Here we are, at four. That’s fewer names than you’re allowed on your “island”, your “celebrity five” or your “get out of monogamy free card”, whatever you call it. (Unless you are me. I’ve been know that say, “Sid is the list.”)

Click for larger version

Carey Price v Sidney Crosby

You love Carey Price. I don’t get it – or I’ve never really tried – so this one will remain a mystery to me! Stamkos fared slightly better than Bergeron, Faulk or Ericksson, which is to say that he got more than 35% of the vote. And so Price moves on confidently.

I think he can hear me blogging.

If Sidney Crosby hadn’t won, I would have tampered with these election results. Trust me, I am not above a little espionage to keep things right with the world! Luckily, while twenty-nothing-year old Aaron Ekblad made a surprisingly strong show (39%!), Crosby won this fair and square.

It’s all the things.

Now, you must choose. I won’t tell you what to do…

Subliminal messaging

Or who to vote for…

It’s not my fault he looks like this.

But I trust you’ll do the right thing.

Be his wingman any day.

KIDDING! Well, not really, but here are some Carey Price gifs to balance the universe and deter charges of election tampering.

He does look like a nice guy.

I mean, the man can wear a scarf.

Who’d probably bring you coffee.

And not every guy looks good in a belt buckle.

Yeehaw.

Tyler Seguin v Jamie Benn

It was always coming down to this. Entire fictional/aspirational lives are built on just such a conundrum – Peeta v Gale, Edward v Jacob, Ron v Harry, and presumably a great many that exist outside young adult books, but not with this kind of angst. I mean, they’re BEST FRIENDS. They are a set. And they’re possibly more in love with each other than they could ever be with you.

They can’t make us choose.

Tyler faced a worthy opponent in Zach Parise, who got a whopping 44% of the vote. I am shocked! But only one winning smile can win the day. Jamie struggled early, but ended up beating Gabe the Babe with 64%.

Now, by choosing only one of Tyler or Jamie, you could choose none – because they’d likely choose each other. Or you could destroy this fanfic-worthy bromance and ruin everything. That’s right, with just one click.

Life is hard.

So, Tyler?

He knows who he’d choose. Or does he?

Or Jamie?

Come on, just a little?

Left?

All about that bass (layer) – or not.

Or Right?

Need a ride home?

Cake?

Dessert-related. We’re not picky.

Or Death?

Not quite the same.

Man, that is tough. Seguin is a human gif-machine but Benn is so adorkable. Either way, can you really lose?

VOTE HERE: NHL Man Madness Final Four

The poll will be open until Noon EST Friday. As they say: vote early, vote awesome!

]]> http://whatsupyasieve.com/2016/03/30/nhl-man-madness-final-four/feed/ 2 http://whatsupyasieve.com/2015/11/11/stars-in-2016/ http://whatsupyasieve.com/2015/11/11/stars-in-2016/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2015 16:48:30 +0000 http://whatsupyasieve.com/?p=22413 It’s election time in the US – wait, not really. We have another year of this crap! But one hockey squad isn’t missing the chance to fast track their big campaign: The Dallas Stars really want to be your favorite team.

Campaign Strategy #1: Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have all the points.

All the points that are not Patrick Kane’s, that is.

Combined, Seguin & Benn have 44 points in 16 games. The calculator tells me that is 2.75 PPG. Common sense tells me that is a LOT.

Seguin is averaging 1.43 PPG through 16 games. Last season he played a 1.1 PPG pace all year, ending with 77 points. There’s still a long way to go, but when we think of Tyler, we think “performance.”

Silence Fives, a Ten is speaking.

Benn won the Art Ross Trophy last season in a mad finish line dash, scoring four points in the Stars’ last game, beating Tavares by one point and Crosby by three. Last season, Jamie had 5 G in the first 15 games, and ended with 35. So far, with 10 G in 16 games, we’re looking for a 70 G -ish season.

Okay, even he probably can’t do that. But his 0.673 GPG average this season would be 51 G. No problem, right?

Seguin’s Twitter is like Charlie the Unicorn Goes to Candy Mountain

Really, it’s all summed up in this photo from Shattered Lens Photography.

What does it feel like, waking up knowing you have exactly 5x more assists than the average NHL player?

This beard looks like a disguise to fool facial recognition software on The Blacklist.

