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This is the ACTUAL pivotal game!
Cam Davie
May 09 2009 03:50PM
[caption id="attachment_12043" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="I want the Sedins to play like these dudes ALL GAME LONG."][/caption]
First, let me say... I'm humbled to now be an official soldier in CanucksArmy.
Well kids, are ya nervous like me?
This is the game that will test the Canucks' meddle. The Canucks NEED to win this game. They cannot lose two straight home games and expect to win this series. The Blackhawks are too good allow them to come back from 3-2 down and win two straight.
It will really help matters if Salo and his pulled ass are healthy enough to play. He is a calming influence on that defense, and the rest of the team just plays better when he's in the line-up.
Let's compare games 3 and 4. Essentially, the Blackhawks had the same stats through regulation of both games. On paper, they were very similar games statistically for Chicago. Both games, the Blackhawks had 24 shots and 1 goal through regular time. But look at the difference in how they got those shots. In Game 3, Luongo appeared to have everything under control, and the defense was very strong and controlling but calm and relaxed. In Game 4, Luongo had a much tougher time with the same number of shots and the defense seemed frenetic and slightly tentative, especially in the second half of the game.
The Canucks need to take some deep breaths between every period. Maybe they need to fire up the yoga DVD and re-align their chakras. Whatever it takes to calm them down during periods. It seems like after every period in Game 4, the defense got increasingly edgier and nervous. Maybe their eyes on the prize got the better of them, but they just didn't have that same start-to-finish conviction that they did in Game 3.
The forwards have to be a little more willing to actually score too. They need to get more than 25 shots. They need to forecheck harder. And they need to stay on the ice for longer than 20 seconds for each shift. They need to build up come offensive pressure, because the Blackhawks defense has not responded well to that so far.
That means the Sedins HAVE to be the stars of Game 5.
If the Sedins are the stars that means they've played their cycle game to their Globetrottery best, have found Burrows in open space and have controlled the clock. If the Sedins can have another one of their two-minute-long "try to get the puck from me" shifts, then they're doing exactly what they need to do, something we haven't really seen since Game 1.
Luongo was less than three minutes away from stealing Game 4 for his Canucks. Something he tells he wants to finish the job and fully steal Game 5 in front of his fans.


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Meet at Price Chopper 133rd and Mission, Friday, Sep 12th, at 6:00pm. Load bikes on trailer (or bring it on personal bike rack). We will depart Price Chopper promptly at 6:30pm (We will return home after we break camp Sunday morning).
If you plan to arrive late, leave early or leave during the campout, you MUST contact our Scoutmaster, Rob Day, by 10:00pm Thursday Sep 11th or you may not get credit for the campout. firstname.lastname@example.com
You must bike or hike (see below) to receive credit for this campout.
ADULTS, Non-scout siblings & SPL Staff: $25.00
SCOUTS: $15 + patrol costs
Friday, Sep 12th
- Eat Dinner en route
- Arrive @ Mergen Farm before 8:30pm (Sunset: 7:28pm)
- Setup Camp
Saturday, Sep 13th
- Sunrise: 6:53am
- 10am BIKE or HIKE on the beautiful KATY Trail.
- Green Ridge, MO is 3 miles (6 miles round-trip) and
- Windsor, MO is 11.5 miles (23 mile round-trip).
- Camping MB requirement 9.b(3) – Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
- Helmet required for all Riders!!!
- Water Bottle for the Trail
- Sack lunch or money for lunch in Green Ridge or Windsor (small back pack may be needed)
- Return to campgrounds
- Work on Rank Advancement
- Fishing (bring fishing pole and bait)
- Potential Water Activities if the weather forecast is above 80 degrees (bring swimsuit and towel)
- Supper
- Religious Service
- Sunset: 7:27pm
- Campfire (skit from each patrol)
Sunday, Sep 14th
- Sunrise: 6:54am
- Breakfast/Break Camp/Depart for home around 9:00am
Food/Cooking Format:
Friday Supper – en route
Saturday Breakfast
- Patrols plan and prepare a Hot Breakfast
- Adults & SPL Staff will cook & eat as the "Old Goat Patrol"
Saturday Lunch
- Everyone bring a Sack Lunch. This needs to be carried on the trail, so a daypack might be a good idea. Carry water bottle.
- There is a Casey's General store in Green Ridge and in Windsor right off the trail, but the wait may be up to an hour for some items (like pizza).
Saturday Supper:
- Patrols plan and prepare a Hot Supper and Dessert Competition
- Adults, SPL Staff will cook & eat as the "Old Goat" Patrol.
Sunday Breakfast:
- Patrols plan and prepare a Hot Breakfast
- Adults, SPL Staff & Mustangs will cook & eat as the "Old Goat" Patrol.
Troop Policy: NO Lighter Fluid, "Match-light", or accelerant to be used.
Charcoal chimneys are provided by the Troop.
Equipment Needed:
- Weather appropriate clothing, extra dry clothing to change into at night (Socks, sweats, t-shirts, gloves, etc.)
- Sturdy Boots / Shoes & extra pair shoes.
- Sleeping Bag
- Ground Mat
- Mess Kit (bowl, plate, insulated cup, knife, fork, spoon)
- Rain Gear
- Bike / Helmet / spare inner tube
- Canteen or water bottle
- Sun Screen/Sun Glasses
- Swimsuit & Towel (if weather is warm)
- Compass
- Patrol tents & tarps (check to make sure ALL parts are present)
- Patrol Cook Boxes (cleaned & stocked)
- Food for all meals / charcoal / stoves
- Scout Handbook
- Money for snacks at Casey's General
- (Consult your Scout Handbook for a complete list)
UNIFORM: Scout T-Shirt, weather appropriate.
