BREAKING NEWS: Matt Cooke is a Goon

- Posted in Playoffs, Well OBVIOUSLY.

Looks like Matt Cooke definitely WON’T be getting the Lady Byng Trophy this year…

Cooke has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season and for the 1st round of the playoffs for elbowing NYR defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the head in yesterday’s game.

Not only does he let down his team, he’ll also lose $219,512.20 in salary (which all goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund).

From Mr. Colin Campbell:

Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position.  This isn’t the first time this season that we have had to address dangerous behavior on the ice by Mr. Cooke, and his conduct requires an appropriately harsh response.

Even the  Pens’ GM, Ray Shero, agreed with the NHL’s decision.

The suspension is warranted because that’s exactly the kind of hit we’re trying to get out of the game. Head shots have no place in hockey. We’ve told Matt in no uncertain terms that this kind of action on the ice is unacceptable and cannot happen. Head shots must be dealt with severely, and the Pittsburgh Penguins support the NHL in sending this very strong message.

Kudos to Campbell and Shero taking a stand!

Matt Cooke has demonstrated time and time again what a malicious player he really is.  This makes me sad and angry.  His actions hurt not only the players he targets, but also his teammates, his coaches, and the fans of hockey.  Way to go, genius.

Perhaps I’m biased because Cooke took out my favorite Bruin for the season (and perhaps his career), but I don’t think that I’m alone in this.  I don’t think that any self-respecting Pens fan could honestly and in good conscious support Cooke’s actions on the ice or disagree with the NHL’s ruling.

What do you think?  Think this suspension is too little?  Or too much? Or just enough?

Does This Mean The Russian Machine Breaks?

- Posted in Epic Fail, Playoffs

oh-no, Dawn's mad at me.

Ovi to ‘rest’ so he is sitting out against Philly? wha…? He’s had an ‘ailment’ for the last couple of months and they figure now is a good time for him to heal and be ready for the play offs? OK. SRSLY? Every one who reads this blog knows I love Ovi. And I wouldn’t be grudge the man some time off but that’s called SUMMER. It’s called AFTER you win the Stanley Cup. If Kris Letang can play his beautiful ass off and have more ice time than the polar bears in the middle of global warming , then really?A Penguin with a better work ethic …. Nooooooo!

Penguins show pony!

Ovi, I love you. But no more excuses. First it was you were depressed because of your lack luster performance at the Olympics. I was there. I saw it. Up close. Front row as a matter of fact. And yes, it sucked, Big time. But move on. That was so 2010. Then it was because of last year’s performance in the play offs. Ok, I get it. That sucked too. Again, that was so 2010. Aren’t you a professional athlete? Aren’t you completely awesome? Can’t you pull an amazing goal out your ass? Time after time after time? I’ve seen it. So Please. For the love of all things Hockey. Stop. Please. Just. Stop. Pull yourself together, quit making excuses and just play. Do what you do best. Make me happy. Make me proud. I still love you. If you need a day off, take it then. But really, it just makes you sound silly. And it’s hard to defend that.

I'm feeling Staalsy today.

- Posted in Pants Loves

Can I get a moment of appreciation for Jordan Staal?  I think we need one.  He has really stepped up his game in the absence of 98% of the Penguins squad and well, he’s Gronk.

bitches love goals

Bad luck (lacerated foot, infection, broken hand) kept Jordan out until the Winter Classic.  He managed to steal plenty of air time on 24/7 and make losing the shootout challenge cool.  Because he’s Gronk.

There was the unfortunate incident with Jordan’s hair (as Chuck pointed out, it was very Meg Ryan).  Dawn cannot get past it – she calls him Trannysaurus Rex.  Even in text messages, and that’s a lot of letters.  But it was no more tragic than Jordan’s attempts at growing a beard.  And giving up electricity, wearing plaid, churning his own butter.  He is kind of dinosaur-ish, though his patronus is definitely a giant golden retriever.

This isn't where I parked my horse and buggy.

Now that the shag is gone, we wouldn’t mind seeing the return of the beard if it meant a long playoff run.  Come on April we’re ready for you.

What was that, Dawn? No, Kris is not here. No, you can't come over and wait.