Probably the same way it feels to wake up looking like this.

Bless the media section of Seguin’s website.

That’s Campaign Strategy #2: Jamie Benn World Takeover

At the Stars’ season ticket holder event, 10/1/15

Tyler Seguin’s no surprise – if you haven’t seen all his handsome rogue-ishness or heard “I Knew You Were Trouble” when he walked in, you’re not paying attention. Jamie Benn is the dark horse, the sleeper; warming to his role as not-so-sidekick with all the slow charm one expects of Texas. He’s tapped a natural resource and now we’re all getting rich.

Even if he doesn’t know much about Dallas… [Sportsnet video: Know Your City]

You play hockey, we’ll read books.

Not that we don’t still appreciate Tyler. He’s making kids happy, making rubber ducks blush (I mean really) and ruining the romantic futures of 16-year old girls.

She just broke up with Chip from homeroom on Facebook.

If she’s from Dallas, Tyler could use a tutor. [Sportsnet Video: Know Your City]

Got the one about the swingers’ club, though. Natch.

Campaign Strategy #3: Winning Often

It’s one thing for a top line to score. That team can still lose a lot of games. But the Stars currently sit in 3rd, with the same number of points as the 2nd place Rangers (who’ve won six in a row/barf). They’re 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and, so far this season, Dallas’ victories are by an average of 2.1 GPG. Benn & Seguin’s point totals account for only 15% of points recorded by the Stars this season – the love is spread around. (Their combined 19 G, though, equal 34% of the Stars offense.)

I see my team squeaking in there…

Campaign Strategy #4: Ticket Prices

Okay, no one campaigns for this. But the average lowest StubHub price for a ticket to the next 10 Stars games is $15.40. You can get in the door for less than the cost of a parking pass. You could see Intern Jeff Skinner from the 100-level on 12/8 for $37. The highest in-the-door cost is, sensibly, to see the NHL-leading Montreal Canadiens. At $25. There are expensive seats, of course, but if you’re only mildly interested in hockey (such people do exist), this could be your introduction. Parents can take their kids. Or, like when I was little, kids can take their parents!

I really hope people take advantage of these prices. It won’t last, not if the Stars’ success does, but it’s the perfect opportunity to grow the fan base while they’ve got something super to watch.  Something like…

Best Reddit reply to this video: “Just ask him out already!!! It’s like the last 10 minutes of a young adult novel.”

Now that would be Campaign Strategy #5, just sayin’.

UPDATE: Campaign Strategy #652, courtesy of @RunsonDuncan:

Please be real, please be real…

We here at WUYS hold a few truths to be self-evident:

1) Cabbie for President – of a made-up country we start because he can’t actually be our President, as a Canadian. This is in the fine print somewhere.

2) The Dallas Stars want to be your favorite team.

3) Tyler Seguin is an excellent liar. We assume he only uses this when necessary, but that boy could sell you a bridge.

4) Jamie Benn, not so much.

5) And finally, moms are the best. Every one, every time.

Feel free to cut the end off this video, play it for your own parents and announce, “Meet my fiance!”

But you haven’t actually met him, so…

Thank you to @charlieryan58 for sending this!

Enjoy a throwback Valentine: Cabbie and the Oilers PUPPIES with Actual Puppies

If asked for two words to describe Tyler Seguin, Chuck would use “dude” and “perfect.” She is sedated after seeing this on vacation, so allow me….

First of all, Dude Perfect is – as advertised – a group of five guys and a panda.  One guy has a gingerbeard.  Before we even get to Jamie & Tyler, we know this is going to be right up our alley.

The ensuing competition of ridiculous challenges confirms what Dallas Stars World Domination HQ has been shilling for months: Tyler and Jamie are more talented, more fun and better looking than your team.

This actually came on TV as I was writing.

And they know it.  We see you, Obviously Rhetorical Question answered silently by Tyler’s expression:

These two giggle more on camera than you will watching and they shamelessly hug everyone within arm’s reach .  Tyler bounces a rubber duck off his skate blade.  Jamie scores a diving goal with a pumpkin.  Can I buy this at Starbucks?

Obviously each drill was completed flawlessly on the first take, including the Despicable Me Minion Fart Blaster duel (I have one of this in my office for serious occasions).  No editing or magic of Hollywood needed here.

