All of A Sudden, I Have A Startling Urge To Throttle A Couple of People...

...specifically, a certain bald egomaniac and attitudinal defenseman who *really* needs to retire.

Remember the Mark Messier Leadership Award? It's not just a monthly thing...there is an annual version too. And the winner of it? For those of you who couldn't figure it out from the opening sentence of this entry: Chris "I'm friends with Alan "Steve Dallas"* Thicke!" Chelios!!

Whenever I get good feelings about the colorful tapistry of hockey history and the individuals who have made for that (as a matter of fact, last night, I ordered a book about one of the sport's absolute true good guys AND great coaches in Roger Neilson...the overall subject of this post makes me want that book to get here that much quicker), along come one or both of those a-holes to drench that tapistry with a freakin' huge bucket or two of black paint (or in Mess' instance, blue, and for Chelly, red).

Why do I feel that way about those two? Oh...I'll just let my fellow Score Boarders do the talking...just to prove how I am definitely not the only one.

"I heard them saying on XM the other day ago that (Chelios) didn't shake hands with Anaheim when they lost.

What's worse is that the XM hosts were defending him for it, applauding his discipline for not starting trouble in the handshake line by simply not doing it.

What a bag of crap."
_____________________

"You're being far too kind. Don't forget the great job he did captaining the 1998 Olympic team in Nagano. After finishing 7th or whatever, they trashed their rooms.

How do you win "Leader of the Year" if you're not even an Alternate on your team?"
_____________________

"He somehow managed to avoid trouble when he shook hands with the Flames and Sharks after Detroit WON those series. What an a-hole. And Messier just continues to make me wish he'd go away with such a weak award. Just another horrible decision by the NHL to put this attention hound front and center.

At least call it what it is, the "Mark Messier Cronies Award," and don't let him get away with making this look legit."
_____________________

As posters like to say at Television Without Pity, WORDY MCWORD to the Mark Messier Cronies Award thang. I don't know what angers me more about the "Leadership Award": The fact that there are AT LEAST TEN, IF NOT MORE current/former Captains I can think of who were/are far better at the position than Messier could ever hope to be; AND/OR how this is adding fuel to the Messier AND Chelios ego-fires.

That said, I seriously cannot think of a better closing remark AND potshot than this...

"It's amazing that Messier can walk upright-- I'd think with a head that large, he'd keep falling face first."

Current Music: "Stop the Rock" by Apollo 440

* - Have any of you seen the Tahiti Village ads with Alan Thicke? In the final few seconds, when they pan away from Thicke, he looks *just like* Steve Dallas from the Bloom County and Opus comic strips!! It's those sunglasses and Hawaiian shirt, I'm tellin' ya...and he looks so much like Steve, I keep expecting Opus the Penguin and/or Bill the Cat to emerge from the swimming pool/"lagoon". o_O

AHHHHHHH!! The Puckbunnies Are Taking Over!!

I wish I was joking with that statement...but I am not. O_O

There are two things that one or both of those girls better be glad about...

1. That I wasn't there to overhear their "conversation" and throw up on them as a result of that.

and

2. That I wasn't on the group that allowed that "Kitty Purdue" bimbo access to the rinkside AND airwaves. I'll put it this way: If it was The Gong Show, I would have gonged Miss "Kitty" after one or two sentences left her ditzoid mouth. AND in addition to that, I probably would have gone all Jaye P. Morgan on her boney a** too.

The scary thing? I could see such a woman in the sports broadcasting world here in the US of A. BUT, IN CANADA?! I'm still reeling in shock at how she talked about one of their most sacred sports, IF NOT their most sacred sport like she did. Not to mention offering a sixteen-year-old beer on regional/national television.

Then again, considering that Pamela Anderson got discovered at a Canadian Football League game, by merely being on the jumbotron/scoreboard/whatever, maybe I shouldn't be all that shocked. o_O

Anyways, if there wasn't an angry mob awaiting Ms. Purdue outside of the arena after the game, there very well should have been.

Current Music: "Sky High Percentage" by Budgie

BREAKING NEWS: CAM WARD OUT FOR THE SEASON

Read it and weep, fellow Caniac brethren. :(

Admittingly, I did not really watch today's game vs. the Ranjerks (for reasons stated in the post below this one), but from what little I read and heard, the laceration Wardo got did not sound good.

Y'know, at the risk of cementing my being the Angry Carolina Hurricanes Nerd I have sounded like quite a bit this season AND to quoteth Jim Mora: Playoffs? WHAT PLAYOFFS?!

