After more than a decade hanging out at the rinks, on the bus, in the bar and around town with hundreds, probably thousands of hockey players, I've learned quite a lot about their culture, their language and their customs.
One of the things that I love about hockey is they have their own little lingo they like to use. I'm not talking about raunchy discriptions of sexual acts you would've found circa eight years ago on the now-defunct Junior Hockey Bible, but more day-to-day things hockey players say that you should know, so you know what they're talking about. I recommend not immediately adopting these into your own vocab if you are a newbie, however. Don't want to slip up or look like a phony, right?
Prack/Pracky/Pracy (I hate the third spelling ... it looks awful) - practice. Usually only used for an actual practice, and not for a morning skate, game day skate etc.
Bucky/Bucket/Lid/Liddy: I have heard this used for both helmets and hats, which hockey players often wear after prack so they don't have to do their hair. I prefer bucky for helmet and lid for hat, but it seems to vary by region and vintage of the players.
Pre-game: usually refers to a nap, sometimes meal. Most hockey players have a ritual before games that involve sleeping and eating and then going to the rink unreasonably early to do things like tape their stick.
Warmy: warmup, 20 mins before a game where it's a good time to go down to the glass and snap photos of your favourite boy hot-dogging.
Twig: stick.
Wheels: skates
Snipe: score.
Geno or gino (varies by region): goal
Apple: assist
Celly: celebration, following a goal.
Bag skate/Bagged: this is what happens when you lose really badly and your coach is rattled, and you have to skate 'til you puke at pracky the next day. No puck prackies = trouble.
Barn: rink. But only when you're talking about it in context of playing in it, like "they're coming to our barn next week" or "Game 3 will be tough in their barn" - never say like, "i'm going to the barn for pracky today"
Suspy: suspension. Your goon knows this word well.
Conky (also seen this spelled Concy, but again, it looks awful): concussion. You do not want your favourite player out with one of these!
Flow: hair. Unless their coaches don't let them, many hockey players like to keep long, shaggy hair so it sticks out the bottom of their helmets. I have also heard hair referred to as "salad" if it's big, bushy, long or shaggy.
Suitcase: someone who gets traded so much they essentially are always packin' up to go to the next town. My best friend calls me this because I get a new team every year or two.
Duster/Dusty: this person is a bad hockey player. They're called a duster because they sit on the bench, collecting dust. I haven't heard it used much outside of the MJ recently, but maybe it's making a resurgance?
Plug: guy who sucks at hockey, or I've also heard it to describe some guy who was just a dick
Chizzler: The guy who tells the officials he got an assist after a goal to pad his stats (when likely, he didn't actually assist on the goal at all...) This guy is usually a douche.
Beauty: all-around good dude ... likes to party, not too cocky and won't try to pick up your ex girlfriend the day after you break up with her.
Scrap/Tilly: a fight .. your dusty goon probably gets into a few of these.
PIMs: just pims. How many penalty minutes your lad's got ... Some like to keep track of this stat. I was once asked by a boy to check the league stats on my blackberry to see how many pims he had picked up that night.
Jibs/Jibbers: teeth. Your dusty goon who has gotten into too many tillies probably has a few jibs missing.
Zips/Zippers: stitches.
Wheeling: the art of picking up broads
Kills: how many notches on the ol' belt ... (goons with jibs missing actually have a surprising number of kills, however, since they're usually the nicest guys on the team.)
Lipper/Dip/Chew: chewing tobacco. So gross. Yes, many of them do this.
Darts: cigarettes. I have not heard many folks outside the arena call them darts, though I'm not entirely sure this is a hockey-ism.
Roadie: a long bus trip
Bussy: the team's bus driver. I saw my old bussy from two years ago while I was at a game over the Christmas holidays and he remembered me!
Grocery stick: this is my favourite. It's mean, but hilarious. This is the guy who sits in the middle of the bench and separates the forwards from the D, doesn't see much ice oustside of warmy. (While researching for this post, to make sure I didn't miss anything, I also saw this called a bookmark! Though, I've never heard it before.)
... and I know I said I wasn't going to say anything sexual, but if any guy asks you go to buckies off or Craig McTavish ... for the life of you, SAY NO haha
For the original content of Junior Hockey Bible back in the day, click here. (Please beware some of the stuff in there is really gross. Though, I guess if you like hockey players, you don't mind gross, haha)
Hockey players also love to chirp and carve (make fun of people), but that's a story for another day. Just was reminded of a rather hilarious one from a kid I have a love/hate relationship with (I sometimes want to punch him, but also bring him baked goods, sandwiches and Tim Horton's coffees). He was describing another guy with which I had a love/hate relationship, Coach Douchebag.
"Just call him 'Gums'" said the kid about Coach Douchebag.
"Gums ... why gums?" I asked.
"Because his teeth to gum ratio is absolutely terrible!"
Thursday 31 March 2011
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Everyone and their dog
I blogged a little while ago about playing "omg, do you know so-and-so?" with hockey players. People ask me fairly often, "how DO you know everyone in life!?"
I really don't know everyone ... I do know a lot of people, however, and I have an uncanny knack of remembering where they are from. When I meet someone new, especially from some small back-wood town in Canada, I always ask them, "Do you know my friend so-and-so?" who I probably met at some tournament somewhere, or that played on one of my teams.
This then forms an instant bond, and you're all of a sudden in their good books (unless they hate the person you know haha oops?) Last spring, I was covering a function my boss had sent me to. When I got back, I was happily typing away at my desk when she came to ask how it had gone. "Great," I said. "That guy you wanted me to interview, turns out he's from Marathon, and knows my buddy Travy."
"I swear, you know someone from everyhere," she said.
In addition to knowing someone from everywhere, I've also BEEN practically everywhere. If you haven't travelled the wilds of Canada, but are at all interested in hockey, I suggest going on a little tour. Not an NHL tour, but a tour to some smaller places, watch some junior hockey (major junior or tier II) and visit some rinks. I also read a lot of stories about rinks, like by Roy MacGregor, and stuff like that.
I think I'm going to start keeping a list of all the little rinks I have been to. I recently saw one of those contests on TV where you win money for your rink and one of the finalists was Bentley, Alberta, and I mentioned to whomever I was watching with at the time, "Good, that rink needs a facelift pretty badly."
And when you do meet someone from a little town, and you can say you've been to their town, or better yet, their rink, you're always "in."
I direly miss my old rink. So many memories there.
I really don't know everyone ... I do know a lot of people, however, and I have an uncanny knack of remembering where they are from. When I meet someone new, especially from some small back-wood town in Canada, I always ask them, "Do you know my friend so-and-so?" who I probably met at some tournament somewhere, or that played on one of my teams.
This then forms an instant bond, and you're all of a sudden in their good books (unless they hate the person you know haha oops?) Last spring, I was covering a function my boss had sent me to. When I got back, I was happily typing away at my desk when she came to ask how it had gone. "Great," I said. "That guy you wanted me to interview, turns out he's from Marathon, and knows my buddy Travy."
"I swear, you know someone from everyhere," she said.
In addition to knowing someone from everywhere, I've also BEEN practically everywhere. If you haven't travelled the wilds of Canada, but are at all interested in hockey, I suggest going on a little tour. Not an NHL tour, but a tour to some smaller places, watch some junior hockey (major junior or tier II) and visit some rinks. I also read a lot of stories about rinks, like by Roy MacGregor, and stuff like that.
I think I'm going to start keeping a list of all the little rinks I have been to. I recently saw one of those contests on TV where you win money for your rink and one of the finalists was Bentley, Alberta, and I mentioned to whomever I was watching with at the time, "Good, that rink needs a facelift pretty badly."
And when you do meet someone from a little town, and you can say you've been to their town, or better yet, their rink, you're always "in."
I direly miss my old rink. So many memories there.
Saturday 19 March 2011
Midnight Brownies
Last night, I decided to whip up some homemade brownies after my favourite former Terrier blueliner told me the other night he had baked some. (Yeah ... a brownie-baking hockey player. He exists!)
A midnight pilgrimage to Sobeys was in order, as I didn't have any brown sugar on hand, and this recipe calls for a cup. This is my mom's brownie recipe and it is probably the best brownie on earth.
It's from a cookbook called Nuts About Chocolate. (I highly recommend this cookbook if you are at all into chocolate/baking. Nom nom nom.)
An old friend joined me and we enjoyed the coffee (you need a smidge of coffee for the frosting .. so I made a pot and we chatted over a 2 a.m. cup of joe) -- the whole house smelled like brownies for a quite a while after this.
Money Back Guarantee Brownies
2 sticks butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts (optional)
Last night I couldn't find any walnuts, but I found some peanut butter chips and leftover mini peanut butter cups (they're from Superstore. Go buy some immediately and throw them in your next batch of peanut butter cookies. No joke. Do it.)
I cooled these outside, then made the icing :)
Incredible Chocolate Icing
1/2 cup soft butter
1 cup icing sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
Combine above 3 ingredients in a food processor or with an electric mixer.
