"Jerseys for Christmas"

I kept mulling it over in my mind and couldn't think of the perfect gifts to get my youngest little brothers for Christmas. They love video games and cars and all things 12 year olds love these days, but they save their allowance and buy those types of goodies themselves. So what's a big sister to do...

All of a sudden I remember the discussion I had with J on his and N's birthday. I gave them each money in their cards and told them to put it towards something they had been wanting to save up for. Something big. J's been trying to save his money for a Jarome Iginla jersey but every once in a while he gets so excited about how good he's doing about saving his money that he wants to treat himself to a new toy! Of course he does, he's 12! I think he has more money in his wallet than I ever did when I was his age, I couldn't save more than $20 at a time. So really, I think he's doing pretty well. I also imagine that he must be pretty frustrated, since a Flames jersey itself is fairly expensive, even for me now. I thought about the option of getting him a gift certificate for the NHL shop online for the rest of the money he would need to buy a jersey, however when I looked they didn't have the option to buy custom youth jerseys. Another thought; what would I buy N for the same value. Then it occured to me.

I ran straight from work to a sports shop in a nearby mall about 10 minutes before closing time. Since I knew they'd have Iginla jerseys my only hope was to find a Tanguay jersey for N...why hadn't I thought of this before? If you've kept up with my blog, you'd know that N LOVED Tanguay a few years back when he played for the Flames the first time around. Once traded, N decided he definitely wasn't cheering for the Flames anymore. This started after our loss in the Stanley Cup finals of course, afterall in 2004 they were 6 years old and any six year old wants to cheer for the winning team - so losing Tanguay a few years later was the last straw for this little man. Well, now he's back! I can get N his Tanguay jersery and all will be right in the world again.

Christmas jerseys, it is!

"Women and Fantasy Hockey Lingo 101: Lesson 1"

Ladies. Oh Ladies, ladies, ladies. There are a few things guys will assist you with when you're joining your very first hockey pool. Such as, what the "I" in PIM stands for, and even then you could have googled it yourself. (As I'm typing the word "googled" my computer underlined it as if I had misspelled something. Hasn't "googled" made it into Webster's dictionary yet?!) What even THEY don't know is the lingo used in the hockey world by men on a regular basis has more than one simple meaning when that same lingo is spoken in conversation by a woman.

Here is the first lesson in what I will call, "Women and Fantasy Hockey Lingo. 101"

When you are contemplating letting one of your players go in exchange for someone else because you need to fill in the blanks of categories that you are lacking points in, you must first be aware of your surroundings and choose your words carefully. Let me paint you a picture.

Last night I was discussing the many plagues of the Calgary Flames Franchise with my boss and new favorite person on the planet, Zach. (We'll discuss those plagues in a later post.) Now, he is a *cough* Leafs fan - but hey, no one's perfect - back to the story. We got onto the subject of my hockey pool and I was asking him questions about Phil Kessel (an FA in my pool and a Toronto Maple Leaf, which is why it was important to mention Zach's allegiance). I mentioned the areas where my Roster seems to be lacking and ways I thought I could improve my overall standings. While I am still keeping my head above water in this league, currently in 4th place, I was looking for someone with a bit of a reputation for taking penalties. There are other fields that are out of my control, such as power play goals and the ever questionable "hits" statistic, although you CAN find scoring players who are also hotheads on the ice. As we continue on, I tell Zach how I had compared a few other players available to pick up to who I would drop if I felt the shift in my Roster would help even out all of my categories when all of a sudden out of my mouth is this: "I just need a guy who spends more time in the box."

A split second goes by before I realize what I've done. I am behind the bar at a cozy little neighborhood pub completely surrounded by men with half consumed beers in their hands. Their waitress has just announced that she either needs a hothead hockey player for her Fantasy Hockey pool, OR her more personal "needs" are just not being met.

Lesson #1

When speaking about the box in question, be sure to note your surroundings and use the proper language to ensure that anyone within earshot of what you are about to say has no reason whatsoever to question whether you are sending out open invitations to your bedroom or if you are IN FACT a dedicated hockey fan and Fantasy player. Fantasy and box in the same sentence without the words penalty and hockey can lead to rumors and offers you just might not want spread about or have offered to you. Other phrases that may have been more appropriate? "I am looking for a hockey player to add to my roster who draws more penalties for my Fantasy Roster", or, "Which hockey player do you think would spend more time in the penalty box than this or that player?".

Never, "I just need a guy who spends more time in the box". Never.

At least it was worth the laugh!

T

"The Laugh Out Loud Alone In An Airport Lounge Kind of Read"

Two posts in less than 12 hours? This might be getting slightly out of hand.

When I woke up this morning I reached over to my night stand, where I keep an assortment of books I might have on the go, and read a chapter or two before I start my day. I try my best never to have any more than one at a time because some lonely read usually gets neglected, forgotten about, and sometimes never picked up again. Damn you, James Duthie. That's right, TSN broadcaster James Duthie. Where does he come into all of this? He has humiliated me twice - in two separate airports, taken roughly $100 of my hard earned cash, made me cry about half a dozen times, is the cause of the two other half finished novels gone limp on the bedside shelf, and I'm just plain jealous of his columns. (And his job!)

Let's start from the beginning. A few months ago, I was walking through the new CrossIron Mills just outside of Calgary when I noticed an Indigo Chapters. This, for those who don't know, is the demise of every penny I have in my wallet at any given time. I steer clear of this heaven on earth filled with stands of books from all over the map with signs like, "Only $4! Heather's Pick!" to entice, or as I like to call it, manipulate you further into their maze. You get lost in there every time even though you are certain you know your way out and you're actually only going in to look at that one table, that one with all of the books for $4. That's how they get you. By the time you have searched that entire table you have accumulated so many damned books in your arms that the kindest angel will come over and offer you the most outrageously over-sized "in-store bag" you've ever seen. You say, "No thank you", but what you really have the urge to frantically scream like a crazy person is, "Get the hell away from me!". No thank you. You turn around to put all of the books back and scan your escape route as you plan to sprint through the doors leading back into the comfort of the mall's gigantic hallways. You can't move. You see yet another book and you have to read the back cover of. Trouble is, you have seven $4 books in your arms and you haven't had time to choose which ones you're actually keeping yet - even though you decided two split seconds ago that you were dropping all of them and running out of the store as if someone was chasing you with a chainsaw. Angel #2 appears. This time you angrily snatch the stupid purple bag out of her hand and drop your books inside. Damnit.

This is exactly what happened to me. It happens every single time. So, I reason with myself by saying that since I already have eleven hundred books in my bag I might as well sift through the entire store, all while convincing myself that when the angels aren't watching I will drop that bag so fast and run like hell. That's how my relationship with James Duthie began. Sure, I've seen him on TV, but I hadn't ever read any of his columns and quite frankly hadn't appreciated his wit during the intermissions of my beloved Flames games. I see his book on one of the shelves I'm trying to divert away from and lo and behold, I pick up my eleven hundred and first book. Long story short, I read the insert inside of the front cover and I'm sold like a glass of lemonade for $0.25 on a hot summer's day from a kid's stand outside his doorstep. I bring all of my books to the counter, flash my indigo card and give the cashier all of my money. Big purple bags are evil. Those angels are in disguise.

Tonia - 0. James Duthie - $30.00

It's a few weeks later when I finally open the front cover of "How I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys" and read his first column. (It took me that long to stop giving his picture on the cover the evil eye and finally forgive him.) I was leaving the next morning for a trip to Vancouver and thought that since I would need some reading material, I would bring him along for the ride. I arrive at the airport far earlier than usual and decide that, since I am on vacation, I will treat myself to a glass of wine in the lounge before catching my flight. (The waitress comes over and asks, "6oz or 9?". I give her half of the blame for nearly missing my flight - James Duthie gets the remaining 50%.) I slide back in my little booth facing the rest of the entire restaurant, I'm all dressed up to surprise everyone in Van and sipping a $15.00 glass of vino, all while reading a book about hockey - that's straight class. The whole experience would have been a pleasant one if I'd have had any inkling as to how outright hilarious Duthie was. Is. So funny, in fact, that I was inadvertently laughing hysterically to the point of tears and the occasional snort, surrounded by a room of fellow travelers. Quiet, if not silent travelers.

