in a row. We’ve moved on from him. He’s moved on from us. He signed a deal with the Hawks and he’s had a good year with them. He’s a great player. He’s a good guy. He deserves to have his name on The Stanley Cup. People joke that if the Blackhawks lose to the Flyers, he’ll sign with the Flyers later this summer. The people who say that only remember him as the guy who made an unpopular comment and an unfortunate for him decision two years ago. They clearly haven’t watched him this season. He deserves this. He’s earned this. I can’t cheer for the Flyers because I am a fan of the Blackhawks and I would cry tears of joy to see Jonathan Toews hoist that Cup over his incredibly talented, very deserving head.

GO HAWKS GO!!!

C is for RE-SIGN MATT COOKE

“Win as if you were used to it. Lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

So okay. It’s been a while since I blogged. I’ve been busy and words aren’t forming the way I want them to. Maybe you think it’s because my team lost in the second round of the playoffs. Maybe you think I’m too upset to blog. Maybe that’s a little bit true, but I figured it’s about time I try to figure out what I want to say.

I love our team. Last year I struggled with losing Rob Scuderi. I’m still not over it. Knowing me, I probably never will get over it. I had this post about Kevin Stevens still having a piece of my insides all the while everybody is calling Scuds “The Piece”. Rob Scuderi has a piece of my insides too. I’m not sure how much I can take as a fan, as an emotional person. Free agency is nightmarish.

List of this year’s free agents:
Matt Cooke
Bill Guerin
Ruslan Fedotenko
Alexei Ponikarovsky
Sergei Gonchar
Mark Eaton
Jay McKee
Jordan Leopold


I may die if they let Matt Cooke go. There aren’t a whole lot of things I wouldn’t offer to do to keep him here. He’s important.

I wouldn’t totally hate having Billy G on this team next year at a GREATLY reduced cap hit and a GREATLY reduced TOI. If those two things don’t happen, I don’t want him.

I still feel like Ruslan Fedotenko got a raw deal this season. He was a -17, I know. Bad things sometimes happened when he was on the ice. Can this be a right wing problem though? Or a defense (like, defensemen defense not team defense) problem? If we find somebody to mesh with Malkin and Feds... like Nick Johnson did. So hey, let’s re-sign Feds on the cheap and bring up Nicky. I wouldn’t fear the inability to breathe if we had to let Fedo walk though.

I also feel like Poni wasn’t given a fair shake here. I would imagine it would take some time to change the way you play to fit a new system. If he gets re-signed, I won’t be upset. If he goes elsewhere, I hope he does well. I wish good things for him. Not that I don’t for others, I just feel a little bad for him and how it worked out (or didn’t work out) here.

I don’t expect to see Sergei Gonchar here next year. I think it might hurt a bit for a while but I think we’ll be better for it in the long run. I have complete trust in Kris Letang’s abilities and there is no reason for anybody to think Alex Goligoski isn’t going to be one of the great ones. I’d rather have my Tanger and GoGo than an over-priced Gonchar. I love what he brought to this team when he was bringing it. He stopped bringing it before we stopped paying him, so I don’t see any reason to re-sign him… unless he takes a drastic decrease in salary. And I don’t see that happening.

I adore Mark Eaton. I trust him. I would like to see him in a Penguins uniform for several more years.

I think I’ve made my feelings for Jay McKee known. I think he is an asset to this team. I’d like to know why he got demoted to 7th D in the first place. If he’s not back here next season, I’ll be forced to believe it was for personal reasons unless I hear otherwise. Do I think he’s the greatest ever defenseman? No, of course not. Does he fill the hole that Rob Scuderi left? No, of course not. Do I think he had a mistake-free season? No, of course not. Would I like to see him back? Yes, I would.

I have mixed feelings about Jordan Leopold. I think he’s pretty solid in both ends. I’d just like to see him grittier. I’m pretty meh about him. I think letting him walk is the way to go. I firmly believe that Ben Lovejoy is ready to play with the big boys fulltime. And Deryk Engelland was signed. I like it. I wouldn’t mind seeing him up here next season too. He’s tough (and yummy). Our defense needs some toughness. Jordan Leopold doesn’t bring us toughness.

Free agency is probably the real reason I haven’t been blogging. My mind gets haunted with all the possibilities, with all that might be lost. Our team needs a shake-up. One way to do that is to tear it down and rebuild it. But we don't need that. So all this “trade Malkin” talk is gibberish. I’m tired of reading about it. I can see where it has some validity but it’s insane. Why on Earth would we trade away one of the greatest players in the game? To fill in wingers? Come on. Think any team is willing to give up what it would take to give them Evgeni Malkin? And what, exactly, would it take? What some people are suggesting is crazy talk. I would love to have a number of the mentioned players on our team, but not at Geno’s expense. I've thought long and hard about what I would want in exchange for Geno. I've come to the conclusion that I feel it is in our best interest to keep him. Duh. The only way that should even be considered is if he asks for it. Besides, this idiotic trade talk just makes me paranoid about everybody. NOBODY'S SAFE!!! TRADE MALKIN! TRADE FLEURY! TRADE STAAL! TRADE CROSBY! TRADE THEM ALL BECAUSE WE NEED WINGERS! Fuck. It's enough. Let me enjoy my summer... or at least let me enjoy some of June.

