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April 29, 2006
Day to day (upper body)
1) I hate (deleted) deer.*
2) Going to that game tonight, for reasons having absolutely nothing to do with the game or its result, wasn't the stupidest thing I've ever done, but it might come close.
3) In print for Game 7, you are in the very capable hands of Chris Elsberry.
But let's bury the lead in favor of the lead.
What in the name of all holy was that second period*?
Even as it's going on, the shots keep ringing up... It was like Manch Vegas back in November**, except Grebeshkov was on the other side this time.
There were nine power-play shots. There were two short-handed shots. That means there were 16 even-strength shots in about 13:10.
But the amazing thing was it was only 1-0 at the end, and it was the 27th shot that did it.
Did it make it into second edition, my little line about team-of-destiny? That third period had that feel to it, that old-time Sound Tigers home game feel, that Raffi Torres was gonna hit somebody, that Jason Krog was gonna find a guy in the right place.
Marjamaki tied it off Masse's feed on the two-on-one just as they passed out the attendance. Then Filewich tied it on the first bad rebound Dubielewicz has allowed since, what, Portland, if then? (And wasn't that Ryan Stone's initial shot? I know I could be seeing things, but...*)
And then the tic-tac-toe passes, Tambellini to Collins to Caldwell niftily to Koalska, and it's tied again.
When St. Laurent -- with the curl as usual, though I liked his game earlier in the series* -- called that trip on Welch in OT, you knew there was gonna be a Penguins power play as soon as he could find something. (That Stone -- there's that name again -- had the only shot on that Bridgeport PP is immaterial.)
He found something, in fact, in a foul against Stone. Call looked OK. Stone found a seam, found some room, and played hero yet again. He was my first star in all three games played in this building; I kept writing his name or number down again tonight.
So it's come to this. Heads, there's a game here next Sunday. Tails, there's meetings here much sooner.
And I can't make the meetings.*
LINEUPS
BRIDGEPORT
F: Bergenheim-Colliton-Nilsson
Tambellini-Koalska-Collins (A)
Marjamaki-Regier-Masse
Papineau-O'Marra-Comeau
D: Jarrett (A)-Gervais
Pettinen (A)-Caldwell
Grebeshkov-Pratt
WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON
F: Stone-Talbot-Filewich
Lefebvre (A)-Christensen-Hussey (A)
Dixon-Endicott-Kolanos
Carcillo-McLean-Corupe
D: Lannon-Whitney
Welch-Kelleher (A)
Bissonnette-Fata
I haven't yet figured out what it means that ol' 3M guys have been involved in, possibly, the five biggest goals of the series for Bridgeport (Marjamaki's three and Koalska's two, and Masse was in on all of Marjamaki's).
Did not notice until the pregame replay: After the OT goal Wednesday, Masse appeared to go to jump on Marjamaki -- and missed.
Never did mention, did I, that Jeff Tambellini took a puck to the face in Game 5, which is why the full shield. He didn't miss too much time.
The whole "hit the 'WBS fan' with a pie" thing got old quickly, didn't it?
Nice job by cuddly mascot Storm 6:15 into the game. A clearing pass deflected off a stick and caught him right on the top of the head... and he played it to the hilt, stumbling around, spinning, dizzy. Props, hep cat.
-----
OK, now the self-indulgent rest, which created an absence long enough that some of you were finally right to get on Harlan Pratt a little by the time I got back... *
Long story short, early Thursday morning coming home from the WB, it was deer vs. me, and car vs. laws of physics. And my side went 0-2. The seat belt saved my life (public service announcement), I'm sure, though I would not wish hanging upside-down on anybody. Got myself out of the seat belt, crawled around on the inside roof of the car awhile, eventually got helped out of the car by the responding officer, later got home with an assist from my Dad after I got fixed up with help from the good people at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. I owe a debt to a lot of people out there, officers, EMTs, paramedics (who thankfully weren't needed), everybody, most of whose names I didn't catch. Thankfully, though there's a lot of bumps and bruises and cuts and stuff, the worst non-soreness thing is probably a broken nose***. And I know a few people who've lived through that OK.
And probably the best thing**** was that I found my computer bag next to me and got to take it with me. Compy still works.
