Why Ticket Master Sucks

Today marked an important day for all LA Kings fans. The pre-sale tickets for Frozen Fury XI opened today at 10AM. What’s the Frozen Fury, you ask? Well, let me enlighten you.


For the past 10 years, the Kings have held a pre-season game in Las Vegas against the Colorado Avalanche at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. I attended last year and made a pact with my brother that we would go every year from now on. The energy was beyond electric and everyone was having a great time. The Kings won in the shootout with Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Michael Cammalleri scoring for the Kings. This was the first time I had seen the Kings’ future in net with Jonathan Bernier making a fantastic opening. In a bar afterward I met a guy who randomly had gone to my college and we both whipped out our ID Cards, whereupon, my brother pretended like he didn’t know me.

Bottom line: the Frozen Fury is AMAZING.

So, why is my post titled as such when I’m doing nothing but talking up the Frozen Fury? Well let me explain how this worked. I needed a total of 10 tickets and since I’m a new season ticket holder, I was able to get in on the Kings VIP pre-sale discount through Ticket Master. So I went to the site, and lo and behold, I was only able to get 8 tickets. So my friend and I were thinking of buying 7 and then going in and buying another 3, which meant that we wouldn’t have all been sitting together. When we took a closer look, we saw that the Convenience Charge was $8 FOR EACH TICKET. So for $28/ticket + $8 multiplied by 10 equaled $360!!! I immediately called my ticket guy and asked him what he could do for us since we wanted 10 tickets anyway. He said that if we went ahead and bought the Group deal (15 tickets), it’d be cheaper AND the service charge would only be $10 TOTAL.

So I had to choose 10 tickets for $360 through Ticket Master or 15 tickets for $385 through my ticket guy. Can you guess which one I went for??

cross-posted to A Queen Among Kings

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I have accepted it

It's all Carey Price (aka Baby Sexy #1)'s fault

Don't belive me?


Well I'm sorry to disappoint. Price was amazing in the first three games against Boston, and then, somehow, he lost it. He made some great saves while give up some craptastic goals, and when I say craptastic, I mean craptastic.


Throughout the regular season, Price looked like the second coming of Patrick Roy. Despite my love of Hip Hip Huet, I let myself believe. I thought that we could win with Price between the pipes.... after all the kid had gone from the Dub, where he lost out, to a Calder Cup the year before. He should have been ready for the show.


Of course, that's easy for me to say. I've never played pro in Montreal. I've never had to deal with the media scrutiny. I've never had to deal with the St. Patrick comparisons. After all, the last second coming of Patrick Roy was Jose Thedore (SEXY #1), and despite taking back the starting gig in Colorado this season, Theo disappointed fans in Montreal before.


20 years old is too young for a goalie in today's NHL.


I am not making excuses for my team and the fact that they failed to make it to the Conference Championships.


I am stating a fact.


In 1999 a nearly 20 year old Roberto Luongo led Team Canada at the World Juniors. We lost in a heart breaker to Russia. Luongo still hasn't made an impact to ANY post-season team, and he's now 29.


His back up that year was Brian Finley. I had to Google him to find out who he is. Last season he played 12 games. 2 in the show for the BOOuirns and 10 for their AHL affiliate. He's 26.


In 2000, Maxime Ouellet started for the Red and White. He's 26 now. He played 6 games in the ECHL this year. Brian Finley was his back up.

In 2001, Maxime was back between the pipes for the Red & White. We finished third for a second year in a row. Alex Auld was his back up. He split this year between Phoenix, San Antonio (AHL) and Boston. He's 27.

In 2002, Team Canada was led at the World Juniors by Pascale Leclair. We place second, and it took him until this season, as a 25 year old, to make a difference for Columbus. His back up, Olivier Michaud, had to be Googled. He's playing in some league called the LNAH for the St. Jean Chiefs. (For the record, 2002 was the year that Hottie McHottie from Fort McMurray, Scotti Upshall was el Capitaine!)

