Oh Twiiiiiig...

Leafs 6, Rangers 2

'Nuff said ;)

Colorado Avs and Pios

Colorado Avs 4-2 last night! Whoopie!

The DU Pioneers split last weekend with the CC Tigers. This weekend we play North Dakota. Should be a fun game.

My 2 year old is starting to get into the game. He can point out the goalie and the puck. He says, "The goalie stoppa the puck!" LOL He also yells Go DU. Too cute.

Calling Southern California Hockey Knitters...

The Colorado Avalanche have had a Sticks and Stitches (similar to the baseball Stitch and Pitch) event for a couple of years. I'm in the process of trying to organize one with the Anaheim Ducks.
I don't have a specific date yet, but I'm sort of testing the waters here... anyone interested?

I'll post more specific details when I have them, if there's any interest.

100 wins!

Nice job by DP earning his 100th NHL win tonight against the Rangers. Too bad about busting up that 5 game streak though ;-)

Not the best Isles/Ranger game I've ever seen but certainly not the worst. Lundqvist had some nice saves, there was some decent end to end for a bit, and I will admit to Avery doing his job... he had me pretty riled up. He seriously stepped right in to fill that yammering, in-your-face role - reminds me of Kasper in his prime in that respect.

Anyway, I'll take the 3-0 so far against the Rangers this season. There's a whole lot of hockey left (and 4 more games vs the Rangers). I'll enjoy this (and the 12 pts in the hummer metro ice challenge) while it lasts.

All Quiet in Blogland

Wow, it's been quiet on here this season so far.

The Rangers are playing a good game right now. I hope we can keep it up. It's really nice to be on the winning side after so many years playing horribly.

Pennsylvania fell to the Rangers. The Flyers Thursday and the Penguins tonight. WOOHOO!

Yoo hoo! Drea!!

Rangers 3, Leafs 2

Just sayin'

heheheh

Isles 3 - Rangers 2

I'll take it! The Atlantic division is running pretty tight right now...

And now, we're off again until the 10th. (Why do the Isles always seem to have such a funky schedule the 1st 2 months or so? Shesh!)

Rangers Win!

Rangers 2, Flyers 0. Bring on the Islanders!

740 in 1500

(cross posted to Ravelry)

I just had the pleasure of watching Al Arbour win his 740th game as an NHL coach - it was also his 1500th NHL game. All I can say is WOW - what an emotional night! I can't even imagine BEING there - although having been thru my fair share Stanley Cup games in that very building, I can guestimate the intensity and noise levels. I may live 700 miles away now, but my heart will always be in Nassau County for hockey season ;-)

I'm a lifelong Islander fan, and there have certainly been highs and lows. Tonight was an absolute high - and I couldn't be happier for Mr. Arbour. (as an aside, I have met the man several times through the years. Despite his very ind and warm suggestions to just call him Al, the massive respect and admiration I have for this incredible coach will not allow me to call him anything BUT Mr, Arbour.

Now, off to see what I can find out about Ricky's eye injury... (fingers crossed for good news)

1st Islander's shutout of the season.

Ricky DiPietro, got his 1st shutout of the season last night. Unlike past years it didn't take him the most of the season to get it.

Let's just hope for many more.

Saturday night

Leafs 4... Rangers 1 *G* *G* *G*

Children in need of hats

Hey all,
A friend of mine has a daughter that teaches at Ft. Riley. They are collecting Hats For Brats. For those of you looking for some charity knitting to keep your fingers flying while the pucks, sticks, skates and punches are flying, check out this post for details.

Happy hockey knitting!

Accosted at last night's Avs' game

It's interesting to me how knitting in public can make a person distinctive in a crowd. At a pre-season game last week, one of the ushers from last season remembered me and said he wanted to put in his order for an XL sweater before the season started. Thought that was cute.

But last night, at the Avs' season opener, a very drunk Stars fan was walking up the stairs of my section during a period break, stopped at my row, and yelled, "Are you KNITTING?!"

I thought he was going to give me a lecture about how there's no knitting at hockey games or something...needless to say I was surprised when he proceeded to hit on me; "are you here with anybody?" he says...oh, brother.

I told him I was attending with my husband, drunk Dallas guy said my husband was a lucky man, and then he stumbled up the stairs.

*sigh* Not only have I missed the sport, but I've missed the strange fans, too.

It's good to be back

I love this place - the season's barely begun and all the rivalries in here from last season have already started up in the comments *giggle*

If the Leafs can stay out of trouble off the ice *coughBellcough* and play consistently on it we have a damn good shot at the Cup :) Looking at the schedule earlier this evening, I see that Buffalo's first loss (of many) to TO will happen fairly early this year... wouldn't want those Sabres fans to get their hopes up after all ;)

Equation

This:

Leads to this:

I'm sure of it!!! This year is the one. Go ahead, Rangers. Steal Drury. Make Twig gloat. We Buffalo fans are scrappy, just like our players.

Less than a week until puck drop ....

Hockey Knitting

I went to the Habs game tonight. They played the Bruins in pre-season game number 5. I cast-on square number 28 on the blankie I'm knitting with leftover sock yarn for my son. Square number 28 was finished by the end of the game!

We won 3-2.

GO HABS GO!

Also blogged here.

I love preseason!!!!

I love the 1st game of the best hockey rivalary of the Islander's/Rangers. I love that the Islander's won in overtime, and yes I love a good bench clearer with a goalie fight.

It just doesn't get much better than that.

Let the games begin!!!!

Go Habs Go!

Hi, I'm Robyn, and I am very excited for the new season for the Habs. My family shares Season Tickets, and I'm going to 1 game per month for the entire season with my husband. (My sister usually invites me to her games too - since her boyfriend isn't much of a hockey fan - so that means more games for me!) I am NEVER without a sock project at the games. I just got my new jersey, and I'm super excited for the new season to start!