Patrols need to work together to make sure that patrol tents and cooking boxes are brought to camp by assigned patrol members. If you have Patrol Equipment (tents, tarps, stoves, cooking equipment), make sure it makes it to this campout even if you aren't attending. Call your patrol leader, if he doesn't call you by Wednesday, September 10th. Patrol Quartermasters must speak to the Troop Quartermaster, Jeromy Rutledge; firstname.lastname@example.com; if ANY additional equipment is needed (i.e. cooking grates, bricks, tent poles, tent pegs, tarps, tents) Paper goods, cup & knife/fork/spoon will not be provided.
Please sign-up at a regular Monday Troop meeting in September. No shows and cancellations after Sept 11th will be charged the full amount.
Coordinating Patrol:
The coordinating patrol will be the Viking Patrol. One of the parents of a Viking Patrol Scout must drive the troop truck to and from the campout (Friday to Sunday). The Troop Truck will be loaded by ALL TROOP QUARTERMASTERS and all Viking Patrol Members on Thursday, September 11th at 6:00PM. The Troop Truck is located at the self-storage facility at 133rd and Holmes Road. The Viking Patrol & All Quartermasters will unload the troop truck on Sunday morning following the campout.
If you have any questions please contact:
Scoutmaster Rob Day: firstname.lastname@example.com
Campmaster Gilbert Trill: firstname.lastname@example.com
Directions (84 miles, approx 1h30m):
From the Price Chopper go East on hwy 50 to Mo. Hwy 127 towards La Monte, Mo. La Monte is 8 miles east of Knob Noster. Turn Right (south) onto Hwy 127. Travel approximately 10 miles until 127 forks to the right into Green Ridge. Do not go into Green Ridge, but stay left and continue on B Hwy. Travel approx.. 4 miles on Hwy B. Road will have sharp curve to the left and then when road starts to sharp curve to right, go straight onto CAMP BRANCH ROAD. Take Camp Branch Road up to 4 way intersection. Turn left onto Bagby Road. Go past Mergen farm on the left to the next gravel drive on the left.

subset: commoncrawl


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Gucci Leather Horsebit Flat
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Item # dsw12prod4710020
Known best for its Italian craftsmanship and elegant style, Gucci is a worldwide legend in designer fashion. With timeless style & iconic appeal, this leather ballet-inspired flat is perfect for your casual style.
- Leather upper
- Logo-embossed riding bit
- Round toe
- Fully lined in leather
- Rubber sole
- Made in Italy
- Exclusively at DSW
- View more Women's Gucci Shoes
- Online Exclusive!
By: favorgirl
Location: abroad
September 12, 2013
"It is so good."
By: ashoeforeveryoutfit
Location: Gainesville, FL
September 09, 2013
"I love these shoes so much this is the second pair I purchased (different color). My feet are slightly long and narrow many ballet flats can tend to gape at the sides and stub at the toes, these shoes are a perfect fit. Love Gucci"
By: Shisha
Location: Chicago
August 24, 2013
Casually cute!
"These are longer than I would have expected for flats. I'm thinking it's a good thing because the front of my toes usually hit flats and it hurts after a day of wear. I love the quality and look."
By: Babiigurl
Location: Ny
August 20, 2013
Gucci flats
"What can I say but omg love these gucci flats. I got them when the clearance sale was on. At a great bargain. First pair of gucci shoes and. I must say I will buy again.thanks dsw for having designer shoes the average person can afford. At a good price."
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- Product Details
- Fabric Estimator
- Rewards
Yarn-dyed, handwoven cotton with stripes. Medium weight. For pillows, tablecloths, window treatments, light upholstery and more.
Color: Citrus Yellow
Width: 54"
Content: COTTON
Country: INDIA
H Repeat: 7.00
Learn about fabric careHOW TO CARE FOR COTTON FABRICS: Machine-wash warm or cold, tumble dry. Pull straight from the dryer to prevent wrinkles, or iron while damp. Prewash cotton fabrics before cutting out your pattern. Mood strongly recommends test-laundering a swatch, if you plan to wash your garment or home furnishings yourself.
PLEASE NOTE: The above numbers are estimations only. Please take into account garment size, lining and fabric width.


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The Accu-Stack comb risers are designed to support the adjustable comb on the Accuracy International chassis systems. The various heights available allow you to tailor the comb for perfect alignment with your rifle and optic. Constructed of durable military grade polymer, available in 2.5mm, 6mm, and 7mm heights. Multiple Accu-Stack risers can be used together to reach the desired height, up to 30mm. Notes:
- 2.5mm, 6.0mm, and 7.0mm Height Spacers Available
- Military Grade Polymer
- Multiple spacers can be stacked to reach the desired height


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User Priorities for Data: Results from SUPER
2007, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 149-155
SUPER, a Study of User Priorities for e-infrastructure for Research, was a six-month effort funded by the UK e-Science Core Programme and JISC. Its aim was to inform investment in order to provide a usable, useful, and accessible e-infrastructure for all researchers and a coherent set of e-infrastructure services that would increase usage by at least a factor of ten by 2010. Through a series of unstructured face-to-face interviews with over 45 participants from 30 different projects, an online survey, together with a day-long workshop at NeSC, we have observed recurring issues relating to the provision of e-infrastructure. In this article we focus on the data-related issues identified during these interactions. We conclude with a prioritised list of future activities for research, development, and adoption in the data space.
The International Journal of Digital Curation. ISSN: 1746-8256
The IJDC is published by the University of Edinburgh
and is a publication of the Digital Curation Centre.
and is a publication of the Digital Curation Centre.


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Hugo Chapman, Exhibition Curator
I've been ducking in and out of press previews as the opening day approaches so in a rare spare moment, I'm taking the opportunity to catch-up on our progress over the last week.
Before being carried up from the basement storage to the Reading Room to be hung, the 50 drawings from the Uffizi gallery were given some rest time to get over their long journey from Italy.
