Stanley Cup Playoffs and Robby makes the final spot...

Okay, I know it has been a long fricking time. You know when life just overtakes you and you just feel like you have way too much to do? Well that was not me, I just have been very lazy and instead of taking care of you, TUNDRATALK NATION, I was just doing my thing. Yeah I know I suck. But really, here I am. Back and better than ever. Just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I need to be here for you during this time of year so you can take my advice and call your bookie and make your bank for the next year. Really, if that is all I am good for, that is pretty damn good. I make you money. Word, as the kids say.

Before I get to that, I have a little bit of business to take care of. The Entourage search, which I started around two years ago has finally come to an end. I know some of you have been waiting with baited breath and are probably a bit pissed it has taken so long. Well, you can just chill out. Putting together a posse is not something you do overnight. You can't just throw a group of dudes together without doing your due diligence or it could really backfire in your face. Just look what happened to McCain when he added that dim bulb Palin to his campaign. Boom.

So here he is the last member of the posse. Robby DuPuis. Congrats Robby. On getting into the posse AND having a kid last week. Evi Marie DuPuis was born last week and I just want to ask Robby, are you sleeping much? By the way, your life is over. Start studying up on the Disney Princesses and Barbie. You are done like dinner. Feel free to send him a line and congratulate him.

Robby is a dude, with whom I first encountered at the Mighty Minot State University. He was, and still is, one of the finest radio broadcasters to have ever lived. Well, short of Howard Stern and Me. We collaborated on many a project and took the broadcast world by storm. In fact we worked on so many classic advertisements that they talked about waiving the age requirement on the Advertisement Hall Of Fame to put us in immediately. But, us, being the completely humble and modest, told them no. I mean the talent and creativity was off the charts. Just CLICK HERE and have a look at the Robby and Chris Connection. Really, who can ever forget the great Dakota Farms ad? I know I can't. Or how about the abstract beauty of the Music Syndicate Ad? Amazing.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. There was a major tremor in the Farce. This tremor shook the world. Robby moved on to Austin Texas to chase ambulances and I moved to Dead Moines to also chase ambulances. The end of an era. The ad world mourned. Robby and I kept in touch but it just wasn't the same.

Until NOW. Now Robby joins the greatest Entourage in the world and the magic will happen again. Well, at least as soon as I win the lottery or my screenplay gets picked up. It will happen. Trust me. Robby now lives in Minneapple and is married with a kid. He still chases ambulances, but I know, in the back of his mind, he longs for the days of thinking up stupid shit so some jag off in a suit can sell a product. I know, that if he had the chance to once again do a commercial for a dry cleaner store that the client INSISTED that his 4 kids (and their dog) be in and it has to be 'different'. He would jump at the opportunity. I just know it. Until then my posse will have to do.

Robby, let us know how you feel...


I was vacuuming the carpet... er, polishing my '67 GTO when I got the life-changing call that I was the final member to be inducted into the TT Entourage. I had to put down my PBR and crack open another to celebrate and regain my composure.

I'm not sure how I've come to receive this high honor, but I assume it has something to do with my willingness to hide Chris' past illegal discretions from the authorities. Of course as a member of the Entourage, that privilege extends to my fellow Entouragers.

As a member of the Entourage I reserve the right to give any of my fellow members a hard time about anything I see fit (especially being a viqueens fan), while making sure we're having just enough fun to stay out of serious legal trouble weather it be over-the-top questionable behavior or just good clean fun.

That's all I have to say. If you don't like it, screw you.

Peace,

Rob (Robby) DuPuis

Thanks Robby, nice to hear from you. Now for those of you in this great posse. The waiting is over. It is time to start working. Make this happen. I am doing all in my power to get us all together for an event that will end all events. Being in this group is not just a title. It is work. It is honor. It is beer. For those of you not in the group, it is okay. You still are a member of TundraTalk Nation. Not an easy group to be in. TT Nation is an elite group of individuals who walk the walk and talk the talk. Now, get it done.

NEXT:

The Stanley Cup Playoff picks...



Okay, now the Preacher sent me an email this morning with his picks, which are as usual, lousy.  Why do you care?  Well, it was the impetus (I know big word) to get me off my ass and get a post up on TundraTalk.  So I guess Preacher is good for something.    Without further blabbering on by me I will get right to it.  Sorry about the italics, I cannot seem to get them to stop.

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

Washington Captials (1) vs. New York Rangers (8)

Although the Rangers have tended to give the Caps fits I am going to take Ovetchkin and the boys on this one because they have overcome a lot this year to get where they are now.  I am thinking this is the year that Ovetchkin does not disappear and has a decent playoffs.  Sorry Hauser, Caps in 6.