Jamie wins the competition, even with a one point deduction for how slowly he realizes that balancing the ball on the cup is the point of that game.  Tyler isn’t really trying – he just assumes there are bonus points for how often he manages to flash his abs.

What, no prize for this?

The actual prize?  Our hearts.  Oh, and a six pound milkshake which 1) I have had and 2) can be purchased in Annapolis.  Stop by on your victory tour, Benn.

I’d say more teams should invite Dude Perfect in, but I’m not sure they can all handle it.  Perhaps Dude Perfect could just stick around to consult on the Stars’ multimedia efforts all season, since you’re halfway to buying a Jamie Benn jersey already.

Thanks to @J.Rho for pointing out that I forgot to include the BONUS FOOTAGE video.  Probably because Mr. Pants & I actually joked about being PB&J for Halloween this year, and I know Tyler and Jamie would do it better.

There’s a game I like to play with Lindsay and Alison. I call it:

Inner/Outer monologue or Tomorrow’s Blog Post?

In today’s episode: my reaction to watching this video.

FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, WEAR A TIGHTER SHIRT, JOHN!  And in Islanders colors, of course.  He’s like an Ice Girl.  I had to pause and rewind so many times it wouldn’t let me stop the video again.  

Then I got to Intern Jeff and had a fit of hysterical, boy band-induced laughter. The video promises someone named Matt Bollard, who Alison pointed out looks a lot like David Clarkson.

I may be certifiably insane.  I checked my work email on the way out the door and saw the biggest, hugest, horriblest project that came through for my coworkers to do while I’m gone.  Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.  Then give me John Tavares in sweat-wicking Lycra and Crosby with a tan.  

Nate keeps going faster so he can almost brush Sid’s arm.  WE ARE ON TO YOU, KID. WE INVENTED THAT MOVE.

Sweet mercy, a child who is shorter than the caution tape barricade.  My ovaries just collapsed like a souffle.

Please explain something: how do these people keep their hands to themselves?  Is caution tape all it takes to keep Canadians in line?  They’d have to put me in a cage and I’d still get out, with limited power of speech and no pants on, like Planet of the Apes.

John has barely been seen all summer, the suddenly THIS. He went away a few months and came back remodeled like Extreme John Makeover. And riding in the back with the bags, natch. Could it be that Crosby is getting edged out of his Matt Duchene bromance by John? Could Matt be any more like, well, me?

Clearly our work as John’s publicists/wardrobe consultant is getting results. If you’re going to wear jeans and long sleeves in summer, let it be this:

Can we win an award for this? Is that award a go at Phil Kessel’s closet?

Remember, started from the bottom belted khakis:

Now we here:

John looks so good that Matt isn’t sure how to stand next to him. We aren’t sure how to make it to October! And of course, we don’t want John to get too cool and stop saying “darn” or anything. Just stick with us and these jeans, kid.

Dancing.

Toews/Kane Dance Off 2014 [video]

Shooter McGavin.

(If you’re a Lightning fan, this is easy.  Stamkos would bust out a perfect Step Up dance routine [circa Channing Tatum, of course], complete with his shirt either open or off.  For the rest of us, well… maybe “hands in pockets” will become to new dance craze.)

At least Sid caved to the selfie pressure first.

Pretty good for a rookie.

There were myriad other highlights of the BHC2014, not the least of which was Brad Richards sitting alongside the dancing like that really uncomfortable lady with the rowdy friends in the front row at Thunder From Down Under, judging the distance between herself and the nearest emergency exit.  He’s thinking, “Remember that time I made $12 million a season and did’t dance?  Not for $2 million, new friends.”

There’s a cap on this empty bottle, isn’t there?

While we didn’t attend BHC2014, I think we’re ready to make a bold statement based on thirty minutes of Tumblr research: this is the summer that Patrick Kane officially became more attractive than Jonathan Toews.

Say that again, into this mircophone.

Am I wrong?  Since Kaner started cleaning up his act (not too much, please) and keeping his hair under control, not to mention wearing the heck out of a golf shirt, Toews has been running to catch up.  Oh he’s fun now!  Jokes about his grumpiness, couples Halloween costumes: Jon has really made an effort.  There are matching contracts, his-and-his Conn Smythe trophies, but is it too little too late?  Watch the dance video again.  When it comes to the inevitable Zoolander-style Walk Off, who is your money on?

