Niedermayer, Schmeedermayer.
I really dread Anaheim games, even when I think we’re going to win them, because of the constant slurping of Scott Neidermayer by the broadcasters. And I’m talking about Ralph and Razor! I’d really hate to hear the Anaheim broadcast team now that he’s back and winning games singlehandedly and making everybody better and turning handfuls of dirt into gold and such. And oh! I almost forgot: He’s such a smooth skater. There. We’ve covered Neidermayer.
I thought this game was pretty evenly played in the first period. I actually felt optimistic that we might win. Nik Hagman (love that guy!) got one of his signature never-give-up-on-a-play goals to start things off.
The rest of the game was all Ducks, pretty much. I used to hate the Ducks just based on the Pacific Division rivalry that we’re in, and I didn’t really care what they did the rest of the time. But I’m starting to loathe each and every one of the players individually. Chris Pronger, of course, I have hated since his Blues days. But I also just seethe with rage whenever I see Brad May or that thug Todd Bertuzzi or Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry or J-S Giguere (whom you can’t really see inside that cocoon of padding).
Check out Caitlin’s hilarious liveblog if you’re looking for more than just how much I hate the Ducks. I certainly wouldn’t blame you.
One of the good parts of the game was that Loui Eriksson got another goal. I am really liking his game lately. Somebody in a comment thread somewhere (so sorry I can’t find that right now) suggested that Niskanen’s confidence might be rubbing off on Loui. I thought that was plausible.
Sergei Zubov caused a penalty shot again. I think this is a good play under the circumstances. And Zubov was very blatant about it. He was practically calling out, “Oh ref! Look here! I’m hooking him! He would have been home free if not for this hook!”
Because a)without hooking him he really would have been home free, b)if he only kind of hooked him, they would get a two-minute power play, and c)defending a single penalty shot might be easier than defending a two-minute power play, since Marty Turco is our goalie.
UPDATE: I asked Earl Sleek if he had any stats that might help me with my point about Zubov trying to get a penalty shot called, and he pointed me to this Colby Cosh post where he explains much more eloquently what I was thinking.
On a separate topic, I’m becoming oddly obsessed with the TV presentation of games lately, and last night’s game had some weird crowd sound.
It sounded like the main microphone was on the lap of a spectator. We heard a lot of individual “Woo!” and “Oh” reactions to various plays. It made it sound generally empty in the arena, even though it didn’t appear that way.
The San Jose Sharks are up next and I’m sure they’re not happy that Phoenix beat them. We cannot afford to lose that game.
But I’m starting to loathe each and every one of the players individually.
But Patty! We have some nice guys who don’t score too much and aren’t thuggy. (I don’t want to be in a FIHT.)
We have some nice guys who don’t score too much and aren’t thuggy.
Like who? I’ll make a note, because I don’t like dreading those games. Honestly, I’m so focused on the ones I hate, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a couple of regular guys there.
We’re not in a FIHT. I’m still cracking up too much about your emoticons. So you’re good for a while. C):^{D
Hmm, well, I happen to like Miller, Pahlsson, Moen, Carter, Marchant, and Huskins. (I’ve even met Huskins at a Walmart for some autograph thing and he’s kinda quiet.) None of them scores a whole lot. Moen fights when necessary and does a good job at it, but isn’t particularly thuggy. In fact, he made a point of cleaning the Stanley Cup at some ungodly hour in the morning after his turn with it. I think out of this group, Huskins has the most pts at 13, but only two of them are goals. :) I mean, ===|:^}D
P.S. I used to not like the Stars until you and the Untypical Girls put faces and personalities to them. :P
I do like Pahlsson. I’ll give you that guy. C):^{P
P.S. I used to not like the Stars until you and the Untypical Girls put faces and personalities to them. :P
Heh. We’re converting you, slowly but surely.
I do like Pahlsson.
Concurred!