Hot Shot

Dani eating big girl food..

Trick or Treat

This weekend Kelly spearheaded the first annual pumpkin carving contest for our sub.. Everyone met at the beach at 3:00 Sunday afternoon to carve and pumpkins were set out at 6:00 for neighborhood wide voting.. David won first prize for children under 5 (out of 5 entries)..

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Happy 4th Birthday David John

paybacks

Palomilla

First off, here is my choice for this summers grilling beverage.. Nothing like a Corona and lime when grilling in the Southern and Central American tradition (I am hooked on Chimichurri this year)..

Tonight I tried a new basting marinade called Palomilla (basically a garlic and lime marinade of Cuban origin).. The result was outstanding (although it did not translate well when photographed).. The combination of salt, lime, garlic and cumin really made a perfect summer flavor.. Add a couple grilled onions (with olive oil, salt and ground white pepper), a fresh salad and your stylin in the 80% humidity.. Placido, Carlos & Maggs will feel right at home if they ever decide to come over..

All Redwoods team (80's & early 90's edition)

MLB

favorite Tiger -- Lance Parrish
favorite player -- Johnny Bench
most hated -- George Brett, Dan Quisenberry

NFL

favorite Lion -- Billy Sims, Chris Spielman
favorite player -- Randy White (growing up in the 80's it seemed that the Cowboys were on TV all the time)
most hated -- Reggie White

NHL

favorite Red Wings -- Harold Snepsts, John Ogrodnick
favorite player -- Paul Kariya
most hated -- Tie Domi, Chris Chelios, Mark Messier, Craig Mactavish

NBA

favorite Pistons -- Kelly Tripucka, Adrian Dantley
favorite player -- Spudd Webb
most hated -- MJ (both of them), Kevin McHale

Oakland Fatboys

So Oakland signs ex Lion Mike Williams. What is the Raiders fascination with over weight players? First its the fattest kicker on earth, Fatbastion Janikowski.. Next they hire coach fatboy Art Shell.. This summer they really have upped the ante when they brought Fante Culpepper and Fatboy Williams on board..

I present to you the all fat team..

7 weeks old

have you ever REALLY looked at your hand?

bath time and the duck towel

no Dada.. I'm not tired

Randomness of sport (summer edition)

I watched the LA Galaxy - Chelsea 'friendly' tonight (mostly between innings of the Tigers game).. Or should I call it the David Beckham ESPN media circus/kiss ass night? It made my heart happy to hear a 'Beckham sucks' chant as the game ended.. My only hope is that with soccer's new found momentum in the states (yes, more people are starting to pay attention) one of my favorite sports will not be dumbed down for the American audience.. I am very content to follow sports that enjoy a grass roots kind of novelty in this country (soccer and to a lesser extent hockey)..

Speaking of the Tigers, Inges dramatic 10th inning walkoff not only saved 'rollercoasters' ass but also landed the 3rd sacker in the number 1 slot on SC's plays of the night. Jones probably could have ended the game in the 9th if he got off his fat ass and actually tried to field a ball.. 3 straight dribblers went right through the mound and all 3 times he waived as they went by..

The Tigers negro league jerseys rank right up there with the Lions throwback IMO.. They are now in my top 5..

2007 Milford Sidewalk Sales

Last weekend was Milford's annual sidewalk sales.. The only thing that mattered in Davids mind is that it was a city of inflatable play toys.. His favorites were the obstacle course and the giant slide.. ** see below for the album in its entirety..

Milford Sidewalk Sales 2007

Rolling Thunder

We got David an old school 'Big Wheel' for Easter a couple years ago.. This spring he was finally big enough to ride.. and ride he does..

This first pic is from the Milford 4th of July parade that we were asked to march in for Davids preschool that he will start in the fall (warning: cell phone pic)

Pirates

So this is Davids newest favorite activity. Pirating now ranks up there with fire fighting, police work, building and cooking..







the day of my sisters bridal shower David and I went shopping to get him some 'real' pirate gear.. here he shows off his 'Captain Jack' bandanna, rings, sword, belt and treasure map with his auntie Kate..

