Foxy Friday: Carl Hagelin

- Posted in Foxy Friday

In the middle of the ASG Skills Competition I looked up and said, “Who the hell is that?”  I knew Ryan Gosling was Canadian, but….

It was Carl Hagelin, of course.

Hey there, hockey hair.

The 23-year old Swede has 8 goals/10 assists in 31 games for the Rangers this season.  He was a late addition to the ASG Rookie team when the Devils’ Henrique was injured, then promptly won the Fastest Skater Competition by beating Ottawa rookie Colin Greening.  Yahtzee!

He was adorably excited to be included in the festivities and has excellent media training (says my inner publicist).

Also again, the hair.  Paging Steven Stamkos.

Carl’s 23 is a little old for an NHL Rookie, but he took the time to graduate from the University of Michigan and win quite a few individual honors from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association [link].  Two weeks ago, Carl was profiled by The New York Times [link].  That is a big deal!

I picked this video because 1) the hair, 2) he rips Michigan State to make Gator mad and 3) he eats a banana in the only way appropriate for a guy to ever eat a banana.  Well done, Carl.  Note his excellent English – he credits (in the NYT feature) watching American TV in English with Swedish subtitles.

If you’re not convinced yet, he’s also on Twitter(@CarlHagelin).  Anyone with a Zoolander quote is automatically +25 Foxy around the WUYS offices.

The East-leading Rangers host a Winter Classic re-match vs. the Flyers on Sunday at 1 PM.  You can start your Super Bowl Party early by drinking every time a Foxy Friday touches the puck.  Callahan, Boyle, Giroux, Hagelin… stick to beer, we think.

And just to send you off, here’s Carl holding a baby alligator.

DDTB-GATE 2012

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Hot Like Fire, Newsies, Well OBVIOUSLY.

Why Drew, No shirt? No Shoes? ah ... but you will get service - eh?!

So if Shanna-hammer works for the NHL … the CBJ’s think, no they KNOW God works for the LA King’s because HEstopped time last night so Drew Doughty could make the below posted game winner-winner donut dinner last night!

That is the only explanation I can come up with but evidently the NHL is trying to come up with another one like, say, some one cheated and actually physically STOPPED the clocked for one second. Puppet please. Ask Mike Babcock. Only God could stop a clock for exactly one second and whisper softly in Drew’s ear and say, “Go donut, go!”

But they reviewed the goal in the war room and called it good so I’m not really sure what the who-ha still is. hahaha – I said war room. Seriously. WAR ROOM. Does any one else laugh about that? I envision a version of Air Plane with Lloyd Bridges, Leslie Nielsen, and George C. Scott with huge cigars, several giant bottles of empty Jack Daniels and then spinning one of them around on yes or no or maybe. Which ever it lands on, they pick the best of two.

I say it's a good goal

 

goaltender interference

BINGO!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hey there, stranger.

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Newsies, Pants Loves

Mike Green addressed the media today, after this third consecutive day of skating. [video]  This video is Fidget-tastic and Mike’s hair is crazy.

He says he’s “on the right path” and hopes to be back before the projected 4-6 week  recovery timeline.  As much as this excites us, please don’t rush it.  It seems like everyone’s out, then back, then out again this season.  They stop by the ice like they’re going to the grocery store.

Of course, don’t take too long.  The Caps are currently 9th in the East and people are freaking out.  If they can get settled, I believe they can not only make the playoffs, but be a strong contender.  Mike and Ovi need to be factors in that – though neither has offered any consistency in recent memory.  But Ovi’s suspension is over and Mike’s sports hernia surgery was two weeks ago.

Here’s hoping.

Now, the Caps need baby steps.  Concentrate on being first in the Southeast Division, that’ll get them in the playoff door.  Luckily, the Southeast is by far the East’s weakest division and currently the Caps are only 1 point behind Florida for the lead.  Washington has 32 games left, and 28 of those are against Eastern Conference opponents. It’s showtime.

In bad news, Coach Hunter admitted earlier in the week that Nick Backstrom didn’t skate at all over the All-Star Break [link].  A while back it was reported that he’s not even attending home games, but watching them from his house.  Nicky has a history of migraines, so that may be the culprit.  Either way, the return of the Caps’ most consistent player looks farther away every day.

