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THIS is HILARIOUS. Best action photo I have ever seen, not only because of what is going on down on the ice, but also because of the expressions on the spectators' faces. I think my favorite being the dude in the upper right corner who cannot decide whether to applaud the on-ice action or not... :D

Current Music: "Live and Let Die" by Paul McCartney and Wings

October 9th, 2007 - Canes @ Leafs: Random Musings and Observations

- Y'know...as much as I hated that gawdawful loss in DC, maybe that very thing was the booster shot in the arm the Canes needed.

- Then again, I can't help but feel that the supplement of vitamin C. Stillman really helped in tonight's win...er, massacre of the Leafs.

- I know I'm probably going to get killed by some Canes fans for this, but I feel sorry for Coach Mo, dagummit. At the rate things are going, I'm going to be amazed if Mo is still around T.O. by the time Christmas rolls around...if not Thanksgiving.

- Speaking of people to feel sorry for, my heart sank when I read about Jason Blake being diagnosed with leukemia yesterday. :( Wish the man nothing but the absolute best in his treatment and getting to play as long as he can...

- At first, I did not understand how San Jose could let go of Toskala after what he did for them in the last season or two...but I think tonight cleared up things on that front. That said, I cannot believe that ol' Vesa was left in like that for the entire game...as much as I like Mo, that was a pretty poor decision on his part.

- I am *really* liking what I've seen of Jeff Hamilton...him and Dennis Seidenberg are proving to be very, VERY pleasant surprises out there.

- While I am glad that a game like this one got to be on national television AND was the only bit of hockey on anywhere tonight, it does not hurt my feelings that a lot of the Canes' games are not on Versus. God, those guys had me clamouring for John and Tripp or TSN...

Current Music: "Superstition" by Beck, Bogart, and Appice

January 30th, 2007 - Canes vs. Leafs: Random Musings and Observations

- Except for just one thing, yesterday/last night really, REALLY sucked, despite the fact that I actually kind of like the Leafs... *dodges rotten veggies*

- Even the "grand return after three weeks of crap" episode of House MD was awful...yeah, the clinic scenes were entertaining. But then, along came some philosophical/"intelligent" discussion BS that made me constantly utter "David Shore, THE CREATOR, wrote THIS?!". I watch TV to be entertained, not be bombarded by emo stuff...if I want emo, I'll go waste twenty bucks on a Coldplay CD, thank you.

Please, PLEASE bring back the "mystery disease of the week" plots...though, for some reason, I feel like that might be asking for too much. *sighs*

Oh, and Wilson still frickin' gets on my nerves.

- Erik Cole's absence last night makes me really wonder if he could be up for a trade. Making that all the more eerie is the fact that over at 850 The Buzz's blog, a week or two ago, I predicted that if Jimmy Rutherford goes for a big gun or two, he might unload Colesey because of his weakened neck.

- Because it needs to be said, especially with the rumors I've been seeing lately: JUST. SAY. NO. TO. FORSBERG.

Current Music: "Stone Free" by Eric Clapton

January 9th, 2007 - Canes @ Leafs: Random Musings and Observations

- Whether it is CBC, Rogers Sportsnet, or TSN, the latter being received last night, I LOVE Canadian feeds. And it can never be repeated enough: I really, REALLY wish there was a way to get such feeds 24/7 instead of just during games featured via Center Ice. As entertaining and interesting as Canadian shows seem from just the (WONDERFUL) ads alone, I just don't see how a "CBC America" wouldn't work here in the States. If pulled off right, I know I'd watch such a channel more than BBC America...which, really has been going downhill the last couple of years. They need to bring back that AWESOME remake of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), dagummit.

- While we're on the subject, Canadian ads absolutely rock too. Particularly the Pro Line ads (this one I saw a few months ago)...unfortunately, I couldn't find the one I saw last night about the hockey team forced to wear very, VERY OLD throwback uniforms AND gear. But, when it finally gets posted to YouTube or Google, you can bet your sweet bippy it will get mentioned again here.

Another ad I saw last night AND LOVED that's not on YouTube or Google, unfortunately: Sidney Crosby's Timbits Hockey ad. Folks, it takes a lot to make me go "Awwwwwww!!" like a teenybopper...and that commercial did it. THAT is how precious the promo is. Again, like the Pro Line hockey ad, the Timbits commercial will get mentioned again here when a video is up somewhere. But, in the meantime, you can read about Cros' Timbits endorsing here, there, and in between.

