-dlc-

Refs with idle threats....pffft. Yes sure, ok, ice cop. Bring it.

Oh dear. No.

You sat too close to Kraken fans. That'll do it every time.

So no shutout? Is that what you're saying?

I really love this! So awesome!

Damn right. A REAL date on a Saturday night.

I mean, if she doesn't like hockey and, in particular, the Canucks she's probably a serial killer anyhow. Dodged a bullet there.

Are you kidding me? You won't know she's for you unless you check for scores....SHE should be checking for them. Then you know she's the right one. You can't hide hockey for long and eventually it just has to be introduced. Better to get it out of the way...I mean, what if she's a Leafs fan? You can save some money and take her to Tim Hortons then give her bus fare to get home.

We're a team like that again! Or maybe he's talking about one of the other 6 teams that have beat them this month?

My little and only brother is amazing. Super funny/quick witted, artistic, sharpshooter in hunting/pool (anything requiring aim), excellent golfer, top notch avid fisherman, fast pitch pitcher, etc. etc. Basically anything he ever did he was good at (like our Dad). We live 5 minutes away from each other but hardly ever see each other. Just how it is, we're busy with our own lives. Like any family, we've had our moments/head butts but the underlying theme is "got your back, always". Anyhow, he's not much of a Facebooker (always out there in the wild somewhere) but my daughter called to ask what was up with Uncle last night. ?? "He posted about you". He never posts and never ever about me. We hadn't been in touch for a few weeks, so wasn't sure what prompted it. Uh oh, am I in trouble? (thought maybe he was upset over all the Trevor Hanson hate I've been spewing....he's very good friends with his Dad...who even weighed in on his post I'd learn after the fact). But no, it was super flattering heart felt stuff. LOL, initially, I thought his wife had hacked his account (she's a beaut). I called him this morning.....lol "were you drinking last night?". He said "nope...I was with a friend and he were talking about you. We were flipping through pictures and stuff you'd done". My heart melted (I actually got teary). My brother's a bit of a rough and tumble outdoorsman so it caught me off guard. "I'm pretty sure I have the best and coolest sister in the world....prove me wrong!!! She's a little haywire sometimes (blame hockey) but she's so awesome" We don't share those feelings much, so it's huge for me. Not a confession per se, but wanted to share it. Life's short folks, take time to tell each other important things.

Alice in Chains Jar Of Flies in its entirety. Again. It's superb, start to finish. I never get tired of it....know every single word. And sing it. Sorry neighbours.

"yeah....but........"

It's not one thing though. And "the things" he's doing put our team in danger. High sticking one of your own? Dogpiling Petey? His lack of self awareness, at times, is very detrimental to our team. Also, he does NOT use his size to his advantage a good deal of the time. Slashing a guy who's getting around him is hardly playing great. I like him and want to be in his corner, but that's on him. He seems a step behind at times and has to be more "alert". Think ahead of the game. Kind of like driving defensively and always leaving yourself an out.

This: Sums up a good portion of our fanbase. Not saying there's not sufficient reasoning behind it....scars. But, at some point, you have to buy in. Especially if you're demanding that your team does. Let's all board the belief train.

It's kind of a nice problem to have, isn't it?

I mean, was there ever any real doubt about Hoglander? Watching as it all comes to fruition..... (I remember watching him in the World Juniors and thinking he was something special)

Oh for sure! Which is why I don't disagree with them pacing that to allow him to emerge rather than throwing him in the deep end. Let's face it, he's the type of player that opponents will target and he plays hard minutes out there so limiting them, at least at first, isn't all bad in my view.

This, to me, is what helps a team in an overall sense. An atmosphere that allows for this type of banter. Sure, it comes easier when you're winning but it can carry over when you lose too....to be reminded that you're in it together. I always find humour and sarcasm to be great team builders if you have the right mix. Burr, Bieksa, Kes demonstrated a lot of that and it was special. Becomes a true brotherhood....not just guys sitting beside one another on the bench. Love Cole and Hronek as additions to the team. JT is also one of those guys who uses comedic sarcasm that some take/took the wrong way.

I heard a great point somewhere about letting him drive his own line rather than having him caddy for others. Thought it summed it up nicely.

Gotta put #9 in there. He took a beating and just shook it off and kept battling hard out there.