Stars 7 vs Blue Jackets 3 — FOUR IN A ROW!

I am still on a high from the Detroit game.  I hope the Stars are not quite on that kind of a high but are fully confident in knowing what they are capable of doing now.  They were in control and dictated most of that game the other night.  Ok, the second period had some issues but not too bad.  My favorite moments centered around the net.  Otter making his presence known there and on the scoreboard, of course.  But my absolute favorite was watching Niskie and Daley (and Turco) constantly challenging Holmstrom.  That, my friends, was a joy to behold. 

Now on to today.  First, I want to be a mom and brag a little.  I know there at least a few band geeks out there and some flute players, so I wanted to share this with you.  The Kid went to her first Solo Contest today and scored a “1″ on her solo!  If you are not a band geek, that means she scored the top score you can get.  She said that probably most of the 6th graders got 1’s because it was their first time.  I’m not sure about that.  She had a hard solo.  I know I couldn’t have played it when I was her age.  Hub and I are very proud of her! 

As the title shows, tonight’s game is against the Blue Jackets, which means….Rick Nash and Hitchcock.  Playing Hitch always makes me a little nervous.  He seems very intimidating to me.  Then there is Nash.  I think Nash has been being kinda Morrowesque, in that he seems to be putting this team on his back and attempting to carry it into the playoffs.   We’ll see.  The big story for Columbus this year is their goalie, Steve Mason.  This rookie goalie has had seven, yes seven, shutouts.  Wow.  And he leads the league with a 1.98 GAA.  That is amazing especially considering he is only twenty years old.  How can that be?  I probably have clothes that are older than that.  Yipes. 

Catch ya back here for puck drop.

Sorry, I’m running late.  Hub was temporarily missing.  He went to get his haircut at 4 and I went down to take a nap.  I wake up at a couple minutes past 6 with no Hub to be found.  It turns out the barber was in a talkative mood and was running very late. 

Ok, so I have now missed two goals.  Nealer makes the first.  Robi and some BJ trade penalties.  Then Eriksson runs the length of the ice and SCORES!!!  That is interesting.  The power play didn’t end for them when Loui scored.  I don’t know that I have seen that before.

Sutherby SCORES!!!  His first for the Stars.  Nice one, too!  So much for getting to see young Mason play.  Wow.  He is really, really young.  And adorably pretty.  I tend to compare everyone to my two nephews who are 19 and 23.  The 19-year-old looks older than Mason and he usually looks young for his age.

I’m calling the new goalie, Dubie, because there is no way I’m going to try to spell that.  I’m so spoiled to HD.  This is hard to see clearly.  We may have to have a TV change during intermission.  The old TV in the family room does better on non-HD picture.

Mo goes to the penalty box.  The BJ’s are only 10% at home. 

Poop.  Some BJ scored. 

When are the other teams going to get the memo that Otter has a broken hand?  I can hear it now, about what a slug Ott is for not being willing to throw off the gloves.  I see it all over the web these days.  I am tempted to leave comments explaining that his hand is broken from a fight and that normally he takes on any and all callers.  But I figure they don’t really want to hear it.  They want any excuse to hate Steve Ott more, so why not let them. 

First Intermission:

Brad’s hair is coming back in nicely.

We have three in the penalty box?!?  Joel got called for tripping and Ott for roughing at the end of the first and then Robi gets called for tripping when he didn’t even have a stick?  Bogus, dude.

Well if they didn’t score on that….

Score 3-2, Stars.

Barchie is a maniac.  He had 8 teeth broken in the Detroit game followed with five root canals.  FIVE.  You’d have to put me under and I certainly couldn’t jump on a plane and go play a hockey game.  Barchie is trying to out tough Robi. 

Hub said we are lucky we aren’t behind after taking so many penalties.  I said, “TAKEN?”  I think they are “giving” too many penalties tonight.  This is crazy. 

Chimera is called for, what, can it be….tripping.  Off the posts.   I like this power play unit.  They are really moving the puck and taking the shots.  None of  this pass, pass, pass and waiting for the “perfect” shot.  I hate that.

Hitting the post does not count as a shot on goal.  Wow.  Huselius needs to shave.  Not pretty. 

Oh!  I forgot they have Ole-Kristian Tollefsen!  One of the few Norwegians in the league.  I grew up in a Norwegian community.  That is about as Norwegian a name as you can get.  I love it. 

What I don’t love.  Red mouth guards.  Reminds me of Barchie the other night.  I may have to post the demonic picture of him from that game.

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  REAL DEAL NEAL!!!!!!!!!!  SECOND GOAL, TONIGHT!!!!!

Nash gets called for hooking.  Power play is on.  Otter has a nice breakaway attempt.  Over. 

Can I just say I love Nealer.  And I think Razor has a little bit of a mancrush on him as well.

HOT OTT!!!   WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!   He is on a roll!!!

Second Intermission: 

Brad Richards interview!  His hair is coming in quite nicely.  He is back to “total babe” after being just a very nice looking dude.    The man is such an adorable Eeyore.  He just is so very low key.

We begin the third with score 5-2, Stars and lots of talk about Neal and a possible “you know what”.

Rats.  Boll scores.  I thought he only knew how to fight?  5-3.  They are making me very nervous.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Nice shot by Daley with Barchie doing a fine job of channelling Holmstrom in front of the net.

Long closeup on Mason.  He looks too perfect to be a hockey player.  Very doll like.

Ok, under six minutes.  Everyone just give the puck to Nealer.

HUTCHISON!!!  FROM THE POINT!!!  FIRST GOAL AS A STAR!!!  Way to go, Hutch!!!  7-3.

FOUR IN A ROW!!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!  GO STARS!!!

