Last night the Chiefs emerged fierce and fearsome taking on the Regina Pats. Ok, let’s all pause and giggle over “Regina.” Moving on.
James Reid was on fire in net and made some jedi skill saves. Since the departure of Dustin Donaghy, Blake Gal continues to be a one man demolition crew. He really is the team’s underrated dark horse. I’m still ridiculously in love with the fourth line: Baby Brady Brassart (who has tucked in jersey issues), Mitch Holmberg and Anthony Bardaro. They are fresh-faced but they sure can get the job done. I think that has been the one line that has remained intact. I’m really distracted by the white mouth guards some of the boys are wearing because it makes them look like they have Ken doll teeth. Jared Spurgeon in particular looks like Stephen Coletti from Laguna Beach. I was distracted last night, trying to figure out Matt Marantz eyebrow situation. Because he seems to have thinned the herd too much or something. Perhaps I can stop ragging on Jared Cowen for the moment because he was plus 3 last night. Good for you kitten, you get a gold star. Also, OMFG THERE WERE NO KYLE BEACH PENALTIES LAST NIGHT. Is this real life? In the end the Chiefs emerged victorious posting 4 goals and Reid was flawless with 22 saves snagging another shutout. Notching goals last night: Tyler Johnson, Kenton Miller, Steve Kuhn and Ryan Letts. I feel better with the returning anchors of Lettsy and Spurgalicious. Everything will be ok.
It’s that time of year. Prepare for Teddy Bear Toss Night. Seriously, y’all need to bring bears. I bring like 15. It won’t kill you to bring like, 5. It’s for an amazing cause. The bears are taken to the kiddos in area children’s hospitals. Let’s brighten their holidays.
It’s hard to believe I’ve been at this for nearly three seasons now. You readers are so amazing and wonderful and I adore you. Thanks for emailing my stuff around and digging my brand of madness and mayhem. If you’ve never commented, don’t be shy. We don’t bite. Unless we have valid reason. Even then, we don’t have rabies.
Every once in a while I feel like breaking up my usual fluff in favor of some real content. I know in general content has been sparse here with school dragging me down and I was sick with what I liked to call a “hellfire demon virus” that had me delirious with a fever. But I’m here now.
I’ve often proclaimed my love for Toronto Maple Leaf GM Brian Burke. I enjoy his sassy bon mots he tosses at the media. I like that he attends games with a loosened tie and is often banging things out on his Blackberry. Oh and he brings binoculars to get a better view of fights from the box. He’s a character who savored the boos of Montreal Canadiens at the NHL draft. But I was even more impressed with Burke reading this article about his son, Brendan who talks about telling not only his family, but his hockey team that he is gay.
Burke’s reaction was basically, who cares? He still loves and adores his son regardless of his sexual orientation. In fact, he even went to a gay pride parade with Brendan. As I said on Pension Plan Puppets: I wouldn’t expect anything less from Brian Burke. I think he is an amazing man and it’s wonderful that he is accepting of his son. What a fine display of being not only progressive, but what a father should be: loving and supportive. Some may think that this is a matter that should be private, but I absolutely applaud Brendan’s willingness to be open with his sexual orientation. Especially given the supremely rough and tumble reputation of sports and the response to homosexuals, it is refreshing that there is this story of hope. The slurs and the gender put downs just kill and it’d be nice to move beyond that.
Some roll their eyes at this story and the fact that Brendan is choosing to be public about his sexuality. One, at least Brendan was able to come out on his own terms and he wasn’t outed by either vicious peers or a newspaper sensationalizing the story because of who his father is. Two, Brendan’s story needs to be out there. All too often there are those who make the courageous decision to come out to their family, only to be kicked out of their home or even worse. A person shouldn’t have to live in fear that their being honest could result in brutal violence. There is the heartbreaking story of Matthew Sheppard and these incidents still happen. There is still the fight in some states to acknowledge that assaulting a person for being gay is in fact a hate crime. We’ve come so far, but not really.
I’m glad that Brendan’s team embraced him as well. The bond of sports is a curious one and it is a heteronormative culture. Down Goes Brown made a point in the post on Pension Plan Puppets wondering just how many athletes quit because they cannot endure the homophobia and the slurs. And really, a person should not have to give up something they love because of others reactions to who they love. We need Brendan’s story in order to learn and move forward. Hopefully there will come a time, soon, when gay athletes are accepted and feel they can be open.
