March 22nd and 24th, 2007 - Canes vs. Capitals and Sharks: Random Musings and Observations

- Remember where I said that game at the Devils was not exactly a turning point? Can I take that back? Please? Pretty please? With butter and maple syrup on top?

- Between these past three games and the Canes' overall play, the month of March has been like beisbol to the Canes. Despite the fact that in the games this RM&O is supposed to be focused on, the Canes haven't exactly SBLOUNSKCHED the Caps and Sharks like they did to the *does her best Putty from Seinfeld* DEVILS(!!). And if there's any other game where I wish they did that, it would tonight's affair vs. the Sharks...if you ask me, any team with Joe Thornton couldn't get SBLOUNSKCHED enough.

- And speaking of the Bad News (former) Bruin, why, OH WHY did Hurricanes Live do a freakin' feature about him? Just when I thought I would get away with not having to play Angry Carolina Hurricanes Nerd about FSN South sometimes giving a little too much attention to the opposing team this season, along came that crapola.

Anyway, you know why this month has been good to the boys in red and black? No, it's not Mike Commodore's enchanted afro...though, one could make the argument about the Canes' play picking up the more his carrot top grows. That said, I hope he doesn't have a girlfriend named Delilah...

But anyway, just a few days ago, I happened upon this tidbit over at Bubba's Canes Country...

"I was listening to a Justin Williams interview on 850TheBuzz yesterday afternoon and he sounded very upbeat. He said that the team still feels very confident in what they can accomplish and they are close to putting things together. Of course they are as disappointed and frustrated as everyone else is about the loses, but there are no more excuses. They need to start winning hockey games. He said that they got a visit from Ron Francis after the game Tuesday night and the “Franchise” told them that they are in a similar situation that he was in with Pittsburgh back in 1992, the year after they first won the Cup. The Penguins barely squeaked into the playoffs, but ended up winning the Cup again that year. Isn’t it great to have one of the best players to ever play the game come into your locker room for some inspiration? If that doesn’t get the boys worked up, nothing will!"

As I know I've said at least once, if not twice in this here blog: Ah...the power of Ron Francis.

- Something I did not realize until tonight...with the win over the Sharks AND the Thrashers losing to the Penguins (YAY PENS!!) earlier today/yesterday, the Canes are just a mere four points away from first in the Southeast Division AND the numero tres seed in ze Eastern Conference!! *does her best Ben Stein* Wow. O_O

If I was told a couple of months ago that the Canes were going to be in this position, at the risk of sounding like a horrible fan, I probably would have laughed off my butt. But, this is very much an instance of where I am glad to have been very wrong.

- Regarding other sports news...GO!! HEELS!! Both men and women happen to be playing tomorrow against Georgetown and George Washington, respectively, for a chance to be playing in the Final Four and Elite Eight.

As for my bracket...not only do I want the UNC men to win for the sake of being my favorite college and namesake, but also because thanks to Kansas getting knocked out by UCLA, the Heels find themselves being my bracket's wing and prayer.

Speaking of prayers...please direct them to the UNC's current Rameses performer, who is in critical condition after getting hit by a SUV near his hotel in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

And a HUGE THANK YOU to Sergio Garcia for proving to the world why you are EASILY my most disliked "professional" golfer.

"But it (the spit) did go in the middle (of the hole) and wasn't going to affect anyone else. If it did, I would have wiped it off."

Yeah. Right. *rolls her eyes*

Yes, I like golf...shut up.

Current Music: "Cammy's London Drizzle" - Super Street Fighter 2 OverClocked Remix

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 30th, 2006 - Canes vs. Canadiens: Random Musings and Observations

- Ok, 'cause many of you are expecting it, I'll go ahead and make it official: Ron Francis needs to make more special guest appearances on FSN South when his now very, VERY BUSY schedule can allow it.

In all seriousness, it really seemed like the Canes got an extra spark or two in their engines when Ronnie took to the booth during the second period.

And for the record, when John said a special guest was coming on, something told me it would be Mr. Francis. Figured it would be either him, or Mike Commodore's dad, as much as they talked about Commie's day with Lord Stanley.

- Speaking of Mikey-Boy, you know he is really, truly a party dude when just his mere presence in a photo makes him look like he is fresh out of a college fraternity movie, with or without the enchanted afro.

- Too bad Erik Cole did not get the hat trick...but at least he got much needed points for both the Canes and my Fantasy teams. Something that cannot be said about Staalsy as of late...never thought I'd see the day where the boy would benefit moi more in the PIM column, where that's good anyway, than the goals or assist one.

- Ladies and gentlemen, Wardo is back. And even though I'm not sure I could agree with his taste in music shown off through it, Cam's new Nickleback helmet/mask is rather nifty looking. But, being a mythology nut, I still say Marc Denis has the best current helmet/mask in the NHL.

- What is with FSN South not wanting to cover the games against the Boston Bruins? First this past Friday's game, and now Saturday's game...well, at least NESN has not been obnoxious...yet.

- A thought just dawned on me...I did not see the infamous "Gizmo loves Brindy" ad at all tonight. You mean someone's actually listened to me? Wow...what a novel concept!

It's funny I bring that ad up considering I just bought Gremlins for my so-far tiny DVD collection... :D

Current Music: "My Will" - Inuyasha's First AND Last Closing Theme

November 15th, 2006 - Canes vs. Rangers: Random Musings and Observations

- Even though I always like it when the Canes win (and who doesn't, other than opposing team fans, certain ones *still* clamoring for the Whale to return to the Land of Insurance, and/or those who just flat out hate the Canes and/or hockey for no decent reason), this had to be the most boring win of the year. I'm sure I would think differently if I had the fortune to be at the game in person...

Anyway, seriously, this game dragged like Garfield the Cat after a lasagna binge...and it couldn't have just been me. At the risk of sounding like an advocate for the devils that are the "New NHL" (hey, "new" or "old", hockey is hockey people) and Bettman, the only Canes goals being scored at the very beginning AND very end of the game probably didn't help the time perception.

- At the risk of ticking off some of my Caniac brethren, particularly those who prefer to pull for NC State...the game was so boring in parts that I ended up flipping back and forth between it and my UNC Tar Heels men's hoops team struggling against the Winthrop Eagles.

- Even John and, *gasp*, Tripp (yes, praise the DirecTV and Center Ice gods, I got the FSN South feed last night) came across as ho-hum. I think the most excited they ever got was when they were showing a couple of the players' dads and talking about Team Bonding Exercise #37 a.k.a. the big annual (apparently) "Room With Your Dad" event taking place in the District of Columbia today and tomorrow.

- Speaking of male bonding...the most entertaining the game got was when they showed a picture of Matt Cullen and Mike Commodore kissing Lord Stanley in...well, a way that makes me *very glad* it gets constantly cleaned. o_O

- That "Brindy! Brindy! Brindy!" commercial *still* gets on my nerves AND creeps me out royally. The more I hear of that thing, the more I lean towards my Mogwai/Gremlins comparison than Mini-Me.

The hits just keep on coming from the Canes' advertising/marketing department...

Current Music: "Never Say Never" by Romeo Void