They just said we will be in SEVENTH PLACE!!! 

STARS OF THE GAME:  1.  REAL DEAL NEAL – of course  2. Sydor  3. Modano

My Three Stars:

1.  Nealer–no surprise there, he is my choice for the Calder! 

2. Sutherby/Hutch–for scoring their first goals with the Stars.

3.  Barchie–for being a demented beast by playing at all tonight and for playing really well after five root canals.

Honorable mention:  Chris Conner for playing so well and making it really hard for the coaches to send him back down.

I’d like to add that Otter has had six points in the last four games, nine points in his last eight games, according to my stat-geek husband.

Stars 4 vs Red Wings 2 — STARS WIN AT THE JOE!!! THREE IN A ROW!!!

First, I want to issue a disclaimer.  I had only about 5 hours sleep last night, so I may not be hitting on all cylinders tonight.  You have been warned. 

Well, what do you think about tonight’s game?  I’m not sure what to think.  I was at both of the Detroit games here and they were both awesome  and exciting wins.  But that was here.  Playing in Detroit is a whole other animal.   I’m watching the pre-game now.  I guess the big news out of Detroit today is Zetterburg signing a contract for 12 years.  My first reaction is you must be kidding on these long contracts.  My second reaction is if it’s your home and you want to stay there then why not.  Of course, that could be my husband’s impending layoff talking.  Zetterburg is out tonight due to back problems.  Razor said it was from lifting that hefty check he got with his contract.  Ha.  Unfortunately, Datsyuk and Lidstrom are back in play.  Detroit has lost three straight?  That is surprising, to say the least.

Otter interview!!!  Uh-oh.  Not sure I liked that one.  He looked nervous.  Otter might sound breathless and excited but he rarely ever looks nervous.  Hmmm.

Mike Modano has played 160 games with out missing a game.  Tonight is 161.  That is amazing.  Oldest guy on the team and the healthiest.  Go figure. 

Superbowl Party at the Morrow’s house!  Even hockey players cannot not follow football in Texas.

I’d really rather not talk about Marty’s demons at the Joe.  I’m sick of hearing about Marty’s demons at the Joe.

And so we begin.  Nice fast pace going.  I think Otter has had one too many Red Bulls tonight.  He seems unusually twitchy.

Turco looked good on those saves and then little Conner gets slammed by some Red thing.  Pick on someone your own size, dude!  Good work Joel, nice little steal there.  Jere looks happy.

Hub reports that Parrish is sick.  Delayed penalty and Turco is on the bench.  Draper commits holding on Mo. 

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   OTTER WITH THE TIP-IN FROM IN FRONT OF THE NET!!!!  GOOD BOY!!!!  POWER PLAY GOAL!!!

Hub wants to know if that is “Johann Ott”?

Whoa, Chelios whacks Barch in the mouth and he is definitely bleeding.  Yipes.  4 minutes. 

HOLY COW!!!  LEHTS PUTS IT IN OFF A BEAUTIFUL PASS FROM B-RAD!!!  SECOND POWER PLAY GOAL!!! 

I’m just stunned.  I’m having a hard time refocusing on the game.  Second amazing set up by the lovely Mr. Brad Richards.  Richards is on fire tonight. 

This Ribs/Ott/Lehts line is a keeper. 

CHRIS CONNER!!!  Modano wins the face-off popping it out to Conner who slaps it home.  SCORE!!!!  3-0, STARS!!

We end the period with Niskie getting called for inteference battling with Holmstrom in front of the net and Holstrom gets called for high sticking.  So we’ll start the second playing 4 on 4.  That’s okay, Niskie, you keep battling him!

First Intermission:

Osgood has been pulled.  Conklin is in.

“Hey, you tripped him, get in there!”  I love this ref!!!  Hossa goes to naughty box.  Are we sure this is the Red Wings?  Stars are going 4 on 3 now. 

POWER PLAY NUMBER THREE!!!!  PRETTY PRETTY LOUI!!!!!!!  SMOOTH MOVE AROUND THE CORNER OF THE NET!!! 

OH.  MY.  GOSH.  STARS 4-0

Conner gets called for hooking.  Turco does some fabulous work to keep it out but the Wings come back and Hossa scores.  Poop.

Grossman gets called for something.  Rats, guys do not give them these chances. 

SYDOR GET UP!!!  I hate it when he goes down.  He’s just useless then.  Yes!  They kill that one off.  Whew.

Gotta love Niskie for sticking with Holmstrom. 

I do not think that went in.  We’ll see. 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOGUS PENALTY CALL.  Syd was going for the puck and gets shoved into the post by a Dead Thing.

I love going for shorthanded goals.  Something we haven’t seen much of this season. 

Cat fight between Ribs and Filppula. 

Crap.  Marty missed it.  Lilja scores.  Yipes.  4-2. 

Oh no you didn’t.  Lebda takes Ott out below the knees.  The crowd is into it now, unfortunately.

Love to know what Nealer was saying there.

OOPS!  Otter gets called for taking out Conklin.  What?!?  NO GOAL!!!  HOLMSTROM INTERFERRED WITH MARTY!!! 

Daley gets his helmet knocked off.  Datsyuk and Daley go after it.  End of second period.  WOW!!!  I’m exhausted.

Second Intermission:  Syd interview. 

I don’t even want to think about what this third period is going to look like.  This is a completely different Red Wings team than I’ve ever seen play before.  They are always such a machine.  No emotions.  Just killer play.  I’m afraid they are going to switch into steamroller mode for this period.  I hope they are so unused to playing with this level of emotion that it completely throws their game off.  Stars better be ready.

We start with still being on Otter’s penalty.  Stars kill it off. 

