Season 2011-2012 | The First Month

Looking at how the first month went, I can only say: "Wow. That is quite unexpected."

Lets just start with the current conference standings. I'm an Eastern Conference girl, but lets have a look at both. So, compared to last year, what is odd in the Eastern Conference? Yes, indeed! My Leafies are the current lead. And Boston is not. But, and this is actually quite ironic :D ... as I was writing this, the Bruins gave my Leafs an awful trashing (7-0). I like these little ironies of life! Plus admittedly, Seguin looked really good out there (got his first hattrick) and Timmie was up for his first shut-out game this season. Annoying, but praiseworthy nevertheless. Although I must point out that they were facing our third goalie, Ben Scrivens, recently called up from the Marlies.

Another unexpected turn of events: the Habs having a horrible season start. Well, not quite unexpected maybe, they didn't really look so strong at the end of last season either. Right now I can only gloat however, and I hope their season will get even worse. They did finally manage to go on a four-game winning streak, but that was curtailed by the ever despicable Rangers. Thank you! *yuck*

Onto the West. The Nucks and Red Wings are both struggling and not even in the top eight. Whereas one of last year's 'losers', the Oilers, are doing quite well. The young ones, Hall, Eberle & Nugent-Hopkins are having a great season start and I suppose that acquiring the seasoned Ryan Smyth from the Kings has proven useful. And how about Khabby?! Nice comeback. They were on my 'Like'-list last year (I love the underdog) so I will definitely keep an eye on these guys! Chicago as the current Conference leaders, that is just painful to see :p

But back to my Flyers and Leafs!


Flyers

It's like watching a brand new team. I am not going to lie. It took me a few weeks to get used to the new guys and frankly, I still have no idea what to make of them all. Simmonds and Couturier have impressed me somewhat, but all that money that went into acquiring Bryzgy ... are we getting our money's worth? I doubt it. I mean I like the guy and I have definitely not given up on him, but his season start is less than stellar with an SV% of .893. And when I look at how Khabby ($15m - 4yrs) and Vokoun ($1.5m - 1yr) have been performing, both the Oilers and Caps got themselves a steal for much better performing goalies.

Still, despite a few bad games along the line, all in all we are going strong enough. #4 in Conference is good in my book and you can tell the team is brimming with some type of weird energy. I just watched them play the Blue Jackets and they sent them home crying by winning 9-2! Apart from being delighted with seeing my guys win by such a margin I felt sorry for Rick Nash. Keep wondering when he will finally decide to move to a real team ;)

Leafs 

I know that staying at the top position in the Conference is an almost impossible task, so I am not going to expect that of my guys, but I am very hopeful about them making it to the Playoffs. They play well and along the way also manage to create enough chances and win games they are less comfortable playing. All the lines seem to be producing goals and I am enchanted especially by Kessel and Lupul. Sure, Kessel is a streaky guy, so it's a volatile player, but I like how he started the season. He's such an awkward young man off-ice, I just have to root for him.

Reims seemed on track too, so I hope his current injury will not continue nagging him. I need him back in goal. The Monster has played some decent games and makes for a fine backup I suppose. Scrivens had one good game but today got totally snowed under by a Bruins onslaught. OK, the D left much to be desired as well, but with Reims in net I doubt the 7-0 would have happened.

Who'd have thought ... ?

♦ That Max Talbot would work out so well? You may recall I once wrote I have a secret crush on Talbot, which was doubly clandestine as he was ofcourse playing for the Penguins. So his very unexpected transfer to the Flyers was almost a blessing in disguise for me ;) ... and if he keeps up his current scoring trend he might be on his way to a 30 goal season (he had 8 goals last season). Anyways, he makes for an interesting addition and he seems to have taken on a bit more serious demeanor

♦ That Kessel would have such a hot start? I mean he was last season's top scorer of course and there is no reason why he wouldn't be again, but it was still unexpected and wonderful to see

Disclaimer ;)

Yes, yes, I know, by the time I posted this, the Pens had won their game and with one more game played are current Eastern Conference leaders, but for dramatic effect - and it's just a snapshot in time anyways - I am leaving the standings as they were when I started writing this article ;)

Leafs Nation | Play of the Year Award - WINNER | May 24th, 2011

Fellow Leafs Fans! The verdict is in! And I voted for the Winner too. So hurry over to the Leafs site ... or if you are too lazy to click ... just check the last sentence of this post ;)

