The Final Stretch...

So I've been a little out of commission, what with basking in the end of Olympic hockey and getting a wisdom tooth out.  And now we're entering the final stretch of regular season hockey.  I'm pretty damn excited.  :D  Umm...first of all.  Congrats USA on a hard fought silver medal!  So awesome.  Ryan Miller is a stud.  Like no joke.  The man worked his ass off and I'm proud that he's an American goalie.  (So are a lot of other people I suppose, i.e. did anyone else see the reactions of the Penguins fans to the visiting goalie last week??  Classy.  Extremely so.)

So, in the midst of all the craziness, the trade deadline came and went.  I'll be honest.  I hit refresh on my computer all day Wednesday while I was hopped up on codeine.  Quality.  I'd just like to say: I adore Luca Caputi!  Good luck with the Leafs.  He will finally be seeing a lot of NHL ice time.  Mostly because um, he now plays for the Leafs.  Need I say more?  In spite of that, I hope he does super well and becomes a superstar.  Except when he's playing the Penguins.

I realize we also lost Skoula and a draft pick and some college kid.  I'm just not as sad about those.  I am, however, very excited about what we GOT!  At first I was like...eh, I dunno.  But really, how can you not like someone who scores nicely and is nicknamed "Pony?"  Really?  How can you NOT?  Also, Jordan Leopold is pretty sweet.  He's seeming to spend some time on the PK, and I think it's cuz his name is Jordan.  Which means he's cool.  And I love our penalty killers.

I'm ending this week on a pretty positive note, which is great, because the Pens are 4 and 0 coming back from the Olympic break!!!!  That's right!  (Now, MAF, feel better and have Sidster practice on you for a couple hours so you're less rusty and we'll be even more excited.)

Jordan update: 66 games, 44 pts, +18
Consecutive career games including playoffs: 360.  Baller.  Such a stud.  605 more games to go to top the NHL record. :P

Yes, Jordan, we all want some of that for you.  So keep on being the amazing giant you are.

Team USA D-Men and Goalies

I'll be real...these guys are my favorite part of Team USA.  I have a bit of a weakness for good solid defensive play.

One of my two favorite guys on the team: Jack Johnson with number 3.  AKA Jack Mother Fucking Johnson from the lovely University of Michigan fans.

Jack Johnon is gonna be a frickin awesome player in the near future.  He has a great start.  A big guy who makes big hits and scores big goals.  (Interruption!  Geno just scored a PP goal and looked like Christmas came early.  Nicely done.)  Jack Johnson is definitely shaping up to be one of the NHL's premiere defenseman.  Also, his blog is pretty quality and he's beyond adorable with his little brother.  He's a fiercely loyal teammate and I think that's awesome.

Tim Gleason is donning number 4.

He's gritty to say the least.  And I don't have a lot of warm feelings toward him (surprisingly since he's a Hurricane).  He's fought a couple of my favorite Pens in the last year.  (Kris Letang and Sir Billy G.)

Erik Johnson wears number 6 and was picked first overall in the '06 draft.

The '06 draft bit is really only important to me because he was drafted about my boy Staal and I'm so glad that the Blues made the mistake of picking him instead of Jordan.  Also, let's get this in again.  Jordan should've been on Team Canada and the fact that he isn't just makes it so much easier to root for USA.  He's the only one of the top 5 draft picks in 2006 who is NOT playing in these Olympics.  Umm...so that was all really about Jordan and not about Erik Johnson at all.

Ryan Whitney, number 19, and former Penguin.

Ryan number five.  Is getting ridiculous.  Whits is crazy awesome.  And I love seeing him in a Pens jersey, so...  :D

Ryan Suter (number 6) wearing number 20.

1980 Olympics plug goes here.  Ryan, son of Bob Suter, member of the 1980 USA Olympic team.  It's special.  (I have friends who didn't know what I was talking about when I said it was the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice.  I was appalled.  The single greatest moment in American sports.  I told them that we're watching "Miracle" very soon.) 

Brian Rafalski: number 28.

I won't even pretend to like him for Team USA.  He's a Red Wing.  Ewwwwwww.  So let's just move on.

BROOKS ORPIK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Number 44!!!!!!!!!!

Umm...LOVE!  Brooksie is great.  He plays a purely defensive game and he's a big body with a physical presence.  (I'm not biased at all.  Really truly.)  Also, I'm extremely excited to watch him play with Jack Johnson against Sidney.  It should be a great matchup.

And now for the goalies.  I'm pretty sure everyone has a bit of a soft spot for goalies.  I know I do.  I even find myself liking Jimmy Howard sometimes.  I know, I know.  WEIRD.  (Never Chris Osgood though, so don't worry too much.)  Like right now, Russia with Nabokov and the Czechs with Vokoun.  I kinda love them both.

Jonathan Quick from the LA Kings wearing number 29.  Tim Thomas from the Bruins wearing number 30.  And RYAN MILLER from the Sabres in number 39.  (Can you tell who I like best?)

Jonathan Quick: Definitely an up and coming goalie.  I don't think he's quite there yet.  But one day, he has the possibility of being among the elite tenders in the league.

Tim Thomas: A great veteran goaltender.  He's solid and pretty consistent and I think his criticism is mostly undeserved.

Ryan Miller: What can I say about Mr. Miller.  He's pretty awesome.  He's underrated a little and I would love to have him at my back on the ice any day.  (Interruption.  GENO JUST SCORED AGAIN!  It's like Christmas came ten times at once.)  Umm...what was I saying?  Oh!  Ryan Miller.  Equals wallness.

Two and a half more hours.  WHOO!  Go USA!!!