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

January 18th, 2007 - Canes vs. Capitals: Random Musings and Observations

I'm going to take a cue from my Carolina Hurricanes, and be lazy in my putting this together. There are not one, but TWO comments at a couple of places I visit that *really* sum up last night's affair...the first one coming from VinnieBagADonuts at The Score Boards:

"No single play, no matter how stupid, meant the difference between winning and losing last night.

Washington played better than we did, worked harder than we did, and got the deserved result. Honestly, I don't have any problems with Grahame's work. He may leave some rebounds, but he also makes some pretty remarkable first saves. He got beat on a fluke deflection by a defender, and two world-class bullets by Alex Semin. Can't really fault him for any of those.

I think the Canes' current problem really comes down to lack of urgency, and I think it traces to a Stanley Cup hangover. They really think they're better than they are. They think they can turn it on and off at will, and games like last Friday's six-goal third period aren't helping dispel that thinking.

Somebody's got to get across to the guys in that room that coasting through the regular season, winning games on talent alone, is going to earn them a quick exit in the playoffs. They can't just assume they'll start playing hard in the playoffs. They have to combine their talent with hard work STARTING NOW, or it will be a long summer.

I love the talent on this team. I love the skill. But the work ethic has been embarrassing. We're getting outworked on a nightly basis, and I'm tired of watching it."

And this one from moi, in response to here...yes, I wasn't going to not completely get in any input. ;)

For sure, I could not be the only one waiting for Laviolette to say “Where’s the Tylenol?!” after he slammed the door. :D

Anyway, I know the Canes have a hard time when “Olie the Goalie” is in net, but geez. That, and really anything, is no freakin’ good reason to practically fall asleep on the ice. No wonder Lavy was/is so ticked…the Canes might as well have given him a “Jelly of the Month” Club invitation for a coach appreciation gift.

Heck, the only thing *real amazing* about this game? Apparently, the Caps' Chris Clark can blog AND score empty netters off Dennis Seidenberg at the same time. ;P

Current Music: "(It's Just) Talk" by the Pat Metheny Group

November 17th, 2006 - Canes @ Capitals: Random Musings and Observations

Despite having more company and another steak dinner that couldn't be beat (this time at the Sagebrush outside of Wytheville, VA), I did manage to catch the third period of tonight's game...

- Got the Comcast/Capitals feed tonight. And after reading some of the comments in the Score Boards' game thread, I don't get the overall beef with the Caps broadcasting crew. Sure, I would choose the John and Tripp Show if I had my choice of them or the Caps guys. But, the Caps guys are ok in my book...I'll take them over quite a few feeds, even the Pittsburgh one (no thanks to Mike Lange now being on the radio). Gotta give them credit where it is due...they know when to give the Canes their kudos, and tonight was certainly no exception.

- Didn't even realize that Grahame was in net until he got scored on...but despite that, he clocked in his first good game and win as a Cane.

- Speaking of him, I think I just read the best funny player nickname yet...

"Grahame Cracka"

The only way that can become funnier than it already is would be if John Forslund and/or Tripp Tracy somehow uttered it during a broadcast.

- If I had known that Rod Brind'Amour would be right behind Jaromir Jagr for the overall NHL points lead, I would have made his weightlifting a**, NOT Eric Staal, number one priority in all of my Fantasy Hockey leagues' drafts.

- Well, based on this year and last year's results, this "Room With the Dads" thing has been a capital idea on Laviolette's part...pun intended.

*does her best vocal impersonation of those darned Paine Webber ads a few years ago* Thank you Gomez Addams.

Current Music: "Hands Up" by the Black Eyed Peas

November 9th, 2006 - Canes vs. Capitals: Random Musings and Observations

- I'll go ahead and say what everyone else has already said in their blogs and/or at various Canes message boards: Best. Game. Of. The. Season. (So far.) :D

- Thanks to an outstanding hat trick by Colesey, a goal and possibly an assist from Staal, and an assist from Walker, yours truly *really* racked up the points/stats in Fantasy Hockey tonight.

- And not to mention how jealous I am of those who have Cam Ward on their Fantasy teams...in addition to the great start he's having, he had his first career regular season shutout tonight. Woot!!

- Tonight's game is what happens when you play every last one of those sixty minutes...please, PLEASE remember that, Canes.

- I still hate John Mellencamp and Toby Keith's freakin' "All-American" truck ads. I also don't like Geico's gecko and cavemen...despite the latter introducing me to a damn infectiously good song in Royksopp's "Remind Me".

- I seriously need to see a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert...*still* think they do the absolutely best version of "Carol of the Bells" to ever embrace one's ears. Not to mention that they just flat out rule when it comes to Christmas music...which, I don't start listening to until after Thanksgiving, thank ya very much.

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