Barchie lost 4 top and 4 bottom teeth.  Oh, poor Barchie.  What are you doing back on the ice!  Barchie!!!  I can’t imagine the pain.  Argh.

I think I am still trying to remember how to breath.  Aw.  They are bragging on our petulant little ice troll.  You go, Otter. 

I really like what I am seeing here.  The Stars are keeping control of the puck and keeping it out of their own zone.  They are continuing to press offensively and are trying to keep the pace slower.  As I said in the comments, I think Tipp has been listening to Sarah during the intermission.

What is it with the helmets tonight?  Nobody can keep theirs on. 

Otter!!!  What were you thinking?  Actually, that was pretty marginal.  Trying to give the Wings a break, are we?  Wings are getting some chances on this power play.   And they kill another one!!!  Who knew Hub could hold his breath for two minutes?

Holmstrom gets called for holding his hand on the puck and unsportsmenlike conduct.   4 minute power play.  Conklin goes to the bench. 

STARS WIN AT THE JOE!!!   WOOOOOOOO!!!!   THREE IN A ROW!!!!

Stars 2 vs Thrashers 0

Good evening all!  I hope you enjoyed your ASG break.  We enjoyed watching our first ever All-Star Game.  For those who don’t know, this is only our second full year of Stars hockey fandom.  But we’ll talk about the ASG later.  Tonight we are playing the Thrashers and our friend, Sarah’s main man, Mathieu Schneider.  There are some rumors about him coming here.  So we’ll have to keep our eye on him tonight.  Our lovely little Bunny Yumstrom, as the Kid has taken to calling him, is getting his game legs back up in Manitoba and will be back with the big club this weekend.  Yeah!!!  Robi is going cageless again.  I’m not sure how I feel about that.  Stay safe, my friend.

Oh, wait, the game has actually started!  Looks like lines are staying the same. 

B-rad with Loui and Joel. 

Mo with Nealer and Conner.

Ribs with Ott and Lehts

Toby with Sutherby and Barchie.

I love watching Daley get after it.  Ralph referred to him as scampering.  Which seems pretty appropriate. 

Lehts gets hit by the rebound and it goes in.  We are waiting to see if it is good.

And it’s GOOD!!!  1-0 STARS!!!

Conner goes for the breakaway and draws a penalty but no penalty shot.  Stars go on the Power Play.  I’m holding my breath.  Ott, Lehts, Ribs, B-rad and Niskie on first unit.  Enstrom gets called for holding the stick and we are going 5 on 3.  As usual they are passing and trying to set up instead of just shooting.  Pooh.

Turco makes a great save on Kovalchuk.  Good, Turco, Good.

Barchie gets called for holding.  What to expect from the PK?  Not too shabby.  teri, just commented about how she liked the pace that the Stars are playing at so far.  I agree.  They are playing with much more speed and urgency this period.  Good to see.

First Intermission:

OTTER!!!  Scores his 6th of the season!  Thanks to a good pass by Daley and Ott willingness to go to the net!  2-0, Stars!  Both scores from the same line tonight.  Otter with an assist and a goal.  Yes!

I’m sorry, I am not really paying much attention tonight.  I haven’t gotten my blogger legs back yet. 

Stars are going on the Power Play again.  Not that it really matters.  Holding call against Havelid.  They are taking a few more shots.  Just shoot the stupid puck.  Another penalty against Atlanta.  Crosschecking by a frustrated Valabik on Otter.  Brief 5 on 3.  Razor says Atlanta’s penalty killing has kept them in the game.  Razor, don’t you know that is the strategy for playing the Stars now.  Just keep them on the power play and THEY WILL NEVER SCORE…

Hub thinks that might have been holding that didn’t get called.  He said Lundqvist was going for the puck but for some reason couldn’t move.  Hmmm.

Lehtonen robs Otter.  Bad Lehtonen.

After the ASG, all I can think of when they talk about Kovalchuk, is his bad 70’s parted in the middle hair that 3/4’s of my Senior class had.  My attention span is out of shape.  Thankfully, the second is over.

Second Intermission:  Ribs interview.  Ribs’ son got to play at the AAC and scored a hat trick then.  He got a hat trick at the AAC before his old man.  I love that story.

See I told you, Stars go on Power Play again.  I hate our Power Play.  We miss you, Ulf.

I keep meaning to mention that if the arena looks about half full, it’s because we are under the threat of an ice storm.  (Hub reports that the actual crowd is at around 8400.)  I’m not sure it will actually materialize, but they have been hyping it all day.  So, I’m sure a lot of the folks stayed home.  I was just thrilled that I didn’t have ice on my way home from work.  I haven’t had to drive in icy conditions for a long long time.

Daley gets called for hooking and B-rad gets a chance at a shorthander but not quite.  I love seeing Loui argue that icing call.  It seems so out of character for him. 

Ok, Razor, we get it.  The Thrashers are making a lot of unnecessary turnovers.

Our Lehts is really looking like he is back to his old self.  Great to see.  Otter has a partial breakaway but the bad Lehts stops him again.

They’ve pulled the goalie.

Turco hangs on with two great saves to earn a SHUTOUT!!!  I know we have all been thinking it for the last several minutes!  Congrats Marty!  That was some serious acrobatics there at the end. 

STARS WIN  2-0!

Otter gets the #2 Star for the game!  Aw, you go Otter. 

Turco gets #1 Star, of course, with the shutout.  Third star goes to the bad Lehtonen.  Otter could have had a hat trick if not for him. 

All-Star Game

Hey!  I’ll be hanging out at www.interchangeableparts.wordpress.com and screaming everytime they mention or show Robi while watching the ASG.  Come on by and don’t be afraid to make a comment.  The Ookies always welcome everyone!

