Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Jo-say? What happened?

Never fails. As soon as you give a guy props, he goes and disappoints you.

Jose Theodore, who I have supported all season, and had a brilliant start to the playoffs, was pulled from games 1 and 2 of the Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Redwings series.

The series comes do Denver tonight, and there is no word on who the starting goaltender will be, Theo or Budaj.

Supposedly, Jose had the flu in the first game, and didn't look strong in the second game either.

Whomever is manning the net for the Avalanche, they will need to stand tall against the Detroit onslaught.

It's good to know that Theo isn't the only one who is struggling.

in this article written by Scott Burnside of ESPN, he mentions that both goalies, who were exceptionally strong throughout the first round, are now struggling.

Tonight should see the return of Peter Forsberg, and Scott Hannan, and just in time too, as Ryan Smith and Woitej Wolski and Ryan Smith are sitting out.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Rivalry Renewed?

With the Avalanche and the Red Wings back in the mix for the first time in the playoffs since 2002, there has been a lot of pub. regarding the old blood rivalry between the two clubs.


Many stories regarding the old rivalry are being written...even currently.

Like this one.

And this one.

Here.

and Here.

Ill be able to judge the series fairly when the first puck has been dropped...bue even when i was paying today with some Wings fans, everything was tame.

The blood might start to boil a little later in the series...but for now, I don't think the rivalry is as bas as it used to be.

We'll see.
Go Avs.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Jo-se can you play?

I fell asleep a few nights ago still with fresh cheers of "Jose! Jose! Jose!" stuck in my head.

Jose Theodore, a much maglined goaltender, freshly departed from Montreal two years ago, was no more than an overpriced backup at the start of the season.

However, now, he is playing as well as any Avalanche goalie has played in recent memory...and is drawing comparisons to the fabled #33, *gasp*.

I have always been a Jose Theodore apologist. I always knew that he could play, but just couldn't understand why he couldn't.

A goalie myself, I understand what happens when you lose confidence. However, I have not gone from the high of winning the Vezina trophy to backup on a team struggling with their goaltending. Nor have I ever been largley distracted by this girl.

My men's league is a little different, so is my girlfriend.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Almost there

How about that Avs game the other night. Wow, simply, wow.

With an offense like that, there is no reason the Avalanche can't win the cup this year.

They got some solid goaltending from Jose (he can play) Theodore.

Tonight is a big game for the Avs. They have a great chance to take a 3-2 series lead and put a ton of pressure on the Wild coming back to The Can.

Other playoff series:

Congrats to the Pens, for sweeping the Senators. ( I can't stand the Sens, so I was pretty pleased).
The Caps/Flyers series, Philly is showing that they are a talented team, just one year removed from being the worst team in the league. Solid goaltending from Marty Biron. Ovechikin needs to get hot if they're going to have a chance.
Boston and Montreal: The Habs clinch tonight. Boston is done.
Rangers and Devils: Away from me Devils, Chris Drury said and he put them one 'W' away from the semis. Rangers clinch tomorrow night.


Anaheim and Dallas, the Ducks are cooked. Stars win it tonight.
Colorado and Minnesota: hope the Avs can grab the series lead.
Detroit and Nashville: The NHL would rejoice should the Wings lose, but I don't see it happening.
Calgary and San Jose: The Fins take another bite out of the Flames tonight. One thing is for sure though. Great. Goaltending.

Oh, and Sean Avery is Busch League.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Happy times are here again.

Playoff hockey. There is no more intense a situation.

Even my roommate, who is not a hockey fan at all, was even impressed with the intensity of last nights first round games.

You can take Barry Melrose's word for it, or mine.

Breakin em down.

Eastern Confrence:

The Pens and the Rangers were winners on Wednesday night.

I think that the defending Eastern Conference Senators are cooked. They're hurt, and the Pens have experience in key positions. It will be up to Marc Andre Fleury to play some good hockey, and this unknown kid to step up his game.

The Rangers have too much firepower and a goalie who can steal a game. The most overrated goaltender in the NHL has met his match.

Western Conference:

Melrose Breakdown.

Super Joe Sakic scored his ninth overtime goal to take a 1 -0 lead on the Wild.

Jose Theodore was solid in net, but the Avs' defense needs to step up if they will win the series, and the offense needs to find a way to continue to generate strong offensive scoring chances to keep it a short series.

The Flames took a bite out of the sharks, grabbing a one game series lead. It wont last, the sharks are too good.

Bouncer Assignment

Loud music, alcohol, fist-fights, not everyone has to put up with these sights and sounds in their nine-to-five.

Dan Wonstolen, a senior at Colorado State makes this a part of his daily life.

Dan works at the Drunken Monkey, a jungle themed bar in Old Town Fort Collins.

"The reason I applied for the job was because it was the only time I could work with my schedule."

Wonstolen also is a member of the Colorado State University Club Rugby team, and has to work around his class and Rugby schedule.

"With my classes set up the way they are and rugby Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights I didn't have time to work at any other time."

Dan mentioned that being a rubgy player has helped him be an effective bouncer.

"It helpful to be tall and strong because I don't need to rely on anyone but myself to manage physical situatons."

While most students wouldn't choose to devote their weekend evenings watching others consume, Dan doesn't mind.

"I enjoy working in a bar because I can be out on a Friday and Saturday night and not spend money and still have fun. I have saved more this year by not spending my money on beer."

However, being a bouncer and staying out to all hours does have it's drawbacks.

"The worst part would be cleaning up at the end of the night it is time consuming and very mundane." Wonstolen commented.

"Another thing that isn't so good about working Friday and Saturday nights as well as two nights a week is it takes away from my social life. I can't go out with my friends on a weekend night and it puts a strain on any girl relationships I have because I'm out all hours and they don't get to see me at night."

While time consuming, and with pros and cons, working around an atmosphere such as a bar provides some memorable moments.

"All of the fights are pretty memorable, the most recent one six guys got arrested and one went to the hospital. Another one recently that I broke up, one kid was stomping on the head of another kid."

Fights aren't the only attractions at the Drunken Monkey. "Another time we had a guy who was playing with fire attached to some chains try to come into the bar naked looking for tips."

Though it is a loud, fast paced atmosphere where almost anything can happen at any time of the evening, Dan enjoys his job as a bouncer at the Drunken Monkey.

"The people that I work with are a lot of fun and I enjoy joking around and hanging out with them."

Audio Project

http://profile.imeem.com/fbuUfc6/music/dKWvQILF/jb_prjectmp3/

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Uno Mas

One more before the Four.

Playoff blog comin next time.

Thursday, April 3, 2008