In 2003, Canada took home silver again and began developing a complex. This was also the year that Crosby was like, a stick boy or something in Halifax. He would have been like 15. Upshall once again wore the "C" for Canada, only this time, MAF (Marc-Andre Fleury) was between the pipes for the Red and White. He's really making noise as a star goalie now - at 23.

His backup, David LeNeveu, had to be Googled, and all he did was play 39 games in the AHL for 2 teams this season.

MAF was back in 2004 when Team Canada (AKA MAF) gave up a lead to the Americans (led by Hottie McHottie Zachie Parise) and eventually the game in the third period in Finland. His back up that year? Josh Harding. Hards, a dirty Regina boy if ever there was one, played 29 games as the Wild back up this year. He's 23.

In 2005, the Red and White finally won Gold. (First time in like, forever for Canadian hockey fans). They were led in goal by Jeff Glass. As a 22 year old, he played 45 games for the Baby Sens. His back up Rejean Beauchemin (SEXY #1's Doppleganger) played 43 games in the ECHL at the same age.

In 2006, Team Canada was Golden again. This time we were led by a Laffs draft pick named Justin Pogge. He went on to be a Bootlegger Spokesmodel. Well, mainly model, and at 21 he's still playing for the Baby Laffs. His backup, Devan Dubnyk, was a backup in the AHL this year, after a year in the ECHL.

Finally, in 2007, the Super Series Team was led to Gold against Team Russia by Jonathan Bernier, Steve Mason and Leland Irving. Mainly, Bernier was in the minors, despite a great start for the Kings, and a few games in the AHL. He's 19. Mason, also 19, was back in the OHL all season. Irving was back in the Dub.

Carey Price led the 2007 edition of Team Canada to World Junior Gold. He went on to be eliminated in the Dub playoffs, only to lead the Baby Habs to a Calder Cup. His backup, was Irving who toiled in the Dub this year.

The fact is, 20 is simply too young for a goalie in today's NHL, and if anyone wants to argue with me, you just have to look back at the Great Goalies of the World Juniors to see what I mean... and I didn't even look at Russia's goalies!

So Baby Sexy #1 was too young, but he's formidable as it is. Give him a couple of year. The Habs will be the next Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup. Trust me...

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Decision, decisions - The Forward Edition

While I must admit that this year’s off season is drastically different than last year’s, there are still a lot of unknowns left hanging in the air. Who stays, who goes and how much are we willing to shell out for those key players that we just can’t live without? Predators GM David Poile is a man faced with a multitude of options and I would like to think that he’s more excited about the possibilities of what could be rather than nervous about who/what he has to lose.

We were fortunate enough during the season to lock up JP Dumont, David Legwand and Jordin Tootoo for a few more years. However, we still have a plethora of players that need to be either re-signed, traded or set free. I originally set out to breakdown all of the RFA/UFA’s in one post but after I realized that like HALF THE TEAM is one or the other, I decided to divide this up between the forwards, defense and goalies, with a new post each week.

So, here’s list of the forwards (in alphabetical order) with my predictions as to whether or not they stay/go/retire/fade into oblivion:

Brandon Bochenski (RW) – RFA; a trade deadline pickup but definitely not someone to write home about. Poor Bochenski though…he has been through it all with being placed on waivers (don’t even get me started on the poor plight of players when that happens), not being picked up off waivers, being basically handed to another team to just to free up some space on a roster and then being picked up by us at trade deadline with future considerations given to the Ducks later on. I think he might hold the promise of being a good player if given the chance to play more than a handful of games a season. I just don’t think he’ll show up on our roster again.

My prediction: Gets picked up by another organization or goes to play for the minors somewhere.

