An Assist Shy...

Of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Or in this case, should I say the Gen-O Hat trick. Ok look... when even Malkin gets all Bob Nystrom at the end of a Cup match, then you know the Pens mean business. This thing is easily going seven.

The Cup Final. Game 1

Well at least we won't be playing the game of "Where's Malkin" this time around as he chipped in on Pittsburgh's only goal tonight. The lads looked sharp and ready to play but missed a couple of chances and eventually dropped the game to the vets.

Some early analysis from various sources on the floor in Stanley Park.

1. Detroit will wait them out, wear them out and then strike. Which is what exactly happened. To win The Title, Pittsburgh is going to have to brush up with their en passant captures as this will be chess match. Never mind Henrik Zetterberg, Malkin will have to match wits with the likes of newly signed Wing, chess champ, Vladimir Kramnik.

2. We all want the Penguins to win, but everyone's betting on Detroit. Except for me. I broke my no betting rule and slapped some down on Pittsburgh. Doing so, I've probably doomed them and myself. But whatever. Pick a side.

3. The Hossa question. Some say he made the right move. Some say he doomed himself, switching sides in the off season. I am on the latter side.

4. Sid is no Wayne and LeBron is no MJ. So let's cut the shit already. During the last era there was never any doubt as to who ruled the roost. Whilst these upstarts in their respective leagues definitely are gifted, they do not utterly dominate like the previous league luminaries. I mean the Cavs got bounced out of the East Final tonight by Orlando? You think MJ would've ever let a sketchy Florida squad beat him? Forget it. While the Bulls were reminding the Mailman of his work week, the Cavs will be sitting around drinking Bloody Mary's at brunch for the next few Sundays.

OK! BLUE JAYS!

WE!

FINALLY!

WON!

A!

BALL GAME!

[crack]

Dunn For?

[lights cigar, pours bourbon, ignites fireplace with pull cord, laughs]

Maniwaki Silver Screen Classics

Major League was on the tube last night. So of course I had to ease back in the recliner and take in the still amazingly ridiculous and hilarious spectacle that is the greatest baseball film of all time. That's right. Beats Bull Durham. Even Field Of Dreams. In fact it's so good it has to sit atop the Maniwaki Movie list as best sports film.

20 years later (what???) and I'm still laughing at the likes of:

"You want me to drag him outside and kick the shit of him?"

Dorn's contract review.

"Well you run like Hayes but you hit like shit."

"You can't say god damn on the air." "Doesn't matter, no ones listening anyway."

"I'm tired of this nickle and dime shit. Get that bitch on the line."

"I knew we should have got a live chicken."

and the timeless:

"Look I go to you. I stick up for you. You no help me know and I say fuck you Jobu. I do it myself."


Timeless I say.

And the end. So great. Always dug the overhead shot of Municipal Stadium with the triumphant 80's movie music playing as the hard luck Indians go into their one game playoff with the Yanks. I always liked the fact that the grand prize wasn't the World Series but a Div Pennant. Now that's good for baseball.

The way the game ended with Vaughn marching in from the bullpen, while "Wild Thing" blares over the speakers to a lunatic crowd. After which he proceeds to gun down his season long Yank nemesis. Classic.

And this point which I highlighted to the Spouse as it played out last night.

The fact that they won the game playing small ball. Taylor doesn't hit the Hollywood homer, and round the bases to be hoisted up by his teammates.

The point to the bleachers, the brush back, the second point and the ensuing bunt whilst Willie motors around the bases. Gets me every time. The Skip and I have debated this ending many times in the past. He feels that it's completely unbelievable as Taylor is an aging catcher with bad knees. And while I can't fault his argument as it does make sense, I still don't care.

It's still an awesome way to end a baseball flick.

An Imminent Rematch

"Ding! Dong! the witch is swept!"

And I have never been happier to be absolutely and completely wrongo as the Hurricanes were surprisingly dissipated by Sid and the Pens in four games.