What did she say? All I hear is that cash register sound.

Meanwhile, can we get said walk-off confirmed for next year’s BHC agenda?  And when do tickets go on sale?

gif from toews-rage.tumblr.com

You know what that means?

More of this!

And this!

And hopefully much MUCH more of this!

#SquatsSoHard

#HatTip to Tyler and Co. for even making the playoffs and for holding their own against the Ducks. I’m sure that Seguin would rather still be playing hockey, but I think that he’s gonna just fine.

Also fine (both literally and figuratively) – Jamie Benn.  Seguin’s life partner will no doubt be spending his summer making Pants I and fall more in love with him.

Bless your heart, Instagram.

We are girding our loins in preparation for what Mr. Seguin and social media holds for us this summer.

This is actual quote.

Judging by the photos above, I think we’re off to a great start.

It’s our First Foxy Friday of the Year and we’re starting it off right.

It all actually started in 2013 when there I was,  just minding my own business, drinking a glass of delicious scotch, talking on the twitter, when WUYS reader @sarahconnors drops this Foxy Friday bomb on me.

“WHO THE HELL IS THIS?”, I exclaimed. “IS HE REAL LIFE? I don’t believe you.”

Yes it is, friends.  And his name is Roman Josi.

The Swiss are known for a few things – Chocolate. Emmental cheese. Political Neutrality.

Devastatingly handsome hockey players is not one of them.

Until now.

God Bless Switzerland.

The 23-year-old Swiss went pro in 2006 with his hometown team, Schlittschuh Club Bern.  In 2008, the 6’1″ defensemen was selected by the Predators in the 2nd round (38th overall) in the NHL Entry Draft.  

While he is fairly new to the NHL season (only having made his debut in 2011), Josi has represented Switzerland in number of international competitions, including the 2010 Olympics and the 2013 Hockey World Championships, where he was named MVP.

This season, Roman has 12 points.  He is also -14, but when you look this good, does it really matter?  With this visage, I really don’t want him taking any unnecessary pucks to the face.

Besides the glaringly obvious, what else makes Roman Josi worthy of this Foxy Friday honor?

He likes long walks on the beach, followed by meditation while staring off in the middle distance.

His best friend can beat up your best friend.

Couple of years in Nashville and already he’s turning into a cowboy.

Euro Cowboy

His cornhole game is as tight as his pants.

Are those cornhold bags in your pockets, or are you just happy to see me?

 He wears a deep v like it meant to be.

No man like this should ever be alone in a photo booth. EVER.  I volunteer!

I bet this is what he looks like on Sunday mornings, after he’s made you breakfast in bed. A bowl of muesli with some yogurt, fresh fruit, and French-press coffee, natch.)

Roman Josi is undeniably and unapologetically foxy.  And unapologetically Swiss.   

Moooooo hmmmmm

On this Let’s just take a pause for a moment to appreciate the masculine beauty of this man.

No, he is not a figment of your imagination or some sexy hallucination.

This is a real life, flesh and blood human being.

Roman Josi, people.

Straight Up Life Ruiner.

 You can follow Roman on the twitter at @rjosi90

If you can’t hold a puppy or a baby, the next best prop for maximum cuteness is Evgeni Malkin.  I swear, if I baked a cake and that cake took a shelter dog for a walk under a double rainbow if could not be more adorable than this:

Unless it was this – Malkin gives Neal one more hat .   And I am a chalk outline on the ground.

Is that a 71 GENO shirt? I want that.

Nealmobile had a good weekend.  He scored the OT GWG on Friday night [video], had a hat trick and  5-points last night, didn’t attack anyone, etc.  Geno, who’s sidelined with a knee injury, is also making excellent use of his time.

Here’s last night’s goal-fest:

It was Neal’s 4th career regular season hat trick (plus 1 vs. Ottawa, 2013 playoffs).  The girl who threw her bra on the ice after Taylor Hall’s 4th career trick was not in attendance, but I’d rather have Geno’s hat anyway.

While it’s true that the Pens PR team is killing it here, and James is obviously reading this blog for additional strategies to win back the hearts of fans, mostly he’s reminding Pens fans (read: me) what he does best: have great hair.

Intermission Hair of the Millennium

I’m kidding!  He scores goals.  He wins games. Helps a team that always seems to be down at least one superstar reach, and stay at, the top.