Philidelphia Flyers (2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (7)

I am not a Pronger guy.  Hate him.  He is a big time douchebag.  Almost to the level of Douchmidity that Brent Favre has.  Philly is tough though.  I would love to see the Sabres pull this one out of a hat and get it done for Randy Hawke.  I know that dude is still reeling after the crap that was pulled by DallASS back in the day.  I just don't think they Sabres have it in them.  I want them to, I just don't think it is there.  I hope I am wrong...Philly in 7.

Boston Bruins (3) vs. Montreal Canadiens (6)

Screw Montreal.  Boston in 4.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (5)

Tampa has a lot of talent on that team.  Loaded.  BUT is their goal tending enough to push them through?  Also can the pretty boy scorers on the Bolts survive the pounding the boys from Pitt are gonna give them?  I think not.  I know it is tough to pick the Pens without Sidney, but I am gonna.  Pittsburgh in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (8)

This is the series everyone wants to see.  The Sedin sisters versus the reigning champs.  We all know that the sisters disappear in the playoffs.  They have always seemed soft.  Like they go and play with their Barbies right after every game.  I hate those guys.  BUT the Hawks barely even got into the dance.  BUT they also seem to have the Canuckleheads number in the playoffs.  Will this be the year they get over the hump?  Donnie Granato thinks so.  He is scouting for them this year and it seems to be working since they are the Presidents Trophy winners.  I hate to pick against Donnie, EVER.  So I won't.  This pains me to do this, but, Canucks in 6.  I feel like I just put on a skirt or something.

San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (7)

The Sharks are another of those teams that just have it tough in the playoffs.  They have tons of skill and grit but they seem to leave it in the locker room during the post season.  The Kings on the other hand have lost two of their best players, their goaltending is iffy, and they play in Los Angeles.  BUT they have Matt Greene a former Gambler and Fighting Sioux on their team.  Jarret Stoll, a TundraTalk Podcast vetran is on this squad.  Smytty, of the famous Ugly Jacket Scandal is also on the Kings.  You know what, I cannot go against a Gambler.  Kings in 7.

Detroit Red Wings (3) vs. Phoenix Coyotes (6)

You know how much I hate the Wings.  The test is do I hate the Wings more than I hate the whole situation in Phoenix.  Bettman the tool still is allowing that whole fiasco in PHX to carry on.  That team needs to move north, and move fast.  I hate that they can hold this team hostage for 35 fans in Arizona when it could move north and have a full building every night.  Screw Phoenix.  Oh this hurts.  Wings in 4.

Anaheim Mighty Ducks (4) vs. Nashville Predators (5)

This sucks. I hate both these teams.  Is there a way they both could be eliminated?  I wish.  Nashville in 6.

Well there you have it.  Call your bookie.  Bet the house.  Money in the bank. 

Now if you want to see what losing picks look like here are the Preacherman's...

Chicago – Vancooter
With players like former Waterloo Blackhawk Andrew Alberts, Omaha Lancer Keith
Ballard, Michigan god Jeff Tambellini, GB Gambler Vic Oreskovick, the Sedin
sisters, and a good goalie, Vancooter is a quite talented team.  Too bad they
drew defending Cup champs.  Even without Adam Burish and Buff, the Hawks still
have the greatest Fighting Sioux ever in Jonathan Toews.  They had a scare
almost missing the playoffs but they are peaking at the right time.  They are
still the champs and know how to win.
Hawks in 6

Kings – Sharks
To borrow a DX catch phrase ... Hey Kings, I have two words for ya … Joe
Pavelski.  Sorry Davis and Tree, you don’t have a chance.
Sharks in 4

Rangers – Caps
Kinda like the above series.  The Rangers suck and hopefully Derek Stephan gets
traded to a better team.  Alexander the Great will conquer New York.
Caps in 4

Sabres – Philly
I think this is going to be a great series.  Both teams have players that know
what it takes to win the cup, do what it takes to win the cup, and been
there/done that.  I would love to see the Sabres win but Philly has a bit more
grit.
Philly in 7

Nashville – Anaheim
To be honest with you, I haven’t seen either of these teams all season.  Totally
clueless.
Anaheim in 6

Habs – Boston
I love seeing the Habs in the playoffs.  The have great talent especially in
Mike Cammalleri.  But they ran in a better team in Boston and an even better
goalie in Tim Thomas.  If Thomas were in net for team USA, they would have won
the gold in the Olympics.
Boston in 5

Tampa Bay – Penguins
Teams from Florida don’t belong in hockey playoffs, go away.  Even without God’s
gift to hockey, Sidney Crosby, the Pens wont have much of a challenge.  Way too
talented.
Penguins in 5

Phoenix – Detroit
Seriously?  Didn’t they move to Vegas yet?  Don’t rush back Zetterberg, rest
until next series.  Hopefully Bertuzzi pounds that little punk Turris into
nothingness.ONLY 16 MORE GAMES UNTIL THE STANLEY CUP COMES BACK HOME TO
DETROIT!!!