The handmade rag paper on which the majority are drawn (the exceptions are a couple of works on parchment made of animal skin) has the quality of a living organism. It expands and contracts according to the level of humidity in the atmosphere. Such minute changes need to be monitored and the first thing that happens when a drawing comes out of the crate is a thorough examination by a paper conservator from the British Museum.
As in the medical records that our doctors look at when we go for a check-up, the drawing's condition is compared against a detailed report written by a paper conservator of the lending institution. Usually this consists of a photograph with the stains, tears, repaired holes, undulations and other scars of 500 years of existence marked.
The British Museum conservator and the Uffizi courier (the person who has overseen the transport of the works) check this condition report to see that nothing has altered during the drawing's journey.
Normally the toughness and resilience of paper means that it adjusts to the change in atmospheric conditions. In the rare cases where changes have occurred: for example the surface has become fractionally more undulating; the drawing will be put on a list to be monitored closely during the run of the show.
The condition checking over, the drawings were ready to be put on the walls. The position and spacing of each work has been worked out by the exhibition designer and once they're on the wall, each of them is covered over with paper to protect them from light so that the inks and washes do not fade in the bright lights needed for the installation.
For a time the exhibition had the air of a contemporary art installation piece. With all the works on the wall and the lighting at the right level, we could start taking the covers off and with just days to go, I'm looking forward to seeing if our visitors are as excited by the result as I am.
Inspecting the drawings
A drawing with its paper cover
Filed under: Exhibitions, Italian Renaissance drawings, behind the scenes, Drawings, Exhibition, Renaissance, Uffizi


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4 Ways To Fight A Fall Cold In Casper
Though we just made it through summer cold season and have a weeks (at least we hope) before winter gets here, we're not out of the woodwork yet when it comes to being sick. In fact, it seems as though numerous casper-ites are fighting a cold right this instant. This writer himself may or may not be writing this piece while under heavy influence of Nyquil. Regardless, we've come up with a few ways for you to fight a fall cold in Casper.


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Anne Klein Rinny Flat
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Item # 288504
Get the tailored and stylish look in the Anne Klein Rinny. This cute flat will take your attire to a new level and will keep you looking good!
- Leather and patent leather upper
- Chain detail
- Round toe
- 1" patent leather covered wedge heel
- Rubber sole
- Imported
- View more AK Anne Klein
By: MollyTH
Location: St. Louis
June 25, 2013
Cute and (not) Comfy
"Very nice quality and good looking shoe.. but SO UNCOMFORTABLE. I wore them to work and we are half way through the day (where I set the majority of the time) and my big toes are screaming and my heels are bleeding. I'd return them but I've already bled all over the back. :("
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Two Charged With Murder In Late 2011 Toddler Death
ABINGDON, Va. - Two people are now facing murder charges after the death of a toddler.
We've learned the toddler's mother and her live-in boyfriend are now charged with second degree murder.
Two-year-old Madison Snead died last November. Now Madison's mother, 25-year-old Sarah Louise Snead, and her live-in boyfriend, 23-year-old Silas Edward McCracken III, are charged with second degree murder. Chief Tony Sullivan with the Abingdon Police Department tells us the investigation revealed McCracken wrapped the toddler in three blankets and sat on the child's chest until she stopped moving.
We're told Snead admitted to helping McCracken and did not seek medical help for the little girl.
Here are more facts according to Captain Sullivan -- he says autopsy results showed Madison died from suffocation, along with previous signs of abuse. If convicted, both Snead and McCracken could face between five and 40 years behind bars.


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Gucci Leather Nameplate Pump
Sorry, this item is sold out!
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Item # dsw12prod4710033
Known best for its Italian craftsmanship and elegant style, Gucci is a worldwide legend in designer fashion. With timeless style & iconic appeal, this leather peep-toe pump is the perfect addition to your shoe collection.
- PLEASE NOTE: For this style, we recommend ordering a ½ size larger than normal
- Leather upper
- Logo-embossed nameplate
- Round peep toe
- Fully lined in leather
- 4" heel
- Leather sole
- Made in Italy
- Exclusively at DSW
- View more Women's Gucci Shoes
- Online Exclusive!
By: lililymambo
Location: korea
September 12, 2013
Very stylish -- great price
"Very rich colorGood leather, great smellsoft edges, doesn't scrap or blister top/sides of feet"
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Kalso Earth Shoe Esteem Sandal
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Item # 289138
Reduce stress in your life and your joints with Kalso Earth Shoe. The Esteem sandal is not only stylish but its built in technology is meant to help with posture and strengthen your core.
- Woven leather upper
- Decorative buckles
- Adjustable velcro straps
- Negative heel redistributes weight for natural walking position
- Leather, comfort cushioned insole
- Woven rafia outsole
- Rubber Kalso Technology Earth sole
- Imported
- View more Women's Kalso Earth Shoes
Tell us what you think!
Everyone has an opinion. Here's your chance to share yours! Be the first to write a review of this product and help your fellow shoppers pick the best of the best.


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- Dora the Explorer (5)
- Bubble Guppies (2)
- Peter Rabbit (1)
- Lalaloopsy (1)
- The Fresh Beat Band (1)
- Max & Ruby (1)
- Go, Diego, Go! (1)
- Ni Hao, Kai-lan (1)
- The Backyardigans (2)
- Wonder Pets! (2)
- Blue's Clues (4)
- Olivia (1)
- More Shows (4)
It's a super spooky Halloween party! Kids are invited to pick the place, decorations, and guests, and get the Guppies dressed up in spooky, kooky outfits!
Weekdays at 11AM on Nick
Come on everybody, let's get all dressed up to party! First, kids can use their mouse to pick a spook-tacular setting. Next, they can click on their favorite characters and drop them into the scene. Kids can choose fin-tastic costumes for each character to wear--like a werewolf, witch, or ghost costume. It wouldn't be a Halloween party without decorations! Gamers can add a bat, a not-so-scary scarecrow, a cauldron, and more fright-night decorations to the scene. When complete, kids can print their party picture or start all over again!