 Leafs Nation | Play of the Year | THE WINNER IS?! CLICK HERE



Complete voting overview:

Round 1
Monster's Stick Safe vs Reims' Stick Safe >>> winner is: Reims
Rosehill fights Lucic vs Muhammad Aulie >>> winner is: Aulie
Dion Steamrolls Ruute vs Brent's Blocking Awesomeness >>> winner is: Brent
Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded vs A Dangling Crabb >>> winner is: Bozie
Brent Fakes Ward vs Brown Dances & Lups Scores >>> winner is: Brent
Grabo's Spinorama vs Nazeem's Nifty Mittens >>> winner is: Grabo
Kulemin Can Dangle Too vs Schenner Beats Everyone And Scores >>> winner is: Schenner
Grabo beats Pens vs Grabo beats Bruins >>> winner is Grabo lol in Boston

Round 2
Reims' Stick Safe vs Brent's Blocking Awesomeness >>> winner is: Brent
Muhammad Aulie vs Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded >>> winner is: Bozie
Brent Fakes Ward vs Schenner Beats Everyone And Scores  >>> winner is Schenner
Grabo's Spinorama vs Grabo Beats Bruins >>> winner is Boston Grabo

Semis
Brent's Blocking Awesomeness vs Schenner Beats Everyone And Scores  >>> winner is Brent
Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded vs Grabo Beats Bruins >>> winner is Bozie

FINALS
Brent's Blocking Awesomeness vs Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded >>> and the winner iiiiiissss .... BRENT!!!

Leafs Nation | Play of the Year Award | May 2nd, 2011

Fellow Leafs fans, this one is for you. You can vote for your favourite play of the year right here:


Leafs Nation | Play of the Year | VOTE NOW


The voting starts with two awesome saves by The Monster & Reims. Guess who I voted for ;)

Voting so far included:
Round 1
Monster's Stick Safe vs Reims' Stick Safe >>> winner is: Reims
Rosehill fights Lucic vs Muhammad Aulie >>> winner is: Aulie
Dion Steamrolls Ruute vs Brent's Blocking Awesomeness >>> winner is: Brent
Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded vs A Dangling Crabb >>> winner is: Bozie
Brent Fakes Ward vs Brown Dances & Lups Scores >>> winner is: Brent
Grabo's Spinorama vs Nazeem's Nifty Mittens >>> winner is: Grabo
Kulemin Can Dangle Too vs Schenner Beats Everyone And Scores >>> winner is: Schenner
Grabo beats Pens vs Grabo beats Bruins >>> winner is Grabo lol in Boston

Round 2
Reims' Stick Safe vs Brent's Blocking Awesomeness >>> winner is: Brent
Muhammad Aulie vs Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded >>> winner is: Bozie
Brent Fakes Ward vs Schenner Beats Everyone And Scores  >>> winner is Schenner
Grabo's Spinorama vs Grabo Beats Bruins >>> winner is Boston Grabo

Semis
Brent's Blocking Awesomeness vs Schenner Beats Everyone And Scores  >>> winner is Brent
Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded vs Grabo Beats Bruins >>> winner is Bozie

FINALS
Brent's Blocking Awesomeness vs Bozak's 5-on-3 Shorthanded >>> and the winner iiiiiissss .... ?

Poetic Announcers | March 19th Bruins-Leafs | April 14th, 2011

Although the Playoffs extravaganza has started and there is a lot of current stuff to write about I would like to reminisce a bit about the past season and share one of my favourite moments. On March 19th I tuned in for the Bruins-Leafs game. And then I was just bowled over by the poetic introduction to the game! I tell you, I rewinded it several times to hear it again - do you love your DVR as much as I do? - and I loved it so much, that I transcribed it!

And here is where things get shaky. I do not know who actually did the introduction hahah. Ron MacLean or Joe Bowen? In either case the guy said he was inspired by Tom Petty and some Irish author. I have tried to decipher the name of said author, but without success!

Anyways, here goes!