In what's looking to be the first Cup rematch since '84 and the days of the Isles and Oilers, this year's Final will certainly conjure up Bossy/ Gretzky face offs as Pittsburgh will look to unseat this era's dynasty, Detroit. If Sid and Malkin are able to repeat the epic unseating as Wayner and Mess did they will most likely have these obstacles to face.

1. They'll have to out play a veteran squad with a ton of Cup experiences and rings to go with.

2. They're going to have to solve a miserable old goalie who might hack at their shins.

3. The'll have to forego the fight strap and bloody their blue Fruit Of The Looms by duking it out with Bob Nystrom.

Then and only then will they make Mario proud and hoist The Cup.

Where Meh Happens...

A night off, no NHL playoffs or baseball, so let's take a peek at Game 4 of the NBA West Final. So far it has been pretty predictable as I've witnessed:

1. Kobe bitching and whining to the refs about contact. Hey, Kobe, guess what. It's the playoffs.

2. Phil Jackson looking stoic on the bench, instructing his players as to their next play. Phil is probably the first coach to petition The Almighty, asking for a huge genetic leap in evolution so that he may grow an extra finger in his lifetime thus ensuring he'll be able to wear all his rings at one time.

3. Some sketchy looking guy on the court who looks like he should be trying to cook up crystal meth, or fondle passed out sorority chicks, or get behind the mike in some Limp Bizkitt inspired '90's nu metal act only to end up on Celebrity Rehab in three months or all of the above.




Just added to the 2009 Family Values Tour. Denver Nuggets beeee-yotch!!

"Sweep The Leg..."

KEEEEYYYAAAAIIIIIII!!!!!!!!

About time a Karate practitioner and tactioner finally won a major UFC event as Lyoto Machida defeated Rashad Evans last night to capture the undisputed light heavyweight honors of the Octagon.

Communication lines to HQ were lit up today as various Maniwaki MMA compadres tipped me off to the upset.

Of which, after viewing, I like everyone was pretty impressed.

Having trained for many years myself, I had always wondered why not more students of the empty hand were not involved in the upper echelons of the UFC. Was it the inherent ring mentality of Muay Thai that served as the major gateway to the Octagon bringing over the seeming legions of hand wrapped Books?

Possibly. But unlike many martial arts practitioners that I often encounter on the film and telly sets, I refused to believe that it was because the style was inefficient or substandard like they often puff up about. On the complete contrary. Karate is an incredibly quick, brutal and ultimately efficient style. To see Machida utilize it effectively to hoist the belt definitely put some extra snap in dogis everywhere I'm certain.

One Word.

Malkin.

A New Beginning....

Happy Birthday to Dice C! As well as a happy housewarming as he and his SuperGal as they are in the process of changing HQ's, and setting up the new accompanying Batcave. Which of course features the obligatory subway rocket into town, the rogue's gallery and a soon to be installed mighty Cray issue HD screen to survey the many happenings at home, abroad, and across the galaxy. 

As any comic fan will tell you, the reinvention of any super hero, often brings with it a costume change. And this case is no exception as the Super Gal presented Dice with his new duds to patrol the city with.

What three words best describe the above? 

BLEEEEP!!!"

"What is good for baseball?"  

Shades Of '08 - The Fall

Last year the Jays had an outside shot at the Wild Card in mid September. However they had to go to Fenway and take something like 3 out of 4. I think they got swept or maybe won one. It was disheartening.

This year, the pundits have not even bothered to start with the obligatory, "are they for real?" headline queries yet. Probably waiting to see how the squad would fare against the rest of the Mighty, Mighty East.

And the results so far?

A series loss to the Yanks (the first home loss for the Jays.)

And a sweep at Fenway.

After the Canucks year, I don't know if I'll be able to stomach another CNE roller coaster ride of a season.

Beam Me.....WHAT?

Just got out of that GI Joe movie and wow was it amazing with all the explosions and action! Sure the banter and script was as about as much as one would expect from an Iron Eagle straight to DVD sequel, but it sure had a lot of neat flashy visual effects! It's definitely an action film that I'll be sure to enjoy on some future Sunday afternoon hangover. Right up there with Scorpion King and Crank 2.