GO HABS GO!

ps - I just opened Robyn's Nest - an online yarn shop! (CAD$)

Go Avs!

The avs beat the Stars 6-3. Hopefully they can overturn their loss to the Kings last week this weekend. I got my DU Pioneer season tickets finally on friday. Can't wait for the season to start. I have no idea how they will do as all the good players went to the nhl. Haven't heard anything about the incoming players yet. Should be an interesting year. Our goalie is really good as long as he keeps his head in the game.

Frozen Four is in Denver this year! Yippee!

Berard coming back?

I just saw that Bryan Berard has been invited to Islander training camp! I adored him when he 1st joined the team, and was saddened by not only his trade but by his awful eye injury. I hope he earns a spot back on the team, and that he has settled down some (he was kind of a wild child his 1st run back on the island...) I'd love to see him be the player he was expected to be (once up on a time, he was being hyped as the next Leetch. I don't think he will ever play to THAT caliber - yes, I can say nice things about Ranger players ;-) - but I do think he can be a serious asset as a 2 way offensive d-man. We'll see how it plays out. (fingers crossed)

our new jerseys

well, the Canucks have new jerseys! People luv em or hate em. I personally like them with the green stripe and still have the ORCA. classier than those old yellow and orange things. well, what do you think? I know what I want for xmas. #16 Linden or #3 Biecksa

Who missed it?

The Big News...

Staal Brothers Eric and Jordan arrested for being disorderly, and Jordan also dinged for drinking underage.

No joke! It was EStaal's bachelor party in Minnesota.




According to the two articles (found in the Charlotte Observer and in the NHL Fanhouse ) the real issue didn't start until the party was asked to leave the premises. They did... "After leaving the property, the group gathered on Highway 61 and began harassing passing motorists," the Sheriff's office said, at which point 14 members of the group were arrested at approximately 4 a.m."

Why can I just see two blonde Staals laughing their asses off and mooning passing motorists? And where were the redheaded Staals? Behaving somewhere? And how the HECK can you look that good in a booking photo? (okay, okay, JStaal does look a little like he's re-evaluating how much fun he's having.)

Go Pios!

Hello!
I'm new to the blog. I actually watch more college hockey but if I had to pick a professional team to root for it would of course be the Colorado Avs!

The big question this year is...will the DU Pioneers make it to the Frozen Four which is held here in Denver at the Pepsi Center for the 2007-2008 year? I sure hope so! I really want to go! I've been to the Frozen Four in Boston, MA and Columbus, OH and had a blast. But, it would be even more fun in my own backyard. Haven't bought the tickets yet b/c I know if we do make it the seats will be a lot better than what I can get online through other means. Cheaper too.

As for the Avs? What can I say? They are awesome! :)

Hockey...All year long!

I'm super lucky, and I'll tell you why. My cutie boyfriend is a super talented hockey player, and plays on a men's night league at a local rink...So, I get to watch hockey ALL YEAR ROUND!

I also get to knit at hockey all year round :)

In other news, I am running a Football-a-Long site for football lovin' knitters. If your interested, pop on over to our site, or send me an email at footballalong@gmail.com (footballalong at gmail dot com)

I'm soooooo excited I can hardly stand it

I sure hope we don't crash and burn. hehehe

The 2007-08 schedule is out. We're only playing Boston twice (in Boston) and once is in October -- that one is financially out of the question. But I *will* be in Boston on Jan 19.

Jonesy -- Jan 16, Feb 16, Feb 23, & Mar 10 PREPARE TO CRY!!!!

Our boys (except for Nylander and it bit him in the ass) are really working with management to keep us under the cap and keep our players. Shanny signed for 2.5 mill for one year. That's less than 1/2 of what he could get elsewhere. But they're going to make it up in bonuses that don't count against this year's cap. And King Henrik agreed to a 1 year contract for not so much money so he could stay in NY and so we'd stay under the cap and they'll negotiate a long term contract in January so it will go on next year's cap.

I'm really getting giddy about the team -- here's hoping the new guys gel with the guys we already had.

Experts: Coliseum not why free agents snub Isles

Article HERE

Sports facility and financing experts Tuesday questioned Islanders general manager Garth Snow's claim that the "common theme" in losing key players to free agency was the 35-year-old Nassau Coliseum.

"It seems pretty unlikely that an agent would let his player turn down a deal that was better than the one he took just because the building is old," said Neil deMause, co-author of "Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit."

DeMause was referring to Ryan Smyth's choice to forsake the Islanders' $32.5-million, five-year offer to join the Colorado Avalanche at $31.25 million over five years. The loss of Smyth and four other central characters from this season's playoff team prompted Snow to say, "A lot of it has to do with our building; that's a big obstacle."

"My take," deMause said, "is [Snow] was taking the opportunity to make the case to get a new arena. If you're looking for a new arena, you take every opportunity to say so."

Marc Ganis, a sports marketing consultant and head of SportsCorp Ltd., said there is "validity" to an Islanders argument that "because they don't have a new arena, they don't have the financial wherewithal that they might have" for higher player salaries.

"There have been instances where training facilities, or ice surface or field of play is so poor or so good they cause a player to factor that into their decision," Ganis said. "But short of those, [the stadium or arena] is not going to be the operative issue."

Typically, player-signing decisions related to a home-team facility are based on competitive aspects -- artificial turf or short home-run porches -- according to Jay Weiner, author of "Stadium Games: Fifty Years of Big League Greed and Bush League Boondoggles."

"Maybe it's time for a new building," Weiner said, "but not because the Islanders can't sign a free agent."