Brad Richards Really Is A Hero.

Dear Friends, back in July, shortly after starting to write this blog, I did a post on Brad Richards where I read everything I could find on him and wrote a piece from it.  I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever enjoyed writing anything more.  It has been interesting seeing the reactions I have had to the piece.  It is by far the most viewed post (643 as of today) and gets hits on it every day.  I am not exaggerating.  It still gets hits every stinking day.  He has the most search terms by far, as well, the guy has some serious fans out there.  It’s a little freaky at times.  I hope he has good security for his home, let’s just say.  Anyway, the other day, after the Stars/Lightning game I received this comment on my Brad post. 

Brad Richards is everything your research found and more.  He is a real life Hero to hundreds of families.  http://webhatchlings.com/brad-richards-tribute-back-home-in-tampa

I couldn’t get the video to come up the first time I looked at this and just got around to checking on it again today.  Actually, I clicked on the commenter’s name, Doug, and went to his website first.  Oh my goodness.  Please click on the link and read his post titled “Brad Richards is Back in Tampa Bay”.  But be sure to get your tissues or hanky ready.  Then check out his tribute to Brad in the post above that one.  Obviously, I have read all about Brad’s charity efforts but to see it through the eyes of someone he was able to touch was very special in deed.  I knew he was a special guy, not just another celebrity hockey player, but this really brought it all home.  Brad Richards really is a hero.

Brad with Adelaine

Thank you, Doug, for sharing your family’s story.   My prayers are with you, your family and your beautiful Adelaine, may you all have a long wonderful life together.  And thank you for giving us even more reason to love having Brad Richards as a Dallas Star.

Stars 4 vs Panthers 1 – Ribs Hat Trick!

Well, tonight’s game two of the Stars’ Southeastern tour.  Let’s hope it is considerably better than the game against Tamp Bay.  For the most part I’m just trying to forget about that game but I just read the SHR girls’ recap of the game and Chels makes some really great points.  It is definitely worth the read.  Also worth the read, a new Dallas Stars sight called Defending Big D has been started over on SB Nation by Brandon Worley.  The sight looks fabulous and he has tons of great content, so check it out.  On a sad note, Adam over at Dallas Stars Hockey Thoughts is going into blogger retirement to spend more time with his family.  I hate to see it but can’t blame him.  Since going back to work, I’ve had little time to do anything more than my game blogs.  If I had two little ones like Adam instead of a very self-sufficient 11-year-old, I would have to give it up too.  You will be missed here in the Stars Blogosphere, Adam!  So don’t make yourself a stranger. 

And while I am talking about blogs, I need to rant just a little.  I love Mike Heika and read his blog and stories daily but what is up with the commenters over there now?  I feel like I should call them the “dementors” instead of commenters.  They just delight in sucking the joy/life out of every post.  I had pretty much sworn off reading them anymore but for some reason I decided to try reading them again over the last few days.  What was I thinking?  What a bunch of negative blowhards.  Gah.  They couldn’t even be positive about Robi.  I mean we’re talking Robi the warrior.  Just gah.  That is why I stay away from the message boards as well.  I don’t need any help in being depressed.  I blog about the Stars because I love hockey and I love this team.  As a fan, why would I want to put such a negative spin on everything they do?  Ok, end of rant.

Of course, I have to send congrats out to our beloved Robi (Hub’s man crush, I mean, favorite player) on getting invited to the All-Star Game.  I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.

On to tonight’s game.  I don’t know just a whole lot about the Panthers.  What comes to mind first is that they are the team Ollie Jokinen used to play for.  Much talked about d-man, Jay Boumeester plays for them and sounds like a lot of people would love to see him in Stars uniform next year.  After checking their sight, I learned that David Booth is their top scorer and Michael Frolik will be representing the team in the Young Stars game.  And they are struggling with winning in the shootout.  Oh, and I had somehow forgotten that a fully recovered, Richard Zednick plays for them.  So that is my game preview.  I’ll meet you back here at 6:30 for the puck drop since there isn’t any pre-game show tonight.

We start with Ribs centering for Ott and Leths and Syd/Niskie on D.  2nd line is Mo with Neal and Parrish with Robi/Daley on D.  The Panthers have Vokoun in net and the Ice Trolls own Keith Ballard is one of their top d-men.  Booth has had a couple of good chances.  Poor little gnat, Toby hit a Panther at center ice and just bounced off.  Gees, do they have another forward besides Booth?  Richards is centering for Loui and Joel.  Sutherby with Barch and Toby again. 

I feel like we are in one pro-longed penalty kill.  We are not looking good.  Hardly any puck possession. 

2 on 1 rush by the Panthers, Daley backs into Turco and Skrastins scores.  1-0, Panthers. 

I felt that one coming.  Stars are really struggling to get any energy on the ice.  Whoa, even Otter looks down.  He usually has at the very least an evil grin on, but not then. 

Sutherby drops the gloves with Stewart, trying to get a little life into this game, no doubt.  5 each for fighting. 

Holding call on Cullimore.  We’ll see if they can do anything on the power play.  Otter is being a good little ice troll and staying planted in front of the net, not that anyone is getting the puck to him.  Oh, man, looked like Neal had scored but bounces off the pipes. 

First Intermission:

NEWS FLASH!  The little town of Cranfills Gap, Texas on the new Las Vegas commercials is the next town down the road from my hometown of Clifton!  It is a bastion of Norwegian Lutherans.  In case you are not up on your small town Texas geography, it is very near Crawford, as in the former Pres. Bush’s ranch.

