Who wants to go to the Caps Convention with me on September 24? Who’s already going and doesn’t mind if I tag along? Tickets are $50 and they’re still available.
Shirt of My Life
The lovely @alliknode brought this to our attention. Shirt of My Life indeed, even over Nicky Backstrom’s “Your Girlfriend Loves to Wear My Hockey Jersey” one.
I actually had a shirt that said PANTS back when Chuck and I both lived in LA… there are some photos, but thanks to questionable hair styles of the early ’00’s, you will probably never see it. People asked about my PANTS shirt all the time. I also had one that said TANGUAY, but no one ever asked about that. I guess they already knew.
I went to an Annoying T-Shirt party once, and I won first place for my “Mmmbop” shirt. That’s all it said. Try not to sing it. My only regret is that Geno got to this one first:
Haha, when I Googled this picture, I got my own post Dammit, Geno (Episode One)! Once again proving that only we care about this stuff.
Birthday Boy: Zach Parise
Zach Parise is 27 today, which incidentally is my favorite number ever on a Devils sweater (Niedermayer!). I was about to abbreviate Zach’s name to ZP, but I think I’ll just call him Zippy from now on.
Zippy wants a contract for his birthday. He and the Devils are scheduled for arbitration on Wednesday. Zach missed almost all of last season with a knee injury, though almost made a comeback at the very end. If they’d made the playoffs, perhaps he would have. As is, it’s been a long lonely lonely time without him. The Devils certainly felt it last season, even with their salary cap woes and surprising burst of late-season success.
Zippy made $5 million last year, up from $2.5 and $3 million the years before. In early July, he said he’d take a 1-year deal to avoid arbitration but that the goal is a long-term contract. Arbitration is a last resort and sometimes gets ugly, so here’s hoping Zippy and the Devs get something locked up before then.
Before the injury, Zach had a great seasons in ’08-09 (94 points) and ’09-10 (82 points). The Devils made the playoffs both years but were eliminated in the first round. And of course, there was this goal. The shining time in which average Americans cared about hockey for one whole afternoon.
So happy birthday, Zip. Get signed and get back out there soon.
I Gotta Go Where It's Warm
This is old news by now, but things are busy around the WUYS offices with Vespa lessons and all the Swedish we’re learning.
Steven 1 and Steven 2 (Yzerman and Stamkos, obvs) did a press conference last week [video] about Stammer’s 5-year contract in which Yzerman said:
Well OBVIOUSLY. What did you think we were gonna do?
And Stamkos said:
I love everyone. Puppies and rainbows and cupcakes. Wait, I'm not allowed to have cupcakes. Unicorns, then.
Seriously, Steven Stamkos is the happiest person on Earth. He always looks like he’s going to burst out laughing. And I’m right there with the mad giggles on a trip to Laugh Land, even if his hair is too long.
So Stammer will be in Tampa Bay forever, score 2.5 million goals and never get a tan. Status quo is safe for another day. Now excuse me while I try to make Gator faint. [Full photo gallery at Lightning.NHL.com]
And since his name is Shannon too, here’s Ryan Shannon’s first interview as a Bolt [link]. This team is Fox News, eh? Every time they announce something, it’s suspiciously attractive. Perhaps Mrs. Yzerman is really calling the shots (and we like it).
WUYS bonus points if you know what the title of this post references!
Blackhawks Weekend
This weekend’s breaking news: Jonathan Toews brought a girl to a baseball game. Even the Chicago sports announcers were fangirling.
In a related story, it wasn’t us.
We’re not going to post photos of Jon’s date – let’s not be those girls. Plus Intern Jeff Skinner reads this blog and we’re not sure he can handle it. You can Google her if you like. Suffice to say that Kaner is *really* jealous somewhere in Upstate NY.
What we will post is the fantastic work of Roving Reporter Veronica from the 2011 Blackhawks Convention.
Kaner rocking the tan and that salmon shirt.
Mike Green is jealous of this.
My dentist is jealous.
Veronica obviously had a great time. She says the Hawks Convention is a must for any fan… which clearly means us. WUYS road trip next year. And that Chicago pizza… we may never leave. Veronica lives in Raleigh and has ‘Canes season tickets, so she’ll also be keeping an eye on Intern Jeff Skinner for us. Don’t let him drink the Mexicola, it gives him the giggles.
And now, for the Best Photo Award. How could you not want this face to lead you to victory?
Rick James Lives!
I'm Rick James Bitch!
If you’ve ever watched Dave Chappelle, you’ve seen his Rick James’ semi-biographical parody where Rick James himself exclaims “Cocaine’s a hell of a drug!”
you can't say Ovi doesn't have a sense of humor!
Because Words, Like Clothes, Just Get In The Way.
Christmas in July - ladies! Unwrap!
