October 19th and 20th, 2007 - Canes @ Penguins and Flyers: Random Musings and Observations

- The Canes did not play absolutely wonderful in these games, but they did not stink up the ice either. Not bad, considering that there are some injuries plaguing the team right now...

- ...That said, I hope Scott Walker and his tum-tum area is ok. My hopes went up when I heard he was released from the hospital Friday night. Also hope Erik Cole is ok...even if I do think how he supposedly hurt himself (playing soccer, or football as my ancestors would call it, outside of the locker room) was stupid.

- Very, VERY classy of the Penguins to acknowledge Ronnie Francis' becoming Assistant GM for the Canes. And even more classy of the entire Pens faithful in attendance to applaud it. *gives a thumbs up*

- Speaking of the Penguins, being a fan of theirs too, I am glad that they ended up getting the win...they really needed it, and it helped them get back to .500. And before you go jumping on me, as I've noted here a few times, I happen to like both the Canes and Pens, and therefore, games like Friday night's end up being ones where I am happy with whoever wins. ESPECIALLY if the Canes are off to a great start like they are right now, and can get away with sparing a win here and there.

- Games like tonight's do not help my feelings towards the Flyboys.

- I can tell this RBC Centura "Giant" ad campaign is going to get on my nerves...it doesn't help that that was the same campaign used last year AND the marketing geek in me just does not think "Let's Do Something Giant" is a great slogan.

- Until tonight, I did not know there was such a call as "Backchecking". Learn something new every day/night...

- Overall, this was an outstanding road trip...I'll definitely take the only overall (I.E. no points earned at all) loss being at DC. Getting a point in Pitt and Philly is certainly not shabby with both being quite fun places to play at.

Current Music: "Like A Hurricane" by Neil Young

October 5th, 2007 - Canes vs. the Penguins: Random Musings and Observations

- I'm going to go ahead and say it: The real reason the Canes won tonight? Do I really have to say his name? Ok, for the clueless among you...he became assistant GM of the Canes yesterday. John Forslund interviewed Ronnie Francis during the Hurricanes Live pre-game segment, and the moment the interview concluded, I had an incredibly awesome feeling that the Canes were going to kick Penguin butt (sorry, Michael).

- That said, if I had known that #10 was going to be interviewed before or during the game, I would have made my score prediction at Canes Country much more in favor of the Canes than 6-5, Pitt.

- But, the game was indeed high scoring for the Canes...at the risk of sounding greedy, I could live with four goals every game, as opposed to only two.

- Boy, the Pens sure made like a Hoover tonight. Other than when they're playing the Canes (wink wink, nudge nudge), I hope they improve quickly...especially Monsieur Andre-Fleury.

- Speaking of goalies...how 'bout that Cam Ward? Forget Wheaties, somebody's been eating their fruits and veggies...other FSN Southers will know what I mean, Vern...

- On to ze Capitals, who won over the Thrashers, 3-1, in Hotlanta tonight. Should be an interesting battle of who's more worn-down...

Current Music: "Wide Angle" by Amon Duul II

Better Late Than Never

As the title indicates, I'm a bit late in posting the news of Jim Rutherford's being re-signed as the Canes' General Manager for five more years. But, I shall make up for that with a startling revelation I discovered not super long ago about said man of the hour...

JR and Robert Fripp were separated at birth. I swear it, as a huge fan of the Canes AND King Crimson/Fripper.

Don't believe me? Check it out...

*insert dramatic hockey organ music sounding strangely like Frippertronics here*

That was the best looking picture of Fripper I could find...but, if only he had narrower glasses... o_O

Also on the belated Canes news front is the fact that the Canes also re-signed their goaltending consultant, Greg Stefan, who is now officially a head coach thanks to the deal. It should also be noted that because of the deal, Stefan may very well now officially be the longest lived goaltending consultant in the history of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes franchise.

Last, but certainly not least, today is Michael a.k.a. Hockey Fanatic's birthday. Here's to wishing him a happy and hearty one, AND hoping that the Pittsburgh Penguins pull out a win in Ottawa not only for the sake of my sanity, what little there is left; but also and especially as a nice little present for Mike.

