Puss-N-Boots

Some of you got the distinct impression that I’m anti-cat.  I can see why with all that gushing over the canine species.  The truth is that I adore the little purr monsters.  There’s nothing like the feeling of being completely owned by a cat.  That moment when they head-butt and mark you by rubbing their cheeks on you is a joyous one for us cat lovers.  It is not to be confused with the false sense of love they imply when they rub their bodies against you at dinner time.  That’s just an act to get you to feed them, they could care less about your feelings.  Until two years ago I always had at least one cat in my life, mostly two.  Robyn and I became friends 20 some years ago thanks to our common love for cats.  Unfortunately, allergy and asthma issues finally got the better of me and I had to say goodbye to kitties living in my house.  Turns out I like to breathe, go figure.  I definitely have a penchant for the Siamese breed.  I bred Seal Point Siamese cats in my youth, having pairs of females and males at different times.  Robyn introduced me to the Blue Point breed when we both chose kittens from the same litter that her sister owned.  There’s another story, for a later date, about a certain infamous cat which a number of us in this little hockey circle have lived to tell.  It will need to be co-authored and approved by Robyn but it’s worth telling at some point.  Most recently I shared my life with a Tortie (Tortoiseshell Colored Cat) who claimed me during a trip to PetSmart for dog food.  Torte, because what else would she be named, graced my life for two years before I was diagnosed with a severe allergy to cat dander.  It was very hard to do but I had to find a new home for my sweet Torte.  As an adult this was a living hell experience.  I can only imagine what parents go through with kids who get diagnosed and have to say goodbye to a loved pet.  These days I limit my kitty exposure when visiting friends or at adoption events at my local PetSmart and Petco.  And there’s always lolcats to keep me up to date with the feline antics I miss.  When you have cats, you have cheap entertainment. 

Puppy Love and House Keeping

For All The Dogs I've Loved Before -
It's no secret that I love my dogs.  I say dogs, because I'm speaking of all the dogs that have graced my life.  With love there sometimes comes a price.  Mine is being allergic to dog dander but that's very manageable with medication.  At the time I was diagnosed Buster was just six months old and Casey had just turned nine.  The 'men in my life' weren't going anywhere.  I've had a variety of dog breeds over my lifetime: Dachshunds, Irish Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labs - yellow and chocolate, German Sheppards, Dobies and these days English Springer Spaniels.  After eleven years, between Casey and Buster, I do believe I've found my breed for life.  There's just a strong connection for me with this breed and I owe it all to Casey Jones and my ex-husband.  Joe grew up with Springers and it was his choice when we were ready to bring home a puppy in 1999.  Casey was a Field Bred Springer and Buster is a Bench Bred Springer - the main differences being in height, weight, level of intelligence and energy.  Nobody should ever look at Buster as the norm for the Bench Breed - he's monster huge!  The vet refers to him as the "Large Specimen" and marvels over the fact he's a 60 pound lean and fit canine machine.  It must be all that frisbee catching during the day and chasing bunnies in his sleep.  Anyway – I’m partial to the English Springer Rescue America organization  ESRA.  They do an amazing job of fostering and finding forever homes for abandoned Springers.  If you’re ever looking to adopt a dog, please consider one of the dogs currently in their care.  For those of you who know my ESRA saga - Ray is still in need of a home.  You know that's just tearing me apart.  Sadly, there are a lot of dogs looking for homes but the good news is that you may just find your next family member at the local Humane Society MHS, or at one of the many local pet fostering organizations Pet Finder.  Summer really is the best time to bring a dog home so training can be focused and behavioral issues can be dealt with before the kids go back to school.  Let me know about your favorite rescue organization and I'll add to my list of Favorite Sites. 
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Clean House -
I'm not referring to the Style Network show where a t.v. team goes to somebody's filthy house and embarasses them on national television.  Do you have a product under your sink or in the laundry room that you absolutely will not live without?  For me it's OxyClean.  This stuff is freakin' magic, I tell you.  It does everyting listed on the package and then some.  I can't imagine being a pet owner without OxyClean.  Use it on your carpet or rugs - just don't add it to your home carpet cleaning machines as it tends to wreck the seals on the water tanks.  In the washer it's a great additive for the white load.  As a presoaker for spots and splatters I've never found anything better.  I got mustard out of my new white Twins shirt which is a prized birthday gift.  I really learned to love this product when I was working at the greenhouse.  My lime green work shirts would take a beating from sweating - think Whitney Houston.  I would come home literally caked with dried sweat/salt from the end of June through August.  OxyClean got those shirts spiffed right up.  You all know the specific area of the shirt I'm talking about - don't make me say it.  So, what's your 'can't do without' product or gadget?   