Preacher

NOW GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here. Here are my picks, call your bookie.

It is that time of year again. The time of year when multi-millionaires skate around on artificial ice and wow us with their skill of pushing a circular vulcanized rubber object into a net. Yup I am geeked. It is also the time of year when I put on my prediction cap and let all of you know just who is gonna win this dog and pony show. Time for you to call your bookie and make yourself some mortgage money.

Oh, how can I forget, it is also my favorite time of the hockey season when Gary Bettman gets his ass booed at centre ice. I absolutely love that. I also get to root against satans team, the Detroit Red Wings. I hear that Brent Favre is considering a playoff run with them this year. Only appropriate, the biggest douchebag on the planet playing for Douchebagtown USA.



This years playoffs are a bit more interesting. There are 4 new teams in it this year. The Godless Flames are not there, NICE. The Oil are not also. The Kings, Coyotes, Avs, and Sabres are in this year. As you all know, I only missed one series last year in the first round, and the year before I got them all right. How am I gonna do this year? Only time will tell. I do know that former Gambler and always Stanley Cup runner up, Ty Conklin is not in the playoffs this year so I will not have to deal with that mojo. Former Gambler Matt Greene is though so I do have to deal with that. Okay, lets get this party started...

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Jose Sharks (1) vs Colorado Avalanche (8)

Here is the deal, I love the Avs. I am down with them forever. The Sharks are perennial regular season juggernauts and post season choke jobs. My homeboy, TONY FREAKING GRANATO was the coach of the Avs last year. I am not really happy with how they did him when they let him go. Tony is now working with the current Stanley Cup Champions the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tony laces them up with Sidney Crosby every day. Not a bad fall back. Think about that. Tony has played with the Great One, Coached Burnaby Joe Sakic, and is now working with Sid the Kid. Awesome. Normally I would express some anger with the Avalanche and how they fired Tony, but since Tony is doing alright and the team had a great year, I will be the typical fan and let it slide. With that said, I will take the upset, Avalanche in 6.

Chicago Blackhawks (2) vs Nashville Predators (7)

It is so good to see the Blackhawks back in form. I love to hear the noise in their barn in the playoffs. The National Anthem is an amazing spectacle at the United Centre. Of course if you listen to the Podcast that does not suck, TundraTalk, you would know that. Don Granato and Tony Granato have detailed that extensively. I spoke to Don recently and he gave me his assessment of the Hawks playoffs. He says that they are not deep enough in goal to win it all but will have some success in the early rounds because of their depth elsewhere. There you have it.

The Hawks have the Nash Vegas Predators. I guess I really did not know that they still played hockey in Nash Vegas. We all know that they should not still be there, so screw 'em. Never root for a southern based team. Gary Bettman can go get bent. Blackhawks in 5.

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs Los Angeles Kings (6)

Now here is where I contradict my self and become the ultimate hypocrite. I just got done saying that we never root for a southern team. Just to spite Bettman. He is a tool. I guess LA would be the exception to the rule. The only exception. After all Marcel Dionne played for LA. Wayne Gretzky played for LA. TONY FREAKING GRANATO played for LA. I saw my first NHL game at the Forum back in 1981. That's right, I said it, the Forum. Back when they still had those goofy purple and yellow jerseys. Check the price and the location of the seats. No way you get into Staples for 14 dollars now.

Flash forward to now. Matt Greene is on LA. TT vetran Jarret Stoll is on LA. Ryan Smyth, of the Ugly Jacket Smyth's, is on LA. How can I not root for this team. A Gambler, a TT legend, and the guy who got my blog 600 hits in three hours. Plus the Canuckleheads always choke. They suck. LA in 7.