Seriously, I *really* hope to be wrong. But, I am not liking the Canes' playoff chances without Cam's presence.

Current Music: "Girl" by Beck

Edit as of March 12th, 6:40 PM: Well, well, well...it turns out that perhaps someone at the Raleigh News and Observer overreacted a bit.

As of now, Wardo is listed as missing out on a week at the most...NOT the rest of the season, as originally thought(?).

November 11th, 2006 - Canes @ Avalanche AND Overall West Coast Roadtrip: Random Musing/Observation

http://loltoolchest.ytmnd.com/

Harry and Marv represent your and my Carolina Hurricanes, and the (lol) toolchest represents the Flames, Oilers, Canucks, and Avs.

Really, why waste a ton of words...when that sums up the Canes' overall disaster of roadtrip beautifully? *sighs*

Current Music: "Let It Snow" by Roomful of Blues

November 6th, 2006 - Canes @ Oilers: Random Musings and Observations

(Skipped last night's game 'cause to quoteth William Shakespeare...all the world is indeed a stage, AND THE CANES PLAYED LIKE CRAP!!

And, I was practically a zombie due to having get up really, REALLY early because of renovation work being done on my family and I's house.)

- I'm cutting to the chase on one thing made VERY BLATANT throughout this game...Mick McGeough ROYALLY SUCKS as a ref. Forget Mike Hasenfratz, I got a new numero uno most hated ref.

Unfortunately, I am not surprised that Magoo called things the way he did tonight...highly considering how he did not want to anger up the Oil faithful's blood more than he already did in a certain incident earlier this season. But geez Louise...was trying to make nice with the Oil more important than blowing a VERY OBVIOUS high sticking call (which should have been four minute of PP time for the Canes...as indicated by a very bloody Mike Commodore)? Then again, what the heck am I saying? We are talking about a ref who is so dramatic when he is criticized that he might as well don a Cowardly Lion costume or something similar, and belt out that horrible "King of the Forest" song.

- At first, I was highly enthralled to get The John and Tripp Show tonight, especially after having to put up with ESPeeN Full Court/Radio for about thirty-forty minutes into the game. But then, the thrill started going when John and Tripp constantly sang the praises of the Oilers. It can never be said enough: John and Tripp, I do admire how, unlike a certain Buffalo announcer with his team, you two try not to be complete Canes homers in your coverage. BUT, when the 60-70% bias starts leaning more in favor of the team playing other than the Canes, that's where I start to get a little annoyed.

Of course, I guess I'll give John and Tripp a free pass tonight, considering how it was/still is hard to overly compliment the Canes right now.

- Speaking of that, I couldn't help but be easily amused by how the "Bold Move of the Game" (fancy term du jour for the best highlight of the game, for those of you not in Canesland one way or another) was a move by Justin Williams that resulted in an Oil goal. While I think the "Bold Move" should have been Craig Adams' goal...usually, team broadcasts try to put on a positive spin one way or another...at the same time, I think Willy's "bold move" beautifully sums up tonight's affair in a concise manner.

- As if tonight wasn't already horrid enough, Rod Brind'Amour did not even play in the third period. To quote J. Forslund: "Rod did not report to Coach Laviolette."...and later, it was revealed that a lower body injury is what's keeping #17 hampered. More will be revealed here tomorrow or in a couple of days...

- Speaking of El Capitan, just when I thought a certain Canes commercial had finally been pulled...Gizmo's cries of "Brindy! Brindy! Brindy!" came back with a vengeance in the remaining five minutes of the "game", resulting in yours truly making a noise similar to this.

Current Music: "I Believe In Father Christmas" by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer

November 28th, 2006 - Canes vs. Senators: Random Musings and Observations

There are only three good things that can be said about this particular affair...

1. Thank god somebody on the Canes, Andrew Ladd to be precise, got a goal.

2. Whether it is CBC, TSN, or Rogers Sportsnet, the latter being tonight's feed, getting the Canadian feeds absolutely rocks.

3. What would I ever do without House MD to save me from watching sixty hockey minutes of the crap the Canes try to push as hockey?!

As for the rest...quite obviously, the Canes did not heed my advice to drink (more) coffee.

And...well, what the HELL happened to the Canes who played in Boston Friday? I know the Bruins are not the world's greatest team...but STILL. If the Canes used an ounce of the energy from that game in tonight's game, they could have at least given the Spartacus' a run for their money.