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp hot coffee
Add liquid and blend until smooth.
A midnight pilgrimage to Sobeys was in order, as I didn't have any brown sugar on hand, and this recipe calls for a cup. This is my mom's brownie recipe and it is probably the best brownie on earth.
It's from a cookbook called Nuts About Chocolate. (I highly recommend this cookbook if you are at all into chocolate/baking. Nom nom nom.)
An old friend joined me and we enjoyed the coffee (you need a smidge of coffee for the frosting .. so I made a pot and we chatted over a 2 a.m. cup of joe) -- the whole house smelled like brownies for a quite a while after this.
Money Back Guarantee Brownies
2 sticks butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts (optional)
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9″x13″ pan
- In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugars and cocoa powder
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time (I did mine all at once ... sue me.)
- Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl and mix to combine
- Stir in the vanilla and nuts and mix well
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until JUST firm in the center. The tester may still have a few crumbs. Err on the side of underbaking
- Cool in the pan
- Ice with Incredible Chocolate Icing
Last night I couldn't find any walnuts, but I found some peanut butter chips and leftover mini peanut butter cups (they're from Superstore. Go buy some immediately and throw them in your next batch of peanut butter cookies. No joke. Do it.)
I cooled these outside, then made the icing :)
Incredible Chocolate Icing
1/2 cup soft butter
1 cup icing sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
Combine above 3 ingredients in a food processor or with an electric mixer.
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp hot coffee
Add liquid and blend until smooth.
Friday 18 March 2011
What should I wear?
I love Google instant. It's the source of a great deal of amusement for me. Today, I was looking for "What Should I Wear to a Hockey Game" to hear some advice from some ill-informed folk. (Mostly courtesy of our friends south of the border ... sorry to my hockey-loving Yankee ladies, I don't mean you guys!)
The majority of the questions were about NHL games ... what should I wear to an NHL game. And people were saying "dress warm, it's cold in there!"
Personally, I have been to four NHL arenas, and two AHL arenas, and not one of them is one I would remotely describe as cold. Not even sitting four rows from the ice at the Air Canada Centre.
I would say the Air Canada Centre is a bit of a different story, and I'll address it first. In my experience, it seems to depend on a couple factors. Are you sitting in the golds or platinums, if yes, is it a week night? On a weeknight, I would not recommend wearing any type of team paraphernalia in the expensive seats. People will know you don't belong. Dress nicely, hair done, makeup done, and do not under any circumstances wear a jersey.
On a Saturday night, I find it more permissible to get away with wearing a jersey in the expensive seats, and by all means, wear it if you're sitting in the greens or purples on any given night. I haven't made up my mind about weeknight jerseys in the reds yet.
Every other arena in the league, I would say a thin hoodie under your jersey or long-sleeve T-shirt would be sufficient, running shoes, ponytail and a hat if you have. (I only have one NHL hat, and it's not the Oilers or Leafs, shockingly ... it's a Chicago Blackhawks lid with some cool appliqué and embroidery that I picked up in heaven .. ermm Royal Sports on Pembina in Winnipeg.)
Typically, I tend to wear jeans to the rink in most situations, with the exception of covering a major event. When I covered the Memorial Cup and Royal Bank Cup games, I wore dress pants, a long-sleeve dress shirt and flip flops or sandals, but for a regular work night at the rink, I found jeans sufficient.
If you're lucky enough to have a team advance in the playoffs and live in a temperate climate, you can often get away with stashing your coat in the car and throwing on a hoodie, vest and running shoes or flip flops, depending on how brave you are.
Note: wearing flip flops in an arena is tricky business. You can come off looking like a dumb girl who doesn't know how cold it is in there. For many years, I did not attempt to pull off this look. However, I found as I integrated myself more into rink culture, I figured, the hockey players do it, and so will I. Mesh-back hat, hoodie, vest, jeans and flops (and sometimes skinny gloves to shoot in if the rink is cold) are my spring/summer hockey go-to uniform.
If you're really hanging out in a cold rink, like in a small town somewhere with natural ice and it's made of wood ... I recommend a pair of mukluks or thinsulate boots, and layer, layer, layer.
And if one more person recommends "jersey, leggings and ugg boots" to these random Yahoo Answers people ... I may gag. Unless you're trying to look like a PB ... which a Hockey Foxx, is not :)
The majority of the questions were about NHL games ... what should I wear to an NHL game. And people were saying "dress warm, it's cold in there!"
Personally, I have been to four NHL arenas, and two AHL arenas, and not one of them is one I would remotely describe as cold. Not even sitting four rows from the ice at the Air Canada Centre.
I would say the Air Canada Centre is a bit of a different story, and I'll address it first. In my experience, it seems to depend on a couple factors. Are you sitting in the golds or platinums, if yes, is it a week night? On a weeknight, I would not recommend wearing any type of team paraphernalia in the expensive seats. People will know you don't belong. Dress nicely, hair done, makeup done, and do not under any circumstances wear a jersey.
On a Saturday night, I find it more permissible to get away with wearing a jersey in the expensive seats, and by all means, wear it if you're sitting in the greens or purples on any given night. I haven't made up my mind about weeknight jerseys in the reds yet.
Every other arena in the league, I would say a thin hoodie under your jersey or long-sleeve T-shirt would be sufficient, running shoes, ponytail and a hat if you have. (I only have one NHL hat, and it's not the Oilers or Leafs, shockingly ... it's a Chicago Blackhawks lid with some cool appliqué and embroidery that I picked up in heaven .. ermm Royal Sports on Pembina in Winnipeg.)
Typically, I tend to wear jeans to the rink in most situations, with the exception of covering a major event. When I covered the Memorial Cup and Royal Bank Cup games, I wore dress pants, a long-sleeve dress shirt and flip flops or sandals, but for a regular work night at the rink, I found jeans sufficient.
If you're lucky enough to have a team advance in the playoffs and live in a temperate climate, you can often get away with stashing your coat in the car and throwing on a hoodie, vest and running shoes or flip flops, depending on how brave you are.
Note: wearing flip flops in an arena is tricky business. You can come off looking like a dumb girl who doesn't know how cold it is in there. For many years, I did not attempt to pull off this look. However, I found as I integrated myself more into rink culture, I figured, the hockey players do it, and so will I. Mesh-back hat, hoodie, vest, jeans and flops (and sometimes skinny gloves to shoot in if the rink is cold) are my spring/summer hockey go-to uniform.
If you're really hanging out in a cold rink, like in a small town somewhere with natural ice and it's made of wood ... I recommend a pair of mukluks or thinsulate boots, and layer, layer, layer.
And if one more person recommends "jersey, leggings and ugg boots" to these random Yahoo Answers people ... I may gag. Unless you're trying to look like a PB ... which a Hockey Foxx, is not :)
Thursday 17 March 2011
A little bit of bling
I am not a huge jewellery person. I usually tend to wear three small sterling silver bracelets on my right wrist, some nice earrings and a small pendant on a silver chain.
I have a number of them, and I'm always on the lookout for something cool or different, especially since I wear so little.
This post was actually inspired by my friend Julie over at Cheap Chic by Julie, who always has great ideas on how to live well on a budget.
With the popularity of beading and jewellery-making on the rise, I often scope out the bead aisle on my scrapbooking pilgrimages to Michaels and Wal-Mart. A friend of mine told me to check out the selection there, and as a former bead-addict myself, I thought I'd take a gander.
I came across some beautiful pieces, which I bought for very little (under $5 a pop!) and slip on and off of a plain silver chain.
I picked up each of these at Michaels or Wal-Mart for a few bucks, and rotate them along with a few other small charms and pendants I have depending on my mood or outfit.
Another great place to look for items like this is at the second hand stores - I plan to soon hit up one of the second-hand shops to add to my book collection in the near future, and I usually check the jewellery selection as well.
I have a number of them, and I'm always on the lookout for something cool or different, especially since I wear so little.
This post was actually inspired by my friend Julie over at Cheap Chic by Julie, who always has great ideas on how to live well on a budget.
With the popularity of beading and jewellery-making on the rise, I often scope out the bead aisle on my scrapbooking pilgrimages to Michaels and Wal-Mart. A friend of mine told me to check out the selection there, and as a former bead-addict myself, I thought I'd take a gander.
I came across some beautiful pieces, which I bought for very little (under $5 a pop!) and slip on and off of a plain silver chain.
I picked up each of these at Michaels or Wal-Mart for a few bucks, and rotate them along with a few other small charms and pendants I have depending on my mood or outfit.
Another great place to look for items like this is at the second hand stores - I plan to soon hit up one of the second-hand shops to add to my book collection in the near future, and I usually check the jewellery selection as well.
Monday 14 March 2011
Say what!
The other night, I saw some very happy BBM statuses from a couple of my kids ... it looked like the Terriers had won Game 6 on the road and earned the first-round series win ... and then I saw my favourite little goalie whose status said "my goalie coach knocked out the other team's assistant coach." Umm what!