Martin Erat (L/RW) – RFA; got a terrific start to the year and then a couple of minor injuries sidelined him for small stretches of time mid-season. Even though he had a career year for goals scored (23), I think he lost a little bit of himself with all the line changes and injuries that took out key players on his line(s). There’s no question whatsoever that I want him to be re-signed and the Predators organization should be actively pursuing whatever it takes to make it happen. Both David Poile and the ownership group have been quoted on more than one occasion as saying that they will make sure to lock Erat up before July. I couldn’t imagine this team without him so let’s hope those quotes ring true. I think he will really start playing to his full potential when Coach Trotz can find the right fit for a finisher on the line with both he and David Legwand.

My prediction: Re-signs to three-year deal for at least $3.5 million/year.
Update (5/12/2008): It was confirmed this afternoon that Erat has signed a seven year, $31.5 million contract with the Preds. I guess I was a little off! Who cares?! We've got him for seven more years and that makes this girl very happy.

Martin Gelinas (LW) – UFA; acquired during the off season last year; missed remainder of the season following an ACL tear that required immediate surgery in February; a good veteran player who brought more to the table than I ever expected; also a great guy to have in the locker room as a mentor for the younger players. I would like to see him stick around for the locker room factor alone.

My prediction: Gelinas retires (he IS 37, people) or re-signs for one year.

Jan Hlavac (LW) – UFA; who knew he would be this season’s trade deadline pickup surprise hit? For his short stint with the Predators after being traded from Tampa Bay, he was quite impressive as the replacement for the injured Martin Gelinas. All comments about him as a player were some of the most complimentary I had ever heard come from our coaching staff so I wouldn’t be too surprised if David Poile decided to add him back to the lineup next season. And if he can play center or winger, I could see him replacing Mr. +/-31 Radek Bonk for a few games.

My prediction: This one’s a toughie…maybe a one-year deal?

Darcy Hordichuk (LW) – UFA; Darcy had his moments of above-average play in a few games but he knew what his role was on the team; he was the enforcer…even though we already had one in Jordin Tootoo. While Tootoo stepped up his game this season and had a career-year all around, Darcy managed to score just one goal all season, ending a scoreless streak that started in November 2006. I was more than a little upset that Trotz played him more than Jed Ortmeyer during the first half of the season because at least Jed had good penalty-killing instincts. I hate to say it but I would almost bet we keep him around just to have extra players to “sweeten the pot” should we make a trade next season.

My prediction: Re-signs for one year.

Rich Peverley (C) – RFA; while Rich wasn’t an “official” part of our team all season, we called him up so much that he might has well have been. He played more games than some others who didn’t have a two-way contract. At first I didn’t care for him as a player all that much but on his second call-up of the season, he really stood out to me and I began to see that this kid was definitely NHL-ready. Unfortunately, I think his NHL career will only start with us as he’ll surely be picked up by another organization this summer. With all the injuries healed, Pev would end up being just another scratch every night; and he’s way better than to be stuck in that situation.

My prediction: Signs one-way contract with another team. [single tear]


Next week: Dissecting the Defensemen

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Thanks Mr. Mac

x-posted on Bethany's Hockey Rants
This video was from the Blue Jackets website. It is Rick Nash's speech from the Memorial. I think it needs to be posted, also he talked about the scholarship fund, which, I plan on donating to. If you are interested in donating, go ahead and click here. Again, thank you Mr. Mac, for everything that you have done for the city of Columbus, the Blue Jackets, and for just being a great person. We miss you.

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Friday Five

1.) Beach or mountains?
2.) Which newspaper(s) do you read? (Either online or in print)
3.) What do you plan to do during the hockey off season to keep yourself occupied?
4.) Favorite form of procrastination?
5.) Who is the most entertaining player on your team?

PS, does anyone know why my posts keep getting messed up and some of the type isn't showing up or it's really tiny?

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Luc, You're Mine!

The Hermano saw my blog post about not wanting to spend $40 on sponsoring Luc Robitaille on Hockey-Reference.com and did what every good older brother would do: give me an early birthday gift by paying for my blog to sponsor Luc!