Phoenix Coyotes (4) vs Godless Detroit Red Wings (5)

Now here is a tough one. The Phoenix Coyotes are the example for the rule as to why NOT to root for southern teams. Bettman has a guy, the owner of the Blackberry empire, who wants to buy the team. Wants to give him more than what it is worth, but wants to move it to Winnipeg or Hamilton. Bettman gives a lame ass speech that he does not run out on the fans of NHL teams. FU bettman, you run THIS F'N TEAM out on the fans of WINNIPEG. I hate Bettman. I also hate Detroit. Detroit sucks balls. Their goaltending is suspect and they wear those stupid red jerseys. They will however get past the flash in the pan Phoenix Coyotes. Preacherman and Doroshenko get their way. Again like last year, I hate myself, Detroit in 5.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Washington Capitals (1) vs Montreal Canadiens (8)

Alexander the great versus Montreal. Hmmm this is tough. Caps in 4.

New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia Flyers (7)

Not a big fan of the Devils and Martin Brodeur. I am still pissed that he did not continue in net for Canada at the olympics. He really should have been the guy for Canada. This series presents some difficulties also. For the Flyers everyone's favorite dirty player, Chris Pronger, is playing. Not a fan. But Ian Laperierre is also playing for the Flyers, he is cool. Former Av and a guy who used to bust my balls back in Edmonton every time they came through. This one is gonna be a barnburner. I like Philly in 7.

Buffalo Sabres (3) vs Boston Bruins (6)

Randy Hawke, of the Madison Hawkes, is a HUGE Sabre fan. HUGE. They have been playing well of late and the Bruins had to fight just to get in the playoffs, so I am going to take the Sabres in 7. You are welcome Hawke.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs Ottawa Senators (5)

This one is easy. Ottawa just has not gotten over the Ty Conklin jinx of a few years back. They have had one problem after another. The Penguins have not been playing well down the stretch, BUT Sid the Kid is coming off his Golden Goal from the Olympics (dick) and he always seems to step it up when he needs to. Preacherman has a man crush on this guy. I will take the Penguins in 5.

There you have it, my predictions on the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Take it to the bank. But as you know, any losses you have based on my predictions are all on you. I take no responsibility on your lack of picking prowess. If you lose, YOU LOSE. Not me.

Now, have a great day and
GET BACK TO WORK

Preacherman sent his picks in and as usual they are wrong...

Western

Sharks vs. Avs
Avs in 6, are you kidding me!??!?! With players like Marleau, Ortmeyer, Thorton, and Blake the Sharks won’t have much problem with the sucky Avs. Oh yeah, I forgot one thing, Joe Pavelski. He is the best player I’ve seen come through the USHL and he should have won the Hobey Baker when he was at UW. When it is all said and done, Pavelski will be the greatest power forward ever to play the game. Sharks in 5.

Blackhawks vs. Predlies
I agree. It is great to see the Blackhawks doing good again. I have been to the United CentER and heard the National Anthem, very cool. I can only imagine what it’s like during the playoffs. The Blackhawks have way too much talent for Nashville to handle. Mr. Everything, Jonathan Toews, will have an unforgettable playoffs. Blackhawks in 4.

Vancooter vs. LA
Not really sold on either of these teams. I guess I’m leaning towards Vancooter because of the Sedin sisters and Yan Stastny. Vancooter in 6.

Phoenix vs Detroit.
How the hell can you play hockey in a desert!?!? Even though my Wings aren’t too good this year … 16 games until my Redwings win the Stanley Cup!

Eastern

Washington vs Canadians
They just might call this one after three games. Washington is WAY too much for the Habs to handle.

Devils vs Flyers
I am a Brodeur fan and he should have been in net for Team Canada. This is going to be a chippy, dirty series. I hate the Flyers and Bob Clarke. Flyers are just talentless punks. Devils in 5.

SabERS vs Bruins
I haven’t seen much of either of these teams this year. But I know if Tim Thomas was in net for the Olympics, USA would have won the gold. But still have a bad taste in my mouth with the Bruins because of the traitor Phil Kessel. Once again Sabers in 6 just for you Hawke.

Pittsburgh vs Oh Ottawa
This is one awesome series!!! Where do I begin? Is there anything Crosby can’t do??? Youngest to ever wear the C and hoist the Cup. He is the closest to perfection we’ll ever see. Malkin will lead the playoffs in goals. But it won’t be that easy, Pittsburgh is going to run into a roadblock named Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov, and Brian Elliot. Spezza will be great like always. Game on!!! Pittsburgh in 7

Mike Banaszynski

Little H is born and a Ryan Smyth Song...

