Stars 4 vs Wild 2

Well, let’s see.

Otter’s back.

Tobie’s in.

Mr. Mittens is back and on a roll.

It’s pregame and we are treated to an interview with Antti, I’m glad things are going so well for him, just not tonight, please!  That is followed by an on ice interview with our own little ice troll, Steve Ott.  I’m so glad to see him back!  I think his team is glad to have him back, too.  He’s going to be on a line with Avery.  I don’t like it when those two play together.  They just end up getting penalties and not getting any offense going.  We’ll see.

Of course our focus will be on Tobie to begin but I just saw the stats for the two teams.  If you had told me a few weeks ago that the teams were 3-4-1 and 6-0-1, who would you have thought those stats would belong to?

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Stars score 13 seconds into the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brenden Morrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Otter is back on the ice!  Wahoo!  And he gets a penalty right away.  Oh, brother.

And Bergeron scores on the power play.  Boo.

Stars burn up their first power play off an interference call on Bergeron.  Razor points out that Richards leads the team in faceoffs but not much else.  Then he sets up Otter………..

IIIIIIIIIIIcccccccccceeeeeeeeee TTTTTTTTTTTTTTrrrooollllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And then Mr. Richards decides to score himself!!!  Go Brad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ribeiro has a lovely breakaway but can’t beat Backstrom.  This comes after Richards has made a pretty steal but goes high on the net.  Wow, all the steals look like the Wild have been watching the Stars video a little too much and have taken on their bad habits.  Meanwhile the Stars are looking so much more like their old selves.  They are hot, hot, hot right now.  I hope they don’t cool off too much during intermission!!!

1st Intermission

And we are back!  And the Wild have switched goalies.  Well, well, well, good going guys!!!  Harding is in goal for the Wild now.

Bergeron goes to the naughty box again, this time for tripping.  Let’s see what our power play can do this time.  We’ve got Ro and Mo on point with Richards, Avery and I believe that cute little Button, Brunnstrom.  Second team in and burns the rest up with Erikkson getting one good attempt but no good.

Nice play by Fistric.  Good to see that.  Richards and his line of Ott and Avery are awesome tonight.  Everytime they are on the ice things are happening. 

Hooking call on Schultz, so we get to try a little power play again.  Top line out there with Robi and Mo again.  Richards line out with Daley and Niskie. 

NISKIE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Nice passing between Niskie and Avery.  Niskie steals and passes up to Avery and then Avery does nice little drop pass to Niskie.  Niskie has a great shot.  They are still on the power play because of a bench penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.  Me thinks they might be a little upset.  Can’t say I’m too surprised.  Just in case you have lost count it’s 4-1.   Wow.

Ott’s been being his usual chirpie self.  Gotta love him.

Penalty against Dallas.  Robi goes to the box.  Fistric is down on a blocked shot in the chest, hopefully he’s just winded.  Tobie makes a great save on Brunette.  Matt Niskanen makes a great block to end the penalty kill.  Yes. 

Penalty against Burns for cross checking.  The Wild’s frustrations are showing.  We will start the 3rd on the power play.

2nd Intermission

Stephane Robidas interview!  We love Robi here at L2L Headquarters.  What’s with all the scruffie faces?  Looks like it’s the playoffs or something.  Most of the guys are sporting some facial hair of some sort.  And now we have the Ott video on boat racing during the summer.  He has an amazing tattoo on his right arm.  For me to say that is a lot.  I normally HATE tattoos.  But that one is really well done.  I’ve heard it’s some sort of Celtic symbolism but I have no idea.  Hub says it’s just my Ott glasses showing.

We start back on the power play with no success.  Modano gets called for hooking.  Brunette scores but it’s under review.  Goes off Fistric and through Tobie’s five hole.  Our PK is not doing too well tonight.  2 for 3, not cook.

Nice drive by Pretty Loui.  Otter is definitely making his presence known.  Avery and Otter are giving them fits.  The Wild have a player named Clutterbuck.  I won’t say what I keep thinking Ralph is saying. 