Allstar Tuesday

Opinion Polls & Market Research

TDF trivia

There are 6 teams in the Tour this year that are riding 4 American made bikes. Name the 4 bikes. Bonus: name the 6 teams.

Game 6 vs ANA

Too little too late

A valiant effort by the previously listless Wings came up just short as time ran out on them and there amazing 2007 playoff run.. The Wings just plain refused to skate for the first 36 minutes of this game and as a result found themselves down 3 - 0 coming into the 3rd period.. A quick Zetterberg goal to open the 3rd breathed life into the boys wearing red until the eventual game winner was scored off yet another Flop Boy fat ass rebound by Sammy Pahlsson.. The Wings continued to push and cut the lead to one late.. But alas numerous fanned shots by Homer on wide open nets doomed the Wings..

A quick comment on DET play this post season: they FAR outplayed most experts expectations (which I find funny when talking about a number 1 seed -- time for realignment Gary?).. Hell they far outplayed most fans expectations.. I run a pool full of serious Wings homers and only 2 picked the Wings to reach the conference finals.. They really dismantled an overrated CAL team, buried an out coached SJS team and should have, could have beat ANA in 5.. While it hurts to not have the home team still playing I have to say I am pleased with the result.. This is all Wings fans have been asking for the last couple years: a team that plays good hard nosed playoff hockey.. They DON'T have to go to the finals every year.. But it would be nice for them to sniff the conference finals every year.. For 2007 I will raise a glass of Labatts to the team that FINALLY got it (and man was it glorious to see it work)..

Off season

knee jerk reaction: to me this should be the swan song for the 1997/98 Stanley Cup winners.. You have a team full of youngsters who are ready to take the reins.. That means it is time to say good bye to some old friends (ie. Maltby/Draper).. Maltby has been reduced to a one dimensional special teams player (Penalty Killer) and Drapers 30 goal days (not that he had a whole lot of em) are over.. Trade Lang and Samuelson and you have a whole new line.. I can't believe I am saying this as I hate people who say it, but the Wings need to get bigger.. The major weakness I saw in this playoff year was that bigger teams could cycle against them at will for long periods of time.. I'm not sold on the fact that Calder and Bertuzzi should go yet. If Calder was indeed hurt (rumors abound that he was trying to play with a broken hand) then I give him a free pass.. If not then you traded a streaky scorer for an even more streaky scorer that can hit.. I would like to see if Bertuzzi can get to full strength.. If when he does he still can't skate past my 3 year old son, dump his sorry ass..

The Wings will need a goalie eventually.. Why not this summer when you have 2 teams with four #1 guys? Ilya Bryzgalov and Vesa Toskala are #1 guys in back up roles.. Flop boy was amazing this year, but his infuriating style has got to go.. You can argue that 3 of the Ducks 4 goals tonight were the result of his refusal to stay on his feet..

So Ken Holland and Mike Ilitch: I make this plea every year.. Please for the love of all that is good -- make some CHANGES!!! Make this team a 4 line threat again.. I love Mike Babcocks style of play, but the man needs a few more horses to play with..

Boys in red: enjoy the golf course.. And GO SENS!!! (I think)..

Game 4 vs ANA

It was a tough TV night in my household: 7:30 Tigers game, 8:00 Pistons game, 9:00 Greys Anatomy season finale (for the wife), 10:15 Lost special (for me).. It was an even tougher night on the ice for the Wings.. Lets rephrase that: it was a tough night on the ice for Flop Boy.. 3 goals on 8 shots? While the rest of the team was showing the heart that has become the wings hallmark this playoff year, Hasek was asleep in his crease..

What the hell did Kyle Quincey do piss M Babcock off? Dude played 4 shifts and a grand total of 2:03.. All in the first period.. Yet he was on the bench for the rest of the game.. I never understand how coaches can arbitrarily sit guys especially when they have shown they can play at this level.. So he has a couple bad shifts.. LET THE GUY REDEEM HIMSELF!!

Bottom line: Giggy came out and redeemed himself.. Would have been nice to have 3 chances to close out the series.. The Wings carried the play for the first time in this series and the goal tending let them down..

