Injury Bug

It happens every year, a key injury on a team which tests the roster
and resolve. The Penguins were already dealing with Gonchar being out,
but on top of that Malkin is out for 2-3 weeks. Why am I mentioning
the Penguins? Because both guys happen to be on my fantasy hockey
team. I think it's going to kill my chances. Damn.

The Senators lost Anton Volchenkov to a shoulder injury last night.
Huge loss. A-Train is the main checking and shot blocking threat for
this team. Thank God the Sens have Carkner for some toughness. Anton
is injury prone, but with his willingness to throw his body around at
high speeds and in front of pucks, it's not exactly unexpected. The
team may or may not struggle without him. But they will definitely
allow more shots and get pushed around more.

For the Kings, Justin Williams has been out with a mystery "lower body
soreness-injury". It's been 3-4 games. Also, some rookie defenseman
Alec Martinez has been on the IR this whole season. I didn't see him
in the pre-season so I don't know what the Kings are missing. My guess
is that he ain't coming back soon, as the Kings just got Randy Jones
off of waivers from Philly. I think it's a good addition. The Kings
are looking pretty deep with their young, mobile defensemen.

1/8 mark

Well, the round ball season starts tonight. I'm only the most casual
of fans, but it should help to open up tickets for the Kings games, as
most people around here would rather see the Lakers/Clippers.
Advantage - me.

Just after talking about the Kings incredible start, they lost two
games. I'm fine with further jinxing the team, since they are on
another streak, but this time with 4-wins. When was the last time a
Kings' player led the league in scoring? Gretzky? Kopitar is the
hottest player in the league right now. It's definitely a stuation
where a lot of things have come together. Key free agent signings,
core draft picks, and coaching are all looking real good. While GM
Lombardi has taken quite a bit of heat the last 3 years by overanxious
fans, I figured the real proving time was starting this season. Not a
whole lot to complain about now...

Senators are a bit of surprise team this season as well. Karlsson got
sent down to Birmingham today. I see his potential, but he needs time
to develop (& maybe some steroids). Being a some-what normal sized
19-year old kid, 5-11 & 165. He's just way too small and relatively
weak compared to grown men. Also, Kuba should be back in the lineup
soon. So, it was a bit of a blessing that Karlsson got a lot of
quality minutes to display his skills. He got an overly fair shot if
you ask me.

Not surprising is that a solid, physical defenseman looks like a
savior on this team; even if it is a 7-year journeyman. Carkner is a
stud. He makes simple plays, checks hard, and will fight if necessary.
A team full of these guys is not ideal, but having him back there
makes the team respectable. I love it.

Not surprising is the play of Kovalev and Cheechoo. But, this is not a
good thing. As both have been rather flat. Cheechoo has had hands of
stone. Kovalev plays like he's made of glass. But it was a bit much to
expect miracles of either guy. Kovalev has a history for this type of
play, Cheechoo has seen better days. As a fan, I was just hoping that
they could turn things around. Realistically, probably not going to
happen.

Workout of the Day - October 26

So, maybe I was feeling a bit crabby last week and that lead to my
rant. Turns out I was nursing a sinus infection and bronchitis. Which
brings me to the question about working-out when feeling sick. I
usually do it, if I'm able to go into work. If some Sudafed and cough
syrup can keep things in check enough to get me into work, I will
usually workout too. It seems to really help clear things up, once you
get the heart rate going. But if it's the case of feeling fever-ish,
headachey, and/or uncontrollable cough; it's time to rest. In fact,
that's what pushed me into going to the doctor; I couldn't breathe
enough to workout. So, it seemed like time to get 'real' medication.

UFC 104

Pretty stoked about getting a free ticket to UFC 104. I'm going to
check-out part of the weigh-ins today, when I pick-up my ticket. I saw
my first weigh-in during a UFC in Vegas last December. It was a pretty
big event in itself. I don't expect a big turnout today, but it's cool
to see all the fans fired-up before the event. And that's really the
allure of a live UFC event. It's all about being in the crowd. I can't
afford to sit where I can actually see the fight that well. So, you
are basically paying to see the fight projected on a big screen. To be
honest, you see much better with the PPV. But it's the crazy fans that
make the event. The sounds of hearing a guy get hit, when you are 200'
away. And seeing all the undercard fights. This card features 11
fights! That's a lot of MMA for one evening. I'm ready.