DDTBG Game Winner!

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Hot Like Fire, Like a Boss, Newsies

I am the god of hell fire and I bring

Now if that’s not touched by god, I don’t know what is.

Drew was due, that we knew. Should I make all this rhyme too? It was review-able but it was still do-able.
But the refs said it was good, that made the CBJ’s bang their wood and Drew got a goal with only .04 to go and you can watch it above in slow-mo!

I see you lookin'.

- Posted in We Love, Well OBVIOUSLY.

You want it, you got it.  Tanger winking at Flower during the love-fest in Toronto.

Thanks to xosweetgirl18ox.tumblr.com who created this and Barb (@stoopid4letang) who’s on our Twitter feed and shared!  Now if someone comes across the windmill high-five….

This is Your Captain Speaking

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Pants Loves, Randomness

Yesterday, Kitkat wanted evidence of Mike Green driving his VW Bus.  In his glasses, no less.  Safety first!

I brake for Backstroms.

It’s like a week worth of Mikey Mondays so far.  When I see a VW bus, I think of Little Miss Sunshine and start yelling “No one gets left behind!” and chasing after it’s running start.  I have no credit for this photo, so thanks to whoever posted it!

It's Alright, It's Okay.

- Posted in Randomness

Sid and the Pens held a press conference yesterday to prove that he still looks this good in a suit.  Also to clarify the neck injury he was diagnosed with by an LA doctor – it’s a “soft tissue” injury, not broken vertebrae.  He was treated in LA with injections to relieve the swelling and further injections should not be necessary. [link]  They expect him to heal fully.

I had something similar – a ruptured disk in my lower spine that required MRI and cortisone injections.  First off, they must have either an open or extra large MRI because there’s no way they’re fitting Crosby’s backside into the MRI they used for me.  They say “don’t open your eyes,” so of course I opened my eyes.  And spent the next 45 min barely warding off a panic attack.

We're going to need a bigger boat.

When they do the injections, they also tell you “don’t look at the needle.”  So naturally I did.  Holy schnikies, I hope they use a smaller one on neck injuries because this thing could have gone right through me into the table.  But in my case, they worked.  One round of shots = enormous improvement.  Here’s hoping it goes the same for Sid.

The Pens won a wild game last night vs. Toronto that involved Neal’s pass hitting Malkin in the arm and going in with 7 seconds left to tie.  Then Geno scored the only goal in the shootout.  Unstoppable!  Flower made some incredible saves and had a total love-fest with Letang.  I think we were interrupting their date night.  Tanger dove into the net behind Fleury to back him up, then winked at him from the bench.  It was better than the Kiss Cam!  At the end they did a totally 10th grade, Fresh Prince-style windmill high five.  I’m still hoping for a .gif of it to show you all.

 

Happy Birthday, Tyler Seguin!

- Posted in Birthday Boy, Chuck Loves, Hot Like Fire

Dear Tyler,

I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies for the lateness of these birthday wishes but I swear I didn’t forget about you.   That’s just not possible.

You’re my lobstah.

Especially when you dress up nice…

And when you sing so pretty…

 

And when you crack up laughing…

And when you get excited like a fluffy Canadian puppy…

And when you bust a move…

And when you give hugs…

And when you do this…

So a very happy 20th birthday shout out to my favorite #19.   

Only one more year until you can drink legally in the United States…

But not like that’s stopped you before.

Honk if you're…

- Posted in We Love

Attention ladies: Mike Green’s Shagwagon is a reality.  For someone suffering from such a long-term groin injury, we hope Mike’s sticking to road trips for now.

On the Road Again

- Posted in Randomness

The Blackhawks kick off a nine game road trip in Vancouver tonight and guess who’s back?  No big deal.

Jonathan Toews suffered an injury to his left wrist on Jan. 21 vs. Nashville, then missed one game and the All-Star Weekend festivities.  Maybe he was just worried about getting picked so late again.

Captain Derpface.