Final: ANA 5 - DET 3

Game 1 vs ANA

Hasek steals one

I am 33 years old with a 4 year old little boy and another child just days away.. As a fairly even keeled sports fan (yeah, the trashcan? ancient history) I do not get as worked up as I used to as a 20 something lunatic who would go off after every home team loss.. Keep this in mind when I tell you that I was genuinely NERVOUS in the hours leading up to today's game.. You know what? I enjoyed every minute of it!! Is this what fans of teams facing the Wings feel like during the playoffs? DET hockey fans have been spoiled for the last 10 years and I truly believe most have forgotten what its like to 'shock the world'.

Wow.. What a 3rd period.. ANA just kept coming the last 5 minutes.. This game looked just like the SJS series in which each team seemed to be dominant in bunches.. Hasek really had to weather a few storms when the Wings would get caught with tired legs in their own zone.. On the flip side the Wings could have easily had a few more goals (Z's post, Samuelsons missed open net)..

Random thoughts:
If Flop Boy doesn't end up in a body bag the Wings have a good shot of winning this series.. ANA ran him from every direction possibly..
F Beauchemin could have easily earned the first star of tonight's game as he was in on both of DET's goals..
ANA is an easy team for me to hate.. JS Giggy -- michelin man, Pronger -- so hard NOT to hate, Kunitz -- yeah, he's a former CCHA star but he was a pain in UM's butt when he played for Ferris State, S Niedermayer -- looks like one of those cocky old doctors with his salt and pepper playoff beard (yeah, I'm reaching but he annoys the snot out of me).. The only Duck I cannot hate is Teemu (met him as a teenager when he played for Winnipeg, great guy)..

Final: DET 2 - ANA 1

Next game: Sunday 7:30 VS, CBC

Game 6 vs SJS

WINGS WIN!! WINGS WIN!!

Game 5 and 6 showed what a champion is supposed to look like.. The Wings never looked liked they were going to lose while the Sharks looked scared.. Really, I can't even say the Sharks looked desperate. That would require SJS to have a pulse and they obviously were done after game 4.. I would love to wax poetic about the mighty Wings, but bottom line is that SJS CHOKED.. How can a team that looked so DOMINANT at times just absolutely go to sleep? I do give the Wings credit for the changes they made after game 3 (shutting down the Sharks PP, changing how they set up there own PP).. The Sharks only have a couple personnel issues to address in the off season (more depth on the back end) but if they really want to take that next step (and lets be honest, they have been favorites for a couple years now) they need to find a new coach..

Random thoughts: Mr Lidstrom? you are a STUD!!! Let me buy you a 6er of Labatts (yes, we all know Swedish beer sucks).. Sincerely -- Dom

It is so refreshing to have a new set of playoff heroes -- DC, Homer, Franzen and yes Lilja.. I know I ripped the crap out of AL this year and last, but he has just played good solid defense the past 2 series..

DET Defense is in deep trouble going into game 1.. The upside? Derek Meech has the confidence of the coaching staff to play if need be.. Kyle Quincey has shown the maturity and skill to play at this level.. And Chelios hasn't logged a TON of minutes this year so I'm not worried about him..

Wings vs Ducks? Could be a short series if the Wings make mistakes like they did vs SJS..

Final: Det 2 - SJS 0

Next Game: Friday 7:30 VS

Game 5 vs SJS

Could this be the 2007 version of game 6 where DET beat COL 2 - 0 in the Western Conference finals in 2002? Just like this year, the wings were in an intensely competitive series with the final results in doubt.. game 6 in 2002 was the turning point in a Stanley cup run.. Could this be the same? The Wings still have to close out an amazingly tough team, but this is the first game they looked beatable.. A close 1 - 1 game turned into a 4 - 1 route late..

Goals by the action line of Dats, Z and Homer was capped off by a rare goal from Samuelson.. The wings went 2 for 6 on the PP while SJS went 0 for 6 managing just 2 shots.. The difference in the Wings PP on the 2 goals they scored? They came from down low and not up top.. both plays started from behind the net and not the point where SJS PK'ers are parked out to block shots..

