Tis’ a Good Morning.

Very few things can make me this happy before noon, but a little taste of hockey season this morning changes such.

I finally met Shelby, not that we didn’t know each other, but it was our first conversation without a computer or cell phone in front of us. She’s a lovely girl and, just in case there was concern, not a crazy killer with a knife or something.

Anywho, we received a tip that former and current Sabres, along with some random guys, practice at the Pepsi Center in the early am, so we ventured out to see them.

Sure enough, Adam Mair was there, because he doesn’t leave the city ever. Patrick Kaleta showed up, which was apparently his first time showing up. Petey was also there probably because he doesn’t know where else to go for the time being. Captain Rivet was also there, but he didn’t stay long, I’m sure his intense maturity level couldn’t handle it.

Oh! And Connolly! How did I forget him? Maybe because I’m not use to seeing him skate…

As for the FORMER Sabres, and we will ignore Michael Peca so it doesn’t damper on my excitement, there was this guy…

who I only recognized in the Team Canada jersey when he walked by me because of those beautiful eyes (and the goalie gear, but ya know). I was soooo excited, but I didn’t say anything to him inside the actual rink…aside from laughing when he tried to yell early, and Petey was pestering him saying ‘ ten more minutes!’ (Mr. Biron had a meeting at 11).

And there was also some Jay McKee guy who was not going to get much attention until he was OUT of that Penguins jersey. Honest to God, when he signed my puck, I was literally on edge of going ‘ why the Penguins?!’ But, I wasn’t sure he could take it in a joking way, because I adore Jay and I’m sure he made what he thought was the smartest move. Still…

I do hope that Marty was secretly happy that I had an Islanders puck (that I bought yesterday).

Just as Patty 2 must have been when I kindly filled up the water bottle that he threw over the glass to me.

And the excitement did last until the last minute because Marty had actually parked next to me in the parking lot.

We didn’t get out there with enough time to get a picture of such, but that did not stop me from getting one of the empty parking space.

HA!

Shelby and I do plan to venture out to the center in the next few days to see what other kind of trouble we can get into. Like free hugs…

Drabble.

I’d figured I’d get a few things covered as my last hour of work approaches.

1.) I should have mentioned this in Martys birthday post, because I don’t think I ever have before, but the entire title of this blog comes from him. Well, him and RJ, but either way. I’m sure this save isn’t news to anyone (though you young-ins may not recall when it actually happened. It’s okay, I don’t) here it is…

Part of being a great goalie, even if only for a moment, is not drawing attention to the fact that you have kick ass. Such as Marty pulling such a save out of his behind(I’m sure a constant wanderer, he has to be prepared for such things), and being like ‘ yeah, whatever’ moments after. I love it, and I love him.

2.) I truely think that a Drew Stafford contract is days away (only because they usually don’t sign on weekends). I cannot openly say WHY I feel this, but something is coming. That, and it’s mid-August.

3.) Mr. Grier sent us realllllly close to the cap space, so if Drew does sign- even without the pay raise he does deserve- it’s going to get messy. Someone may be going. And by someone I mean NOT Goose. Everyone else, sleep with one eye open (though I like to think Toni is safe, not sure why).

4.) I think Google sponsored links are on to Shelby and I.

If only they really could help! But we’re pretty sure we have him located now.

5.) I am still so sick of people saying Patty failed us when Ryan was hurt. I didn’t look up the exact number, but I know he only played a handful of games prior to the injury, and then becomes a starter. Yes, that is the backups job, but its the teams job to prepare the back up…such as playing MORE than five games before becoming a starter. He IS a good goalie…and somehow its always someone elses fault when Ryan blows a game. Ugh.

6.) I have a new happy picture! I stumbled across this one during…actually, I don’t know. Anyways, it makes me smile….

And hopefully does the same for you, as well.

It’s like Godzilla invading Japan or something.

Happy Birthday!

That’s right, folks! Today is Marty Birons 32nd birthday (hush up, you still love him). This time last year I was at a Dennys in Kingston, Ontario eating pancakes in his honor. I don’t think I’ll get such a chance to do that today, but this is just as good!

