Ducks Gameday—Lucky green shirt goes upper deck
by Earl Sleek on Feb 2, 2009 7:10 AM PST
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PrintBuffalo Sabres (26-19-5, 7th in east) at Anaheim Ducks (25-22-5, 5th in west)
For some Sabres pokes, see Die by the Blade
Well, according to the Sports Club Stats playoff odds site I referenced on Saturday, if the Ducks can pull out a victory tonight (regulation or OT/SO), their playoff odds will move above 50% for the first time since before visitng New York. And to help solidify the chances of victory, I'm bringing the lucky green shirt to the Honda Center tonight -- though I'll be nowhere near Row B. It's upper deck night for the Sleekster!
Section 435, Row H, for any potential beer buyers or well-wishers.
Congrats are certainly due to Teemu Selanne, who notched the game-winning goal on Saturday as he passed Steve Rucchin for the franchise leader in games played. Even with Selanne's injury, it's stunning to think that the Finnish Flash went 3 1/2 months between even-strength goals. I suppose it's worth mentioning that neither of his even-strength tallies has occurred with Brendan Morrison on the ice.
Also worth congratulating? Ryan Getzlaf, who led all NHLers in January scoring, Scott Niedermayer, who led all NHL defensemen in January scoring, and Bobby Ryan, who led all NHL rookies in January scoring. Let's see if one of them can burst through the east coast bias to get mentioned in the NHL's 3 stars of the month.
Prediction: Will J.S. Giguere sit again? Doesn't matter, Ducks win 5-2. Goals by Rob, Corey, Bobby, Sammy, and Steve.
Go Ducks.
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Whoa, and in former coach news
Guess that “sloppy seconds” thing wasn’t working out so well in Ottawa.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Who is Craig Hartsburg?
Well, nice the Sens decided to fire their coach immediately before they play the Kings. Maybe the team will be so depressed over his termination that the Kings will win 6-1.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
Hartsburg was the Ducks’ head coach from 1998 – 2000, and was referenced in my irreverent reaction to the Sean Avery suspension.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Slumming?
The economy’s hurting eh Earl?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Yeah, my Row B seats only get me to the game five or so times a year. Every once in a while I’ll pick up an odd ticket here or there to be a little more regular, but I’ll tell you — Row B does spoil a man.
Still, nice every once and a while to get to see the whole ice surface in person. The rinkside view does have its blind spots.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
It is nice. I’ve heard a nice saying that goes “There’s no such thing as bad seats, just better seats” Not true at Angel Stadium (some seats face the wrong way) but I’d say at any Hockey stadium that would probably be true.
One thing that has nothing to do with seat-location is that I think it’s easier to evaluate a player’s skill in person. On TV its harder for me to say “Wow, what a great job” unless it’s something obvious like a Bobby Ryan hat-trick, but for things like defensive plays, seeing the game live really helps you appreciate that sort of skill.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
I’ve heard a nice saying that goes "There’s no such thing as bad seats, just better seats"
Yeah, that’s got some truth to it. I’m not the most experienced rink visitor, but before I was a Row B regular I cut my teeth on the upper deck. There’s certainly some beauty in seeing a play develop from up top — that’s something you rarely ever get to notice from Row B.
Basically, Row B gives you the ability to watch one or two people very closely, which is unique and cool, but I always feel like the games I see the least of (in a sense) are the games I’m sitting the nearest. If I were ever to explain hockey to a newcomer, I’d have a much easier time doing it from the upper deck than in the lower bowl, at least.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Basically, Row B gives you the ability to watch one or two people very closely, which is unique and cool
And the ability to get a picture with Marc McGwire, which is unique and… well, unique.
But I got a picture with Jose Canseco at a Philly’s Best (back when he was with the Long Beach Armada) before a game. I don’t know where it is, but who got the better steroid user?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
I’ve heard a nice saying that goes "There’s no such thing as bad seats, just better seats" Not true at Angel Stadium (some seats face the wrong way) but I’d say at any Hockey stadium that would probably be true.