Final: DET 4 - SJS 1

Next Game: Monday 9:00 VS

Game 4 vs SJS

Welcome back Homer!! What an absolute performance put on by Hasek, Homer, Lang and Phil.. I still think that SJS has not played an entire 60 min game (hell, they really haven't played more than 30 min) but I no longer think they could have easily swept this series.. Game 4 belonged almost completely to the Wings.. One perfect goal and a fluky as all hell goal (how do you score off a guys helmet? Especially when he is standing!!) is all SJS could muster on the Dominator (FlopBoy as he is know on this blog).. Is DET in SJS heads? They could be now..

Final DET 3 - SJS 2 OT

Next Game: Saturday 2:00 NBC

Pound the ROCK!!

Draft day: -- With the number 2 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, YOUR Detroit Lions select WR from the Georgia Institute of Technology : Calvin 'CJ' Johnson.. Mr Johnson, you may now don your bubbles the lion cap.. As most of you have heard, this was not a pick the Lions could really screw up.. Simple: CJ goes first, pick J Russel.. JR goes first, pick Calvin Johnson.. If ATL offers you 3 picks in the top 50 for either player - you take it.. I'm excited to see what M Martz will do with Roy and CJ together.. Add the venerable Mike Furrey and opposing corners will be wetting there drawers on Sunday afternoon (hmmm, this sounds vaguely familiar).. In related news Mike Williams was shipped along with J McCown to the Raiders for the 105st overall pick.. Funny that the pick that fell to the Lions 2 years ago and was supposed to make them the 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' was traded for a 4th round pick.. And DET had to THROW in a worthless QB to seal the deal!!

I'm not sure how I feel about the Stanton pick (11th pick in the 2nd round).. I like Stanton and have heard nothing but good reviews from his draft workouts and interviews, but something just doesn't sit right.. Seems like the Stanford kid might be a better prospect.. The next pick was an absolute waste in my opinion.. Alma-Francis is a project DE when the Lions could have filled more pressing needs by taking a LB or corner back at this position..

Overall I was happy with what the Lions were able to do with there picks (trading to get more picks), but not as impressed with the players they picked.. The Brady Quinn debacle had me giddy at first that he fell so far and then happy for the lad that CLE traded up so he can play for his hometown team..

Game #2 vs SJS

post game: I have a few thoughts on the young Sharks team that I will wait to share until the series is over (for fear of jinxing the wings).. Lets just say I think this game speaks more of SJS than it does the Wings.. Dan fricking Cleary is an absolute stud.. The next Draper? Nope.. He is the next DC.. He would be the next Draper if Drapes could score.. DC sparked serious life into this series when it looked liked DET was hopping on a plane down 2-0.. SJS jumped down DET throats once again, leading 2-0 at the 4:17 mark of the 1st (first goal came just :36 in off a Kirk 'worthless' Maltby GV).. Down 2-1 and killing a Draper holding penalty to start the 3rd, DC jumped all over a SJS GV in there own zone and blistered a shot by Nabokov to tie the game.. This guy does it all - hits, skates and scores.. Easily my new favorite Wing..

This is where it hurts to be a fan.. Next 2 games are 10pm start times.. Suck it up DET.. Its playoff time..

Final: DET 3 - SJS 2

Next Game: Monday 10:00 VS

Game 1 vs SJS

Post game thoughts: the most telling stat for this game? DET had 27 give aways compared to SJS 7 take aways.. DET out hit SJS, out shot them (although SJS played the trap after the 2-0 lead) and seemed to be able to skate with them.. The key to this game was mistakes.. Plain and simple: DET made them and SJS did not.. Does DET have to play a perfect series to win? No. But they have to play a better game than they did.. SJS took care of the puck, got out to an early lead (beautiful first PP goal and a lucky second goal) and then played lock down the rest of the way.. I expect a much better game on Saturday.. If its not then the Trashcan will make a very early appearance..

Damn, did OTT look good early tonight.. Typical Sens they tried to give it away.. Fellas need to button it up to make my predictions come true (DET vs OTT in the finals)..

Final: SJS 2 - DET 0

Next Game: Saturday 3:00 NBC

Game 6 vs CAL

Game Recap: MULE kicks Kipper to the curb!!