From what I can gather, things got a little heated at the end of the game, with an opposing player cheap-shotting one of our rookies from behind. And then. (And then .........) apparently, the other team's assistant coach jumped into our bench and started throwing bombs.
So ... our goalie coach, Jim, hit this guy and the fans are in uproar.
On a day-to-day basis, long before the train-wreck that is Charlie Sheen appeared, I would check the league gossip page. I had heard about how brutal the MJHL forum was back in my OPJHL days, but didn't really get to see how brutal it was until I began covering the league.
Just wanted to share this little gem from the lovely people in Swan River, Manitoba.
"I guess enough was enough,Byzynski...3 teeth,stiches,full shield...Reimer...2 teeth, stiches......Marshall,slashed wrist,possible broken bone,playing cast.What happened at the end was certainly stupid and un-necessary and whatever penalties,fines or suspensions are handed out,will be accepted and dealt with.The taunting at the end of the game by the whole Port. bench was the final straw.By the way, this little dust-up happened in front of about 50 assorted fans,the little Port. guy was thrown'em but never landed one and he's LUCKY the linesman,Hutlet had both of Andersons arms pinned back...you might also like to know that Kirkup got a puck in the face during a practice, hence the eye!"
My favourite is when the hicks in one small town start calling the hicks in some other town "bush-whackers" and other assorted names. Anyway, so apparently it's our fault Swan's assistant coach jumped in our bench ... #winning.
Nothing on the league website about whether this joker of a coach is going to be suspended or what.
Terrible example to be setting for the players, and while I have very little faith in the MJHL commissioner, I still have a little hope that potentially the league comes down hard on this type of behaviour and discourages it.
From what I can gather, things got a little heated at the end of the game, with an opposing player cheap-shotting one of our rookies from behind. And then. (And then .........) apparently, the other team's assistant coach jumped into our bench and started throwing bombs.
So ... our goalie coach, Jim, hit this guy and the fans are in uproar.
On a day-to-day basis, long before the train-wreck that is Charlie Sheen appeared, I would check the league gossip page. I had heard about how brutal the MJHL forum was back in my OPJHL days, but didn't really get to see how brutal it was until I began covering the league.
Just wanted to share this little gem from the lovely people in Swan River, Manitoba.
"I guess enough was enough,Byzynski...3 teeth,stiches,full shield...Reimer...2 teeth, stiches......Marshall,slashed wrist,possible broken bone,playing cast.What happened at the end was certainly stupid and un-necessary and whatever penalties,fines or suspensions are handed out,will be accepted and dealt with.The taunting at the end of the game by the whole Port. bench was the final straw.By the way, this little dust-up happened in front of about 50 assorted fans,the little Port. guy was thrown'em but never landed one and he's LUCKY the linesman,Hutlet had both of Andersons arms pinned back...you might also like to know that Kirkup got a puck in the face during a practice, hence the eye!"
My favourite is when the hicks in one small town start calling the hicks in some other town "bush-whackers" and other assorted names. Anyway, so apparently it's our fault Swan's assistant coach jumped in our bench ... #winning.
Nothing on the league website about whether this joker of a coach is going to be suspended or what.
Terrible example to be setting for the players, and while I have very little faith in the MJHL commissioner, I still have a little hope that potentially the league comes down hard on this type of behaviour and discourages it.
Friday 11 March 2011
Sad news
There was no update yesterday night, unfortunately, as I wasn't feeling like I had the words to say.
Earlier this month, I was looking at a friend of mine's Facebook status, and it said something like "if anyone has seen my girl, please text or call me!" and I wasn't really sure what that meant. As the days progressed, I realized something was wrong.
It turns out my friend Gus's girlfriend was missing. She had disappeared into the night after what I discerned from Gus's explanation as a disagreement of some kind with a family member.
The news had picked up the story and was reporting there were cops, searchers, dogs, helicopters looking for Tawny ... which I posted the link to on my Facebook in hopes maybe one of my Alberta friends had seen her.
Last night, however, I was greeted with the gruesome news that Tawny's body had been found and she will be laid to rest.
Gus was one of the hockey players on one of my favourite teams I ever worked for, and was always a joy to be around. I can't say how sad I am for Gus and his beautiful children.
Gus told his kids Tawny is in heaven. "God needed another beautiful angel," he said.
Rest in peace, Tawny.
Earlier this month, I was looking at a friend of mine's Facebook status, and it said something like "if anyone has seen my girl, please text or call me!" and I wasn't really sure what that meant. As the days progressed, I realized something was wrong.
It turns out my friend Gus's girlfriend was missing. She had disappeared into the night after what I discerned from Gus's explanation as a disagreement of some kind with a family member.
The news had picked up the story and was reporting there were cops, searchers, dogs, helicopters looking for Tawny ... which I posted the link to on my Facebook in hopes maybe one of my Alberta friends had seen her.
Last night, however, I was greeted with the gruesome news that Tawny's body had been found and she will be laid to rest.
Gus was one of the hockey players on one of my favourite teams I ever worked for, and was always a joy to be around. I can't say how sad I am for Gus and his beautiful children.
Gus told his kids Tawny is in heaven. "God needed another beautiful angel," he said.
Rest in peace, Tawny.
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Dirty?
Big rivalry, big eastern conference clash ... big collision.
Last night at the Montreal/Boston game, as I'm sure you're well aware, Zdeno Chara nearly obliterated Max Pacioretty as he checked him into the glass between the team benches at the Bell Centre, and Pacioretty was taken off the ice on a stretcher.
Here is a link to the hit here. In case you're wondering, yes, I did pick this clip specifically because I liked the commentator's accent haha What can I say, I'm a sucker!
I'm sure Montrealers are all in an outrage, Boston fans are likely defending their captain ... and me, who is fairly impartial ... While I will side with those who say the hit was late (it was) I do not think Chara intended to injure Pacioretty the way he did.
Was the the hit dirty? A late hit is always dirty in my books. Chara didn't need to paste Pacioretty regardless of where on the ice it happened, as the Canadien player had already chipped the puck away and was no longer in posession of it.
I just looked, and as of seven minutes ago, the Toronto Star reported there has been no fine or suspension. (Omg, I'm a blog loser, stealing info from a reporter. Sorry!!!!!! Oh. It's a Canadian Press story. Those are meant to be stolen.) Chara walks and Pacioretty is lying in a hospital bed with a severe concussion and fractured vertebrae. Nice. Way to go, NHL.
The fact of the matter is that it's a dangerous area of the rink, and maybe this is time for the NHL to look at changing the way the rink is set up? Not sure how they could do this, but potentially eliminating that little plexiglass box between the benches where Pierre McGuire hangs out (hey, maybe we could get rid of him, too!) that could get rid of two hard corners ... leaving only the two, one at the end of either bench.
Concussions are a REAL problem. My favourite kid from my team had to leave at the end of last season, and missed most of the start of this season with post-concussion symptoms. When he was finally cleared to play in December, he played in only a couple of games before he sustained a hit to the head, and is done for the year. He's too old to play next year, so there went his hockey career.
It is due time the National Hockey League steps up and does something about these types of injuries. They do not need to be a part of hockey, and should be stopped. I'm not against hitting, fighitng, or any of that. But I am against players being needlessly injured in a way that will affect their brain for the rest of their lives. THAT is not okay.
Last night at the Montreal/Boston game, as I'm sure you're well aware, Zdeno Chara nearly obliterated Max Pacioretty as he checked him into the glass between the team benches at the Bell Centre, and Pacioretty was taken off the ice on a stretcher.
Here is a link to the hit here. In case you're wondering, yes, I did pick this clip specifically because I liked the commentator's accent haha What can I say, I'm a sucker!
I'm sure Montrealers are all in an outrage, Boston fans are likely defending their captain ... and me, who is fairly impartial ... While I will side with those who say the hit was late (it was) I do not think Chara intended to injure Pacioretty the way he did.
Was the the hit dirty? A late hit is always dirty in my books. Chara didn't need to paste Pacioretty regardless of where on the ice it happened, as the Canadien player had already chipped the puck away and was no longer in posession of it.
I just looked, and as of seven minutes ago, the Toronto Star reported there has been no fine or suspension. (Omg, I'm a blog loser, stealing info from a reporter. Sorry!!!!!! Oh. It's a Canadian Press story. Those are meant to be stolen.) Chara walks and Pacioretty is lying in a hospital bed with a severe concussion and fractured vertebrae. Nice. Way to go, NHL.
The fact of the matter is that it's a dangerous area of the rink, and maybe this is time for the NHL to look at changing the way the rink is set up? Not sure how they could do this, but potentially eliminating that little plexiglass box between the benches where Pierre McGuire hangs out (hey, maybe we could get rid of him, too!) that could get rid of two hard corners ... leaving only the two, one at the end of either bench.
