L2L Celebrates a White Christmas!

L2L HQ Christmas Eve 2009

I know what you are thinking, a little snow, so what?  Well, I’m on the downside of my forties and I have never, NEVER SEEN A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!  Here in Big D, we usually get a little snow (more often ice) once or twice a winter.  And that usually doesn’t happen until January or February.  So having a White Christmas was a big deal to us!  Only problem, was we didn’t make it to church for Christmas Eve and our family and friends couldn’t come over to have our traditional veggie-beef soup and cornbread and to open presents.  We made it a little over half way to Park Cities Baptist (my sister’s church and our traditional choice for Christmas Eve) before we decided we better turn back.  The roads were starting to ice over, precipitation and temperatures continued to fall and it wasn’t even dark yet.  The Hub’s parents were with us so we headed home and made the best of the evening.  And of course Santa had no problem getting here with the Kid’s requested Rock Band being under the tree the next morning.  Christmas morning found L2L HQ was still covered in a blanket of snow but the roads cleared pretty quickly once the sun came out.  We were able to spend a food, family and friends filled day at my sister’s.  I hope you all were able to celebrate in your own special ways. 

I have started a new post several times over the last few weeks but have not been able to get one finished for a while now.  It’s been the usual busy holiday times, plus I’m still getting used to working full time.  Not an easy task since I haven’t worked full time since 1997.  So it’s been a while.  Some fun things have happened a long the way.  I was invited to participate in a blog chat with other “serious” Stars bloggers over on Defending Big D.  It was fun but hard.  I’m not a “serious” Stars blogger so I had to really focus and try to keep my comments on the more serious side.  That was not easy.  I haven’t had time to do much in depth analysis of Stars games this year.  I haven’t even done many game blogs, so I was feeling a bit rusty.  But they were pretty kind to me, that is until we started talking trade scenarios.  Let me say, I hate talking trades.  We almost never get anywhere close to what the GM’s are thinking.  It’s just a crap shoot.  But I had thought about it before hand and felt if the Stars were going to go for a big name top line defenseman they would need to trade one of their bigger salary guys.  Ribeiro seems to have been struggling in Crawford’s system and his 5m salary seemed a likely fit.  I was concerned about his desirability with other teams but didn’t think that was strong enough to make him untradeable.  Well, let’s just say it didn’t go over that well with the other guys.  But never one to shy away from a confrontation, I soldiered on.  Overall my biggest problem was not being fast enough!  But for an old chic, I hung in there all right.  I’m still not sure why they asked me, the lone female, amateur writer, but I was honored that they did.  And the chat got linked by Puck Daddy so that was really cool.  Another fun thing was being in the NHL Arena Stars blog off.  Which again, I had no business being in but it was fun.  Had some nice comments from it.

We’ve been to several games.  Some real stinkers and some not so bad.  The last one being against the Sharks where we got to sit in the lower bowl in the offensive end (thanks to our friends, Head Thief and wife from Landthieves.)  We got to see Nabokov have an excellent game up close, unfortunately.  But I really liked what I saw from the Stars, they played a solid game, much better than what we have been seeing.  Felt really bad for Vish and hitting that one into the Stars empty net.  I hope he can go back to Austin and put it behind him.  I think it was a good move to send him back, where he won’t be asked about it constantly.  Can get some solid games behind him and next time he is called up, all will be forgotten.  The Stars last game against the Blue Jackets was another solid sixty minutes of hockey.  I was especially pleased with Auld’s play.  It’s been fun watching him play, he is such a polar opposite in style from Marty.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Marty’s athleticism, but Auld is such a minimalist, and so big in the net.  It is an interesting contrast.  I’m just thrilled to see two back to back solid efforts. 

We are a few minutes from game time for Stars vs Avs.  I’ll be hanging out at DBD in the game thread.  Hope you all continue to have a wonderful holiday! 

Happy Holidays from all of us at L2L HQ!!  And yes, I am laughing too loud.

From Hub, Myra, the Kid and Santa Buddy

Oh and GO STARS!!!

Stars vs Kings

Sorry, I’ve been MIA, lately.  Tons of work and a bit of food poisoning I think.  I went to bed at 6:30 last night and missed my first Stars game in more than a year.  I won’t be blogging tonight but you are welcome to leave comments.  I’ll be over at IPB and DBD. 