[disclaimer] I have no rights to these words at all, so hands off anyone who wants to make a buck out of it! Or something along these lines anyways [end disclaimer]

What time is it?
It's later than you think,
And the earth tilts and reboots your personal northern hemisphere
Your heart, your head,
There is a look on your face
And there is something lucky about the place
And your memory,
Your private story
As it must ... turns the page


Springtime! Something good coming for you and me
Something good coming
There has to be
We often accept the temporary peace over a more difficult and distant justice
We're buying time
Winter thinking
Then comes the sun, springtime!
Set aside the memories
Engage your imagination
And in pace ... with renewal


What time is it?
It's spring time!
Time to enjoy yourself
It's later than you think

BEAUTIFUL!

{edit May 2nd} Someone uploaded it! Now for the full experience check this:

And maybe it gave the Leafies good vibes too, because we beat the Bruins 5-2 :D

Oh, if anyone recalls this moment and knows who that Irish author that served as inspiration is, drop me a line! And if you could tell me if these words were spoken by Ron MacLean, Joe Bowen or even someone else, that would be even better!

So much happened in the past month ...

I will never be able to catch up and share all The Highs & The Deeps. Maybe I will try for my next post. In short: Flyers are second in Conference, with Caps in first. Two games to go. And there was a time I was hopeful they would clinch the League, feel a bit delusional in hindsight xD ... Leafies are out for the post-season, but what a memorable post-ASG run! Will forever be proud of the current roster just for that.

Today I have nothing of great interest to share lol ... but I was conversing with a mate and expressed my hopes for the Canes to keep the Rags out the play-offs. He asked me why I have this love affair with the Canes. So I went on a little rant (slightly adapted for easier reading hahah).

I do not have a love affair with the Canes at all. It really is just a matter of me hoping that the Rags will not make it to the play-offs! But there are a few teams out there that do not bother me and get me to go "Awwwwwwww". I do not care so much what happens with them in the standings though. In no specific order:

{The Oil} Such little troopers, abysmal year, bless them!
{Canes} Just nothing to hate about them and I liked the way they hosted the ASG
{Ducklings} What's not to like about Ducklings? And it is hard to dislike what once were the Mighty Ducks. Who has not seen that movie? And bear in mind I am based in the Netherlands!
{Yotes} Must be hard to skate out there in the desert and people hate them just for being there lol ... awwww (see!)
{Bolts} Nothing to hate, like the way they play.
{Jackets} They have Rick Nash ♥ lol ... that guy should find a real team, his talent is wasted there. Once he leaves, this team is off this list hahah.

If I do have a love affair it is with these:
{Red Wings} Any team with Datsyuk on roster, is OK in my book. What a dangler & deker! They are my favourite Western Conference team and should they win the Cup? No hard feelings!

{Isles} Hahah, this would be like a dirty affair with a hot cabana boy xD (not that I ever had one, but it works as an analogy) ... since that memorable game vs the Pens and their not too bad streak after that game I just like these guys! I know I should not like them, but hahah, I do lol ... I don't care if they are successful or not and do I ever want them to win the Cup? Nah.

{Caps} I blame it on that HBO documentary: Road to Winter Classics. Ovi is cool in a crazy superstar kind of way and the Caps are just cool. Will not be too upset if they win the Cup.

Speaking of the Winter Classics documentary. It is pure evil! It even made me like some of the things about the Pens :S :S >.< :((( *gasp*

But. All of the above is nothing compared to the true love for my Leafies and Flyers hahah - it is just a case of really liking the game and appreciating there are other interesting teams out there :)

Another crazy week | March 9th, 2011

It's a good thing this is more like a diary than a blog worthy of following xD


Because after a few very bad games by mainly the Flyers, I couldn't find the inspiration to write things up. Absolute low point: Flyers 7-0 loss to the Rangers. The Rangers!! And just a day earlier they had lost 5-3 to the Sabres. Not only do I hate both teams, but my top Flyboys couldn't even help my Leafies by destroying these two teams. If it were up to me, the Sabres and Rangers would burn in hell ... *feeling particularly evil*


The Leafies did not win all their games either, but hell, they definitely won more than the Flyers and they had some OT points too. Did not like the 5-3 loss to the Blackhawks. And I certainly wish they had gotten the OT point vs. the Isles yesterday. Considering my Leafies were constantly trailing ... glad we got the one point though. The Isles. Just can't hate them since that memorable game against the Pens (apologies for constantly referring to this game lol) ... and they play a very liberated game at the moment. They really have nothing to lose and it's showing in their brawny play. That makes them a rather quirky opponent to play against. You just can't tell what will happen. Anyways, when I first saw the result I was like "Now we're never going to make it!". But hey. The Sabres lost to the Pens and really, anything can still happen. So I will just keep on hoping. Seeing my guys in 10th place is cool anyways, considering they were in 14th place just a few months ago.