What?

...that was a Star Trek film?

...[profuse and uncontrollable vomitting]

...[profuse]

...[and uncontrollable]

Undisputed Hibernation

Ok, I realize that this probably reads more of a plug than a post, but whatever. Tell me you don't want to hunker down with a couple of extra-large pizzas, a case of 2L Schweppes and go about 4000 rounds in the digital Octagon.

Sorry Mr. President...

...but we had to sweep the White Sox again and continue our dominance over them beating them for the tenth time in a row. Hope this doesn't strain international relations.



And can you sign an executive order banning blonde hair dye from the clubhouse?

May 17th

What makes me happy.






What also makes me happy.






What makes me shake my head.

Shades Of The United Center

So I figured I should try and watch a bit of the MLS stuff, as it really is a great idea and has really caught on in T.O. While I'm rooting for Canada's only FC in the league thus far, I am doing so lightly, as we'll be getting our own squad soon.

And what did I observe from the afternoon match from BMO field against the Chicago Fire?

Pretty much what I'd been trying to forget all week.

Namely a desperate Canadian squad owing most of the game,firing like madmen, throwing everything they had at the net, even hitting the crossbar, only to come up short. While Chicago, in the final minutes of the game, casually trotted to the other end of the field and scored at will.

Ugghh.

(I fear that there will be many more Uggghs to come in the following months.)

It's A Flightless Bird! It's A 'Cane!

It's an All Staal Eastern Final!

Well that's got to be one for the Christmas dinner conversation.

Last year's din din. Mom Staal:

"Remember when you boys would skate on the outdoor rink after school and come in and then watch the Simpsons before dinner? And you boys were so competitive! Remember that time Eric came in with a bloody nose after Jordan hit whacked him in the face with that high stick? It was just like yesterday..."

Ten years from now din din. Mom Staal:

"Remember that time you boys played against each other in that really big tournament? The one where you, Eric, cross checked your brother and that really nice elderly gentleman, Rod Brind'Amour scored to send you to the final? The one where you went on to play those other nice lads from Chicago? -Except that Dustin Byfuglien! He was a dreadful brute! - It was just like yesterday...."


If these brothers are as competitive at the actual game as the Skip and I were at table hockey , then Raleigh or no Raleigh, this is going to be one fierce series. It might result in Jordan and the Pens actually winning the round, but Eric somehow faking injury and convincing Gary Bettman, and Mom, that the Hurricanes actually won. Leaving Jordan to scream in protest whilst Eric weasels his way to The Cup Final.

Or it could be just a scenario where Jordan skates circles around Eric in the Oaktown basement....I mean Mellon Arena...taunting and goading him after every goal, and Eric responds by pummeling his younger brother. At age 30.

Not like any of that ever happened or anything...



Playing for the real Cup or for the replica. The tourney can get nasty.

More Powerful Than A Zdeno Chara...

And before I could at least trumpet a potential Original Six final, Carolina struck in OT. God help us all if they beat Pittsburgh. (Which we all know is going to happen...)

Faster Than A Russian Rocket...

Wow. Even before I could throw my lot in with Washington for the rest of the playoffs, they got trounced and bounced as well. At this rate Carolina's winning The Cup. Talk about tough.

Ugghhh

All I can say right now is that I haven't felt this bad about a hockey series since '82 when the Canucks got swept by the Islanders in the Cup Final. After losing Game 3, when Richard Brodeur pushed the CBC camera over, I was taken aback as a young lad. But couldn't blame him.

Nor could I blame Bob, trying to choke back tears, in the post game interview. I mean, I had to choke back tears. We all had to choke back tears.

It was sooo ugly.

Again.

I'm starting to feel like a Cubs fan.