OT

Some pretty crazy games yesterday involving my two teams, the Kings
and Senators. I expected the Sens/Predators game to be a yawner. Preds
are on a 6-game losing streak. They quickly took a 3-0 lead off Ottawa
turnowvers, and pucks going in off Senator defensemen. Most of the
first two periods was horrible, slow play with lots of offsides and
icing. Sens came back courtesy of a 5-on-3 powerplay. Eventually tied
it 4-4. Preds pulled ahead 5-4 with a powerplay goal, one minute left
in the 3rd. Sens scored shorthanded with 4 seconds left in the third!
Carkner took an interference penalty 2 minutes into the OT, Preds
scored. 6-5 OT loss. Seeing as how the Sens really only played 20
minutes and had no business in that game it was a lucky point to get.

Kings blew a 4-0 lead to still win 5-4, in OT. I didn't watch this
game yet, still TIVO'd. Saw the score on the local news this AM. The
NHL is pretty wide open due to the salary cap. Makes for crazy games.
Also, a lack of goaltending, which is nearly league wide, has opened
things up.

Cobra Kai

I am not one to send out web links very often. Most likely, you've
already seen the latest video of a hamster dancing to Beyonce's Single
Ladies or whatever. But when it's especially good sports or auto
related content, I just have to share.

Here's an amazing display of billet aluminum engineering and "cost is
no object" budget, to create one of my favorite vehicles of all time.

http://jalopnik.com/5385797/how-to-build-an-all+billet-aluminum-cobra?skyline=true&s=x

Pumpkin Patch

Sunday will be the annual trip to the local Pumpkin Patch; we'll go on
a few carnival rides and pick-out this year's orange gourd. It may be
a bittersweet time, as my eldest daughter is starting to outgrow some
of the miniature rides, but not her love of all things Halloween.

I've always been a step behind on the development of my kids. I just
get used to bottles and they move onto baby food. Get used to diapers,
and the're already working on potty training. So, this weekend it will
be a matter of trying to figure out how to keep things fun for both
children. I still want my daughter to enjoy her all-time favorite
holiday, without denying her younger and smaller brother the rides she
can't go on.

The bottom line is rolling with the punches. I learned early on that
you can't over-think or over-plan these things. While I'm actually
aware of a possible problem for once, it's any old random thing that
makes for a memorable trip in a kid's eyes. You might remember
dropping & breaking a $20 pumpkin in the parking lot. The kids only
remember throwing pumpkin seeds and stringy goo at each other.

1/16 mark

It's barely 5 games into the NHL season, but I'm ready to give status
reports. Kings are off to a good start going 4-1-0.
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams are playing well. Making the GM look like a
genius for picking-up those guys up in the off-season. Quick has
looked OK, but given-up a ton of powerplay goals. I'm not sold on him
being a NHL caliber goalie just yet. Kings have simply outscored thier
opponent, but allowed too many goals in my opinion. Not sure they can
keep up that pace. But here's to a strong start.

Senators are 3-2-0. I think they are playing well. They are still
working out the lines, but seem to have a more balanced attack than
before. A different line seems to show-up on any given night. But all
four lines seem able to get some kind of offensive pressure. That
said, the shots are not going in. Fortunately, the defense has looked
pretty good. I see close games being the norm this season; with a lot
less margin for error. This is probably not a team that's top 5 in
goals scored, as in years past. So turnovers have resulted directly to
the two losses. Goaltending is unpredictable. Leclaire can make the
impossible save, then get beat cleanly on a rush up ice. I still have
my doubts about him.

Red Wings are 3-4-0. I honestly haven't seen too many of their games.
They just lost Franzen for 3-4 months with an ACL injury. For a team
that lost quite a few forwards over the summer, this is a big blow to
the offense. It will be quite a test to see how the Wings respond.

When do you call it quits?

So I've heard that Chelios skated with the Chicago Wolves today. Why,
you might ask? This is the same Chris Chelios that was not re-signed
by the Red Wings and not picked-up over the summer. A 47-year old that
had no takers. One would argue that his slowed speed is nearing
"liability" status in today's NHL.