Patrick Sharp, out since Jan 9 with a left wrist injury of his own, is making his way back into the lineup as well.  Sharp practiced yesterday for the first time since the injury and is “questionable” for tonight’s match. [link]

Can we get one of those posters in the background?

Brand new Blackhawk Brendan Morrison will play his first game tonight after being acquired from Calgary on Friday in exchange for d-man Brian Connolly.  Morrison played seven seasons as a Canuck, ending in ’08.  He’s been around the block since and now finds himself strengthening up the Center position in Chicago.

Eight of the Hawks’ nine road games are against Western Conference teams.  The Hawks are currently in 6th place, but can jump way up the playoff ladder with a strong run.

26 of the NHL’s 30 teams play tonight, which is why time zones were invented.  And why the Lightning are playing the Capitals, so I can watch that plus the Penguins, then start the Blackhawks.  Science really does make people’s lives better.

Starry-Eyed

- Posted in All Star Game, Glamour Shots, We Love

When Mr. Pants and I boarded our flight in Houston on Saturday, I had NO idea there would be individual TVs on the plane.  Then I saw the All-Star Game Skills Competition was on.  I may have screamed.  One swipe of the AMEX later, I was sitting an inch from the screen with a huge smile on my face.

Mr. Pants: “What are you so happy about?”

Obviously he doesn’t share my pain in missing a week of hockey and the ASG Draft, or as we prefer to think of it, The WUYS Bachelor Auction.  I’m sure it was great.  And I saw they put Letang in the front row because even he can only get away with tripping once.

The Elimination Shootout started as we reached cruising altitude.  Stamkos stepped up… and the pilot came on the PA talking about miles programs and tail winds and how, if you looked out the right side, you could see a chicken in Mississippi riding a bicycle.  He talked the ENTIRE TIME!   We almost had an incident with Homeland Security.  Plus the seatbelt sign was on forever and I really had to pee.

During the post-win interview, I lost it and said, “Stop touching him, Pierre!” really loud.  Unless Pierre has scissors, though it doesn’t look like he’d know how to cut hair.

Hands off the merchandise, Troll.

Also, it’s not easy to watch Nealmobile do Accuracy Shooting when it’s illegal for me to scream, run around or throw things.  As I watch back through the coverage, the ASG never fails to be a highlight of the season.  It brainwashes me into a maniac who thinks things like:

Red heads in pink shirts?  Sure, why not!  Too bad no one could straighten it out before shooting.  Unless Giroux’s going to tear it off, it shouldn’t be stretched like that.  My inner publicist cringes.  (Note: That plaid jacket still needs to go. Along with Neal’s. Were they on sale in Ontario at some point?)

Carey Price is funny.  And charming.  I didn’t think this could get worse.

Scott Hartnell + the Sedins = my nightmare.  Except it’s fantastic.

And some things’s don’t surprise.  Henrik Lundqvist puts everyone to shame, in every category.

If you didn’t think Patrick Kane would steal the show then you must be new around here.

My tights are underneath.

As always, the awkward prom photos.  Everyone is cringing about talking to fathers and having to

See you at the prom party, Segs.

Logan can pick us up in his new car.

 What did you guys think?  No Crosby, Toews, Green, Backstrom, zero Staals.  Still everything you hoped for?  And share your favorite bits, because I probably missed them!

Workout with Crosby

- Posted in Newsies, Pants Loves

I really am doing an ASG Weekend recap post, but I missed a lot of the festivities.  It’s coming tonight, before everyone goes back to regular hockey work tomorrow.

For now, it appears Lindsay is not holding a grudge over the Claude Giroux Foxy Friday.  Or perhaps she is trying to cleanse us of all the ginger dreams.  In their place, she submits Sidney Crosby’s new Gatorade commercial.  Complete with the ice bath she needed after watching. 😉

It was announced over the weekend that in addition to his post-concussion syndrome, Crosby suffered a neck injury that has now healed.  It may or may not have been discovered in LA or Utah, and may or may not have been broken vertebrae. [link]

Am I getting this right?  Crosby goes to the doctor like every 10 minutes and it took someone 7 weeks to find this?  That is, if he didn’t injury his neck even before the last game he played (12/5 vs. Boston).  Crosby’s camp says the injury is no detriment to his concussion recovery process and things proceed as they were.