Tonia - negative 1. James Duthie: 1 + $30.00.

In my embarrassment, I shoved the book into my carry on bag and realized that the 9 ounce glass of wine I'd ordered 30 minutes earlier was still completely full, minus the first sip I had while opening the damn book that just humiliated me. I glance around the room hoping that all had gone unnoticed and so far it seemed so.  This is when I realize how much time has gone by and how I should probably get my behind to gate D 46. I slam my glass and try my best to keep my composure as I run (in 3 inch heels) out of the restaurant. As I get just outside of the door to the lounge I hear, "Last boarding call for Flight 056 (this is a made up number, I can't remember what flight number it was, but I'm positive that I'm close) to Vancouver, we are still waiting on 3 passengers. If you could please make your way to gate D46...". Well, isn't that just great. James Duthie? Are you trying to ruin my entire day?

Tonia - negative 2. James Duthie - 2 + $30.00

Needless to say, I make it on board and I luckily have a seat two rows up from the front of the plane. I don't have to excuse my tardiness to more than one person as I slam my carry on into the overhead compartment above row 2. I even buy the wonderful lady (Susan) beside me a glass of wine because I feel so bad. That's another $6.50, Duth. Can I call him that? I feel like our relationship has stooped to that level. Duth it is. We don't speak for a day after that. I get into Vancouver, slightly tipsy from my 15 ounces of delicious red wine, and fly into the arms of my wonderful friend, Geoff, who picked me up from YVR. The next afternoon, after a much needed nap, I crawl onto the couch beside my napping friend and pull out that damn book once again. This time, inches away from Geoff's sleeping body, I am caught so off guard by the hilarity of it that I nearly fell off the couch. I once again had to leave the room covering my mouth so as not to let out the ridiculous laughter that would have otherwise been the most intense belly laugh of all time. This is the second instance, but not yet the last, where James Duthie has made me cry.

Tonia - so knee deep in negatives that I'm never climbing back up to even playing field.
James Duthie - 3 + $36.50 + 2 book recommendations.

Two days later I find myself back at Indigo Chapters. And, James - you know what happens when I go into this heaven by now! The plan is to go in with tunnel vision, see eleven hundred books I want to read the covers of, but I stay strong. I grab 2 more copies of "The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys" and I get the hell out of there! I give a copy to my Sports Guru, and another to Geoff. I can't be the only person who is going through these motions, besides it's really nice to share, isn't it?

In all seriousness, I haven't read a book that I have appreciated this much in a very long time. The humor is uncanny, the stories are vivid and full of life, and I'm loving every minute of it. I am loving it so much so that I have decided, halfway through, to only read one column a day. This is because I just don't want it to end. Not only am I a new fan of Duth's, but I will now be reading his columns regularly on TSN. Not that he needs me to do his advertising for him, but to anyone reading this blog - if you haven't read his book, go to your nearest Chapters and pick it up NOW. It is worth every penny. Oh, and I did read some of his book in the airport on the way home as well. I laughed out loud twice. This time I didn't care. I knew what I was getting myself into. There should have been a warning label on the cover for the first time around though. "May cause unexpected snorting and extreme uncontrollable laughter."

Final tallies?

Tonia - I can't keep count.
James Duthie - 5 + $96.50 + 3 purchases of the same book by the same person... that counts twice.

You win this time, Duth.

It's Game Night, folks!
GO FLAMES GO!

T

"The Rad Roster and her first Hawkey Pewl"

I have around 3 drafts sitting in my folder just waiting to be edited and posted for all of your viewing pleasure, which only means that I've been slacking with my blogging priorities lately. So you might ask, "Tonia, why oh why have you decided instead to write a fresh entry without gracing us with your Flames updates and quirky opinions?". And I might say that, well - I've been distracted. Now, I am completely aware of how irresponsible this may be from one hockey fan to another but please, let me explain.

I have joined my very first ever Fantasy Hockey Pool. That's right, the real (fantasy) thing. I studied for a week straight and when friends asked to get together during that week to play a game of pool, have a drink, catch up over coffee, or what have you... I was busy at home like a good hockey fan. I had loose papers scattered from one end of my desk to the other, the bookmarks in whatever novel I was reading were scribbled stats on a ripped off corner of an envelope from that day's mail. It was the most intense week of my life, besides round one of the 2004 NHL Playoffs, and round two of the 2004 NHL Playoffs, and round three of the...well, every damn second of the 2004 NHL Playoffs - but let's not dig up the phantom goals of the past.

So, my very good friend, Adrian gets a hold of me two weeks into this season and has a bit of a pickle to overcome. He has recently been living in Edmonton (I know, right?!) and has no friends to enjoy the Flames games with and nothing to distract him from this ever exhausting and frustrating fate. He NEEDS a hockey pool to keep his heart pumping, to keep the thrill alive! So who's with him!? That's what he really wants to know. I think to myself, "Well, I've never been in a hockey pool before but, of course, I've always wanted to. I know enough about the sport and could probably do myself a favor and test the knowledge I already have acquired. Why not?". We gather up 12 guys (ahem, 11 - I am the ONLY girl in the league, which I believe is worth mentioning) and set a date for our draft, October 31st, 2010. I spent the entire day reviewing my notes, ranking almost every single player in the NHL on yahoo, where we would meet online later that night to pick our players. You would not believe the stress and anxiety that goes into such a thing! I nearly paid 20 bucks to cause my own premature heart attack. Every excruciating minute of waiting for the draft to begin was almost worse than the actual act of realizing that no matter how much I studied I wasn't going to obtain the dream team I had been crossing my fingers for. Or could I?

Here's the thing about being a woman AND a hockey fan. No matter how educated you are about the sport, the men in your life will always think you're an idiot. Know that now along with the fact that there is next to absolutely nothing you can do about it. Ladies, that's just the way it is. They LOVE that you can hold your own in the most intense disputes between which team/player/coach/mascot/announcer/broadcaster is the best, even if you have the stats or background information to prove it. They will even be proud of you, genuinely. There is a "but". But... they will always "know" more.

I have found the secret. It's called....a hockey pool. Simple. (To back this up, my ex frequently tells me about the only girl who is ever in his Fantasy Football League and that she always does really well! And to back up my point, he - year in and year out - seems surprised by this lone fact by offering up comments like, "...and she's actually good!")

Here are my initial picks (being 11th first round in a snake rotation).

First overall was incredibly easy for me and no matter how much anyone in their right mind would pick Ovi.(as if he'd be available after the lucky drafter who got 1st overall - except in my fantasy draft, which may have even made history - 1st pick? Steven Stamkos. Smart. But he's no Ovi?). I got to thinking. What is my strategy? How can I obtain the most talent across the board and expect the most out of the players I chose? My league, especially for my first Fantasy Pool ever, is very complicated. I admit now that I didn't understand how intricate of a situation I was getting myself into, however my strategy is paying off. I thought that instead of choosing one of the top forwards left over when my turn "snaked" around, I would choose someone who would benefit my team offensively and defensively. Smart? So far.

First pick for The Rad Roster? Easy. Mike Green.

Now, the funny thing about Mike is that we went to school together. He was a year younger than me, and obviously still is but it mattered more at age 4 when he was in pre-school and you were in almighty kindergarten. It has been years since I've seen him and I don't claim to know him anymore, but I used to have this funny crush on the "younger man" back when I'd say I was in, oh... the fifth grade? He would have been in grade four? Such a no-no! And now, he's my first round pick (11th overall) in my very first hockey pool! Lucky him or lucky me? All joking aside and of course most importantly (besides the fact that he is an incredible hockey player), he was the first member of "The Rad Roster".