The Eastern Conference took so long getting ready for these standings that we almost cancelled our date.  Now the Pens are only 2 points out of first, the Bruins are right behind and even the Bolts, after 7 weeks without Stamkos, are in the top 10.  We may be late bloomers but we’re looking good today.

More post-game from last night in which James tries not to be too excited over playing alongside Crosby, lest Geno get jealous.

In case you’re not sold on Malkin, allow us to present:

Evgeni Malkin takes a shower.

Translation & behind-the-scenes video at Puck Daddy.

Yes, that’s Evgeni Malkin, Part Time Model.

Foxy Friday: Evgeni Malkin (Sept 2012).  During the lockout, I calculated it was 16,392 miles from my house to where Geno was playing in Russia.

And the coup de grâce: EvgeniMalkinwithAnimals.tumblr.com.

Since pretending to work is pointless today, enjoy some more Pens coverage. Hopefully you’re off tomorrow to see the 1 PM game.

• Sid talking hockey after his GWG.  Zero antics, predictably. [video]
• Poor Dan Potash.  If he’s not getting every interview interrupted by a crazy Russian Muppet, he’s getting taped to his camera guy by an enthusiastic French goalie. [video]
• Newest episode of In the Room, where Neal is mic’d, he & Sid bicker and Geno makes nice (3:00 mark).

Happy almost 2014!

Kane and Toews Face Off – ESPN Magazine

What is this? Is this dancing?

Get low, Captain.

The story about Kane waking Toews up in Toronto then falling dead asleep while Jon’s wide awake and fuming – welcome to my life, people.  These two might as well be married because that is my real life with Mr. Pants every day.

This made me so happy I’m going to read it again.  Thanks guys, and thanks to Ellie (@hockeyfied) for making my day.

And totally crush-worthy.

This week’s honoree has got it in spades.

So let’s look at the reasons why Barty gets this week’s honor (besides his obvious awesomeness)

In the pantheon of NHL defensemen, Bartkowski does get instant name recognition (not yet at least).  The 25 year old defenseman is in his 1st full NHL season and along with Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton, is leading the wave of up and coming Bruins’ blueliners.

I’m Polish. He has a Polish last name.  Now, I don’t know if he is Polish like I’m Polish, but I bet my Babcia wouldn’t mind if I brought him home for dinner.  I hope he likes pierogi and kielbasa.

He is a Pittsburgh native (Mt. Lebanon, to be specific).  While the Pens aren’t my team, I do like their city. Especially the maple bacon donuts from Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. Who am I kidding? I LOVE these mini pieces of heaven.

We could eat them together as we ride the city’s incline trains.

His budding bromace with Torey Krug.  Watching this love story develop is really quite beautiful.  It’s like a really good Hallmark movie…except with more hockey and less dying or drama.

To see more of their love, check out episode 3 of “Behind the B”. There is a car-sing long.  To Rush, no less. #epic #nerdtastic 

Fashion.  It don’t mean a thing to him. He’s a simple man.

We appreciated a man who takes the time to learn our language.

Who got the FLOW? Matt got the flow.  And it’s amazing.

Matt Bartkowski, ladies and gentleman.  I’m crushing.  Hard.  If this was high school, I would now be doodling Matt + Chuck 4-eva on my trapper keeper and finding out ways to get him to ask me to prom.

What James’ new official site does not have is a section dedicated just to this:

Or this:

So I still have some work to do.  The site does feature a Fan Club application that asks “Who is your favo(u)rite NHL player?”  I tried, I really tried to type “N-E-A….” but it just came out…

CROSBY.  Sorry James!  Lindsay said Stamkos, he’s not even on your team!

Speaking of the Penguins captain and this weekend, Crosby scored his 250th goal right on cue to prevent the Islanders from a comeback win.  (Er, sorry Tavares.  It’s crowded in here today.)

The mustache is still happening.

Don’t be afraid to look at it.

But down the bench, my favorite bromance was being rekindled in a big way.

Nealmobile had 2 goals and 2 assists on the weekend, including setting up Geno on a slump-busting goal to end a 15 game dry spell (worst of his career).  That’s what friends are for.

Geno returned the favor Saturday night with an are-you-kidding-me up ice rush delivered right to Neal’s doorstep.