Sid’s currently cleared for “light exercise.”  I guess this commercial was filmed before his symptoms resurfaced, because I’m tired and hungry just looking at it.  Ray Shero is optimistic that Crosby will play again this season.  So am I, and so are you.  Go put on your C, you’ll feel better.

Mikey Monday: Photo Booth

- Posted in Bromance, Mikey Monday, Pants Loves

Hmm, 500 unopened emails or Mikey Monday?

I can’t think of anything that looks happier than this, except maybe getting to actually see all the photostrips clearly.  But this is pretty much the definition of joy.  And bromance.

If they can’t play hockey, at least they have each other.

(Side note: Mike’s girlfriend is a photographer, presumably responsible for these.  We thank her.  I’m intentionally not posting about her so please leave her and links to her work out of the comments.  Thanks.)

While I was on my honeymoon, Mike and iCarly went on an All-Star Break vacation to the Caymans and posted all kinds of Tweets and photos.

I shouldn’t make fun of anyone’s vacation wear, considering what my hair looked like after a week in Costa Rica.  But those are some short shorts, Mikey!  And this… WOW.  If there’s anyplace on Earth worse than American Apparel, this is what they’re selling.

The boys went deep sea fishing, and iCarly caught dinner.  Showing off for Gator (again).

Now that we’ve all returned from our sunny tropical destinations, back to work.  Sometimes it’s good to be home.

When they show a hockey player…DRINK!

- Posted in All Star Game, Chuck Loves, Randomness, Well OBVIOUSLY.

All-Star Weekend is our 2nd favorite time of the year here at WUYS (behind the awkberg assemblage that is the NHL Awards) and since Pants is off on her honeymoon getting all tan, hanging with monkeys, drinking umbrella drinks and being all in lurve, it’s going to be really lonely around here this weekend.

So to brighten my spirits and entertain myself for the next few days,  I’ve devised a little All-Star Weekend Drinking Game.

Because, really nothing says “fun” like hockey, hockey players, and a little booze.

Just ask Patrick Kane.  Or Brad Marchand.  Or Tyler Seguin.

from thehockeyjunkies.blogspot.com

from dirtydangle.com

 

The All-Star Weekend Drinking Game
(suitable for all events – Fantasy Draft, Skills Competition, & the game itself)

  • When they show a player laughing…drink.
  • When they show a player taking a photo/video…drink
  • When they cut to Phil Kessel…drink.
  • When they show the Sedin Twins…drink.
  • When the last player is selected…throw your hands up in the air.  Then drink.
  • When they mention a player out “due to injury”…make a sad face.  Then drink.
  • When a player goes to block a shot…scream “SACRIFICE YOUR BODY!”
  • When Kris Letang goes to block a shot…scream “NOT THE FACE!”
  • If they get hurt…finish the bottle.
  • When they show any hockey bromance…say “Awwwww”. Then drink.
  • When they show a player with beautiful hockey flow…whip your hair back and forth.  Then drink.
  • When someone falls down during the Fastest Skater competition…drink.
  • If its a goalie…drink twice.
  • When someone passes the 100mph mark during the Hardest Shot competition…drink.
  • When someone goes 4 for 4 on the Accuracy competition…drink.
  • When someone does something crazy during the Elimination Shootout…drink.

I have a feeling I’m going to get really drunk this weekend…

So, WUYSers, what other rules would you add to your ASG Drinking Game?

ASG Fantasy Draft

- Posted in All Star Game, Chuck Loves, Pants Loves

Tonight, we’ll find out who’ll be the Phil Kessel of the 2012 All Star game.  (Perhaps it’ll be Phil Kessel.  That would be amazing.)

At 8pm tonight, fifty of the best hockey players in the world (38 NHL All-Stars and 12 top rookies) will be up for selection in the Player Fantasy Draft.  All-stars and rookies will be divided into two teams  – Team Alfredsson (aka Team Pants), led by captain Daniel Alfredsson and assistant captain Henrik Lundqvist, and Team Chara (aka Team Chuck), led by captain Zdeno “Z-Big” Chara and assistant captain Joffrey Lupul.