The day off yesterday was basically a given, which is why you got a recycled-Wednesday-notes advance and absolutely no news in Friday's paper. But even while I was trying to climb up my spare-well cover and out the back window, I was thinking, "blankety-blank, Michael, there's a game Friday night."*
So after making all the calls I had to make Friday, my folks helped me cover up what needed to be covered up, and I hopped in the shower to wash the scariest stuff off my face and out of my hair, and I carefully got dressed, and my Dad drove me over to the barn.
Sore from neck to waist, tired -- heck, exhausted -- but yeesh*, it's the playoffs. I went to work. Like I said, it's not the dumbest thing I've ever done, but it's up there. I did the gamer. I hope it's coherent.
I ain't up for drivin'*, so you're in the capable hands of Chris Elsberry tomorrow. I'll be listening. Got my next two weeks to plan.
And if the creepy, beyond-bloodshot demon eyes scared your kids, my humblest apologies.
*-Please attribute any weird sayings, non sequiturs, and 'F'-words other than "Filewich," "Fleury," "Forty Fort," "Friday" or "Frankenberry," to the nifty Advil/Amoxicillin cocktail. Thank you.
**-"Tina Delgado is alive, alive!"*
***-I do have the bruise to end all bruises where the lap belt was. Preeeety.*
****-Y'know, aside from the whole "alive and can walk and talk and think" thing...
Posted by mike on April 29, 2006 04:28 AM
Comments
I'll skip my game 6 coments to say: GET WELL QUICK! You are a trooper! All the best!
Posted by: stan at April 29, 2006 06:51 AM
DEAR* Mike,
I hope you are feeling better!
*-sorry! :)
Posted by: Anonymous at April 29, 2006 06:52 AM
Mike, Sorry to hear about your crash and I hope you're feeling better soon. I had a life-before-your-eyes experience in a black ice incident a few year ago and I know how scary that is.
I really enjoy reading your blog and getting your (very fair) insight into the games. Glad your fingers aren't bandaged (is that selfish?)
Anyhow, heal soon.
p.s. how'd the deer fare?
Posted by: Lisa from W-B at April 29, 2006 08:26 AM
Mike,
You are one tough guy. Feel better and rest up for what we hope will still be a long playoff run. Chris is a good writer(columnist-I know he would be no be happy if I didn't say that he was a columnist) and will do good in your place. We all love your articles and coverage of the team thus far in the playoffs. Stay safe and cheer (I know it is not something you normally do) the Tigers on to victory.
Posted by: Jeff at April 29, 2006 08:41 AM
Even As a Penguin fan No one likes to hear bad news about anyone getting hurt in a an accident. My well wishes go out to you for a complete and healthy recovery. I'm happy to hear you were well taken care of here in NEPA. May the best team win its been an awesome series no matter who wins.
GO PENS!
Posted by: Brenda at April 29, 2006 08:43 AM
I'm sorry to hear about your accident, but well wishes go out to you from a WBS fan. :-)
Although we're competitive at this time of year, CT and their people are one of my favorite places to be, as we spend alot of time there all year round.
Those bumps and bruises will soon be a vague memory, and I hope it won't deter you from coming back in the future. Stay well, rest, and may the best team win tonight. :-)
Posted by: Anonymous at April 29, 2006 09:03 AM
Mike,
Glad to hear your doing well. I know you would not pass up the playoff hockey thats why you were at the Yard last night. You & I spoke in the parking lot before practice on Monday talking about the WBS arena and joking about the vantage point you have. My suggestion is get on the bus with us and be a fan today and let Chris write the article on the game and you get to enjoy game 7 hockey.
Posted by: dist1ump at April 29, 2006 09:05 AM
Mike -- Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you recover soon. Don't let a deer prevent you from visiting us here in the WB, just don't try to even the score!
Great blog, like JB's here, I hope you'll keep it going in the off-season.
All the best... get well soon!
Posted by: Shelly in PA at April 29, 2006 09:10 AM
Mike, glad to hear you are doing ok....I was in an accident last weekend and, while not as serious as yours, it definitely is a scary feeling. Good luck to you guys tonight and may the best team win.
Posted by: PensFaninGA at April 29, 2006 10:02 AM
Ok. I guess we know why we didn't get any inside dope yesterday. Hope you'll be all better in time for some Hershey road trips!!
Posted by: Andy at April 29, 2006 10:52 AM
Mike. I hope you're ok. If you want to go to the game, hey, just hop on the booster club bus!