Wild Draft News

From The 2010 NHL Draft -
Chuck Fletcher stuck to his guns, keeping the Wild's only first round draft pick at #9.  How ironic is it that the ninth pick turned out to be a young man from Finland?  How ironic is that the Wild hope a certain Finnish team mate, who wears the number nine, will be this draft pick's mentor in just a year or so?  Things that make you go hmmm.  Here's Russo's coverage of Mikael Granlund: Wild's First Round Draft Pick 2010.  The Wild will continue on it's quest to rebuild through the draft today.  It still appears that GM Chuck Fletcher is still looking for just the right elements to make a favorable trade to fill the black hole known as our center position.  The rest of this years draft is being shown on the NHL network.  You can follow Russo on his twitter account or link up with TSN for their live feed coverage. 
    Oh - funny note from the coverage last night and I'm sorry Vicki, this may hurt.  The big hoopla this year was whether the Oilers would take Taylor or Tyler with the first pick.  The announcers (Pierre McGuire and Bob McKenzie) made such a circus out of who would be first.  The cameras constantly panned back and forth on these two boys hoping to catch some glimpse of utter disappointment from the one that didn't go to Edmonton.  Taylor gets the nod from the Oilers and Tyler never flinched while applauding.  With the drama of that over it was down to wating for the Bruins management to get up on the stage and make it official for Tyler.  As his name was announced, either Bob or Pierre - I couldn't tell which one, says "it's not a bad thing to be the 2nd pick, considering the bust some of the past number 1 picks have turned out to be - like ALEXANDRE DAIGLE."  I haven't laughed that hard since my meltdown over Wes on Monday.  I can't figure out if it was meant to make Tyler feel better or to be a cheap shot at Taylor.  I'm still chuckling over it this morning.
    Second funny note, just remembered - and please be sure you've swallowed your food and drink before reading further.  Each player drafted last night was compared to either a current day or retired NHL player.  For example, Mikael Granlund was compared to Saku Koivu, not bad.  When Brock Nelson was drafted the graphic showed he was comparible to James Sheppard.  Yep, they were referring to the Wild's epic bust, The One and Only: James I've-been-playing-hockey-since-I-was-3-years-old Sheppard!!  Wow, not exactly a ringing endorsement for Brock on the biggest day of his life, huh?     

I'm off to the deck where it's hazy, hot and humid - just the way I LOVE it!  Stay cool Wild fans and if you have to be out in today's weather be sure to keep yourself hydrated.   

       