Haha, this is also Not True of Nassau Coliseum, where the very highest of the upper bowl seats have partially obstructed views, because they’re sitting underneath the luxury boxes, which jut out and are closer to the ice. So it’s like watching the game with your head right up against the ceiling. There are TV monitors placed around that top area, because you can’t see the Diamond Vision thingy…or the far end of the rink. Ask me how I know…
Not True of Nassau Coliseum
Excellent advice. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I attempt to mark that locale off my list. I don’t forsee that happening any time soon however…
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Yeah, plus, since they were just here this year, it’ll be… wait, with this not-so-unbalanced schedule, when’s the next time the Ducks will play in NY? At least a couple of years, right?
It could be next year. I don’t really understand the criteria, but the Rangers were one of the Ducks’ east coast “rivals”, where they played in each arena (also: Carolina, Buffalo). I have no idea whether they are going to stay consistent with next year’s format, but if so, the Ducks could be back in New York next season.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I suppose it’s worth mentioning that neither of his even-strength tallies has occurred with Brendan Morrison on the ice
Yes, it was worth mentioning.
Prediction: Wll J.S. Giguere sit again? Doesn’t matter, Ducks win 5-2. Goals by Rob, Corey, Bobby, Sammy, and Steve.
I like the first names…it makes it seem like you watched the Super Bowl with them yesterday.
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
I was at a Super Bowl party, but I didn’t watch much of the game. Even when football’s exciting, I’m bored.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I’d find the NFL more exciting if I had a team to root for, but they’d need to be from Anaheim. I can’t root for a San Diego team.
For the SuperBowl I was rooting for the Cardinals as I have a lot of family in Phoenix.
Also, I noticed this:
Plus the fact that I was already aware that:
And the Suns don’t count because Pittsburgh doesn’t have a basketball team.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
Funny story about the Penguins, actually. Of course, when they were founded in 1967, they originally wore the powder blue jerseys. When they changed shortly thereafter to the gold and black, the Boston Bruins protested (or at least challenged the switch), saying something along the lines of “those are our colors; they can’t copy us!!”, the sour bitches that Boston residents/sports fans are. The NHL said something like “too bad, the Pirates and Steelers wear those colors, so they can also”.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
I particularly like the part where he talks about waking up one day and realizing that his game is gone. Yes Penner, you woke up in Edmonton and realized you left whatever game you had back in Anaheim with Getzlaf and Perry.
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
And it’s not even just a change in linemates that I think hurts Penner — seemingly Ales Hemsky should be a good linemate, also. There’s also a large burden of expectation for the guy who cost the Oilers both money and draft picks, and there’s no Selanne line to hide behind that will draw the opposition’s best checkers away from Big Boy Penner.
I’m not terribly convinced that Penner is a different player today than he was for the Ducks, but there’s a huge difference in being a minimum-wage 2nd line passenger and being a top-paid 1st line star. Unfortunately for Kevin Lowe, Penner hasn’t made that jump (which I’m not sure was realistic to expect), and because of the high-profile nature of the acquisition, it’s naturally been a focal point for Edmonton’s struggles.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Sorry, Getzlaf and Ryan
If you wanted a star of the month, should have played your hockey on the east coast. Geography definitely matters more than silly things like points totals.
Fortunately, some voters remembered that Scotty Niedermayer used to play in the eastern conference, so he got a nod.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Well Langenbrunner did have three GWG in the last three games, and the last two were in OT. And he kicks ass for the Devils on NHL 09. Although I do often play on the same line as him.
Anyway, I don’t think it’s as much of the fact that they play in Anaheim, on the West Coast, as it is a "what have you done for me lately? kind of thing. Remember, Ryan’s hat trick was back on Jan 8, three weeks ago.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
“what have you done for me lately?”
Well, it’s not like Ryan has fallen off the map — he scored points in 12 of 14 January games, including each of the last seven.