Now. I needed to get on my goal-tending immediately. Sure, it would have been nice to have the Steven Stamkos' and the Alexander Ovechkin's on my roster, yes. Need I remind you of how complicated the scoring is on this league?! Everything counts. Goals, assists, power play goals, penalty (infraction) minutes - and I add this here because one of my "idiot" questions was, and I quote, "Why the hell does PIM stand for Penalty Minutes?!", and even the boys I asked couldn't tell me. Penalty Infractured Minutes. Anyhow, I will carry on. Shots on goal, hits, +/-, (for net minders) saves, shots against, wins, save percentages and shootouts! Every bloody time a player blinks someone gets a point, I swear! There begs the question of whether or not all of my research and time spent studying paid off. Was my strategy going to withstand the top scoring forwards the NHL has to offer that were inevitably up before the snake slithered to the light directly underneath my anxiously awaiting cursor on the computer screen? Back to my strategy.

Well, Miller was gone. That only means that someone was on to me. Alas, there were only two measly nail biting picks in between my choosing Mike Green and whom I would select as my second pick overall. Henrik Lundqvist. And then the anxiety set in. You see, not only is the scoring ridiculously complicated, but so is the actual snake itself. I had enough time to break a sweat, run to the bathroom, grab a Kleenex, run back to my computer and realize I had enough time to pee, run back to the bathroom and do just that, wash my hands, back to the computer (still running) and realize I had enough time to let my pooch out in the yard all whilst grabbing a beer, until my next pick. Whew, just in time. Alexander Semin. Ahhh, yes. How he was still left in the lineup of juicy forwards is still a bit of a head scratcher, but I gladly added him to my roster with open arms.

This was when the boys really started to pool the rug out from underneath me. (As I read this post over this morning I noticed that it should have said pull the rug out from underneath me. Rather than correct the statement I thought it was suitable. It stays.) Pick after pick I watched my six hours of ranking go directly down the drain. I could go on forever, but most of you know how a hockey draft for fantasy pools is conducted and the stresses that go hand in hand along with them so I will simply provide you with a list of my players. Here she goes. (Yes, that's right. I said "she". Here SHE goes.) In no particular order, besides the top three picks:

Mike Green
Henrik Lundqvist
Alexander Semin
Michael Cammalleri (I laughed as I wrote his name out - of COURSE I drafted Cammi)
Rene Bourque (Love him!)
Ilya Kovalchuk
Tuuka Rask (Damn you, Thomas!)
Brent Seabrook
Mark Giordano
Loui Eriksson
Jonas Hiller
Lubomir Visnovsky
Dustin Penner

I have to admit, before I go any further, how proud I was of myself. After everything was said and done I was overwhelmed to say the least, however more than anything I couldn't wait for my 1st head to head match up. I realize this blog post is a bit excessive and lengthy at best, so I will attempt to catch you up as briefly as possible. I'm currently well on my way to winning not only my 1st, but second week as well. I am sitting tied for 4th place overall with a record of 6-3-1 by the end of week 1 and this far into week 2 with 12-6-2 and three days left! I have even received a few congratulatory comments from the boys in my league.

I have made one slight change to my roster. I picked up Andrei Markov and dropped Gio. I hated doing it although I received some great advice from my friend, Geoff in doing so. You can watch your team play and love it with all of your heart, but when it comes to Fantasy Hockey? You have to play with your head. Love Gio, but with the guidance of my Sports Guru, Steve - I dropped him and picked up a player that will help me in the long run.

I also noticed something new. I loved hockey before, but this is becoming somewhat of an obsession. I believe my ex said to me, "Now you'll understand". Maybe I will. See, this is where the girl versus boy genetic make-up becomes a strange and unknown territory. Yes, I understand how checking the stats on your phone every thirty to forty five seconds is crucial to your day. Nothing further! I kid. We're great friends, and yes, now I do understand. During my few and very frantic breaks during the work day I can be found in a corner, cell phone in hand, on the browser checking the standings of my head to head match ups. I still can't decide whether or not I think that's awesome or utterly pathetic. I love it all the same.

In other news, the Flames have broken their 4 game losing streak and are on their way to starting game 2 of the winning kind! I recognize that I have neglected to give my forefront and aggressive opinions on our season thus far, however - in all fairness, this ain't called "The Away Jersey's" for nothing! A full fledged "Flames only" post is on it's way to you very soon! Game night tomorrow! Keep your sticks on the ice!

Go Flames Go!

T

"Ignorance - It's a drag"

I've been struggling with some fair weather fans about the news of Craig Conroy signing a one year contract to remain on the Calgary Flames Roster in the upcoming season. There was hustle and bustle in the air as to whether or not he would retire and continue his career in broadcasting, perhaps play one more season with a team that might pick him up for what we all assumed would be league minimum, or remain with us and give the fans (and himself) the honor of retiring his jersey where it belongs. Now, hearing yesterdays news, as you all know by now, had me jumping for joy. I'm thrilled to wear his Jersey on my back and show my support while he is still a member of the Calgary Flames. I posted "Tonia LeBlanc is jumping for joy!!! Connie signs for one more year!!!" as my facebook status and received quite a few negative responses. The main consensus was that people felt he was useless. In retaliation, I found some wonderful stats to share with them and all of you. Here is the 20th comment left, by myself, under my facebook status.

---"First off - he doesn't wear an "A" on his jersey because he's useless. Second - here's a quote I'd like to share with you. (Also keep in mind that he was nominated by his peers for the King Clancy)"This season Conroy was also awarded the Fl...ames Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award; presented each year to the Flames player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and leadership on the ice, combined with dedication to community service. Also this season Conroy was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Calgary chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). The award recognizes “the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey”. AND third - CC was 25th overall on the "face-off leader" chart in the 2008-09 season and 33rd overall this past season. There is NO other Calgary Flame before him on that list which can only mean that he is our #1 face-off leader two years in a row. Man, you guys are all right, he IS useless." ---

If anyone else has any negative or "useless" comments for me, perhaps you'd like to get yourself informed beforehand.  


Can't wait to see number 24 out on the ice, a month and a half left to go!

"Yay, Hockey!" Go Flames Go!
T

"Tanguay for N"

Welcome to summer, folks! Some interesting things have happened in the last while since I have moved, and without an internet connection for an entire month (although it was actually kind of nice), I haven't been able to spew my thoughts (and that is also probably kind of nice since I've had a week to digest some pretty funky acquisitions).

Let us begin with the first newly acquired Flame reunited to our team on July 1st, Alex Tanguay. I'm actually quite glad that he is back for a few reasons. Before we get too serious about stats, attitude, and yes of course his request to be traded while under the wrath of Mike Keenan, I have a heartwarming story for you.

My youngest of four brothers are twins, now the age of 11. A few years back, the 2003-04 season, they started watching hockey with me. They were so darn young, but I'll tell you, the things they remember is pretty incredible. Now, rather than name names I'll refer to them as "J" and "N" since they are too young to vouch for themselves and allow me to talk about them on my public blog. J loved the Flames right away, seeing as his big sister loved them so much and he would have only been 5 going on six years old that seems fair and expected. What is funny about twins is that they either need the EXACT same things or the EXACT opposite although usually something quite often triggers the opposite effect. During that season, N remembers the Calgary Flames losing the cup in a very intense final round to of course, the Tampa Bay Lightning. THAT team from now on is HIS team, plain and simple. I'm sure our earliest memories of any sport would trigger us to want to cheer for the winners, who doesn't want to win? You don't cheer when someone loses, so if I do bug him every so often about his choice, I do it with very little enthusiasm. I just love that they share my love of hockey, or at least they will when they're older. (And how cool is it that your biggest sister is the one that taught you all you know about hockey! Fist pump)

So, since we don't get to watch all that many Tampa Bay games, N gets very excited when they do come around. He'll cheer for them, and sometimes just to spite the rest of us...he cheers for any team playing against us with a few exceptions I've warned him he is NOT allowed to cheer for. However, he has always, always loved Alex Tanguay. When he was traded from the Flames, N was a bit upset. If we happened to be playing against him and he scored, the joy of watching his face light up was pretty special. Thus, when I got the call about Tanguay re-joining our roster I called N right away to let him know. "YAY!!" - and that is a direct quote.

