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I’m going to be completely honest with you, friends. I love Brian Campbell. No lie. I’ve told you that before. And it’s not just because he’s a redhead, but I’m not going to go into the depths of my attachment to him, so just know it’s there. Oh, and it’s been there for a very, very long time.
What I am willing to divulge to you, though, is my behavior last year on February 26, 2008. (And I can almost guarantee that I will act in basically the same manner if another of my favorites gets sent packing on March 4th.) I woke up that morning just like any other morning and packed my bag for school, triple checking the battery level on my MacBook. I had TSN’s TradeCenter set to my homepage on Safari, ensuring that I wouldn’t miss a thing.
I drove the 15 minutes to UB’s north campus, and was sitting in Chemistry (one of the few times I actually went before I just stopped going because I had already failed), not paying too much attention to Professor (“Winston”) Churchill, only hitting refresh continuously on my browser. Oh, and all the while, IM-ing Kim, discussing the trades and how I wasn’t too sure if I’d be able to deal if Brian left.
At 11:27 am, my heart dropped and shattered on the lecture hall floor. Literally, this is what I said to Kim: “HE’S GONE. KIMMY, HE’S GONE.”
From then on, I’m not entirely too sure what I did. I know I almost felt like crying, and thankfully I was in one of the last rows of the biggest hall on campus, and it was dark, because Winston likes to use Powerpoint.
But then I discovered Steve Bernier, and I was willing to accept him with open arms, especially with his debut in blue and gold.
Really, though? I miss them both terribly.
The one story I will always remember about Brian Campbell is highly entertaining. Well, at least it was to the 15-year-old me, before I heard about his galavanting ways.
It was late March or early April 2003, and the Dairy Queen in Kenmore had just reopened for the season. My friend and I wanted to go get some ice cream, so we walked the, oh I don’t know, maybe seven blocks down Elmwood to get some.
The topic on everyone’s mind was the SARS pandemic. But it was hitting home for Sabres fans, with roommates Rhett Warrener and Brian Campbell under house arrest/quarantine, because Campbell’s sister-in-law was showing symptoms after coming into contact with SARS patients at the Toronto hospital she worked at. They were shacked up in Warrener’s Kenmore home, not all that far from my friend’s house.
Anyways, while we were standing in line to get our ice cream, who should get in the line opposite ours? Brian Campbell and Rhett Warrener. I’m pretty sure Campbell got a twist in a dish with chocolate sprinkles.
Basically, they could have killed me. Except, neither one of them actually contracted SARS, so I guess that’s alright.
(ETA: In retrospect, I guess I didn’t really do the story justice. I just think it’s funny that, when they might have had SARS, Brian and Rhett are sneaking out of the house, disregarding regulations from the World Health Organization, to go to Dairy Queen and get their ice cream fix. Hmm.)
Even so, Brian, I’ll never boo you. Well, at least not baring unforeseen occurrences. I’m impressed at how you and your Blackhawks have done this season, and I’ll always cheer for you, as long as you’re not playing the Sabres. Hey, I drove my family nuts on New Years Day because all I wanted was for it to be 1 o’clock so that I could watch you in the Winter Classic (even though it was better when you were wearing blue and gold).
Now if we could get Steve Bernier back, I’d be a happy girl.
*****
There is a positively awesome article about Derek Roy in the TBN today, surprisingly written by Bucky Gleason. I knew there was a reason I loved Derek. I mean, for his hockey skills, not his ridiculous off-ice behavior.
*****
About tonight’s game? Well, I’m not going to be watching. I know, I know, that’s outrageous since it’s my one legit change to really watch Brian Campbell and not want him to win this season. But Kim and I are going to see Rent tonight at Shea’s. Totally worth it. So excited.
But I am taping the game, and I’ve already told all of my hockey-obsessed friends and my family not to breathe a word of a score or anything related to this game to me until I finish watching it. Yeah. We’ll see if that actually happens. Not counting on it.
Happy New Year everyone, I hope you have all sufficiently recovered from your post party hangovers and if you haven’t well at least you have a fun time last night I’m assuming. If you’re like me, as in under 21, I’m going to go out on a limb here that you at least had champagne at midnight so therefore do not have a hangover and didn’t wake up this morning wishing that you hadn’t, woken up that is.