Taking the dog for a walk afterwards, the streets of downtown Van were so quiet. (Especially when the anticipation was that car horns would be honking well into the night.) People all looked sullen and no one would look you directly in the eye. God forbid you actually saw people wearing some Canucks gear, like a hat or jersey. They looked as if they wanted to jump out of their skin. I know I did.

I even saw a discarded Canucks flag that had been driven over multiple times sitting in a crosswalk on Davie St. I was going to take a picture of it, and post it, but didn't. Now I wish I did.

I wonder, if like Cubs fans, I'll be taking similar walks like this for the next 50 or so years.

Months ago when Ronnie Bigtime (a perennial Canucks basher, yet huge fan) was not on yet board with this "drive", he uttered these words to me and now I am really starting to believe them.

"I will never see the Canucks win The Cup in my lifetime."

Now I'm starting to believe them to.

How can they continue to do this? You'd have thought Naslund/Bertuzzi and Cloutier were on the ice. Not Burrows. Not Bob. Not a chance. This team was supposed to be different. This team was different.

Until this round. When we choked like every other Canucks team has done in the past.

Uggh.

The second round. Bounced again. And there's young Johnny Toews and Patty Kane picking up hats off the ice and giving "Golly gee were happy just making the play offs now we're going to the West Finals!" interviews.

Ugggh.

There's Dustin BFUCKlynn going to the West Finals when he should be sitting on the DL for getting up in Bob's mask the whole series.

And Martin Havlat!!? This guy sat on Ronnie's fantasy team all year. He often tried trade him to me, but I was convinced he was one shift away from going to the infirmary. How ironic that it was his late goal in Game 4, that turned out to be the TSN turning point of the series.

The same game where we were 3 minutes away from going up 3-1.

And Mats did step it up. Two points in the last two games. A monster of a goal to give last night to give us a rare lead in the game. On the brink of elimination. In enemy territory. Mats you definitely answered the bell, and it's such a damn shame, because I sense that we were just starting to see many more great goals.

Had our defence not turned into snowflakes.

Uggggh. What the fuck happened? If I see Willie Mitchell again in the near future, he's getting a Maniwaki earful.

And Bob.

What happened?

How did any of this happen?

Are they going to have to start growing ivy along the boards at GM Place?

At this point nothing would surprise me.

"Ok, I'm Pissed Now..."

Look, Mats Sundin, I go to you. I ask you to come to Vancouver when no one else here want you. I say you help Canucks when everyone else say you old and no good. I give you rum. Or Absolut. I stick up for you. I say you great player. You no help me now, I say, fuck you, Mats Sundin. I do it myself.

"I knew we should've got a live chicken..."

Attn: Bob Lenarduzzi

So in the first match of the Canadian club championship last week, the Whitecaps lost to Toronto FC 1- nil. Perhaps if the Swangard squad had this emerging star on the pitch they'd have shown those North American Premiere League prima donnas who truly rules the northern half of the CONCACAF.

Unphased.

What's with all the long faces? You're all moping around, staring at the Robson St sidewalk like we've just lost the season or something. What? We've never given up lead before? Like this wasn't to be expected? Like we've never been here before?

Please.

Looking at the Canucks bench during the last minute of the game was like looking at one of those dead corpses on CSI. Or even better, the former Van coroner turned mayor, Larry Campbell inspired, Davinci's Inquest. I know the lads and the lower mainland are distraught over tonight's loss, but I can honestly say that I'm sitting here completely and totally unphased. As I decreed from my perch in Stanley Park tonight to every and anyone that would listen, so now will I recant my rant to all of you out there in the lower mainland and further who are unneccessarily burndened by this latest loss.

Let's climb to the top of Mount Seymour and survey the landscape. And wow. Look at that vista. Doesn't look so bad to me when:

1. We are only down 3-2. Not 3-1. Certainly not 3-0. 3-2. You're going to tell me can't win two games in a row? And we never did that all season? Have you already forgetten about that string of 10?