What I do think is that the people of Calgary don't remember Alex's incredible statistics when he was with us. His all time high for points was in fact when he played for us, second in points only to Jarome Iginla that year, which I believe was his 2006 season? He actually happens to be one of my favorite names called out by our Dome announcer, bar none; the enthusiasm always seemed to be a pitch higher when Alex Tanguay scored a goal on home ice. To be fair, he and Keenan had no interest in getting along with one another and Tanguay felt as if he was letting his team down. There have been numerous interviews and publications that I think if the fans of the Flames took the time to read, any hard feelings or anxious sentiments would melt away almost instantly. This move, unlike most of the others made this season, is nothing but good.

And then there's the head scratcher, Olli Jokinen. Didn't we just deal that guy off for next to nothing because of his lack of performance and to save a few pennies? (Well, more to the tune of a few million pennies - but who's counting?) Weren't we paying him far too much for his 10 goals that he managed to squeeze in this last season as a Flame? Why trade him off in the last month of the regular hockey season to go crawling back July 1st and bring him all the way back for $6 million over two years?! Is it just me or is that absolutely ludicrous? Reading my blog, you all know how I really feel about Jokinen, I'm sure he's a great guy but as far as him being on our roster, I haven't got a clue what Darryl Sutter is doing. Listening to the Fan 960 on July 1st and onwards has been nothing less than a riot. For the most part all of the broadcasters have tried their best to hold their tongues but I haven't heard them swear in the middle of the afternoon more in the past few weeks over the air. It's been entertaining for sure, but I don't think many of us can wrap our heads around what our team may or may NOT look like this year. One of the broadcasters insisted that this team is either going to step up to the plate this year and make big things happen or we're going to flop from day one and never catch our feet again. I, personally, couldn't agree more.

At this point my faith in Darryl Sutter has wilted. I used to argue on his behalf to the death of me and perhaps I was blinded by his power behind the bench rather than accepting how very different his role as a GM would play out. What I see now has left me cringing every time there is news about a move or a shift to the Calgary Flames roster. All there is to do now is sit and wait.

Switching gears again, my brother is very excited, as am I, to have Tanguay back. And I am making a promise to myself and to you all. I'm turning over a new leaf this upcoming season. I will let go of my past grudges and move forward. I will not mention Olli Jokinen and Michael Cammalleri in the same sentence. I will transform with my new team.

I promise.

T

CRAIG CONROY!!

Minding my own business and gearing up for the playoff games this evening when all of a sudden someone is ringing my doorbell. I stare through the peep hole at some strange man I don't recognize and then realize he's holding a package! I fling the door open, rip open then bag and shriek like a 7 year old school girl who just told her girlie friends about her new crush of the week.


It's my CRAIG CONROY Jersey!!!! I had it on before the Purolator guy could even ask me to sign for it and then in my excitement I could barely manage to remember my name trying twice before just signing my initials and doing my happy dance all the way back to my blog!

Now that my Jersey is here I pray for just one more year...one more year before retiring from the NHL as a player and moving on to broadcasting...just one more season? For me? And if not, well I can't wait to wear his name proudly on my back to every home game I attend from now on.

Fist pump of the year for me!!

T

"What's that pussy cat? WHOA WHOA WHOAAA"

Well, that's all folks. Another year slips away as Calgary plays their final two games of their 30th anniversary season. Funny how the mention of losing Cammalleri still comes up all this time later, Mike being described as a huge impact on the entire Flames unit, or now the lack thereof. I read an interview with Craig Conroy earlier and he mentions that the loss of a 40 goal scorer with the capability of hitting the net more times than not has it's repercussions on an entire team; well I could have told you that before Darryl took on Olli Jokinen as his "prize". If we go as far back as last season any true fan would remember the dynamic team that was unfortunately riddled with injury, the only reason the Calgary Flames couldn't perform during the playoff season. My question then is how do we think all of the changes we made this year to our roster were even necessary?

Where do our serious problems lay with this team? Does anyone else think it's ridiculously unfair to scrutinize Jarome Iginla for the lack of effort it seems this current roster displays? How does a captain maintain an entire team of mediocre men when he has very little to work with besides a few incredibly talented defensemen and a delightfully acrobatic net minder? They are already doing their jobs as well as possible and the heart and drive you see from those small hand fulls exceed expectation already. In my opinion, that is where our concerns should be facing. If Rene Bourque, Mark Giordano, Mikka Kipprusoff, Nigel Dawes, and Ian White are all playing to their full potential and creating more opportunities than usual, scoring season highs or at least meeting their past season highs then what is the rest of the team doing? Slacking off? If each and every guy on our roster played to their own expectations and experience levels we wouldn't be in the predicament of having to play two last games knowing they don't mean a damn thing to anyone anymore.

I was listening to the Fan 960 while I was out running errands yesterday afternoon, which is what I always listen to when I'm in the car, and there was a discussion about who should be taking the heat for our team this year. Of course Jarome was on the top of that list and their reasoning was that he could handle the heat and was always calm under pressure. Fantastic, except for the fact that he is still doing what everyone expects of him. The trouble with Jarome Iginla is that for some reason Calgarians and hockey fans all over have somehow come to the conclusion that he is not a regular human being, he has super hero skills that should enable him to score 50-60 goals a year no matter what the rest of his team mates are doing. This would work if he had his "twin sister" on the ice with him for every game, or a line he was used to that worked WITH him and not every man for himself. Henrik Sedin scores as many goals as he does not only because he is a fantastic hockey player, but because his team knows they can depend on him and thus plays are created with that sense in mind. Vancouver is in the playoffs because of their top scorers and the plays they enable for themselves that are tried and true, not because they started from scratch with one month left of the regular season.

Jarome and Mike scored often when they played together, both leaders by nature and goal scorers by talent. Now that Cammy is gone we have expected Jarome Iginla to take that entire weight and make up for decisions that were made by the higher up factors. Also, since around November of last season all eyes have been on Rene Bourque and have gone hungry with unbelievable public standards, finger pointing with a need for someone new to blame for our faults. Is Rene Bourque more than capable of scoring? Yes. Can Rene Bourque score hat tricks? Yes. Is he capable of creating scoring chances? Yes. Does he score more often than not on his break away opportunities? Yes. Then what more can we expect from him? Open your eyes people, our top players are not those who we need to be pointing our fingers at, yes we are concerned, possibly even angry, however we lost a top player that has left our team somewhat in the balance and now we are ok with the consideration of losing Jarome? Letting go of Mark Giordano? Blaming Rene Bourque for being one of the top players on our team? What is wrong with that picture?

In case we all forgot this is a team sport. There are six players on the ice for all teams at all times, minus of course penalties/power plays and any other exception such as shoot out, overtime...etc. How does the majority of fans right now think that any one players deserves to lose their position on our team more than the other when it comes to blame. We were diagnosed with a catastrophe and shipped off so many perfectly good men in exchange for new "healthier" ones, per se, when all we really needed were a few sutures here and there and a bit of change in our practice routines. Any one team who dissects an entire roster with a month left in the season has to give up their hopes for a playoff spot right then and there, not the exact opposite.