Johnny H, of the St. Louis H's, sent me a note announcing to the world a new H. He even wrote a poem. Wow, Johnny H, did not know you had it in you. Congrats Johnny H, you are gonna be a good dad, at least if not that, one with a great CD collection and the dad who can make the best hot wings. Nice. Amanda H, good work. Now you have two kids.

Whirl, whirl
Twist and Twirl
We Finally have a Baby Squirrel!

AND It's a Girl!

(or as my Dad put it, a squirrel with no nuts)


Elizabeth Paige Hancock
born this morning at 10:42 am CST
weighing 8 lbs, 7 oz and 21 1/4" tall
at Barnes Jewish Hospital ( the same hospital where
her Daddy was born) St. Louis, MO


Amanda is doing well, but worn out. After nearly two
days of trying to induce labor (41 hours, but who's counting?),
Squirrel was forcibly taken out by a SWAT team of
doctors who went in and got her by C-Section (thankfully there were no
hostages and Amanda should be ready to go home at the beginnning of next
week).

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and well wishes.

Love,

John and Amanda

NEXT: Peter Weidman, of the Edmonton Weidmans, sent me this, which I think is funny. It is a song sung to the tune of American Pie. Very funny...

The Ryan Smyth Song [Artist Unknown]
(to the tune of "American Pie")

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How Ninety-Four used to make me smile.
And I knew if they had their chance
The Oil could make those people dance
And, maybe they'd be happy for a while.

But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn't take one more step.

I can't remember if I cried
When I read about the trade deadline,
But something touched me deep inside
The day The Muuullet died.

So bye-bye, to this year's playoff drive.
Don't have Pronger any longer,
Or that Mike Peca guy.
Now them roughneck boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?
"Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?"

Did you think we'd go all the way,
After watching Rollie play,
In the playoffs of last year?
Did you believe in Marc-Andre,
Was Pisani worth that extra pay,
And were the Oilers this year's team to fear?

Well, I know you love that long hairstyle
You've had that 'do for quite a while,
He made those goalies fret
By banging and crashing the net.

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a red, red neck and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day The Mullet died.

I started singin',
"Bye-bye" to this year's playoff drive.
Don't have Pronger any longer,
Or that Mike Peca guy.
Now us roughneck boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?
"Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?"

For seventeen years we've had no Cup
And very, very, very little drafting luck
But that's not how it used to be.
Then Messier came to have his number hung
In an old-time jersey with his praises sung
In a voice that came from you and me,

Oh, and while Big Dude was looking down,
The Cup was lifted and skated 'round,
Other fans were amused to see
Such blatant hypocrisy.

And while the Moose was shedding tears,
GM Lowe was avoiding jeers
By cowering underneath the arena tiers,
The day The Mullet died.

We were singing,
"Bye-bye", to this year's playoff drive.
Don't have Pronger any longer,
Or that Mike Peca guy.
Now us roughneck boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?
"Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?"

I thought we'd get a D-man from the Blues
For some happy deadline news,
But that chance just upped and went away.
I went down to the Rexall rink
Where I hoped to see a team that didn't stink
But a fan there said Smytty wouldn't play.

And in the streets: the children screamed,
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.
But not a word was spoken;
MacT's boys were broken.
Now's there's guys I want to roast:
The owners, the coach, but KLowe most;
Now the Cup's headed for the coast (!)
Now The Mullet's died.

And they were singing,
"Bye-bye", to this year's playoff drive.
Don't have Pronger any longer,
Or that Mike Peca guy.
Now us roughneck boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?
"Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?"

They were singing,
"Bye-bye", to this year's playoff drive.
Don't have Pronger any longer,
Or that Mike Peca guy.
Now us roughneck boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "Did you see that Ryan Smyth cry?

Little H is on the way, and happy birthday Gene...

FIRST: Johnny H has just informed me that he is on the way to the hospital to welcome into the world a junior H. Go get 'em Johnny. Good luck and whatever you do, RESIST THE URGE TO HAVE A LOOK. There are just some thing dudes do not need to see. That is at the top of the list. Let us know how this whole thing comes out. Get it, comes out. I am sooo funny.


NEXT: Just so you know, Jeff Finger, of the Green Bay Gamblers Finger's, is now up in the show. That's right, my favorite Gambler is now playing on my favorite team. "Give'em the Finger" was one of Sign Boy's favorite signs back in the day. In fact up until last year in the Avalanche media guide Jeff Finger listed that phrase as his favorite. Nice. He got his first NHL goal of his career the other night against Colorado. The pic to the left is just after it. The Avalanche have a back to back here in Edmonton on the 21st and the 23rd so I hope he sticks long enough to be reunited with his biggest fan, me. I am currently shopping for a new Av's jersey to get signed by number 6. My old Av's jersey was recently signed by Joe Sakic so I think it would be bad form to have him sign that one also.





