6 Favorite Pictures Series: 2011 Playoffs, Round 1

Along with making graphics about my favorite American players and favorite overall players, I made a bunch of "6 favorite pictures", because for some reason on tumblr at the time, it was all the rage. These are kind of haphazardly picked, but I think they're fun nonetheless.

Game 1

Crying into Peverley Jersey..

Here is a preview of the game tonight.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRADE THAT SENT WHEELER AND STUART TO ATLANTA IN EXCHANGE FOR PEVERLEY AND SOME OTHER GUY. Like all great anniversaries, and in my cast, birthdays (yesterday), consider jumping off a bridge with me.

Now let's all hold hands and cry about the Peverley news.

The injury: 3rd degree sprain of the MCL in the right knee.

What does that even mean?: MCL is Medial Collateral Ligament; 3rd degree is a COMPLETE tear of the ligament. This type of injury may never quite heal, although it is the most comment ligament sprain of the 4 major ligaments in the knee. Read more in detail about confusing physiological medical stuff here.

This hit from Hal Gill did not even get reviewed by Shanahan. Cause knee on knee hits aren't dangerous at all...they don't end the careers of like, Cam Neely or anyone important.

Cause, of course, this hit wasn't dirty at all. Oh wait, have you seen this?

Don't forget - AT LEAST 4-6 weeks is the projected time Peverley will miss. But like I said, and the many google results for the search of MCL sprains, 3rd degree is pretty serious and can damage other parts of the knee (such as ACL and the meniscus). The stability of the knee will forever be weakened.

As I panic, I question if Peverley will be able to skate as fast as he can. 

At least we can rest knowing Hal Gill will forever suck.

Also, for reference, here are some clips of similar - if not exactly the same - knee-on-knee cheap shots (including 2 Ovechkins, several Matt Cookes, and I didn't even search for either of those players - also includes Ulf Samulesson hit on Neely).

My Game on 2/14 and other Recent Bruins Thoughts

(from bostonbruins.com)

As part of this previously established log of the games I have attended thus far this season, I will reflect upon the Valentine's Day game against the Rangers...ahh what a shit show. (Boxscore)

My Valentine/guest was my friend Cassie, who had never been to a game before. She was very excited, so I was very sad she did not even get to experience a goal. But she still seemed to have a great time, and I hope to bring her to a game again soon, hopefully a win...

She wore my Bergeron jersey, and then afterwards, bought me this teeny tiny shot glass mug for a birthday present (my birthday was yesterday)

"Hockey Stars Speak: Mark Recchi" (1996)

From the book "Hockey Stars Speak" by Stan Fischler (Warwick Publishing, Toronto, Los Angeles, 1996). Pages 145-154:

To describe Mark Recchi as likable would be a consummate understatement, but it is the first thought that comes to mind.

With a genuine, winning smile, the right win from Kamploops, British Columbia, has charmed both fans and media while playing first for Pittsburgh, then Philadelphia, and most recently Montreal.

I have interviewed Mark many times and invariably came away feeling better than I had before our discussion started. He's that kind of guy - gracious, warm, amusing, and thoughtful. It might very well be a function of his low-key beginnings.

Invariably regarded as "too small" back when he played Junior hockey in New Westminster and Kamloops, Recchi had his doubts about whether or not he would someday be given a chance by an NHL club. The Penguins finally plucked him 67th overall in the 1988 Entry Draft, and 3 years later, he was a 40-goal scorer in the bigs.

Win or lose, Recchi is completely lacking in pretension, unaffected by the trappings of a star. He appears to be just as well-liked by his teammates, which hardly comes as a surprise to those of us who have known him since his rookie NHL season, 1988-89. If, as the tune goes, a good man nowadays is hard to find, well, we've found one in Mark Recchi.

I was born in Kamloops which has since developed quite a reputation as a Junior hockey town. In terms of learning the game, my brother and I got a head start because our dad had been a goalie and had played organized hockey himself. He had a great love of the game from his own experiences and passed that on to us.

My first hockey experiences were on homemade outdoor neighborhood rinks. I'd just shoot the puck around, play some games and just generally have a blast. Fortunately, my father never pushed me into goaltending, although I was always fond of the big equipment goalies had. But that's as far as it got; liking the goalie equipment but not liking the position. I wanted to play up front where it was fun.

NHL on NBC Parody Promo

This is very outdated, but still hilarious!