An absolute dominant performance by the Wings that was almost matched by Kipper.. Another 50+ save performance came so close to forcing a game 7.. This Wings team has proven it is a much better playoff team than last year.. I will say without hesitation that last years team would have been beaten by this CAL club..

Its late, I'm tired.. I will write more tomorrow.. GO STARS!!

Final: DET 2 - CAL 1 2OT

Next Game: TBA

Game 5 vs CAL

Game Recap: ditched the jersey, shaved and watched the game on NBC instead of CBC.. The result? A 5- 1 white washing at the Joe.. Couple quick notes: DC has become one of my new favorite players.. what an amazing penalty shot goal to get things started.. The kid hits, skates and scores timely goals.. and he is just plain tough.

I love chippy hockey games, but what transpired at the end of that game just went too far.. there is a difference between chippy play and cheap shots.. What CAL was doing was cheap shotting.. Its disappointing because CAL is supposed to be a classy hard working team.. Well fellas, your getting outworked AND outclassed now.. McLennan will get a suspension for his slash on Franzen, but my boy Iginla had better be unavailable for tomorrow nights game for the butt end he put on Schnieder.. inexcusable.. The Lebda/Langkow situation is a bit of a sticky wicket.. I believe Lebda hurt his leg when he hit the boards and DID NOT get another concussion from the punch.. It would make sense to claim a concussion when it could get Langkow suspended..

DAL just beat VAN 2-0 to force the first game 7 of this here 2007 playoffs.. GO TURCO!!

Final DET 5 - CAL 1

Next game: Sunday at 9:00 CBC, VS, FSN

Game 4 vs CAL

Pregame: this is where the fans get there moneys worth.. This is when we get to second guess everything a coach does.. Should MB have played Bert on Tuesday night? Should he play him tonight? Obviously it was a mistake to break up Huds, Phil and Franzen to begin with (MB admitted as much today).. Early returns on the Trashcan poll reveal that a majority of you think Samuelson should be benched in favor of Huds (word is that Huds is playing tonight so someone will be sitting).. Bottom line is that it is a nice problem to have a youngster who is ready to jump in for an under performing veteran like Lang..
Keys -- hell, its time to just play hockey.. the damn key to the game is to get off to a good start, hit anything that moves and take away any thoughts the Flamers might have of making this a series.. GAME ON!!

LETS GO RED WINGS

1st Period - a very even period.. Huds did not get the call (big mistake in my opinion).. The move of Bertuzzi to the Lang line paid off right away as both Bertuzzi and Franzen lit the lamp.. 2nd CAL goal was a bad regular season goal - Lebda let Conroy shoot and Flop Boy couldn't handle the slight screen.. Calder was demoted to only 1:56 of ice time.. He needs to get going soon..

2nd Period - couple things I need to vent about: The officiating is getting ridiculous.. That Datsyuk hooking call almost made me go Cady on the remote.. Robert Lang needs to get his head out of his ass and learn to play hockey again.. The DET power play had better figure this out before there on the golf course next week..
The Iginla line is totally outplaying Z's line so somebody else is going to have to step up (Calder? Phil? maybe MB should play both of them a little more to give the big guys a break -- Calder 5:38 and Phil 4:26 through 2).. DAMN IT DET.. LETS GET THIS TOGETHER !!

3rd Period - it doesn't fucking matter..

post game -- what an absolute HORSE SHIT performance.. Nice you fucking decide to wake up the last 7 minutes of the game when Kipper has you beat.. Where the fuck is the defense? the first 2 games of this series the Wings suffocated the Flames.. now they are giving up odd man rushes by the bunches.. And what the hell happened to the offense? This is not the Devils where talking about here.. this is the CAL fucking Flames.. No matter what happens I want Mike Babcock out of here..How can you screw this series up this bad? you are up 2-0 against a team that was FUCKING BURIED!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WIN 1 GAME ON THE ROAD AND THE SERIES IS OVER!! IS THAT SO FUCKING DIFFICULT!!?? Why would you bring in a rusty Bertuzzi to mess up a 4th line that has been on fire? Yes, he was the only one that had a good game tonight, but you had all of the momentum and you just threw it all away.. And do NOT tell me that this is all doom and gloom and that the Wings can win Saturday and everything will be all right.. BULL SHIT!!! The wings are stuck in the same damn rut that killed them in 2004 and 2006.. This series is all but over.. ANOTHER FUCKING early EXIT!!.. the TRASHCAN can no longer stand it has been kicked so much..