Current Music: "Angela (Theme From Taxi)" by Bob James (Featuring Earl Klugh)

Canes Re-Sign Ray Whitney

We interrupt a huge-a** addiction to Adventure Quest to bring you some berry, berry good news...

Turning an uneventful week* into quite an eventful one on the Canes news front, Ray Whitney got re-signed by ze Canes and "G.I. Jimbo"** Rutherford yesterday.

Unlike some fans, I am not at all surprised by Whitney's being re-signed, despite his being an Unrestricted Free Agent, had JR not signed him before July 1st. And it should be no surprise, considering that "The Wizard" was one of the only Canes to have a dynamite season (the other one being Rod Brind'Amour).

If there should be any surprise, it should be at the fact that Jimmy re-signed a major player before June. If that's not a record of some kind, I will eat a Canes cap.

Current "Music": Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel

* - Yeah, yeah, I know that the Stanley Cup Playoffs started and all that, and I'm following them. But, knowing how quite a few of you don't exactly care for the Pittsburgh Penguins, I thought I'd spare you from my fandom of them, save for the occasional and hopeful burst of celebration.

Should the Penguins falter in their quest for Lord Stanley, then GO PREDS!!

** - My loving nickname for the Canes' general manager...hailing from an episode of Rocko's Modern Life.

BREAKING NEWS: PENGUINS TO STAY IN PITTSBURGH

Unlike the last Breaking News, this I am quite happy to post.

Cancel the movers. The Penguins aren't going anywhere.

Sources close to the negotiations say that the team has an agreement with state and local leaders for a new arena that will be ready for the 2009-10 season.

The terms of the agreement call for a 30-year lease and spell out contributions from the team, the state and from gambling revenues.

A formal announcement is expected sometime tomorrow, prior to the Penguins home game at 7:30 p.m. against the Buffalo Sabres.

I am practically speechless with joy right now. I would have waited until the formal announcement to post this...but I am way too ecstatic at my second favorite team's staying in Steeltown to do so.

Current Music: "You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three Tonight" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Mario Lemieux Has A Glass of Whine

Which is nothing extremely new...and I say that as a fan of the Penguins and their history. But, in this instance, Mario doing such sampling is rather infuriating...

In this corner: Mario is 'very disappointed' in the arena deal.

And in this corner: Pittsburgh politician(s) say that it's the best deal they can conceive AND they could get the NHL to intervene if Pens reject offer.

I may be just a fan and blogger, and not the most business savvy person in the universe, but wouldn't it not be a bad idea for Mario and the Pens to take what they can get at this point? I cannot help but think they better...especially if #66 wants to keep the boulevard in the middle of Steeltown named after him.

At this point, I don't see how taking the offer could be any worst a business decision than any one made by Howard Baldwin. Isn't it ironic that BOTH teams ever owned by the guy have fallen victim to the threat of moving, one way or another? Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm..."...

That said, the biggest difference I see between Hartford and Pittsburgh is that the Pens have a bit more history AND Stanley Cups won than the WhalerCanes did at the time of their exodus from Hartford. Should the NHL have to intervene, I hope they keep Pitt's history AND TV ratings (top 20 in the country, beating out Kansas City, who's in the top 35) in mind.

Current Music: "Foolin'" by Def Leppard

January 2nd, 2007 - Canes @ Penguins: Random Musings and Observations

- Ok...I don't know what is more screwy: The Canes' play as of late (especially keeping in mind that this was a team that somehow beat Anaheim...something that's proving to be more and more of a fluke, even after just two more games) OR this whole "Vote For Rory (Fitzpatrick)" (into the All-Star Game/Event) campaign.

What? You're one of the extreme remote few who has not heard about the "Vote For Rory" campaign?! Well, well, well...lemme enlighten you with a wittle something I posted at the Score Boards:

In what I've read/heard about the Rory Fitzpatrick joke, AND it was/is meant to be a joke, it was started by a dude over at a place called SomethingAwful.com. And if you know anything about SA.com like I do, they royally go for "funny stuff" such as a guy like Rory getting into the NHL All-Star Game/Event, despite having almost zip points.