Concussions are a REAL problem. My favourite kid from my team had to leave at the end of last season, and missed most of the start of this season with post-concussion symptoms. When he was finally cleared to play in December, he played in only a couple of games before he sustained a hit to the head, and is done for the year. He's too old to play next year, so there went his hockey career.
It is due time the National Hockey League steps up and does something about these types of injuries. They do not need to be a part of hockey, and should be stopped. I'm not against hitting, fighitng, or any of that. But I am against players being needlessly injured in a way that will affect their brain for the rest of their lives. THAT is not okay.
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Drop it like its hot ...
Today I got my first feedback for this blog ... and apparently, it sucks.
I think a lot of people have a friend who is a total downer and makes you feel bad about yourself ... the question is, why do we continue to let these people bring us down? With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Dropping a friend, however, doesn't need to be a big drawn-out, drama-laden affair.
One of the major steps in removing this toxic relationship from your life is to distance yourself from the offending party. Make yourself unavailable. Find other things to do, and maybe take up a new activity, so that not only are you filling your time, you have now made yourself open to starting new friendships with people you might not have met before.
I have met a lot of people through hockey, including some of my very best girlfriends -- so the rink isn't a bad place to meet some new friends either.
Maybe one of your acquaintances has some friends you might be interested in meeting, or maybe some of your guy pals have a cool female cousin or friend you might like?
The name of the game is networking and finding a way to replace to void of the friend you're trying to ditch, so that you're not feeling a huge loss without her.
When push comes to shove, nobody deserves to be made to feel like they are unimportant or don't matter, so if you have a so-called friend who puts you down, make the positive step and move away from that person. Sometimes it'll be sad to say goodbye, especially if it's a friend you have known for a long time or have had a lot of memories with ... but you'll still have those happy memories of the good times, even once you've moved on from your friendship.
Chances are you don't actually suck, and your 'friend' who is knocking you down is either jealous or trying to make herself feel better by putting you down. This person isn't deserving of your time and you need to be proactive and make the positive change in your life. You'll be a lot happier down the road!
I think a lot of people have a friend who is a total downer and makes you feel bad about yourself ... the question is, why do we continue to let these people bring us down? With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Dropping a friend, however, doesn't need to be a big drawn-out, drama-laden affair.
One of the major steps in removing this toxic relationship from your life is to distance yourself from the offending party. Make yourself unavailable. Find other things to do, and maybe take up a new activity, so that not only are you filling your time, you have now made yourself open to starting new friendships with people you might not have met before.
I have met a lot of people through hockey, including some of my very best girlfriends -- so the rink isn't a bad place to meet some new friends either.
Maybe one of your acquaintances has some friends you might be interested in meeting, or maybe some of your guy pals have a cool female cousin or friend you might like?
The name of the game is networking and finding a way to replace to void of the friend you're trying to ditch, so that you're not feeling a huge loss without her.
When push comes to shove, nobody deserves to be made to feel like they are unimportant or don't matter, so if you have a so-called friend who puts you down, make the positive step and move away from that person. Sometimes it'll be sad to say goodbye, especially if it's a friend you have known for a long time or have had a lot of memories with ... but you'll still have those happy memories of the good times, even once you've moved on from your friendship.
Chances are you don't actually suck, and your 'friend' who is knocking you down is either jealous or trying to make herself feel better by putting you down. This person isn't deserving of your time and you need to be proactive and make the positive change in your life. You'll be a lot happier down the road!
Wingin' it
Earlier today, I was chatting with an old friend of mine I have known for a number of years now. We met through a mutual friend while living in Montreal -- the mutual friend is a hockey player I know from "back home" in Toronto ... but as we were chatting today, I was kind of curious.
"I'm sure you know we're friends from back home, but how do YOU know him?" I asked.
My guy pal then spun me the most interesting tale. He was at an establishment often frequented by our mutual friend. He said, "My friend who was out with me saw him at the bar and said she was interested, but when I told her to go talk to him, she said she was too shy. So, I went over and said hi, and we realized we had friends in common ... and then I ran into him again at the gym, and he invited me to a party he was having at his house ... and the rest is history."
I have heard of this going the other way, and I have even helped some male friends out by playing female wing-man, but the thought of being a female having a male wingman never really crossed my mind.
I think this could be a very interesting concept, if used correctly. I always describe it to my male friends (by having me be the wing-man) as this: you see a girl you like, and it's a lot easier for me to go over and say, "Oh, wow, I really like your purse/top/shoes/nails ... where did you get that?" and then your buddy comes over, and you say, "Oh, hey, Mike, this is my new friend ... um, sorry, I didn't catch your name!" and go from there.
I feel like this could go both ways. Not sure how a guy could strike up a random convo with some random dude, but I think I'm going to have to do a little field research on this scenario.
Though, if you're without a male wing-man, and you're playing wing-man for your gal pal, take heed.
The mutual friend scenario is easy to work with. One of hockey player's favourite games other than hockey is "omg -- do you know so-and-so!?" (I know this because I know nearly everybody under the sun, and this game has gotten me quite far.) Unfortunately, you're likely not always going to have mutual friends if you're in a strange city or you're not well-connected.
The second-best game to start picking their brain is "omg -- remember when ___" and insert something you think they may have been a part of (come-from-behind win, brawl, anything you can think of ... except for that night's game. NOT a good idea. Don't use it. You look like a tool.) They like to tell stories, so if you can get them started, they'll likely just keep talking. That's when you get your friend to come over and listen to the story, look interested and wait for a pause in the tale long enough to intro your friend aaaaaaaaand you're in.
Just remember - everyone in hockey knows everyone else by proxy. So be prudent. If you're going to creep him on Hockey DB from your phone before you strike up the convo, do it when he's not looking ... or better yet, do it in the bathroom. There is some info you can use to your advantage on there for sure, though. Another easy one is to find someone you know he's been ... (did he play at the 2004 World Jrs in Helsinki? Wait. Canada lost. He probably doesn't want to talk about that) then keep that in mind when you say, "I've been thinking of going to ___ on my holidays this summer ... ever been?"
Another hockeydb bad move is finding out he played with someone REALLY famous ... and then continually asking him about it. "Omg seriously!? You played with John Tavares!? I LOVE JT ... " he has probably heard that 900 times ... "omg - do you know ... " works a lot better if it doesn't involve a high-profile guy.
Problems:
1. Hockey players travel in packs. There will be many of them around, and likely, your friend will want on a hot one, whose roommate/best friend/linemate is probably some raggamuffin with missing teeth and bad hair, with whom you may get stuck. Try to avoid this at all costs.
2. There will be one drunk douchebag. Every team has one. He might be puking in the bathroom, hitting on every girl in the bar and/or high on percocets and wearing a coat he picked up off some guy's bar stool while buddy was in the bathroom. Avoid this guy.
3. Your friend doesn't want to go where you are going. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ALONE WITH ANYONE YOU DO NOT KNOW! If you can't convince your girl(s) to tag along to the next party destination, don't go. (You'll be pissed off at the time, but you'll thank me later.)
4. Other girls ... When you're going to go have a few more beers at somebody's house and other girls tag along, bite your tongue. This can get ugly and hostile. If you or a friend do get involved in an altercation, leave. Just leave.
Happy hunting, ladies -- and if anyone has any successful field research regarding the male wing-man scenario, please let me know how it goes!
"I'm sure you know we're friends from back home, but how do YOU know him?" I asked.
My guy pal then spun me the most interesting tale. He was at an establishment often frequented by our mutual friend. He said, "My friend who was out with me saw him at the bar and said she was interested, but when I told her to go talk to him, she said she was too shy. So, I went over and said hi, and we realized we had friends in common ... and then I ran into him again at the gym, and he invited me to a party he was having at his house ... and the rest is history."
I have heard of this going the other way, and I have even helped some male friends out by playing female wing-man, but the thought of being a female having a male wingman never really crossed my mind.
I think this could be a very interesting concept, if used correctly. I always describe it to my male friends (by having me be the wing-man) as this: you see a girl you like, and it's a lot easier for me to go over and say, "Oh, wow, I really like your purse/top/shoes/nails ... where did you get that?" and then your buddy comes over, and you say, "Oh, hey, Mike, this is my new friend ... um, sorry, I didn't catch your name!" and go from there.
I feel like this could go both ways. Not sure how a guy could strike up a random convo with some random dude, but I think I'm going to have to do a little field research on this scenario.
Though, if you're without a male wing-man, and you're playing wing-man for your gal pal, take heed.
The mutual friend scenario is easy to work with. One of hockey player's favourite games other than hockey is "omg -- do you know so-and-so!?" (I know this because I know nearly everybody under the sun, and this game has gotten me quite far.) Unfortunately, you're likely not always going to have mutual friends if you're in a strange city or you're not well-connected.