The Coliseum often is described as "creaky" and "worn out," but the Islanders' losses came on the same day the Rangers landed two elite centers by saying Scott Gomez and Chris Drury wanted to play at Madison Square Garden -- which is four years older than the Coliseum.

The Garden's overwhelming advantage of location and mystique is widely acknowledged. Ganis said, "Long Island is a tough market but it shouldn't be this tough," because of an arena's enormous economic potential, "an affluence on the Island, and a team with a good history. It's easier for the Islanders than for the Nets building in Brooklyn."

But Snow won't be able to sell free agents on a new arena for a while, deMause said. "How long have the Islanders been talking about a new building?" he asked. "Five years? They're just getting started. It's taken the Yankees 20 years."

And they've signed a lot of free agents in the meantime

OMG!!!

I can't believe the Ducks signed Todd Bertuzzi.
Well, at least he makes Chris Pronger look innocent.

Oh, btw, bubukiti, I have two red-headed stepchildren.

Free Agency????

Is it me or have the Islander's turned into the red headed step child of the NHL right now.

Nobody wants to sign there, is it Chuckles, the crazy owner? The back up goalie, oopps I mean GM or is the toilet bowl that they have to play in when they get to Long Island.

UUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Sorry just had to vent a little bit, maybe I can turn my frustration into some knitting.

Hello from a Canuck!

I am new to blogs, but have been knitting for over 20 years.

We started going to Vancouver Canuck's games when they played at the Pacific Coliseum in the 60's and 70's. looking forward to the new season in the fall.

Rangers Come to Terms...

with both Chris Drury and Scotty Gomez. I'm not at all sure how I feel about this. I think both will be an asset (though they'll both have to learn to play under a coach who isn't nuts like they both previously had), but I'm afraid this means we'll be saying goodbye to Michael Nylander. Last I heard Nylander had fired his agent and got another one because the first one was going to agree to too little money to re-sign. *sigh* And I'm also afraid that with this new acquisition, Shanny won't be back.

Fingers crossed that we get them both back.

Hall of Fame

Wow - Messier, MacInnes, Francis & Stevens - congratulations. The only question: will the Moose go in as an Oiler or a Ranger?? Sorry Larionov didn't make it and Gilmour and Lowe continue to wait ..

Hey Rangers ..

Alexei Cherepanov - great pick!!

This was fun

This was a fun year with the Knit-Along. I wasn't sure if we'd get any members other than me, Jonesy, Barb and Dipsy. I was pleasantly surprised to see more and more folks signing up as the season went along.

See ya in October!

Stanley Cup Champs.

Since we didn't get the team pix with the cup, here it is.

Quack Quack!!

Stanley '07

Congrats to the
ANAHEIM DUCKS!
First Western Stanley Cup champs!



(I would have given you the big team picture, but it's not online yet... so instead, appreciate the emotional Finn, as he is awesome.)

Isle be seeing you.......

Ok this just makes me happy!!!!

It's a ton of money that's out of the cap, and a little bit of dead weight gone, so let the housecleaning begin!!!

Calder Cup!

Now, I know you're all probably excited for the Stanley, but we have to remember Stanley's bastard younger sibling, Calder. As a new resident of Hershey, PA, it's hard not to.... because the HERSHEY BEARS (formerly the Hershey B'ars, no joke) are IN THE PLAYOFFS. Woohoo! That means live hockey in my backyard! (almost literally!)

For someone from the West Coast, the concept of semi-big name live hockey within a normal day's drive (or for me now, a fifteen minute drive, sans traffic!)is sort of exciting. There IS no AHL team in the Portland, OR area, (or in Seattle) and NHL wise, you'd be going to see the Canucks and driving through all of Washington State to get there.

But I'm not exciteably camping on the Giant Center website ofr them to open Bears playoff tickets...

Not at all. :-)

Have any of you read this?

This article made me cry so hard. I couldn't help it.
Go Senators.

Not This Year

*sigh* They played well, those Sabre boys. I can't complain, especially not about Ryan Miller who made some awesome saves.

Now, just have to make the calendar -- hmmm, 4 1/2 months till next season opens!

Jonesy

PS I'm still anti-Hasek, read anti-Detroit. Skate you Ducks, skate!

The fat lady sang

She just stepped off the stage after singing a rousing aria called "Overtime", and she's carrying large bouquets of red, black and white flowers with a Senators logo on them ;) Sorry Buffalo fans *g*

It's a New Day

One game at a time, one game at a time. Granted, I am an optimist, but stranger things have happened!

Pronger Hit

Any of you guys see this? I mean, suspend the bastard. I'm not a huge Red Wings fan by any means (I still have a Hasek aftertaste), but that hit was ridiculous.

That Duck needs his wings clipped.

She's warming up ....

Tonight's Game

Keep those fingers crossed, Sabres fans!

Ouchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

IF ONLY ....

....the Rangers and Sabres could have played one another for The Cup rather than this early in the playoffs. (since my Avs and Leafs decided to play in the early bird golf tournament rather than the hockey post season that is).

What I mean is Twig, Jonesy, and Zarzuela what a well played rivalry, both on the ice and on the KAL. It was a lot of fun for me to sit back and watch you guys play together. I wish it could have lasted longer.

Jonesy and Zarzuela I guess you know I'll be rooting your team on now.

Only 8 Wins Away!

... for Buffalo, of course!

Congrats Sabres Fans

I'm pretty disappointed that the Rangers are out of the play-offs. I think a couple of the games we lost should have been ours, but I guess those are the breaks. Buffalo outplayed us soundly in the first and last games -- in the rest, I think we gave them a much harder time than anyone expected so I'm glad of that. I also think that overall the Rangers gave all they could and it just wasn't enough. We'll do it next year.

In the meantime, GO REDWINGS!

See you at the Garden

Oh, boy what a game. Too bad we came up on the short end of the stick. All I can say to Buffalo fans is See you at the Garden!