NEXT: Do you recognize the guy in the pic to the right? Neither do I. I found it in slide form on the floor behind my computer desk. Not sure if this is a guy that Donna is seeing on the side, or if this is my arch nemesis. I need to know. The guy must obviously live in a big city because the camera he is using in the photo is way high tech. One of those new 3/4 inch tape jobs. Way, way, way new technology. If you have any idea who this guy is let me know. I also have this pic for you to look at....


Not sure who the hell that guy is either. Lots of hair. Keith Murphy, of the Dead Moines Murphy's, describes him in a 'Molly Ringwald Phase". Again, if you know who this is let me know.




NEXT: In the wake of the Ryan Smyth trade I have been given the go ahead to use the infamous 'Jacket' photos again. So if you want to see what all the hub bub was about last year, go to the right and click on Ryan Smyth under what we talk about and all the posts are there again. Just so you can see what went on. I did a search recently on Google for "Ugly Jacket" and these LINKS came up. They all link to TundraTalk and discuss the jacket and the controversy following. Kinda funny how all that stuff happened. Not funny all the heat Cory and I took for it. It is also kinda funny how all the heat went away as soon as Ryan was Traded. How did I find the pics when I said I had given all copies to the Oilers? I did a search on the home computer and they were still there. I deleted all the pics from the laptop but forgot to delete them on the iMac at home. Enjoy...

Hot-Oil.blogspot.com

Proicehockey.about.com

Bleeding blue and Gold.blogspot.com


Someone sent me the picture at the right with the title, the guy most likely to kill Kevin Lowe. Very funny. "Ryan Smyth is my inspiration" , that shit is funny.

LAST: On Friday Donna and I went to Gene Principe, of the Edmonton Principe's, 40th birthday party. It was a suprise costume party. The theme was 1920's gambling casino night. We rented Donna a costume and I put on a suit, egad, I own one. It was held in the Eskimos locker room. Very cool. We gambled with fake money, pretended to be gangsters, not gangstas, and drank all the free booze. Lots of fun for all.

Cory of course took care of Cory and was the bartender. He mixes a killer Julian (rum and coke). Gene got way too drunk and did a lot of stuff that he will regret and Cory made sure he got pictures of all of it. I got to do the invite for the party and I will show you the 'Limited Edition' of the invite. Gene's wife did not like this one. Have a look...
THEN GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

Ryan Smyth leaves town...

Yesterday was the day that Ryan Smyth left town after the huge trade on Tuesday that rocked Oiler nation. He scheduled a presser at the airport for noon on his way out of town for Long Island. He was very emotional when he saw all the fans that showed up to wish him well. The Airlines even went as far as printing up banners for him. I will tell you that I almost had another 'Peripheral Man Tear Occurance'. When he said he wanted to go to NY and win a cup and bring it back here to Edmonton, because that is where his heart is. I have no attachment to this team, other than covering then on a day to day basis, and that was pretty tough to listen to. In fact, he is the reason why Cory and I got so much heat for the Jacket incident back earlier in the season. So I am not sad to see him go, but it is sad in it's own way.

Of course a ton of media was there and followed him from his car to the podium and then all the way to the ticket counter. Which is of course as far as you can go. Kinda pathetic in it's own way. But I guess we have to do it.

So I get the paper this morning and I look at the front page of the Journal and what do I see? Some hockey player hugging his wife, and behind him FREAKING SERGIO. Nice job big shot. He makes the front page of the paper. Of course my first thought is not 'congrats Sergio' it is 'Where am I?' Once I figure out that I did not make the paper I get mad, and then swing back to that I am happy for Sergio. Of course he was all of a sudden a big shot at the rink. He ignored us and would not even hang out with us. Too bad things like this go to your head so fast.

As I was talking to the crew for the Mobile truck one of the guys came up and told me that I made the Calgary Herald AND the Globe and Mail. Take that Sergio, you think you are big time? Not so fast. I made two papers, one of them national. You just got you little Edmonton Journal pic, I made it big time. So I guess when I go to the rink tonight for the game. I will not be speaking to Sergio at all. Just a little payback my friends, just a little payback.