The second-best game to start picking their brain is "omg -- remember when ___" and insert something you think they may have been a part of (come-from-behind win, brawl, anything you can think of ... except for that night's game. NOT a good idea. Don't use it. You look like a tool.) They like to tell stories, so if you can get them started, they'll likely just keep talking. That's when you get your friend to come over and listen to the story, look interested and wait for a pause in the tale long enough to intro your friend aaaaaaaaand you're in.
Just remember - everyone in hockey knows everyone else by proxy. So be prudent. If you're going to creep him on Hockey DB from your phone before you strike up the convo, do it when he's not looking ... or better yet, do it in the bathroom. There is some info you can use to your advantage on there for sure, though. Another easy one is to find someone you know he's been ... (did he play at the 2004 World Jrs in Helsinki? Wait. Canada lost. He probably doesn't want to talk about that) then keep that in mind when you say, "I've been thinking of going to ___ on my holidays this summer ... ever been?"
Another hockeydb bad move is finding out he played with someone REALLY famous ... and then continually asking him about it. "Omg seriously!? You played with John Tavares!? I LOVE JT ... " he has probably heard that 900 times ... "omg - do you know ... " works a lot better if it doesn't involve a high-profile guy.
Problems:
1. Hockey players travel in packs. There will be many of them around, and likely, your friend will want on a hot one, whose roommate/best friend/linemate is probably some raggamuffin with missing teeth and bad hair, with whom you may get stuck. Try to avoid this at all costs.
2. There will be one drunk douchebag. Every team has one. He might be puking in the bathroom, hitting on every girl in the bar and/or high on percocets and wearing a coat he picked up off some guy's bar stool while buddy was in the bathroom. Avoid this guy.
3. Your friend doesn't want to go where you are going. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ALONE WITH ANYONE YOU DO NOT KNOW! If you can't convince your girl(s) to tag along to the next party destination, don't go. (You'll be pissed off at the time, but you'll thank me later.)
4. Other girls ... When you're going to go have a few more beers at somebody's house and other girls tag along, bite your tongue. This can get ugly and hostile. If you or a friend do get involved in an altercation, leave. Just leave.
Happy hunting, ladies -- and if anyone has any successful field research regarding the male wing-man scenario, please let me know how it goes!
Saturday 5 March 2011
Get your glow on
Old man winter can start to take a real toll on a girl's skin ... especially if you live somewhere like places I have lived in Alberta and Manitoba where the air is dry and sucks all the life right out of your skin.
I would say one of my best features is my skin, and while most of its beauty is courtesy of good genes (my great aunt Betty who died last year was in her seventies and had not a wrinkle on her face), I do take care of it.
The prescribed order for facial care is as follows: Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturise. I actually skip a couple of these steps, but it's best to follow the routine that is best for YOUR type of skin ... not following some pre-determined regimine by a skincare company.
I happen to have very dry skin, and I find cleansing and toning to be too much for my dry, sensitive skin, so I tend to use an exfoliating cleanser and skip the toning, followed by moisture. My Aunt Betty always told me to use a moisturizer with SPF in it ... so I have been using Clean & Clear Morning Glow moisturizer -- mostly because I liked that it has a little shimmer to it, and that it's not heavy, but still locks in the moisture my skin needs to look soft and healthy.
In the summer months, I don't dare venture outside without my SPF, hat and sunglasses -- the sun is the WORST thing for you skin. However, just because there may be snow on the ground, doesn't mean the sun's rays can't still be harmful in the winter. If you plan to spend any time outside, do make sure you've got your sun protection (SPF, shades etc.) and pack along a lip balm with SPF in it as well. Blistex makes some medicated, sunblock balms that come in a convenient stick in a few different flavours.
For body, a heavy moisturizer is my best friend come winter. My legs get dry and scaly, my elbows are tougher than shoe leather. And let's face it, once you get that dry-skin itch, it can't be cured with a simple scratch. Living out west, sometimes it's necessary to moisturize two times a day ... and on my hands, that can easily become five or six times per day.
Start curbing dry skin in the shower by using a low-soap cleanser. Those Dove commercials with the dried out soap bar are no joke. I used to use nothing but Dove on myself, until I wanted something with a more pleasing scent and switched to body wash. Unfortunately, with my sensitive skin, I have to be really careful of scented products. When I was around 19, I began using products from Lush, which smell great and don't make me break out in hives (ew) -- unfortunately, when you're strapped for cash, using Lush for a daily regimine doesn't really fly.
So, I tend to stick to a few things I can't live without and leave the expensive bombs and bubble bars for post-Christmas treats when they go on for buy-one-get-two-free. Lush soaps lather less than traditional soaps -- this is because they actually contain less "soap" than regular soaps. This doesn't mean you can't still get squeaky clean, however! There are also a number of soaps with exfoliating bits in them, saving you time when you're in a hurry. One of my favourites is Sexy Peel, a citrus-scented bright yellow soap with bits of fruit peel. I'm also quite addicted to the scent of a seasonal bodywash, Snow Fairy, which is cotton-candy pink and (apparently, though I never see them) full of iridescent sparkles.
If you're looking for some extra exfoliating punch, or just need it for specific areas, try a moisturizing scrub after you're done washing. I have tried all kinds of products, and have found sugar scrubs to be messy and not as abrasive, so if you're looking for some light exfoliation, try a sugar scrub. If you use one of Lush's "solid" sugar scrubs, it will turn into a gooey mess after the first time you use it, so keep a tupperware on hand to keep it in.
For a rougher rub, I have found success with my very favourite Lush product, Buffy, which in the summer I often don't need to moisturize after using ... full of rice grains and nut shells, it feels like sandpapering away all the dead skin cells when you rub it on. The only thing I dislike about it is the smell. I can't use it on anywhere other than my legs because I loathe the smell, but it works great. I also love Soap & Glory's Flake Away. The sweet goo in this container (which is available at Shoppers Drugmart and Pharmaprix stores in Canada and at Target in the US) smells delicious with its Shea butter and peach seed formula. It's affordable (about $10 for a container, which usually lasts me about 3 months) and gives you a delicious, light scent and fabulously smooth skin. For my face, I truly love Lush's Ocean Salt, but at nearly $25 for a little pot, I have to go without when I'm not rolling in money. I almost always tend to use the St Yves apricot scrub as a substitute. They also make a wonderful foaming cleanser for those who need to take off lots of makeup -- costs less than $5 at Walmart, and I have never had a reaction to ANY of their products.
For moisture on my scaly legs, I used to be a slave to body butter. No longer! After my favourite bottle of Roche Posay moisturizer ran out, I bought a bottle of lotion from Vichy, and not only does it moisturize just as well as body butter, it does it without the disgusting greasy feel body butter leaves behind. You put it on and within literally a couple of minutes, your skin is soft, not greasy. Of course, it doesn't smell yummy like body butter, though as I began using more and more Lush products, I find most things from Body Shop smell extremely fake to me. (I also cannot understand why everything there is so expensive when it's the same as regular drugstore products with fancy smells ... at least I know what I'm paying for at Lush, which is fresh ingredients and handmade items, and for that, I don't mind paying extra.)
In my years of experimenting, I must say three French companies (aforementioned Roche Posay and Vichy) along with Roc, have always been impressive and given me great results. I have heard good things about the Vaseline-brand cocoa butter body butter as well, and if it smells like the cocoa lotion, I'm sure I would be a fan.
I've been dying to try the cotton gloves overnight trick for my hands, so if anybody has tried it, do let me know how it worked for you -- I'm thinking I'll likely go with Lush's Lemony Flutter or my Body Shop body butter for the cream for that.
And how could I forget, the most thing for keeping your skin moist and lovely? Fluids! I love tea, and have one most days, which is full of anti-oxidents, not only good for your body, but your skin, too. Lots of water and fluids, and a nutrient-rich diet do wonders for you skin. Don't worry, winter's almost over, keep slathering on the lotion and spring will be here before you know it.
I would say one of my best features is my skin, and while most of its beauty is courtesy of good genes (my great aunt Betty who died last year was in her seventies and had not a wrinkle on her face), I do take care of it.
The prescribed order for facial care is as follows: Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturise. I actually skip a couple of these steps, but it's best to follow the routine that is best for YOUR type of skin ... not following some pre-determined regimine by a skincare company.
I happen to have very dry skin, and I find cleansing and toning to be too much for my dry, sensitive skin, so I tend to use an exfoliating cleanser and skip the toning, followed by moisture. My Aunt Betty always told me to use a moisturizer with SPF in it ... so I have been using Clean & Clear Morning Glow moisturizer -- mostly because I liked that it has a little shimmer to it, and that it's not heavy, but still locks in the moisture my skin needs to look soft and healthy.
In the summer months, I don't dare venture outside without my SPF, hat and sunglasses -- the sun is the WORST thing for you skin. However, just because there may be snow on the ground, doesn't mean the sun's rays can't still be harmful in the winter. If you plan to spend any time outside, do make sure you've got your sun protection (SPF, shades etc.) and pack along a lip balm with SPF in it as well. Blistex makes some medicated, sunblock balms that come in a convenient stick in a few different flavours.
