H-H-H-Hockeyville

So, I just started looking on Getty Images at the pictures from Sabre adventures in Dundas, and it kinda just crossed my mind that this was actually such an awesome thing for the little town.

Last night, we were discussing how it was good that we didn't go, because it was really important for the town (they probably would have sniffed us out) to have their own thing.

I live ten minutes from the arena, and can decide at 6 pm if I'm going to a game, and obviously not everyone can do that with a team. Dundas is close to both us and Toronto, but its not the same luxury.

Seeing those little kids standing in the rain waiting for players, and seeing the players stand there getting wet to sign for them, and handing out pucks, and going to their schools really tug at the heart strings. You know it's a good time when Lindy gets involved. Lindy interacting with little children is like watching a walrus juggling: you don't expect it, you don't know what to do when it happens, and it's so cute to watch.

Even the little things like this!

All the players that were spoken to commented on how they were once in the little kids positions (even Lindy, though he was never a little kid). I can only begin to imagine the thrill for them. I spent the first four years of my life living in a town outside Montreal that was so small, you didn't know it was there unless you were almost out of gas on the 40, I'm sure something like that there would have been tremendous (and they would have all been rooting for the Sabres).

And, and even bigger treat, we beat the friggin Senators! Without Thomas Vanek scoring! Granted, it was their B-team (Chris Neil doesn't count, hes lucky he's not on the Y team), but we're desperate, we'll take it!

Though I must say, the high point of the evening was Shelby yelling six stories down (she was in my apartment, I was walking into the building) that Thomas had the A. I love that weirdo.

Not to mention, I could have scored the first goal, but it's something we can hold in our defense when they're kicking our ass in the coming months.

I must say, I am very fond of Mr. Niedermayer (can't imagine many who aren't). I was so excited when we signed a Niedermayer, I didn't care which one it was. Even if his signing bliss only lasted mere hours until Patty signed, it's still awesome.

I was annoyed when Tyler got more of a cheer on the red carpet when they were together. Nothing against Tyler, I know he had a great year and everyone is excited, but it's a friggin Niedermayer!

He has the bushiest beard EVER, his gray hair indicates wisdom, HE KNOWS WHAT THE FRIGGIN CUP LOOKS LIKE!

What he's doing here, I don't know. I just hope no one makes him wonder that....

Necessary mommy picture, classssssy

Fancy, Boys!

Maybe there's something about the off season that just deflates me of all hockey decency (Darcy Syndrome) because the first preseason game always reminds me of the tactics of attending a hockey game. Especially when going with Shelby.

Saturday, as we know, embarked as the last team to start their pre-season. Once again, it was against the Leafs, once again, we won (I feel like we're not allowed to lose in pre-season, or against the Leafs), and once again the Sabres arrived in style.

Or so I'm told, to be perfectly honest, a certain event at the red carpet wiped my mind clean of basically everything but my social security number.

Shut up, you adore it! Jordan Leopold, you get credit for trying (and for naming your daughter Jordyn), but no.

Nice try getting me to learn to appreciate you, bonus points there.

Anyways, on to the game portion of the night.

We were early, of course, because of the red carpet event. Shelby and I are rarely early to the game unless it's San Jose or for some reason I miscalculated. Our typical routine is arrive, buy raffle tickets/poster, head to 100 levels for warm ups. But I was so busy running around the arena to find our one friend who works the concession stand to show her the adorableness above, that didn't happen.

Come to think of it, when I saw them coming out for warm ups on the screen, I was kind of like ' oh, right, they do that.' None the less, very excited to see that Mr. Timmy was wearing an A, and not even that shocked that Robbie had one too. I have a feeling that is going to stick.


Shelby and I sat in the 200 section, as you can see my the clear cups (I'm sure she's glad I didn't use the other picture of our drinks that night). I would save up to sit there during the season, at least for one game. I'm all for situations where you don't have to stand up (except for peanut butter pie, totally worth it!).

Pre-Season is always interesting in the sense that you watch the games and, even on the other team, are you puzzled by numbers and names that you've never seen before and, in a few days, won't see until next pre-season.

Never the less, it was nice to see new guys, Robbie and Shaoooone, play for the first time. One thing that irked me on the red carpet is that people cheered louder for big Tyler than Robbie when they were near each other. Yes, he won the Calder, but for crying out loud we have a NIEDER BROTHER!

Sigh, hopefully over time. He did score, so, bonus points.

I don't know, I never see the point of re-capping the jist of the game- if you didn't see it, you already know. Robbie scored, Nate broke half his bones taking out a Leaf, somehow we won with a rookie goalie in net. All impressive, yes, but why should I bore you repeating it?

Instead, I shall leave you with this:

She was pointing to the mean fans who are mean to her daddy!

Lets see how the big guy does tonight!