2. I know what you're going to say next. And it doesn't hold up. Yes, we did have a 10 game losing streak. But we rebounded to go 10 strong and eventually win the Northwest Division. This series is a microcosm for our season. We started off strong, we had a majour hiccup, we will rebound. And come back stronger. Because;

3. I would've felt more uneasy had we won. And not gone through our obligatory bed shitting, as we would've gone on to lose Game 6 and then the inevitable Game 7. You know as well as I do that Canada's Wonderland should install a new ride entitled, "Canucks Fans' Season" which would spin you at warp 10 in your seat as your roller coaster car rockets backwards through corkscrews and loop de loops. And the stalls while your 10 stories upside down on one of the largest loop, aptly named "The All Star Break." There is plenty of track left on this ride by my calculation.

4. All the pressure is now on young Chicago. And can they close? Dustin Byfuglien may be a Byfucker, but can he really lead the Blackhawks over the mountain and to the Great Third Round Plains? I'm saying, "No."

5. We are a team of ebbs and flows. As much as we with we were dominant Detroit or San Jose in the regular season, it just ain't the way it is. And as my compadre Justin so aptly put it tonight (after a shift where he used a Canucks towel as a wine serving linen), "we go into their builidng and win, and boom! we come back with all the momentum for Game 7."

Yup. Yup. And yup. It is for these reasons that I am Zen calm amidst this supposed "slide." Because the reality is that we simpley have to have six solid periods. Doesn't sound unreasonable to me. A band of us from Lord Stanley's Park have already contacted our ticket baron to get our mits on some Game 7 vouchers.

And we're aiming to cash them in.

We're not done yet.

The Skies Have Truly Fallen...

Never thought I'd see the day where Manny of all people would get pinched. And you know things have gotten really topsy turvy when the one breaking the news to me, is my Spouse via a text that read:

"Manny steroids? WTF?"

and then proceeded to fill me in on the 50 game suspension with subsequent texts.

Admittedly, my initial reaction was to believe him. Hey, a doctor could fuck up... Hey, he never failed a drug test before...A Rod and Rocket and those other guys were all cheating but not Manny. No way. I even had briefly texted in his defence to one of my buddies who was urging me to cut my proverbial dreadlocks off and view this for what it is.

And what it is just. Plain. Stinks.

When I wrote this piece just over a month back, I never thought I'd eventually have to weave my own fandom into its fabric . But in this ugly, ugly era that has been stamped with steroids, I really should have known better.

You know what sucks? The following tags I have to type right now.

WAY TO GO KAMSACK!!

The Assiniboine Assassin has just put one in giving us a 1-0 lead!! That's right, Darcy Hordichuck just scored his first playoff goal and according to Jim Hughson, it was assisted by Regina's Rick Rypien. Now that's some hard working Sasky hockey! Let's hope it stands up.

Must Wins

A lot of action around the league today. Let's get to it.

1. Must Win For Pittsburgh. Did it happen? Yes. And in OT dramatics, with Kris Letang keeping the Penguins season alive. As well as every hockey fan's hope for the Series To End All Series. Even Malkin finally got in on the action with the go ahead goal only to see Nick Backstrom erase it with 2 minutes to go. Oh yeah...Ovechkin had a quiet night notching only a goal and an assist. Tell me this series won't end up on ESPN Classic by August.

2. Must Win For Boston. Did it happen? Of fucking course not. As that other Jokinen scored a quick one in OT to put Carolina up 2-1 in the series. Who are we kidding? We all know how this ends. The Hurricanes might as well be up 3-0 at this point. I have bad visions of Cup finals to come.

3. Must Win For Balsillie. Will it happen? Probably not. Although relocation court is in session tomorrow, the Blackberry chief doesn't have much of a case. Even if the court does rule in his favour and his bid stands, the league still can't be mandated to relocate a team by Arizona bankruptcy court. This thing is such a mess 24 hours in and a more in depth Maniwaki analysis will undoubtedly appear in the coming days. But at this point, all I can say is that I have to hand it to Jim. Because I think he knows that the legality of this caper is suspect, yet he's going through the motions jut to show to the world how absolutely inane Gary Bettman and the long failed sun belt experiment is.