Mikey Monday: Fashion Police

- Posted in Mikey Monday, Pants Loves

Mike comes off long-term IR tomorrow and is eligible to return to the lineup vs. Philly tomorrow night.  Obviously we want Mike to wait till he’s really ready.  And to be careful.  We suggest some protective measures, but we’re not quite sure if it’s time to bring this back:

Shock absorbption

This is from an old Caps’ X’s and O’s video where Mike discusses power play tactics.  While looking like a raggamuffin porcupine.  How did he ever get a helmet on over that?

Shock absorption.

Is there some magic in these acute angles that could protect again head injury?  Does the math suggested by this architecture reveal the location of the island from Lost? This is the equation Mike was trying to do on his white board:

Please excuse my dear aunt...

I hope Mike plays tomorrow.  I saw a guy at Whole Foods yesterday in an Ovechkin jersey and wanted to launch an aerial attack from the bulk nuts section.  You can hold yourselves over with this Caps Red Line “Cruisin'” video about Mike’s elementary school garden visit.  In which he shows off his fancy Maserati while possibly wearing sweatpants with workboots.  [video]  Between that and the Yankees hat… you’re testing our patience, Mike.

WUYS hates the Yankees.

With Friends Like This …

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Randomness

After seeing this clip last night I had a dream that Kris Letang shoveled me off the ice with his stick just like this. I don’t remember anything else because Poe decided to start yowelling like there was no tomorrow per his usual 4:00AM good morning Mom, I’m hungry – feed me now please. I presume it was because I was stalking I mean, we were playing a friendly game of WUYS shinny hockey because I vaguely remember wearing a jersey with those letters on it and Pants screaming with laugher that she was going to pee her pants. I don’t really ice skate well enough for this which was probably why I was escorted off the ice. Anyway, this clip was what prompted the dream.

Niklas Knonwall of the Detroit Red Wings shoveled his team-mate Patrick Eaves, off the ice, during a power play when they were short-handed, after he had blocked a shot and he was injured. Hilarious, yes but wow, give the guy a second, he just made a brilliant play to stop a goal and sacrificed his body. Detroit is a machine. But dude, get some feelings.

Don't Panic. Ok. Panic.

- Posted in Well OBVIOUSLY.

REGULAR SEASON GAMES LEFT – JUST A SAMPLING

9 – WASHINGTON CAPITALS

11-  PITTSBURG PENGUINS

12-  BOSTON BRUINS

11-  CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS

11-  LOS ANGELES KINGS

10 – SAN JOSE SHARKS

Holy Crap … Hockey season is almost over!

OK- Panic!

Foxy Friday: The Flying Swede Nicky B.

- Posted in Bromance, Dawn Loves, Foxy Friday
Truly adorkable. But our adorkable! We heart you.

I know, I know,  it’s been WEEKS … We’ve been busy! And it’s late on Friday but here it is. Nicky B. get’s this week’s FOXY FRIDAY salute and I have to throw in Epic Bromance because I can’t seem to find a video or photo that doesn’t have him and Ovi in it! And it’s not because I love Ovi. SRSLY. It’s truly hard to find a photo of Nicky without Ovi. Not vice versa mind you.  There are no words for it. It’s like watching a day with me and Mr. Cherrie only we’re married.

Nicky’s back this week after missing his first NHL game ever after succumbing to his sore ouchie! How much could that suck? With a work ethic like that, it must have killed him to sit on the bench. I bet he was making swedish pancakes for Mikey whether he wanted them or not!

I wonder if he'd sign our panties?

BUT DID YOU KNOW THIS FOXY FRIDAY WAS SUCH A HOT PROSPECT?

Born Lars Nicklas Bäckström (we’ve been hopelessly spelling his name wrong forever), he turned down The Caps after initially being drafted to play one more year in Sweden, the horror! He was the fourth-highest drafted Swede behind Mats Sundin, Daniel Sedin & Henrik Sedin! Not bad company!

do we really want to know how or why this came about?

Bäckström was the runner-up to Chicago’s Patrick Kane for the Calder Trophy. Kane had 1,087 votes while Bäckström had 872 votes. The Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews (Another Foxy Friday Alumnus) was third with 647. However, Bäckström was named to the All-Rookie Team along with Kane and Toews.