Quick refresher on how the Fantasy Draft works…

  • A coin toss will decide first pick, with Alfredsson and Chara, joined by their assistant captains, alternately drafting the All-Stars through 19 rounds
  • Each team will consist of three goaltenders, six defensemen and 12 forwards
  • Each team’s three goalies must be picked by the end of Round 10
  • Each team’s six defensemen must be picked by the conclusion of Round 15
  • The 12 Rookies will be divided by the National Hockey League into two groups of six.  At the completion of the 15th round of the draft, one NHL Rookie will be selected to choose which All-Star team his group will join for the skills competition
  • As a reward (consolation?), the final player selected in the draft will have $20,000 donated to the grassroots hockey program of his choice

So who’s up for grabs?

 

Jamie Benn Logan Couture
Pavel Datsyuk Jordan Eberle
Marian Gaborik Claude Giroux
Scott Hartnell Marian Hossa
Jarome Iginla Patrick Kane
Phil Kessel Evgeni Malkin
Milan Michalek James Neal
Corey Perry Jason Pominville
Daniel Sedin Henrik Sedin
Tyler Seguin Jason Spezza
Steven Stamkos John Tavares
Brian Campbell Alexander Edler
Dan Girardi Erik Karlsson
Kris Letang Dion Phaneuf
Ryan Suter Kimmo Timonen
Shea Weber Dennis Wideman
Keith Yandle Brian Elliott
Jonathan Quick Tim Thomas
Carey Price Jimmy Howard

After he was selected as a captain, Chara did mention that he was going to take this draft very seriously and do as much research as possible, so it will be interesting to see what his strategy will be.  Think he hit up Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli for some pointers?

Will he take his teammate & Vezina winning goaltender Tim Thomas with the first pick?  Or will the events of this week and the recent revelation that Thomas does not have many friends amoungst his teammates sway Chara’s decision?

Now I’m no prognosticator, but I can tell you what you will see tonight.

  • Ridiculous amounts of awkwardness.
  • The Sedins  on different teams.
  • Kris Letang’s hair looking awesome.
  • James Neal’s hair looking like a porcupine.
  • Scott Hartnell’s hair looking like a hot mess cavewoman hooker.
  • Tight bums.
  • Patrick Kane calling Toews to tell him he misses him.
  • Awkward interview with last two players remaining.

One thing you won’t see…

Source: richieandcarts.tumblr.com

And I for one, am gonna miss this.

Derp.

 

Bruins in the Beltway

- Posted in Randomness, Stanley Cup Champs, Whatever

This afternoon, the Boston Bruins were honored by President Obama at the White House for winning the 2011 Stanley Cup.

Wait...When did we trade Gregory Campbell?

The President spoke for a bit, chided the city of Boston for having too many championship teams, called out Brad Marchand (“Little Ball of Hate?  What’s up with that nickname?”), and posed with the team for the obligatory photo shoot. Watch the full video [here].

Notably absent from today’s festivities was goaltender Tim Thomas, one of only two Americans on the team.  Apparently, Timmeh is a stauch conservative and refused the invite from the Commander in Chief due to “political reasons.”

While Thomas is absolutely entitled to his beliefs and can choose do to what he wants (this is a free country, after all),  wouldn’t you want to go just to share the experience with your teammates…and steal pens and hand towels from White House?  

Eh, whatever. I’m over it.

As long as Timmy keeps making saves and playing like a boss, I don’t really care whether or not he likes the President.

We love Cabbie

- Posted in Randomness

How have I never seen this before?   My favorite is Getzlaf – he cannot get a single word out.  Even Crosby’s getting sassy.

Foxy Friday: Claude Giroux

- Posted in Foxy Friday

Lindsay once told me that if she were stranded on an icy mountain and her options were to cuddle with Claude Giroux or die, she would cuddle.  But only after searching the wreckage for a paper bag to put over his head.  In her defense, I never thought I would disagree.

