Ducks Gameday -- Happy Blogniversary!

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 12:21 PM PST

Dallas Stars (13-8-8, t-7th in west) at Anaheim Ducks (10-13-6, 15th in west), 7 pm
Anaheim Calling and Defending Big D more game-relevant perspectives.

Well, with the Ducks still winless in December I figured today was a good opportunity to do something distractionary. Plus it's a big date on the blog calendar -- exactly one year ago today, us misfits at Battle of California packed up our bags and left the old blogspot home to relocate our silliness to SB Nation.

Thank goodness I didn't make this cartoon about regular season dominance.

It's been a pretty crazy 2009 for the ol' BoC, and while this isn't really the blog's true birthday (that's in May, mom), it's nice to do something besides bitch and moan about the Ducks' current failings. It certainly helps that the past year was highlighted by the first ever playoff meeting between BoC squads, of course, which was huge -- added plenty of fuel to the divisional fire and gave me a permanent Twitter background, too.

This past year has had plenty of drama from all sides, though -- fake intra-BoC trades (Pronger to the Kings, Marleau to the Kings), actual blockbuster trades (Heatley to the Sharks, Smyth to the Kings, Pronger to the Flyers), emerging young stars (Doughty, B. Ryan), a wealth of superstars (Kopitar, Getzlaf/Perry, Thornton), and even the ill-fated Presidents' Trophy, which is still quite an achievement. It's been a blogger madhouse, that's for sure -- there's been optimism, pessimism, prognostication, superstition, bets made, bets paid, and even squirrels!

Plus it's been a good year for State Rapes, too -- victims include Chicago, Columbus & St. Louis, Edmonton, St. Louis (again) & Boston, plus even the surreal California-on-California -- what a busy year for porno-cartography!

What's in store for Year Two? Already the BoC drama gods are stirring again -- the Sharks have annual questions that can't be answered before April but are killing the regular season, the Kings are learning to deal with the newness of on-ice success and overall relevance, and the Ducks are coming to terms with the comedy of repeated suckitude. Over the next year we've got Olympics coming, a stretch-run and playoffs for two of the teams, and then a Ducks-heavy entry draft conveniently hosted in L.A. Exciting times.

Overall, I have to say that I'm very pleased with the year at SB Nation -- BoC is still a square peg in a network of round holes, but that's fine by me -- I'm glad we've been able to keep up the nonsense and randomness in the new digs, even when aligned with much more "legitimate" blogs. Plenty of thanks to Rudy, Mike, the rest of the occasional writers, the tolerant SBN folk, and of course the awesome commenters and readers -- you guys are aces!

Here's to a great Year Two. Feel free to share your overall thoughts or favorite moments about BoC-at-SB-Nation in the comments. Then pour a drink later and join the game comments when the Stars ~~beat up~~ play the Ducks.

Prediction: Shockingly, all three BoC teams offer plenty of intriguing storylines over the next year as well. Stay tuned!

Go Ducks.

Poll

One year in, how do you feel about BoC moving to SB Nation?

I'm glad that it happened.

34 votes

I miss that "Anonymous" commenter guy. He was hilarious.

25 votes

Shrug.

23 votes

82 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 62 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

rudy doing the tombstone bit on the ducks player was classic for sure

and state rapes are just gold

and the Ducks are coming to terms with the comedy of repeated suckitude

i think i just did after losing the last couple games…i conceide the season is lost..but ill still watch…i want to see what the young guys can do i hope they call up as many as they can…get rid of everyone expect ryan,getz,perry,(one of the goalies)….so trading deadline will be a hoot..and of course watchign the next Douche trick is reason enough…in the meantime this lost season will also force us to be more creative in comments and posts…nothing like a pressure to bring out the best in all of us…

oh and go ducks tonite..try winning a game its fun..like a cheap feel when a hot chic has to squeeze through a tight area to get by and accidently rubs your johnson..it was unexpecting but oh so good…thats what a win wold be like tonite

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 12:42 PM PST reply actions

get rid of everyone expect ryan,getz,perry,(one of the goalies)…

Well, not everyone. But yeah, in terms of who should not be traded, you’re not far off. I think the list is Ryan, Getzlaf, Perry, whichever goalie doesn’t get traded first, and Selanne. We still owe Teemu his own virtual no-trade-clause.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

hes gonna be the first in the rafters right? isnt this a foregone conclusion?

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

He figures to be first, though probably a necessary first step is that he actually retires — he’s been quite shaky in that regard.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

maybe he pulls a michael jordon and retires then comes back 2 years later and has to go back to #13 again lol..

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

oh and go ducks tonite..try winning a game its fun..like a cheap feel when a hot chic has to squeeze through a tight area to get by and accidently rubs your johnson..it was unexpecting but oh so good…thats what a win wold be like tonite

It’s comments like the one above…all of the cartoons, and joining together in one place to bitch and complain/cheer and celebrate.

This is one of my must visit sites everyday.