I was obsessing over the commercial so I didn’t hear any of Mo’s interview.  I did catch that no one has been invited to more ASG’s than Mo.  That’s pretty cool.

The Stars have had more chances this period and are getting caught up on SOG’s.  Syd and Robi both get plastered by Ballard.  Ott and Horton get after each other and Barchie comes in to keep Otter from fighting.  Poor Ott.  Glad Barch has been looking after him.

Campbell (as in Collin Campbell’s son) gets called for tripping Daley.  Stars on the power play.  Otter is really trying in front of the net, send him some pucks dudes! 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!  Mo from a pretty impressive angle SCORES!!!!!  A POWER PLAY GOAL!!!!  1-1!

Sorry, I’ve been web wandering. 

Niskie slaps one from the point and Ribs taps it in!!!  SCORE!!!  2-1!

STOP HITTING MATT NISKANEN!!!  Scrum in front of the net with Syd sprawled out in front of the net.  Niskie and Boumeester get into a stick fight and then Stillman goes after Niskie.  ARGH!!!  Thank you B-rad for taking care of Niskie afterward.

Second Intermission: 

Another Cranfills Gap Las Vegas commercial!  Boy does this remind me of home (and why I don’t live there anymore).  

Sutherby interview.  Says the crowd is pretty quiet, not helping with getting things going.  Apparently, the crowd is really small.

The Mighty Sweater Vest!  1)I agree, just go with a Skills Competition.  2)Fighting, Ott is my fav, nuf said.  3)CBA questions, I do not understand the whole waivers issue.  I don’t see why you can’t just send players down and back.

And we are back.  They just showed Matt Niskanen getting up from his scrum adamantly saying “I’m fine.”  I just love that kid.  Standing Sunday pot roast invitation for that one.  But he does need to get some pointers from Barchie.

YES!!!  Ribs gets a lovely breakaway and puts it in the net!  SCORE!!!  3-1!!

Real Deal Neal gets called for tripping.  Please, PK do your stuff.  Is it me or does Syd spend an awful lot of the time sprawled on the ice?  Daley goes for a shortie and misses.  But really nice to see them trying a shortie.  Penalty killed.

Stars are icing the puck repeatedly trying eat up some minutes.  Stars looked horrible in the first period but came out a different team in the second and have continued to dominate.  2.5 to play.  I always get nervous now.  Just showed Niskie on the bench, he seems to be still intact.  Panthers have pulled their goalie.  Poor Ribs had to come off the ice, he was definitely looking for the hat trick.  And he is back out there.  And Ribeiro gets his first career hat trick!  SCORE!!!  4-1!!!

No post game show.  Glad to see the guys make such a turnaround mid-game.  Congrats to Ribs!  Otter got them going but didn’t really seem his usually spirited self.  Would have liked to see a post game interview with him to see what is going on there. 

We’ll be here for the All-Star Game festivities so I’ll probably have an open thread if anyone wants to hangout.  If not, then I’ll be over at Interchangeable Parts.

Stars 2 vs The Lightning 4 – Battle of the BFF’s

I am feeling very anxious about tonight’s game.  I adore Mike Smith and hate seeing the huge mess he has been dumped into but we have to have these points.  So no rooting for Smitty.    This just seems so bittersweet all the way around.  I have to feel for Marty and Smitty and then also for B-rad and Vinny’s Neck.  It’s the battle of the BFF’s. 

Aw.  I’m getting my first look at Halpie, Jussi and Smitty.  This is going to be really hard.  And so we begin.

Richards/Eriksson/Lundqvist with Niskie/Syd to start tonight.  Corey Murphy gets called for holding on B-rad.  We go on Power Play and Vinny gets a shortie.  Wow.

Holy Cow!  B-rad comes back immediately and scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cannot believe this.  What an incredible start.  You couldn’t have written that one.

Craig gets called for hooking and the Stars are on the power play again.  I’m afraid to watch.

I think I forgot to breath for a while there.

Aw.  That’s not exactly fair.  They just did a video tribute to B-rad on the Jumbotron.  Then Brad had to get on the ice to play.  That is kinda hitting below the belt, isn’t it?  Shouldn’t they wait for the intermission.

Downie is called for hooking.  The officials are being pretty picky tonight.  Stars on power play again.  Otter gets a breakaway but hits the post.  Ribs playing it from his knees.  Beautiful setup by Ribs to Lehts in front of the net but Smitty is ready for it.  Niskie does a great dodge on St Louis with St Louis doing the where did he go move?!  Love it.

Okay, what is with these refs?  Hooking on Malone.  4th power play for the Stars.  Did someone tell Tampa our power play sucks so they are trying to keep us on one for the whole game.  I think that can work only so long.  But then maybe it does work for them.  The “Bolts” have had 2 breakaways.  Turco hanging in there.  Glad he has experience stopping Jussi. 

Nice hop, Smitty!

First Intermission:

While we are talking about former Stars, thought I would mention that Brad Winchester got his 7th goal today.  Good for him.  Oh, and it was against the Ruins and the Blues beat them in the shootout.  HeHeHe.

Sorry, Smitty.  After some hard work by B-rad to get the puck out to Mo, Mo takes it down to Loui for a goal.  2-1, Stars.  WOOOOOOOO!!!

Neal gets high-sticked by Meszaros, so the Stars will be on the Power play again. 

With all the power plays and what not, I still haven’t figured out what all the lines are for tonight.  This is what we think Tipp is going with:

Richards with Mo and Loui

Ribs with Ott and Lehts

Toby with Neal and Parrish

Sutherby with Barch and Lundqvist

And we go on another power play.  Recchi (my mom had a sewing machine by that name) gets called for high sticking.  Have I mentioned how much I hate games with lots of power plays.  Argh.