You Can See Hockey on the Horizon...Unless You're Toni Lydman

Yesterday at Puck Drop was very similar to three (four?) years ago.

Watching players, some that you can't name yet, come out from behind the curtain in " new" (that term being used both to say that no, they're not and ' dude, you leaked it, Sabres) jerseys. I must say, my reaction was relatively the same.

" Hey, look at that"

followed by

" Well they're not as bad as I thought"

followed by

" We really need to not hire Stevie Wonder's cousin to make these bad boys"

and then

" Why is everyone so constipated?"

and finally

" Who is going to spend money on this crap?"

Fast forward six months, probably me. Once the slug debuted, and I didn't care, it was that February I found myself owning one. However, am I the only one who really doesn't mind the slug? It's not that bad, unless you're totally ignoring the New York Islanders and the bad things they have come up with.

Hey, we can always get it right for the 50th anniversary, right? Or, as I plan to call it, " Patty Lalime's Retirement Year" and I'll be 33, ick.

Really the only thing " new" coming from Puck Drop yesterday was that it's pronounced ' Shaun' not ' Shane.' Shelby and I have set ourselves up for nine months of ' ....Shaun' ' who?' ' Shane!'

Also in the " new" category, Shelby and I FINALLY owning the Craig Rivet jerseys we promised ourselves...I don't know when, actually. Originally we were going to share one, but thankfully the economy improved enough so we wouldn't have to. I can justify spending $45 on a jersey, and even though Craigory is in what COULD be his last year, it's more logical than spending $150 on a logo we also had last year. But, what can you do?

Moving on.

This time of the year, I like to take a look at pretty much anyones training camps, just because you're so happy everything is slowly returning. And thank you to Darcy, there's always a new team you pay special attention to, because players you still adore now call there home.

There's been little information about Hank in his new home (other than, as of right now, he will be wearing #7), but the Devils are having a hard time on reporting on anyone whose name doesnt begin with the letter K and ends with olvachuk. Yeah, if he thought Ryan Miller was bad...this guy has an accent.

Wayyyyyyyy out in California, Toni hasn't even an ice rink yet. Actually, he's seen two. Shelby told me earlier in the week that Toni is already going to miss some time with an eye injury. Turns out he's suffering from double vision, and NO ONE for the life of them can figure out what it is.

It's California, if Botox can't fix, they don't know what the hell to do.

Ducks fan(s) are already mad that he's hurt, but until they see Tim Connolly break his spine from sneezing too hard, they don't know what real problems are.

Hopefully he's back to his normal, angry self soon. Four Sedins on one team? That's pretty harsh. At least it didn't happen to him, two Hanks I'm sure he can handle, but two Roys? He'd leave all over again.

Speaking of seeing double, I actually don't think Toni left.

That is apparently Jordan Leopold, but come on, we're not stupid. That messy, blonde hair totally says ' I'm Finnish, love me!'

Until he turns around.

But if we're careful, we'll never have to see him do that.

Just a Little Clarification

Like Halloween, the Patty bashing seems to start earlier and earlier every year.

People, did no one watch the NHL Awards? Geez.

Anyways, I started off my senior year bickering with one of those girls who think they know so much about hockey, but really can't come up with a response longer than two syllables.

Also known as Derek Roy fans.

This person was also a Tim Kennedy (it gets worse, she also likes Pominville) fan, and she thought making not-nice comments about Patty all last year would not come back and bite her in the ass.

We all know different.

So, just in case people have not removed head from rectum, lets just make sure we're all at least on the same page.

Not a Sabre, despite uniform

Currently a Sabre, hat included.

I found this while browsing Google for pictures and thought I would use it for my own reminder, seeing as this one is just not sticking in the ol brain of mine.

He, in case you missed it, is also a Sabre.

Not pictured, Scott Niedermayer

Poke...Poke...Jab

Oh, hello there blog.

I swear I usually great ideas for blogs (or mildly good)...but then there isn't much capacity left after I have to remember my email and password to log in. Ugh.

Anywho, I motivated myself for this one. I was in the shower this morning and had a realization, other than the fact that I need a new razor. Puck Drop is two, count them TWO, weeks away! Crazy things happen when September first comes around and you realize hockey events are happening THIS MONTH.

Two weeks is nothing, and then we can actually see living, breathing HOCKEY PLAYERS. And new jerseys (bleh) and what not.

And what comes after Puck Drop? TRAINING CAMP

After training camp? PRESEASON

After PRESEASON? A small break and then...

Well, you know.

It's going to happen so quickly, so I will go through my usual stressed out rants about getting home opener tickets. This is on top of paying for Catwalk and a new passport. That's the order of my priorities sadly. The passport is not necessary until December when we head to Ottawa for possible death.

Thankfully, everyone is signed -glares at Drew Stafford- so my own irresponsibility-ness is all I have to be stressed about.

Oh, and starting school on Tuesday. Bleh.