Deb is Tapping Impatiently !!

Well, blogger buddies, once again, I am tagged for a me-me. My sweet friend, Deb, has the honors of tagging me this time....just for you, Deb!

A Hockey Me-Me

1. What I like most about it. Most? Hmmm...The electricity in the air... a true fan cal FEEL it!
Playoff games are even better. The excitement is so intense, it's hard to sit still. The entire atmosphere just adds to the enjoyment of the game. Second best is the FIGHTS! There's nothing like a good hockey fight...do ya wanna go or are your gloves glued on???!!??

2. What I dislike most about it. Ahhh...this one is easy. Philly fans. They are such ignoramuses, it makes me sick to be in the same state as they are. (This excludes one fan, TEK. He's the coolest hockey fan from Philly I know!) But then ALL Philly sports fans are that way...

3. What other "good stuff" is involved with going to a hockey game. Let's see...nachos and beer, the cheering for your team, the feeling of being a part of a huge crowd putting energy on the ice to spur the players to play their best, the intermission activities, which includes huge sling shots to blast free t-shirts to the fans lucky enough to catch them, Iceburgh the mascot (I have my picture taken with him if I can just FIND it somewhere), looking thru the memorabilia and souvenirs for sale, seeing all the players (especially your favs) in person, GETTING THEIR AUTOGRAPHS IS THE BEST!!!! I have a few of them, but not the newer ones. And not Lemieux, he NEVER came out to sign :( I have Jagr, tho!

4. What rituals do I practice while attending a game either at the arena or in a bar? I don't so much practice "rituals" as I make sure I wear my Authentic Penguins Jersey for the games. I had one for Ron Francis (autographed), now I have a newer one with Malkin on it, given to me by my daughter who also shares my passion for hockey. My future son-in-law and I talk hockey all the time, so I guess that makes me a cool MIL :) When at the Mellon Arena, I always chant and clap and shout when prompted, so add my energy to all the rest, GAWD, it's such fun! Oh, and I try to get there early, so I can go down to the glass around the rink and watch them up close and snap some pics before the ushers chase us away.

5. What's the best way to sell someone who's not into hockey to get into it or at least, learn about it? One either likes it, or not. I can explain some of the rules to you, to get you starting to follow the game. I can point out players (especially the HOT ones) to drool over. I can bribe you with wings and beer while we watch. BUT...you have to have a desire to watch it, or it's just wild confusion. And actually, the rules are easy to remember.
The way I learned was just from sitting with my mother and WATCHING the games. That's right, my mother was a huge fan. I picked up the rules and started following the Pens, and before long I was hooked!

Football is fun to watch. Hockey is 100 times better if you know the rules and can follow the game. The intensity is hundredfold that of football. Picture Ben Rothliesberger on ice skates trying to fend off a sack, and passing the ball. See what I mean? Hell, I can't even SKATE on ice, let alone try to do what hockey players do and enjoy it! It takes a special breed of person to be a professional hockey player.

There ya go, Deb, now, stop tapping your foot at me (grin).

The Rude Dawg Strikes AGAIN!

I don't know why, but if I haven't posted for a bit, Rude Dawg hyperventilates. THIS time, he wants to know my most fav Olympic sports/least fav Olympic sports. Then, he wants to know my 4 favorite Chinese food items. I don't follow how these are related, but oh well. Here we go!

Favorite Olympic sports: HOCKEY! Bet that comes as a surprise, doesn't it???? There is always the Miracle On Ice team from 1980 that will be forever in hockey fans' memories. Check it out if you have time. it STILL gives me goosebumps.

I don't have a particular order, because as I say, I'm not a huge Olympic follower, but I do enjoy the speed skating events. Just watching those skaters SPEED around the track puts me on the edge of my chair.

That brings us to figure skating. I know, I know, so many people get sick of it, but I thoroughly enjoy watching the guys in their spandex strutting their stuff. Too bad most of them like other guys huh?

OK, now one more...lemme see...The skiing competitions are also great to watch. The jumps, in particular. Gotta love watching to see who can jump the farthest.

Now, for the LEAST favs...I dunno! Wait...BASKETBALL! I Despise basketball. lol

Then ummm...gee, this is tough. Skateboarding?

Then maybe...track..I don't care to watch track events.

Last...??? Hmmm.....Heck I dunno, I end it here. Plug in your own event.

Four favorite Chinese foods. Chicken and broccoli over white rice. Hands down favorite. (JEEZ! Now I'm getting hungry!

Sweet and sour chicken.

Won-ton soup.

Sesame chicken.

I'm a plain Jane, even with Chinese food. I stay away from the pork, it has no appeal for me. Give me chicken and rice and I'm happy!

There Rudy, are you happy??!???