Three U's, Deadheading, Twins Road Woes

Twins Territory -
Boy, it did not pay for Nick Blackburn to get out of bed yesterday.  Holy Light Him Up, Battman - Nick is in trouble these days.  Of course, there wasn't much in the way of offense so it's not like he had a lead to protect before getting yanked in the 4th.  What I don't get is why he even got to the mound in the 4th after that Epic Fail in the 3rd?  Hopefully Connie can shed some light on that one.  
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Team Work –
It’s often said that it takes a village to raise a child.  Sometimes it can take a village to throw a party.  I ought to know, I throw enough of them to understand that it’s all about timing and extra hands on deck.  Vicki celebrated her son Anthony’s high school graduation recently with some fine food and very artistic decorations.  Robyn and I went early to help set up and hopefully take some of the stress off for Vicki.  Since the three of us gals have referred to ourselves as the Three Stooges for many years it was no surprise when things quickly turned into a comedy of errors.  Not that we don’t work well together, we really are a great team.  Things just tend to go awry when we’re together. 
    Case in point: The Canopy Tent.  Vicki caught a great deal at the grocery store on this thing and it looked like a winner for sure.  We read through the directions which were obviously written by the good folks at Ikea – all pictures and no words.  After deciphering which poles slid into which end of the other poles, we laid them out.  We only changed our minds and lost track of which numbered pole we were working with a few times.  I’m grateful that Anthony wasn’t in a filming mood that day.  He would have gotten all the evidence necessary to have his mother and her friends committed to the nearest mental health facility.  While trying to stretch the canopy top in order to make Tab A fit into Slot B, we managed to practically snap one of the tent poles in half.  Something about one person’s entire weight pulling down on a skinny aluminum pole just doesn’t work out well.  Vicki’s husband Dan rescued us with a slim piece of wood trim for bracing and we duct taped that sucker right up.  To top things off, I absentmindedly went home with the directions for the canopy in my back pocket.  This caused Vicki to search in vain for them later that evening when dismantling it.  There were a few other hitches while getting ready for the party but as always, the Three Stooges prevailed in the end.  It just goes to show you – “There Is No I In Team…but There Are 3 U’s In Shut The Fuck Up.” **quote provided by one of Vicki’s co-workers**
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In The Garden -
Deadheading – When your early blooming irises, Asiatic liliess and spring bulbs are done, just cut back the stems or scapes.  The bulbs need to feed off of the foliage.  Once the foliage turns to yellow you can cut it down.  This is crucial to encourage the multiplication of your investment.  Since we're due for rain tonight, try to get outside beforehand to feed your potted plants and garden beds.  A substantial amount of rain helps deliver the plant food deep into the soil and makes the roots work to reach out for it.  If you've got the granular feed you can just sprinkle it on the ground around your plants.  Never sprinkle it on top of foliage and leave it there - you won't like the results. 
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Hockey, Puck Bunny Anonymous, Food & Gas, Garden Notes

There's hockey news to talk about people, come on in!  Here's a bullet point fact list and I'll insert a link to Russo's Blog for the details, in case you haven't read his stuff all week. 

• Bombardir accepts Director of Player Development with the Wild
• Dustin Byfuglien traded to Atlanta because Chicago is in deep cap doo-doo.
• Patrick Sharp probably not available for trade now...but you never know 
• Dino Ciccarelli makes it into the Hockey Hall of Fame
• Cammi Granato elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame (this is the first year women are being elected)
• Scott Niedermeyer retired
• Martin Skoula signed with Avangard Omsk of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League
• Russo's Latest Blog  includes info on players the Wild might be interested in during the draft this weekend

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Robynisms –

My dear friend Robyn is someone I’d give a kidney to if she needed it.  I love her with all of my heart and my life is so much brighter for having her in it.  She’s intelligent, funny, and generous. She’s also prone to saying things backwards and her logic processes sometimes leave you asking WTF?  According to her these “Robynisms” all stem from the fact that she was born breach.  There have been some hysterically funny conversations with Robyn over the years, many having to do with her inability to name parts of the human anatomy correctly.  I won’t go in to any of those but I do feel safe in sharing her reason for not being a coffee drinker. Most of us would just say we don’t like the taste of coffee.  Robyn went the distance.  Her logic process was to see if she could just drink black coffee, no sugar or creamer.  She feared becoming dependent upon the flavored condiments.  Her reasoning was that someday she would be someplace where sugar and creamer wouldn’t be available and then she’d be a wreck.  When asked where this place without sugar and creamer is located, all she could come up with is ‘camping’.  Okay, Robyn doesn’t camp.  Her idea of roughing it is a hotel without room service or free continental breakfast. But her logic is that if she ever finds herself at a remote camp site within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, she won’t be jonesing for a cup of coffee, with or without the cream and sugar.  I tell this story without malice nor a will to hurt Robyn’s feelings.  Her unique logic process is just one of the many reasons we all love Robyn.  It’s also one of the reasons I should really wear Depends whenever we’re together ;)
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Hello, My Name is Dee and I'm a Puck Bunny–

