Heh, my friend (and former suitemate) Sam asked for a photo for her birthday, so I took this picture for her this weekend (although the thought bubble is something I added today). ^_^
Anyway, in case you're curious, I'll identify the various jerseys pictured (starting from the green Western Conference one, going clockwise):
- 2004 NHL All-Star Game Western Conference (youth XL) - Buffalo Sabres dark (men S) - Vancouver Canucks "Mogilny 89" white skate (men S) - Toronto Maple Leafs "Kaberle 15" dark (youth XL) - Quebec Nordiques dark (youth XL) - Quebec Nordiques white (youth XL) - Colorado Avalanche white (men S) - Colorado Avalanche "Sakic 15" dark (youth XL) - Colorado Avalanche "Foote 52" third (youth XL) - 2002 NHL All-Star Game World (youth XL) - HC Rabat Kladno "Kaberle T. 15" dark (men XS) - HC Rabat Kladno "Kaberle T. 15" white (men XS) - Team Czech "Kaberle 15" dark (youth M) - Team Sweden "Forsberg 21" yellow (men S) - MoDo "Forsberg 21" dark (men S)
For those who aren't aware, I've got a bit of a "history" with Salo. It started with my first experience in a hockey pool. We were drafting online, and I didn't really know the players that well, so I was asking my friend Sam's opinion as to whether I should go with Salo or Belfour (this was his first year with the Leafs). He recommended Salo, so I went with Salo. And cried. It was through the hockey pool that I discovered that Salo is/was a very...unstable goalie. He'd have a short good streak which would get me all excited and renew my faith in him, then he'd totally suck until I decided to bench him (and of course by the time I decided I should play him again, he was back at playing poorly).
Then there was the playoffs. I was cheering for Edmonton because they were a young, exciting team, plus I absolutely despised Dallas (mostly because of Turco), and of course, Salo couldn't keep it together at key moments. Not that it was entirely his fault, but still...
Oh, and again in Vancouver, when I went during the Christmas break and saw the Oilers play the Canucks. I was really looking forward to being able to heckle Salo "Saaaaaalooooo, Saaaaaaalooooo" (and so on), but of course, he played well and the Oilers ended up losing.
I guess I've had this one-sided ove-hate relationship going on with Salo (I always seem to get his hockey cards, too) since early on in my hockey days. So yeah, how do I feel now that he's retired?
Well, I find it extremely sad that he's retiring because of "aching hips and dwindling motivation" (TSN.ca) I realize that a lot of players retire for similar reasons, but it just sounds so very sad coming from him phrased that way, and set in the context of the lock-out and his dimishing/diminished reputation of the last few years. As much as I've said it in a frustrated, mock-angry tone in the past, I do sincerely wish that he could've retired while he was still in his prime and highly regarded, rather than kind of fading the way he did.
Okay, so this really isn't particularly hockey related, except that I decided to wear my 2004 All-Star Game Western Conference jersey (it's green, if you forgot) to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! ^_^ I still need to get it customized (Joe Sakic--MVP! ^_^) but that's probably going to be a little while from now...
Oh, and Salo's supposed to announce his retirement today, I think. When he does, I'll probably write something here about that sometime afterwards. =P
Kaberle, p?eju vám všechno nejlepši k narozeneninám!
Woohoo! I felt like I needed to redeem myself with some Czech here after I bombed my Czech test today (I mixed and mixed up personal and possessive pronouns, forgot my numbers, and couldn't do the translations!)
I went with Steph to watch the Manitoba Moose play the Hamilton Bulldogs (in Hamilton, obviously). It wasn't a bad experience, but like Steph said, we've been spoiled by NHL (and international) hockey! ^^;;
The first three periods were actually rather sad. Auld let in a goal in the first 43 seconds, then another one with 1 second left in the period--giving Hamilton a 2-0 lead. Needless to say, he did not return in the second period. ^^;; At least Steph and I were in the right section--there were a bunch of Moose fans behind us, so they were also diasppointed by the Moose's showing.
Speaking of seating, I can't believe how cheap it is for good seats at the AHL level!! Including all the service charges, etc., I think I paid ~$46 for both tickets, and we were right in the center, THIRD row!! If only the action had been a little bit better, it would've been totally amazing! As it was, the hits really sounded quite impressive. =P
Some other fun stuff was that they actually gave out those inflatable stick things you bang together to make noise ("Bam Bams"). And Shoot for a Cure happened to be doing a charity auction, so in the second intermission, Steph and I went out to take a look. Steph almost won a Brad Richards autographed jersey, but there was a guy who bid after us, and he looked like he could afford a lot more, so she gave up. I bought two autographed photos for $7! Drury cost $2, and Foote, $5. Sure, the signatures were smudged, but the price was worth it even for just the photos! ^_^
But back to the game. The Moose, á là Canucks played really well in the third in their comeback bid. They had a really great chance with the extra attacker, but no luck. So then the Bulldogs got the empty netter and that was it. But at least they made it into a game at the end!
I took a bunch of pictures (plus I still have to post pics of my Kladno jerseys--I haven't forgotten!) but I've lent my friend my card reader, so they'll have to wait until I feel like "borrowing" my brother's. =P