Chuck must secretly wonder why Giroux hasn’t been a Foxy Friday, because she knows I love gingers.  I even thought a red-headed guy in college was cute, though he wore his high school marching band jacket.  You can’t even say ‘Ron Weasley’ to me.  But a Flyer?  Really?  Surely one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is actually riding a zamboni and wearing an orange sweater.

As if he knew I was thinking about it, Claude had a fight last night against Dylan Reese from the NYI.  It’s not that impressive, but at least they’re not slapping each other.

People seem really divided on Gingeroux, probably because of the Flyers.  Or maybe because he doesn’t seem to care that he’s missing a tooth.  But be honest, he does some things very right:

1) Don’t grow your hair too long.  You’re not the Little Red Haired Girl from Charlie Brown.  Or Scott Hartnell.

This is by the lovely and hilarious @sunnyinnj.

2) Stand next to Danny Briere.  Or really any Flyer but Talbot.  (Sorry I’m not sorry.)  Mention that you’re single.

3) Clean up nicely, a la this month’s The Fourth Period magazine.

Claude is on Twitter (@28CGiroux) and has a website.  He turned 24 on January 12.  I didn’t realize he was so young or so small, at 5′ 11″, 174 pounds.  That’s Crosby minus 25 pounds (of ass).  But Giroux is strong and really fast.  Have I mentioned he’s pretty good on the ice?

 

With 50 points, Claude is among the NHL points leaders.  He missed a few games this season with a mild concussion but shows no signs of slowing down.  His 18 G / 32 A lead the Flyers, who are second in the Atlantic division behind the Rangers.  He likes chocolate ice cream (yay!) and basketball (nope).  Before every game, Gingeroux eats a grilled cheese sandwich.  We can definitely get behind that.  In fact, the sandwich has a Facebook Fan Page.

Claude will take part in next weekend’s All-Star Game festivities in Ottawa.  He lives there in the off-season, along with his family, so we imagine he’ll have a big fan section.  Go ahead and cheer (Lindsay!), no one will know.

Update: Because it took less than 10 seconds for Chuck to get on my case!

Intern Desk: Back in Action

- Posted in Intern Jeff Skinner, Newsies

Hey, I’m back!  Intern Jeff Skinner reporting for duty!  No one around here seems to care, since Pants was on vacation and leaves again tomorrow for her honeymoon.  Supposedly she doesn’t know where they’re going.  Pretend to act surprised when it’s Pittsburgh.

Come here often?

At least then she can’t keep telling me I should have closed my mouth in the NHL Tonight commercial where I’m pretending to ride the bike.  (She’s watched that far once, by the way – too busy rewinding Stamkos and his cereal.)

I made my comeback at Washington, but Pants wasn’t there.  Then we played the Penguins, where I took a pretty big hit from Crazy Eyes Orpik and had to go to the quiet room.  She didn’t even call!  I know she was watching!  (Editor’s note: She wasn’t.)

Hmmpphh.  James Neal had the game winning shootout goal and was First Star, I bet she called him.

Really? This guy?

We’re still not winning much and I know Pants finds it hard to watch, because she really does like us.  We beat the Bruins, but I promised Chuck and Cassy I wouldn’t mention it in exchange for extra Mexicolas.  We are also tied with the Lightning at 40 points.  I’m hoping that my return can brighten things up around here and offer some consistency.  When we win, we score a lot (13 goals in last 3 wins.)  It’s not too late to get this season back on track.

Want me to sign your yearbook?

Nobody Puts Brendan Shanahan in the Garbage!

- Posted in Chuck Loves, Randomness

If you aren’t watching “Up All Night’ on NBC, you should be.

First off, it is hilarious.

Secondly, Christina Applegate & Maya Rudolph.  I love them.

Thirdly (and most importantly), Will Arnett plays a retired hockey player turned lawyer turned stay at home DILF.

And honestly how you can you not like a show that has scenes like this?

She straight up shanabanned Shanahan!

Clearly, you can see why this is one of my favorite shows on TV right now.

You can watch episodes on Hulu.   (Personal faves are “Week Off”, “New Car”, and “Birth”)