Now it is finally the Lightning’s turn to go on a power play.  Hope the Stars still remember how to penalty kill.  Lundy got called for interference.

Second Intermission:

Sydor interview.  I didn’t listen, sorry Syd.

Not much happening.  I had forgotten that both Janik and Hutch came from TB. 

I forgot how much Smitty likes to just lob the puck down the ice.  Turco makes a couple impressive saves.  Sutherby and Lecavalier do a little shoving.  I don’t think I like that.

Daley does a fine job of covering Vinny, sends him rolling. 

Whoa, Stamkos scores after Turco looses his stick.  Dangit.  2-2.  7+ minutes to go.  Things had gotten kinda slow.  Stars had better pick it up now.   And Niskie gets called for holding.  Not good.  And Vinny scores.  CRAP!  There wasn’t anyone blocking Turco on that one.  Vinny just beat him.  Poor Niskie.

And Tampa Bay gets the empty netter.  4-2.  Lightning.  Congrats to Smitty.

Hub’s assessment, “Well, that was a downer.”

7 power plays and only one converted? 

Players only meeting in locker room after game.  Hmm.  Wonder how that went?

Well, that’s all for me tonight.  Thanks to Sarah and Teri for watching the game with me.

Stars 3 vs Kings 2 SO – Squeaker

Good afternoon everyone!  We are trying to get settled in early today for an unusually early 1pm game.  I’m, also, trying to put the meltdown mess of the Sabres game behind me.  I’m watching the post-game show again, so I’m not doing a very good job of letting go.    No word with what happened to Robi, other than he did not practice yesterday, but is planning on playing today.  No big surprise there, he’d have to be trailing a limb before he would not play.  We were wondering why Mo was not in the shootout the other night and thanks to the SHR girls, we found out why.  Unfortunately, my favorite little gnat, Toby Petersen, apparently hit Mo hard in the back in the later part of the game.  I’m sure he is terribly sorry, Mo!  Speaking of Mo, that pass he made to Otter for that breakaway was awesome.  What a pretty goal.  I’d love to see a lot more like that today. 

In other Stars news, they are partnering with 1310 The Ticket for their radio coverage next year.  This should be a very good thing.  The Ticket gets great ratings and the afternoon show, referred to as BaD Radio for Bob and Dan, have the only decent hockey coverage in the area.  I love Bob, he really is the only one around who really knows hockey, having grown up in Wisconsin helps.  He and his lovely wife, Sally, are members of my church, where I know Sally but have avoided meeting Bob for fear of looking like a blithering idiot fan.  It was quite a shock to me when I figured out that Sally’s husband, Bob, was the same Bob as the one on the radio. 

Pre-game has started.  Oh boy!  Mike Heika, our beloved Sweater Vest, is co-hosting with Rhadigan today.  We here in the blogger world love Heika, he is our hero.  I’m happy.  First an Otter interview and then a Niskie on ice interview.  Except it makes me feel very old. 

Looks like they had a lot of folks out at practice yesterday.  Otter got Morrow with a pie in the face for his birthday yesterday.  The Big 30.  Our little Brenden is growing up.  Otter is playing in his 300th game today.  Congrats to my petulant little ice troll!  I hope you have a fabulous game!

It feels like we haven’t played the Kings in forever.  Ersberg is in goal, Ribs gets off to a nice start.  Jack Johnson is back in for the Kings and Doughty is back so they have a couple of their young hotshot D-men back.  Looks like our lines are running the same.  Neal is not afraid of making the big hits.  Matt Greene has some odd history according to Razor — hit by a truck and bit by a shark?  May have to google him later.  I don’t understand why they don’t give Barch/Sutherby/Parrish more minutes.  They have been playing great lately.

Turco gets called for playing out of the trapezoid but replay shows it was a bad call.   Official call is delay of game.  Anyway, Stars are doing well on PK.  And the Stars kill that one off quite nicely.

Oh my goodness!  Stephane Robidas little boy, Justin, was the little hockey player who comes out for the anthem (sorry, I forget what they are called).  He was wearing his dad’s number 3 sweater.  If I had been at the game, I would have totally been crying.  Too cute.

Some big hits on both sides.  Some King almost put Niskie into the Stars bench.  Quick, the Kings’ backup goaltender is twelve.  How do these players keep getting younger and younger?  Sorry, I’m obsessing today.

Some King tries to ride Loui, Lundy comes in to break it up.  Ref finally comes in and Lundy looks pretty amused.  Otter throws pepper into the eyes of Ivanans, who gets called for roughing.  Stars go on the Power Play.  You go Ice Troll!

Parrish is trying to get on my good side by staying in front of the net.  You keep it up, Mark!  Penalty expires but Stars remain in control.  Ersberg is being way too solid.  Give us some rebounds, dude.

Turco almost put one in his own goal.  Yikes.  Razor says he thinks he is starting show some fatigue.  No kidding.  I can’t imagine why. 

First Intermission:

Wow, it is pretty dead here at L2L HQ.  The Kid went to her first Band Lock-in and was gone from 10pm to 6am last night.  I haven’t heard a peep from her room all day.  Hub is not being my spotter as he is asleep on the sofa, so if I miss a call or player, you know who to blame.  I have not backup.  Maybe I should have gotten tickets for myself for the game.

We start off the second with Niskie getting called for tripping.  It was a stretch to say the least.  Kings on power play.  Sutherby gets hit by a high-stick and is “trying to bleed” as Razor says.  So we are 4 on 4 now.  Niskie is back, we are on power play now.  So Richards almost gets it in but no good.  The Kings get a couple of shorthanded chances.  Not good.  Now back to full strength.