Seeing Eye Dogs

Yes, that's exactly what those boys in Toronto doing the video review need. It was a goal. It WAS a goal. Everyone in the bar (okay, maybe we'd all had a few beers, maybe) saw it. Come on, then we would have had overtime!

*sigh*
hating Jagr,
Jonesy

I bleed blue!

Just thought I would take the time to introduce myself. My name is graymama. I grew up in St. Louis, so I am a Blues fan, of course! I did live in Minneapolis for 4 years, and the Wild also have my heart. (Too bad they have disappeared from the playoffs already!) Everyone has to have a team they despise too, and mine is the Red Wings. Remember I am a Blues fan.

Pronger was my favorite player, but who leaves Edmonton for Anaheim?! Honestly!
Go Canucks!!!!

I am working on a blanket for Project Linus while watching the playoff action.

Happy needles and hockey sticks everyone!

EEK!

I'm here in Florida, my hockey life rising as high and low as the tide! I could feel the vibrations in the sand when Twig was jumping up and down yesterday; I feared a tsunami!

Good game. Both teams.

No fingernails left.

Send beer ....

For Jonesy and Jess

Here's a wonderful video

But since Jonesy was so nice to post a picture, I suppose I should, too.

What a game!!!

Oh. My. God. Guess those guys are crawling back home tonight! GO RANGERS!!! Twig, how ya feelin'? ;)))

Quack, quack

Just wanted to introduce myself - I've been let into the Hockey knitters Knitalong, despite the fact that my underdog Canucks team is going to get badly beaten by the "Quack quacks". Wow, they looked bad yesterday - there's wasn't even any point in screaming at the television screen.

But, I have the best knitting project to keep me entertained whilst my boys take a beating - I'm working on this project: http://knittingnutter.com/2007/03/wips_galore.html

Game One

Need I say more?

Tomorrow

Your boys will be in our house tomorrow night, Twig! Upstate v. Downstate NY. Who will win? Who will be crying in Massachusetts, hmmmm?

Okay, altogether .... Let's Go Buffalo!

(C'mon. It's Buffalo! City of No Illusions. It's time for us to have The Cup. Think of the parties!)

NHL on Austrian TV!

YIKES!!! Starting tomorrow night, Austrian TV will broadcast ALL remaining NHL-PO-games - LIVE! Hallelujah! No more pressing my nose to the PC-screen trying to get these bad-quality-videos on Google or wherever! These will be some long nights - it's 1 am here when the games start - but man, who needs sleep when there's NHL on TV?

Added to that the Hockey World Championship in Russia begins on - Friday I think, so there'll be some heavy, very heavy game-watching in the next weeks! I'm back in hockey heaven!
Just sayin' ;)))

Way to go Luongo and the Sedin Twins!

Be still my heart - hooray for the Canucks - and Roberto - first playoffs for him (since the World Juniors here in Winnipeg in '99 - and my DS and I were there to see him!! He's finally got a team to back him up - woohoo!

Let the second round begin!

En garde!

I just checked the score, and it appears that NJ took the series... IIRC, this means that the Sabres and Rangers meet each other in the next round *g* Jonesy, Twig - "let's get ready to rumble!" ;)

Whew!

Round 1 is over!!! I can breathe again. Until next week. Until, perhaps, the Twigster and I are locked in mortal combat.

En garde, mon ami!

Mme. Jonsey

Congrats Sabres

Congrats Jonesy and Zarzuela. You guys need to start worrying. If New Jersey wins, the Rangers are coming after you! And it won't be pretty!

One thing is for sure in your series, the Islanders played admirably up the homestretch. I know that Bubukiti is probably pretty disappointed, but her guys really rallied in a way that was pretty unbelievable.

Sniff Sniff.

I am so bummed out. Tears have been shed. Yah done good kids. Next year, when you're all growed up youngins, you will show them all what's up.
Love you Pens. I look forward to next season with yah.

'nuff said

please forgive me

for going off topic but in times of sorrow, sometimes it is necessary.

my family is organizing a knit project for the families of the Blacksburg victims. i invite you to join us in this effort.

Rangers Win!

I just joined thanks to Lesley. And I am a big Ranger's Fan. Tonight's game was awesome.

Rangers Lead Series 3-0

Tonight's game was -- well, it was -- A MASSACRE! Jonesy's second favorite team (the Thrashers) never quite started playing tonight. The Rangers won 7-0!!!

INSANE! And I loved every minute of it (except that 5 minutes that I let myself feel a bit bad for Atlanta).

OH man.

I just felt like I watched a slowly developing train wreck... and what a bloody mess it ended in.
Way to go, Pens. Way to go.

Television Rant

Once again, the play-offs are being broadcast on a different station. That means two things -- I'll be paying an extra $10 a month to get them, and, more importantly, I won't be able to hear the team announcers. And that sucks.

Team rivalries aside, I love Rick Jeanneret and anyone who's every heard him yell "Top Shelf where Mama hides the cookies!" after we score, would agree with me. I can turn on the radio, but there'll be a few second delay.

Why oh why do the owners do this? I know, more money for them with the Versus and TSN contracts.

But it sucks for the fans.

That aside (y'all know I can't help myself) GO SABRES!

Go Team Canada

Canada is playing Finland tonight here in Winnipeg - winner plays Team USA tomorrow for Gold. No tickets left and I couldn't even win one on a call in show - darn! So, while we wait for the playoffs to start - go Canucks - I am cheering on the women in the Worlds.

I used to like Peter Forsberg

But after last night Forsberg and Kariya played a large role in keeping my Avalanche out of the playoffs in about 10 years. Avalanche play the Flames tonight in their last game of the season - incidentally Calgary is who the Avs were trying to catch to get into the playoffs. Joe Sakic needs 3 points tonight to reach 100 on the season, which would be his sixth 100 point season.

Congratulations to Michigan State the NCAA Frozen Four Champions. After the Penn State Hockey season was over MFB was asked to broadcast Notre Dame Hockey's post season. He found himself at the Joe Louis arena where Notre Dame won the CCHA championship which sent them to the Midwest Regionals in Grand Rapids. Notre Dame lost that championship game to Michigan State.

MFB's personal hockey season came to a close yesterday. The dreaded home improvement scenario of husband on ladder, then husband suddenly on ground with broken ankle requiring surgery to insert pin has placed his hockey equipment bag in storage for the foreseeable future. We hope to get an appointment with the team orthopedic surgeon tomorrow morning and I'm saying prayers that the surgery can be done no later than Wednesday.

And just now the Islanders winning over the Devils in a shoot out has ended his Maple Leafs playoff hopes. Sigh...whose team to cheer on now? I'm sure Twig or Jonesy have a suggestion -snerk-

Rangers Finish in 6th Place

WHEW! For a while there it looked like we weren't going to be in the play-offs at all. But the boys played hard over the past month or so and here we are.

Actually holding onto 6th place was no thanks to the Rangers tonight. They lost against Pittsburgh. The only thing that saved 6th place for the Rangers is that the Thrashers beat the Lightning so they were unable to catch up to us in the point.

Super Sabres!

Okay, can I gloat? A little?

Top o' the Eastern Conference!!!!!!!!

I love those boys. (Yes Twig, I am old enough to be their mother. But the coach is a different matter!)

So, if Hasek pulls a groin muscle (I am down on my knees as we speak, hands clasped), we might be Top o' the League. *sigh*

Play-Off Challenge

Okay, we know that Buffalo will be in the first round. Anyone up for some wagering? I was thinking we could either do a charity-knit exchange, or local goodies -- for example, I live in wine country, or maybe some local yarn goodies ....

Who's in?

Since...

my Rangers fell so badly to Montreal Tuesday night I don't want to talk about that. *laugh*

But on the other hand, I want to make a hockey post. So here's my computer's desktop. Ain't that enough to make your heart go pitter patter?

Let me tell you why I hate the Islander's Organization.

Tell me if you think this makes any sense to you....it makes no sense to me.

Why would you start a goalie in a game that starts at 11:00am in Hartford, when you just sent him back to the AHL from the NHL after playing last night on Long Island?

Ok so he didn't start the game on the Island last night, but he played the 3rd period....ok almost the 3rd period. But it was a 730pm game, it was over around 10pm. So what that means...is he either didn't get home to CT from Long Island until close to 1am, then had to be on the bus to Hartford at 7am this morning.

Now tell me would you be upset that he let in 6 goals......NO!!! You really can't fault him for that. He was tired, and not ready to play. If they were goning to call someone up from the ECHL to be a back up, why didn't they just start our backup?

They wanted to put Dubie in because he normally plays better against Hartford.....obviously today this was not the case. I feel bad for him, and there really wasn't anything that he could do. He looked tired, he looked awful. And now he has to live with that terrible lose.

They are fighting for a playoff spot, and this wasn't going to help them losing this game today, because now they have dropped out of position......yet again.

11 games left in the season, and we need to win most of them and Albany to lose most of theirs. Let's go TIGER'S!!!!

UUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Holy Crap I just spent MONEY

Well a lot of money to me. The husband is going to Florida for a business trip so I'm going to be all alone this weekend with the dogs. What's a girl to do? Go online to Ticketmaster, and get a killer seat for the Bruins/Rangers game this weekend in Boston. I'll either be right behind the benches or right across the ice from them. I don't know which side they're on, but I'll be in the 4th row of the lower level.

Last time I went to Boston to watch them (the Rangers) play was before the strike. They lost but I got to breathe the same air as Messier. I'm hoping this time they'll win.

But here's the big question. My jersey is a Messier jersey. Can I wear it to the game even though Mark's number has been retired?

*laugh* Yep, a hockey fashion question.

GO ISLANDERS!

This is, indeed, a rare event. I'm rooting for the Islanders to win tonight over the Lightning. I don't have anything against Tampa it's just that if Tampa loses tonight and the Rangers win against the Flyers tomorrow night, that will put the Rangers into 6th place.

Two weeks ago I wouldn't have even thought that I would be thinking about play offs. We just may stay in the play off line up. There are only 9 games to go. Knowing the Rangers, it's totally possibly they'll tank and fall out of the play offs but my hopes that won't happen are high.

So GO ISLANDERS!

We're In, We're Out

Sunday the Rangers had made it to the 8th spot for the play offs. As of today we're in 10th place and not in play off contention (is that the right word?).

I'm relatively sure it's not going to happen for us this year. The only good thing about that is that I'll be able to suspend DirecTV a month early (I only have our account active during hockey season) and save some money. Truth be told, I'd rather have the Rangers in the play offs.

The Penguins Made a Deal.

The Penguins are not only doing well they signed a deal that will get them a new arena

For the first time I actually have hockey knitting to do. I am going to start teaching men's knitting classes at Knit 1 in Pittsburgh. The begining class will be a black and gold scarf.

I'm so glad

that I'm not an Islander's fan. I would have been mightly ticked off after last night's game. The Rangers were ahead by one goal and there was 20.4 seconds left and there was what appeared to many folks a goal by the Islanders. It was immediately waved off but the tape went to Toronto for review. I will admit that it sure as hell looked like a goal to me but the ref was right behind the goal and I'm guessing he had a pretty good view and he's the one who waved it off. The folks in Toronto deemed it no goal because it was inconclusive that the puck fully crossed the goal line.

As a Rangers fan (and we need the points), I was happy with the outcome. But I can't help but think the Islanders were robbed.

Points, glorious points

Firstly, hi. I am new to the blog- one of the people who couldn't join till after the Blogger switch. It is good to finally be 'here'.

Obviously it is too soon to consider a streak, though we desperately need one to stay in the running for the playoffs, but it was nice to see the Avs win so decisively last night. For me, it was a perfect Avs-style game- Budaj in net, Sakic making an unselfish pass instead of scoring his record-breaking point himself, and poor Lappy getting a point in spite of the denial against the empty net.

Now if only they can find a way not to implode against Detroit...

What Fabulous Fans!

The Evil Gary Bettman (evil since 1999 - the year of "no goal") fined our beloved coach $10,000 for telling the players to go out and show the Ottawa Senators that we won't put up with bad hits. I'm sure Lindy can afford it, but lo and behold, Buffalo fines have told him to put away his checkbook -- they're fundraising and will pay the fine for him! What a town.

And as far as the hit and the resulting brawl -- why wasn't Ottawa fined? Why wasn't the player who made the hit suspended? Is it open season on players after they pass the puck? I mean, we're turning into a Hansen-Brothers League!

venting venting ....

A historic hockey game and number 8

Today was a great day for Islander hockey fans everywhere. Today 2 things happend. Well actually three, but I'm not really going to count going to Long Island to see this all happen.

Today was the Islander's vs Canadien's in Nassau Coliseum, so we took the drive to New York for a 1pm game, and got to see a little history in the making.

It was a great game, the Isle's won 3-2 and Frans Nielsen scored his 1st NHL goal, a little earlier in the game he got his 1st NHL point with an assist from yet another Soundtiger (Jeff Tambellini) WOOHOO!!!

Ok Frans is the 1st born and raised Dane to play in the NHL so that in itself is some big news, but then to actually be at the game when he scores his 1st goal, that's just cool. I love historic hockey games. (God know's I've been to enough of them)

But that wasn't the only thing that happned today, with the win of Montreal, the Isle's overtake them in the standings putting them in the 8th seed which is a good thing, that means we have officially made it into playoff contention, I know it probably won't stay that way for long, but hey, its a start. If they keep chipping away they might actually make it up to 5th or 6th, and that would be just cool. Hey a girl can dream can't she

Best Game Ever!!!

What a game! What fights! BOTH goalies skating to center ice and dropping the gloves! 4 Sabres in the box. Game misconducts! And Lindy --- I thought he was going to go over the glass and nail Ottawa's coach for sure.

God I love hockey!

ps We won, too -- but that was just a bonus. And the same teams play on Saturday night. Stay tuned!

Bye Bye Play Offs!

Le sigh.
Tonight the nightmare happened that we possibly knew would happen, from the beginning of the season. Tonight HCI played at home against the Vienna Capitals, and it was a "direct game", meaning we desperately needed to win to get into the Play Offs. And oh, I was so sure we'd win, my bet was 8:2 - thanks God I don't bet for money... Yeah, right on - they lost 4:6. Even worse - all through the game, though they fought like mad, it was so very obvious that they just aren't good enough for the POs, they don't have the strength, the power, the depth of the team - nothing, they just don't deserve to get into the POs. And now they won't - they'd have to win the next, like, 5 or 6 games, and that's a thing that just won't happen.
Duh.
We got the 2 best players of the league, one more who's absolutely fantastic (3 Canadians, what else...) - but the rest of the team is just crap, friggin' crap. And as if this wouldn't be enough, our goalie is a §$&%!§%&§) loser.
I'm frustrated and hope this season will be over very, very soon ;(

Wow

The Rangers lost Saturday against the Flyers. It was a scary game. Lundqvist (the goalie) was hurt (not seriously) and taken out (The regular back up goalie, Kevin Weekes is out on Injured Reserve. So Valiquette was called up from Hartford. From what I saw of him, he's a cutie, too. *laugh*). Malik was injured and probably won't play for a few games. Ward was injured (he hurt his hand in a fight) but he'll probably be back for Sunday's game.

The scary part was Brendan Shanahan. He collided with the Flyers' Knuble -- both players were down for the count. Well sort of. Knuble was ok enough to leave the ice of his own accord (I have no update on his condition). Shanahan, though, was knocked out. It was probably only for a minute but it seemed like hours. They took him off the ice in a neck brace and body board on a stretcher. As they were taking him out, he was talking to Ramsey, the trainer and we'd seen him move his legs so we were hopeful that the injury wasn't debilitating. We got an update just as the game was over that he was alert, moving and talking at the hospital. I hadn't realized how attached I'd become to him.

Chicago fan, checking in!

Hellooooo Knitting Hockey Fans!

I tried joining before and with the Blogger transitioning and such i was unable to get in. Well, no more! I'm so glad that i kept you all linked in my sidebar and popped over from time to time. Whew!

I'm Suz, originally from the Chicagoland area, which would make me a Blackhawks fan( i know, don't say it!). We can all see and agree that the Chicago Blackhawks needed some representation. I'm also a fan of the Chicago Wolves of the AHL...and at least one of these Chicago teams has a bit of a successful history. We won't discuss the losing ways of the other so much, now...will we? ;)

Being transplanted to Maryland, i very rarely have a chance to catch any Chicago Hockey on TV, so i mostly keep up with newsletters, email reports and phone calls with Dad. To cure my hockey craving, i've been known to watch some Capital games and even some Penguins, Flyers...oh, ok, fine...any hockey will do, ok?!!

I've been a hockey fan as long as i can remember. I think i might have been around five when i saw my first live game at the old "Barn" in Chicago. The Chicago Stadium is long gone, but those memories are still alive. Dad and i spent many times in front of the 9" black & white TV in the bedroom watching games, when the OR-gan-EYE-zation, used to actually televise games and not be such a bunch of tightwads...but i digress.