We go together like ...

At the conclusion of the 2009–10 NHL season, Backstrom finished 4th in League scoring with 101 points, behind Henrik Sedin (112), Sidney Crosby (109) and Alexander Ovechkin (109).

Bäckström scored his first career playoff hat trick, including the overtime game winner against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a round that they lost in seven games but we don’t like to remember that last little bit – too depressing.

OMG - a photo without Ovi!

On 17 May 2010, Bäckström signed a ten-year, $67 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals. Totes awesomeness!

He always looks so serious but when he smiles it’s so adorable. He’s the peanut butter to Ovi’s jelly! He’s what makes the Cap’s STICK. He’s the constant to all the static. The “A” on his jersey isn’t for alternate it’s for AWESOME!

So here’s a big WUYS FOXY FRIDAY salute to our favorite Capital’s Swede Lars Nicklas Bäckström!

It could be a lot worse. We could be from Philly.

- Posted in Fight Club, Randomness

Wait?  Is that Sidney‘s head they are burning in effigy???

We don’t like that.  Especially Pants.

“Get your damn hands off him,” she says.

From PuckDaddy's blog

The photo above accompanied a blog post entitled “GQ ranks Montreal Canadiens fans among the worst in sports”.   The Habs fans, aka the Frostbitten Hooligans, ranked 11th on the list and fortunately for all of us, are the only hockey team to make this distinguished list of malevolent misfits.

And this is AFTER they made it past the first round...

To be fair, my beloved Boston Red Sox and the Evil Empire (New York Yankees) also made the list (Kudos for parity, GQ) as did a bunch of college sports teams.

But who has THE worst fans in sports?

That honor belongs to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.

 

Where's the love, people?!

The Phillies fans topped the list, thanks in part to the digestive pyrotechnics of one fan who intentionally vomited on a 11-year-old girl.  The Eagles fans were #2. Two words: Throwing. Batteries.

We here are WUYS are very happy at the lack of NHL teams represented on this list.   Despite its reputation as a sport of brawling, barbarism, and blood-shed, hockey is actually pretty docile.

Its fans don’t boo Santa Claus or America’s first hand transplant recipient. (Philadephia).  We don’t call someone’s grandmother a “whore” until she cries (Oregon) nor do we toss bottles of urine on opposing players (Penn State).

We are passionate about the sport, for sure. We have been known to scream at the television and grumble with annoyance when our team blows a 3-0 lead in a playoff series.  (Yes, Bruins, I’m still upset about that…)

grrrrrrrrr

So, we might get into a few fights here and there, but on the whole, hockey is a sport with impassioned fans and unpretentious players. Seriously.  When was the last time that you heard a hockey player get arrested for shooting someone? Or for cheating on his wife?  Or drinking tiger’s blood?

You stay classy, NHL.

Check out the full list of the worst fans in sports here.

I Know This Has Nothing To Do With Hockey But.

- Posted in Dawn Loves

And many of you may have already seen this, but as an animal lover, this amazes me that in the face of such a horrible disaster Japan faced with the tsunami, this happened. The dogs were rescued and taken to a shelter. But it still makes you feel good that something sweet happened out of all this misery.

I Smell A Stalk… I Mean A Winner!

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Newsies, We Love

I am so entering this!

(By the way, yes this is my desktop topper! 🙂 Cool huh?)

The Washington Capitals are celebrating Fan Appreciation by holding an essay contest and nothing screams a winner like WRITING how much you love Ovi or Mikey or Nicky or Brooksy in 250 word or less! Right?! Right. Because we do that EVERY DAY here! Who’s been Foxy Friday? yeah -… two Caps and counting. Who has their very own DAY dedicated to them? Yep!

So they should be sending me Ovi’s Jersey and Pants’ Mikey’s jersey because no one loves the caps more than us here at WUYS.  So I’m sending us in and nominating WUYS for fan appreciation and not just for MY benefit … it’s for the benefit of all of us here. Because I am THAT kind of gal. I would share the glory if I won. Because I know that Pants and Chuck would want to rotate wearing Ovi’s sweaty jersey right off his back. Right girls? 😉

Right girls .. BOOM!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

- Posted in Randomness

We at WUYS love St. Patrick’s Day for many reasons: beer, Irish accents, beer, Westlife, corned beef & cabbage, Boston, beer, kilts, Westlife.  We don’t really understand why the NHL loves St. Patrick’s Day so much, but we like it.