Wow, doesn't this seen like it's been one of the best post seasons since like...the late '80's?

FREEDOM!!!

About time that bastard Byfuglien got bounced out of the crease. Bob had enough of his shit tonight and gave him the business end of the trapper after some jawing back and forth, following the Hawks lone goal. Got to hand it to the Captain. He called out the entire squad out after Game 2, and led the charge by stepping it up himself in Game 3. In which they answered the challenge with three goals to win 3-1 to take the series lead.

I've been seeing this logo around town lately, on t-shirts and such and I've got to say it displays up the heart of this squad quite fittingly.

When did we sign William Wallace?

Capping Off A Career

So Nazzy retired today not choosing to return to the Rangers for the second year on his contract. The former Canuck cap's career was definitely as winding as a run at Whistler, reaching rock star status during the West Coast Express Years in 02/03 and well...trailing off a bit after that.

While he often drew the ire of the lower mainland for being the quiet leader, often being branded "not Canadian enough," the Mauler has always stood by his lead. The media in town was brutal to him, especially over the last few years, and the fact that he still managed to score at least over 20 goals in those seasons was pretty amazing. Look, not every one can be Jarome Iginla, and Nazzy never gave up on the squad, despite being the lightning rod for the team's collective failures.

Hell, when he left town last off season to New York, I even picked him up on the Maniwaki fantasy roster because I was convinced he would have a renaissance at MSG, where he would be less scrutinized. Now if you're a pro athlete and have to escape to Manhattan to become anonymous, that's got to say something about what it was like around here during the end. And in the end, Naslund only did end putting up 46 points this season, a decline in production for the fifth straight year and I can only surmise that he knew a sixth was in the works had he laced up next season.

So thanks to the Captain for the 11 seasons he spent here. Sure he might not have hit like Scott Stevens but he played with heart and he cared about the squad. What more could you ask from a "C"?

1's

Looks like it's 1 a piece across the playoff spectrum as Carolina shut out the Bruins and the Ducks outlasted the Wings, winning in triple OT.

What Concerns Me. Ronnie Bigtime's post trade deadline prediction of a quiet Carolina uprising sparked by the reacquisition of Eric Cole. Those sneaky south eastern bastards always have a way of stealthing their way into the late rounds, and by the time everyone wakes up to the fact that the Finals are being played in Raleigh, it's too late and Rod Brind'Amour is skating around the rink as a Cup champ, drinking champers out of the Mug. Every game from here on in might as well be Game 7 for Boston. Really.

What Also Concerns Me. Ok, I know we were due for a loss after winning something like our last 15 games or whatever it was. BUT. Three unanswered goals in Game 1 followed up by four in Game 2 is not good. Neither is losing Sami Salo, who was making a case as of late to enter the Nick Lidstrom/ Scott Niedermayer clutch club.

What Does The Exact Opposite Of Concern Me And Makes My Heart Jump With Glee. Seeing Anaheim and Detroit go to Triple OT. Given we can sort out our Chicago second round situation, let's hope these the Ducks/Wings extra frame antics go for five more games.

A Maniwaki Moment - The Anthem

In the middle of my living room, I stood and actually sang the anthem before the commencement of Game 2. I guess I was feeling extra patriotic as the fact finally hit me that aside for cheering for the Canucks for obvious reasons, the team is this year's last hope of Canadian Cup hoistage. As I got "...with glowing hearts, we see thee rise, The True North strong and free..." the camera zoomed in on a very reverent Darcy Hordichuck, shuffling back and forth, eyes closed and head bowed resting on his stick. You could tell he was taking in and attempting to process the heaviness of the situation. The anthem. The home crowd. The expectation. The potential.

And this resonated with me more than usual, because Hordicuck is from my neck of the woods in rural Sasky, just one town over. I've never met him, but I could only imagine what was going through his head. Here's a small town Sasky guy on a Cup drive, playing on a squad that has the weight of the Nation on them. I wonder how many times he envisioned this scenario as a lad, playing in Sasky minor hockey? I'd say probably 2 billion.

