End these interminable playoffs, please? Etc.

by Anne

• I sincerely hope the Blackhawks win the Cup tomorrow night. Not because of any affection I have for them, but because I'm just tired of trying to care.

• Also, looks like my prediction (and what an ASTUTE predictoin it was) about Zack Kassian's contract talks stalling was right.

• John Vogl is right about this interview with Dominik Hasek being veeeeeery roughly translated into English. Although, English, Russian, Czech, or Yiddish, why would his teammates call him anything other than by his first name, weirdo reporterman?

• My sister is getting married next summer (WA-HOO!) and between that and job hunting, I have very easily been able to distract myself from hockey.

• I'm sure I'll go to the draft party but I know so little about this year's crop that it's hard to care. Are they extra weak this year or am I just missing the partay?

• In an attempt to find something to be super pumped about, I'm attempting to write a book. I've had this idea in my head for over a year, and I've played it out in my mind so many times that I just need to put it down on paper. It, of course, is somewhat hockey-related. I'll autograph copies for you all when it is published... by me at my printer.

• Let's Go 'Hawks! I guess? I suppose I'd like to see Kaner bring the Cup home for a visit.

Tuesday Tidbits

by Anne

• After that article about the silent Sabres lockerroom, some sweet bloggers were chatting and I decided to post a poll for people to select a personality player to add to the roster. The list is a conglomeration of many people's nominations, over on the left sidebar. Its open for a week, until Apirl 27.

• Team USA, seriously lacking the happyfuntimes from last year, have their first exhibition game this afternoon at 2:15 EST against host nation Switzerland in Zurich.

• Team Czech's roster was announced and Big Czech Al will be representin' his country again this year, along with Jaromir Jagr and Ales Hemsky.

• The Caps FINALLY won, and won handily. Simeon Toast Crunch™ got a shut out and managed to casually brush off being punched in the face by Sean Avery.

• I only put ™ there because I just learned how to do it I may do it after all STH nicknames just because I can ™ and its fun ™
  

• The Flames also won and Adam Burish forgot that Jarome Iginla is the manliest man on the planet and the two attempted to engage in fisticuffs. They're almost exactly the same size so it'd be interesting to see who'd take that fight. But clearly it would be Iggy.

• A really great story about a terminally ill Columbus Blue Jackets fan getting to attend the first ever playoff game held in Columbus tonight. God I hope they win for him tonight. This kid got to sign a 1 day NHL contract and as part of a charity event the club was selling his jersey and its the 3rd highest selling jersey behind Rick Nash and Steve Mason. Also, Jason Chimera is now my #2 favorite Blue Jacket. Its one of those rare "More than just a game" moments.

• No! I am totally not tearing up over here after that story... ok maybe a little... *sniff*
  

• Friggin' Hasek is un-retiring... again

• Kevin Divine, Sabres Director of Amateur Scouting hates the draft, or at least he hates the first day of it. So do I, Kevin. It takes like 4 hours to get through round one. There's a video on Sabres.com. I don't like embedding those videos, they slow things down too much.

• This entry needs a picture...

perfect &trade

WTF Is Wrong With Me?

by Anne

Guys, I'm back at an office job... sort of. I'm helping out at dear old Dad's law office because things is waaaayyy backed up. I'm only working part time. Yesterday I worked from 2 - 5 entering costs and fees and stuff, some as old as 2002. WHAT? Ok, its because they just upgraded their software.... 6 months to a year ago... ehhhhh..... they'll get around to it.

Things are just messy and unkempt, so I'm trying to help out.

However, its about 3649856098x better than my old job. Except for the fact that I don't have my own desk or computer here. Right now I'm in the office of an attorney who didn't come in today. Hmmmm, this'll be interesting when he comes back. I don't think he'll be too keen on having a desk buddy.