I of course watched the Winter Classic like every other self respecting hockey fan and no matter how much you try to convince me I still believe the one in Buffalo was better. I know I’m probably biased but come on what can beat 80,000 people screaming their heads off in the freezing cold while it snowed and snowed and snowed? And it wasn’t just that sleet-snow it was that snow-globe snow the big fluffy flakes that made me want to lie down in the aisle making my best snow angel.
It was an overall good game both teams played well and the game wasn’t interrupted ten times by the zamboni which meant that the game didn’t last 4 hours. I for one wasn’t surprised by the outcome because overall Detroit is the better team better defense (sorry Soupy), better offense (sorry Patrick) and as much as it pains me to say this better goaltending by Ty.
The game play I thought was more interesting this year more goals (9), one bone crushing hit with Dan Cleary ending up in the Chicago bench in retaliation for his hit Tuesday night on Patrick Kane and a dog pile? with most of the players on the ice ending up on top of each other. However, I’m more inclined to believe that the closer a game is the more interesting it is, then there’s also the fact that our game went to overtime and then to a shoot out which is sure to get the fans’ blood going.
I liked our jerseys for the Ice Bowl better, I thought Chicago’s were too dark and that the numbers on the back were hard to see especially when the players were skating I also thought they were ugly with the big white stripe through the middle. Detroit’s were cool with the Old English D on the front a throwback to their first year in the NHL the numbers on the back were at least easy to see. If they’re going to have an outdoor game where the fans aren’t going to be that close to the players they need to make the jerseys and the numbers contrasting colors so that people can see who they’re looking at.
I can understand the significance of having the game in Wrigley field I actually think it’s cool but it stands to reason that when having the game in a baseball stadium half the fans aren’t going to be able to see the puck or the players very well as was the case today. The people who got seats in the outfield probably had no clue what was going on because let’s see a small piece of galvanized rubber viewed from approximately 50 yards away…yeah that’s not going to happen unless you happen to have the eyesight of a hawk or really really strong binoculars. At least at Ralph Wilson even the people who had the 10 dollar seats or those in the 300 deck could see the puck because they were sitting right on top of the ice almost. The people at Wrigley were in what could be considered the 200 deck and were at least 50 yards offering them little or no chance to follow the game except to look at the large video screens that were set up just for them.
But anyways I still think ours was better no bones about it and I don’t care if I’m biased I will always believe that.
First thing’s first: Happy Birthday, Drew!!
Again, I told Kim that I wanted to bake you a cake for your 23rd Birthday, but she is still of the opinion that baked goods are too stalker-ish, so I caved. But Drew, understand that if I knew where your doorstep was, there’d have been a cake waiting for you this morning. I could have even made it paste-flavored. But anyways, I hope you get lots of ass for your birthday, because that’s all any guy wants, oh, and a goal and a win would be nice, too, I suppose.
I still haven’t completely forgiven you for the whole “mouse potato” thing yet, though…
But let’s get down to business:
THE ANDREW PETERS SHOW, Star 102.5
(1) Andrew seems to have a bit of a stuttering problem, which is really cute. I don’t really think he does, though; it’s early. I stutter in the morning, too.
(2) Andrew lets his wife buy the Halloween candy, but she hides it from him.
(3) Brian Campbell used to plan the Halloween parties for the team. Petey says they probably aren’t having one this year because of their schedule; he doesn’t know the plan. (We’ll see what Derek says.)
(4) Andrew insulted the guy on the radio. He suggested that he wore a lot of drag for Halloween in his childhood.
(5) He likes Entourage. Big surprise.
THE DEREK ROY REPORT. Kiss 98.5
(1) He was told that Adam Mair was trick-or-treating.
(2) He refuses to go to HSBC Arena at sunrise. He admits it probably is nice, but no.
(3) Derek got the pigeon for his OT goal.
(4) Would be a golfer if not a hockey player.
(5) Thinks Petey is the funniest person on the team. They try not to laugh at his first joke, otherwise he just keeps going, and going, and going…
(6) He dresses from the left side up. Crazy.