Morrow takes one in the mouth and leaves the ice bleeding(from postgame interview, he is going to have one serious fat lip tomorrow, poor guy).  Pretty pass from Avery to Ott in front of the net but no good.  Mo gets another hooking penalty.  He looks pretty ticked.  We’ll finish the game with 4 on 6. 

Great win for the Stars!  They looked so much more solid.  No thoughts of Swiss cheese here.  Just a nice outing for our Swiss goalie  Postgame interview with Tobias Stephan.  So happy for him.  They said he is the opposite of Mike Smith.  Very quiet and serious, a calming influence.  My favorite line of the night, of course, the Richards line of Richards, Ott and Avery.  They were awesome.  Ott kept them busy giving Richards plenty of room to work.  Props to Niskanen, his game looked a lot better.  Fistric showed improvement except for that one goal.  My number one Star is still that most petulant little ice troll, Steve Ott!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great game.  This was the best showing I’ve seen of the Stars this season.  Here’s hoping we are finished with our roller coaster ride for a while!  GO STARS!!!!!!!!

Stars 5 Caps 6 … Bleh.

Bleh.  That pretty well sums up my opinion of last night’s game.  We were in attendance last night for our fourth game of the season and I believe we are O for 4 so far.  I hope it isn’t us.  Anyway, it was pretty exciting at times but it was pretty frustrating most of the time.  The same issues we have been seeing.  Defense on every level from Turco, to the rookie and veteran defensemen (except Robi who remains pretty perfect in our eyes), to the defensive play of the forwards.  What’s that you say?  Forwards are supposed to play defense?  Umm.  YES!!!!  Leths, we need you!  Come back soon!  Otter, where for art thou?!? 

On the social side of the game, we got to see The Sign Girls and The Kid got to be an Honorary Sign Girl.  She loved it.  They got to be on the Jumbotron and everything!  I thought it was funny when we walked down that the usher thought Hub and I were their parents.  Technically, we are old enough to be The Sign Girls’ parents and about half of the Stars’ parents.  Just don’t go reminding me of that!    Later, towards the end of the game, we caught a glimpse of Jen and Caitlin on the Jumbotron which they were horrified to learn. 

This morning, we headed over for Stars’ practice and arrived right after they finished.  The schedule said noon-1.  My guess is that they wanted to have a serious practice without an audience.  We ran into Jen and the Stop Hitting Robidas girls at practice and waited with them for a while to get some signatures on The Kid’s pink jersey and we were going to get Hub’s Robidas jersey signed but he forgot to bring it.  Oh, well.  At the last minute, Kid had decided to wear her Barnes jersey and luckily one of the first guys out was Stuuuuuuuuuu!  He looked surprised when we stopped him to get his signature on her jersey, but we weren’t the only ones!  We also got Morrow, Daley (who was limping and mentioned being injured), Leths and Niskanen.  They were very polite and very, very quiet.  And since this is the one place where I am not a chatterbox, it was pretty non-conversational.  I have decided I prefer thinking of them as hockey players, not real people.  In this particular instance, real people who have been losing hockey games, very uncomfortable.  If that makes any sense at all?  We decided to leave at 1:30 because we were starving.  I think both Jen and the SHR girls have write ups about their experiences, so go check them out.  If you have a chance to go see a practice, I really recommend it.  It is amazing to be that close to the action and the sounds are incredible.  It is preferable if you can go after a win though, if you know what I mean.  It will be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday against the Wild and Mr. Mittens, who has been doing quite well up there, so I hear.  Until then, hope for magic healing on our Stars since they seem to be dropping like flies (add Lundqvist to that list).  We may have to pull Stuuu off the bench at this rate.

I Like Roller Coasters, But….

I like roller coasters, but not so much in hockey.  I’d much rather we be climbing back up the hill at this point and not make anymore sudden drops.  I don’t think my stomach can handle it.  We missed the first two periods (they are on my lovely newfangled DVR though).  The Kid had her first 6th Grade Band Concert last night.  She is currently first chair of her flute section.  Yay Kid!!!  Hub and I are HUGE band geeks so we were very excited and proud of our little girl!  Anyway, I’ve only seen the last period from last night’s game but it was a big relief.  Of course, I’ve thought that about a few other games this season, so I guess we have to wait to see which team shows up on Saturday. 