- Not only did the Canes' visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame yesterday apparently pump them up enough to win over the Leafs last night, it reminded me of how much I *really* wish to be in attendance for a certain absolute favorite ever former player of mine's Hall of Fame induction, quite possibly this year, IIRC. But, thanks to passports being a royal pain to get now, among other things, one of my dream trips there is looking to be a bit out of reach. *sighs*

- Admittingly, I did not watch at least half of the game because of the "grand" return of House MD...grand being used loosely 'cause of House's going back into Limbo for three weeks because of the WAY OVERBLOWN Star Search a.k.a. American Idol a.k.a. what should have been only fifteen minutes of fame for Simon Cowell and his (former) honey. I would include Randy Jackson in there...but after reading his Wikipedia entry, I think he is way too talented to have somehow gotten involved with such a music corrupting machine, especially considering who he's done session work for.

Very needless to say, if there is anything I actually don't miss about living in Raleigh, it's how you could/can never escape the frickin' Clay Aiken hype, even after at least two years (at the time I moved) since he placed second on AI. Not helped by the fact that WRAL thinks anything involving AI is actually news. Did Star Search ever get acknowledged by news outlets during its heyday?! I could be offbase here, but I honestly don't think it did. Simply ridiculous.

Speaking of stuff being that...I *am* glad that House MD finally wrapped up the highly annoying Officer Tritter storyline. As much as I dig David Morse and his acting, that is officially the role of his I highly dislike the most. Good riddence.

- I hope the Penguins really, REALLY wear out the Kitties down in Florida tonight...not only for the Guins' chances of finally snatching a win, but also the Canes' getting to continue their win streak tomorrow night.

Current Music: "Voices" by Russ Ballard

December 15th and 16th, 2006 - Canes vs. the Leafs AND @ the Lightning: Random Musings and Observations

- The most glaring similarities between these two games: The officials (Don't believe me? Check out here and there), the opponents being ones the Canes should beat, said teams having dark blue as one of their colors, the games starting at 7:30 (highly unusual in the instance of the Canes/Leafs game...usually, 7:30 games at the RBC Center are reserved for Sunday nights), and both games being decided by one goal.

- Beef O'Bailey's looks like a darn good place to eat and drink.

- The only reason the Canes managed to win tonight, despite trying their darndest to give away the game in the last minute of the third? Cam Ward. I kept checking to make sure he wasn't wearing Mickey Mouse ears and sneaking in a "Here I am to save the day!!" during the more quiet moments of the game.

As a matter of fact, Cam was also the reason the Canes actually made it a game against the Leafs. If it weren't for the Wardo, the Canes, not the Ranjerks, would have been lit up like Christmas trees.

All that said, the rest of the Canes need to learn a thing or two or three from Wardo about actually playing hockey, ESPECIALLY for sixty minutes.

- Some people can complain about the officiating all they want...but folks, the Canes' struggles are their own fault, NOT Kerry Fraser and Co.'s. Fraser and all did alright in my book...I did not see a call I did not disagree with. The sad truth of the matter, especially in the Leafs game, AND REALLY, the season overall, is that the Canes have a tendency to be highly undisciplined. And to add insult to that injury, certain Canes are acting like children ice skating for the very first time AND finding out that their Christmas presents don't have batteries included. Nobody sums that up better than VinnieBagADonuts at The Score Boards...

"I do have a couple of issues with the calls they DIDN'T make, but after the Cole non-call (the right call, IMO), the Canes complicated things by whining incessantly and diving all over the place. Eric Staal spent more time falling on the ice than TinkerBell in the Disney Princess show last week. He got called for one dive, and could've easily gotten No. 2 on the final offensive zone faceoff of the night.

Carolina was stupid and lazy last night, and then compounded that problem by being whiny and arrogant. Nice work boys.

I have some advice for them. Shut up and skate. No way the Leafs belong in a run-and-gun game with us. If we just shut up and skate, like we did last year, we beat them 95 times out of 100, regardless of who officiates. Why exactly are they trying to get calls, anyhow? Aren't they like 5% lately on the PP? Shut up and skate."

Forget "Whatever It Takes" nowadays..."Shut Up and Skate" should be the new locker room slogan. Taking notes, Lavy? I sure as heck hope you are if you want to win with "the players you got in the room".

Current Music: "Something About Christmas Time" by Bryan Adams

Edit as of 3:50 PM: Many are noting how well Keith Aucoin played last night...especially in the faceoff circle...according to the Raleigh News and Observer:

With the Hurricanes struggling in the faceoff circle, he went 7-for-9 in Friday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Former Hurricanes captain Ron Francis was in Albany last weekend in his new player-development role and gave Aucoin a 20-minute tutorial in the faceoff circle. Those lessons paid immediate dividends. Aucoin was 3-for-4 on Saturday.

Ah...the power of Ron Francis.

Current Music as of the edit: "White Christmas" by The Drifters

It's Caption Time!

Starring the Maple Leafs' Wade Belak and his daughter *insert canned "Awwwww!"s here*...


(Whatever the heck Belak's holding makes a farting noise with one tiny squeeze.)

Belak's daughter: *incessantly giggles*
____________________________

Now it's your turn. :D

Current Music: "Christmas All Over Again" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers