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Off Season Rumors Begin!

Posted on May 21, 2009

Bruins Ducks Hockey

While we wait for the inevitable Pens vs Red Wings II, I am starting to hear all sorts of rumors. Now I must stress that they’re only rumors, but I like postulating as much as the next bum does so lets get on with the tabloid talk!!

First off, for the record I think Adam Lambert should not only have won American Idol, but he needs to immediately start touring with Queen. Is it just me, or is that the closest Queen will ever get to having someone that sounds like Freddy Mercury? Unfortunately, people are still afraid of the alternative sexual orientation liberation army and fear that a vote for Adam would have brain washed America into kissing the person next to them and becoming a deviant. (Sigh) OK, back to hockey!

First story I saw yesterday was a story from twitter that “Sk” had “Tweeted” in which the Neidermeyer brothers’ agent was interviewed on Vancouver radio. I’m paraphrasing but basically the interview says that the brothers do not have to play together but it would be nice to have them play for Vancouver, either as a package or individually. Wouldn’t that be crazy? The Neidermeyer brothers on the same team as the Sedin Twins? Sounds like a Circus Act! Anyhow, from what I am hearing, Scott will more than likely re-sign with Anaheim. Robbie is another thing. Although he is more likely to re-sign with Anaheim as well, I would not be surprised to see him go to either Vancouver or New Jersey. Yes, Robbie; that’s who I am talking about.

I’m also hearing that Rob Blake might be interested in coming to the Ducks. The one weighing factor is whether or not Scott stays in Anaheim. The reason being is that if Scott retires or leaves, that will leave room to keep Beaucheman. If that happens, Blake is a sure thing in my book. Blake brings with him a big physical presence, veteran experience, and hard shot from the blue line. It’s the closest you can get if Scott leaves. Plus, Blake was the only consistency the Sharks had in the playoffs, so he is a proven force to deal with.

Other rumblings? Travis Moen might make an attempt to come back to Anaheim; I personally would not sign him. I don’t think he brings anything to the table. Mike Knuble form Philly? I would definitely take a look at that possibility. Plus, I still say there will be a huge attempt at trading Jiggy to either Toronto or Philly during the off season. it will be interesting to see what happens, but just like the trade deadlines, rumors are just that…only rumors.

Popularity: 23% [?]

A Letter To The Ducks…….

Posted on May 12, 2009

Dear Anaheim Ducks:

I am writing to you today to ask you for a favor. I keep reading comments in the papers from members of the Ducks saying that your level of play was below average and that everyone knows they can play at a higher level, yada, yada, yada. It sounds almost like the team was on cruise control, and did not play at a more intense level. This has been something that has been done all season. This team has fallen behind in games only to suddenly turn up the level of play and pull out a victory. This team seems to think, that by playing at a sub par level, they can still squeak through and win. Well, here is my favor I am asking of you. If your plans are to win tonight and just try and squeak out a win in game 7, then don’t bother. Even though we beat Detroit twice, the stats showed that we should not have. When Detroit has beaten us, we look like we should not be on the same ice with them. Point being, win or lose, Detroit plays hard all the time. So, either you play hard tonight and in game 7, or do me a favor and just roll over, and pack in the season. Play like champions. Play like you did against the Sharks. Just Play hard for 60 minutes. Clear your heads, win the next two games, or go home.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Frankies back!

Posted on April 8, 2009

So the big news today is that Frankie Beauchemin is going to make his return on Friday. It seems like just yesterday he got injured. The thing i want to focus on right now is how much of a blessing his injury was. If not for the mishap, we never would have seen Bobby Ryan this season. Its possible, he could have been cut loose at the trade deadline! regardless, Ryan became the impact player that he is today and hasn’t looked back at his golden opportunity to shine. This Ducks team has had to deal with many injuries this season, and i think because of that, we’re a better team. Dealing with adversity builds character…and this team is loaded with characters for sure! So welcome back Frankie….we hardly missed you! Now get to work!

Popularity: 11% [?]

Tough breaks, Idiots and a moron

Posted on April 6, 2009

Last night was a great example of the old saying in boxing that that says, “Don’t let it go to the judges, knock’em out!” Last nights game went to the refs. Did they win the game for the sharks? maybe….did they steal the game from the Ducks? Possibly, regardless…the game should have been won in the 3rd period decisively….but a series of unfortunate events unfolded that were in the form of stupid penalties. the biggest one being the delay of game on Chris Pronger. It was a dumb penalty but in the heat of the moment, could not be avoided. those are the breaks. Is the season over for the Ducks….not yet, but the next 4 days are going to be very annoying. The Ducks will sit idle while everyone else passes them in the standing….or not. Something tells me the pressure will be too great for Nashville and St. Louis and they wont have favorable outcomes…but that’s just a hunch on my part.

Moving on to other news, I want to say great job to George Parros. He’s actually being considered for the Masterson Award for the improvement he’s made as a hockey player and as a humanitarian off the ice. Great job George, I’ve enjoyed your much improved play this season!

And finally…a word about FSN and Lindsey Soto. She has got to be the most annoying commentator on the FSN crew ever! Is she drunk? She sounds like she can barely finish a sentence without slurring her speech, and worse…she interrupts people after she’s asked them a question!! I was watching last nights telecast and Bryan Hayward could not get a word in edge wise without Soto cutting in on him. Hayward’s the Sports Illustrated color commentator of the year! You would think Soto would let him talk don’t you think???? Instead i think she is so hammered (allegedly) she’s keeping her little pee brain entertained by hearing the sound of her voice. I could see that Hayward wanted to strangle her with his microphone cord, but being the true pro that he is…he didn’t. She’s lucky Hayward’s built up a tolerance working with weirdos like Johnny “I love Pink” Ahlers! (Just kidding Ahlers!)

OK…I’m done with my rant….now lets sit back and watch what happens. As far as I am concerned, I will be rooting for Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit and Minnesota all this week!

Go Ducks!!!

Popularity: 8% [?]

Where do I start?

Posted on April 3, 2009

Wow. what a game. If last night wasn’t a good preview of things to come, i don’t know what is. The Ducks played like an elite team. Sure there were too many goals scored…but for today’s post i wont focus on the obvious negatives. instead I am going to write about everything that was great last night.

Score First!- I love the fact that we drew blood first by scoring the two goals right away. it seemed like before they started scoring we punched the life out of the entire arena! I could almost see the look on the face of the dude that sat next me when i was in Vancouver shaking his head saying, “Darn these Ducks, they’re doing it again.”

Return the favor!- At one point it seemed like the scoring would never end. As Ducks commentator John Ahlers said, “Don’t go away from you t.v. because you just might miss another score.” Although Hiller was being bombarded by goals (slightly negative observation), I love the fact that the Ducks kept returning the favor! “First one to 10 wins!”-John Ahlers

Brendan Mikkelson- this kid really shined last night. it was one momentous play where he took the puck and designed a play that included Teemu scoring off Luongo. As soon as Mik got the puck, i could see where he should be going with it, and then he did! He was a play maker last night, and I think he showed us a glimpse of the hockey player he can be.

Guts- the last two games the Ducks have shown they have guts. Last night i cant recall if it was the wiz, or someone else but they took a shot and had to leave the ice only to come back. Todd Marchant took a puck to the chest against Edmonton that floored him, only to have him come back in and part of a scoring drive minutes later.

The new guys and Bob Murry- Christianson, Noki, Wiz, Brown, Brokeback…they’re all kicking ass! Bob Murry said it a while back. he said we had the tools to win but something just was not clicking. Something was missing. Duck fans were mortified at the deadline when we traded Moen, Sammy, Huskins, Montador and Morrison crying certain defeat for our team. Since then it has been virtually night and day in terms of results. Balls of steel folks.

Getzlaf and Perry- The wonder twins. It took a while, but they have arrived.

Bobby “F’n” Ryan (Cheers)- This kid is for real. I hope someone in the front office already has the new contract all filled out, less Bobby’s signature.

Hiller- i cant help it but to ask the question, would have won with Jiggy in goal last night? I must be totally honest, i thought it was time to pull Hiller after Vancouver scored their 3rd goal. “Crazy” Carlyle stood by his goalie and left Hiller in net, and ultimately won the game for us. Hiller is not only nails in the shootout, but becoming so comfortable now, i think he is ready to raise his game to the next level (I’m not going to say it)

Andre Ebbet- The new improved Andy McDonald. This kid’s speed kills!! he is fast, feisty and is all over the place. he’s annoying and has grit. I am really impressed with this guy and he has definitely helped Teemu’s play improve.

Miller- *see Andrew Ebbet comments

I’m going to stop here….if i continue i think i may end up congratulating the entire team. Bottom line is that last nights game was a barn burner and the Ducks played like a championship team. The next 2 games are big, in the sense that is could be a 1st round preview of things to come. I know the talking heads were drooling at a “Battle for California” conference final in 2007; and they would love nothing better than a playoff match up between these two teams. This might be the year it happens….or not. Whatever the case may be, Saturday and Sunday will war for the Ducks and Sharks.

So that’s all for now, but before i go, the good luck ducks are in my pool again….that’s all I’m saying. Go Ducks!!!!

Popularity: 7% [?]

“Curse you TEEMU!”- Sith Lord MacTavish

Posted on April 2, 2009

Grrr...

I could not help it but laugh nervously after the refs deemed Teemu’s stick legal. I give credit to Super villain MacTavish for trying! Ron Wilson got us the last time he ordered Teemu’s stick be measured so why not try it again? Lucky for us, his gamble failed. His face was priceless. He looked like Lex Luthor after being duped again by Superman! So classic.

Moving on…tonight is another MUST win. Actually, scratch that. As long as the Ducks continue to play like they’re having fun, I am happy. They are playing very well as of late. In fact they look like the 07 team again. No matter what happens, I still say Bob Murry made a great move in those 5 trades! Tonight we have the Canucks. Its a mellow arena, and they definitely respect us there as i learned on my trip to Vancouver this year. It should be a good game, and as long as the boys are having fun we should be OK. I like that every team around us in the rankings has been losing and getting hurt. Every little bit helps. So lets see what happens tonight….Go Ducks!!!

Popularity: 7% [?]

What a save!!

Posted on March 29, 2009

OK so the Ducks fell to Oilers. So What? We got one more game against the to get that one back. Jiggy let go 4 goals on 7 shots…..Big Frick’n deal! Hiller came in and continued his stellar goal tending. The Refs let go some penalties…..forget it! We have a 4 minute power play plus many other opportunities….it just was not going to happen. So what are the facts? that scumbag Roloson had one hell of a game. Sure i can complain and cry, and blame this guy or that….but i also appreciate the fight to stay alive and Dwayne “I can kick any net off it’s post” Roloson was on! He stood on his head and kept the Oilers in a game that was more a playoff game than anything else. See my last past….anything can happen. So for tonight’s game against Colorado? Well if the Ducks enjoy these Playoff-like games so much….the real ones are even better. So the order for tonight? Win if you want to stay in it. Go Ducks!

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Chelios a BlackHawk!!

Posted on March 27, 2009

According to http://twitter.com/nhlsecrets Chris Chelios will most likely be BlackHawk next season. In what capacity? That is still unknown, but NHL secrets says is a “Promise.”

Popularity: 11% [?]

3 down, 10 games to go!

Posted on March 24, 2009

I have not written for the last three games because I’ve just been sitting back and watching things unfold. Its been an interesting time in Anaheim ever since Disney left town. 2 Western conference championships; 1 pacific division title; a handful of playoff appearances, and 1 Stanley cup. when you take a step back and look at that resume which by the way, this is within the last 7 years, its not that bad. There’s an old saying that goes like this….”to the victor belong the spoils.”

We’re become spoiled with success. whether you think being eliminated from the playoffs is a good thing or not, its still a treat when your team makes the playoffs. i was watching NHL on the fly, and one of the talking heads said, this is an exciting time; the race to the playoffs is on now! They’re right! there’s nothing more fun than watching the scoreboards! there’s nothing more nerve wracking then losing a game that you know will come back and bite you in the ass at the end of the season. Brent Severn said the other night, who would have thought that tonight’s Ducks vs Nashville game would have so much on the line, as it does.

yes folks, the playoffs are an entirely new season. as we all know, the top teams have all the pressure, as statistically teams 1-3 should always be in the cup finals. I’ve witnessed number 7 and 8 seeds, knock #1 and #2 teams out of the playoffs with one OT goal! (Look back to the 02-03 ducks eliminating defending champs red wings in triple overtime!) I still remember cursing Chris Pronger and the Edmonton Oilers for their constant bending of rules only to eliminate us from the 2005-2006 playoffs! Man I couldn’t believe the day we got Pronger! And who can forget the Dallas Stars last season eliminating us in albeit quick fashion. One thing for sure, even with all the small success we’ve endured in the playoffs, the great ones are the one we remember the most! 2007 and the first ever Stanley Cup in California. What a season that was.

This year everyone thinks there might be another California Cup, although the team name rhymes with the Cran so say larks, anything is possible! that’s what i hold on to every time we’re good enough to be in the playoffs. as great as we were in 2007, anything could have happened! Scott could have missed that goal that sent us to OT and the eventual win! Teemu could have whiffed the puck he shot, allowing Hasek to make the save! Alfreddson could have put Scotty’s eye out that would have sidelined our Captain and maybe the series! Luongo might have paid attention and blocked Scotty’s wrist shot, then passing across the ice to a Sedin to score for the win! Roloson could have been penalized for constantly knocking the net off it place, that led to a Ducks Power Play goal for the win! OR….Buffalo could have gone to the finals, like everyone said they would, for a Miller vs Miller Thriller in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals. Anything is possible!!

While the ducks are still trying to get into this years playoffs, its becoming a mini playoff as we speak. Hopefully the boy can stay strong and keep their heads up. there are only 10 games left. As one analyst said on NHL on the fly, “The Ducks are a team that no one wants to face in the playoffs.” OK, good; we’ve got them right where we want them! Now lets sneak in boys…quietly. I still say we’re deadly in a best of seven series. By tossing some dead weight at the trade, we got back what we had in 07; Stanley Cup hunger & some new young blood. 10 more games to try and make the playoffs…..after that? Anything can happen!!! Go Ducks!!!

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Lesson one: If you want to score…….

Posted on March 15, 2009

Shoot the Mother F*%&N Puck!!! You know ever since that OC register or LA times paper came out where Getz said he’s not used to shooting…I’ve really had this incredible urge to Choke him out! Are you kidding me? One of the sweetest things about 15 is how he takes out the trash and shoots puck in the nets. OK, so your a passing dude….so why the frick are you passing at ghosts? Did you see something we don’t see? Are the ghosts of NHL’s past calling for a pass on the ice, because you sure as S#$%T aren’t passing to your team mates.

Moving on…..your in a doctors office, and the doc walks in the room with the test results. he looks at you with a sad look in his eye, not knowing how to break the news to you. he starts by saying “I’m sorry to tell you this, but it’s terminal…you have a specific form of cancer…it’s called TEEMU FRICK’N SELEANNE!!!!” The immediate effects are but not limited to little to no shots on goal, mishandling of the puck, passing to anyone wearing a sweater different from your team, trading away anyone that plays with him on the same line and losing battles along the boards. That’s right, your team is suffering from a form of cancer that is killing your team. Your only hope? Extract him during the summer!

Finally….tonight’s game was labeled as a must win. As i sat and watched the team play, i thought this team looks good, they’re moving fast, winning battles, shutting them (GUPPIES) down, doing everything right. Then i realized there was only 1 minute left in the game and wondered…where are the goals? Well my question to you at the beginning was simple….the answer is even more simple than that. And its not what you think it might be. The answer is PLAY LIKE YOU CARE. The Ducks continue to play like a team that is still trying to prove they have what it takes. Problem is, they do not need to prove it to anyone. They’ve always had it. They just don’t care about anything else.