To see a guy from the neighbourhood not only make it to this stage but to have him play for the Canucks is pretty stellar and I can't help but feel some bizzare sense of kinship just knowing that the Assiniboine region is represented in the dressing room. It makes this run feel more right.

Here's hoping the Assiniboine Assassin has an exceptional Game 2, notching up a hat trick and nailing down first star. Ok...well maybe an assist and a timely tilt. But a real barn burner nonetheless....

Game 1 Transcript

Ok. Problems have resolved themselves quite efficiently. The following is a loose transcript of actual conversations I have had during the last 36 hours. Posted relatively sequentially of course.

Me: Ok Ronnie, how's this this going to shake down?

RBT: You just watch buddy. Chicago is deep. They have three lines that can score.

Me: I hear you. But we do as well. This is going to be rough contest. We won't walk through like we did with St. Louis

RBT: You know it buddy. There's going to be people getting layed out on the boards. People limping off the ice. People spitting teeth out on the ice.

Me: Yup.

RBT: And I have two words. Hav. Lat. He's leading their team in scoring right now in the play offs. You never mind about your Toews and Kane. Havlat is on fire.

Me: And he lasted all season without getting injured. What the fuck? We need him to hurry up and get injured already.

RBT: Yup.

Me: Ok, they have three lines. We have three lines. But their defence might be better than ours because they have Brian Campbell. But our goaltending is better.

RBT: Khabibulin is hot. Everyone seems to have forgot he's won a Cup. And he's going to want another one.

Me: Yup. But Luongo's on a mission. I do think that we're going to lose Game 1 and it won't be a problem.

RBT: As much as everyone thinks this thing could go seven, I think we'll wrap it up in five.

Me: Agreed.

British Couple: Is the hockey on yet?

Me: Not yet. But soon.

British Husband: I didn't wear my Linden T-shirt today.

British Wife: But you did wear your Canucks shoes.

British Husband: Yes, I did didn't I.

Me: Soooo good for baseball.

British Couple: They're singing the anthems.

Me: And who looks more nervous during? Khabibulin looks like he might cry.

British Couple: He does.

Me: Bob looks pretty chill. Relatively.

British Couple: He does! He looks confident!!

Me: The rest of the squad looks really tight though. Even more nervous than Chicago.

British Couple: No we look better.

Me: Did Demitra just score? What?

Everyone: Yup.

Me: Ohhh Danny Boy. (2-0)

Everyone: Yay!!

Me: Kesler! 3-0!!!

Everyone: Yay!!!

Mike B: Where's your boy, Sundin now?

Me: You don't worry about Mats. We're going to hear from Mats yet. Maybe he won't score a 20 goals in the playoffs but he's going to do something big. We'll hear from Mats yet. Don't worry.

Me: They got one right off the bat in the third? (3-1)

Everyone: Yup.

Me: Well, don't worry, they're probably give up a few more.

Everyone: Yup.

Mike B: You've got to be kidding me.

Me: Look at that it's 3-3. Who the fuck is on the ice? Bertuzzi and Naslund? Three unanswered goals in the third! Unacceptable!! I refuse to sit through another Canucks post season collapse!!! I DEMAND BETTER.

Everyone: Yaayyy!!! Salo scores!!

RBT: And an empty netter to boot! (5-3 final)

Me: Hey Arthur. Want to go for a walk?

Arthur: Ruff!!

Me: Ok, let's go.

Arthur: Ruff!

Me: No don't eat that garbage off the street!

Arthur: [chomp, chomp]

Me: Quit pulling! I know you want to go to the pet store, but we're not going. It's not even open!!

Arthur: Ruff!

Me: Ok, fine. We'll swing past but you'll see it isn't even open.

Arthur: Ruff! Ruff!

Me: Good game.

Willie Mitchell: Thank you.

Arthur: Ruff!!