(7) He likes brunettes more than blondes. I have red hair… Where do I fit in?
I got gipped… Both shows were only 5 minutes. Lame.
Oh, and the TBN reports that Timmmmmaaay could be back next week. Kim and I were talking the other night and we decided that it would be fun to start a pool amongst the Sabres Blogosphere in regards to the next game Tim gets hurt during. Seriously, that would be amazing.
My mother insists that he needs to have his own hospital wing, with his own little bed, and own private nursing staff. WAITT!! That could be a bad idea… Well, they’re all in the hospital, so I guess they could stock up on the needed vaccinations and antibiotics and what not…
And tell me why, every time I watch the Pirates play online they lose? Granted, yesterday’s loss was in overtime, but still. I fell asleep during the first period (at a 0-0 tie), only to wake up about halfway through the second and find the score to the 2-1 Hartford. Note to self: Stay Awake. But Gerbe tied it up at the end of the third, but they obvs blew that. Whatever. As long as they win next Friday while I’m there, that’s alright.
Oh, and someone please try to deny the fact that Paul Gaustad is the most adorable grown man in the history of mankind. Please. Because I give you Exhibit A for the defense:
From today’s Buffalo News:
Paul Gaustad took a one-timer at the end of practice Wednesday, and it was a rocket. The puck glanced off the goaltender’s arm and continued into the net.
Gaustad raised his stick, smiled broadly and shouted, “I’m back!”
Cute! You can’t deny it. I dare you to try. And I’ll win because MJ will be my lawyer, and we all know how she feels about Paul.
OH MY GOODNESS, I FORGOT AGAIN. Two new-ish signings at Dave and Adam’s have been posted. I say new-ish because one is new, the other just got a date.
Tommy will be at their Transit location Tuesday, December 2nd.
DEREK WILL BE AT THEIR SHERIDAN LOCATION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16th.
Is it fate that he’s going to be there exactly 6 days before my birthday? Probably not. It’s probably just coincidence, but seeing as how Thursdays are usually Cari + Derek = Fate Day, and all I could garnish from his interview this morning was that we both prefer brunettes, I’ll take this. It’s his birthday present to me. Yay!
That’s it for coherent thoughts, so I’m off to Anatomy. I’ll post after the game, while I watch the replay of the Pirates playing in their pink jerseys. And they’re not just pink; they’re HOT pink, which makes it even better, but they had to throw the black in there to man them up a bit, I guess… Anyways, I’m taping it. For those of you who care, it’s on channel 13 at 8:30.
Ugh, and unfortunately, I’m going to miss the first two period of the Sabres game. I hate having plans during Sabres games. It does no good for my relationship with them…
Okay, so I got a little bit caught up in shopping, being girly, eating at Chef’s, watching lots of hockey, and also Slap Shot, so I haven’t posted in the past 48 hours like I said that I would. So here goes a small recap of this weekend’s activities and findings:
Vancouver @ Buffalo, Friday 10.17.08
First off, Kim and I had spectacular seats! (We were in the 19th row, dead center behind the net where we shot twice.) I’m proud to say that I took her to her first Sabres game in the HSBC Arena outside of the 300 level. Awwww.
The game was fantastic. Kotalik’s 2 goals, power play keeping it hot, penalty kill still perfect, Kaleta causing a raucous, Vanek sort of tackling Kotalik, and Derek Roy’s playlist… What more could I ask for? Not much. And God forbid I forget to mention that I got to see two of my Western Conference Loves, Taylor “Bedroom Eyes” Pyatt (thanks, Grandma!) and Steve “Big Bear” Bernier. Love! And Steve got a goal… Not sure how I feel about that, but I guess it’s okay since his goal was pretty much nebulous.