He also decided to sponsor Dustin Brown and Kelly Hrudey with his non-hockey related blog, Tacos y Ramen. Hrudey is probably one of his most favorite goaltenders so I completely understood that sponsorship and I guess he has some kind of mancrush for Brownie.

Some might say, "What a stupid birthday gift!" But you don't understand the gift-giving dynamic between us. Our birthdays fall within 10 days of each other so every birthday month and Christmas we ask each other what we want (usually a DVD, book, or gift card) and that's what we buy. There's usually no suspense in what the other one bought and frankly, that's what I like. I would hate to feign happiness about a shitty gift my brother gave me and it makes the gift-buying process very easy. Usually I'll ask for something that I want but just haven't gotten around to buying, either because I can't justify buying it for myself (i.e., sponsoring Luc) or I know it'll be an easy gift for someone else to buy me. Regardless, it's always something that I want and am happy to receive, which is why when my hermano told me he sponsored Luc for me, I laughed my ass off (because I couldn't believe he did it) and was entirely ecstatic.

All I can say is, "Thanks, Hermano!" It's good to see that he's using his salary from his over-paying job to show our support for the LA Kings.

x-posted to Purple Crushed Velvet

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Sacrilege for The Burgh

Those of you who know me also know that I'm not one for stats. However, I do find trends interesting. So, following an interesting one, here's how the Pittsburgh Penguins could beat my Flyers.

Bench Cindy!

That's right. The Flyers won the regular season Battle of Pennsylvania with the Penguins this year (5-3). And you know what? We generally won when Sid the Kid played. See:

11/07: Flyers win with Sid
11/10: Flyers win with Sid
12/11: Flyers win with Sid
1/24: Flyers win without Sid
2/10: Pens win without Sid
3/16: Pens win without Sid
4/02: Pens win with Sid
4/06: Flyers win without Sid

You know who really gives us trouble? Evgeni Malkin.

Of course, we all know that stats and trends aren't as important in the playoffs.

Best of luck to Ellie and Elly (and Teka, too)!

Semi cross-posted to Flyers.Femme

[5/06 Note: Thanks, Blogger, for your regular nightly failure that ate my corrections. Argh!]

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Stars Take Down Sharks

This is so awesome. I love the fact that I get to write this right now. I don't think anyone expected the Stars to pull off even a first round victory, after the March they had. Instead, the Stars dispatched of the Ducks in six games. And then they drew the Sharks, another Pacific division rival, and almost swept them. Sure, it may have taken a pretty monumental four overtime game to do it, but man, playoff OT hockey is SO AWESOME. More behind the jump...

It's often said that the Pacific is the toughest division in hockey. I would tend to agree, if only for the presence of the Stars, Ducks, and Sharks (no offense to the Coyotes - you know I love Bryz; or the Kings - CKim knows that I've got a fondness for Anze Kopitar that can't be explained). The Stars, Ducks, and Sharks lately have constantly battled for top dog in the Pacific, and the fact that the Stars came out of this one is pretty awesome.

Marty Turco and Brenden Morrow, STARS of round two. Marty Turco continues to make amazing saves and stand on his head to keep his team in it, and Brenden is always there to make that play when you need it. He's truly an inspirational captain, I must say. I mean, I don't know what's said in the locker room. Everything I've heard tells me that Brenden is the kind of captain that leads by example, which makes sense, as he is the guy who gives 3147801347089513% every night. Even Dave Tippett said, "And then I think about Brenden Morrow and I go 'Wow, I'm going to ask for 5 or 10-percent more from this guy? That's a lot!'"

Next up, the Detroit Red Wings. Although I'm quite nervous about this series, I'm also extremely excited. The Red Wings are an incredibly skilled team, and the Stars have always seemed to have a little bit of trouble at Joe Louis Arena. Will they be able to pull of the same thing they did in the first two rounds with two consecutive victories away from home? The Red Wings are facing a different Stars team than they were earlier in the season. This Stars team is brimming with confidence, skill, talent, inspiration, everything.