But I’m not really going to get on the league’s case for Bobby Ryan — there’s enough NHL forwards that scored at his pace. Why Ryan Getzlaf’s league-leading 19 points in January doesn’t get a mention is a bit baffling. If he were on the east coast, I think he would have been a lock.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Section 435, Row H, for any potential beer buyers or well-wishers
Well, my seats for the game on Feb 18 are in section 442, and if memory serves, it’s in the corner. Is 435 like right above your Row B seats?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
Is 435 like right above your Row B seats?
I actually have no idea — I haven’t checked out the Pond’s section scheme for these seats yet, and I’ll probably just get surprised by where the seats are located tonight.
Section 442 on Feb. 18? Still no action taken, but now I have written that down.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I actually have no idea — I haven’t checked out the Pond’s section scheme for these seats yet, and I’ll probably just get surprised by where the seats are located tonight.
You’ll probably get so drunk it won’t matter.
Section 442 on Feb. 18? Still no action taken, but now I have written that down.
I just found out today that I’ve got a test on that day for my counseling class (WTF?!). The class is from 11:00 to 12:30, so it doesn’t interfere, but if I don’t feel confident that I did well on the test, you’ll recognize me as the Kings fan swearing out Denis Gauthier, whether he’s in the lineup or not.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
whether he’s in the lineup or not.
Yeah, that one may be iffy. Any word when the NHL will decide or announce Gauthier’s suspension? Based on comments at Mirtle’s site, I’m hearing it could be hefty.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Ask and ye shall receive. Gauthier gets a five game suspension.
You may get to swear out Gauthier in person after all.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Sean Avery wouldn’t play for the rest of the season, but for something way more mild.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
The NHL screwed the Kings over with only a five-game suspension. I think Gauthier should’ve received at least 10. But my assessment is based on the fact that I hate him, not because of the severity of the play (which I have yet to see).
On the other hand, the league is doing better for the Kings. Dustin “I’ve got a big penis, and I’m proud to show it” Brown got zero games for a hit on Ribeiro, John “how am I not in the AHL” Zeiler got two games for a hit on Foote, and Denis “FUCK YOU!!” Gauthier gets five games for this hit on… who was the Habs player, anyway? Never heard of him.
Anyway, it seems that the NHL is actually trying to help the Kings. They are keeping Gauthier away for a couple weeks, and Brown didn’t miss any time. But I think the NHL should’ve done us a bit better, and given Gauthier a 10-game or a Chris Simon-length suspension.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
I’m at the Flames game on the 11th, in section 430-ish
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
Whoa
Is this really the blueline (more or less) that the Sabres will be putting in front of Lalime tonight?
Lydman-Rivet
Weber-Paetsch
Gragnani-Butler
That’s kind of crazy. Other than hearing the name “Paetsch” before, I have no idea who’s outside the top pairing.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
hahaha, phew…I thought I was the only one who’s never heard of those guys before!
I bet right now…they’re saying the same thing about our own Blueline though…
YIKES!
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Haha, so true.
Mikkelson? As in, Phil?
Montador? As in, that Chilean pop band from the 90s?
Festerling? From The Addams Family?
Montador? As in, that Chilean pop band from the 90s
who knows something like that?
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Grace is referencing my Montador post from December, I’m pretty sure.
A BoC exclusive — you’ll never get obscure YouTube musical puns from the Canadian Press.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
ohhhhhh, yes I do remember that! Damn…I thought it was priceless that you knew of a Chilean pop band. DAMN! Many laughs over here!
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Well, Festerling and Mikkelson are new, but the rest of the Ducks’ blueline have been in the league for years. Maybe not all household names, but the rest of the blueliners have all been in the cup finals this decade.
If the Ducks get up to four “never heard of these guys” blueliners at once, that’d definitely be scary.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I think it's a very good stratagy
at the rate these Ducks give first time NHL players thier first goals that blue line could score 6 goals tonight.
No kidding. They should probably bench Rivet and Lydman and scrounge up some more rookies, just to be safe.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Hey, has Drew Miller scored yet? Even if he has, there’s some potential for some good brother vs. brother drama tonight! Have they played against each other before?