On the needles i've currently got two different pairs of "Socks For Soldiers" and some personal knitting...a lace shawl and am about to cast on for a vest.

Anyway, Hello again. Happy Knitting and Game On!

~Suz~

Hockey Housekeeping

Any other hockey fans do this? On game night, instead of trying to get everything done before the game starts I do housework in spurts during commercial breaks.

Dishes to go in the dishwasher? No problem! I run down the stairs and pop a few in the dishwasher. Laundry? Run down the stairs to pop it in the washer or dryer. Bathrooms? I am living proof that you can clean the sink, toilet or mirror during a commercial break! Not all of them, but even one is pretty good. Wipe down the light switches and telephones? A breeze during commercials! Put together treat bags for the spawn's classmates? Heck I can do that during the game!

Vacuuming, cleaning the tub and making some food must wait for intermission but I'm amazed at how much I can get done during the games now.

My husband thinks this is hilarious but it breaks up the drudgery since the work is done a little bit at a time. Hey at least it gets done!

GO LEAFS GO!

Go Av's!

Hi everyone, I'm new to this blog and I'm so happy that I could sign in this morning! It must be due to the switch that it finally worked! Even better news, the Av's won in OT last night! Woo hoo! There were some very LOUD moments in my house last night! Not to mention I get so anxious in a close game, I managed to knit 2 washcloths (for a gift) during the game last night. Keeping my hands busy keeps me from yelling at the TV too much and waking up my 3 1/2 year old! Well, that's all for now. Off to take my little guy to his skating class! :)

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole

OMG....Sakic to Stastny, Stastny to Sakic, Sakic Scores. In Overtime.

I think Twig probably just heard my yelling. Sorry Twig.

Avalanche into overtime

Le Sigh. I am currently watching said Avalanche team trying to come from behind in the 3rd (after they were leading mind you)against Florida.

MFB's Leafs won their game tonight so y'know he's just going to laugh if my team loses. Again. At Home.

Our Penn State Icers had a rematch against URI (I try not to say Rhode Island) at home this weekend. And won both games. Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole. This is the tame that we lost the National Championship to last year. We're 4 for 4 this year against them.

Must go - the Av's just tied up the game and are going into overtime on a power play.

I feel better now

Last night I watched my Rangers blow a 3-1 lead against the Red Wings to end up losing 4-3. That was annoying but...

What made me feel better was to look at the teams playing tonight and what their wins and losses are.

I am very happy with the Colorado Avalanche because they mean that the Rangers aren't alone in playing only so-so. They have a 25-23 record. The Rangers have played one more game than they and have a 25-24 record. (Sorry Barb!)

The Rangers are playing again tonight, but this time against New Jersey. They, like the Red Wings, have a much better record than the Rangers, so I'm not super hopeful, but at least I'll have time to knit without nail biting excitement.

How is your team doing?

WARNING!

When I tried to log in I found that next time I do, I will have to switch over the blog. I can't put it off any longer. I'll switch it over either tonight or tomorrow.

moving the blog

I've been reading about this ...

We've had two requests to join in the past week and they can't join because of the Blogger issues. Apparently, it's ok to post to the blogs on the old Blogger if you're already a member, but it seems you can't join an old Blogger blog anymore. If I switch over the blog, folks with Blogger blogs on the old server will not be able to access the new blog unless they (A) switch over their blogs/accounts OR (B) they create a new account just for this blog and they can keep their old Blogger account for their own blog.

If option B is chosen I will need to re-invite you to the KAL.

Give me some feedback please. I know several of you use Blogger -- I feel better knowing that our switching over won't adversely affect your current blog, but would people be willing to be re-invited after creating a new account?

This is the link to the information about the switch. (We're a team blog, of course)

This is annoying!

I've had a request from someone to join the Hockey Knitter's Knitalong. You know what? She can't. Nope I'm not being a controlling witch. Blogger won't let her.

Turns out that all new blogs and blog members can only be on the new Blogger software. So no one can join existing blogs that haven't switched over and all new blogs are going to automatically be on the new server.

The way I understand it, I could switch the blog over to the new server now (since I never log in at the main screen I've not seen the notice myself) but that would require that the admin and probably all the team members have a gmail address.

I went down the list of members and it seems like most of us don't have one so we won't be switching over until we have to. And probably at that point it will be during the off season so I'll just change blog hosting if we do this again next year.

So...if you have a Blogger blog or are a member on any Blogger blog, you might want to check into this farther to make sure I have my information right. Since my main blog isn't on Blogger I haven't been paying a whole lot of attention to this. Perhaps I should have.

MVP

Briere! Rhymes with beer! I love that boy.

A couple things

Wow where has the time gone. I end up seeing so many hockey games in a week that I forget the particulars.

Penn State won both their games against Pitt this past weekend. Penn State is ranked #2 right now and I think Pitt was unranked which wasn't surprising. This was their first year D1 in the ACHA. Our Penn State team is doing well especially as at least 3 of our top players are at the World University Games in Torino Italy. How's Team USA doing? I believe they are 0-3. Wouldn't you know it the first team they lost to was Team Canada. Sigh. MFB is Canadian. So this is kind of like the Olympics at Chez Accident - y'know me: "USA - USA- USA" Him: "Go Canada Go".

His Leafs lost a couple times this past week, and my Avalanche won! Woo Hoo. I don't remember who either team played it's been a blur - wait, did the Av's defeat the Red Wings. I think so. Oh yeah, I almost forgot Leafs lost to the Penguins. What I saw was not pretty.

Here's something MFB and I have been talking about. What made Bet..... the NHL schedule the All Stars on a week night? There's no NFL this weekend. Wouldn't it make more sense for the All Stars to be on the weekend, they'd have more viewers with people looking to replace the football. Oh well.