It’s been a while because I was waiting for the luscious Tanger to DO SOMETHING with his LONG summer vacation. SOMETHING as in something SHIRTLESS. Something meaningful for his broad fan base and by broad, I mean, female.
It’s been slim pickins out there sisters.
‘
um mr. cameraman, can you please widen this shot, this is your editor speaking.
i came to dance, dance, dance ...
why yes, we find you ... oh hell. HOT. HOT MOP FROM PIT.
thanks, can you put it right .... yes, there. yep. that's what I said. thanks!
Foxy Friday: Stanley Cup
The most beautiful trophy in sports. You totally want to kiss it.
At my wedding, Boston Bruins fan extraordinaire Tom and his genius girlfriend Michelle gave our party the one thing it was missing. This tin foil beauty sits in my office and whenever I do something great, I lift it over my head.
Somewhere in the box marked “Bad Hair/Flannel Shirt Years” is a photo of me at age 14 with the real Stanley Cup. If I ever find it, I might even show it to you.
Also, can I get an NHL table cloth please?
He's Having My Baby!
my baby is incubating in 100 proof vodka!
So the internet is all a buzz about Ovi’s ‘baby belly’, ‘beer belly’, ‘baby bump’ what evs. SRSLY. He did an interview for the Capitals 365 and he gets hated on for sitting there? Let’s talk about the guy sitting next to him. Can he get out of the 70’s with that hair? What about the necklace? Leif Garrett called, he wants it back! But it’s not necessary.
If you turned the camera around on anyone of us, I highly doubt we’d pass the test of washboard ab-fabulous. And quite honestly, not really seeing it. He’s a big boy. We all know that at 6′ 2″ and almost 250. He flies like a freight train at you but can stop on a dime. His slap shot is deadly, his accuracy is maddening. I dare these people to say it to his face. His HOT, BEAUTIFUL FACE!
excuse me but is it getting hot in here?
And because of this, yes, I am using this an excuse to flash mob you with pictures of his gorgeous half-naked body. Because no one loves to flaunt his Rubin-esque physique like Ovi!
oh baby, baby, baby ...
And truth be told – I totally put a baby in it. Yep – I did it. That is boy is mine!
I put a baby in that. Yes, I did!
You can't mess with perfection. Must love dogs & cats too.
A Very Merry Un-Monday
Mike heard y’all were bored, so he Tweeted a photo of himself fishing with his dad [link]. I’m not into fishing, but if you can wear sweatpants I am game. My Dad and I usually go skiing together, because I also enjoy snowpants.
Chelski heard that Fidget and iCarly were back in DC today building a playground for KaBoom. It is approximately 172 degrees Kelvin outside right now, so I hope he didn’t pack his sweatpants. Unless we’re going to the movies (HARRY POTTER you know you want to!) where the a/c will be rolling in the deep.
PS: if you find manly playground construction photos, you know what to do.
UPDATE: from Capitals Overtime. iCarly and Elliot from DC101 are in fact working on this. I have a work event with Elliot tomorrow night. Guess who is getting fangirled?
iCarly and his classmates working hard.
Stammer and Squishy love us.
Does this mean we’ve officially made it?
Mexican coca colas for everyone!
We follow pretty much every NHL team on the twitter in the hopes that someday they’ll follow us back and we’ll feel super popular and emotionally validated as serious hockey bloggers.
Phoenix Coyotes were the first to follow us, but have to admit that we’re way more excited about the Bolts following us.
That much closer to Stammer, Squishy, and Stevie Y.
Gator can barely contain her excitement.
Hey Steven
Okay, so the spelling isn’t the same. Who cares? Our life plan remains intact with Steven Stamkos signing a 5-year, $37.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday.
We always knew it would happen. So did Stammer: “I never even thought of looking anywhere else.” [link] But we like to have everything signed & sealed before we deliver Gator to the first week of October in her shiny #91 shirt.
Steven’s doing a live chat tomorrow for Nike Training at http://facebook.com/niketraining. We’ll be in my office having a sing along.
Stamkos finished last regular season with 45 goals and 91 points (how fitting), playing in every single Lightning game. And that’s after a rough scoring drought in the spring. Next year, we predict more trophies for Stammer (shared again with Sidney, of course) and an equally long playoff run (just not against the Pens). We’ll even take the shiny suit.
Side note: We know Squishy won the Lady Byng (cue horrible Real Housewives flashback). But only 12 penalty minutes? REALLY? I get more minutes for unsportsmanlike yelling at the television.
How do you say "work it out" in Russian?
Special Thanks to WUYS fan, Rae (@raedanda) for the heads up about this great photos from www.hotice.ru of Evgeni “Bunny” Malkin rehabbing in Mother Russia.
The scar looks pretty gnarly, but glad to see that Geno is getting in shape for the season.
99% of the time, I think he looks like a villian from a James Bond movie but dare I say, he looks pretty good in these photos. Handsome, even.