I went through my Photobucket saying I would post the first picture in there that I found. Other than the one announcing he signed with the Islanders (we don’t need to be reminded of that) this one came up first…

Seeing that should make your day better.

I believe the birthday boy is in Buffalo at the present time, so lets home he has a good Buffalo birthday without punching cabbies, or getting punched by Ray Emery (sorry).

Happy Birthday, big guy!

A Love Lost.

The Sabres broke my heart on February 27th, 2007 (and numerous other times, I’m sure, but this one was crucial).

It was the day, as many may know, that Marty Biron was sent to Philly…who won as many games as we lost that season. To say the least, I was heartbroken, and did everything I could to still adore him…including driving to Philly and back the same day, which resulted in 21 hours without sleep, mangled friendships, and a $400 speeding ticket.

Surely, I knew his time was running out. But Darcy said he was staying put until June (this was back when I still thought Darcy was telling the truth). Bottom line, it was terrible. I have pancakes every day on the anniversary, and still go on mild rants about it…etc.

Anywho, from then on I did my best to be a Flyers fan (shush it!) as well as be supportive of incoming Sabres back up goalies.

** For those who don’t know, my love for the back up goalie began when watching a Calgary Flames game (I BELIEVE they were playing the Flyers, don’t quote me though) and Cujo opened the door to the bench for someone, and I thought ‘ hey, back up goalies are supportive dudes, how adorable!’…and the rest is pretty much history**

Moving on…

Ty Conklin…it was never going to happen. He was the one who replaced Marty…like the horrid step-dad or something, so it wasn’t going to ever be a happy balance. Plus, he LOST to the Flyers and was only here for roughly six weeks. Should Miller have gone down, I would not have felt safe.

T-Bo…I think I liked him just because I was suppose to, like it was my duty as the back up goalie lover. I don’t think I ever went to a game where he played (then again, when Miller plays 76 out of 82 games, odds are against me) but I always gave him a boost when others wouldn’t. However, my friend did do a T-Bo dance in the airport parking lot after he shut out…a team, our last game that season.

Then, there was Patty.

Cue dreamy sigh.

I remember when hearing that we signed him, my friend Stephanie (the same one who did the T-Bo dance) texted me when I was sitting at a stop light on Niagara Falls Boulevard. She told me he was friends with Marty (not actually sure if thats true, but maybe French Canadien goalies just stick together) and I thought he had an amusing last name. So, I figured he deserved fair shot.

That August I saw a stick of his in an Ottawa hockey gear store…

But it took awhile for us to get going…he walked by me a few times in the Pepsi Center, and I was confused as to what to do (maybe it was because I wasn’t sure how to pronounce his last name, or maybe it was because I was still livid over Hank Tallinders choice of haircuts). I don’t remember the precise moment I met him, I think it was training camp (I should know this! I hate that I don’t!) I believe he signed the puck that is currently holding up the blinds on one of my window that Ryan Miller also signed.

It was probably that he’s French, or that he has curly hair, or that he’s just freaking adorable. But, it progressed throughout the season.

I was STOKED when he played against the Senators in October.

I made a shirt that says ‘ I heart the Back Up Goalie’ with his name and number on the back.

I wanted to give him a banana, and still plan to (he had a peel in his car one day and I figured he likes them?)

I collected old hockey cards of his that he claims made him feel old, and his Senators MacFarlene figure (minus the net) are on the top shelf next to my fabric softner.

I have his jersey! I have Martys too, but not his back up goalie jersey!

And now, numerous somewhat strong sources have told me that there are chances that he is coming back….

Then again, isn’t every former Sabre?

But I don’t know how I would handle it, if he did. I really think I’m too attached to Patty to let this happen (off my back, its 2 am!). We have a thing going, I don’t want to break it.

Because if Marty comes back, as Ryans back up…where does Patty go? Portland, where he will set Jhonas back as well? Trade him? he only has one year left on his contract (I love that he had the longest contract of any recent back up, I had hopes of him retiring here!).

Gahh!

I’m torn.

Was about time that damn economy affected me.