I believe in the management of this team. I think we took some chances this year and I think we let a piece of our team go last year that proved to be too big to overcome. I’m talking about Rob Scuderi here, in case you didn’t guess that. But also Hal Gill. I think if I were given the choice between bringing up wingers or defensemen from WBS, I'd say bring wings and go get one really solid defensive defenseman. But nobody asks me. I'd probably just say, "go get Scudsy back. Shouldn't have let him go in the first place, dumbass," anyway. Maybe I'm crazy to think that our team's holes can be filled from within. Maybe I'm wrong. Hell, maybe I don't even think that. I can talk myself in circles, man.

One thing I know for sure, Matt Cooke is important to this team. He’s important for chemistry. He’s important for leadership. He’s funny and he’s honest and he cares about this team. I have to believe that he cares enough to stay here and that we care enough to want to keep him here and that he will be wearing that #24 for our team next season. I have to believe this until July 1st because it’s really too early for me to start vomiting at random times in random places because somebody says the word “cookie”. ::deep breath::

Let’s talk about Anton Volchenkov.

First of all, if he were to sign... well, first of all, yum. But second of all, if he were to sign with the Penguins, he would need a different number because that #24 belongs to Matt fucking Cooke. ::exhale:: I love the way Anton Volchenkov plays. He’s hard. He’s probably going to get more money than we can give him though. Wheels are already turning about the Caps wanting to give him $5mil. He’s probably not worth that to us but he probably is to them. He could be the piece they are missing. (The Piece *sob*) I’d love to see him here but I don’t expect it. At all.

Maybe I’ll get into some other guys I’d like to see signed with the Pens, but honestly, anybody I’d like to see here is pretty far out of reach (Patrick Sharp). I will trust Ray Shero again. He let me down last year but I have no choice but to believe he knows how to correct his mistakes. For now, until the dust clears, please do not say “cookie” in my presence.

Next post, the Stanley Cup Finals.

Go Hawks Go!!!

Round One

Some of the Round One games are completed.

Penguins beat Senators 4-2. ::happy::

Canucks beat Kings 4-2. ::sad::

Flyers beat Devils 4-1. ::amused::

Sharks beat Avalanche 4-2. ::neutral::
-----------------------------------------
Caps are currently leading Habs 3-2.

Bruins are currently leading Sabres 3-2.

Blackhawks are currently leading Preds 3-2.

Red Wings and Coyotes are tied at 3 a piece. Go Yotes!


I was sad the Kings lost last night. As the series went on, I fell more and more in love with the team. I found out they have more going for them than Rob Scuderi and a sweet 3rd jersey.
Getting into the playoffs was a step in the right direction for the team. They have the talent to get there every year for quite a while. Drew Doughty has become a favorite of mine. The dude is 20 years old and a Norris Trophy finalist along with Duncan Keith (and that joke from Washington). I think it's Keith's this year but I wouldn't be totally surprised if Doughty takes it.

Also working their way up my love list is the Phoenix Coyotes. They are fun to watch, Wolski is one to keep an eye on, and I have a soft spot for Pyatt. I'm crossing my fingers for them in Game 7.

But let's talk about the Penguins. This was a fun series. I have tremendous respect for the Senators. Well, all but one of them...

They battled their hearts out. I am possibly in love with Anton Volchenkov... Beast.

Twelve Penguins scored at least one goal. Crosby had 5. Malkin had 4. Cooke had 3! Letang, Guerin and Kunitz had 2. Adams, Staal, Dupuis, Talbot, Ponikarovsky and Goligoski had 1. The triple overtime in game 5 was thrilling and stomach-turning. I am so proud that they came back from a three goal deficit in game 6 to tie it up (thanks to Cookie's two goals) and get the game and series winner in overtime. JStaal did some fine work in the offensive zone to get the pass to Dupuis who hail Mary'ed it over Leclaire's shoulder. Awesome work from all of our boys.

Now we wait to see who we're facing in Round Two.

Let's Go Pens!!!!

Can you believe this?

What is wrong with these people? Why would anybody do such things?
Insanity? Too many bad drugs? Not enough good drugs? Not enough anger management classes? Or just no class? I think it must be drugs.

Love this picture. I hated the sequence of events that led to it but just look at Rupp, Adams, and Kunitz and Malkin! ready to take his head off. Talbot looks disgusted and shocked that he is so gross.

FINALLY! Some pictures of LeLover's tattoo (and arms) have surfaced.

so very lovely.

rooting for the Kings is easy to do

Thank goodness my hero went to a team I can really get behind. I am loving them.

This picture is amazing. I'd like a huge wall poster:

Their 3rd jerseys sweaters are fucking sweet:

The more I see them, the more I like them. So, like, buying a Scuderi jersey is looking like something that's become a priority instead of a struggle.

waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh. I miss him. Especially on those 5 on 3's.

They lost last night. Series is tied 2-2.

LET'S GO KINGS!!!!

the only thing

you should take away from last night's game is this:

I freaking lost my mind when he scored. I KNEW that was going to happen. I might have to Blingee that picture. ::floaty hearts::

I'm going to try to post some pictures later (this weekend).

Led Zeppelin, Baby!

And Brent Johnson signed for two years. Yay!