And now for something different. Taking the lead from Dipsy's post on her blog I offer you a link to a quick hockey video which I think has been out for a while. WARNING: VERRRRRY STRONG LANGUAGE CONTENT I'm not putting this out there to offend anyone. On second thought, I'm new to this blogging thing and don't know the appropriate protocol for this. It's a video with Kevin Stevens & Brian Trottier of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Brian Bellows of the North Stars. If you'd like me to send you the link send me an email.

You Win Some ....

Well, the boys were off their game. Too many turnovers in the neutral zone, and I don't mean cherry or blueberry.

But our seats were incredible -- 7 rows from the ice, just to the right of the players' bench. I could even see that little vein that throbs in Lindy's temple (the coach) when he's angry, as well as the sweat pouring off Ryan Miller.

*sigh* It made me miss living in Buffalo for the first time since moving to the Finger Lakes. Now I'm thinking of buying a 10-pack of tickets next year when my sister moves back, and making the drive (2 hours each way) for the sake of the game. The game, yes. Not me and my obsession, but the game! That's it. The game needs us loyal fans!

So back to couch knitting -- my chemo cap is almost done; I'll post a photo next time.

PS The Labatt's wasn't half bad either!

Jason Krog - NYR

Jason Krog to the Rangers? Jason Krog???!!! *Breaks down crying* Man... Once, just once, to see these guys play in the Garden... Oh yes, I will!!!

Now THIS is Hockey!

Is anyone watching the Flyers/Penguins game? Wow, is it exciting.
My team, the MN Wild finally broke their on the road losing streak this week. Maybe it has something with Gaborik returning after a long injury break? Hopefully they'll keep it up!
I'm just about finished with my red scarf and I'm excited to send it off. I know someone will really appreciate it.
The pattern I'm using is My So Called Scarf by Stacey of Sheep in the City.

Off to see the Boys

Oh yeah! My good friend Anna has an extra ticket to tonight's game against the Lightening. Guess who's going to Buffalo!!!!

I'll try not to get arrested -- for having too much fun!

We lost to Toronto (did I hear rejoicing coming up from the Pennsylvania border, Barb?), but that was the second game in two nights, after a day of travel. So, I hope the boys will be on for tonight's game.

Dinner first at my favorite Buffalo restaurant -- Chef's -- for spaghetti parm, their specialty -- then on to the game.

No knitting at the game -- too hard to balance the beverage of choice (Labatt's), peanuts, nachos, etc., but I'm almost done with a chemo cap from watching the televised games. Full report tomorrow!

Too Much Hockey?

Is there such a thing?

Friday night was listening to MFB 's broadcast of Notre Dame's win over Robert Morris at the Mellon, while watching (without sound) my Avalanche defeat Tampa Bay 4-2. Then I found the Denver University Pioneers game on CSTV.

Last night was watching two hockey games (picture in picture). #1 MFB's Leafs aginst Jonesy's and Zarzeula's Bees. What is it with these guys? I mean they lost to the Penguinis (that sooo cracked me up - see Jonesys previous post) and yet the team from the city which is home to the NHL Hall of Fame couldn't pull out a win last night. They should have kept a couple of those goals they scored Thursday night. #2 Was my Avalanche besting Minnesota, sorry Carrie, in a shootout. I'm biased but my team looked pretty good last night. We have several weapons scoring this season, and Sakic still has the deadliest wrist shot.

What's on CSTV right now? Ferris State against Northern Michigan. I think it's an encore presentation. Later today, listening to MFB's broadcast of Notre Dame against Robert Morris from South Bend for their home and home weekend. Neither the Leafs or the Avalanche are skating today so I may get some knitting done.

WAIT - No. Hockey. Tonight? What will I do? What will become of me?

Good game Jonesy and Zarzuela - if this keeps up I'm going to put that on a recording. LOL

A Good Thing

We lost power last night, so I was spared the frustration of seeing my boys lose to the Pittsburg Penguinis. After losing to Ottawa. Hopefully, this is just a glitch in their quest for the "you know what" -- the trophy that shall remain nameless until my team's name is on it.

But tonight ---- Barb's Leafs meet the Bees! Let's hope the lights stay on!

Leafs win, again!

Holy cow, the Leafs just defeated the Bruins 10-2!! That included one hat trick and one in the making. The Bruins pulled their goaltender - too late and to no avail. It wasn't just the goalies fault. And of course what always happens when a team gets spanked that badly, things got a little chippy. A funny thing happened on the way to the win though, Belak got tossed from the game when he was in the penalty box and for some reason told the linesman something like "you think it's that easy, you try it" and handed the linesman his stick.

The Icers are still on holiday break. MFB and I were in South Bend at Notre Dame over New Years weekend where MFB did play by play for their hockey team - they won both their games over Northern Michigan. On the way home we listened to Penn State win their bowl game, and then listened to the Avalanche win their game (thank goodness for XM radio). We got home in time to watch the Leafs win their game. Then last night a good friend took us and some others to the Penn State basketball game for their Big Ten Conference opener against Northwestern and we actually won.

MFB is back with Notre Dame this weekend for a game Friday in Pittsburgh and then Sunday in South Bend for a two game series against Robert Morris. I have Yarn Crawl 2007 scheduled with some friends on Saturday because when it comes to stash size, I am a rank amateur.

With our travels I was able to get some knitting done but look what I found in my skein of Trekking. Yep, Knot very happy. Lucky I'm making a scarf with this, can you imagine that in your socks? KNOT. !!

Please remove me

Hockey is keeping me pretty dang busy, so I'm cutting down on the groups I belong to so I can have more time knitting & spending with the kids ....
Take care!