Thanks Earl…and all of you other BoC’ers! :)

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 8, 2009 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

SK’s pretty much said it all. Thanks, BoC!

by g r a c e on Dec 8, 2009 5:31 PM PST up reply actions

BTW, if anyone really enjoys the act of internet voting, I survived to Round Two of the Ducks Blog-Off, along with Anaheim Calling and Ducks & Pucks. A good listing of other Ducks bloggers, though.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 12:45 PM PST reply actions

Also, the OC Register Ducks blog is running a poll about who was the Ducks’ best player of the past decade.

Shockingly, Sammy Pahlsson isn’t even a voting option — I’m actually quite perplexed about that; he’d have been my choice for sure.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

when u consider they have andy mac and salei on the list yea. also…that true…

they must be in short supply of the earl sleek goggles

how did mowers not make that list!!! no pavel trnka?

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 12:57 PM PST reply actions

I really do miss Anonymous . . .

When is Mirtle gonna get that guy on SB Nation?? I guess he doesn’t want to pigeon-hole himself. I see his work everywhere. He’s such a megalomaniac, but almost always hilarious.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Dec 8, 2009 12:59 PM PST reply actions

Heil Hiller

The sheer wrongness of the Heil Hiller phrase and subsequent t-shirt is my yearlong highlight. Sleek, did you ever actually wear that in public?

by Mike Chen on Dec 8, 2009 1:02 PM PST reply actions

Sleek, did you ever actually wear that in public?

Basically, no, unless you count the time I wore it under another shirt and only allowed quick peeks.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions

How much alcohol do you need in your system to show it off in all its glory?

by Mike Chen on Dec 8, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

Depends on the audience — if it’s a hockey crowd, it’s much easier than having to try to explain everything.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions

I’d give you a hundred bucks to walk down Fairfax Ave. on a Saturday wearing that…

by yeah_eric on Dec 8, 2009 3:30 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

hey thats were cantors is…best place to roll after late nite in hollywood…um sleek u shouldnt go in there either with that shirt on…

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 3:43 PM PST up reply actions

or for more than $100…?

You can call me CK...Spade does. GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Dec 8, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

I’ll up it to $250 if you go into Canter’s and ask Rodney Bingenheimer for his autograph while wearing that shirt…

by yeah_eric on Dec 8, 2009 5:40 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

who was taking the quick peeks?

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 1:18 PM PST up reply actions

A few people from the choir — it went off all right, but I wasn’t about to put it on full display… yet.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

good thing u dont sing in a synaguoge

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

heil hiller

As you will recall, I lobbied hard against that one.
While will concede that (T)H®iller is much more pussified, it also does not offend an entire people.

by GordonBombay on Dec 8, 2009 5:04 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

having said that

I DO want to see the shirt.

by GordonBombay on Dec 8, 2009 5:06 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

to give some love to the sharks blogger..hsi coming up with the “evil anaheim sleeks” had me laughing for hours

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 1:24 PM PST reply actions

Feels like Thanksgiving ...

I am thankful for all the laughs you guys have given me

oh god … can’t do this … I hate sappy shit … :)

just keep doing what you’re doing and we’ll keep coming back for the abuse … :)

GO SHARKS!

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 4:06 PM PST reply actions

Yyyyyeah Defending Big D and barely being able to post regularly on CLS itself has been a dual deathblow to my BoC posting, but perhaps there will be something to stumble on in ’10. Somehow I think the blog is doing just A-OK without me, though :)

When I'm not battling in California:
Cycle Like The Sedins

by jamestobrien on Dec 8, 2009 4:09 PM PST reply actions

no u are much needed…i cant be the only drunk dufus here

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 8, 2009 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

Then pour a drink later and join the game comments when the Stars ~~beat up~~ play the Ducks.

Oops — change of plans for me, at least. I won’t be around for game comments tonight. Instead, I’m going out to a bar with some buddies and we’ll watch the game from there. I’ll stop in later, though.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 5:47 PM PST reply actions

okay … I’m here … ready to watch a game … :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 6:53 PM PST reply actions

Done,

this game is.

Because I use mouthwash. And sometimes, I floss.

by brokenyard on Dec 8, 2009 7:29 PM PST via mobile reply actions

still early

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

I’d agree if it was the Ducks that were leading, the game could turn against us at any point. But once it starts its way downhill, I stop trusting our luck.

Because I use mouthwash. And sometimes, I floss.

by brokenyard on Dec 8, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

Yup, the problem with the thought of a Ducks comeback is that we’ve seen this team attempt it before.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 8:50 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

hey … how did they score 2? tried different feeds and after they kept cutting out, gave up … so was watching tv with my youngest … still time to tie it up I see tho

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions

and there they go … 62 left and they tie it up

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 9:21 PM PST up reply actions

seconds that is

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

not that I’m a ducks fan … as we know … but eat your words … :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 9:32 PM PST up reply actions

My brain just imploded.