But there are many teams forced to start rookie defensemen, and
getting burned in the process. Chelios is a veteran that's seen it all
and can still battle, if not, at least mentor younger players. If he
signs with Chicago, I don't doubt that some team will pick him up this
year, whether it is a key injury or playoff push. But it's a way for
Chelios to stay in game shape, for when a NHL team needs him. The
bottom line, is that the guy simply wants to keep playing hockey.

The Senators have a 27-year old rookie defenseman on the roster. Matt
Carkner is an AHL lifer. 7-years in the minors and called-up by the
Sharks to play in the Big Show, twice. He's played in every Sens game
this season and not looked out of place. He plays a solid and very
physical game. He got his first NHL goal recently. He may be the first
guy demoted, once Filip Kuba comes back; but what a great time for
this guy while it lasts. In my opinon, the Sens really need his
physical play and having this guy around has made a big difference
this year. Plus, he's not afraid to drop the gloves and sticks up for
his teammates. In the salary cap era, this guy is giving you
tremendous value. I hope he sticks around.

Fish

So, I missed the Sens game last night, since I was in the car heading
to Staples Center. But I did hear it on XM Radio. The Sens blew their
lead and headed into OT. My boy Mike Fisher scored early in the OT
frame to get the Sens their second win of the early season. The guy
has a laser of a snapshot, but doesn't use it enough. I wish he
produced more offense, but I still love to watch him play. He's gotta
be one of the strongest pound for pound guys in the NHL. You will see
him win battles against the biggest guys in the NHL. I challenge you
to watch any Sens game and not be impressed with his effort. He brings
it every game. So, when Fisher is the OT hero, more power to him.

Kings Game

Went to the Kings vs. Wild game last night. Had the whole family there
again. My son loves going to the games, but he hates the foghorn after
the Kings score. I will admit that, sitting in the cheap seats, it is
especially loud. And young ears are extra sensitive. So, right after a
goal I would cover his ears. Which made everything that much more fun
for him. My daughter complained about our seats. Apparently, we
weren't sitting up quite as high as last time. She liked sitting
higher. What a nice problem to have, but I insistent we stay in the
low nose bleed section. Kings won 6-3.

Irony

I'm in a Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey League this year. It had quite the
struggle to get going and didn't have a draft last week; something
about waiting for more players. So, I happened to check my team and
the autodraft had run on Monday. I've got Dany Heatley.

Drink your fluids

I am starting to get sick, which sucks. So, I slept-in this morning
and didn't hit the gym. Had my morning coffee, a huge mug of coffee at
work, bottle of water, green tea, then it was lunchtime. I didn't hit
the bathroom that much, so I am wondering where all this liquid was
going? I guess that's why they say to drink your fluids when you get
sick.

Opening Weekend

Well, it was quite the hockeyfest on Saturday. All 30 teams were in
action. I taped 3 different games and watched them throughout the
weekend. None of my teams won. 0-3. What are the chances of that?
Kings and Sens had similar bad outings. They got out-goalied when they
did press the offense, got scored on the rush a few too many times
(goaltending?!), and had their wonder-kid defensemen not play so hot.

Otherwise, it was cool to just have the NHL back on TV. I'm getting
the Center Ice package for free the next two weeks. So far, none of
the Sens games have been in HD. Not good. I guess I've turned into
quite the HD snob.

It's On!

Welcome back hockey! Yeah, it's only been a few months since we last
saw you. But it was a long off-season for the Sens with all the
Heatley drama. So, naturally I wanted to see Dany's debut in a Sharks
uniform. I looked and just couldn't find the game. Well, it was on
Versus. Yeah, the channel that DirecTV has dropped; claiming extortion
by Comcast to continue offering it. I'm not happy. There goes my WEC
fights and NHL coverage. At least the WEC hockey coverage was so
sparse that it won't matter too much. But did they have to cover the
one game I was looking for?

The Kings know how to do things right. 65 games in HD. Some analysts
have them in the playoffs this year. I hope so. I like what Dean
Lombardi has done, by building from within. That takes time, for sure.
But I expect some results from this team, starting this year.