1. I don’t tend to notice the crowd cheers during hockey broadcasts, but last night, riiight as Doc Emrick was saying, “And now you hear the ‘Let’s go Sharks’ chant,” I was cringing and thinking, “Are they chanting, ‘Let’s go Sha-arks’ right now? Because that’s NOT COOL.” Turning a one syllable team name (Sharks) into two syllables (Sha-arks) in order to cram it into a cheer offends my sense of decency. I know that Sabres fans are not always the most sophisticated bunch (we boo first, ask questions later), but we’re not animals, and I’d like to think we’d never do such a thing.
2. For some reason I’ve really been paying attention to those “Try out a Ford for a week” commercials with Mike Rowe. I love me some Mike Rowe. Doesn’t everyone? He’s handsome and charming, which appeals to the ladies, but he’s also kind of a dude’s dude, so he appeals to the gentlemen. I think everyone, man and woman, loves Mike Rowe. But, have you noticed that the only people who try out a Ford for a week are women? And then, after they swap their Camry for an Escape, the women stand next to the Ford, giggling about how much they love it while Mike Rowe flirts with them? It’s kind of a hilariously simple ad campaign. Women, buy a Ford because if you do, men like Mike Rowe will make you feel adorable! Men, buy a Ford because if you do, the women in your life will look at you like they look at Mike Rowe. They’ll be constantly giddy, and much more likely to dispense blowjobs. Everyone wins!
3. (Heather, please turn away)
I do not understand why anyone (except Heather B) would suggest that the Sabres should sign Tallinder over Toni Lydman. That’s nutty. Yes, Hank had a good year, and yes, he has nice chemistry with Tyler Myers. But you know what else Henrik Tallinder had this year? A contract year. Don’t you guys remember how HARD he sucked last year AND the year before? I’m sorry to say, but Hank can’t be trusted.
I would argue that Toni Lydman is every bit as valuable as Tallinder, but he’s MUCH less fragile, and he’s WAY more reliable. You know what you’re going to get with Toni Lydman: hilariously dry interviews, reasonably solid no-nonsense defense, and a few truly atrocious mistakes every year. With Hank, you really have no idea what you’re going to get.
Now, if you want to argue that Darcy should sign Hank just to keep Heather happy, I’d be willing to listen to that. Ain’t no one happy unless Heather B’s happy.
4. I’ve got the Suns/Lakers game on in the background right now (Let’s go Su-uns!), and they just showed Phil Jackson sitting on the sidelines. It got me thinking- do you think Lindy ever wishes he could sit down during a game? They should give him a little bar stool or something back there. I bet he gets tired.
The Willful Caboose 
Re:#4
Lindy’s knees do not bend. #untruelindyfacts
I have a friend who is a die hard Sharks fan and he explains it with: the area is already used to chanting “let’s go Gi-ants” and other 2 syllable team names, so when the Sharks were introduced, no body bothered to change the beats of the chant since they were already so ingrained. But I also admit, the doubling of the syllables threw me off. I’m stuck in Pittsburgh right now and the local chant is “let’s go Pens” and not “Let’s go Pen-guins” even though they could go with that option. Huh…
HAHAHA! You’re so good at the #untruelindyfacts game, Christina! You’re the best in the biz
Lifeinspoons, that’s just laziness on the part of the Sha-arks fans! Shameful!
The thing is, they don’t even see it as a problem. They don’t even realise that it’s a bit weird. Oh well.
The realist in me can buy the argument to keep Toni over Hank. Health would be my biggest concern and Toni is more physical (not a beast by any means but more of a beast than Hank). And while I would like to shrug it off, the contract year phenomenon is real. I’d be more upset about the Sabres not keeping either of them which I think would be a mistake for a few different reasons.
The Hank fan in me, however, says that while he sucked HARD last season, he was very good for most of the season before that but just ended badly (it was in February of that season that Mirtle had him ranked the best defensive d-man in the league) and that you’re CLEARLY a crazy beeyotch who doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
Heather, I will defer to your superior Hank knowledge and concede that perhaps he was was not bad for two full years before this one, but still. What if he reverts to 2008 form?
you’re CLEARLY a crazy beeyotch who doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
You’ve got me there.
What if he reverts to 2008 form?
What if he doesn’t?
(I’m being a pest but seriously, I think that’s why some people would sign him over Toni. I’m blogging about this right now so I won’t go on too long, but I think it’s a higher risk, higher reward thing. If he reverts, well, that’s bad. But if he doesn’t, he’s better than Toni and the Sabres have a legit top pairing. Oh, who am I kidding? I can’t be logical about this one. Carry on. :P)
If they can sign Hank to a one year deal, I’m totally with you, but I have to think he’s going to want a few years. He just put together a contract year. He’s going to want the resulting contract, right?
I guess I just don’t think the Sabres should take a risk on a contract for a player they’ve had on their roster for years. If they’re going to take a chance, take a chance on a new guy- one that can change the tone of the room. Truthfully, the idea of re-signing Hank is a little too reminiscent of re-signing Tim Connolly for my taste. It’s not really Hank’s fault, but I don’t have the stomach for another “This will be awesome if he plays to his potential,” contract. With Toni Lydman, you know what you’re getting.
I should also say, I don’t know why I’m arguing vehemently against Hank right now. I want you to be happy. I want you to have Hank. (But I don’t want the Sabres to pay market value for him. Can you call him and arrange a sweetheart hometown discount deal?)
You think that’s bad, try Nassau Coliseum where its three syllables, and it ends with ‘durs’.
Hey Kate, many years ago Mike Rowe was in a morning Regis and Kelly type show called Mike & Maty. I don’t remember it doing very well but if you really love your Mike Rowe, you might want to try digging episodes of it out of the internet TV graveyard.
As for Hank and Toni, I say replace them both if possible but I agree that you guys should replace Hank at least.
I like Lydman, but has anyone noticed how he takes really dumb penalties during crucial times of the game? It will be like the last minute of play, and we’re up by a goal and he’ll take a dumb hooking penalty to give the other team a 6-on-4 power play.
But I like Lydman and I also have a soft spot for Tallinder…ohhh the trials and tribulations of being a hockey fan.
Mikw Rowe used to be a host on QVC. My husband has found many hilarious clips on YouTube of Mike selling really bizarre pointless things.
I should also say, I don’t know why I’m arguing vehemently against Hank right now.
Well, in fairness, you did tell me not to look. I did anyway. So I started it. :P
OMG, please tell me you have seen the Mike Rowe QVC spot where he’s selling the Crinkly Cat Bag?!
And that you Katebits. I had not considered the blowjob implications of Mike Rowe. Now, should I ever meet the man, I will be unable to look him in the eye for fear of envisioning naughty activities.
On the plus side, watching Dirty Jobs just got a whole lot more enjoyable!