Parent Tip: After kids dress up the characters, help them cast a spell by clicking on the magic wand and then on a Guppy. Something humorously haunting will happen!
Help save the holiday fiesta by searching for all of the lost party supplies.
Help Molly and Gil keep the workers healthy and the Ol' Factory germ-free!
The race is on! Help Nick Jr. pals collect party favors in time for the fiesta
Help your little sweetheart direct this cute play.
Kids can help these brave firefighter knights save the kingdom!
Your kids can become super stylists in this "hair-raising" adventure!
Dive in and help collect treats for Bubble Puppy!
Ahoy, matey! Join Molly & Gil on their hunt for buried treasure
Kids cruise through the zoo and help find a friend for Monty the rhino
Your kids can play school with the Guppies
Kids collect and count ingredients to make a potion and save Bubble Puppy!
Kids can win a prize by helping the Guppies' playful pup burst bubbles!
Choose the background and stickers to create your own printable pictures
There's a Friendship Parade in Lalaloopsy Land, and your kids are invited!
Get the band ready for a holiday celebration!
Who are those masked characters? It's the Backyardigans!
Come on in and explore all the rooms in Dora's house!
Your kids can become super stylists in this "hair-raising" adventure!
Dress up Max and Ruby so they'll be ready for anything!
Design the perfect outfit for Olivia wherever she goes!
Go on a tour of Dora's house and find surprises through every door!
The Wonder Pets need help saving baby animals!
Steer an ice coaster and help decorate a snow dragon--super!
Kids use colors and patterns to paint new shells for the hermit crabs!
It's time for the Bengal Tiger's "davat," which is a big ol' party!
What will Blue and Magenta wear? Kids decide!
Blue can't wait to see what the new puppy will look like!
This game lets kids choose their own adventure--Backyardigans style!
Come on down to Blue's Room for games galore with all Blue's friends
Help Dora and Diego attend a Super Silly Fiesta in Super Silly Clothes.
It's her party and she'll dress how she wants to.
It's your turn to dress Little Bear and his friend Duck!
Dora needs a stylist! Help her get dressed to explore!
Won't you join Dora for a playdate?


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Anointed One
See also Jesus Christ; Messiah
Jesus is called the Christ (a Greek word) or the Messiah (an Aramaic word). Both words mean "the anointed." He is the one anointed of the Father to be the Father's personal representative in all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind.
- The Lord has anointed me:Isa. 61:1–3;
- He has anointed one to preach the gospel:Luke 4:16–22;
- Jesus was anointed by God the Father:Acts 4:27;
- God anointed Jesus of Nazareth:Acts 10:38;


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Walking Cradles Lila Sandal
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Item # dsw12prod4060088
The Lila will be your go to sandal this season! This casual sandal from Walking Cradles has wonderful comfort features, perfect for the woman on the go!
- Leather upper
- Adjustable velcro hook and loop strap
- Hidden side elastic to allow for extra foot space
- Tiny Pillow Footbed
- 1½" wedge
- Synthetic sole
- Imported
- Online Exclusive!
By: Malenadouglas
Location: Boston
June 07, 2013
Comfy shoes
"These shoes are wonderful, more comfortable than I thought. Makes your feet look and feel great"
By: betweensizes
Location: Portland, OR
January 16, 2013
they'll do
"I have been looking for black sandals for a long time. These fit pretty well and I think they'll be comfortable, although I'm a little worried about the front strap that is not adjustable. They aren't as cute in person as I thought they would be, but they are the best I've found so I'll keep them."
By: Onetufcookie
Location: California
November 25, 2012
Comfy from the get-go!
"I slipped these shoes on and went to work, wearing them all day. They were so comfortable. The velcro adjustable side strap makes that happen from day one. Love these!"
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This Abled Body: Rethinking Disabilities in Biblical Studies
and and
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- Brief Synopsis:
- These groundbreaking essays within the burgeoning field of disability studies explore the use of the conceptual category "disability" in biblical and Near Eastern texts and examine how conceptions of disability become a means of narrating, interpreting, and organizing human life.
- Long Synopsis:
- Contributors from biblical studies and from the nascent discipline of disability studies draw on recent articulations of critical disability theory to interrogate the use of disability as a conceptual category in biblical and other Near Eastern texts, and in scholarly interpretations of these texts. Among the perspectives they offer are: deformity and disability in Greece and Rome, the normate hermeneutic and interpretations of disability within the Yahwistic narratives, and disability and redemption in biblical literature.
- Book Quality:
- Excellent
- Book Size:
- 258 Pages
- 9781589831865
- Publisher:
- Society of Biblical Literature
- Date of Addition:
- 01/18/13
- Copyright Date:
- 2007
- Copyrighted By:
- The Society of Biblical Literature
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Categories:
- History, Social Studies, Disability-Related, Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality
- Submitted By:
- Sarah J. Blake
- Proofread By:
- Deborah Franson
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.
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Author of Ed Engoron's Choclatique, Running Press, 2011
On my monthly trips to Lisbon, my friend, Paul Nitschmann, and I usually go out for a drink or two and order some empanadas. Actually empanadas trace their origins to Galicia and Portugal. They first appeared in the Iberian Peninsula before the Renaissance during the time of the Moorish invasions.
A cookbook published in the Catalan language in 1520, Libre del Coch by Ruperto de Nola, mentions empanadas filled with seafood among its recipes of Catalan, Italian, French and Arabian foods. In turn, it is believed that empanadas and the similar calzone are both derived from the Indian meat-filled pies, samosas.
In Portugal, an empanada is prepared similarly to a large pie with a larded crust which is then cut in pieces, making it a portable and hearty meal for working people. The fillings for Portuguese empanada usually includes tuna, sardines, cheese or chorizo (Portuguese sausage), but can instead contain Bacalhau (salted cod) or various cuts of pork. They are then fried and usually served at room temperature.