Anyway, onto hockey:

So the Dominator is officially hanging it up. Awwwwwwww. He's old. So, clearly Detroit was the town he preferred to play in, but he definitely played his best hockey in Buffalo. Six Vezinas and 2 Harts? That's gotta feel good. He won Vezina's over Brodeur and Roy. That's no joke. However, I can't imagine those stack up against 2 Stanley Cups. Whoops.

Being American, I don't feel I can really weigh in with personal thoughts about the HNiC theme. I can definitely say that it shouldn't move to TSN. That's just dumb. Good luck finding someone who watches hockey who won't INSTANTLY think of Don Cherry and Ron McLean when they hear that little ditty.

That'd be like CBS taking over the NBC ding-ding-ding thing. It's just so intrinsically linked to HNiC that it'll never fly anywhere else. Sorry, TSN, ain't gonna happen. Commission your own tune, James Duthie (LOVE HIM).

I'm bored by reading my own blog post, this is not good.

Maybe I won't update everyday... eh, I probably will anyway.

Almost Awards night! I can't wait to see what adorable little suit Pommers wears. I hope his ladylove looks appropriately pretty, refined and smokin' hot. Nice guys need to prove that they can get the ladies as well.

Tomorrow will be discussing the poll winner. Coming up soon will be an oh-so-scientific and statbitty (tm IPB) analysis for choosing my winners for the various awards to be awarded on awardful Thursday's award show. WOO!

This poll up thar is HOTLY contested. Derek Roy and Tim Connolly are fighting for the top spot. Winner to be announced on Tuesday! Hahaha.

Back in Buffalo

by Anne

Thank hey-soos I'm back in Buffalo, the land of wireless internet, only 75% humidity, and no central air.

That's ok, though, I'll take what I can get.

Oscar is none to happy with his mommy for leaving for a few days.

Ron Wilson is about to become the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Its well documented that Mr. Wilson and BIG BEAR didn't get a long to well in San Jose. Hopefully he won't use his krazee mind powers to affect Big Bear for 6 games next season. Booooo. It won't be official until like Tuesday though. Whatevs.

Whatev, I kind of enjoyed watching Toronto just miss the playoffs and be worse than us for the last several seasons. It was pretty awesome. I'm not interested in this possible resurgence of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although, it would be nice for Cap'n Mats to even taste the Cup Finals. Not at our expense, of course.

I don't even want to talk about the tomfoolery with Chelios' restaurant and the Cup. All I have to say is: Hahahahahahahahahahaha D-Troit is totes CURSED now. Hahahaha. Hope you enjoyed these last few Cup wins.

And:

Hhaahahaha, I love when crap like this happens.

Nice going.

In tragic, tragic news, the Tampa Bay Rays have fallen to 2nd place in the AL East, 1.5 games behind Boston. Not. Cool.

Ummm, no major off-season re-signings that have drastically affected my HockeyLife as of yet.

However, tis widely expected that the Dominator is about to hang up his blocker this off-season. Considering the average hockey career is about 6 years, I'd say he's had his fair share.

There's going to be a presser this morning about it.

Awwww, Dom. Now will start the "He was probably the best individual player in franchise history... sooooooo.... about that #39 thing.... about that being a big jerkface thing......." YESSSSS. Bring it ON. I, personally, do not have a strong opinion about the ordeal, because I'm not 100% sure what went down when Dom left town. That rhymed, ha.

For serious though, peeps. Leaving Buffalo is a great way for me to be reminded of why its so great. The town I was in is just so small and small minded. To most people there, there's nothing going on outside of their county. It just doesn't affect them, in their minds. I SAW A BUNCH OF MENNONITES PLAYING SOFTBALL.

It's just a weird town, the accent is weird, the people are weird, the number of radio stations that's main airplay is NOT country or Christian rock is like barely countable. Gas is cheaper there, so that's a plus. It's not technically in the South, but it sure do feel like it is. Not the BAD South, but not the good South like Nashville or Atlanta.

Whatev, I'm just glad I don't live thar where thar's no hockey and whar thar's lots o' scrunchies and Aquanet's still in bizness.

NHL Awards on Thursday! Woo!