Oops, wrong graphic.

See Geno go into the boards and James rush to his side?  My panicked reaction exactly.  Luckily Malkin was fine, just needed a little #18 TLC on the bench.

James had all the Pens goals in their game vs. Montreal on Saturday, sadly it was not enough to get the Penguins out of their own way and they lost 3-2.

Malkin was named the NHL’s #1 star of the week, with 1 G/7 A to lead all players. The Pens won 3 of 4 games and have 30 points, putting some distance between themselves and the Caps, currently 2nd in the Metropolitan Division with 26 points.

It’s Penguins vs. Bruins tonight, and a Penguins win would tie them (in points, but not record) for first in the East.  Chuck and I will be madly texting other people and ignoring each other obviously over social media, beginning at 7 PM.

See you there.

Foxy Friday: Patrik Berglund

The boring stuff – Born 1988 (aged 25).  6’3″, 220 lb C/LW drafted 25th overall by the Blues in 2006.  In his very young NHL career, he has a respectable 93 goals & 99 assists.

The foxy stuff –

– Those dimples.  Oh sweet baby Jesus, the dimples.

– His adorable bromance with TJ Oshie.  #Oshberg

– He’s not afraid to be a little silly.  We love silly.

Tell me you like my hat.

– Hmmmm…tattoos.

– Deep love and appreciation for fuzzy, adorable animals.  (I’m sensing a theme this week.)

– He poses just like I do in photos.  Tyra would be proud.

Werk.

Fierce.

 – He can tickle the ivories.

I think I speak for us all when I say that I’m glad Patrik has seen the error of his ways and parted ways with this hair style.

The hair is very Johnny Rzenick-Goo Goo Dolls.  But in Patrik’s defense it was 2006, he was 18 years old, and he’s European.  We certainly can’t judge anyone for their hair style choice at 18.

Glad to see he’s grown out of what can only be described as is “awkward” phase and taken his place among his fellow countrymen and Foxy Friday brothers.

Damn it, Sweden!

You’re doing it right.  So very very right.

But unfortunately it is not.

Game 6 really did happen.

The Bruins really did lose.

That stupid totem fell over.

What happened on Monday night was like a punch to the solar plexus.  All your air expelled from your body so rapidly, leaving you desperate to catch your breath while your lungs burn and struggle.

Since that night, I’ve taken the time to reflect on it all and I’m now at a point where I can talk about it without getting all teary-eyed.   The melancholy has faded and been replaced by an overwhelming sense of pride in my hockey club.

Despite the horrible way that it all ended, I still love this Bruins team.  In fact, I love them even more than I did at the start of the season.  They showed a grit, determination, and unity of which they, their fans, and the city of Boston should be exceptionally proud.  They bared their heart and souls and laid everything out there on the line.  They got their chance at the Cup.  But it just wasn’t meant to be.

Thank you, Patrice Bergeron, for just being amazing and perfect.  Seriously.  Even Pants (who hates the Bruins with the fire of a thousand suns) will admit that she respects #37.   His man is without a doubt the heart and soul of this Bruins team.   Patrice Bergeron is the sun, the rest of the Bruins, the planets which orbit in his golden glow.

Bergeron is not the flashiest player, nor is his visage is not posted in the windows of the NHL store.

But there is no denying that he is one of the fiercest competitor in the NHL.  He played Game 6 with a separated shoulder, a broken rib, AND torn rib cartilage.

Do you know what a broken rib feels like?  Imagine that every time you take a deep breathe in or out, it feels like you are being stabbed with a knife.

So, ya…that’s fun.

In countless post game interviews, the Bruins players talked about how much they loved each other and what it was to play together.  We joke about the Seguin/Marchand bromance, but it seems as though the whole Bruins team was just one big collective bromance.

This is a team that was virtually unchanged since their 2011 Stanley Cup win.  That run a mere two years ago solidified this unbreakable bond.  I imagine that the Bruins are much like a band of brothers who in war time would give their heart, soul, and lay down their lives for each other. Just look at Gregory Campbell.

I can’t take anything away from what the Hawks did in this lockout shortened season.  From the get-go, the Hawks were the best team in the league.  If anyone deserved to win, it was them.

Their history making win streak to start the season set a pace and expectation that the Hawks ultimately lived up to.  They stumbled a bit, had some hard-fought playoff series wins, and while it wasn’t perfect, the shiny fruit of their labor is all that really matters.