Poor Reims by the way! Early in OT it looked as if he injured his hand. Even looked like Giggy would go in. But thank god all was good! A quote:
"My hand is fine,'' he said, a bag of ice covering it. "Shot caught me in the right spot. When I pulled my hand out, I was expecting my finger to be in a couple pieces.''


Hahah, damn, I love that guy.


And then I had to laugh a bit when I read this - Comeau about the play-offs:
"We're not out of it yet,'' Comeau said. "As long as we keep winning, crazier things have happened."
Ah see, there is no end to the amusement provided by the Isles.


OK, back tot he Flyers. YAY Flyers! They finally won again. Read the recap just now though and by the looks of it, they still need some work there. A quote: "The Flyers dominated the first period, outshooting Edmonton 17-1. They were outshot 24-9 the rest of the way, and needed some big saves from Bobrovsky."


By the looks of it they sort of let things slip in the 2nd and 3rd again, but they were still scoring and winning! I'll take it! To make things even more peculiar, we got all three stars :S ... I need to watch this one to form a better opinion.


And what kind of hockey world are we living in when I think stuff like:
- Thanks Habs for keeping the Bruins at bay?
- Thanks Pens for beating the Sabres?


lol disgusting xD

Now remember that game that made me so nervous in my previous post? Leafs-Flyers? Well, my Leafies won and they need the points to get to the play-offs. I was at the same time over the moon for the Leafies and in total despair for the Flyers. And to make matters worse, they meet again next Thursday. Still need the Leafs to win, but I hope that they win in OT or SO.


Just reread this post and I apologise for the lack of order hahah. My thoughts are all over the place!

A crazy week

I am in turmoil! Tonight the Leafs meet the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Yes, my two hockey loves. Against one another. And not just tonight. A week from now they meet again, in Toronto. One way to look at this is that I am in a win-win situation. Whoever wins, I win! But it's not quite like that. Because the downside is that one of my faves will bite the dust *sigh*


To make matters worse, I would actually like to see the Leafs win, but only because they need any win they can get their hands on in order to make it to the play-offs. I read some place that they need to have a 19-5 streak at least and even then it might not be enough. As the Flyers are pretty sure of their spot in the play-offs, it makes sense I would really prefer a Leafies win, right? Well, the fact remains that I would also like the Flyers to win. They in turn, need all the points they can get in order to claim the first place in the League! The Nucks are a tough bunch to beat in that respect. So a mate came up with this one: Leafs win in OT, giving the Flyers at least 1 point! And I think I can live with that for sure.


And the Leafs really do need a win. Last Saturday they played the Pens and lost in OT. Then they played the Sens and lost in OT as well. They gpt a point for each game, but in order to beat the opposition to the 8th spot, it just is not good enough. But at least they got some revenge vs. Pens yesterday! Going into the third, they still trailed by a point, but then Kessel (bless him) scored a crazy goal involving his pants. They got the game to OT and then in the 42nd second ... BOOM! Grabo scored! And I just have to mention that Phaneuf has been putting in some good work again lately, showing us why he carries that 'C'. Welcome back I would say! He basically set up the OT goal as he coasted from end to end, showed stick skills and kept the attack alive.


Back to tonight. I am so nervous. I am glad I cannot watch the game (work in the morning so no time for an all-nighter ;) ) ... I will only have a few nerve-wrecking moments as I crank up the Leafs BlackBerry App when I wake up ...

Hockey Night In Canada | Feb 27, 2011

Yesterday I watched the Preds-Stars game as a warm-up for the Pens-Leafs game and it was a bit boring. Probably because nothing much happened and there was nothing to gain for my teams based of the outcome of this game. But it's hockey and I'll watch as much of it as I can ;) ... the Leafs game. Now, that was extremely exciting. I was on the edge of my seat throughtout the first two periods. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay up for the last period, I was so tired and it was way past my bedtime, but earlier today I watched the highlights and what I can I say. I am proud of my Leafies, they played a high-octane game! And although they did not win this one, they got it to SO and bagged an all-important 1 point to stay in the race.