Oh, also if you hear of some evil Duck getting food poisoning from a tainted pot roast he received in the mail, I know nothing about it. 

**grumble**grumble**thinks he can slew foot Niskie, does he?**grumble**grumble**

It’s Almost Here! Now What Do We Do?

Well folks, the season starts tomorrow.  Hard to believe we are almost there.  This has been a long hard summer for us here at L2L HQ.  Last year was pretty rough.  The changes made this summer have not been well received by us and pre-season has not held a lot of promise.  But even with all that we can’t hardly wait for the Stars first game.  We have tickets for the home opener on Saturday, so I won’t be blogging here.  And that brings me to my topic for tonight.  What do we want to do here this year?  Last year we live blogged here for a lot of the games.  But this year there are a lot more options for places to hang out during the game.  In particular there is Twitter and Defending Big D.  I wanted to get some feedback from you guys on what y’all would like to do.  Do you want to just hang out on Defending Big D or Twitter.  Or would you still want to have an open thread here for us chics to be able to say what we want?  Let me know.  Patty and I have talked and she has agreed to sharing hosting responsibilities.  We would take turns having a live blog for the games on our respective blogs.  Let us know what you think!

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

Yo, Peeps!

Yolah! Kid here, taking control of the blog while mom is at the game tonight. Mom and some (lots) of co-workers will be there (4 of which actually know anything about hockey…) in section 104 rows P & R. She says that if anyone is at the game, they can come say hi. She will, of course, be in her Petulant Little Ice Troll (Ott) jersey so she should kinda stand out. I will be updating when I take breaks from my S.S. project with texts (exactly as mom sent them) from the game! Also, Mom wants “Hub” (Dad) to do a live blog of the game, but who knows what Dad will do, because I haven’t exactly told him yet. Ah, well…

 Peace,

The Kid

We got a late start after getting stuck in traffic on the way home and having supper.  Was going to start blogging when Dallas was looking good but then Detroit scored.   Detroit looks good.   There offensive looks years ahead of Dallas.  I’m thinking Lord Stanley.  Of course, one reason is my predictions are so bad I see Detroit going to pieces any time now.   One positive from first period, Nick Grossman first regular season score and agressive play.

2nd Period

Can you believe it 2nd score by our Defensemen.  Robi puts one in with traffic up front.   Ott gets a shot in close.  How did that not go in?   On Replay you see  the puck free close to Osgood, Ott hits the puck and Osgood goes into the net but the puck is still in the crease.  

Dallas getting the puck down low on Detroit.   They actually have won a face-off.   4th line did some good work with Peterson getting a hard shot on goal with Sutherby and Barch close to the net.   Now lets try the Detroit drive by.  Problems, Detroit two man rush, with great spacing  but Great 2nd effort by Turco saves a goal!!!!!  We are still in this.   As much as we see this, you think the Stars could do it once in a while.   Now have I said how much I like Detroit for the Cup? 

OK, what’s up with Robi?  The penality box isn’t your friend.  As Razor said last week Detroit doesn’t need an enforcer since they beat your with Power Play points.   Too much time in front of Marty, but no great shots by Detroit.  Just as I was going to criticize Parrish and Sutherby for being in the same place at the same time (have I said how much I like Detroit’s spacing) Barch makes a great pass to Parrish and its tied.  WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!.

Just when all is looking good in L2L  Land, Modano does a brain freeze, must be young age,  right in front of Turco but Marty saves Modano’s bacon.  If he hadn’t there might be an extra Ott jersey on the ice putting Mo into the boards.  Stars power play with a good shot by Richards but a quick glove by Osgood makes the save.  Razor say mastidonic, I don’t think so.   I liked the Stars defense since it works so much better with the puck in Detroit’s end.   Osgood takes a double penalty with 15 seconds to Go.  Will start the 3rd with clean ice and a power play.   Keep the puck close to Osgood.   Have I said Detroit is my pick to Hoist the Cup!!!! 

The Hub

Stars 4 vs Ducks 3 OT

Ah, after all the holiday festivities, it’s nice to settle in for a night of hockey.  I’ve got my pjs on and am ready to go.  Kid and I spent the day walking two different malls, shopping like crazy.  We took a break in the middle of the day to go see Twilight.  It was pretty much what we expected, teenage romance.  Edward is pretty but I find it pretty creepy that all these middle-age moms have a thing for him.  That would be like me having a thing for one of our young Stars and that is just wrong.  Now Tipp is another story.  Hee, just kidding, Hubbie!