Man what a good looking guy running that camera with the red shirt. I bet that guy is really cool. Not to mention very intelligent. I am not sure why they had to include Ryan Smyth in the shot but whatever makes the paper happy. Put him in there, I don't care. Nobody is looking at him, they are looking at the cool cameraguy on the left. Man that guy is a stud. I do wonder what the hell he is doing BEHIND Smyth and not in front of him. There must be a good reason because a photographer of that stature would not make a mistake like that on his own, it MUST be someone elses fault. Absolutely.

This is not going to my head, it is just the way things go. The picture that was in the Calgary Herald is the same pic, just black and white. Calgary sucks, they can't even afford to put some color ink for this picture. Probably THE most important picture they will run this year, and they cheap out and go black and white. Losers.

Sorry, Heath McCoy, of the Calgary Herald McCoys, I just calls them as I sees them. And I prefer to sees them in Color. This is after all the new mellenium. I think you need to go and have a talk with your editors and let them know what is up. Really.

So you guys have a good day and GET BACK TO WORK!!!

The Jacket Controversy revisited...

Okay, so it has been a while since I posted, mostly because I am pretty busy. I also was waiting a bit for all of the Nation to get their passwords. I know that it sucks but I need to do this so that if I put something up here it is just for us and not for the rest of the mainstream media. That is the funniest thing about this whole thing, the fact that someone out there actually referred to TundraTalk as media. Funny stuff.

I have taken heat, Cory has taken more, and we are just about done talking about this issue. In fact, Dave Mitchell took some heat also. He deserves it though, just look at him. Ha, got a shot in at Mitchell. I rule. Anyway, I do not want to risk my credential with the Oilers, because if it goes away, so does my job. Cory the same. The pic was posted just so you, the TundraTalk Nation (about 50 to 100 of you) could see a cool moment in time, but it became a story for the local and then the national media. Why, well, it is interesting. The players see it as an internal thing and do not want to discuss it. Why they played along with the media, I don't know, but it is over and no one has talked about it for a while so I am happy. The last one to use the pic was FSN during the Detroit Oilers game last week. Hope fully that is it.

Now, what follows is the media storm that followed the posting of the pictures of Ryan Smyth wearing the jacket...Oh and this is the last time I will address this issue...I am sooo tired of talking about it...

THIS IS THE FIRST POST, of course minus the jacket pics...

RYAN SMYTH AND THE JACKET...


TSN

Great game last night at the rink. Oilers versus the San Jose Sharks. A lot of talent on the ice. Johnathon Cheechoo got a natural hat trick in the first, and then in the third Ryan Smyth of the Oilers got a natural Hat Trick also to win the game. He scored three goals in 2:01, besting a record by number 99. Gretz took 2:18 to do it. Just a very exciting game.

To explain the jacket that he is wearing, well, I can't. No one would tell me the story behind the jacket. In fact, Ethan Moreau told me that he would have to kill me if he told me. It is a team secret. Ryan came out of the room just like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Strutting.

Matt Greene, who had a fight in the second that rallied the team to the victory, would not tell me even after I volunteered to let him speed bag me for fight practice. Matt Greene would kill me, but I would take one for the team just to find out the story behind the jacket.

Oh well, I have to cover the Esks today so this is a short one. If you happen to know the story behind the jacket let me know, it is driving me crazy.

Have a great weekend.


NEXT POSTING -

TUNDRATALK STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS...


Reid usually wears pink

In our search for answers about the jacket, Ken Reid, of the Edmonton Reids, writes...

that's gotta be a jacket belonging to one of the oielrs form back in the day
- maybe mess or gretz. liklely gretz. maybe if you put in a gretzky-esque
performance you get to (or have to) wear it home

Reid

That is a good guess. We are now in a search for a pic of one of the old Oilers wearing that jacket. TundraTalk Nation, find it. I know you can. That is Ken Reid who works for CTV.

So in TundraTalk's quest to find out what the jacket that Smyth was wearing meant, we created a media firestorm. Most local networks in town today caught wind of the pictures and the question and took it to the players at practice yesterday. In the meantime the picture that Cory took made their newscasts. I can imagine that it will also make Hockey Night in Canada tonight. The Oilers play the Avalanche in Colorado.



So now that TundraTalk is a huge media monster and YOUR source for all the news that is important. No, wait, YOUR ONLY SOURCE for legitimate news and information. You can take that to the bank. Just watch the local stories.

Have a look at the stories...

CTV Dave Mitchell...



CTV Smytty on Vimeo


CBC Mark Connely...



CBC Smytty on Vimeo

TSN Farhan...



TSN Smytty on Vimeo

TSN's Website...