OK, now I want to hear from you, my blogger buddies. What is your favorite Olympic event and what is your favorite Chinese food????

Red Wings Take the Stanley Cup Home

Well, it's done. The Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals and won the Cup. The season is over. What a run it has been watching the Pens overcome obstacle after obstacle to get the the Finals. Crosby hurt and out for months. Fleury out as well. The rest of the team stepping up and elevating their game. A season to remember.

But they fell short of winning the Cup. In all fairness, Detroit outplayed these young guns called the Penguins. Experience prevailed over Youth.

I'm thrilled that Lidstrom (pictured) is the first European Captain to hoist the Cup. He's a fine player and a top-notch defenseman. He definitely earned it. The Wings are my second fav team, so since the Pens lost, I'm glad they lost to the Wings. Hockytown will be celebrating for sure!

Now it's time to look forward to next season, which starts in October. To build on what has been accomplished. To continue the quest for the Cup. There's always next season! Go Pens!

Pens going to Game 6 with battered Warriors

They fought the toughest battle of their careers Monday night and won. I'm referring to the Pittsburgh Penguins, of course. My favorite NHL team. My passion after my hubby.

They won in triple overtime, but not without cost. Ryan "Bugsy" Malone earned himself a new nickname. Bones. He took a puck to the face from a teammate, breaking his nose for the second time in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. Blood pouring from his nose onto the ice, he was escorted into the dressing room for 5 stitches and returned to the ice. No way was he missing a shift if he could help it! Have you ever tried to breathe thru your nose and do any strenuous exercise? It's very hard to do, but that's exactly what Bugsy did. Or Bones. He even threw himself in front of a shot to block it. Call him what you want, he's a hero. And Sarge. Sarge is Sergei Gonchar, arguably the Pens' best defenseman. He was attempting to block a shot and smashed into the boards at high speed. He was taken to the locker room where he was treated for back spasms. He sat out the next two periods (OT one and two) but went into the game for the Power Play the Pens got for a Detroit high stick that left Rob Scuderi bleeding from the chin. (He was still bleeding after the game during the press conference.) Good ol' Sarge went in back pain and all and set up the winning goal for the Pens. That means Game 6 is in Pittsburgh Wednesday and the Pen's hope for the Stanley Cup is still alive.

I love these guys. Sure, they are supposedly overpaid athletes, but I thoroughly enjoy watching them play their game. It's great to cheer them on. And when they're the underdogs and upset the favored team, it's a great feeling.

The odds are highly against them to come back and win the next two games to win the Cup. Detroit experience vs. Pittsburgh Youth. They'll be considered lucky to win again tonight. But you know, it doesn't matter to me. They played the game of their life and and made history Monday night. Win or lose, they're still my team and I'm proud of them. Go Pens!

Look what *I* found!

Michigan is the state it's happening in these days. Yup, that's right. The Stanley Cup Finals start there tomorrow. So I, DaBich, figured I'd take a quick journey out there and see what the Red Wings are up to, and hurry back and report it to the Pittsburgh Penguins. I'd do them a great, big favor by doing this. Yeah, I had great intentions....sadly, it all got side-tracked.

You see, I remembered by buddy, Scribe, lives in that area, and I thought just maybe I could sneak in on him and surprise him. So, I figured I'd just stop REALLY quick and see Scribey, then hot-tail it over to the Red Wings camp and spy on them. That's where things went wrong.

I found Scribe's place. I managed to get into the house, and was groping to find a light switch to turn on, then I found...yup, you guessed it! The light switch cover you see pictured. Now, if you know Scribe, he SWEARS he's the Hottest, Bestest lay a girl can have. Not that I know, I'm just saying, that's what SCRIBE says. And he always tells us the truth, right? Of course he does! Even RUDY says he's the best. And the HE should know, as they are buddies. So, imagine my intense SHOCK when I found THIS in his house??!! I shudder to remember it. I had to let all you folks know how deeply upset I am over this shocking revelation. Scribe, you truly have let us down. How can you ever make up for it????? Tell us it ain't so!

And now I've not gotten to the Red Wings camp for the Penguins. I have failed in my quest. I am very sad indeed.

Go Pens!

Stanley Cup Finals!

Yes! It's more hockey stuff! And no wonder, my Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers to advance to play for Lord Stanley's Cup. We face the Detroit Red Wings, a formidable foe indeed. Experience versus youth. I hope the pure talent my Pens have make up for the Wing's superior experience. Time will tell. Starting this Saturday at 8pm, the games are on! Wish us luck, blogger buddies!

Next post...date??

You all can tell I am definitely computer-challenged. I had done the draft for the post below this one, but I have no idea how to change the date! It was posted just minutes before this one. Sorry for any confusion!