Final CAL 3 - DET 2

Next game: Saturday at 3:00 CBC, NBC

Game 3 vs CAL

Pregame: Mood of the day -- nervous/cautiously optimistic.. The boys who don the winged wheel are on the edge. A whisper thin line between series sweep and utter collapse.. The 2-0 series lead is about as safe as the 2 goal game lead.. DET wins tonight and you can talk about a short series.. Lose and its 'here we go again'.. Two games of absolute domination have been tempered by an outstanding performance by Kipper and horrible play by the rest of the Flames.. If CAL continues to take penalties and refuses to put shots on Hasek DET should have a commanding lead by this time tomorrow.. I am left wondering how DET would do if they fell behind tonight early or played most of the game tied? I am going with the sweater and 2 days facial hair again.. Why fix what is not broken?

LETS GO RED WINGS!!

Postgame: mood -- tired and impressed.. I really hate these west coast series.. This was an incredibly played playoff game on both ends.. I have been waiting for YEARS to see a DET hockey team play like that.. The pace was incredible.. The hitting was thunderous.. Yeah the wrong team was on the winning end, but they deserved it.. The only thing I am upset about is that I was robbed of an OT by Flop Boy misplaying Iginlas goal.. Don't get me wrong, Big Jarome deserved to have the game winner.. He really showed some sac by coming out playing dominating style that we are used to seeing.. But COME ON!! Flop Boy was cheating that shot so bad I could have thrown a curling stone by him on the far post..

I think Phaneuf is still seeing stars after that hit Cleary put on him (could have easily been called a penalty though).. And then to get up and set up Drapers goal.. Cleary and Drapes were absolute studs tonight..

Who the hell was giving out stars tonight that they gave Lombardi the 1st star and Iginla the 3rd (after scoring the game winner)? Game winner ALWAYS gets the first star, Mike Rogers of The Fan 960 (radio guys are idiots).

You think there might have been some home cooking on the ice tonight, or is that just par for the course when Bill McCreary is officiating a Wings game? 5 penalties in a row? Love the Calder phantom GT interference.. Oh wait, I think Markov was just called again.. Trashcan!!

Final CAL 3 - DET 2

Next game: Thursday at 9:30 on CBC, VS, FSN

I'm Ready Nick!!

Game 2 vs. CAL

pregame: **bloggers note** -- I will be spending the afternoon in O-HI-O.. I will post game comments after I get home tonight..

Today's key -- DO NOT LET CAL BREATH.. The wings kept CAL on their toes the entire game by hitting them before they got hit.. great concept fellas.. Playoff game = hitting.. Where the hell was this philosophy the last FIVE YEARS??!!! What to watch for -- Lidstrom vs Iginla.. Game 1 Nick locked Jarome up and did not let him get a shot on net.. Can he do it again?

Key personnel moves -- Bertuzzi is not expected to play as is McCarty (if I were CAL I would take that trade off any day of the week)..

LETS GO RED WINGS

Post game: The jersey and facial hair combo worked its magic for the second straight game.. Now I will join Coach Babcock with a tough game day decision: do I change things up when its worked so well? My decision: keep the facial hair/jersey combo or add another element (new wings hat?).. Babcocks dilemma: keep the 4th line of Phil (yes it should be spelled that way, not Fil), Huds and Franzen together or insert Bertuzzi into the line up and sitting Huds.. My thoughts for both? Don't change a thing.. the Wings hat can wait until a losing streak ensues and Bertuzzi can ride the pine until the 2nd round.. The Wings are beating CAL at there own game.. Why add another physical element when the current line up is working?