For body, a heavy moisturizer is my best friend come winter. My legs get dry and scaly, my elbows are tougher than shoe leather. And let's face it, once you get that dry-skin itch, it can't be cured with a simple scratch. Living out west, sometimes it's necessary to moisturize two times a day ... and on my hands, that can easily become five or six times per day.
Start curbing dry skin in the shower by using a low-soap cleanser. Those Dove commercials with the dried out soap bar are no joke. I used to use nothing but Dove on myself, until I wanted something with a more pleasing scent and switched to body wash. Unfortunately, with my sensitive skin, I have to be really careful of scented products. When I was around 19, I began using products from Lush, which smell great and don't make me break out in hives (ew) -- unfortunately, when you're strapped for cash, using Lush for a daily regimine doesn't really fly.
So, I tend to stick to a few things I can't live without and leave the expensive bombs and bubble bars for post-Christmas treats when they go on for buy-one-get-two-free. Lush soaps lather less than traditional soaps -- this is because they actually contain less "soap" than regular soaps. This doesn't mean you can't still get squeaky clean, however! There are also a number of soaps with exfoliating bits in them, saving you time when you're in a hurry. One of my favourites is Sexy Peel, a citrus-scented bright yellow soap with bits of fruit peel. I'm also quite addicted to the scent of a seasonal bodywash, Snow Fairy, which is cotton-candy pink and (apparently, though I never see them) full of iridescent sparkles.
If you're looking for some extra exfoliating punch, or just need it for specific areas, try a moisturizing scrub after you're done washing. I have tried all kinds of products, and have found sugar scrubs to be messy and not as abrasive, so if you're looking for some light exfoliation, try a sugar scrub. If you use one of Lush's "solid" sugar scrubs, it will turn into a gooey mess after the first time you use it, so keep a tupperware on hand to keep it in.
 |
| Flake Away! |
 |
| My new Vichy moisturizer I just love! |
In my years of experimenting, I must say three French companies (aforementioned Roche Posay and Vichy) along with Roc, have always been impressive and given me great results. I have heard good things about the Vaseline-brand cocoa butter body butter as well, and if it smells like the cocoa lotion, I'm sure I would be a fan.
I've been dying to try the cotton gloves overnight trick for my hands, so if anybody has tried it, do let me know how it worked for you -- I'm thinking I'll likely go with Lush's Lemony Flutter or my Body Shop body butter for the cream for that.
And how could I forget, the most thing for keeping your skin moist and lovely? Fluids! I love tea, and have one most days, which is full of anti-oxidents, not only good for your body, but your skin, too. Lots of water and fluids, and a nutrient-rich diet do wonders for you skin. Don't worry, winter's almost over, keep slathering on the lotion and spring will be here before you know it.
 |
| Some of the products that work well for my dry, sensitive skin include Clean & Clear's Morning Glow lotion (with SPF 15), St Ives Apricot Scrub (there is also one for sensitive skin), Lush Snow Fairy body wash and Lush Sexy Peel soap. What products are your must-haves for dry winter skin? |
Friday 4 March 2011
Calder Trophy hopes dashed
Last night, when Edmonton Oiler star rookie Taylor Hall left the game with an ankle injury after his involvement in a scrap against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, reports today surfaced that Hall will be out for the remainder of the season.
The fact of the matter is this: Taylor Hall, in his first season in the NHL, will be, in just a couple of years, likely one of the biggest stars and a franchise player with Edmonton, and alongside his fellow youngsters, might just have what it takes to turn the slumping Oilers squad into a star-studded lineup bound for a Cup -- or at least be in position to make a run for it.
There is plenty of arguing as to whether Hall should be dropping his gloves or not. Hockey is a rough game. Someone hits someone and his teammates think it was a dirty hit, they want to retaliate. Or, star players get slashed, hacked, whacked and otherwise slowed down ... with little done to the offending players. Sidney Crosby (erm when he was still in the lineup at least) was constantly a victim of this, and even The Kid has been known to drop his mitts on rare occasion.
Hall has defended his actions -- it needed to be done -- but at the same time, perhaps the youngster should leave the fighting to his more experienced teammates? While players don't often tend to endure ankle injuries during a scrap, there is liklihood of a player sustaining an injury, especially when it is a player like Hall who is less accustomed to fighting.
And then there's the old "respect in the room" -- one of my Terrier rookies dropped his gloves this season during a game against the Blues. Wasn't much of a fight, but the boys sure were excited to see his gloves hit the ice.
But can't a player like Hall command respect with his offensive prowess and play-making and goal-scoring?
Would that be enough to earn the respect of his teammates?
Now all we know is that Hall's hopes of earning the league's rookie of the year honours are all but gone. The injury, which will take about eight weeks to heal, will leave Hall out for the remainder of the year, and with the Oilers' current spot in the West division basement, they won't be making a post-season appearance. And unfortunately for one of the league's brightest up and coming stars, he won't be making a trip to the podium this June to collect the Calder trophy for his efforts either.
The fact of the matter is this: Taylor Hall, in his first season in the NHL, will be, in just a couple of years, likely one of the biggest stars and a franchise player with Edmonton, and alongside his fellow youngsters, might just have what it takes to turn the slumping Oilers squad into a star-studded lineup bound for a Cup -- or at least be in position to make a run for it.
There is plenty of arguing as to whether Hall should be dropping his gloves or not. Hockey is a rough game. Someone hits someone and his teammates think it was a dirty hit, they want to retaliate. Or, star players get slashed, hacked, whacked and otherwise slowed down ... with little done to the offending players. Sidney Crosby (erm when he was still in the lineup at least) was constantly a victim of this, and even The Kid has been known to drop his mitts on rare occasion.Hall has defended his actions -- it needed to be done -- but at the same time, perhaps the youngster should leave the fighting to his more experienced teammates? While players don't often tend to endure ankle injuries during a scrap, there is liklihood of a player sustaining an injury, especially when it is a player like Hall who is less accustomed to fighting.
And then there's the old "respect in the room" -- one of my Terrier rookies dropped his gloves this season during a game against the Blues. Wasn't much of a fight, but the boys sure were excited to see his gloves hit the ice.
But can't a player like Hall command respect with his offensive prowess and play-making and goal-scoring?
Would that be enough to earn the respect of his teammates?
Now all we know is that Hall's hopes of earning the league's rookie of the year honours are all but gone. The injury, which will take about eight weeks to heal, will leave Hall out for the remainder of the year, and with the Oilers' current spot in the West division basement, they won't be making a post-season appearance. And unfortunately for one of the league's brightest up and coming stars, he won't be making a trip to the podium this June to collect the Calder trophy for his efforts either.
Thursday 3 March 2011
Bundling up ...
Little late, but better than not at all, right! Tonight I was delighted to find out that Logan Couture, Scottie Upshall and myself all follow Justin Bieber on Twitter.
Today was cold and snowy, and my Terriers played the second of two games in two nights, (my Dogs are now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series heading into the Stampeders' barn after two overtime wins tonight and last night!) -- but the thing about two games in two nights is ... what do I wear?
For any of us who spend any amount of time in an arena other than an NHL one, we know it can get pretty cold in there. Even the walk from the parking lot can be quite frigid. So, not too many people are going to get to see your clothes. After years of experience (and finally armed with my own cash) the Montrealer in me garnered the best way to keep looking fly at the rink is to spice up your winter wardrobe.
Myself, I own six winter coats. One is my parka, which I often refer to as my -20 coat ... got me through winters in the harsh conditions of Montreal, the foothills of the Rockies, and the city known for it's bad weather ... Winter-peg.
My faux-suede tan-coloured coat isn't particularly warm, so I tend not to wear it when it's really cold outside, but it looks great with a dark jean, and I have a tan scarf with a dark denim pocket on it and a chocolate faux suede purse I like to throw together with that one.
Another one that isn't particularly warm is my checkered coat -- red and white checked with a fur-trimmed hood, which I began pairing with my mukluks. My handmade black suede mukluks are trimmed with black rabbit fur and hand-beaded with red, white and black snowflakes. I wore this to a game one night while I was working, and there was a movie shoot going on in our arena late at night after everyone was gone. After the Terriers game, I was waiting in the hallway for coach, and the girl in charge of wardrobe for the movie thought I was an extra! "Oh ... I'm not in the movie, I work here."
"Really!? What a great outfit." Must've looked the part, I guess ;)
Last season I bought two wool pea coats that have a nice cut to them. One is black and the other is dark purple (but a blue-purple as opposed to a red-purple). I thought I was through, but this year, there were these brown coats everywhere! Camel. A colour that in no way would ever look good on me. I debated buying one for quite some time, until my most trusted fashion source for all things Canadian, suggested another colour that is equally as "in" but won't wash out my skin the way camel would. RED!