My dessert empanadas are very different. First of all, they are baked and not fried, and the dough is made with cream cheese instead of butter or lard. They are beautifully light with a rich, full-flavored, spiced chocolate ganache. Make them ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. In you lived in the Northern California area, we used to serve them during the month of June at my Customs House Restaurants. I have never shared this recipe before.
Baked Chocolate Empanadas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: Overnight
Assembly time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 15-20 minutes
Yield: 2-1/2 dozen
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons extra for rolling
1 cup Azteca Chocolate Ganache (see recipe below)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
The Day Before:
- Cream butter and cream cheese together until smoothly blended. Beat in the flour.
- Shape dough into a smooth ball, wrap in foil or cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight or up to a week.
At Baking Time:
- Remove dough from refrigerator 30 minutes before using. Start heating oven to 375ºF.
- Sprinkle a little flour on the rolling service. Roll chilled dough thin. Cut with 3 or 4 inch round cookie cutter. Place about 2 teaspoonfuls of chocolate ganache in center of each round, moisten edges with water.
- Fold round over and press edges together.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the dough before baking.
- Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 17 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and immediately roll in sugar mixed with cinnamon (traditional) OR in confectioners' sugar if preferred.
Spiced Azteca Dark Chocolate Ganache
I chose Spiced Azteca Chocolate Ganache because the combination of flavors (cinnamon and chili) is a treasure commonly paired with chocolate in Aztec culture and is perfect for empanadas. This is definitely a recipe in which you'll want to buy the best chocolate you can afford, as you can easily transform this ganache into truly gourmet truffles.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours
Chilling Time: 3 to 4 hours
Yield: 2 pounds of ganache
11/4 cups heavy cream
4 cinnamon sticks, about 3 inches long
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili powder
1 pound Choclatique Private Reserve Dark Chocolate (64%), chopped
1/2 pound Choclatique Snowy White Chocolate (33%), chopped
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- In a large, heavy saucepan, bring the cream, cinnamon sticks and chili powder to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk until blended. Remove the pan from the heat. Remove the cinnamon sticks and discard.
- Immediately add the chocolate and vanilla to the pan and whisk until smooth. Set aside for about 2 hours to cool completely, whisking every 15 minutes or so to keep the ganache emulsified.
- When cool, transfer the ganache to a rigid plastic or glass container, cover, date, and refrigerate overnight before using.
Note: Ganache will keep refrigerated for up to three months.
ChefSecret: For additional depth of flavor, squeeze some fresh orange zest over the melted ganache and stir into the mixture to release the oils from the skin and complement the fruitiness of the dark chocolate.


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Circulation Volleyball
The Grade 1-3 age group is often seen as the most difficult age group which to teach volleyball. Many teachers simply don't teach the sport at this age because of how difficult the game can be as we traditionally know it. But this can change. Circulation Volleyball, adapted from the Dutch Volleyball Federation, is the perfect game for this age group. Using this game, they have added 20,000 members over seven years and have had particular success attracting boys to the sport. It was also found that 70% of players exposed to Circulation at the 6-9 age group went on to play club volleyball. The solution to getting younger players hooked on volleyball has arrived to Canada - Circulation Volleyball!
For more information on Circulation Volleyball, please visit the Volleyball Canada Development Model (VCDM) website.For any additional questions, please contact email@example.com.


text:
Articles By Team
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Sharks/Blackhawks Series Preview
It's on. This is the way it was supposed to be, right? The two top teams in the Western Conference will face off in a 7-game series to decide who will go to the Stanley Cup Finals and be the overwhelming favorite.
That is true. No matter who comes out of the Eastern Conference, whether it's the Bruins/Flyers or Canadians, the team that wins the Sharks/Blackhawks series will be without a doubt the clear favorite to win the Cup.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Sharks are the best team going, the only thing knocking this team is the fact they have been at a stand still since they defeated the Red wings in 5 games in what feels to be a month ago. They want to get out on the ice while they're hot.
Honestly, the Blackhawks are the favorite in this series. They have recent momentum since beating the Canucks, plus they went 3-1 against the Sharks during the regular season.
But the Sharks have several things going their way that have not been talked about. How about the fact that Blackhawks' goalie Antti Niemi has never played against the Sharks? Or how about the Sharks are playing a much better form of hockey than they were in the regular season?
The tipping point in this series may be that one point that separated the Sharks as the #1 seed in the West and the Blackhawks as the #2 seed. The Sharks have home-ice advantage, and we all saw what that team and those fans can do once in their home arena. The "Nabby" chants start going, the Jaws music start playing. Everything is better at The Sharks Tank. Unless you're the opposing team, then that stuff just gets annoying.
Bottom line is this is going to be a series for the ages. Two teams who have similar styles of play, and just as much equal talent on the ice. The last time we saw this sort of match-up was, well, last series when the Sharks played the Red Wings.
One thing bothers me, though. I cannot help but think back to the game on November 25th when the Sharks and Blackhawks met up. The final score was 7-2 in favor of the Blackhawks in a game where the Blackhawks made the superior Sharks look ridiculous. They outhustled and outperformed the Sharks. Will there be a difference in how the Sharks prepare for this team in this series? There better be, they would have had 8 days between series to do so.
If the Sharks are to knock off the Blackhawks, they will need more contribution from their 1st line than ever. We saw this in the last couple of games in the Red Wings series. The Red Wings' primary focus was on Joe Pavelski since he was tearing them up in the previous games. In response, the Sharks' 1st line showed up and was the reason why the series didnt go to a Game 6 or 7.
Fasten your seatbelts for this one, folks. This is a series made for it to go the distance, and I don't doubt we will see anything but that.