As much as I want to hate the Hawks, I can’t.  They are an exceptional hockey club and it would be foolish of me as a hockey fan to deride them and their obvious talent simply because they beat my beloved Bruins.

I think what makes it all so heart-wrenching is how it all went down.  With so little time left and the Bruins within reach of forcing a game 7, the Hawks came in like some magicians and swiped that tablecloth from right underneath my good china.  It all went crashing to the floor, shattering into a million little pieces.

I’m starting to glue the pieces back together, but it is  going to take me some time.  Like all summer.

The post-game interviews…I still can’t watch.  The thought of teary-eyed Tyler Seguin and sad panda face Patrice Bergeron is all too much.   I just want to reach through the screen and pull them in for a great big hug.

If only game 6 had been 58 minutes instead of 60 – what would have happened then?

Maybe game 7 would led the Bruins to the Cup or maybe the outcome would have been exactly the same.  It is impossible to know.

What I do know is that this is a Bruins team that is something truly special.  We’ll have to see what the off-season has in store for us.  Who will come and who will go?

But come October, you know where to find me.  Decked out in my Black and Gold, ready for another run at the Cup.

It was a big game for #TeamEbs and the reunited Kid Line in St. Louis!  Jordan had two beautiful goals.  He almost scored his first NHL hat trick on a breakaway, but he and Taylor heard  @amandalitty was having a tough day and let #TeamHall score it on the rebound.  That’s what friends are for.

Remember when Ebs told Cabbie that his To Do List included, “Get in a better fight than Nuge” this year?  THAT WAS A JOKE, RIGHT?

Goals, like drinks, make guys think they can do crazy things. 

The Oilers got all 3 goals on the first 7 shots – they had only 19 in the game, compared to 43 by St. Louis.  YIKES.  That’s why the three stars were:

With so much talent, it’s tough to believe Edmonton ranks 12th in the West and 22nd overall.  The Kid Line has just 19 total goals on the season.  The Oilers are tied (with NYR) for 26th on offense, averaging 2.34 goals per game.  Their defense is middling (18th), giving up 2.75 goals against/game – but the bigger issue is shots.  Edmonton gives up more than any team in the League – 33+ per game.  That’s a lot of reliance on goaltending and a lot of time in the wrong zone.

We need more of this:

.gifs by toewslake.tumblr.com

Throw in some Schultz and Gagne, Yakupov and Hemsky, shake and voila: boyband hockey hugs.

.gif by cali-canuck.tumblr.com

I said it before the season started and I’m saying it again: The Oilers are going to make the playoffs (for the first time since ’06 when they lost in the Cup final to Carolina).

First, it was just casual hanging out.  Maybe a Tuesday night happy hour, catch a movie in English with both French and German subtitles that cover half the screen (actual Swiss moviegoing experience).

It was nothing to break up a long-term relationship over.  Everyone knows Seguin never calls before the three day mark anyway.

Then hockey started:

And it was like magic.

ACTUAL magic.

Suddenly, Patrick and Tyler are Lockout Life Partners.

There are date nights involving sawdust and shorts.  Just two guys in matching outfits learning how to wrestle.  It’s perfectly normal.

We all knew that Kaner & Seguin vs. the World was going to be something special.  But did we ever think it would be true love?

Don’t hate the player, hate the lockout.

So it’s no surprise that at the end of a night, from the bottom of a bottle and again in matching shirts, it all came down to this.

Poppin’ buttons, er… bottles.

Go ahead and scroll back up.  Zoom in even.  Somewhere in North America, Toews is doing the same thing while polishing his death stare for the next NHLPA meeting.

In fact, Tazer’s on an Interpol watch list now as a potential threat for an international incident.  P & T are rubbing it in his face, Tweeting and Instagramming and actually playing hockey together.  Jonathan’s been dumped with #nofilter in that awful last-call moment when they turn on all the lights.

Whoever’s hip you’re grabbing at that time of night…

New shoes, plaid shirts, no problems.

Maybe Toews will rebound with a new BFF, someone on this side of the pond, to show ’em all Kaner’s not the only one who can play the field.  Take a few steps up the 1-to-10 scale himself.  Got anyone in mind, Jon?

At least they could borrow each other’s jeans.