Lucky Seven(teen)

Today you can save 17% at the NHL Shop, and you can save it on special St. Patrick’s Day gear:

Green Team

If you’re going to pick a random holiday, we’re all for SPD.  What could be more fun? And in the middle of the playoff race it’s generally when regular season attention is peaking.  Dawn and I both own SPD-edition shirts – mine is Crosby, her’s is Ovi.  Is that what they mean by fighting Irish?

Patrick, yes. Saint, not so much.

Sláinte everyone, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Dogs & Dentists

- Posted in Randomness

Dental works always makes me think of hockey players, and I am having a root canal this afternoon. BOOOO.  But it’s a good excuse to post this adorable video of Duncan Keith’s dog.

And if they can fix Dunc’s teeth, mine should be no problem right?

That has got to be the worst playoff hair/beard/teeth combo ever.  Even if you brought home the Stanley Cup, I might lock you out looking like that.  I’d take the trophy first of course.

 

Style 101

- Posted in Randomness

I like to imagine how this man-date came about: King Henrik and his Jedi padawan, Biebs.  KH is teaching JB all the ways to be your coolest, smoothest self in NY while maintaining that foreign mystique.

– Skype video call to determine exact shade of black to wear.

– Meet early for hairstyling.

– Courtside seats for maximum white tooth exposure.

– Biebs allowed to choose own snacks.  Now getting lesson on why pretty guys should never eat hot dogs in public.

– Biebs to buy largest watch available tomorrow morning.

– Biebs’ next video to take place on Lundqvist’s NYC party bus.

RE: Intern Jeff Skinner

- Posted in Intern Jeff Skinner, Newsies, Playoffs

Let’s be honest.  I got the internship here at WUYS because I was the only person qualified.  I mean, what kind of Craigslist ad asks if you’ve ever competed in figure skating and hockey?  How many people can say that?

two-sport hero

The TV stations like to show my figure skating highlights a lot.  It’s kind of embarrassing (I am wearing tights), but Pants and Chuck love it.  If only they’d stop yelling, “Finger painting?!” while I’m trying to answer the phone.

Jazz hands

On Saturday I scored my 50th point of the season in a loss against Columbus.  I’d rather have a win, but the WUYS girls got me a really nice life-size canvas to hang in my apartment.

My Wolfpack

They also promised to watch my big game tonight against Buffalo on Versus (7 PM).  We really need to win so we can stay in the playoff race.  I haven’t been this stressed out since the parallel parking section of the driver’s test!  Pants and Chuck have scheduled a meeting so I can work on my staredown.

this is my serious face

Wish us luck tonight, and watch the game!

Century Mark

- Posted in Randomness

Six goals in one period is a lot.  And it’s exciting. Unless you’re the Sharks and it’s your opponents scoring five times.

The Blackhawks had won 8 in a row before losing three, including a SO and an OT.  Sharp had 4 assists (yes fantasy team!), Kane had his 100th career goal and Toews scored his 30th of the season.  Tazer continues his push for MVP, with his 23rd straight multi-point game.  The Hawks are 4th in the West, just 2 points behind San Jose.  It’s still all jammed up between you’re-in and you’re-out, and each game played in this last month will be huge.

Represent Upstate NY

Caps' Goalie First Star Of The Week.

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Newsies

Cap's new go-to guy?

What? Do my eyes deceive me? Can this be true? Are the stars literally and figuratively lining up against me? *sigh* The NHL has bestowed the coveted ‘stars’ this week and Braden Holtby IS the first star of the week. I don’t even know if this has ever happened for The Capitals. Maybe decades ago when they had Oly the Goalie but then the NHL probably handed out rocks or ice chips. 

 Holtby’s been solid. I’m just scared because neither Neuvy nor Holtby really have what it takes for play-off contention. However, no one does until they go there, so hold on to your diapies guys, it’s gonna be one hell of a ride!