It may be hard to tell from some of my posts as of late...I love the Canes, really and truly, I do. But I swear, they have been (and still are) more frustrating than a Rubik's Cube.

Current Music: "Dancing Madly Backwards" by Captain Beyond

I Don't Like Michael Vick, Sam I Am

No doubt the pigskin viewers out there already knew about this...but I just read about Michael Vick's giving a bunch of his own fans the doity boyd, as they would say in New Jersey, yesterday.

http://www.850thebuzz.com/blog/?p=2045

Now, I have never liked Michael Vick way before what happened in Hotlanta yesterday afternoon...and really am not surprised by it, given that it's the NFL, with especially the likes of Randy Moss and Terrell Owens running amuck with their own PR nightmares.

But, the reason I am posting about this is that I happen to be in a region where Michael Vick has quite an army of supporters. Here in Bluefield, VA/WV, if someone is not a Steelers fan, then chances are that they are a Falcons fan because of Vick's being their quarterback AND/OR his having played for somewhat nearby Virginia Tech.

Well, as "wholesome" as quite a few people in this town try to be, I hope they got a gooooooood gander of yesterday's Saints/Falcons game AND/OR its ending, especially if they happen to be a member of that 'army' I mentioned.

When it's not the high school football religion in this place getting annoying, it's seemingly everyone thinking and saying Michael Vick is god's gift to football and/or sportsdom in general. *rolls her eyes*

Current Music: "All My Life" by the Foo Fighters

November 22nd, 2006 - Canes @ Islanders: Random Musing/Observation

Once again, the Canes played in such a way that does not deserve much to be said about them or the "game"...other than ever since last night, it looks like an entire hockey team decided to get an early start on their Thanksgiving vacation.

Really...th-th-th-that's all I have to say folks!

Current Music: "Follow You, Follow Me" by Genesis

November 21st, 2006 - Canes @ Rangers: Random Musings and Observations

Well, since the Canes played like nothing last night...this RM&O will be about nothing, at least in regards to the "game"...

- The dude on the current design for Arby's medium-sized cups bears an eerie resemblance to Tripp Tracy. o_O

- Since I already know what I'm getting for Christmas from one of my folks, I can safely say the following: I cannot wait to play Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I also cannot wait for the Guitar Hero (2) game(s) to be released...

- Regarding Marvel Ultimate Alliance...I cannot believe I have not heard about that game until the certain system I'm getting for Christmas' release this past Sunday. From the synopses and reviews I've read and the screenshots I have seen, MUA is looking and sounding like a freakin' sweet game. AND all of the Fantastic Four, even Mr. Fantastic(!!), are playable to boot! Like they should be in a game featuring Dr. Doom as its final boss...

- Another game I'm looking forward to trying...Trauma Center: Second Opinion. It shall be a blast to get to be like Dr. House, especially with the quirky patients, BUT without the excessive grossness and/or Vicodin.

- Speaking of America's favorite sardonic as hell doctor...I don't care what the people at Television Without Pity think: The current House MD story arc is pretty darn good, especially compared to a huge chunk of what's on TV now. AND, I personally am digging how House is being towards Wilson...the latter character had it coming with the way he was to House at the beginning of this season. Then again, ever since I got into the series, I've never been all that much a fan of Wilson...when dudeman is not being a jerk of some kind, he's being a total wuss.

- All of that said, thank god for House MD coming on last night AND saving me from watching an entire game of the Canes stinking up the MSG like they forgot their Right Guard.

- Last, but certainly not least, I am already getting very, VERY SICK of Mark Messier's media whoring. The "leadership award" named after him is bad enough...but now, VS. is having Marky-Mark pimp their NHL All-Star Event/Game contest. *does her best impression of Lurch moaning*

Regarding that "leadership award"...I am more than convinced that Ron Francis, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Wayne Gretzky's* chances of getting their name on that "award" would have been better if their retirement ceremonies would(will in Yzerman's case**) have lasted practically the length of an NHL game AND/OR they went and shaved their heads.

Current Music: "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat, and Tears

* - Just to name a few.

** - I'd like to think that Stevie Y would have a little more class than having his jersey retirement last almost two hours. But given that it's the Red Wings doing the honors, who knows?

Satellite Radio Is Going To Be the End of Me

So, I return from breakfast this morning to do my routine message board browsing...and lo and behold the first post that catches my eye at The Score Boards Canes MB...