If you've read more of my blogs you know how I feel about band wagon jumpers and flimsy fans already. At this point, yes I too am disappointed like the rest of you, but understand and hear me out. The last thing I'm going to do is join those who feel any one guy deserves the boot for what has happened here, especially if that one guy is on our Calgary Flames Roster. I would openly say how foolish it would be to even consider losing Jarome Iginla for so many reasons that are most likely unbeknownst to those who feel he is our best target for shooting practice. Jarome takes pay CUTS to help salvage whatever money we can in our salary cap, he is a huge believer in our team year in and year out no matter what we do and where we are, he is a huge help in our city and to the community, and he is the leader who makes a difference to our Calgary Flames. He is loyal and has been with our team from his very first season in the NHL, and now even though he has never won a Stanley Cup in his 10+ years as a professional, he still manages to find it in his heart to stay with us...maybe we should just get rid of him? Don't forget who worked his butt of in the Olympics to help carry our Canadian men to Gold. Who was behind Sydney Crosby's winning overtime goal against the USA for our Gold Medals? That's right, Jarome Iginla took that assist. He was right where he should have been, he is always right where he should have been. What he creates goes unnoticed unless the rest of his team is on board. THAT is our mistake, not his.

I'm tired of hearing who blames this and who gets the blame for that. It's a game and someone has to win, someone has to lose. We might not like what happened this season but I guarantee all of those people with their blaming eyes and unkind words will be right back in the stands next year, especially when playoff season is right around the corner. If you are a true hockey fan and love the sport this entire post made sense to you and you nodded your head the entire read. If you didn't and you're outraged... perhaps you need to look behind the scenes a little, then you'd really see where our troubles are. We can't win all the time, and if the entire city put as much pressure on YOU as they did Jarome Iginla to do YOUR job to the most outrageous standard of expectation, you might find yourself behind the game too.

On a lighter note, I bought my CRAIG CONROY JERSEY LAST NIGHT!!! Should be here in 7-10 business days and I'll be about the happiest girl in the world! Good Luck, Connie! I'd love to have you stay for one more season but I know that there are wonderful opportunities for you on the horizon.

Let's play like we love the game tonight, boys... because that's what it's really about at the end of the day.

GO FLAMES GO!!

T

"Ohhh Boy"

It's been a while since I've made it over here for an entry and I sure wish I had better news. These past few weeks have been nothing less than what I've referred to in the past as a roller coaster ride. Our win over Colorado on Friday night secured the hope of faithful fans that there was a chance, 22% to be exact, that the Flames could make it into 8th place in our division and face off in the first round of the playoffs. Tied in points with Colorado having the upper hand by one more win, our only option after Friday night was to win all four of our remaining games, leaving us with the pressure of having very little wiggle room.

As far as I can tell, we're far too hot and cold to make it past the first round should we make it there anyhow. I haven't given up all hope, if that's what you're thinking; I defend the Flames to the end. I just can't understand why our defensemen are our leading scorers when all of our forward lines are more than capable of scoring, proven over and over again. Giordano has been a gold star player all year long, Bouwmeester is more than ready with his slap shots at all corners of the ice, and Ian White has been on a roll with his wrister's including the lone Calgary goal this afternoon against the Blackhawks.

Needless to say, this loss will hurt us more than any other this season and that 22% hope we all had has been significantly reduced once more. Whether or not we play another game after April 10th is in the hands of the Avalanche, however it's a little bittersweet hoping for a team to lose because your team can't seem to tighten it's reigns. Half of the time we're a team who deserves to win, that unfortunately has a lot to say about how we think we can make it to 8th position and beat the 1st place team in a 7 game match up. Will our D men have to defend our net minder and continue to score the goals on their own? If so, then perhaps Regher and Bouwmeester should play D men and Sutter can throw Giordano, White and...oh let's sa6 Bourque on the first line...see how far that ensemble gets us. Maybe that way we can score a few goals a shift?

A friend of mine asked me last night if I thought B. Sutter was an exceptional coach. The trouble is we haven't had much to compare him to in recent years. Truthfully, I believe Calgary has a team with incredible potential and when we're on fire you can not deny the chemistry on each and every line sent onto the ice during those 60 minute bursts of incredible hockey. It seems to be a coin toss that is lost more often than not and I just can't put my finger on what or why. Would I keep Sutter if it were up to me? I can't say, who else is there? There is no reason this team isn't performing well...With the overall position that we're in; salary caps, aging players, retirement possibilities, free agents on the rise... I'm not sure where the biggest problem is or how to solve it. Let's hope someone does.

3 games to go, boys. It's not over until it's over. Let's play hockey!

GO FLAMES GO

T

"Rants and Raves"

I felt it was necessary for a second post today. This one will consist of a few thoughts I am tossing around in my head and thought would do me better to sample it out in writing.

- I don't think we should be making any more trades right now. 3 gone, 4 gained... let's see how this goes.

The reason I say that is because I think when we signed Olli Jokinen and let Cammelleri go, we were all expecting him to be the guy to fill his shoes, and clearly he didn't. So maybe I've been a little harsh because of my disappointment in that one lone fact. He's not a top liner, so move him down, re-evaluate his worth at the end of this season's contract and if he's willing to take a pay cut, he can stay for another year, on the 2nd or 3rd line. Period. Otherwise, what can he say for himself? If Jarome Iginla took a pay cut to stay with this team and Olli won't, well. That's not a tough call to make. He leaves, we free up some salary money, he stays, we free up some salary money. Why trade him now along with Prust for a few guys who A) don't even want to come to Calgary, and B) are the same B levels players that we are trying to weed OUT of our franchise. It just doesn't make any sense. So I say enough... for now.

- I said it before, and I'll say it again. I love Mark Giordano. Who is constantly sticking his neck out and showing his puck handling and mutli tasking skills?

He's got more heart than a lot of our guys out on the ice right now. Not all... Bourque, Iginla, Kipprusoff, the list goes on...but as for Defensemen? He's got my vote, at least for MVP in the last month. Enough said.

- #18, Stajan. Way to put yourself out there right off the bat, buddy. I like your style and you have seemed to mesh well with your new team mates right away. Welcome to the Calgary Flames.

He packed up his life in 24 hours or less and showed up tonight like he'd been playing with the Flames for far longer than, well, never. I'm not saying the wool's been pulled over my eyes, all I mean is that here we are, day #1 with four new members, and I'm impressed so far. Let's keep it up.

- It's been up in the air whether it was Higgins or Kotalik that would not allow a trade to "three" specific teams without his permission, "Calgary being one of them".

Now why in the hell would we consider accepting anyone into our market with an attitude like that? Pardon me for saying so, but I would hope that I speak for a hell of a lot more people than just myself when I say, DON'T BOTHER. No one wants an asshole in their dressing room and I certainly don't see where someone like that would fit into the Flames team. How would any team benefit from someone who may not play to their full potential? All because of how unhappy he is that he was traded to a team he so specifically singled out? Please. So, Darryl? I really hope that Jokinen and Prust are on the ice tonight because after becoming aware of that information yourself you knew better. Something may still be up that sleeve of yours, but if you've been this hesitant for this long... it makes the rest of us hesitant as well. Bad trade. Jokinen and Prust stay. There will always be other opportunities. Let's focus on the fine tuning of our new team instead of worrying about egotistical hockey players.

- I know I'm being extremely judgmental right now, really I am truly happy, I just felt that this was the best place to get out the frustrations I have with hockey topics.

I don't think anything we do right now is going to transform the Flames overnight. I also don't think that we are a broken team, I just think we needed some tune ups and a few oil changes. Once we get our wheels spinning, we'll come out fighting. I give it a few days. Over the next 6 nights I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised with our changes, as I do know a few sad faces mourning the loss of Dion Phaneuf.

Whatever will be will be! And I shall bid you adieu with the words of my cousin's 2 year old daughter, Lillie.

"YAY, HOCKEY! GO HOCKEY!"