The Montreal Gazette had a story in their fashion section (if you don't read the Montreal fashion news, you should definitely check it out!) and suggested a red coat. So I bought another one. I had seen a leopard print coat earlier in the season, lusted after it for a while, but the Gazette advised against it ... so I picked a leopard scarf instead.
I have a number of scarves as well, and mittens. I like leopard, so I also have some gloves with leopard trim on the cuffs -- both black gloves, but one in regular brown leopard trim and one with white/black snow leopard time. I have three pairs of boots, though I would like to get a brown pair at some point.
I also have a number of brooches, which I like on the lapel of my coat. A little bling on your coat is a classy touch. Some of my favourites include a lacy silver snowflake, the whimsical vintage rhinestone piece I recently acquired from my great grandmother who purchased it in the 1960s, and a small gold dog. The dog, who is sitting, as opposed to in the usual standing-up doggy pose, is a Terrier, which looks not only like my dog, Rusty, but also like the Terriers' logo. "Do you wear that because you love us?" one once asked me.
Some things to keep in mind when you're getting dolled up
- depending how cold it is outside, dressing in layers is usually a good idea
- make sure your earrings are not the type that will get caught in a knit scarf (it's never fun to realise *ouch* your earring is stuck in your scarf!)
- if you're wearing light-coloured outer-wear, watch your makeup -- I have a cream-coloured puffy vest that constantly has makeup smudged on its high collar
- lip products are key in winter - lips can get very dry in cooler weather, so make sure you've got your gloss or balm handy. (I suggest a stick of some kind, as opposed to a pot, for winter so your fingers aren't gooey when you stuff them back into your mittens or gloves.)
Well, that's all for tonight ... hopefully tomorrow I'll be a little earlier with my post!
Today was cold and snowy, and my Terriers played the second of two games in two nights, (my Dogs are now up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series heading into the Stampeders' barn after two overtime wins tonight and last night!) -- but the thing about two games in two nights is ... what do I wear?
For any of us who spend any amount of time in an arena other than an NHL one, we know it can get pretty cold in there. Even the walk from the parking lot can be quite frigid. So, not too many people are going to get to see your clothes. After years of experience (and finally armed with my own cash) the Montrealer in me garnered the best way to keep looking fly at the rink is to spice up your winter wardrobe.
Myself, I own six winter coats. One is my parka, which I often refer to as my -20 coat ... got me through winters in the harsh conditions of Montreal, the foothills of the Rockies, and the city known for it's bad weather ... Winter-peg.
My faux-suede tan-coloured coat isn't particularly warm, so I tend not to wear it when it's really cold outside, but it looks great with a dark jean, and I have a tan scarf with a dark denim pocket on it and a chocolate faux suede purse I like to throw together with that one.
Another one that isn't particularly warm is my checkered coat -- red and white checked with a fur-trimmed hood, which I began pairing with my mukluks. My handmade black suede mukluks are trimmed with black rabbit fur and hand-beaded with red, white and black snowflakes. I wore this to a game one night while I was working, and there was a movie shoot going on in our arena late at night after everyone was gone. After the Terriers game, I was waiting in the hallway for coach, and the girl in charge of wardrobe for the movie thought I was an extra! "Oh ... I'm not in the movie, I work here.""Really!? What a great outfit." Must've looked the part, I guess ;)
Last season I bought two wool pea coats that have a nice cut to them. One is black and the other is dark purple (but a blue-purple as opposed to a red-purple). I thought I was through, but this year, there were these brown coats everywhere! Camel. A colour that in no way would ever look good on me. I debated buying one for quite some time, until my most trusted fashion source for all things Canadian, suggested another colour that is equally as "in" but won't wash out my skin the way camel would. RED!
The Montreal Gazette had a story in their fashion section (if you don't read the Montreal fashion news, you should definitely check it out!) and suggested a red coat. So I bought another one. I had seen a leopard print coat earlier in the season, lusted after it for a while, but the Gazette advised against it ... so I picked a leopard scarf instead.
I have a number of scarves as well, and mittens. I like leopard, so I also have some gloves with leopard trim on the cuffs -- both black gloves, but one in regular brown leopard trim and one with white/black snow leopard time. I have three pairs of boots, though I would like to get a brown pair at some point.
 |
| These rhinestones on my grandma's brooch are iridescent |
Some things to keep in mind when you're getting dolled up
- depending how cold it is outside, dressing in layers is usually a good idea
- make sure your earrings are not the type that will get caught in a knit scarf (it's never fun to realise *ouch* your earring is stuck in your scarf!)
- if you're wearing light-coloured outer-wear, watch your makeup -- I have a cream-coloured puffy vest that constantly has makeup smudged on its high collar
- lip products are key in winter - lips can get very dry in cooler weather, so make sure you've got your gloss or balm handy. (I suggest a stick of some kind, as opposed to a pot, for winter so your fingers aren't gooey when you stuff them back into your mittens or gloves.)
 | |
| Four of my coats: black coat with b/w leopard satin scarf (my winter purse is b/w leopard as well), my red coat with leopard scarf (from Montreal-based Jacob), purple coat with green scarf (bought in Flin Flon last year for my birthday) and finally my checkered coat and mukluks. |
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Puck drops on the post-season!
Anyone who knows me will tell you I love hockey. This is the truth. But I believe there is a MASSIVE difference between being a fan of "hockey" and being a fan of the "NHL" -- and that I'd like to think I would fall into both categories.
Being at the rink is one of my favourite times, and I'd far rather be there than watching NHL hockey on TV ... and so, for the past two seasons, I have followed a junior A team through some good times and some bad times, and it's great to see they have finished first in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Sher-Wood Division and begin the months-long quest for the ANAVET Cup, and a chance to play in this year's national championship, the Royal Bank Cup, in Camrose, Alta.
Tonight, the Portage Terriers take on the Swan Valley Stampeders in the opening round. The Stamps, who looked as though they would be making a late-season push towards the end, sort of fell off at the end and finished fourth. Led by three offensively talented young men, Tyler Moore, Brenden Harms and Brett Wold, and anchored between the pipes by arguably the best netminding tandem in the league, Jason Kasdorf and Kirk Croswell, the Terriers should be a force to be reckoned with.
Playing in the other Sher-Wood Division battle is second-place Dauphin taking on third-place OCN Blizzard. The Kings, who hosted nationals last year, were thought to be in a rebuilding year and struggled early but came through late in the season. Some recipients of my constant baked-good concoctions -- Eddie Friesen, who along with my other little friend Kyle Krzyzaniak (both former WHL blueliners), and the Kings should put up a good fight against the defensive-minded Blizzard, where another cupcake recipient, Colin Fay, plays.
The Sher-Wood Division fifth place team, Waywayseecappo Wolverines, earned themselves the cross-over bid to take on first place in the Addision Division -- Winkler Flyers. Wayway also had a late post-season push and was battling with Swan Valley for some time for command of the Sher-Wood's fourth spot.
Selkirk and the Winnipeg Saints make up the other Addison series, and the Selkirk Steelers should have a cake walk through the opening round. One of my very dear friends is playing with the Steelers this year, and I am anticipating a Terrier-Steeler final for the league title.
To follow along, visit the MJHL website or the MJHL unofficial fan forum -- some teams also have their games broadcast on the radio, and can be heard online.
Good luck Dogs, Eddie, Kyle, Fayzer, Robi, and Babycakes!
Being at the rink is one of my favourite times, and I'd far rather be there than watching NHL hockey on TV ... and so, for the past two seasons, I have followed a junior A team through some good times and some bad times, and it's great to see they have finished first in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Sher-Wood Division and begin the months-long quest for the ANAVET Cup, and a chance to play in this year's national championship, the Royal Bank Cup, in Camrose, Alta.
Tonight, the Portage Terriers take on the Swan Valley Stampeders in the opening round. The Stamps, who looked as though they would be making a late-season push towards the end, sort of fell off at the end and finished fourth. Led by three offensively talented young men, Tyler Moore, Brenden Harms and Brett Wold, and anchored between the pipes by arguably the best netminding tandem in the league, Jason Kasdorf and Kirk Croswell, the Terriers should be a force to be reckoned with.
Playing in the other Sher-Wood Division battle is second-place Dauphin taking on third-place OCN Blizzard. The Kings, who hosted nationals last year, were thought to be in a rebuilding year and struggled early but came through late in the season. Some recipients of my constant baked-good concoctions -- Eddie Friesen, who along with my other little friend Kyle Krzyzaniak (both former WHL blueliners), and the Kings should put up a good fight against the defensive-minded Blizzard, where another cupcake recipient, Colin Fay, plays.
The Sher-Wood Division fifth place team, Waywayseecappo Wolverines, earned themselves the cross-over bid to take on first place in the Addision Division -- Winkler Flyers. Wayway also had a late post-season push and was battling with Swan Valley for some time for command of the Sher-Wood's fourth spot.