It’s official, there will be another restraining order issued.  I’m just a giggling, gushing little girl over this guy.  As Vicki and Robyn witnessed, much to my embarrassment, I completely melted into a puddle upon seeing Wes up close and personal.  Good Lord, that man just does me in!  It wouldn’t have been a Three Stooges outing if we didn’t screw something up, right?  This time I was grateful that all three of us forgot our cameras.  Thankfully there is no digital evidence to be posted online anywhere.  I completely turned Irong Range Red to match the Wild t-shirt I was wearing when Wes entered the Prairie Island Ice Arena.  When he brushed up against me as he made his way past me it was all I could do not to follow him into the restroom…sigh.  I don’t know who was in more trouble: me peeing my pants over seeing Wes, or Robyn and Vicki peeing in their pants from laughing at me.  Robyn later shared that she was concerned I might have fainted.  In fact, she actually compared me to one those fainting goats.  Not a swooning southern belle, noooo - a garbage-eating hooved animal.  That’s what best friends are for, right?  My undying gratitude to my two gal pals for helping me add to my already large (but not creepy, really) collection of autographed Walz memorabilia.  We had a great day together with lots of laughs (more peeing) and great conversation that won’t soon be forgotten or shared publicly due to mature content.  That, and there are just some Robynisms that can never really be transcribed appropriately.  A shout out to North Pole Restaurant for their great food, lively banter and history of the hanging Pinocchio.  I highly recommend the trip to Newport for breakfast or lunch sometime, you won’t be disappointed.  By the way, the red Wild t-shirt I was wearing…has Wes’s name on the back – go figure.
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Bang For The Buck –

For all of you Rainbow Fuel Perk shoppers: This Saturday you’ll get double fuel perks, plus it’s double coupon day.  Rainbow doubles the amount of five manufacturer coupons, up to $10.00 dollars, on Saturdays.  Make sure you check your coupons for the “do not double” wording before heading out to the store.
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In The Garden –
Who needs Asiatic lilies?  I've got tall and short early summer bloomers that need to be thinned out.  Give me a shout and I’ll send pictures if interested.   I have short red, yellow, orange and tall deep red/burgundy.   The daylilies need thinning as well but that will be later in the summer as they are just now throwing stems and buds.