Let’s take advantage of those rebounds, boys.  Ersberg is giving up a few now.  Still scoreless, halfway through.

Does Ribeiro double shift on purpose or just because he doesn’t want to leave the ice?  I love seeing Grossie use his size to smash dudes into the boards.  Somebody go to the net.  Please.  There are rebounds to be had.  Young Doughty gets called for hooking.  Stars go on power play.  And nothing.

Do we remember how to shoot from in front of the net?!?  Gah.  Lehts gets called for holding.  Kings on power play.  Good job Daley!  Has he been great lately or what.  Nice hustle by B-rad to block the lane. 

Second Intermission: 

Stars are out shooting but not getting it in.  Obviously.  Joel Lundqvist interview coming up.  Glad to see Joel back.  Mike Heika just described James Neal as a Brenden Morrow in a bigger package.  Yes, that is what he said, ladies.  I know, I know, that is not what he meant.  We have been saying all along that he was like a younger Brenden.  Not that Brenden is old.

And we are back.  Richards is going great on face-offs.  Loui just misses.  Joel gets called for boarding.  I cannot believe Ribs did not make that shortie.  Argh.  Hub thinks he is trying to be a little too cute with his play.  I’m inclined to agree.  And we killed that one off. 

Not good.  Calder with a “beavertale” slap to Brown for the goal.  1-0, Kings.  Pooh.  I do not have a good feeling about this one.  Haven’t all game.  Please prove me wrong, guys.

THANK YOU, LEHTS!!!!  Ribs down the middle to Lehts for the score!  1-1.

Wow, tremendous effort by Turco.  Alright guys, Turco is staying solid, y’all have to get it into the goal.  Under 4 minutes now. 

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ribs redirects Syd’s shot from the point.  2-1 with one minute remaining.  Johnson pushes Ott down from behind.  Otter comes back at him.  We are now 4 on 4 and Ersberg is pulled. 

CRAP.  Frolov scores with 16 seconds left.  I cannot believe this.  Excuse me while I throw a fit and kick and scream for a while.

This just sucks big time.  I can’t believe we gave them a point. 

Overtime:

3 on 3 because of earlier penalties.  Mo/Niskie/Daley out first.  Back to 4 on 4.  Some great chances.  Going to the Shootout, AGAIN.

SHOOTOUT:

Frolov – saved

Ribeiro – Score!

Brown – saved

Lehtinen – saved

Johnson – saved!!!

STARS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAY TO GO, TURCO!!!

My Stars of the Game: 

1. Turco

2. Ribeiro

3. Ersberg

Post-game:

I love it when they show Tipp in the locker room.  Lehts with the game puck.

Stars 4 vs Sabres 5 SO – I Can’t Believe We Blew That One?!?

Good evening everyone!  I’m ba-ack!  Thanks to Hub and Kid for pinch hitting for me.  Monday’s game against the Red Wings was, as you can guess, AWESOME!!!  We had amazing seats in the lower bowl, thanks Thomas.  I think the guys all really enjoyed it, although half of them left right before Otter scored the tying goal and therefore missed the best part of the game.  I guess they had not heard that you should never leave a hockey game before it is over because anything can happen.  I told them they were all a bunch of idiots for leaving early.  They took it good naturedly enough.  The rest of us had a fabulous time and I think they all got a kick out of watching me totally freak out. 

 I have been busy with our sales meeting, so I am woefully behind in news in the world of hockey.  I did catch that Shanahan is joining the Devils, much to the chagrin of our friends over on IPB.  In a more positive move, alix at the Humming Giraffe is ecstatic over Mr. Luongo being back in goal for the Canucks.  Our Yummy Bummy Brunnstrom is skating again so hopefully he will be back after the All-Star break.  Brenden was on Bad Radio this afternoon for a lengthy talk with Bob and Dan.  The audio is up on Andrew’s Stars Blog.  I was very sad to hear that the Dallas and Ft Worth papers are going to combine coverage and Tracey Meyers will no longer be covering the Stars.  I have tried to read both Heika’s and Tracey’s coverage online everyday.  So I will miss reading Tracey’s viewpoint.  Good luck, Tracey, in what ever you end up doing. 

Anyway, on to tonight’s game.  I was very glad to see Rhadigan back on the pre-game show, but not as happy as Craig Ludwig.  Can’t say that I blame him.  Oh, I want to apologize to Brian Sutherby for misspelling his last name throughout my last game blog.  Sorry about that!  This will be a strange game for me to watch, as I usually root for the Sabres and Ryan Miller (aka Crunchy) when they are playing due to all the Sabres fans that hangout over on IPB.  But not tonight, Crunchy, sorry!

We open with Richards, Eriksson and Lundqvist and Niskie and Syd on defense.  Ribs is with Ott and Lehts with Robi and Daley on D.  Mo with Neal and Petersen?  Grossie and Hutch.  4th line is Barch, Parrish and Sutherby at center.   So lines are pretty much the same as last game.  I can’t remember when Tipp has left the lines alone this much.  It seems so strange to actually be seeing the Sabres play after so many nights of following them on IPB.  It’s Pommerdoodle not Pominville, Ralph, don’t you know this?  Daley has put two guys on the ice already, according to Hub.  Spacek and Neal tried to take each other out at center ice.  You hurt Neal, Spacek, and the Ice Trolls will drop you like a hot potato.

Tallinder is out there, much to Heather B of Top Shelf’s relief.  She was convinced they were going to trade him when he sat out a game recently. 

Staffy gets called for interference and NISKIE SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY!!!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Niskie!!!   Matt NIIIIIIskanen!  (Sorry, Crunchy.)  Razor is commenting about Crunchy being the best US born goalie in the league. 