'Ron Francis on NHL Live this morning'

...and from it, I find out that I was twenty minutes too late to hear my historic/overall favorite player speak. And to add insult to injury, I also found out that my computer probably wouldn't have been able to handle the Sirius link at NHL.com anyway. *sighs*

Even though it was Sirius and not XM, I am this close to throttling whoever decided that the NHL/Hockey channel should not be in the DirecTV XM lineup.

You knew this was coming: If, somehow and someway, you recorded this morning's interview on Sirius AND/OR the November 7th interview on XM, PLEASE respond here or via e-mail...

caroline@ (I DON'T LIKE SPAM!!!)smithcharles.com

Of course, remove the Monty Python quote.

Thanks a ton in advance.

Current Music: "Ship of Fools" by World Party

Edit as of 4:04 PM: While we're somewhat on the subject, I don't know how, but I found a clip of Ronnie getting himself into a fight during his first Pittsburgh days... *does her best Ben Stein* Wow.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/forums/showthread.php?p=829262

Given that it was a New Jersey Devil, I am somehow not surprised.

Current Music as of the edit: "High" by Jimmie's Chicken Shack

November 13th, 2006 - Canes vs. Sabres: Random Musings and Observations

- Right now, I hate DirecTV...they screwed me out of the John and Tripp show AND gave me the Buffoon crew on MSG. Grrrrrrrr...

- That said, that feed managed to get on my nerves despite being muted...where the heck did all the Sword fans come from, and how did they get into the RBC Center? o_O

- If the 2nd Period Canes had played all sixty minutes, the Slugs would have finally had two losses under their belt.

- As if tonight's loss was bad enough, I just read five minutes ago that Mark "Media Whore" Messier is getting to give out a leadership award...not once, not twice, but EVERY MONTH of the NHL season. Please excuse me while I go barf...

Y'know, this calls for a re-posting of a rather notorious pic of his baldness...

As John sometimes responds to Tripp, um, yeah... o_O

Current Music: "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" by The Hollies

November 2nd, 2006 - Canes vs. Canadiens: Random Musings and Observations

- I had a *very bad feeling* that the Canes were going to make like Hoovers tonight when Scott Walker was interviewed by Tripp Tracy before the game, and uttered something about his teammates being tough enough AND that what Exelby did to Eric Staal and Cam Ward was no big deal. Gee, I wonder if Scotty-boy sounded like Bill Murray when he said that latter part... (rolls her eyes)

- This is the second time in a month that the Canes have been shutout in the RBC Center...y'know, I had a huge tirade planned, but I think I'll just say this: HOW FREAKIN' PATHETIC CAN YOU GET?!

- At least the night isn't a total waste...thanks to my brother, I now have the Fantastic Four 90's animated series on DVD!! And have been reliving a small part of my adolescence while writing this.

I had almost forgotten how uber-cheesy the first season of the series was...not only in its animation and writing, but also little things like:

- Ms. Forbes, the female version of Mr. Collins, the FF's grumpy landlord in the comic book, at least during the 60's-early 80's.

- The Dick Clark Collegiate Telephon taking place during the very first two episodes with a special guest appearance by Gary Owens!! Y'know, that announcer guy on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In...

- The two "songs"..."It's Clobberin' Time" (done by Green Jelly...who I know better for doing "Anarchy In Bedrock" on The Flintstones movie soundtrack) and "Flame On" (by Brian Austin Green...rumor had it that he was using his brief stint as the Human Torch's voice to spawn a singing career. Why he thought that instead of his role on the highly successful Beverly Hills 90210 would land him in the music world is WAY BEYOND me).

- Speaking of songs...the opening and closing theme songs: "Call the Four! Fantastic Four!" Imagine that and other piece of cheese lyrics about the FF getting their powers and saving the day being sung in a happy sing-along voice...yeah, that screams 'action show'!

Despite all of that, I love the first season in all of its cheese, along with the far superior and cool second season. Best FF cartoon evah.

- Ok, one more Canes related thing...have you seen the ad with the dude in the cubicle pretending he's Brindy kissing Lord Stanley? You know how the computer keeps saying "Brindy! Brindy! Brindy!"? It just dawned on me that the voice on the computer sounds like a combination of Mini-Me and Mogwai (y'know, from the Gremlins movies?)... o_O

Current "Music": The "The Silver Surfer and the Coming of Galactus Part 1" episode of the said cartoon.