The Stars ask me to believe. I will.

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Round 2 Over and Done

As a Rangers fan, I am saddened at my team's premature dismissal from the playoffs this weekend. I did cry - I get emotional about my team - after they mounted a stupendous comeback with flashes of brilliance. But it wasn't enough...

So as a hockey fan, I have to collect myself and take stock of the remaining teams. We have in the East seeds 2 and 6 playing eachother, and they would be the two Pennsylvania teams duking it out for conference champs. I'm at a loss as to who I will support in this one.

In the West, we have seeds 1 and 5 going head to head for their conference title. Just by sheer numbers, I have to lean toward Detroit. As it's been said, they are a machine, but Dallas is a formidable opponent. Should be one helluva series.

In any case, I will be praying to the hockey gods that someone other than Mikes Emerick and/or Milbury will be announcing the games. I can only take so much.

So - what are your predictions from this point on?

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Syracuse Crunch @ Toronto Marlies Game 1

With the Leafs out of the playoffs I've managed to get a media pass to the Marlies games, so from the press box at Ricoh Coliseum here's a first period report.

The Marlies are down 2 – nothing at the end of a very feisty first period. 3 seconds into the game, the puck barely out of the face off circle, when the Crunch’s Zenon Konopka and Toronto’s Colin Murphy dropped the gloves. Derek McKenzie scored @ 1:40 and Clay Wilson @ 11:04. Toronto had some good chances, including two by Bates Battaglia, whose goal won game 7 against San Antonio.

Toronto’s Kyle Rogers and Derek Dorsett of the Crunch finished the first as it began – with fisticuffs.

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Franzen Cleans Up Big Time

Hey ladies, hope you don't mind the intrusion into the Western Conference but with my Leafs out...

Johan Franzen could easily get a second career with Molly Maid after cleaning house last night. His hat trick in Detroit’s 8-2 white wash swept the Avs out of the 2008 playoffs; it also cleared the dust from Gordie Howe’s now former record of 8 goals in a playoff series. Franzen’s 9 goals in the series equalled Colorado’s combined scoring total.

This is the second time in the 2007-2008 season the 28 year old Swede has shattered one of Mr. Hockey’s records. Franzen notched his sixth game winning goal of the season in March, topping Howe’s benchmark set in 1952. He is also the first player since Jari Kurri in 1985 to get two hat tricks in a series.


When asked how he felt about surpassing another Howe achievement, Franzen quipped “I didn’t follow the game back then.” Detroit’s head coach, Mike Babcock added “If you’re going to break records, you might as well break Gordie Howe’s”

Somewhat lost in the hoopla surrounding Franzen’s achievements were the performances of fellow Swedes Henrik Zetterberg and Mikael Samulesson. They both netted two goals. Tomas Holmstrom’s single score rounded out the scoring – all the Wings goals came from Swedish players.

This series marked a departure from the heated and close battles between the Avs and Red Wings in the 90s. Zetterberg didn’t feel bad about it: “I won’t apologize for beating them like this,” “I know they’ll came back at us next year.”

Joe Sakic, the Avs fabled Burnaby Joe may not return. The 38 year old, 20 year NHL veteran is contemplating retirement if his health doesn’t hold up. He missed 38 games this season and played this series with tears in both groins. Sakic is tied with Leaf fan favourite Doug Gilmour for seventh place in all time NHL playoff points with 188.

Colorado was hit hard with injuries. Ryan Smith, Paul Stastny, Marek Svatos all missed games.

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Friday Five

1.) How many pages was the longest paper that you ever had to write?
2.)Who is your favoite French-Canadian NHL player?
3.) What is (are) your preferred pizza topping (s)?
4.) How much water do you drink a day on average?
5.) What was your favorite color as a kid?

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