The L2L clan will be in attendance tomorrow to get our first glimpse of Mr. Ovechkin.  I believe Caitlin and Jen will be there, as well as the Sign Girls.  I’m not sure about the SHR girls.  What do you say, Chelsea and Kristine?  Anyone else?  Cat & Roomie?  Patty?  Adam and family?  Let us hear from you if you are!  Maybe we can gather before or after to pre-hash or rehash the game. 

That’s all I have time for during today’s lunch hour!

Devils 5 vs No Show 0

Well, that was one really big, really ugly mess.  How can one team look so different from one game to the next?  It looks like they have all completely forgotten how to play defense.  My momma always told me if you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all.  So I’ve got nothing to say.  I love this team and my heart goes out to them because I know this is killing them but……

Stars 2 Rangers 1

Tonight we are coming to you live from L2L Headquarters.  I’m watching my first live game on our new TV.  Pretty cool.  So far I’ve enjoyed watching Morrow score from flat on his back.  Been frightened by Ric Renner’s hair.  Hub figured out how to make it go in slow motion.  Modano scores, makes an adorable hug on Fistric and brings us into the lead!  And the Stars WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marty looked much better.  Didn’t scare me playing the puck, so YaY!!!  Didn’t make a million penalties like they have been.  YaY!!!  Gained some speed as they progressed through the game.  Finally, slowed down the odd-man rush.  Definitely a lot of improvements.  Still a ways to go but so much better.  And they beat the Rangers!!!  Wahoooo!!!

A muzzled Sean Avery took it on the chin a lot tonight.  It will be interesting to see how he behaves for the rest of the tour.  He didn’t give any post game interviews, said he had to go take his teammates out to dinner.  Can the guys be getting through to him?  We can only hope so.

Ookie Day!

Yesterday, we had the wonderful good fortune to attend the Stars game with the amazing, magnificent blogger sisters from New Jersey that we collectively call “The Ookies”.  Schnookie and Pookie from the fabulous Interchangeable Parts blog are spending some time here with Patty (in Dallas).  Let me tell you folks that they are just as cool and funny in person as they are on their blog.  I splurged and bought my first ever lower bowl ticket to enjoy the game with them.  It was an entertaining game to watch but can’t say I was too thrilled with some of the play or the outcome.  Sitting in the lower bowl was, however, awesome!  Afterwards, the Ookies, Patty, Caitlin, the Kid, Hub and I went to an early dinner at a nearby Tex-Mex place called Mattitos.  Everything was yummy and we talked and laughed (even Hub) for quite a while.  Luckily the Devils game was being Tivoed at Patty’s for them to watch when they got home.  So I didn’t feel too guilty for keeping them so long.  Gotta go for now as we are heading over to see if the Stars are practicing this morning.

And we are back.  No practice today, although we did get to see Russian doing a light skate and got all three of us Stu Barnes jerseys.  Kid got the latest black version.  Hub got the white “Stars poncho” version and I got the green “Stars poncho” version.  I think the Stars should be very very glad that I went back to work.  Along those lines, on our way back we stopped to pick up another little item to improve our hockey viewing as well.  We bought a 42″ LG flat screen HDTV.  Which should be the last of our major hockey related purchases.  Let’s see we have Verizon Fios, big screen HDTV and my laptop.  That pretty well covers everything, I think.  The Kid says I will never leave the living room again.  I said only if there is a hockey game on.  I’ll share otherwise.  I think Hub is going to be enjoying some football.  Too bad the Aggies aren’t looking so good on any kind of TV.  Right now I have the DVR of yesterday’s game started.  I’m a glutton for punsihment.  But hey the picture looks great! 