I’m watching the pre-game show, can we not find someone better than Ric Renner?  I guess that is the price we pay for having such great game announcers, can’t have everything.  Yay, Steve Ott interview!  He’s playing with Ribs again, yes!  He says he likes to challenge the biggest guy on the ice.  Otter is so nuts.  Just don’t let Pronger make you hurt your hand again, young man!

We start with B-rad centering for Toby and Loui with Daley and Robi on D.  Then we go with Ribs centering for Ott and Brunnstrom with Syd and Niskie on D.  Followed by the third line of Modano with Leths and Neal and Grossman and Hutchison on D.  Fourth line is Sutherby with Barchie and Wilson.   Niskanen just did some nice stick work down the center.  So glad to see him being more agressive.

Ouch, Kunitz scores on rebound that probably actually bounced off one of the Stars skates in.  Ugh.  Robi is called for interference.  Let’s go PK.  Mo does a fine job of pestering to keep them out of the Stars end.  He’s out there with Niskie, Otter and Syd.  And the second team comes in and finishes killing it off.  Ribs with Loui, but not sure who else on that second unit.

Now we are on the PP after some Duck gets called for hooking.  Mo, Ott, Ribs, Robi and Leths?  Popped one off the pipes but no score.  Now Perry is called for tripping on Loui.  Another PP.  Nothing.  I hate games with lots of penalties it just kills the flow of the game.  Both teams seem to be doing a lot of fumbling around with the puck.  And the Stars go on another PP.  Maybe that is the Ducks strategy, just keep us on the power play.  And so we end the first period.  That was pretty yucky.  Our power play is not looking too hot right now.  0 for 3 on PP and 0-1, Ducks.

First Intermission:  Tampa Bay is ahead 3-1 with Smitty in goal and Jussi getting 2 assists.  The Devils lead the Rangers 3-1 as well.  If this next period doesn’t get more interesting, I may resort to reading the Kid’s copy of Twilight.

They start off on the power play from the last few seconds of Festerling’s delay of game call.  Boy, I thought my last name was kinda lame but “Festerling” that just sounds icky.  Nice drive by Barch but Sutherby is tripped up on his way to the net.  No call.  Oh well, we probably are better off not going on the power play again.

WOW!!!!  GORGEOUS PLAY BY PETERSEN TO RICHARDS!!!  AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Love seeing Toby use his speed and Brad use his smarts to get that shot off so fast.  1-1  Yes!!!

Whoa, Corey Perry tries to saw Turco in half, as Razor said.  I can’t believe the Ducks didn’t score on that.  Perry and Daley are in the naughty box.  We are 4 on 4.  Nothing.

Bunny is out there without a helmet.  That always worries me.  Toby gets hit head first into the boards.  Did not look good.  He headed straight to the bench.  No call on that but then Getzlaf gets called for something.  We’ll end the second on the power play.

Second Intermission:  Interview with Brian Sutherby coming up.  Um.  Not a lot of personality there.  Hmm.  Wow, with five left in the first, the Avs are leading the Red Wings 3-0?  Buffalo and the Isles are going to the shootout, may have to go check that out.

Start the third on power play, again. 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Power Play goal on rebound by Neal!!!  “Almost like Giggy laid an egg and Neal wiped his fanny”–courtesy of Razor.

Otter gets called for interference.  PK do your stuff.  Or maybe not.  Morrison scores after Turco comes way too far out on a stop and Morrison puts in the rebound.  Turco, that was not good.  2-2.

That was odd.  Long review about who should still be on the ice after Dallas gets called for icing and Leths gets shaken up on the play so he went to the bench.  Whatever.

Morrison scores again.  I must admit it was a nice goal feed from behind the net by Bobby Ryan.  This does not look good.  3-2 Ducks with less than 3 minutes to go. 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy Cow!  Ribs scores!  I can’t believe it.  I don’t think I have ever seen a six man play actually work.  That sixth man being Ott by the way. 