Selkirk and the Winnipeg Saints make up the other Addison series, and the Selkirk Steelers should have a cake walk through the opening round. One of my very dear friends is playing with the Steelers this year, and I am anticipating a Terrier-Steeler final for the league title.
To follow along, visit the MJHL website or the MJHL unofficial fan forum -- some teams also have their games broadcast on the radio, and can be heard online.
Good luck Dogs, Eddie, Kyle, Fayzer, Robi, and Babycakes!
Tuesday 1 March 2011
And now for the Nitty Gritty!
My first official hockey post!
I'll start off by explaining that I'm currently an Oilers fan. They used to be my second-favourite team, but the Leafs and I aren't speaking at the moment ... I don't hate them, but we're not on speaking terms (due to Dion-related differences in opinion) and thus, the lousy Oilers have been elevated to first-favourite status.
Having been a Leafs fan for 11 years, I'm no stranger to basement-dwelling ... however, the wonderful part about cheering for the Oilers is that a) they don't trade away their draft picks and b) they're amassing quite the collection of good, young up-and-coming talent. Eberle-Cogliano-Hall is one of the most talented lines in the league (with the exception of Tampa's powerplay .. but really .. Vinny, Marty, Stamkos .... that's just golden.)
Anyway, my first hockey post is the post-mortem after trade deadline day. I'm not going to re-hash the same old crap everyone else has already said ... my post is about this little tidbit. Apparently, yesterday was the most-watched EVER deadline day coverage on TSN. Really.
Most-watched deadline day
Now, if you're an Oilers fan, and wanted to sit around all day wondering if Dead-monton could manage to pull off anything decent, that's great. I refreshed the Trade Centre page on TSN.ca a few times, but got bored around 2 p.m. after wearing out my clicking finger only to repeatedly see nothing new hour after hour.
Am I happy the freeloading, lazy, over-paid Dustin Penner was sent packing? You bet your boots. Colten Teubert is a welcome addition to the young troops in the frigid little northern Alberta town. And good riddance, Penner. (And no, I don't hate him because he's a Manitoban. He was a freeloader in Anaheim and continued to disappoint me once he became an Oiler.)
The fact of the matter is ... I must say, yesterday had to have been one of the most boring deadline days in the history of hockey. Really. So, it begs the question -- who the heck (other than Down Goes Brown, of course) actually sat there watching it!?
Don't tell my good-looking friend who works at TSN ... but I'd say this year was nothing short of a disappointment. Imagine how many people would watch if the NHL had been a buzzing hive of activity! However, unfortunately, in post-salary-cap hockey, we no longer have the ridiculous flurry we once had. And the Rangers ruined all my fun by making their annual idiotic deadline move BEFORE deadline day. (And I like McCabe!)
Also. One more thing. While I'm glad to see my hometown boy, Steve Weiss, stayed in Florida, I'm a little curious as to what's happening down there in South Florida. With only 9 players inked for next season and a payroll sitting a whopping 20-mil south of the league minimum, kinda makes ya wonder what the future has in store. (Interestingly, the Habs also have only 9 guys on the hook next season, but their cap number sits at about double Florida's ... for more on cap stats, visit Cap Geek.
And one more thing! Since I mentioned the two Steve's from Markham (Weisser and Stamkos) I should also mention - Markham, Ontario's Raffi Torres scored the game winner tonight in the shoot-out for the Canucks.
I'll start off by explaining that I'm currently an Oilers fan. They used to be my second-favourite team, but the Leafs and I aren't speaking at the moment ... I don't hate them, but we're not on speaking terms (due to Dion-related differences in opinion) and thus, the lousy Oilers have been elevated to first-favourite status.
Having been a Leafs fan for 11 years, I'm no stranger to basement-dwelling ... however, the wonderful part about cheering for the Oilers is that a) they don't trade away their draft picks and b) they're amassing quite the collection of good, young up-and-coming talent. Eberle-Cogliano-Hall is one of the most talented lines in the league (with the exception of Tampa's powerplay .. but really .. Vinny, Marty, Stamkos .... that's just golden.)
Anyway, my first hockey post is the post-mortem after trade deadline day. I'm not going to re-hash the same old crap everyone else has already said ... my post is about this little tidbit. Apparently, yesterday was the most-watched EVER deadline day coverage on TSN. Really.
Most-watched deadline day
Now, if you're an Oilers fan, and wanted to sit around all day wondering if Dead-monton could manage to pull off anything decent, that's great. I refreshed the Trade Centre page on TSN.ca a few times, but got bored around 2 p.m. after wearing out my clicking finger only to repeatedly see nothing new hour after hour.
Am I happy the freeloading, lazy, over-paid Dustin Penner was sent packing? You bet your boots. Colten Teubert is a welcome addition to the young troops in the frigid little northern Alberta town. And good riddance, Penner. (And no, I don't hate him because he's a Manitoban. He was a freeloader in Anaheim and continued to disappoint me once he became an Oiler.)The fact of the matter is ... I must say, yesterday had to have been one of the most boring deadline days in the history of hockey. Really. So, it begs the question -- who the heck (other than Down Goes Brown, of course) actually sat there watching it!?
Don't tell my good-looking friend who works at TSN ... but I'd say this year was nothing short of a disappointment. Imagine how many people would watch if the NHL had been a buzzing hive of activity! However, unfortunately, in post-salary-cap hockey, we no longer have the ridiculous flurry we once had. And the Rangers ruined all my fun by making their annual idiotic deadline move BEFORE deadline day. (And I like McCabe!)
Also. One more thing. While I'm glad to see my hometown boy, Steve Weiss, stayed in Florida, I'm a little curious as to what's happening down there in South Florida. With only 9 players inked for next season and a payroll sitting a whopping 20-mil south of the league minimum, kinda makes ya wonder what the future has in store. (Interestingly, the Habs also have only 9 guys on the hook next season, but their cap number sits at about double Florida's ... for more on cap stats, visit Cap Geek.
And one more thing! Since I mentioned the two Steve's from Markham (Weisser and Stamkos) I should also mention - Markham, Ontario's Raffi Torres scored the game winner tonight in the shoot-out for the Canucks.
Welcome!
Hello everyone -- and welcome to my blog of goodness.
Initially, I resisted jumping on the blogging bandwagon -- I thought since I didn't have one interest I wanted to blog about specifically, it just wasn't going to fly.
This is going to be my attempt to bring together many of the things I enjoy, and tie them all together and hopefully pique the interest of some other 20-something female hockey fans (and non-fans, too!) and blog about something a little off the beaten path.
I am a proud Canadian, and have been lucky to have visted all the provinces now except Newfoundland (and no Territories, yet!) and I have lived in four: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. I have worked as a reporter, photographer, writer, journalist, editor, page-designer, copy-editor ... everything you can imagine. I have worked at a corporate-owned daily and a tiny family-owned weekly. I've lived in Toronto, Montreal, and tiny towns you might miss if you blink.
My favourite place in the world is "the rink" - whichever one I think is "mine" at the time, but I also make time for more female things, to which I hope some of you can relate. I read hockey romance novels, paint my nails, bake cupcakes for my hockey player friends when they're in town for games, and scrapbook. I also enjoy cooking, making things (food, decorations, you name it) and I love Christmas and winter.
In case you're wondering why I picked Hockey Foxx, it's a little bit of my cheeky take on Puck Bunny. This blog won't be gushing over how hot Sidney Crosby is (even though, really, he IS so hot) though, I may mention it a time or two. Fox is an old nickname I have had for many years, and I thought I'd have a little fun with it.
So, enjoy what's to come and don't be shy - drop me a line!
Initially, I resisted jumping on the blogging bandwagon -- I thought since I didn't have one interest I wanted to blog about specifically, it just wasn't going to fly.
This is going to be my attempt to bring together many of the things I enjoy, and tie them all together and hopefully pique the interest of some other 20-something female hockey fans (and non-fans, too!) and blog about something a little off the beaten path.
I am a proud Canadian, and have been lucky to have visted all the provinces now except Newfoundland (and no Territories, yet!) and I have lived in four: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. I have worked as a reporter, photographer, writer, journalist, editor, page-designer, copy-editor ... everything you can imagine. I have worked at a corporate-owned daily and a tiny family-owned weekly. I've lived in Toronto, Montreal, and tiny towns you might miss if you blink.
My favourite place in the world is "the rink" - whichever one I think is "mine" at the time, but I also make time for more female things, to which I hope some of you can relate. I read hockey romance novels, paint my nails, bake cupcakes for my hockey player friends when they're in town for games, and scrapbook. I also enjoy cooking, making things (food, decorations, you name it) and I love Christmas and winter.
In case you're wondering why I picked Hockey Foxx, it's a little bit of my cheeky take on Puck Bunny. This blog won't be gushing over how hot Sidney Crosby is (even though, really, he IS so hot) though, I may mention it a time or two. Fox is an old nickname I have had for many years, and I thought I'd have a little fun with it.
So, enjoy what's to come and don't be shy - drop me a line!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)