As for my game highlights, my favorite moment was watching Grossman take down McCormick.  Apparently, McCormick hadn’t liked the hit Grossman had just made on McCleod.  It was a great hit and nothing wrong with it, so I’m not sure why he went after Grossman.  Grossman handled him quickly and with his usual calm.  He probably wished he had left Grossman alone.  I loved the way he grinned on his way to the penalty box and the attaboy he got from Ott, who was already in the box.  Yes, that petulant little ice troll had already had a fight, which of course he came away from the better.  It was great to see him getting back to his usual chirpy self.  Loved seeing Brunnstrom and Neal score again.  Can’t wait to see what the future holds with those two on our team.  I continue to be impressed by Brad Richards.  He is great in face-offs and a wonderful example of calm leadership on the ice.  (Nothing personal, Brenden.)  Our first look at Doug Janik was pretty good.  He made a beautiful save sliding backwards on his stomach and then was immediately back on his feet.  Even replaying it I can’t quite figure out how he did that.  He got a nasty cut from a broken stick but I read he will be playing tonight.  So glad it wasn’t too serious.  I would have liked to have seen Petersen playing instead of Barch but that is just me.  I love, love, love watching him play.  He is like a knat zipping around out there.  I know I have said that before but hey, it’s true.  I read congrats are in order for him and his wife.  He is back home today because they are having a baby.  Awww.  I’m glad all our newbies are doing well at least.  Hope the vets can get their act together really soon.

Stars 6 Preds 4

Well, things didn’t start off great because we find out that Ott is not playing due to some sort of groin injury.  I hope my petulant little ice troll is back by Saturday!  I have lower bowl tickets for the first time, so I really hope to get to see him play.  Then Niskanen gets hit by a puck and is hobbled and a goal is scored.  I was more concerned about my little gosh darn Nisky but he shook it off and was back out there in no time.  Morrow was playing hard but ended up in the penalty box every time he turned around.  But Robi scores a power play goal!  Finally, a power play goal!

5 goal second period.  Whew.  Brunnstrom scores his first NHL goal in his first NHL game.  Let’s see that makes Erikkson, Neal and now Brunnstrom.  I think we’ve got some good kids coming along.  Ok, make that 6 goals in the second and another for Brunnstrom!!!!!  And what a cute little button he is.  Brunn and Neal definitely meet the required cuteness factor to be a part of this team.  Second period looked pretty good if you don’t count the Preds’ three goals.

Third period was just one penalty after another and I thought it might do us in.  Thankfully not.  Modano was looking like a new man, playing more minutes than any other forward tonight.  And of course, the biggest moment was when Fabian Brunnstrom scored his third goal for a hat trick.  Only the third time in the history on the NHL that someone has scored a hat trick on their debut night.  And how did he do that?  By driving for the net.  Does that sound familiar to anyone?  Anyone?  (Hint:  see my last post)

What a relief.  I thought we obviously had too many penalties but the guys definitely looked a lot more like themselves tonight.  What a fun game to have been at.  Caitlin was texting me throughout the night from the game.  It sounded pretty crazy!  The heart and grit are back!  Fun times, my friends, fun times.

Hockey Withdrawal

I have been a very bad blogger of late but I do have an excuse.  I was going to blog about going to the Stars Opening Night while I was away this weekend, but the lodge did not have Wi-Fi.  It was in the middle of no-where in SW Oklahoma.  Very pretty but technologically challenged, your dumb blonde of lodges?  I guess when you go there you are supposed to be out hiking not closed up in your room blogging.  Anyway, I couldn’t watch the Stars/Preds game either.  No internet/hockey games=Major hockey withdrawal.  So here I am doing a little catchup.  I’m not going to attempt to write about the games at this point other than to say what we already know.  The special teams are not being so special right now and Sean Avery is not being so special right now either.  AND WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PARK THEIR BACKSIDE IN FRONT OF THE NET AND GET SOME REBOUNDS!!!   Sorry for the shouting, but that was all I kept yelling at the game on Friday.  Just a wee bit frustrated. 

Regardless of the outcome, we had a great time at the game.  It was a very exciting finish to say the least.  And I spent most of the game texting to Patty, Caitlin and Jen, who were also at the game.  (Bad side effect of being used to blogging during games.)  I’m getting better at my texting abilities.  I think I only made 3 or 4 mistakes this time.  Caitlin is incredibly patient.  The Kid is incredibly embarrassed.  Also there, were Adam and his wife and I saw that the girls from Stop Hitting Robidas! were there as well.  So the Stars Blogosphere was well represented.  Speaking of Stop Hitting Robidas!, they are a new Stars blog on the scene and they are very very good.  You should go check them out.