Overtime: 

Eriksson has a great breakaway off a lovely center pass from B-rad.  But no score.  Getzlaf gets called for slashing.  Four forwards out there for the Stars. 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Modano scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

35 POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY WON THAT GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOO  STARSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stars vs Jackets

Well, this certainly does not bode well.  I haven’t started typing and the Blue-Jackets have scored.  Nash scored but I wasn’t even paying attention enough to know what happened.  I was too excited to see that Robi, Lundy and my favorite little ice troll, Steve Ott, are back in the line-up.   And Ott is already in the penalty box along with Commodore.  4 on 4.

LOUI!!!!!!!  Loui scores off a nice feed from B-rad behind the net.  Loui breaks his personal high for goals in a season already.  What a great year he is having.  Aw, they are playing his song.

Otter, that was not very nice.  Major elbow to Boll and he gets put in the naughty box.  And Brassard makes a pretty piece of work out of it and scores.  Sigh.  2-1, Jackets.

Stars go on the power play over a hooking call on Modin.  Ah!  Please don’t hurt Loui!  Power play still sucks.  Otter is chirping away just like always. 

As we go to commercial, let me just say, I was very sad to see Sergei Zubov is going to have to have another hip surgery.  I feel so bad for him.  I know he is probably seething with frustration.  My sympathies go out to our friend, Caitlin, who’s favorite player is Zubov. 

Wow!  James Neal just made mincemeat out of Brassard.  Whoa.  Okay, not only is he a fabulous scorer, the kid can fight.  Dude.  Alpha Male.  I loved the “Yeah, you’re done.” comment he gave Brassard.  HeHeHe.

Barch and Boll go after it but Barchie falls down.  Aw, Barchie, nice try.  We have gained a whole new appreciation of Barch around here lately.  Nice guy. 

Feisty group tonight.  Otter influence?

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOUI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loui scores a second goal off some nice work by B-rad and Lundy.  Loved the pass from Lundy!  We finish the period tied, 2-2!  YES!!!

FIRST INTERMISSION: 

Boring intermission.  I could comment on the fact that Sundin finally signed with a team but I could really care less.  Except that it is with the Canucks.  I hope he does well for them and doesn’t disappoint their ace blogger, alix, over at The Humming Giraffe. 

I’m sorry, but I am still reeling from that pounding Neal gave Brassard and Loui getting two more goals.  That was one action packed first period.

HAT TRICK FOR LOUI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NISKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  POWER PLAY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!   WAIT CAN THAT BE???????????  TWO POWER PLAY GOALS?!?!?

Sorry, I can’t keep up!  We got a 5-3 right off the start of the second period and Loui scores.  Then Niskie makes a great shot on the rest of the power play and scores. 

Dangit, don’t the Jackets know they are supposed to give up now.  Nash scores again.  4-3 Stars.

Mo gets called for hooking.  And successfully killed off.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B-RADDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  4 POINTS SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are a hot headed bunch tonight.  Barch goes at it with Commodore.  Then some evil dude goes after our little Niskie.  DO I NEED TO WRITE ANOTHER POST?  NO HITTING MATT NISKANEN.  ARGH.

I can’t keep up.  Lundy gets called for roughing and we kill off the penalty.  Then some Jacky McJacket scores and it is 5-4, Stars.  That was an ugly one, Turco.

Some where in there Boll got a 10 minute misconduct, which we totally missed.  Gees, I need a break. 

Stars are on a power play from a roughing call on Methot.  Finally, the second period ends.

SECOND INTERMISSION:  Otter interview!!!  It is nice to see him back.  Always does a great interview. 

They mentioned that Brassard has not been back since his little throwdown with Neal.  I bet he is wishing he had left Neal alone.  Other intermission news.  The lovely Mr. Boucher scored another goal for the Pens tonight and Jeff Halpern is back in the line up for Tampa Bay and scored a goal.  Glad to hear that for both guys.  Unfortunately for Tampa Bay and Smitty, they lose in the shootout when Smitty gets called for throwing his stick to make a stop.  Poor Smitty can’t seem to catch a break.

Been a much more quiet period.  Neal is called for high sticking with only 5 minutes left in the game.  I don’t know if I can watch.  Tell me when it is over.  Robi freezes the puck.  I didn’t know you could do that.  I thought that was a “goalie only” thing.  Hmm.

Trevor Daly has not been back.  I hope it is nothing too serious. 