Cheese, Movie Deals, Just Say No and Hockey Shopping

Who moved my cheese? Okay, it’s really the bread that got moved but it still applies.  They say change is good and typically I’m a roll-with-the-changes kind of gal. Just not when it comes to Target changing up their aisle sets.  I swear to God, nothing knocks me off my axis faster.  There I am standing in what used to be the bread aisle, turning circles and blinking my eyes rapidly, like that’s going to make the bread reappear. Has time shifted? Was the storyline from Prince of Persia actually on to something? Suddenly help appears in the form of a well-mannered young man in that familiar red shirt - I’m rescued! “Um, no ma’am, you haven’t succumbed to early onset dementia. You’ll find the bread in aisle 9 now.” Terrific, I’m totally locked onto the change in the bread location going forward, roger that. Change ain’t no big thing. It’s the usage of ma’am that I’m still reeling from.
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Stretching Your Entertainment Dollars –
I love going to the movies and I take in as many as I can but let’s be realistic…it’s not cheap to take in a flick anymore. For you parents out there, I can’t even imagine the hit you take in the wallet every time you drop the kids off in front of the theatre. Here’s something that can help save about six dollars per person, if not more. The Carmike Theatre has a promotion running called Stimulus Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, all shows, their small popcorn and small sodas sell for a dollar each. Their candy prices are also reduced to $2.50 each. If you combine these deals with the super value showing times there’s a good chunk of change to be rescued. This deal is offered at all of the Carmike Theaters. Okay, I admit to using my ‘big’ purse for movies in order to bring in my own soda and box of candy. But if you’re like me and you really love theatre popcorn, the deal on the small bag can’t be beat.  I do have to say that my first choice of theater south of the river is the CineMagic Atlantis in Burnsville. 
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In The Garden
I have a mantra I chant in the garden: Just Say No...To Weeds! Into every garden some weeds will grow. You can be successful in the war on weeds with a few simple tricks at the time of planting and throughout the growing season. You won’t have to spend hours bent over, pulling weeds by hand while trying not to step on the delphinium you’ve spent two years establishing. I don’t use plastic underlaying or weed fabric in my perennial gardens. I don’t believe in it for a number of reasons. That doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t use it. If you’d like to have that conversation with me, call or text and we’ll have a dialogue. I do believe in Preen. It’s a granular weed control product that can be used during planting, along with your all purpose fertilizer. It should also be used throughout the season to protect your beds from the invasion of weeds. For established garden beds you’ll need to eradicate existing weeds. Once that’s done, sprinkle Preen around all of your plants, no need to rake bake the mulch or rock. The granules will disperse each time you water or when it rains. Preen also comes in a ‘weed and feed’ formula so it’s time released for keeping weeds away and feeding your plants all season.
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Wild Shopping 
Our good friend and hockey guru, Dave, went to Select A Seat at the arena this week.  He participated in the seat swapping event and then did some major purchasing at the warehouse sale in the Hockey Lodge.  He doesn't strike me as the shopping male type so this was a surprise.  What will really blow your socks off is one of the items he bought.  I'm going to let Dave tell the tale, just waiting for him to send it my way for posting.   

Wild Things, Twins Win!, Official Start of Summer

Wild Things
The Lemaire Era has officially ended now that Mike Ramsey has resigned.  I'm sad, a bit shocked but incredibly proud and thankful for his years of dedication and professionalism.  I agree with Russo in thinking that we'll be seeing Mike in a coaching position sometime in the future and I wish him all the best.  You all know who I want to see fill Mike's position but I can't bring myself to say it out loud for fear of angering the hockey gods. 

OMFG, WTF, FFS!! Wild Re-signs Sheppard.  This is just Matt Foy Part II. I’m an armchair GM and coach, admittedly, but for the love of frozen vulcanized rubber - why on earth does anyone think Sheppard’s going to amount to anything worth more than a sweaty jock strap? It’s been four years and it’s not like we’re developing a defenseman. He’s a fourth line, sub-par center on a team who has maybe three players who could guarantee themselves a spot on the first line of any other team in the NHL. It’s official: Shep is the Whipping Boy for the Wild this coming season and you can bet he’ll be derided like Kuba and Skoula were before him. You think this kid lost his confidence last season, Chuck? If Shep doesn’t hit the ice winning every faceoff and scoring a point in every game you can bet you’ll hear about it, from the fans and the media. What I read between the lines is that Fletcher feels like he’s got to try to get some of the franchise’s money back on this kid. He’s hoping and praying to the hockey gods that Shep will, at the very least, be worth a mid season trade. So we’re stuck with this pile of ice shavings based on the amount of time and money that’s already been wasted. Seriously, didn’t we learn anything from buying out Parrish’s contract? Cut bait and run, Fletch! Ooookay…just took a deep breath and regained control of my blood pressure. Alright, I haven’t seen the details of the contract (one-way or two-way, incentives, base guarantees) and who knows what kind of conversation Chuck had with James and his agent upon signing. Maybe Chuck advised Shep to put his play where his mouth is (comments made under Lemaire’s regime) or he’s done. And besides, who says he makes it out of camp? Come on, Wellman! Come on, Almond!