Before you open your mouth to sneer at Brendan’s story, just think there probably is someone close to you who would like to say they are gay, but are afraid of your reaction. Batting about the words queer, pussy and faggot are hurtful and demeaning. Move beyond that. You want to talk some trash? Be witty about it. Go in from a different angle. But don’t you ever attack someone for their sexuality. Or any other preferences of theirs for that matter.
Please support your local gay and lesbian alliances. They do appreciate the help of their straight counterparts. For information on helping the gay community, get acquainted with the Take Action page on the GLAAD website. You can also visit PFLAG. Please know you are not alone and there are those who will love and support you, perhaps they are not your nuclear family but they will care for you all the same.
Just read the article. It’s a bit long but very much worthwhile.
Dustin Tokarski came to town to guard against oncoming threats, so he certainly understands the need for security.
Still, the new goalie for the Norfolk Admirals was rather surprised when two MacArthur Center officers carded him recently during a visit. Seems the guards thought Tokarski, who is 20 but could pass for a high school student, was violating the new ban on unescorted shoppers under 18 in the downtown mall after 5 p.m.
“I just laughed,” the goalie said this week from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he had a game.
Jim Wofford, MacArthur Center’s general manage, said no one had mentioned the incident to him.
“Hopefully, they did it very cordially and very professionally,” Wofford said.
Tokarski, who recently moved from western Canada, said he has no hard feelings, but the policy did catch him off-guard.
“I know I look totally young,” he said, “but I never thought I’d get ID’d at a shopping mall.”
Bill Hader is a stud. He is the reason that sometimes I am overcome with the urge to watch Saturday Night Live. Or at the very least, pull it up on Hulu and skip the parts that don’t have him. He is a hottie in his own way and look at how he can wear a lip sweater. LOOOOOOOK. So Mr. Hader, I salute you and your glorious facial hair incarnations in the name of comedy.
I’m behind in recapping the Chiefs as they are on a road trip. Let’s do a terrible primer, shall we?
Friday the Chiefs played the Edmonton Oil Kings. Watch the feed of the broadcast the MOvember love was out in full effect in Edmonton. There was even a mustache camera which made me giddy. There was a parade of Kopers too. Who hates the Kopers? That’s right. No one.
Blake Gal continues to be the Chiefs underrated gem. In that game he put up two goals and an assist. He continues to be a destroyer of souls on the ice. And we love and adore him for it. Final damage that game: 3-1 Chiefs.
Last night the Chiefs fell 3-2 to the Red Deer Rebels despite outshooting. One of those goals was the fault of Brett Bartman. Jared Cowen continues to play like a really awkward forward. This defense causes me heart attacks and I realllly can’t live like this. The Chiefs just looked really shakey last night and Mike Tadjdeh was a bit off in net and I was having flashes of Vesa Toskala when the Vesa is having a bad night.
Hey, Leafs won in shootout last night. Tiny victories, I will take them.
So the NHL store introduced this really cool thing where you can customize shirts and hoodies with names and numbers. And for the most part, it’s a reasonable price. OH WAIT, YOU CAN’T DO REAL PLAYERS AND NUMBERS!? Nevermind. Useless service is useless. Carry on. Go back to failing at life, NHL store.
Ok so can we talk about the sheer and utter fierceness of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance video? From the sleek caskets like the ones in True Blood to the all the Alexander McQueen high heels, I just…wow.
The Chiefs are on a road trip.
Here’s hoping Baby Brady Brassart scores more goals. We love him.
My dearest Archimedies is a MOvember participant. MOvember is to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer.
Archi is a class act and one of the finest Toronto boys with fantastic fashion and an ear for delicious music. You’d love him, really. Please donate to a great cause. Here is your info.
Contrary to popular belief; I truly have a heart after all. And you know what, the Tri City Americans do lots of good. Really, they show up the Chiefs any day when it comes to charity and work in the community. Take for instance this story. And an excerpt;
For the bowling, a player is assigned with booster members and Tyler Schmidt was the first assigned to Jessi’s lane. He was friendly and encouraging to her, which was appreciated.
Zach Yuen was next and he was also friendly and encouraging and sweet with Jessi.
Adam Hughesman was the third player and he was simply AMAZING with her!!! He cheered her every ball. Every time she was heading back after her turn was over, he would tell her her score from that frame, along with some praise or encouragement.