Because I use mouthwash. And sometimes, I floss.

by brokenyard on Dec 8, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions

they spent so much time down at the Stars end there, surprised they didn’t have more shots and / or score

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality? (boycott Hollywood!)

by ang6666 on Dec 8, 2009 7:39 PM PST reply actions

DAN SEXTON TO THE US MEN’S OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM.

God I love him already.

"Concentration, not strength." - Gordon Bombay

by Wild Wing on Dec 8, 2009 9:21 PM PST reply actions

Big Sexy!!!

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 9:22 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Big Sexy...

Dan Sexton : Bill Paxton
Ergo…Big Love

by GordonBombay on Dec 8, 2009 9:31 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

He earned the name tonight. Pure awesomeness.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Dec 8, 2009 10:55 PM PST up reply actions

He looks like a younger Andy Mac.

by g r a c e on Dec 8, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions

Well, my hardened little heart was not expecting that.

by g r a c e on Dec 8, 2009 9:21 PM PST reply actions

SAKU!

"Concentration, not strength." - Gordon Bombay

by Wild Wing on Dec 8, 2009 9:32 PM PST reply actions

WOW WOW WOW WOW!

by g r a c e on Dec 8, 2009 9:32 PM PST up reply actions

One of the benefits of being a shitty Anaheim team is that you get to make Marty Turco your bitch every once in a while.

Thanks for taking a point from one of our competitors, Anaheim!

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Dec 8, 2009 9:33 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for taking a point from one of our competitors, Anaheim!

hahhahahhaha

nice play RK

by Mike in OC on Dec 9, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

koivu wins

That was not the right choice…but i’m not giving that one back.

by GordonBombay on Dec 8, 2009 9:33 PM PST via mobile reply actions

by the by

The “Heil” shirt was not nearly as bad as I thought. Glad I won’t have to turn you over to the Anti-Defamation League. And I think it’s ironic that you smoke like a stack in your Prius. You pompous-polluter JA.

by GordonBombay on Dec 8, 2009 10:18 PM PST via mobile reply actions

And I think it’s ironic that you smoke like a stack in your Prius.

Circle of life, dude. I’d live healthier in a Hummer, I suppose.

And yeah, seems the lucky charm for the Ducks is me wearing a Heil Hiller shirt when Giguere gets the start — go figure.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 8, 2009 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

For the record, I’m a Jew and would be happy to rock the Heil Hiller shirt. Then again, I don’t have any shread of decency either

UNRELATED: Handel is the most overrated composer ever...

by Bleys on Dec 9, 2009 1:33 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

and you never spent time in a concentration camp either i’m guessing.

people need to lighten up a little.

by Mike in OC on Dec 9, 2009 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

good game by sextonious…the sex monster…big sexy…that guy was working his sex y arse off the last 2 games…it finally paid off in a big way…the guy looks like hes 12 yrs old but shit

and what got into lupul? maybe the guy just neeed some time off

and la chupacabra is progressing a little bit…RC putting him on the PK..seemed like he did all right…Gayward mentioned La Chupacapra wanted to be the ducks top shut-down center…somewhere I know earl shifted in his bar stool…maybe took a shot or somthing

dont like the goals given up by jiggy except the cross ice one…he needs to have a better game againt the wings

festerling also coming around a little bit..he was rentlentless getting the puck on net

lastly perry only got one part of the douche trick and he took a run at turco late in the game..(my favorite part of the douche trick by the way)…i love that classic look on his face…like i didnt do anything

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 9, 2009 7:29 AM PST reply actions

Ahhhh, no video needed today. =)

I still think my favorite post is the Letters From the Fans. State rape is always great though and I’ve really enjoyed all of the comics.

by JohnQPhats on Dec 9, 2009 8:00 AM PST reply actions

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski has been suspended for two games for a forearm to the head of Andrew Ebbett of the Minnesota Wild

some things never change hehe…poor ebbet…lets hope big sexy had better reflexes

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 9, 2009 10:37 AM PST reply actions

has

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 9, 2009 10:37 AM PST up reply actions

Is it time yet to make one of these for Wisniewski?

How To Score on J.S. Giguere 09-10 edition.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 AM PST reply actions

hahahaha…i think so…

ok arthur im starting to come around on your whiz hate..not there yet…but going in that direction

anaheim ducks now feature the sex monster...lock up your daughters!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 9, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

I’m not happy that his mistakes are biting us in the ass. I just don’t like the characterization of him as a solid physical defenseman. He’s an offensive defenseman who happens to check and block shots (though as he’s been injured doing both and should really stop). His decision making isn’t great, and he can’t control guys on the wall but you have to forgive those things as long as he’s scoring and his mistakes aren’t ending up in the back of the net. Once those wells dry up, it’s Ozolinsh City.

That being said, I think he’s still got flu symptoms, because he hasn’t even been seeing the puck clearly lately.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Dec 9, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

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Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	49	29	14	6	64
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	52	25	17	10	60
Dallas Defending Big D	50	26	22	2	54
Phoenix Five For Howling	51	22	21	8	52
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	51	19	24	8	46