Wow, never thought I’d actually say that…
Anyway…
Now that Geno’s back training, what about Pants’ future baby daddy, Sidney? Could he be far behind??
Roll out the Black and Gold Carpet!
Last night, the Bruins premiered their DVD at the cinema in downtown Boston.
I, sadly, was not there. My invite must have gotten lost in the mail.
But Andrew Ference, Shawn Thornton, and Brad Marchand were there.
And they brought the Cup along for all to see.
Hot, Hotter, and Motoscooter. AF and ST looking delish...but not so sure about BM's shirt/chain combo though...
BROMANCE ALERT!
Mikey Monday
This week, I’ve got nothing (except that grammatically incorrect statement). And I’m out for work all day, so you’ll just have to live with this.
Wardrobe Malfunction
Gator and I are busy working, and then deciding how to spend our hard-earned money. The NHL Store recently posted a new girls long-sleeved and short-sleeved t-shirts for most of the teams. I like them and I want this Lightning one. If only it said STAMMER on the back. 😉
For the number of Caps games we plan to attend this season, we each need more than one shirt. I’d prefer a sweatshirt but they don’t make the nice, old-time hockey stuff for the Caps. So I’m going to hold out till September and see what they’ve got for us.
Tell us your favorite piece of hockey team apparel, we need to be inspired!
Big Weekend Plans
This weekend, we have a big date with Harry Potter. Saying goodbye may be the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do. And when “the moment” comes for Ron & Hermione, the shriek of absolute fangirl pandemonium you hear in whatever city/country you’re in will be from me.
Since we’re busy, who’s going to the Blackhawks convention? We need a local correspondent. Bonus points for Joey the Junior Reporter!
We’ll shamelessly bribe you by sending this guy:
JTown will be there.
And this guy will probably hit on you:
Patty got a haircut (and did some push-ups, I think).
Your byline photo can be this:
If you’re in Chicago but don’t have a ticket (poor planning!), you can watch the convention on TV:
Comcast SportsNet will show the festivities beginning at 5 p.m. Included will be player introductions, singing of the national anthem, a video montage and more. [link]
Someone should DVR it, then visit the WUYS offices and we’ll have an ice cream slumber party while we watch it, followed by The Cutting Edge, Miracle and The Mighty Ducks. Late night performance of Score! A Hockey Musical rumored to be on the schedule.
Did You Know?
I've got Game ..mad game.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are UFA’s in 13/14 and 14/15 respectively? I was shocked by this – seeing that the golden goose and face of the NHL would be free to wander and check out other goods sooner rather than later.
I'd buy that for a dollar!
Ovi is locked and fully loaded with the Washington Capitals for 13 years and a bajillion dollars (ok – 124 million to be exact) signing one of the most lucrative contracts in the NHL to date.
I've got game too ...
So why didn’t Sidney sign one of those or Malkin put his “X” on the dotted line? I assume they had. Why didn’t Pittsburgh run after them with some big bucks and long-term contracts to secure the dynasty?
oh and what's a day without a picture of Ovi shirtless ...
Now with both of them having suffered some serious injuries between a possible career ending concussion and those knee knocking splits … you gotta wonder. Who got the better end of the deal on this?
Looking at Pittsburgh and their salary cap, it seems they don’t believe in long-term contracts with anyone! Poor J. Staal maybe looking else where soon too! Pittsburgh maybe coughing up some major cash.
Oh and you know I can’t mention the Penguins without saying WHAT’S KRIS LETANG BEEN UP TO? – stuffing his gorgeous face:
I'll have what's he having ... TYVM.
And if you want to check out the status of your favorite player: http://nhlnumbers.com/.
Ever Done This?
Daniel gave me this new suckie on the first day of training!
Mike Duco formerly of the Florida Panthers got traded to Vancouver. If you were him – you’d think JACK POT – right? Going from a basement dwelling team – well – before they spent a boat load of cash and made some mad trades – to an almost Stanley Cup winning team. Not a bad place to be traded too – right?
Now consider that fact that you may have tweeted some of the following things during the play-offs:
Can't send a 'please ignore' out after that one!
He also posted one that said, “HA … solid night Luongo.”
So it’s your first day at training camp with all your new friends. What’s a boy to do? I bet he didn’t write the book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” But I would guess he needs a copy of that stat because Luongo wasn’t too kind to Kesler after the Olympics but he did forgive him. He kind of had too. Kesler is way too hot not too.
It may not be charm, but it might work!
But Duco? Let’s hope he has charm coming out his ass. He’ll need it. Good luck buddy on your first day. I hear the Sedin’s have a wicked sense of humor.
Believe Everything You Read
We’re like Banksy. You never know where we’ll pop up. So we snuck into the Cosmo offices last week and added a simple line to the August issue:
Sadly our eight-page photo spread didn’t make the cut.