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Stress Train? What Stress Train?
by IwoCPO on 01/24/08 at 04:12 AM ET
Comments (14)
Oh...like you didn’t know I’m kind of a reactionary. Yeah, I’m still stressed about the Zetterberg back issue. On the eve prior to a Cancun vacation, I kept my family awake discussing scenarios that would lessen the blow if Hank were to miss extended periods of time. Is the family happy with me? Oh no. Decidedly no. But are they more aware, better equipped to discuss certain items of importance to me while we’re all on vacation? Oh yes.
Hey. Happy about last night. Of course you are. It’s always fun to beat the Poultry, especially in their coop. I’m glad you’re happy. It warms me.
But…
...before you get too excited about one game in January, I’d advise you to read this column from the OC Register’s Mark Whicker. It’s actually fairly complimentary of the Wings. But it’s also a painful reminder of the Fluttering Puck From Hell and the frigging kick to the sack that Game 5 was last spring.
Todd Bertuzzi, now a Ducks winger, was among those who rode a silent Detroit bus that night.
“I don’t look back very much,” he said. “I just remember how well we (the Wings) played to get to that point. Not a lot of people thought we’d get past Calgary and San Jose in the first two rounds, so it was an accomplishment to get to that point.”
Babcock? Did he toss and turn all summer, haunted by the suspicion that the better team lost?
“The better team is the one that wins,” he said, with a thin smile. “Scott Niedermayer makes plays like that at the end of games. He made plays like that for me at the World Championships. That’s why he’s won everything.
“But I didn’t watch the first two games (of Ducks-Ottawa) and by then there wasn’t much left to watch. I think about Game 5 and the end of it, and the fact that if we just clear the puck out of our zone twice, we win that series. We were missing (defensemen Mathieu) Schneider and (Niklas) Kronwall and that was huge. But we had opportunities and it didn’t work out, so you go on.”
And on.
Read the rest here. Good stuff...mostly.
I’m off to Mexico. Don’t hate. I’ll be in the pool bar no later than 1500. Last time I was in a pool bar? Two years ago in Jamaica. You know what happens in a pool bar? Lots of people drink. You know what they don’t like to do? Get out. Do the math. Gross. Whatever. I’ll post when I can depending on connectivity South of the Border.
And, no, Gary. I won’t be watching the All Star Game. Ass.
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Comments
Enjoy your vacation! I will be drinking as well this weekend as I turn 21 on Saturday. 
Posted by Christy from Ann Arbor, MI on 01/24/08 at 07:36 AM ET
Christy, as someone that turned 21 a couple of years ago, and hasn’t been drinking very long, let me give you a piece of advice.
No matter what people like the Chief say (I kid, I kid), avoid cheap beer that tastes like it was fermented in an old man’s bladder, spend a few more bucks, and get something that tastes good.
You will be much happier having drank one or two brews with good flavor than you will waking up Saturday afternoon with a headache and the after-taste of what can only be described as bitter and sweaty Taco Bell in your mouth.
Now, if you’re drinking stuff garnished with mint, other green plants, or mini-umbrellas, I really can’t help you.
I suppose these comments are just inviting the Natty Ice- or Keystone Light-faithful among us… so have at it.
Posted by Nathan on 01/24/08 at 09:24 AM ET
Enjoy Mexico, Chief! It is freezing here in Colorado. It was 9 degrees this morning when I got in my vehicle. Happy marigaritas by the pool.
All last night’s game did is remind me how much I can’t stand Frankenstein (aka Chris Pronger) and Brad May and Todd Bertuzzi and Corey Perry and.... you get the point.
Christy, have fun this weekend. Happy Birthday!
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 01/24/08 at 10:33 AM ET
As someone who turned 21 well over a decade ago, let me offer this simple advice: make sure you’re with somebody you trust.
And not somebody like the Chief, a nice enough fellow with a bent to the mischievious. I mean somebody that knows you’ll hold ‘em responsible if something ‘funny’ happens to you, knows you’ll get ‘em back 10-fold and knows it most definitely will not be worth it.
Happy Birthday Christy!
As for you Chief, enjoy your damn vacation. You suck.
Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula, Michigan on 01/24/08 at 10:37 AM ET
Stay away from the Tequilla! You haven’t forgot already, have you?