Woo-hoo People! We’re talking serious hockey here in June, after the Cup! Gotta blend up a fresh pineapple margarita to celebrate. Please do take the time to read Russo’s blog since he touches on qualifying offers being tendered, Nate Prosser, Draft Weekend coming up, etc. and there’s just no need for me to rehash it when he’s already covered it. And he’s got an article on Boogaard’s future as well.
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Twins Win!
Props to the Twins and Scott Baker last night! What a great MLB debut over the last two games for Valencia – you have to feel great for the kid. Is it wrong that I giggle every time I hear Punto’s name…and then blush a little because I think he’s GrillMaster Hot? Delmond Young makes me cringe with fear on each play he makes, offensively and defensively, but I’m probably not alone.
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Summer Begins
You can tell it’s officially summer: no more going to Target in the middle of a week day for some quiet shopping. Kids: they’re everywhere. In all shapes and sizes but with one common factor among them – being glued to their cell phones, blindly shuffling through the walkways while chatting or texting a mile a minute…probably to some friends just two aisles over. The day suddenly became less sunnier with the realization that my public outings will be populated by these… these invaders of public outings. I quickly surmised the moms of these invaders aren’t any happier about it than I am. From the looks on their faces today at Target, Cub and Best Buy they are despairing over the additional hours they’ll have to spend feeding, entertaining and, in general, parenting them. One mom had five kids in tow and she was holding back the tears in her eyes. It was only 11:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the summer break. I couldn’t help thinking I should just throw out my anti depressants since my life is a friggin’ joy ride compared to that woman.

A Little of This, A Little of That

Twins Win, Twins Win!!  That's for Connie. 


99 days until Wild preseason...yes, I'm really counting


6 days until Wes Walz...woo-hoo!


The following blog update by Russo in the Star Tribune has some very interesting items.  Here are the two paragraphs that made me tingle all over...

"--The Wild also plans to hire a director of player development by the end of the month. The goal is to create a seamless pipeline between the Wild’s prospects and the NHL team. The director of player development will spend roughly a week a month in Houston and one to two weeks a month working with draft picks who are playing junior hockey or in college.

Basically, he’ll be the point of contact between the prospects and the organization. Duane Sutter did this in Florida, Tom Fitzgerald in Pittsburgh when Fletcher was in both cities, so you can bet the Wild's new director of player development will be a former player. …"
 
Russo's Rants
 


Movie Review
"I Love It When A Plan Comes Together" and for me, the A Team movie does just that!  I was prepared to be unimpressed with this t.v. to big screen conversion but found myself totally engaged and laughing out loud.  The original t.v. series was all about clever banter and unrealistic rescue schemes carried out in time to win the day.  The movie has both of those qualities taken over the edge but that's what a summer action movie is supposed to do.  This is not a chick flick, aside from having lots of scenes with the bare-chested, very tasty Bradley Cooper in it.  This is an over the top blow 'em up, shoot 'em up, kick the shit out of the bad guys movie.  The only downfall for me were the less than realistic CGI effects.


Prince of Persia - I didn't ask for my money back, but I don't think anyone would have argued with me if I had.  I'm sorry Jake, you stunk in a movie that surrounded you with stink.  Not that I'm an expert on anything Persian, but I found myself wondering if any of the actors had the accent right since none of them used the same one.  As far as the plot or the storyline: It was like watching The Mummy, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future and Pirates of the Caribbean all at the same time.  No wonder I was nauseated.  I've felt better after combining tequila and wine coolers in one evening, but I digress.  
              
     

Garden Tip
Are you tired of running a Bunny Bed And Breakfast and offering up a Bunny Buffet every day in your gardens? As my neighbors can attest to, I subscribe to the Elmer Fudd approach in dealing with those wascally wabbits. This may not be your cup of tea. In addition to the pellet pistol (complete with a laser beam sight) I also use another product to help keep the furry critters away. I refer to it as Bunny-B-Gone but you’ll find it in most gardening departments under the names of rabbit repellent, small animal repellent, rodent repellent. The main ingredient in this product is fox urine. I know what you’re all saying right now – ewwwwww! Seriously, this is the stuff that keeps Thumper away from the foliage and flower buds you’ve so diligently coaxed up and out of the frost line. This product comes in both granular form to sprinkle around and in a spray bottle to drench plants with. Pick up both and rotate using them every two weeks or so. I’ll warn you: the spray smells BAD for a day. It is, after all, fox urine. If you can spray in the evening the smell will be gone by the next day. The granular form is just sprinkled around each plant you want to protect and it’s good for a couple of rainy days or a week or so of normal watering. Coyote Urine – another must-have product you’ll find on my gardening shelf in the garage.