This is why the pictures got taken down

On Monday TSN put the pic up on the front page of their website and gave a courtesey to TundraTalk. This is when the crap hit the fan. Ryan Smyth and the Oilers did not want the picture out there any more so I took it down. In fact I do not even posess a copy of the pic anymore. I gave them to the Oilers. The pic is now Oilers property and I have washed my hands of it. It was put up here for my 50 or so friends to see because I thought it was cool. I thought it was cool that Ryan wore this jacket on the night he beat a Gretzky record. This picture I figured would become part of Oiler lore and captures the moment perfectly. It adds a human element to the story.

I had no idea that the mainstream media would latch on to it and turn it into a circus. The TSN website pushed around 600 hits to my site on Monday. It usually takes me several months to get that much. So obviously this site is not a 'media' site, it is a site to entertain my friends in the United States and here in Canada. By no means do I purport to be 'media' with this site. I pretend to be media. That is the joke. A funny one I might add.

So there it is, the 'Ugly Jacket Saga' comes to an end. I hope.

As you can see by the comment below, the Edmonton Sun was looking for me on Monday. Well Tuesday the pic ran in the Sun. Great, it just wont end.

TundraTalk still searching for answers...

Reid usually wears pink

In our search for answers about the jacket, Ken Reid, of the Edmonton Reids, writes...

that's gotta be a jacket belonging to one of the oielrs form back in the day
- maybe mess or gretz. liklely gretz. maybe if you put in a gretzky-esque
performance you get to (or have to) wear it home

Reid

That is a good guess. We are now in a search for a pic of one of the old Oilers wearing that jacket. TundraTalk Nation, find it. I know you can. That is Ken Reid who works for CTV.

So in TundraTalk's quest to find out what the jacket that Smyth was wearing meant, we created a media firestorm. Most local networks in town today caught wind of the pictures and the question and took it to the players at practice yesterday. In the meantime the picture that Cory took made their newscasts. I can imagine that it will also make Hockey Night in Canada tonight. The Oilers play the Avalanche in Colorado.



So now that TundraTalk is a huge media monster and YOUR source for all the news that is important. No, wait, YOUR ONLY SOURCE for legitimate news and information. You can take that to the bank. Just watch the local stories.

Have a look at the stories...

CTV Dave Mitchell...



CTV Smytty on Vimeo


CBC Mark Connely...



CBC Smytty on Vimeo

TSN Farhan...



TSN Smytty on Vimeo

TSN's Website...


This is why the pictures got taken down

On Monday TSN put the pic up on the front page of their website and gave a courtesey to TundraTalk. This is when the crap hit the fan. Ryan Smyth and the Oilers did not want the picture out there any more so I took it down. In fact I do not even posess a copy of the pic anymore. I gave them to the Oilers. The pic is now Oilers property and I have washed my hands of it. It was put up here for my 50 or so friends to see because I thought it was cool. I thought it was cool that Ryan wore this jacket on the night he beat a Gretzky record. This picture I figured would become part of Oiler lore and captures the moment perfectly. It adds a human element to the story.

I had no idea that the mainstream media would latch on to it and turn it into a circus. The TSN website pushed around 600 hits to my site on Monday. It usually takes me several months to get that much. So obviously this site is not a 'media' site, it is a site to entertain my friends in the states and here in Canada. By no means do I purport to be 'media' with this site. I pretend to be media. That is the joke. A funny one I might add.

So there it is, the 'Ugly Jacket Saga' comes to an end. I hope.

As you can see by the comment below, the Edmonton Sun was looking for me on Monday. Well Tuesday the pic ran in the Sun. Great, it just wont end.

Ryan Smyth and the Jacket...

The Infamous Jacket

Great game last night at the rink. Oilers versus the San Jose Sharks. A lot of talent on the ice. Johnathon Cheechoo got a natural hat trick in the first, and then in the third Ryan Smyth of the Oilers got a natural Hat Trick also to win the game. He scored three goals in 2:01, besting a record by number 99. Gretz took 2:18 to do it. Just a very exciting game.

To explain the jacket that he is wearing, well, I can't. No one would tell me the story behind the jacket. In fact, Ethan Moreau told me that he would have to kill me if he told me. It is a team secret. Ryan came out of the room just like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Strutting.

Matt Greene, who had a fight in the second that rallied the team to the victory, would not tell me even after I volunteered to let him speed bag me for fight practice. Matt Greene would kill me, but I would take one for the team just to find out the story behind the jacket.

Oh well, I have to cover the Esks today so this is a short one. If you happen to know the story behind the jacket let me know, it is driving me crazy.

Have a great weekend.