Aw.  Staffy is in the naughty box again for hooking.  I don’t like playing another team that I really like. 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  OTTER SCORES A BREAKAWAY ON A POWER PLAY!!! 

2 for 2 on the Power Play?  Hub just asked, “Who is this team?”

First Intermission:

We open with another power play against Buffalo after Vanek gets called for slashing Ott.  I’m so glad to see Niskie playing so well now.  I just adore the kid and was really starting to worry about him.  Daley shoots from the point and I don’t think Crunchy every saw it. 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel so conflicted about scoring on Crunchy.

Robi takes the man, not the puck.  Hub loves that.  Sutherby taking on Goose, after Goose takes off Parrish’s helmet.  They both get five.

We get called for too many men on the ice.  Sabres go on power play.  Daley is smarting from that one.  Penalty kill was pretty darn good.  Spacek held onto Neal’s jersey behind the net there.  Spacek is skating on thin ice with the Ice Trolls. 

My little gnat, Petersen, is in the penalty box.  The Sabres almost get one and then Rivet from the point to score with a possible tip in by Goose.  So the score is 3-1.  Looks like they are giving the goal to Goose.

Neal gets called for holding.  We’ll end the second on the penalty kill. 

Second Intermission:

Grossie interview!!!  He had some awesome hits on Monday, really loud!  Congrats on the goal, Grossie!!!

I always start off slow in the third.  I saw that one coming.  Hecht was staying camped out in front of Marty just waiting.   Score is now 3-2.  Not good.

NOW THAT WAS GOOD!!!  B-RAD SCORES!!!  4-2!

Grossie got an assist on that, so he has a multi-point game.  Go Grossie! 

Can B-rad look any more intense?  Smokin’ hot, what can I say. 

Ribs gets called for hooking on Hank and Lindy takes a timeout.  Whoa, Tampa Bay beat the Flyers 4-1.  And Gaustad scores on the power play.  4-3, poop.

CRAP!!!  MacArthur scores.  Who the heck is MacArthur?  Never heard of him, wish still had not.  Guys, you have to play all three periods.  Gees.

It’s tied 4-4.  This is so not good.  They were playing so well, what happened?  Anyone? 

Settle down guys.  Yipes under two minutes.  We have to get two points here.  We are scrambling in our own defensive zone.  Where did our offense go?  This is crazy. 

For the 13th time this season, we head into overtime.  At least the Sabres are not in our conference. 

Overtime:

ROBI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That did not look good.

Nice save, Turco.  At least now he is playing solid.  I can’t stop thinking about Robi. 

Shoot Out.  Argh.

Richards – saved

Kotalik – saved

Neal – saved

Stafford – saved

Eriksson – saved

Connolly – saved

Ribeiro – saved 

Vanek – saved

Lehtinen – SCORE

Roy – SCORE

Parrish – saved

Pominville – SCORE  Final 5-4 Sabres win.  I am definitely not Pommerdoodling. 

Where was Modano?

DALLAS 5 vs. DETROIT 4 – Revenge of the Defensemen

Starting out, Zetterburg draws a penalty.  So much for the Power Play.  Now, we have 4 on 4.   OK, guys can we try something other than the wrist shot from the upper circle as we are getting the puck in Detroit’s zone.  How about getting someone moving to the net.  Sutherby makes a shot but Dead Things get a 2 man break with Datsuyk getting by a Star and puts one by Turco.   Razor and probably Tippet  not happy with Turco, but it would be easier if there wasn’t a free red sweater on his other side waiting for a pass.  Analysis from one who never played the game, why does anyone try to get the puck from Datsyuk?  Knock him off the puck. 

Neal gets a turnover and a good rush and almost a 2nd chance, but no one else around.   Neal hits the crossbar and straight down, then Loui does a Ovie and misses the puck.  Dallas power play with the Wings uping the pressure in center ice.  Not much until the last 15 secs.   Is Osgood and his mis-matched red helmet still there?  Neal is picking up the pace trying to beat Osgood on the wrap around, but not quite.  Detroit cutting off the passing lanes and full ice pressure.  I have this vision of Babcock and Nolan Richardson trading ideals.   Just laughing  and saying  “what do you mean we don’t play the same game”.   Suddenly knocked out of my dream by sooo sweat reality– An OTT GOAL!!!!!!!!  Great pass from Riberio.   I think I can hear the WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! coming from one woman in the stands in an Ott Jersey.    Now, another reality gets bad.  Grossman gets a penalty with less than 2 minutes (Dear Tippet, Nick needs to be skating lines tomorrow).   Time runs out and we are into overtime.  

Overtime

4 on 3 with the Grossman’s penalty.   The Hub and Kid holding their breath but the Stars kill the penalty.  Like seeing Osgood’s helmet as the Stars keep the puck in the dead zone.  Nisky moves the puck in close with a pass to Daley but Osgood makes the save but Daley hammers the rebound into the Net!!!!!    STARS WIN,  STARS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I hope Myra’s co-workers can still hear after her response to that goal?  Much needed win with 3 goals from our Defensemen. 

Great effort from the Stars.  When things looked bad early early they picked up the offense.  When Detroit increased their defensive pressure the  Stars upper their game a notch. 49 shots on goal, that’s like a week of work for Osgood.  Way to take the game to the Red Wings.  Now I do like Detroit’s team (unfortunately for them), but its so nice to see the Stars play well and WIN.  Like to see 2 additional points in the Stars column but its still an uphill climb.  At L2L headquarters, the first team will keep blogging about events on the mountain.     

To Myra’s non-hockey co-workers- Hoped you liked the game even without fights.

The Hub