FIRST STAR – BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby posted a 4-0-0 record, 1.05 goals-against average, .965 save percentage and one shutout as the Capitals (40-20-10, 90 points) moved into second place in the Eastern Conference. Holtby stopped 110 of 114 shots last week, beginning with a 20-save performance in a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Mar. 7. He recorded 22 saves in notching his first career shutout, backstopping Washington to a 5-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers Mar. 9 and stopped 40 shots as the Capitals defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Mar. 11. Holtby finished the week by recording 27 saves as Washington defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime, Mar. 13. The 21-year-old native of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan has appeared in 12 games for Washington, posting a record of 8-2-2 with a 1.95 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and one shutout. (courtesy of the NHL.COM)

Back in Black

- Posted in Newsies, Pants Loves

Sidney Crosby skated today.  Did you hear that?  CROSBY SKATED! (You should see me dancing.)

To celebrate, NHL.com made two entries into the Most Underwhelming Content of All Time contest.  First, the video of Crosby skating [video]:

It could at least have been 87 seconds.

And this headline graphic.  Somehow I don’t think this covers it:

This return to the ice may have been sparked by WUYS reader @jfrancesw suggesting that Sid could use a workout.  Too much snacking, Cros?

Are we there yet?

Sid did a media Q&A saying light exercise is not causing concussion symptoms, but there’s no timetable for his return [video].  We will take what we can get.  Let’s go Pens!

Mikey Monday: Keepin' Busy

- Posted in Mikey Monday, Newsies, Pants Loves

The Caps are disproving Dawn’s theory that they can’t win without Mike Green (8 in a row!), but she doesn’t mind.  Mike, however, is bored.  What to do if you can’t come of long-term injured reserve until March 22?  Get a new job in the Caps PR department.

It's not nice to show up The First Lady's hairdo, guys.

Mike participated in Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” event at the White House.

Mike looks nervous. Did Mama Obama read his background check?

Mike visited a school for the People’s Garden Project [video].

This kid is all, "That's a tree? Looks like broccoli."

Mike demonstrated how to clear the puck for Caps Red Line [video], while sounding as Canadian as possible.  Nicky (also bored) must have bet Mike to say “a lot of the times” every ten seconds.  Mike won.

Loser has to wear these white socks next time.

Mike has also practiced several days in a row and is hopefully on his way back to the lineup.

Tiger Blood And Adonis DNA.

- Posted in Dawn Loves, Hot Like Fire, Newsies

Derpy needs a drink after this game!

Best. Sunday. Ever. All my boys played and did well today! The Caps are ‘Winning’ and not like Charlie Sheen. They gave the smack down to Derp face and Charlie’s true other brother Kaner Sunday to make it eight straight! But not without some cardiac arrest allowing Derpy to score with like 40 seconds left to send the damn thing into OT and Moe and Poe scattering and puffed like Armageddon was coming! But this is the new Caps with Tiger blood and Adonis DNA! Knuble came back with a beauty, not slop, and closed the door on the Stanley cup winners. And let me tell you, Derpy doesn’t get any Derpier. Derp.

Knuble finesses this one in. Masterfully.

And what a weekend for TBG. Saturday he gets his beautiful face shoved in the stations ala Max P. but thank god he was OK. Then he has a beauty of a goal against Dallas to help the Kings win a knuckle biter against their division rivals that went down to the wire too! Dallas ties it with less than 40 seconds to go and the Kings come back with a grinder that Handzus smacks in seconds later. Two points and that puts LA in fourth. Being the eternal optimist, I’m hoping they can stay in play-off contention.

Oh and Pittsburg played. They won. But what was really important, Letang played. Three games: Ovi, TBG and Letang; a trifecta of hockey gods. Sleep well my friends. I will. 😉

Thank You. But Where's Letang?

- Posted in Pants Loves, Randomness

This is for all you Penguins fans. And I won’t make any snarky remarks about Sidney or MAX TALBOT. They are thanking their fans for their 200th sell out, which is awesome. Congrats. But where is Letang? For a player who was a popular write-in for the all-star game, it isn’t a stretch to ask. Maybe he was busy getting his haircut.