Posted by: Mike (from waterbury) at April 29, 2006 11:28 AM
Hey Mike,
Good to hear that you're okay!
-Sarah
Posted by: whiteout_warrior at April 29, 2006 11:28 AM
Mike thank god your ok and it's a shame you won't be there tonight. Elsburry will do a good job but it still won't be the same. Hopefully your prediction comes through. Def you should be a Tigers fan today come on the bus or at least listen to Bill tonight and cheer us on. P.S. U were wearing a white shirt last night????? Now i kno u usually wear white but dont support the white out. You and JB are opposites he suppose to wear white. Ah we still love ya Mike feel betta
Posted by: Justin at April 29, 2006 12:22 PM
So sorry to hear about your run in with a deer. Glad to hear you did make it back home with help from your family. Feel better Mike. You will be with us in WBS in spirit. We will cheer extra loud for you.
Posted by: Lori at April 29, 2006 12:51 PM
Hey Mike....feel better. Rest up for next season. Hehe. I'll check back in after the game tonight!
Posted by: Jason at April 29, 2006 01:15 PM
Hope your doing better! Thank God it wasn't worse! And thank God you were wearing your seatbelt! Glad your ok! Living through an accident that could have been deadly is one of the most horrible things. I know from experience.
Hope you getting unsore soon!
Go Pens.
Posted by: janelle at April 29, 2006 03:09 PM
Hey, Mike, we were wondering about the articles in the paper. . . just didn't seem right. But now we know! Feel better, and (if you didn't make the trip with the Booster Club) listen to Bill with the rest of us that had other important (Booster Club friend) business. LET'S GO TIGERS. . .WE'LL ALL BE WEARING BLUE WHILE IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER TONIGHT!!!
Posted by: DebbieZ at April 29, 2006 05:40 PM
Mike, I'm so glad that you are all right, you really are a trooper to be at the game last night. Rest up and get well soon.
Posted by: Val at April 29, 2006 06:09 PM
Mike,
Sorry about your accident, and I hope you're feeling good enough to go to tonight's game. Elsberry's good, but it won't be the same w/o you. A small question about the team, though. What happened to Dave Karpa? He wasn't that bad in his short stint w/ us. He could have been used last night, esp. in the 2nd period.
Posted by: paul at April 29, 2006 07:11 PM
While I wouldn't go to be a fan... I could go to heckle Elsberry...
Thank you all, from both sides of the WBS-BPT war. As mentioned earlier, I've got a soft place in my heart for that part of Pa.
To answer questions, working backward: Paul, Karpa got an offer when his PTO expired, but he went home for family and career reasons, and hey, Newport Beach might get me home too.
Justin, the last thing I'm thinking about is wardrobe... Basically I have four white dress shirts and two blue dress shirts, so whatever's next in the closet, that's what I wear... Oh, wait. I have _three_ white dress shirts. (Ick.)
Shelly: I'll be back, no worries. But the next deer I see gets it. :-) The blog will probably go on somehow. Not sure how yet. Cross that bridge when we get to it, whether this week, next month or what.
And Lisa, the tow-truck driver said they didn't find the deer. So it did even better than I did... But not as good as Compy!
Posted by: Fornabaio at April 29, 2006 07:47 PM
Mike,
I was saddened to learn of your accident involving a deer. About 4 months ago, I was coming home from work (I live in a rural area) and a deer ran out of the woods and into the bumper of my car...My car was undamaged,and the deer was simply stunned for a few moments. It finally got up and finally ran off into the woods.
Any car accident is a scary shock to the system.
Please hurry and get well soon.
Posted by: Denise at April 29, 2006 11:51 PM
I'm glad to hear that you are okay. Feel better!
Posted by: kap at April 30, 2006 01:47 AM
I read about your accident on JB's blog. I'm a Penguins fan. Just wanted to say I am sorry for your bad luck with the deer. I know how it feels, as I had two deer-related car accidents. Scary, to say the least! Yours sounds MUCH more serious than mine, as I just had scrapes and bruises. I hope you feel better soon! Props to you for covering the game anyway. You're a tough guy! Great series! Much respect goes out to your team and to your few but faithful fans who traveled here. You all deserve a packed barn and I hope you get it sometime! :) See you next year! :)
Posted by: Danielle at April 30, 2006 02:52 AM