T

"Ask And You Shall Receive!"

Good Morning Calgary Flames Fans!

While I know that my opinions are strong, I know how it feels to have decisions made that I don't agree with, where I can't always see the silver lining in trades that have been made in the past. However, right now I couldn't be happier with Darryl Sutter's most current movements, known by radio stations and TV networks alike as the Calgary Flames "blockbuster trade".

If we look back at my very last post from January 25th, I can't believe my own words. "Get rid of him", "changes are on the rise", "I plead to the Hockey Gods once again that the right decisions will be made this time around". Well, I woke up yesterday morning barely believing my ears and my eyes. Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames D man wearing #3, traded to the Toronto Maple leafs! It was actually sort of bittersweet. I flew to my computer, threw on the Fan 960 and stayed mesmerized for most of the day. All I can say is WOW.

Here's what the trades look like:

Who's gone?

Dion Phaneuf
Freddie Sjostrom
Keith Aulie (Prospect, Abbotsford Heat)

Who's arrived?

Ian White
Nicklas Hagman
Jamal Mayers
Matt Stajan

Also in the news is a rumored trade between us and the NY Rangers. Which player is under that potential spotlight? None other than Olli Jokinen! Well, if I didn't hit the nail on the head about changes a 'brewin! While Brandon Prust will also most likely be a part of that trade, through sources of my own I know that through friends Prust was asked not to show up at the rink today for practice or otherwise. Both Jokinen and Prust remain on the roster as of now... the only question is for how long?

All I can say right now is that I am happy with Darryl Sutter's decisions and I look forward to seeing how, in the very least, these four new players mesh on the ice tonight with their new team. Calgary has been breaking news all over the place over the last 2 days and while most are leaning towards favoring the Flames new stature, we have also been criticized. Many are saying that if the Flames don't at least make it into a play off spot that this wouldn't have been worth all of the trouble, or the losses. I beg to differ. We are in a bit of a tough spot and while I would like to assume that we win every last game from now until the playoffs, that seems like too high a hope for any team.

I am truly excited to watch tonight's game against Philadelphia to really get a feel for what my new team looks like. Adding four new players to the mix with talks of two more is going to take some careful practice and some major shuffling to find out where our new players, and our veterans will find their place. You often hear people say, "be careful what you wish for", but I think this time... we're all going to be pleasantly surprised!

GO FLAMES GO!

T

"The Only Thing On Fire Tonight Is My Mood"

Right now I am disgusted on so many levels. I will never let the Cammalleri/Jokinen decision down, not ever. What a waste of money, and not only in that respect because let me tell you, if I was in charge of the firing I'd be on a warpath tonight. While it isn't Jokinen's fault that we allowed Cammalleri to slip from our roster, it IS Dion Phaneuf's fault that he is a liability to our team! GET RID OF HIM! I have never really been on the Dion wagon so I can safely say that trading him for ANYTHING would be beneficial to our status as an NHL team. He doesn't hit, he sure isn't scoring and he is a defenseman, not halfway in between center and D. I have had enough. This is a team sport! The only defensemen that deserve any recognition right now is Mark Giordano and Jay Bouwmeester. How are those two guys our best defensemen right now?! Simply because they are doing their jobs and are both playing with heart and effort. Logically, I would hope that someone else with a lot more importance than I is giving their head a shake right now. Sutter brothers?! Are you with me?

So let's play a game and pretend that I am in control of this franchise starting midway through last season. Acquiring Olli Jokinen would have been interesting and something I'd have been able to justify. Trading Matthew Lombardi in that process is also something I think was timely, unfortunately I felt that he had worked very hard last year and did deserve a run to the playoffs. Now, my dilemma with Michael Cammalleri heading into UFA territory would have stopped me in my tracks. He kept our team's fire and motivation levels soaring at all times last season and all Olli showed me in the last stretch was that he was occasionally capable of a few pretty passes and some cutesy goals. Do I want pretty? Do I come out on top because I am cute? Not in this profession, buddy! I would have traded Olli Jokinen in a heartbeat to free up the money I needed in my salary cap to pay MC appropriately. Piece of cake.

Like I stated earlier, losing Dion Phaneuf wouldn't really be any skin off my back. Mikka Kiprusoff has played the last seven games virtually by himself and we apparently have one of the top defensemen on our team? That hasn't been true since he picked up Avery's sloppy seconds; neither man has ever been the same since and I'm not the only one who's noticed. Phaneuf stood back all night tonight and watched...FROM THE ICE - that was his participation. I know a few people that have him in their hockey pools (some of which are franchise pools!) and all I have to say is, whoops. Whatever legacy was inside of him a few years ago has been long gone and I don't see a recovery in his future. I could be wrong, but I'm willing to bet on it. We should start looking now and take whatever we can get for him. I joked tonight with friends that since we're so eager to send Lundmark back and forth from the Flames to the Abbottsford Heat that perhaps it was time to keep him and send Dion down for a while. Whoever we bring up instead might prove himself far beyond the measures of what Dion is providing for us. Although that would never happen, it was the lighter note of our musical disaster this evening.

As critical as I am today, I want to express my love for my hockey team, through and through. I have always been a fan and I will always be a fan. As for each and every one of you who waited for the final buzzer to go tonight simply to boo your own team, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you know what is even more embarrassing than losing 7 games in a row? Bandwagon jumpers. Congratulations.

I know changes are on the rise and I'm excited to see what will happen to my team in the very near future. Due care and attention need to be paid to their rightful owners, so I plead to the Hockey Gods once again that the right decisions will be made this time around. At this point I don't see us doing anything memorable for our 30th anniversary year. Please, please prove me wrong!!

GO FLAMES GO!

T

"Fun Facts For Ego Boosting!"

Here's what I found on Wikipedia today, helping a friend to try and win Flames tickets for tomorrow night's game hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. I thought I would share to help ease the blow of our freakishly awful loss to San Jose on Monday. Regardless, it made me happy.

"On February 10, 1993, the Flames set numerous franchise and league records in a 13–1 victory over the San Jose Sharks . In addition to being a team record for goals scored at 13, the score also represents the largest margin of victory in team history (12). Calgary set a new team mark for fastest four goals scored (1:21). Jeff Reese set an NHL record for points in one game by a goaltender with 3 assists, while Theoren Fleury set a league record by going +9 in this game. All of these records remain today."
-Wikipedia.

It doesn't change what happened, that much is true. Hopefully, it made you smile just a little bit.

Go Flames Go!

T

"A Post For Jessica"

I have been told that I need to be writing in here MORE. Bossy, I know. I also thought that I would have been able to give you an excellent update however, all I can tell you is that the Flames have been on their longest losing streak of the season and sliding down that slippery slope at quite the rate. After losing to Anaheim on Sunday night we had officially lost 4 in a row for the first time this hockey year and had our butts handed back to us last night after a staggering 9-1 loss in San Jose. The sad part is that we haven't won a single game in Anaheim in six years, so why stop now? Doesn't that seem a little out of control?

The last time we went through something that ridiculous was with the Nashville Predators, having gone seven years + without winning a single game against the team, period. Fortunately we broke that standing a few years back (2006-07 season? I can't remember, maybe earlier than that. Someone correct me if I'm wrong) and have not established a consistent record of winning or losing since. Anaheim is another story. It's unfortunate when you walk into a game knowing what your statistics are and can't seem to hold down the fort you thought would be sturdy enough to turn the tables. I was unable to watch that game although I caught the first twenty and the last ten on the radio. (OH, FAN 960...I can always count on you!) All of the announcers kept saying that Anaheim played terribly, that the Flames were all over them, however we couldn't keep up with the scoring and fell to the Ducks 4-3. I can't make any judgment calls, but I did hear that Curtis just wasn't on top of his "A" game. Let's not give him any hard times before we discuss the game I did watch, shall we?