My prediction: Home-ice will play a huge role in this series and the Sharks will be fortunate that they got that last point to get the #1 seed in the West and home-ice advantage in the playoffs. Sharks in 7.
Posted by semmler22 at 10:45 AM 0 comments
Labels: blackhawks, nhl playoffs, sj sharks
Monday, May 10, 2010
"Stick It, A-Rod"
Here you go A's fans. Despite the injuries that have plagued this team over the last several weeks after a strong start to the season, the A's still managed to hit the headlines yesterday in the form of A's pitcher Dallas Braden's perfect game.
There are several stories wrapped up in this one, which is why it is so intriguing. First, he threw the gem against arguably the best team going right now, the Tampa Bay Rays. Second, he threw it on Mother's Day in honor of his mother who had died when he was in high school. How about the fact that he was drafted in the 24th round, or that he has never pitched longer than the 7th inning in any big league start? How about that he is a native of nearby Stockton? How about that his grandmother told A-Rod to "stick it."
All these stories pail in comparison to the one that the national media has seemed to hook onto. The Braden/A-Rod Saga.
The dispute between the two was still hot going into Braden's start yesterday. His perfecto just fueled the fire a little more. Now it's out of control.
Was Braden right in calling out A-Rod? Eh, it's an unwritten rule that every ballplayer knows, and don't let them tell you differently, as Alex Rodriguez did. A-Rod knew exactly what he was doing. Don't forget, this is the same player who yelled at the 3rd baseman while trying to catch a pop-up, ans also the same guy who tried to swat the ball out of the 1st baseman's glove so he wouldn't be called out, thinking no one could see him. Ya know, the things kids who know him as the best player in the game should look up to.
The only problem I have with the whole Braden/A-Rod feud is who is Dallas Braden? Sure, the Bay Area knows him and now the nation is familiar with him. But before this, he was just some no name who wanted seemed to want some recognition for calling out A-Rod. Finally somebody did it, but it probably shouldn't have been Braden, or at least not made so public by Braden. It just made him out to look cocky by going after one of the best players on the planet, while Braden boasts 17 (make that 18) wins in his career.
Now, he is recognized, but for a much better reason, which is why this A-Rod feud carries so much punch now. And it will continue to carry punch until someone gets knocked out, or at least until the two players meet again. In which Braden will go head hunting for A-Rod's dome.
I honestly doubt the two will square off in the distant future. A-Rod will probably come down with the flu that day or something along those lines. He just seems like the kind of guy who would do that. And I wouldn't blame him. Hell, if a guy heaving 90 MPH wanted to decapitate me for breaking an unwritten rule that I clearly had knowledge of, I wouldn't want to be in that batter's box either.
But Braden will have to wait until the July 5th series in New York for that to happen, given it is his turn in the rotation. Maybe Braden will still be fuming on this matter, or maybe he won't, but he doesn't seem like a guy who lets things go easily.
All we know is this story suddenly has legs. Before the perfecto, Braden was just some looney trying to make a name, now he is the guy with the 19th perfect game in MLB history trying to right a wrong. It's crazy how a perfect game can instantly do that to someone.
Posted by semmler22 at 1:47 PM 2 comments
Labels: a-rod, oakland a's, perfect game
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sharks' Curse Not Over Just Yet
They're not supposed to be here. There is too much choking in this team's history to have any legitimate success in the NHL Playoffs. But the Sharks finally did it by beating the Detroit Red Wings last night and moving on to the Western Conference Finals.
When Barry Melrose of ESPN finally admits that the Sharks are a "really good team," you know they've done something right. Melrose was the man who was calling a possible Red Wing comeback in this series when they were down 3-0, and he went crazy when the Wings beat the Sharks in Game 4. But who wasn't? That Game 4 was so one-sided that why not give Detroit a legitimate chance of coming back and winning this series? You sound brilliant if they do. After all, the Sharks have always choked. Scratch that, at least for now.
Now that the Sharks have defeated the Almighty Red Wings in a playoffs series, can we finally put this whole choking matter about the Sharks behind us?
For the Sharks fans, yes, go ahead. But for the rest of the NHL world, they still know the team from San Jose as one that has fallen in their potential to win the Cup year after year despite being the favorite. Is a couple series wins in this year's playoffs going to change that? No, the Sharks are the #1 seed, they should be here. Which brings up the question, why do the critics keep picking the Sharks to lose each series? History is the answer.
For the rest of the NHL world, the Sharks' curse is still not over. It won't be over until they are hoisting the Stanley Cup over their head. They will be the underdogs in the next series and the series after, but if they are to relinquish that "choking" title from their name, they must win the Cup. Easy, right?
Sure, Sharks fans know that this a different team with a different attitude and different players, but the rest of the world does not understand that. Prove it to them. The Sharks are the best team still in the playoffs and anything less than a Sharks Stanley Cup victory isn't worth it, and surely won't be worth it to the rest of the NHL world.
Posted by semmler22 at 1:21 PM 0 comments
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Sharks Answering When It Matters, Up 2-0
Mission accomplished. The San Jose Sharks did what they were supposed to do on Sunday by winning on their home ice for the second time in this series and leading the best of 7 series against the Detroit Red Wings 2-0.
This was a total team effort that saw both teams gather momentum throughout the game. For the second time in this series and 5th game in a row, the Sharks came out firing, but this time only to be let down by a Red Wing goal midway through the 1st period.
But the Sharks showed something that we have not seen in playoffs past, but have seen several times already in this year's playoffs. That is a will to answer right back. The Sharks would answer with 2 goals in just over 2 minutes to go up 2-1.
The Red Wings would tack on another goal late in the 1st period to tie the game up at 2-2.
After a stalemate 2nd period, which saw the Red Wings hit the back of the net a 3rd time, pressure was on the Sharks to maintain their home ice against the mighty Red Wings. And they answered.
It is often the saying that it doesn't matter how you start, but how you finish, and the Sharks finished this one with emphasis.