About her sixth or seventh frame she got a strike. He stood up and led the cheering section and had everyone around cheering with enthusiastic high fives all around.
It is so hard to catch Jessi smiling (I’ve tried many times) but her smile had been building with Adam’s support and encouragement, and I caught her just all lit up.
I know from numerous conversations with Hammer, that the Ams are dedicated to giving back to their community and it makes them not only a stronger team but a stronger organization. Sure the Chiefs will do a few things here or there; bagging groceries and delivering teddy bears. But I know of other clubs that really value volunteerism, with some players logging 100 hours of community services a month.
The ball is in your court, Chiefs. Step it up.
EDIT: Sticktap to Chris for sliding the link my way. I was terrible and forgot to thank him.
I don’t want to talk about last night. I don’t want to talk about what a poor decision it was for Hardy Sauter to not play James Reid in net when he was on a streak and named CHL goaltender of the week. I don’t want to talk about how if it were Dustin Tokarski, he wouldn’t have been benched when he was running hot. I don’t want to talk about the continued line change jumbles. I don’t want to talk about the spotty defense. I don’t want to talk about how Jared Cowen should be demoted from Captain. I don’t want to talk about how I lost count of Cowen’s missed passes.
The Canadian Hockey League today announced that James Reid of the Spokane Chiefs is the CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 8. Reid finished the week with a 3-0-0-0 record posting a goals-against-average of 1.00 and save percentage of .962.
The WHL has also nominated James Reid of the Spokane Chiefs for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Reid posted a 3-0-0-0 record this past week, stopping 76 of 79 shots faced for a 1.000 goals-against average and a 0.962 save percentage. Reid, a 19-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, has appeared in 13 games this season posting an 8-4-1-0 record with one shut-out. His 2.46 GAA currently has him sitting sixth among all WHL goaltenders.
With the sometimes consistent Chiefs, it’s nice knowing we have a goaltender who can remain zen throughout the madness. Reid held at times the seeming unfortunate position of being the backup to Dustin Tokarski, he didn’t see too many minutes last season. But if anything, I think he picked up some good habits from Toka and knows the expected goaltending calibre.
Before the puck dropped last night the girls and I predicted it was going to be a bad night to be a goalie. But like most of my predictions, I was terribly wrong. The started quick enough with Kyle beach getting a jump on mixing it up. He would then take more penalties that night. A few of which I am pretty sure were “Kyle Beach, two minutes for being named ‘Beach.’ Beach, two minutes.” James Reid stood tall and held off the Giants who are sans Evander Kane. Jared Cowen was a bit more useful than usual. But that still isn’t saying much. Blake Gal continues to be a bulldozer with a wrecking ball attached, doing his part to fill the void the the departure of Dustin Donaghy. Still Hardy Sauter does the line change jumble. I’m waiting for the day when Leigh Mendelson Jon Klemm [edit: LOL, I'm dumb, of course I meant Klemm] just snaps and punches Hardy in the back of the head. Is that too much to hope for?
Also, I think I am pregnant from Levko Koper’s goal. My god was that sexy. Like…wow.
Final. Chiefs 2, Giants 1.
GUYS, THE MAPLE LEAFS BEAT THE WINGS LAST NIGHT 5-1. OH MY GOD, IT WAS LIKE THE SKIES PARTED AND THE BABY JESUS WAS LIKE “HEY WAC, I KNOW YOU’VE BEEN DOWN ‘CAUSE OF HOCKEY BUT I GIVE TO YOU THE LEAFS THRASHING THE WINGS.” AND IT WAS GOOD.
Also, I nicknamed Tanner Mort. Full House. Why? Because anytime I hear the name Tanner I think of Danny Tanner and Full House. Yeah I am really effing weird. But it makes sense to me.
If you have any tips, phone numbers, mayhjah issues, Mustache Monday submissions or don't like the flavor of Haterade; wraparoundcurl@gmail.com
On the docket;
Toronto: Spring Break. The TO could use a dame of my caliber.
hockey boyfriend power rankings.
1. Dustin Tokarski, you will probably always occupy the number one slot. Nice job ninjaing the starting goalie slot for the Admirals.. 2 Kyle Beach, we are just like John Bender and Clare Standish in the Breakfast Club and I sorta love you. 3. Milan Lucic, babe I think I am suffering from Lucic Lust... 4. Sean Avery, you scored two goals on the Leafs and all I could do was giggle.