What in the land of Hockey Gods happened last night?! I pretty much stopped watching after the halfway point of the second period. Then I told myself that was no way to be and turned the TV back to see that it was 7-1 for the Sharks. I missed the lone Calgary goal, but it's not like it was anything triumphant, and from what most articles are saying this morning, Regehr's efforts to shut down what would have otherwise been a shutout for Nabokov, didn't seem like anything worthy of reward.

The Official Calgary Flames website declared, "Calgary has lost five straight for the first time since November 2007" after last night's embarrassment in San Jose. Everyone who knows me is aware of my passionate dislike for the Sharks... so my hockey ego is a little sore today. I think everyone's ego's are slightly out of shape, or at least they should be. WAKE UP, CALGARY! This isn't the team we started out with this year, so unless something is done and fast, we aren't making history in our 30th year. Yes, we have a cup in our possession but let's get real about that simple fact. 1989 was 21 years ago and unless we can make a run for it like we did in '04, I don't think I'll be able to use that line on anyone anymore. This is the team we have been building since we acquired Jarome Iginla fifteen years ago from Dallas... this is the team that SHOULD be able to get us anywhere. What is the problem? HA!

I still stand by my beliefs and look at how my predictions became a terribly sad reality this season. I was the one who said NO to Olli Jokinen. I wanted to keep Michael Cammalleri and trade Jokinen to free up money that we should have paid someone who was already WORKING for this team. Except Jokinen made two fancy goals and passed a pretty puck here and there. Dazzling. Cammalleri has 22 goals so far this season with the Montreal Canadians, surpassing our Captain, Jarome Iginla by one. Jokinen has less than half that with 10 for the season. Still Dazzled? I'm not a fan and people with more "experience" with the hockey world told me to settle down because he would be far better than Cammalleri for my team. Oh really, well thank you for your wisdom. I was right. You and Darryl Sutter, well, you were wrong.

While I'm at it I might as well tell you how I feel about Bouwmeester. I like him, I do. However, we already have Dion Phaneuf, so if you wouldn't mind staying out of the penalty box and leaving that up to him and Adam Pardy that would be lovely. I like my defensemen on the ice and I think we could all learn a thing or two from Mark Giordano in that area. He's one that I don't talk a lot about here, but he's becoming a far better player before my eyes and another thing that I think he's accomplishing well is leadership skills. I'm not saying that Jay isn't a great player at all, he takes some penalties when he has to and that is part of your job on the ice defending our net minder. No one did their job last night. We can't claim first place in our division anymore and we're going to need a lot more than focus to regain that title anytime soon. As it stands, we are barely in the running for a playoff spot and whether there is time to regroup or not, anything can happen between now and then. Last season we went into the playoffs with a severely injury stricken team and sank. This season we are strong and healthy with the same future ahead of us. That, to me, makes no sense whatsoever.

This is our 30th anniversary, boys! I know that we can make some history with the team we have now, so let's act like it! We have a few days off before we host another of the leagues most effective and talented teams this Thursday night. Chicago is going to march into our 'Dome thinking they can walk all over us. Let's take this streak and end it with them. We are not done here. We will not lay down and die! And Jarome? You are an Olympic athlete! Get out there and show this team how to play like Olympians! We can't allow or expect Kipper play all by himself. Thursday we start a winning streak and we play like 2010 NHL Playoff Champions! Capeesh?

GO FLAMES GO!

T

"Hello? Hockey Gods? I Have Two Wishes Tonight..."

Today all three top teams fighting for top slot in the North West Division are on the ice in their battle gear. Calgary is facing Colorado this evening for what should prove to be quite an emotional game. As is stands right now the Flames have one game in hand and a point to stand on, while Vancouver trails by only one single point after adding one due to our overtime period and shoot out (We Won!) against them for Saturday's Hockey Night In Canada game. They will be hosting Nashville this evening and since at this point in the game the Predators are no threat to me, you can guess what I would appreciate as an outcome.

The most important game tonight however, is the one we're playing. It amazes me this year how well Colorado is doing after their incredible defeat just one season ago. You can never assume how a team is going to play, who will score and what the outcome will be. So tonight we start with three quick fights brought to you by Regher, McGrattan and Prust. I laughed when the last fight broke out as Prust has been fighting non-stop for the last while. He reminds me of a kid at the bar who has consumed a few too many tequila shots and a bit of an ego; you say one word and he'll drop his gloves. I say let him, he's old enough to fend for himself and if he has the courage to push his team with motivational fist pumps then there is no wrong done.

With a quick burst and a fancy wrist pass from Langkow, Bourque scores! We head to the dressing room for the 1st intermission with a 1-0 lead which is something that the Flames must maintain and build on for the rest of this game. Although thus far it doesn't seem like this particular duel will be as exciting and intense as our Saturday game against Vancouver, we are still playing a fast paced and focused game.

Meanwhile, I am currently listening to the Nashville/Vancouver battle and I am pleasantly relieved to find that halfway through the first twenty minutes of play that the Predators have obtained a 1-0 lead to match the Flames' score against the Avalanche. Knowing full well that this is nothing to make a fuss about quite yet but a nice cushion to rest on while reaching forward is most beneficial. And before I speak too soon there we have it, folks. 2-2 in the Vancouver/Nashville game and everyone is at a standstill. We are giving away far too many penalties and unfortunately this last one left us with a score of 2-1. And then before I blink it's 2-2. All in all, both games tied and dead-locked. Time is ticking and we're running out of the stamina we flew onto the ice with. Both games rushing back and forth, losing the puck, gaining it back, ROBBED. And the buzzer goes ending Calgary's regulation time. Luckily we start with a Power Play and off we go.

But wait! Another penalty with 19 seconds left in the last? We're five on three with less than twenty seconds and then back to a man advantage, which we give up on too easily with focus on pretty passes and jumbled stick handling. This back and forth between listening to the Canucks/Nashville game during whistles and commercials has convinced me that at some point I will be found in my Flames jersey, beer in hand - Dead. Heart Attack. Our PP is over and time is dwindling down, a shoot out could very possibly become our near future. Shoot out sounds nicer than sudden death anyhow, wouldn't you say?

And what do you know...

Shoot outs again! Here we go!

Hejduk: Scores.
Dawes: No Goal.
Shane: NO GOAL!
Jokinen: SCORES!
Stewart: Scores.
Lundmark: Stalls and loses the puck without a shot at all... and loses the game for the Flames tonight. (Danielle did mention that Dawes didn't score either and that all of the pressure shouldn't be on Lundmark. Fair enough, I said.)

Let me just take my minute to talk about how I detest fancy moves during your 15 seconds of fame. There is no reason to start skating before you have a plan. Top corner? Five hole? I don't care what it is but you pick and you skate. You cannot stall halfway through a shoot out attempt and expect to regain your composure....

Confidence, boys! The same guys who scored 3/3 last game cannot score 3/3 every time, this is what I do know. What I do NOT know is why we have regressed back to the team we were in 2005 and 2006. We are not figure skaters! We are not a circus act! We are #1 in the North West Division! We are giving our opponents too much time and they are watching our every move. When your second has passed you can never get it back. Jamie Lundmark...you didn't lose this game for your team. Be confident. Next time.

However, Vancouver lost after the predators scored with just over four minutes left in the third. The Canucks had some close calls to tie it up for the possibility of an OT sudden death five minute rendez-vous but couldn't seal the deal. Isn't that the bright side? I would, however, still like to have a word with the Hockey Gods. Half a wish granted is such a tease!

GO FLAMES GO!

T

"Play Every Game Like It's the Playoffs in Seven!"

It's been a long time since I have been able to sit down and blog while actually watching a game. After last night I am thrilled to say that tonight's game against the Vancouver Canucks is worth tuning in for. The excitement and hostility levels between these two teams fills my living room and my finger tips... to understand and actually be a part of that emotion is something that a lot of fans don't get to really feel.

