randomly chaotic and frequently mundane

Ok, I’ll admit it… I’m a Martin Skoula fan.? I have always thought that he had the ability to be a strong physical presence on the ice and an awesome defenseman.? I was so upset when I found out that he jumped from the NHL to the KHL.? Terribly upset.

So today I’m looking up game stats for Skoula and find out that he was in a fight.? WHA?? A FIGHT?? SKOULA?????? A quick search on youtube and I find this video.? Ok, it wasn’t the greatest fight, and he wasn’t exactly brawler of the week, but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Skoula fight.? HOLY CRAP!? Seriously Marty, where has that player been hiding????? I’ve always thought that there was something in his head that was holding the player in his heart back.? It looks like he may be starting to let that player out.? Please please please return to the NHL in the future with this attitude.? It would rock muchly.

so my Avs are out.? They lost in 6 games, but they didn’t give up.? I would have loved a 7 game series (even if it had the same ending) but that’s ok.? The Sharks are my 2nd favorite team, so I’ll be hoping that they make it all the way.? It would be nice to know that the team that eliminated my team was good enough to go to the Stanley Cup Finals…

currently, the Avs are at the tank, taking on the Sharks.? it’s a good game.? It’s going to be a good series.? As much as I want the Avs to win it, the Sharks are my best friends favorite team.? Whichever team wins this series… I hope goes all the way.

Oh, and it’s a beautiful thing to be watching the Coyotes beating the Red Wings (ok there’s like 9 minutes to go, but for right now, the Yotes are beating the Wings)

Traded Wolski????? Are you frakkin kidding me?? I just can’t wrap my head around that.? Wojtek Wolski???? Good lord that’s just insane.? That’s all I got to say for now.

The Olympics are of some interest to me.? Well the WINTER Olympics.? Actually, only a few events in the Winter Olympics: Men’s Hockey and Figure Skating.? That being said, I’d like to say GO USA MEN’S ICE HOCKEY TEAM and GO LATVIA MEN’S ICE HOCKEY TEAM.

Why Latvia?? My favorite player is from Latvia.? He’s playing on the team.? He’s the captain.? Karlis Skrastins is awesome, and I think he deserves? the joy of an Olympic Medal.

That’s right, I’m a bad girl.? I’ve dropped the ball on my playoff predictions and such.? At this point, I’d really like to see the Capitals go to the final.? And I’d like to see them go against anyone but the wings.? What?? Why are you laughing?? I’m an Avs fan… can’t be having the wings go to the final… that would be bad.? We don’t like when that happens.

So yeah, I haven’t been able to watch much playoff hockey.? That sucks.? But I have played the NHL 09 game on the Xbox 360 recently and REALLY enjoyed that.? It’s quite funny to see the player that is supposed to be me.? An aggressive, fighting defenseman who’s like 5′ 8″ or something with red dreadlocks (it was the closest thing to long hair the game offered).? It cracks me up everytime.? Gage is on the team, too.? I made him a nice tall grinder, who apparently scores a LOT of goals.? It’s awesome.? Xbox hockey is very interesting.? Lots of fun.

Ok, some of the playoff matchups I picked on earlier have been decided so let’s see where we’re at thus far, shall we?? For your convenience, I’m re-posting my picks here so you don’t have to scroll, along with the turnout if the series has ended already.

San Jose v Anaheim — Sharks. (thus far they’re down 3-2… go Sharks)

Detroit v Columbus — Detroit. Won, 4-0.? No surprise.? I wish the outcome WAS a surprise.? Cause that would mean the Blue Jackets won.

Vancouver v St. Louis — Blues. Nope. Vancouver swept the series.? REALLY?? Yeah, really.

Chicago v Calgary — Flames.? (The Flames are actually trailing 3-2 in the series.? When did Chicago figure out playoff hockey?????)

Boston v Montreal — Montreal.? Nope.? Boston swept the series.

Washington v NY Rangers — Rangers.? (Series tied at 3…)

New Jersey v Carolina — New Jersey.? (Series tied at 3…)

Pittsburgh v Philadelphia — Philly.? (Nope, Pens won 4-2)

Ok, so my Avs didn’t make the playoffs… let’s face it, they didn’t even get close enough to smell playoff hockey down the block.? Last in the Conference and 3rd from last in the league.? I’m glad they’ve fired the manager… I hope that new management will fix whatever the problem was.

Anyhoo… the playoffs start soon and it’s time for my annual picking of the teams I think will move on to the second round.? Here goes:

San Jose v Anaheim — Sharks all the way.? I actually think the Sharks might win the conference, if not the cup, to be honest.

Detroit v Columbus — I’d love to pick Columbus, but the smart hockey fan in me says Detroit is going to win it, unless they lay down like they did against the Ducks a few years ago…

Vancouver v St. Louis — I’m gonna go with St. Louis on this one.? Why?? I don’t really know.? I like the Blues.

Chicago v Calgary — I gotta take Calgary here.

Boston v Montreal — Montreal.? Why?? Um, couldn’t tell ya.? Just what pops into my head when I think of a matchup between them.

Washington v NY Rangers — Rangers.? Though I’d love to see Theodore move to the 2nd round, my gut tells me Rangers.

New Jersey v Carolina — New Jersey.? They’re a better team.

Pittsburgh v Philadelphia — Philly.? They’re still ticked off over losing the conference last season, they’ve got something to prove.

Ok, I’ll say it.? The Avs are really sucking this season.? I hate to say it, it tears me apart to say it.? But what the fuck?? It’s like they can’t buy a win lately.? Last in the conference last time I checked.? Oh my poor poor boys.? What is going on?? Alas.? I wish I could watch more games and maybe see what’s so bad this season.? Is it the coaching?? Is it the goaltending?? Are they just phoning it in?? Really… what is it?? I’m at a loss.? I’m heartbroken.

And I’m going to go out on a limb now and say that I think the Sharks are going to take the conference and possibly the cup this year.? It would be nice if the Avs made a playoff spot… but I’m not holding my breath.