Yea last year. The Ducks won.
Rumor has it goalie Miller (damn, I can’t think of his stupid name right now) isn’t going to be playing.
I thought there would be an equal chance that Drew Miller would be a healthy scratch again tonight?
After last years game, they both waited around on the ice to hug each other too. aw.
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Hey, has Drew Miller scored yet?
I’m pretty sure he’s gotten an assist but no goals this season.
Even if he has, there’s some potential for some good brother vs. brother drama tonight!
Well, except that the Sabres will be starting Patrick Lalime tonight, and with Marchant a possibility, it may be that neither Miller sees the ice tonight.
Have they played against each other before?
Yeah, SK’s answer.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Also, damn, it is too much working trying to get those asterisks to show up. There’s got to be an easier way…
sleek didn’t you say the key was not to enter a space?
*hm?
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
I think the key is to enter a space, actually.
If you do:
[text]*word*[/text]it doesn’t turn out right. (I subbed the < > for [ ], of course.)
And, after that game with the original asterisk shenanigans, I noticed that formatting guide next to the “Preview” and “Post” buttons.
- still didn’t
- help with
- the asterisk question
- though
(psst…it’s Ryan Miller, btw)
Thank you! I just kept thinking David or Brian…then I’d think Drew and I KNEW that one was wrong!
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
It's even better when you consider...
that Gragnani is a converted forward. Weber himself just returned from an injury, Butler is green (but playing well so far, minus the Calgary game), Paetsch was a healthy scratch (but went kind of nutty and tried to fight twice last game, go Patches), and I think that covers it.
Honk if you love Justice!
"I'm betting that I'm just abnormal enough to survive. "
Man I really want to watch this matchup tonight. Too bad I’m overseas in a timezone where puckdrop is scheduled for noon and I’m stuck here at the office. A year and a half of being outta the country and not being able to watch the Ducks, or hockey for that matter, is taking its toll. I did, however, get to catch a game at the Phonda Center last year against the Yotes back in October when I stopped by home on business…only to see our boys get schooled 4-1.
Sis, you gonna me watchin the game on GAMECENTER? Might try to sneek a peek with your account to keep me from fallin asleep at my desk after lunch. You know how i do.
Don’t know if you’re aware of it, but there’s always atdhe.net. No logging in to your sister’s account required.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
Thanks for the reference. Unfortunately, my office server blocks a majority of foreign IPs. I have a friend back in Socal who actually hooked it up with a slingbox which allows me access to satellite TV on my computer, but the application doesn’t work at the office….that and the resolution is pretty poor for watching hockey since it’s harder to pick up the puck amidst the white ice. I find myself having to anticipate the play more from the players’ sticks and positioning which can get pretty tedious, but I make do!
How’s the resolution on atdhe.net though? I’ll give it a shot on my network at home…
RED WINGS WOES! I’m lovin it.
Man you know Detroit’s in trouble when they can’t handle the Blues on home ice in regulation…a Kariya-less Blues on that note. :) hee.
Hey, cut him some slack, he’s new. ; )
Oh, and Echo, I checked atdhe.net, and the resolution is good. As good as GameCenter Live. (And call me Grace. “Sis” is weird! You never call me that!)
What ever the score, tonight is a win. Because Carlyle finally pulled his head out of his ass and healthy scratched The Black Hole.
Don't bRuin your life. Make love with a Trojan
Not a very nice thing to call Pahlsson.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
Huh? Or was that sarcastic?
Sammy had the flu… = not healthy.
Don't bRuin your life. Make love with a Trojan
Lucky green shirt
I think Temujin must always regret losing that bet to you. It brought you luck though! 3-2 Ducks. (Damned Quacks)
Its power comes through the strength of Canuck fan tears. :)
Anybody know anything about Bobby Ryan? I know he left and came back, but he wasn’t on the bench for like the last ten minutes. I suppose I could go check.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I’m a little curious myself…didn’t see anything, or hear anything.