Welcome To Game Six!

Pronger takes the first penalty of the game…teehee. The Flyers just don’t look like their heads are in the game. They’re not playing horrible but there’s no energy so far. Buff Daddy with a power play goal to put the Hawks up 1-0 with less than 5 minutes to go. Hawks follow that up by going to the penalty box themselves. The Flyers buzz the net but they get no shots on goal. With one minute left Hartnell scores on the Flyers 3rd power play to tie it with 20 seconds left in the first period. Will the Flyers regain consciousness and come out ready to play in the second period?


I’m just going to shut up now and let the game play out…every time I open my mouth the Flyers come out and make me eat my words. What a play by Hartnell to score on the turnover – grrrr, an assist to Pronger. Total garbage call on Hossa for goaltender interference to negate their power play for 40 seconds but Patrick Sharp gets the puck from Bolland and scores to tie it up again. The Flyers are struggling again, even while on the power play. The Hawks are shorthanded but controlling the puck the Flyers end. Hartnell is delivering big hits and blocking big shots but still the Hawks are dominating the game. Chicago has 25 shots, Philly has 11 at this point. Make that 26 shots by the Hawks as Ladd tips it in for the 3-2 lead with just under 4 minutes left in the second period. The Flyers are falling apart here, taking another penalty with under 2 minutes to go. Chicago will come back in the third still on the power play…and that’s all I’m saying for now.


Third period starts off with the Flyers killing off the rest of the penalty. Chicago continues to dominate. Philly has zero shots on goal this period and we’re at the 13 minute mark. It’s not that they Flyers haven’t driven to the net, but the Hawks are playing better in front of Niemi. I’m clock-watching now and there’s way too much hockey left. I just want this sooo bad for Chicago. Wow, Niemi actually held onto a puck instead of bouncing out a rebound. Crap, less than a minute since the last time I looked. OMG – Niemi just got friggin’ lucky on a just-wide shot by Briere. Flyers coming on strong now. Under 7 minutes to go. Come on, Chicago – clear the zone! I’m yelling at the t.v., because that works, right? Another shot on goal for the Flyers with Niemi holding the puck. Under 5 minutes and I’m a wreck due to Philly deciding to show up NOW, of all times and Nooooooooooo…Flyers tie the game. Now here comes the Flyers on a 3 on 2. Chicago falling apart now, just icing the puck time and time and time again. Finally, timeout for Chicago to catch their breath at the 1:22 mark. It works in that the Hawks finally clear their zone and drive to the Flyers net. The clock ticks down, Hossa gets one more shot off but we’re heading to overtime.


I’m going to have a heart attack – it’s like watching the Wild self destruct. Huge turnover by Duncan Keith and by the grace of the hockey gods, Niemi keeps the game alive. I think the Flyers have more shots on goal in these first two minutes of overtime than they’ve had in the 60 minutes of regulation. Chicago finally gains control and into the Flyers zone they go. Kane takes an unlikely shot from the wide right side of the net that goes in so fast you can barely make it out on the slow motion replay. HAWKS WIN THE CUP!! First time in 49 years, way to go Chicago! Bettman booed – one of my favorite things. Conn Smythe trophy goes to Toews. Here comes the CUP – I have goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes. Chicago fans deserve this. How can you not be happy for this young team? Okay, I’m not that happy for Marian The-Team-Hopper Hossa. John Madden’s 3rd Cup, Duncan Keith giving up 7 teeth, Ben Eager getting the cup over his former team.  Congratulations, Hawks!