I don't know how to feel about the "joke" overall...on one hand, I like the idea of something showing up the NHL All-Star Game/Event for what it really is: A "contest" based on supposed fan popularity as opposed to talent and/or production for that season. But, on the other hand, I too don't like seeing a more deserving player getting pushed out by someone that started out as a mere message board gag.

And yes, whether some of you like to read it or not, the NHL All-Star Game/Event *IS* a popularity contest AND has been such since at least the beginning of Bettman's reign, if not before it.

- Considering the circumstances AND score of last night's affair, I'm glad that I happen to be a fan of the Penguins in addition to the Canes.

- When it was constantly mentioned that Brindy was losing his face-offs, I knew the Canes were in deep doo-doo.

- Cam Ward was the only reason the score was a semi-respectable 3-0, and not any more worst than it could have been.

- Just like the Bruins and NESN, I am jealous of the fact that the Pens have at least one or two player interaction TV shows on FSN Pitt. Something the Canes (and FSN South) desperately need outside of the in-game entertainment...at least IM(not-so)HO.

- Say what you want about Sid the Kid...but dudeman's already growing up. Sixty points already?! Hot. Damn.

- Eric Staal's younger brother ain't looking too shabby himself, either. Also dug the coverage AND actual attention FSN Pitt gave both siblings.

- As if any of you needed more proof of how easily amused I tend to be: Last night, FSN Pitt had Ryan Malone "mic'ed up"...and these were his golden words...

(Remember, the following was repeated two or three times to a neighboring teammate on the bench.)

"I think this mic is on."

Seriously, who the heck thought it was a great idea to "mic up the players"? When it's not stupid comments like what Malone uttered, it is the typical (I.E. boring) stuff that can actually be allowed on semi-national TV.

I get the feeling that such mess is one of those things we can thank ESPeeN and their coverage of the NBA and/or NFL for. What's next? "Below the Ice" cameras?

This should have been cited in the "What Were They Thinking?!" book about the 100 most dumb TV ideas, which I just finished last night. My only disappointment with it? Jerry Springer didn't make numero uno like he and his pathetic (putting it very, VERY MILDLY) show should have. But, at least the idea of halftime shows, intermissions, stadium names, football bowls, etc. being sponsored did.

Current Music: "Soulfinger" by The Barkays

Edited to add: Oh, and a "Thank you!" to Igloo Dreams for acknowledging my blog AND my newfound Nintendo Wii fandom.

But, to somewhat quote Columbo, just one thing: The next time you acknowledge this here site, please remember that I am a "she", not a "he". Thank ya very much. ;)

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 11th, 2006 - Canes vs. Penguins: Random Musings and An Observation

Alright, I don't have a whole lot to say about last night's affair...no thanks to the fact that I've been having company over this weekend. And we ended up eating out (at a steak and seafood house called The Mayflower...best steak I've ever had, seriously) AND having a few drinks when we got back. That said, boy, do I have the perfect drink recipe that sums up not only my night, BUT ALSO the Canes' night...

Sex In A Hurricane

Fill glass with ice.
1 or 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
1 or 1 1/2 oz. Rum
(Do the 1 1/2 oz of the above ingredients if you don't like Gin.)
1 oz. Gin (Optional)
1 oz. Peach Schnapps
A dash of Grenadine.
Pour in a little Pineapple Juice for flavor, fill with Cranberry (Cocktail) Juice.
Another dash of Grenadine.

Obviously, it's yet another Sex On the Beach varient...and a darn kickass one at that. As if one can't tell from the name, this varient combines the traditional Sex On the Beach drink with the notorious "Hurricane" drinks from New Orleans, at least in terms of alcohol content. When prepared right, other than the intentionally heavy red coloring and the said alcohol content, this drink is really no different from the traditional SOtB.

Based on what I've read at my online Canes stomping grounds this morning, the Canes took the high road on taking out their frustrations on the Penguins, and did it with hits and good old-fashioned scoring. Very glad that was the case...didn't want any ridiculously bad blood happening between my two favorite teams.

Current Music: "Carolina IV" by Angra