Dangit.  Jackets tie it.  Crap.  I can’t believe this.  What a blown opportunity.

OVERTIME:

Wow.  We dodged a bullet there.  Jackets score right away and get it called no goal because it was kicked by his skate. 

I . can’t . watch .

Well, we are headed for the shootout.  I used to not mind the shootout because we almost always won.  Now, not so much.

Brad Richards — GOAL

Huselius — Goal

Brunnstrom — NO GOAL

Nash — NO GOAL

Ribeiro — GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

STARS WIN!!!

What a great night for Loui and Brad.  Number 1 and 3 Stars of the game.

While I am thrilled to see Otter back in the game, I must say my favorite moments were Neal’s beatdown on Brassard, “Yeah, you’re done.”   And of course Loui’s Hat Trick.  And I’m just really glad to see Brad Richards having such a great game. 

Post game interview with Otter.  “My mouth ain’t broken.”  Gees, I love that little troll.

Baylor Homecoming with the L2L Clan

Long before I became a hockeyite, I was a Baylorite.  We are a whole family of Baylorites.  Maybe that is why I can be relatively calm in the face of sucky hockey.  I’ve watched Baylor football for years.  It all started with my sister who is five years older than me.  Her best friend was from a Baylor family and Big Sis started going to Baylor games and visiting campus with her when they were still in elementary school.  Big Sis decided she wanted to go there and the rest is history.  I followed in her footsteps.  Then years later I met and married Hub, who while he graduated from A&M, is from a quite extended Baylor family and attended his Freshman year at Baylor before deciding to major in chemical engineering and transferring to Aggieland.  His uncle taught chemistry at Baylor for over 30 years.  So he has cousins who went there and his sister and her husband and her husband’s family.  It even goes back to his great-great-great-great grandfather  who was one of the original trustees that started and kept Baylor afloat in its early years. 

Anyway, currently we have all three of his sister’s kids at Baylor.  So on Friday, we took a half day off and headed down to our beloved homeland.    We met my sister and bro-in-law at El Chicos for dinner.  Another tradition, my sis and I have been going to this particular one since we were little.  Also, meeting us was our pediatrician friend and Baylor grad, Susan and her husband and twin sons (just younger than the Kid).  The group of us have had season tickets to the Dallas Summer Musicals and have celebrated Easter together for many years.  From there we went to Pigskin Revue which is a musical revue put on at Homecoming every year.  Pigskin Revue is the top eight groups from the previous spring’s Sing competition.  Sing is a university wide competition with groups from sororities, fraternities and pretty much any other group that wants to mount a production.  And when I say production, I mean production.  They pick a theme, do backdrops and props, sing 4 or 5 songs that tell a story with maybe up to a dozen different soloists and as many as a hundred dancers packed onto the stage.  I always love the guy groups with all that four part harmony and young testosterone crammed onto the stage at once, the energy is amazing.  From there we go to the Bonfire/Pep Rally which have really suffered in recent years.  Between the A&M bonfire tragedy, the poor performance of the football team and the trend of cheerleaders doing “dance” routines to canned music (not the band ), the pep rally has lost a lot of its pep.  I spent a lot of the time texting my niece and nephews about plans for the next day.  I hope they were dually impressed by their dear old aunt! 

The next morning started bright and early at the local IHOP and then on to the campus for one of the largest Homecoming parades in the nation.  We met my sister-in-law, oldest nephew and niece there and were proud to see our youngest nephew in the parade dancing with the campus Swing Dance group.  He is a freshman, at least 6′ 2″ or 3″ and absolutely adorable.  Did I mention he is an Eagle Scout?  I think he may already have a little girlfriend, who is adorable as well.  We took the kids out to lunch, along with a couple of their friends.  It was so much fun being around all their enthusiasm and energy.  Am I feeling a little old?  Maybe.  After that we made our annual pilgrimage to the Book Store to load up on Baylor emblazoned stuff.  I think we got a little carried away this time.  From there we head home.  What’s that you ask?  What about the football game?  We haven’t bothered with the game for years.  Sorry, every year I look at tickets and think do I really want to spend that much money on tickets to go watch the Bears lose?  And the answer is always….No.

Still I love my dear old Alma Mater.  Sic’em Bears!!!

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!!!!!!!!

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……