Stats of the game - through 2 games the Wings have held power forward extraordinaire (and one of my favorite players) Jarome Iginla to 2 stinkin shots.. 1st period of game 2 the wings launched 23 shots at Kipper.. 23!! that's most teams totals for an entire game!!

random thoughts: my favorite series so far -- OTT vs PIT.. great match up all around and a fun series to watch.. favorite series that has not been televised -- NAS vs SJS.. what the hell is this? the first game in the DET market is game 3? this is a bunch of CRAP that we can not watch the nastiest series of this here playoffs.. nice move NHL..

Final DET 3 - CAL 1

Next Game: Tuesday at 10:00 on CBC, VS

Game 1 vs. CAL

Pregame: mood of the day -- PISSED OFF.. Pissed off that every national publication is picking the 'upstart Flames' to win in 6. Pissed off that Inside Hockey (who are these idiots anyway?) picked CAL fwd's over DET's. Pissed off that these same ingrates said CAL's D corp is DEEPER that DET's.. Pissed off that people are picking Kipper to out play Hasek.. They say he is older and not as good.. Did anyone not notice that when he plays, Flop boy has the best GAA over the last 3 years? Never mind that Kippers GAA has risen the last 3 years.. Some of the more well informed worry about Hasek after playing a FULL season.. Anyone notice he only played back-to-back days once? yes, CAL is a better team offensively, but they are a much worse team defensively than last year.. I hear the name Kiprusoff all I can think is 'light him up boys!!'

LETS GO RED WINGS

1st Period: thats how you start a playoff series.. Goals by Phil and Lidstrom give the Wings a 2-0 lead.. stat of the period -- Iginla held to 0 SOG

2nd Period: goals by Datysuk (about F'in time son) and Schneider. stats of the period/game -- Wings out shoot CAL 21 - 5/ Iginla still without a SOG

3rd Period: started to get a bit chippy.. Phaneuf and Iginla tried roughing up Z and found themselves 2 men down as Z just skated away.. This is where DET needs to make a team pay for getting physical.. even in a 4-0 game you have to put them down 6-0.. stat of the game -- you guessed it, Iginla held without a shot on goal..

Post game: great game fellas.. now how do they keep it up? well, I went with the playoff beard so sorry Kell, I wont be shaving on Sunday.. I also broke out the jersey for the day and did not work on the nursery at all.. I skated last night, although I wont be able to replicate that this weekend.. Question: do I hold on to the same socks and underwear for Sunday or is that going to far?

Final DET 4 - CAL 1

Next game: Sunday at 1pm on CBC, NBC

random pregame thoughts

-- you think the wings are trying to get into NAS head tonight by starting Ozzie? bottom line is that NAS has been using DET as there personal measuring stick all season.. DET has been looking at bigger fish.. NAS starts there #1 guy, DET stays with there back up..

-- match up I would most like to see for the wings in the first round? DAL.. yes they have one of the best GAA in the league, but the travel would be far less obtrusive than going to SJ CAL or VAN.. also line for line I would take the wings in that series every day..

-- there has been a ton of talk lately about banning fighting in the NHL.. Even old school guys like Shanny have been quoted as saying the injuries are getting out of control.. I see the problem as last year the powers that be basically weened the fighters out of the game.. now you have 4th line instigators fighting each other and there is a huge disparity in fighting talent.. as a result guys who have no business fighting are getting there asses kicked by the few heavy weights left in the league..

Well.. At least its not his groin...

As announced on Saturday by the Red Wings, Dominik Hasek is expected to miss at least the next two games with tendinitis in his right wrist (injured poke checking Shane Doan on Wednesday). Joey MacDonald who won his first NHL game Sunday night should start tonight at Philadelphia with J Ho backing up.. .

Champion of the world!!

Today was my nephews second wrestling tournament in Linden (hick-town).. He added a first place finish to last weeks second place.. David had a blast watching the action..

From Test

From Test

From Test

SHARK!!

this is a shark my father in law caught in FLA (also a test of the picasa embedding feature)..

From Test

this just never gets old...

Hey, has anyone seen Marty's jock?

Sid the Kid

Now you tell me that this goal did not make every one in the Penguins organization cringe.. More than one superstar has shortened their career with a knee to the goal post.. Incredible goal none-the-less..


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