PKane better be careful when he comes home, because what happens in Switzerland is getting us all through this lockout.

Maybe we could just move there?  If this is what they get a guy for his birthday, imagine what they’d have for us.

Oops, not that one…

WE MEANT THIS, YOU GUYS.

It’s hard to be the man, Patrick.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR HALL.

(That sound you hear is Amanda and Jess crashing to the floor.)

Since Taylor’s living and playing in the US, his 21st birthday is a big deal.   We hope he makes good decisions, or documents everything on social media.

Either way.

If you focus all your energy on something in a sci-fi movie, you can move it with your mind.  If you focused the combined energy of this blog in the last three weeks, you could float yourself the Oklahoma City Barons.  It seems only fitting that Taylor makes this blog by popular demand.

Taylor’s off IR for that shoulder injury and scored 38 seconds into his first game as a Baron on November 2.  He also took a late-game 5-minute major + match penalty for a check to the head.  The penalty was reversed and Taylor was not suspended.  He has 3 goals and 1 assist in 5 games for the Barons.

If the NHL ever comes back, Taylor will start the 2013 season on a 7-year, $42 million contract.  That’ll fill those seats.  Selected #1 overall back in 2010, he has a career 49G and 46A in 126 games over two seasons with the Oilers.

He’s also part of our favorite present day boy band:

They’re even well-respected by other musicians, such as Snoop Dogg.

When he’s not playing hockey, Hallsy and his Barons teammates ride their bikes around Oklahoma City.  BIKES.  I know Middle America isn’t the healthiest place on Earth, but I find it hard to believe the fangirls can’t run faster than he can pedal.

Taylor’s a hit on Twitter (@hallsy04) – seriously, he’s so sassy he should blog for us.  We don’t care if he can’t spell.  He’s also on Instagram.

You can follow his Movember, um… progress.

Things around here have been quite heated in the Eberle vs. Hall Dream Date Debate.  While Chuck and I agree (gasp) that we’re Team Eberle, we are beginning to see what you see when you see this:

Or this:

And okay, this:

So… new life plan, anybody?  We hear the cost of living is really reasonable in Oklahoma City (with money left over for sock puppets arm warmers).

I’ve been a BU season ticket holder for years now, so I’ve always been a big fan of the college game.  There are so many great reasons to watch college hockey (especially BU), but if you don’t believe me, just watch this video.

Two words for you: Eskimo Kisses.

This bromance between Ben Rosen (twitter: @brosen8) and Sean Escobedo (twitter: @seanesco21) might be the most epic in college hockey.  And you all know how we feel about bromances here at WUYS.

Not only do Ben and Sean (AKA Rosenbedo) give each other eskimo kisses but they sleep over each other’s houses, have every class together, know each other’s favorite snacks, and watch “The Office” together every Thursday. The list is endless.

Sean also reminds me of mini Brian Boyle (SANTA!), which we all know is not a bad thing.

The video is a little long (it’s a whole Newlyweds-style game show also feature former BU captain Chris Connolly and new team captain Wade Megan) but it totally worth watching if you want a good giggle.

There is something endearing to see future NHLers being completely hilarious and ridiculous.

Watch to the end and be rewarded.

Added bonus –  hockey players looking exceptionally fit in their t-shirts.

We’re running at like 50%, not able to post as much as we want and Intern Jeff Skinner is totally being a slacker.  He thinks he’s all hotshot with his new fancy contract.

We don’t care, Jeff.  You’re still our intern. Now fetch us some ice cold mexican coca colas!

Okay, now that he’s left the room, we have a confession to make.

We sort of feel bad for Jeff.  We’re making him work so hard this summer when he should be out enjoying his summer, just like Gabe Landeskog is.

Seriously. This kid is having the best summer ever.  And thanks to the wonder of the twitter, we all get to share it with him.

We love technology and hockey players who embrace it.

Here are some of our favorites….

Summer without hockey is really really hard, but Gabe the Babe is trying his hardest to cheer us up.

Thanks, buddy.

We’re feeling a much better now…

For the record, Gator is fine. She saw this last night and didn’t even mention it.  In fact, no one mentioned it. I thought we were friends, you guys!!!

And Karl too, of course.  These two are so freaking precious.

Here’s Zac’s story [link, video] and how you can support his fight against cancer.