Some folks will laugh and based on a really bad run in the first half of the this season, who can blame them? But we picked up pace and suddenly, the play-offs are still within our grasp! *gasp* ... and since we have not reached the play-offs since the 2003-2004 season, you can imagine how much we all want this to happen. Over the past few months I have seen many mad and disgusted Leafs fans on the FB fan page. Personally I am a strong believer of sticking with your team through the good times and the bad times and definitely not disrespecting them, ever. But I digress. Lately people have started to hope again although a similar amount of people is telling 'the hopers' to stop being idiots and that they will just disappoint us again. To an extent I agree with the latter. I think that maybe they found their form a bit too late. Sure, there is still time to reach that 8th, but there are so many factors influencing the final result. The Sabres, the Thrashers and the Panthers have not given up either and are putting in good games too. And I read someplace that even the Devils have an inkling of hope to make it. Hahah, that sound ridiculous, but OK ... the puck can bounce in mysterious ways.

My plan is to just enjoy each and every game. No matter what happens, safe for a few games, the Leafs have showed up and played their games with energy and dedication and sometimes frustration. Six more weeks to go ... and I bet we will be seeing many great games.

OK, back to yesterday. Very happy for Lupul to get his first two goals! And I think he was robbed of his hattrick! The goal that got waived was a good hockey goal in my opinion, although I confess I might be biased ;) ... and too bad that the Pens managed to equalise the game in the third period. The OT was wonderfully hectic. The SO much less so. Heheh, some nice efforts by our guys there, but you have got to hand it to Fleury, he is great on these one-on-ones. Annoyed we did not get the two points, but heck, we got the one and there's another game today!

On to my Flyers. Could not watch this game, and after having seen the hightlights and some of the comments by my fellow fans, perhaps that was for the best. A lacklustre game and it definitely lacked in energy. Even the goals scored by the Sens seemed accidental. So why were we this gloomy? I find it hard to imagine, but maybe the trading shenanigans of the day prior had something to do with it? We were a bit low on D. Prongs injured and the newly acquired Boynton could not make it on time due to travel issues. JVR had to be sent down to the Phantoms for just one game to make room in terms of cap. But no, that cannot be it! We are to good to let stuff like that bother us! So I am going to go with this: we are conserving energy and saving the best for last. Hah. OK.

Elsewhere in the League. You can tell it's getting close to the play-offs. I have found myself cheering for the teams I hate most ... yes, yesterday ... I cheered for the Habs. I need to take a break for a few minutes to overcome the nausea that comes with the thought alone.

Back. But OK, the Habs beat the Canes. And the Red Wings beat the Sabres in SO. The Sabres were ahead 2-0 for a long time and on the road to two points, but thankfully Datsyuk and his teammates fought on and equalised the game. So just one point for the Sabres. So on behalf of the Leafs, thanks Habs and Wings!

And on behalf of the Flyers, thank you Bruins for beating the Nucks and keeping the one-point lead the Nucks have in the League standings!

Hockey Sunday. Sundays are great. A few early games allow me to have a fun hockey evening. Going to watch the Bolts vs Rags. Gooooo Bolts. Then the Jackets vs Preds and I will watch at least the first period of the Leafs game tonight. They play fellow contenders: Trashers. Have to work tomorrow, so unfortunately cannot watch the whole game.

Telegram Update | Leafs vs Isles | Flyers vs Coyotes | Feb 22nd, 2011

Just a short note to express my utmost pleasure at the Leafs beating the Isles. Who would have thought that would be worthy of a little celebration? But with their latest games still fresh in my mind, I think it is worth a mention anyways ;)

And Reims got first star for his great goaltending. Did you lot know that he was playing with a severly upset stomach and that several times he thought he would actually throw up all over the ice? What a trooper! During the first intermission the Doc gave him some Gaviscon and he felt a bit better after that. My favourite quote:

"I think Grabner was coming down when they had a power play and I was kind of drive-heaving. I was like 'Please don't shoot.'"

xD

I have yet to see the highlights for the Flyers game, but I wish they would show up for the third period! And they better win the next few games to make up for this loss. I just like them in a winning-mood.