They took to the offensive early and often in the 3rd period, and it payed off with a power play goal by that man again, Joe Pavelski, at 4:40. But they weren't done.
After both teams threatened midway through the 3rd, the Sharks had a 2 on 1 breakaway at 12:37 where Dany Heatley wristed a shot at goalie Jimmy Howard which bounced off Howard's chest and in front of the net to be tapped in by Joe Thornton. 4-3.
After that, persistent and pesky defense all but sealed it up for the Sharks as they took the first two games of the series at home.
No doubt, the Sharks have surprised many with how much they have continued to improve their game throughout these playoffs, and how not affected they are by recent disappointing seasons, which many thought they would. The consensus before this series was the Red Wings are too disciplined, too experienced, and too good for these underachieving Sharks. But looking at these first two games of this series, we haven't seen any of that. The Sharks' defense is playing great, their 2nd tier players are contributing more than the 1st tier, and their goalie is hot right now. The Sharks are peaking at just the right time.
Now, we will see if this carries over to Hockeytown. But the way the Sharks are feeling about their game right now is business as usual, the perfect attitude. They understand what they are doing is large, but they also understand that they belong somewhere further in these playoffs, and that they are by no means done. With the 1st line starting to sprout legs and walk, maybe this could be the start of something that the Bay Area hasn't seen before with this team.
All the pieces are there, but can they continue. It will be a real test in Detroit, but pulling out one win over there would be huge, the question is can they get that win?
The goal I set for this team so far in this series is win at home. Check. Next goal, take at least 1 of 2 from Detroit in Detroit.
Posted by semmler22 at 9:22 PM 0 comments
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sharks Come Out Firing, Get Game 1 Win
Is there any argument as to a better start to the series for the San Jose Sharks? The Sharks defeated the Detroit Red Wings at The Tank last night by a final of 4-3, giving them a 1-0 series lead.
Coming into the game, it seemed to be a nation-wide consensus that the #1 seeded Sharks appeared to be the underdog in this series, given their history in the playoffs and the way the Red Wings are playing right now.
But for a stretch of 1:19 in the 1st period, the Sharks looked and played like a favorite as they scored 3 goals in that span. This included another goal from that man again, Joe Pavelski, who is quickly losing his nickname of "Little Joe", and adding the "Big Pavelski" to his assortment of names. He would finish with 2 goals and an assist, including the deciding goal on a 5 on 3 powerplay at the start of the 3rd period.
But back to the jaw-dropping 1st period. For that 1st period, mostly the 1:19, the Sharks looked unstoppable like a team that was prepared, like a team that is the #1 seed in the playoffs, like a team that belongs there.
But you didn't think that would last long, did you? I sure did. Maybe that was what I wanted to happen or maybe that was because of what should have happened, but looking back, there was no way the Red Wings were going to throw in the towel after that 1:19. It would have been nice, but just simply was not going to happen. They are too good of a team for that, and don't expect in any of the other games in this series.
The Red Wings quickly rebounded and put up 2 goals before heading into the 2nd intermission. But back to the Big Pavelski, who again proved he is the best player going on this Sharks team, at least for these 2010 playoffs. He scored on that same 5 on 3 power play and the Sharks had another multi-goal lead. But you didn't think that would last did you? Well I did...again. The Red Wings would score another goal within minutes of Pavelski's goal, and the game was on yet again.
After that, it was a race to the finish, and the finish seemed like forever if you were a Sharks fan. The Sharks seemed to fall back on their aggressiveness in the 3rd and hoped to win by scoring those 4 goals, or so it appeared. But the defense kicked in and Evgeni Nabokov made clutch saves as the Sharks were able to hold off the Wings and get the win.
Although the Sharks won this game, the impression was evident that the Red Wings were the better team, except for that 1:19 of the 1st period. Give it up for the Sharks, though. They came out firing, and that payed off. The Wings were caught off-guard and were not able to stop the Sharks, whose 1st line finally showed up. That was one of the keys to this series, wasn't it? The 1st line? Dany Heatley had a goal and Joe Thornton made his first contribution to the 2010 NHL Playoffs with an assist. All this minus Patrick Marleau, who should be ready for Sunday's Game 2.
The Sharks got Game 1, but there is no doubt this series will go the distance. First priority for the Sharks: Come out with the same fire, and win Game 2 on home ice.
Posted by semmler22 at 12:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: nhl playoffs, red wings, sj sharks
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Game On: Sharks vs. Red Wings Series Preview
So the San Jose Sharks get the series no one wanted to happen. The Sharks will play the Red Wings in the Conference Semifinals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Game 1 starting on Thursday at The Tank.
These two teams have met numerous times before in the postseason, but no one need mention what the Sharks record is in Conference semifinals or even how the Red Wings have faired against the San Jose Sharks in previous seasons.
This series has a different feel to it. The only stat lines that need to be mentioned are the ones pertaining to this season. The Sharks have the #1 seed in the Western Conference, the Red Wings have the #5 seed, the Sharks are playing some of their best hockey of the year, and so are the Red Wings. Game on.
Make no mistake, the Detroit Red Wings are only the #5 seed in the West because of injuries to their premiere players. This is a top 3 team in the West, maybe the best. We got to see that when they were healthy down the stretch, going 16-3-2 after the Olympic break.
Off the top of my head, I see at least one advantage for the Sharks. Jimmy Howard is a rookie goalie. The bad news: he is a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
The Red Wings are skilled defensively and have the players to score anytime they want. If the Sharks are to succeed, they will need help from not just the Joe Pavelski Line, as we have come to know it, but the 1st line as well. After all, they are the Canadian top line. If the 1st line has a series like they had against the Avalanche, granted they were hit with injury... but I dont't even want to think about it.