I DID see the back of the famous green shirt! I didn’t realize it was you sleek until you had passed me…puffin away!!!!
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Well, the gamesheets show that Ryan took two shifts in the 3rd — the second one ended with 14:33 remaining in the third period. He wasn’t benched, though — we scanned it thoroughly. Maybe it was past his bedtime.
The green shirt strikes again!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Maybe it was past his bedtime.
I’m crossing my fingers for that one.
I didn’t see him either. He did his fair share of cussing after that 2nd…hit…puck in the face? whatever it was…i clearly missed it
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
He ran into Hedican in the third period, right? And got checked pretty hard at some point, too. Can’t remember if it was before or after the collision with Hedican. Hope he’s okay.
I seriously didn’t see it. next thing I knew, the guy was limping to the bench again. Poor guy
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Yeah, the collision with Hedican was ugly. Only got one replay, but it sorta looked like head-on-head contact. Not at all sure how that happened. And the check (by Kaleta, maybe?) really knocked the wind out of him. It happened in the offensive zone, and it was clean. Ryan had just gotten rid of the puck, and his head was down, and he got flattened. As he was skating across the ice to the bench, he serendipitously screened Lalime on a shot.
And the wrist injury? Lalime’s cut (via Kunitz’s skate), maybe?
Anyways, on the game: some to like, some not to like.
- I was stunned that the Ducks played some 50 minutes of hockey without going shorthanded; probably those referees should be fired.
- I’m getting generally tired of Brett Hedican not doing simple tasks like catching passes.
- The game started with a pretty lackluster building and I’ll continue my recommendation that the Ducks move to 7:30 starts.
- I caught Selanne battling for pucks like three times tonight. Good to see.
- Most uttered phrase tonight: “Does nobody respect the whistle anymore?”
- Power play probably got better than it deserved tonight, but it has been great for a while now.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Nice use of the bullet points.
I was stunned that the Ducks played some 50 minutes of hockey without going shorthanded; probably those referees should be fired.
I too couldn’t believe this. Plenty of PIM, though, from all the fisticuffs and other such tomfoolery.
The Ducks are up there in the league PIM charts, if they don’t lead the league. If the Sabres didn’t get many powerplays, at least ANA still got their fair share of penalties.
Funny thing is the Times was saying how this game pits Selanne against Vanek, the Top 2 in PPG. We didn’t get our first powerplay until like four minutes left in the second period.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
Well, nobody seems to be saying anything about Bobby Ryan's late 3rd period disappearance
Nothing I’ve seen so far, at least. I guess that’s a positive — if it were something big and serious I think it would have been addressed.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Also, Bobby Ryan not shockingly wins NHL Rookie of the Month for January.
The slightly shocking bit? That the honor is Anaheim’s first ever.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I’m pretty sure he was just banged up in general.
People who save up for a rainy day are like milk. And milk goes good with cookies, so you should have those people over for cookies.
We’ll have to wait and see, I guess. I’m also a bit worried about Pahlsson. Flu-like symptoms sounds innocent enough, but we should remember that Pahlsson used to ride a multi-year iron man streak. I doubt flu-like symptoms would have kept him out of a game back in that stretch, and yesterday was an important enough game, so perhaps it’s code for something worse.
Ah, who knows anymore? I’m turning into a worrywart thanks to all this non-disclosure and injury-lying.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I’m also a bit worried about Pahlsson.
Look for some incorrect predictions this coming road trip, I guess.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
That sounds shady. Maybe he caught mono from Steve Mason …
Don't bRuin your life. Make love with a Trojan
That may not be wrong.
A viral infection will sideline Pahlsson for the next two weeks, at least.
Goddammit.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
58 | 31 | 20 | 7 | 69 |
|
Phoenix
|
60 | 30 | 21 | 9 | 69 |
|
Los Angeles
|
60 | 27 | 21 | 12 | 66 |
|
Dallas
|
60 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 64 |
|
Anaheim
|
60 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 60 |
(updated 2.22.2012 at 5:56 AM PST)
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