Posted by Aaron from Phoenix on 01/24/08 at 11:43 AM ET
Happy Birthday, Christy!
And the high temperature this morning: 1 degree!
(Plus there were some windchill issues, and the snow is so cold it squeaks under your boots. Sun is out, though, so that’s a major plus!)
...make sure you’re with somebody you trust.
Amen to that. And never leave your drink unattended. If you need to leave the table and come back, get another drink. You don’t know what some jackass might put in it.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/24/08 at 12:40 PM ET
I agree, Chief. It’s just one game and we’re more than 15 points ahead of everyone else at the ASG break. It’s no use getting all worked up over one game against the Schmucks. I’m already looking forward to Jan. 30th against the ‘Yotes at the Joe (yes, that’s SIX days of rest for the Wings).
Christy, Happy Birthday! ‘Roque’s so very, very right about leaving your drink alone. It’s a reality here in Las Vegas with so many unsuspecting girls getting their drinks spiked with GHB (yeah, the “date rape” drug), Ecstasy, etc. Awareness of your surroundings is your best deterrent. Keep your wits about you and you’ll be home safe.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 01/24/08 at 01:04 PM ET
Christie, some more advice for your 21st.
If you have a favorite alcoholic bevarage, do not under any circumstances, drink it on your 21st. There is a strong likelihood that you will never be able to even SMELL it ever again, without your stomach churning. I speak from experience.
Posted by dougie on 01/24/08 at 02:09 PM ET
Christy, forget all of the other advice. (Except Baroque’s...that’s pretty good advice.) Saunter up to the bar, order yourself a long island ice tea and tell ‘em it’s your birthday. You only turn 21 once.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/24/08 at 05:54 PM ET
if you’re in Ann Arbor, i seem to remember Goodtime Charlie’s giving a free drink and some free food or something. it was college and i was drunk. nothing like an AA pub crawl. leading directly to AA.
Posted by Alex on 01/24/08 at 08:01 PM ET
Thank you all for the happy birthday wishes & tips/suggestions. Because of my knee and the pain meds, I can’t go real crazy on my birthday (although part of me definitely wants to). I’ll have to spread my alcohol intake throughout the day instead of concentrated in the evening.
I promise to be safe when I do go to the bars, which will happen a lot more once my friends actually turn 21 (I’m the first of the group).
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Posted by Christy from Ann Arbor, MI on 01/24/08 at 11:03 PM ET
I suppose these comments are just inviting the Natty Ice- or Keystone Light-faithful among us… so have at it.
No protest from me here, Nathan-- fine brews are my speciality. Card-carrying member of CAMRA and former Ashley’s regular-- that’s a tip for you, Christy, and ask if Nina is tending the bar when you’re in. If you mention that you come with Andrew Metz’s endorsement, you probably won’t pay for a single drink all evening.
No other advice here, except to learn mixology for fun and profit-- it makes you friends and keeps you out of too much trouble. Otherwise, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Here’s to another twenty-one years of BTJ.
NASN picked up the game from FSN West. I don’t know if anybody else saw it, or if it was mentioned on the chat, but the boneheaded announcers, in between explaining the simpler rules of hockey to bandwagoner SoCal’ers (Snoop Dogg anyone?), paused to watch Chris Lindstrom skate to the box and commented on how he doesn’t take too many penalties-- “That’s why he’s won two Lady Byngs!”
Man. AND the first period intermission had an interview with the punk-ass bitch Corey Perry. All I could hear was “He’s gonna get it. You tell him. Pavel, you’re gonna get it too.” What I wouldn’t give to shove a beer glass through that ugly face…
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the bar, throwing darts at a picture of Pronger on 01/25/08 at 01:02 PM ET
A day or two behind, as usual, but:
A very happy (and safe) BD to you, Christy!!!
And I see that some of the Wings’ will be vacationing in Mexico as well. Coincidence??? I don’t think so. They’re probably hoping to hobnob with one of the best bloggers around.
Posted by BobTheZee on 01/25/08 at 01:38 PM ET
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Chief, it’s 10 degrees here in Michigan. The ice on the lake is about 2 feet thick. So you have a gin and tonic for me, and soak up those rays.
Posted by w2j2 on 01/24/08 at 07:21 AM ET