Also, for those who for whatever reason may be interested, these are the games we are going to attend:

1. Fri Oct 10, 2008 Blue Jackets 5   Stars 4 Overtime
2. Sat Oct 18, 2008 Avalanche — Also known as Ookie Day!!!
3. Sat Oct 25, 2008 Capitals
4. Sat Nov 22, 2008 Ducks
5. Sun Nov 30, 2008 Oilers
6. Fri Dec 12, 2008 Red Wings
7. Mon Dec 29, 2008 Sharks
8. Fri Feb 6, 2009 Rangers
9. Sat Feb 21, 2009 Blackhawks
10. Sun Mar 1, 2009 Penguins
11. Sun Mar 8, 2009 Canadians
12. Sat Mar 14, 2009 Wild
13. Sat Apr 4, 2009 Blues

Look for a guy who could pass for Pavel Datsuyk’s dad wearing a Robidas jersey (that would be Hub), a loud, short & wide chic with Strangis-like glasses wearing her Ott jersey (that would be me) and a lovely tweenager with a beautiful thick head of long dark brown hair wearing her pink Stars jersey (and that would be the Kid).  Don’t be shy and say hello. 

Saturday will be my first time to sit in the lower bowl with the aforementioned Patty and the visiting Ookie sisters from New Jersey and the fabulous Interchangeable Parts NJ Devils blog, the inspiration for so many of us to start our own hockey blogs.  CANNOT WAIT!!!  GO STARS!!!

Could I Have a Technical Upgrade With That?

As I have mentioned before, life here at L2L Headquarters has been going through some changes.  Kid started middle school with an increased work load of gifted and talented classes in math and language arts.  Hub is at the same job but is working for a new company which is causing a lot of upheaval, some long days and travel.  And for the first time in 11+ years, I am working 30 hours a week in a new job.  We are gradually adjusting to our new schedules but it has not been easy!  On the brighter side, we have been implementing some technological upgrades all over the place.  I’m using a little of my inheritance for some purely fun stuff.  Don’t worry, most of it went into the Kid’s college fund.  Anyway, we purchased tickets to 13 of the Stars games.  We ordered a new computer from Dell, which is what I am typing on now.  Very nice.  We got the Kid one of those new iPod Touch.  Way cooler than we are used to being.  I bought a laptop which will become my Hockey Central now that our new Fios Internet/TV/phone service was installed on Thursday.  Yes, for the first time in our 17 year marriage, Hub and I are getting ”cable”.  I know, it’s hard to grasp.  Most people I know tell me, we are the only people they know who don’t have cable of some sort.  We are finally moving into this century and it is grand.  I can actually watch other hockey games besides the Stars local coverage.  Last night I got to watch the Canucks v Caps game.  I didn’t exactly like the outcome since I’m partial to the Canucks due to my blogger friend alix.  Oh, well, tonight we will be watching the Pens v Flyers and I am definitely rooting for the Pens.  Flyers=Bleh.  Anyway, we are enjoying our new technology immensely.

Now It Feels Like Hockey Season

Not only have we had a little norther come through for some much wanted cooler fall-like temps but we have our first hockey controversy brewing.  The Stars just announced that they are sending James Neal and Mark Fistric to OKC in the CHL.  I am stunned to say the least.  I can only assume that it has to do with some cap maneuvering.  I can’t imagine them endangering their talent like that.  By that, I mean their skill development.  It seems to me that this would be a set back at the very least.  But since this is my first pre-season (we started following the Stars at the beginning of the regular season) I’m no expert on how they should deal with talent and the cap. 

I am not very impartial either.  I love, love, love watching Fisty play.  He’s a big kid who can make some sweet moves.  One of my top moments from last year was when he was about to bring the puck out with a skater coming full speed at him.  (If I thought long enough, I could remember the game, but it’s late, so no deal.)  He moved left with a sweet little fake and came back right.  The other skater plowed straight into the boards.  Fisty just skated on out, pretty as you please.  It was so simple but so awesome.  I wish I could describe it better. 

I can’t stand the thought of my Baby D Trio being broken up.  They better bring him back quick.