And my favorite words spoken by the announcers this evening so far: "Daniel robbed AGAIN by Kipper!" OR "Luongo, having to bail his team mates out AGAIN." I don't know which I like more. Sometimes I enjoy the announcers more than the game. "And a routine glove save for Mikka Kiprusoff." Love it.

Back from the second intermission entering the third period with a 2 all tie. This battle to take back first place in the division is looking to prove a bit difficult but we're off to the power play thanks to Glass for a check from behind. We have to play a better game here if we want to walk out of GM Place with the title and our pride, this isn't the team we thought they were going to be this year. Calgary hasn't scored a PP goal in three games while Vancouver hasn't allowed a PP goal in as many games. What's ridiculous is that Calgary has out-shot Vancouver 33-11 and we are tied in this third period of play. We have to maximize our chances and start using our advantages with tighter plays and better puck handling. All in all, such a better game than last night but on the other hand the intensity and the stress is painful! We just aren't going to get lucky after Lundmark's goal off the draw in the 2nd. We're taking every shot unlike last night and not making as many mistakes but both teams are playing for their lives tonight.

Six minutes left in the third and time seems to be ticking down faster than usual. We're spending a good amount of time in their zone but having trouble owning the puck, which seems to be sent over the glass quite a bit this evening.

***SO this just in! A Vancouver fan shining a laser into the eyes of Kipper! Announcers: "How inappropriate!"***

Honestly, is that what happens at Vancouver games? I have been to my fair share and have to say that tops the cake. At a professional hockey game? One of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time. Come on.

Nearing Overtime...Nearing Shoot Out!

Wellwood: Scores
Dawes: SCORES!
Kessler: NO GOAL!
Jokinen: SCORES!
Raymond: Scores
Lundmark: WINNING GOAL!!! SCORES!!!

GO FLAMES GO!!!!!

T

"Yawn"

Wow! So I attended the Flames game last night hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets and I can easily say that if I wasn't in the company of my Dad, James and my cousin Nicole, I may have thrown myself down the stairs for entertainment purposes. I was already aware of how slow games tend to be when we face the CBJ's yet I suppose this was my first live game watching, so I figured that being there in person would make for more excitement. Wrong. After leaving the game I watched the highlights and couldn't believe how much better everything looked when you could only see a portion of the ice. Neither team did anything fancy, none of the goals were worth standing up for and I don't think anyone so much as looked at another player let alone try and start a scrap. I'm not saying that a fight makes good hockey but I mean, come on! If any one player thought he played with heart last night I'd have to laugh. Let's hope that whatever the problem was last night doesn't carry over provincial barriers, we have a serious team to kill tonight.

I did have a great time last night regardless of the outcome of the Flames, who scored only once in the first period thanks to defenseman, Mark Giordano. After the first period my cousin and I ventured off for a walk while my dad and his friend, James went off on their own adventure. When Nicole and I get back to our seats there are nachos (jalapenos on the side) on our seat waiting for us but still no Dad and James. One old geezer at a time they make their way up the stairs about halfway through the second period and have no answer as to where the heck they were the whole time. Oh well, We continue watching our game and head off altogether during the third. This time we stop at the hard-bar downstairs and grab a drink and the boys leave us AGAIN...what are they doing??

Well... apparently Dad placed a bid at the silent auction (which I didn't even realize existed until a few weeks ago when I was at the CGY/VAN game in December with Danielle) for a signed and framed photo of CRAIG CONROY! He won! He makes his way up the stairs and after catching his breath hands me this delicious present! What a great dad! What a great day! What great company!

Let's fast track to tonight's up and coming game in our Away Jersey's being hosted by the Vancouver Canucks. It's about now that I usually talk about standings and where we're sitting but I would much rather forget that we've given them any chance at catching our stride. Although we are tied in points they sit in top spot due to a few minor technicalities. They have two more wins than we do so I think it's about time to switch gears and play some good hockey here, fellas! Unfortunately for me, my phone Vacationed in a snowbank outside my house for the last four days and is airing out for the night so I won't get to hear all of the lame jokes and such from all of the Canucks fans I have as friends....fortunately for them I won't be able to send gloating messages when we make this right tonight!

GO FLAMES GO!!!

T

"Happy New Year and HAPPY 30th Anniversary!"

Upon moving home I realized that I would be in Calgary for New Year's Eve for the first time in three years. I had a few weeks to round up some good quality friends and decide on an event with everyone that would be enjoyed by all. Finally, Flames Central was brought into conversation and we had a winner! I'd never been since I had moved either shortly after it opened or right before so I was looking forward to ringing in the New Year where the Flames game was not only accessible but enjoyed among fellow fans! Off to Ticketmaster I went ($20! Can't beat that!) and six happy faces later we were on our way downtown to Stephen Avenue!

Doors opened at four so we tried our best to make it down for around that time but I woke up with a terrible cold and couldn't find my motivation anywhere. After a long shower and some time to pick myself up, I was dolled up I was on my way to meet up with the gang. I decided against wearing a Jersey, but hear me out. It's New Years Eve and although I'm a jeans and sweatshirt kind of girl I enjoy having a reason to dust off the pumps! A friend of mine said to me, "You wear your Jersey three or four times a week!" and there was my decision already made for me. I thought of wearing it over my outfit for the game, classy - I know, and also decided against that in the off chance I lost it. Anyhow...

I was blown away at how beautiful the bar was after spending my share of nights downtown when the venue used to be called "The Palace". What an incredible transformation and innovative idea for a bar so close in quarters to the Saddledome. The sound system was incredible along with the company we were surrounded by. There was no drama that you normally would try to avoid at a regular night club, no meat market feel, just a bunch of hockey fans enjoying their last hours of 2009.

The World Juniors game against USA was an outstanding experience at Flames Central. They have TV's everywhere you look, not to mention the main screen that stretched from floor to ceiling at the stage of the bar. After having some holiday balloons removed from our view we had some of the best seats in the house. Stage left, first table right beside the bar and up a level from where they would transform seating to dance floor in just mere hours. Our Juniors game commenced at 6:00pm and we watched, we laughed, we cheered... the atmosphere was perfect. Announcements came on for shuttles to the 'Dome for those who bought the Game Night package (which we did not...but it was worth staying at the bar for all of the games and events that night) and I can see a shuttle ride from Flames Central in my future! Come 7pm we switched from watching a nail biting game to starting our first period of Traditional New Years Eve Flames hockey. The entire crowd was pumped and although we lost a bundle that headed to live seats we still had a comfortable fit of Flames fans, eyes glued to the big screen, beers in hand.

After a period of no scoring and what seemed like two very tired teams we sat back for some intermission entertainment provided by two volunteers and Wii boxing on the larger than life big screen. I must say that it was a pretty good idea to have some interaction with the patrons during the break in games, all in all I was actually impressed with the whole night. Back into the second period I witnessed Conroy score his second goal of the season and watched his arms shoot straight up in the air in excitement. Having missed his first goal of the season just one night before you can imagine how excited I was for my New Year's wish... well, in terms of hockey here people! A second period of intermission in progress and we snap back to the Junior's game while it's a staggering 4-2 for USA. We're informed during play that we have a choice to make. We can finish watching this grueling and intense game or switch back... it's 4-3, it's 4-4...it's OT and then shoot out! Amazing! Now, I am not a big fan of five minutes of overtime. In fact, some of my favorite hockey moments and memories with friends are tangled and intertwined with two or three full overtime periods, although I do understand that playing intense hockey for that long is quite tough on the players. Anyhow, this might have been one of the best shoot outs I have watched as far as excitement goes.

Flames Central will definitely be somewhere I plan to watch a few games at between now and the end of the season. I am definitely happy with our decision to spend our night there and think everyone was pretty content. So Calgary claims a win and Canada claims a win. That's starting the year off on the right foot!

Go Flames Go!

T