Buffalo @ Atlanta, Saturday 10.18.08
Definitely not overly pleased with this game. Roy’s performance was far from perfect, yet again, and the effort from the entire team for an entire 60 minutes wasn’t there. Something new and different! But really, though, we’re lucky to have come away from that with a point in hand. Lalime was awesome; I can’t fault him at all. And yet again, our special teams were outstanding! Vanek, too, was fabulous, continuing his hot ways; he’s now on pace for 114.8 goals, and 147.6 points for the season. Roy? Not nearly as good; 0 goals and 32.8 points. Kind of lack-luster numbers for the defending scoring champion…
Does anybody else think it’s a bit coincidental that our streak came to a screeching halt against the Thrashers last night, when our 10-game winning streak was ended by the same team in 2006-07?? Anybody? Because I do.
And I have to say that I paid extra special attention to the crowd in Atlanta, because I have family there. Two of my favorite cousins live there with their husbands and children, as do my aunt and uncle. Funny thing is, though, my cousin Jen’s husband is from Connecticut, but he’s a huge Sabres fan. One day, two years ago, he surprised my uncle with a Sabres jersey and tickets to one of their games there. So I was hoping that I’d see them in their Sabres jerseys, but since Jen was supposed to have a baby last week (I don’t know if she had the baby, yet… I should get on that.), I didn’t totally expect them to be there.
10 Questions
I have to say, I LOVE PATRICK KALETA MORE THAN DEREK ROY… For a moment, at least. When posed the question “Mary Ann or Ginger?”, Pat chose the redhead! Now I’m forever endeared to him. Everyone else (Derek, Miller, Lalime, and Mair) chose Mary Ann. I don’t have anything against Mary Ann, or blondes in general, for that matter, but when a really cute hockey player says he likes redheads, I love him. Pretty much the same thing as when I started liking Brian Campbell because he had curly red hair. Redheads are not that common, so we have to band together when we get the opportunity. =]
Anyone know when that’s supposed/going to be posted online? Because I’m dying to see it.
hockeysockpuppettheatre, by Charlie Teljeur
Speaking of Brian Campbell, he was the focus of this cute little comic strip, run regularly in The Hockey News. This is the banter between Soupy and, I presume, an interviewer:
Guy: Brian Campbell, you signed for mega-bucks over the summer. I suppose money can really change a young guy’s life…
Brian: For some, maybe. I’m still the same old guy, putting on one skate at a time…
Guy: …and those would be rabbit fur-lined skates…
Brian: Chinchilla, actually.
Oh, Brian. You’re so fancy.
Jersey Hound
Also in this week’s issue of THN, was a small feature on the Sabres’ new third jersey. This piece runs weekly, as well, but focuses on different jerseys in hockey, throughout history, throughout the world, in any league, anywhere. This is what Ryan Kennedy writes:
“Sometimes justice does come for those who need it most. In this case, fans of the Buffalo Sabres can once again wear a current sweater of which they can be proud of both the design and the team it represents. The much-maligned ‘Buffa-slug’ is still the primary symbol of Western New York’s finest, but the Sabres have blessed the hockey world with a reworking of their classic sweater, which will now serve as the team’s third jersey. The blue is darker than the original and the graphics are more defined, but oh, how it feels so right again.”
I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER FOR MY JERSEY!!!! Can I please tell you all how much I want my new jersey? I ordered a Roy jersey for myself, and a blank for my friend who is stuck in NYC until January–order numbers 155 and 156–but they won’t be in at the Sabres Store until at least Thanksgiving. I WANT MY NEW JERSEY!!! Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the slug too much, and I still love Tim Connolly, but I’d rather wear the jersey of someone who can actually play, and doesn’t just sit in the press box, night-in, night-out. I guess I’ll have to wait… But did I mention I’m not the most patient of people? In fact, I’m downright impatient…
Portland Pirates
Nathan Gerbe had two goals to lead the Pirates to a 3-2 victory Friday night against the Springfield Falcons. Colton Fretter also scored in the win. The guys are playing again tonight in Portland against the Providence Bruins.
Speaking of the Pirates, the Sabres Store is now carrying a few pieces of Portland merch. They have some blank jerseys, a hat, and player jersey t’s, featuring Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, and Mike Weber. I would’ve bought one (or two, or three) if they had one for Mancari, Funk, and/or Card…
And their game is going to be shown on the internet today (as they all are), so since I can only listen to the Bills and their power outage, I’m planning on watching them.
I’ll post again tomorrow, as I’m sure I can find something to write about.