The main thing is that Evgeni Nabokov needs to continue to stop everything in sight, and the Sharks need to play with the same high energy that we saw in the last several games of the 1st Round. If they can limit their mistakes as well, that would be most beneficial, as the Red Wings are patient and take full advantage of the opposing team's mistakes.
In most people's minds, the Sharks are the underdogs. This could work in the Sharks' favor, or maybe it won't. But the Sharks have not faired well these last couple of seasons being the favorite, so maybe a change of rank will help.
The Sharks went 0-3-1 againgst the Red Wings this season, but that means nothing now. This is the 2nd season where everything gets turned around. Where #8 seeds can actually have a legitimate chance at beating the #1 seed, both in the West and the East. The Sharks main concern, first and foremost, win Game 1.
Posted by semmler22 at 10:55 AM 0 comments
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Giants' Offense Will Have Its Days
If last night's Giants game was any sign, this is going to be a long season. The Giants won last night 5-1, behind Jonathan Sanchez and, well, their offense. That same offense that was verbally bashed this week by everyone and anyone worthy of an opinion.
Last week, the Giants averaged something like 1.3 runs a game, and all panic broke out in the Bay Area. Sure, the offense, on paper, is nothing special. In fact, Brad Penny reminded us of that the other day, while he was pitching and after the game as well. But last night's offensive beating (in Giants talk, not true of any other MLB team) of ace Roy Halladay showed that this team will have its games. They can put the bat on the ball, occasionally.
Is it possible that Penny's verbal beating of the Giants' offense had something to do with their approach to the plate last night? It sure looked like it, and I wish to believe it played a part. There was a new approach going to the plate, and that was "Halladay is going to throw me first-pitch meat pies over the plate, and I am going to swing at them." Halladay's lack of respect (or so it seemed) for the Giants' offense actually worked in the Giants favor last night, and they took advantage early and often. Sure, the whopping 5 runs scored last night is nothing much, but give it up for a line-up that boasts no legitimate power hitters going up against Doc Halladay.
It's just going to be that kind of season for the Giants and their overanxious fan base and those who choose to comment on it. Panic when they don't score, relief when they do.
This week's main topic in Giantsland was when are the Giants going to get some big power hitter to save the team? Not never is what I say. It's not going to happen. Names being thrown out there were Carlos Lee and Jermaine Dye. Sure, it would be great to get another bat in the line-up, and I hope they do, don't get me wrong. But don't expect it. MLB hitters aren't as fond of AT&T Park as the fans that pack the seats every game are.
Honestly, the Giants are lucky they got such a dynamite pitching staff, otherwise this whole "lack of hitting" ordeal would stick out like a sore thumb, and then there really would be pandemonium in the Bay Area, instead of making a story out of nothing.
One week, they will hit great, the next week, nothing. It's a long season, don't panic. Wait until the pitching staff has a bad week, oh man. All hell will break loose. That might happen, although it doesn't seem like it will anytime soon. For now, enjoy the ebbs and flows this line-up will throw at you week in and week out.
Posted by semmler22 at 9:38 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Raiders and 49ers NFL Draft in Review
All in all, it was good day for the Bay Area's football teams. Both the Raiders and the 49ers got who they wanted, and no doubt will be improved in the coming season.
As quickly as the Raiders had their pick in, you would have thought that Rolando McClain was the #1 player on their Draft Board. He is a nice fit for the Raiders, and all those people who figured the Raiders would waste their pick like they did with Darius Heyward-Bey (me) were mistaken this year.
McClain is a 6'4" 254 lb. linebacker from Alabama where he won the Dick Butkus Award this last season as the nation's best linebacker. The Raiders had him extremely high on their Draft Board and were sure that he was their guy no matter who was on the Board. Some may argue that McClain was drafted a little prematurley by the Raiders, but the Raiders sure felt something special for this kid. He will fit in nicely.
The Raiders will hope that McClain turns into someone like a Patrick Willis or Ray Lewis, and although all three are built similarly, McClain is taller giving him a higher advantage point. One thing on McClain is that he is smart and will run that Raider defense from the moment he gets there. You will not hear many complaints about this pick, McClain will be a solid NFL player.
49ers GM Trent Baalke said it best when he said, "Happy Birthday to Alex Smith and Frank Gore." The 49ers were hell bent on improving their offensive line, and did they ever.
They played this draft smart. OT Anthony Davis must have been their 2nd rated OT on their Draft Board and they knew that #13 was not high enough to draft him, so they traded up to #11 to ensure that they got him. It was a great move. It seemed like they wanted Davis pretty bad and were not sold on the other OT's like Brian Bulaga.
Davis has some character issues, but I'm sure Mike Singletary will fix that right up if necessary. But this was a pick of the future because Davis may not be ready to start just yet. His upside and potential is through the roof and he will prove to one day play the blind side for the 49ers, if not this coming season. With Barry Sims aging, Davis may get his turn real soon.
While Davis may be an "if," Mike Iupati (pictured) is anything but. Iupati was an excellent draft pick for the 49ers. He combines size with shear strength and will no doubt be starting for the 49ers very soon. He is NFL ready with his 6'5" 331 lb. frame, the all-around biggest guy on the 49ers. Scouts say he is versatile enough to play Tackle later in his career, but for now, he and David Baas will make a good team at the Guard position. No doubt, Iupati will be a great NFL player for years to come, and with the additions of Davis and Iupati, if all pans out, the 49ers weak offensive line could turn special in these next few years.
Overall, both teams had great picks and addressed each of their needs. The Raiders were dead set on McClain and the 49ers were dead set on Davis and Iupati.
I'm not quite sold on Davis yet, but his potential could prove me wrong. Some are going to argue that Jimmy Clausen was there at #17 for the 49ers to take and that they should have taken him there. But obviously other teams also have some concerns about Clausen too because he was not taken in the 1st round. If Clausen is there in 2nd round when its the 49ers turn, they will have a hard decision to make. Honestly, I think they should go for it. He played in the Charlie Weis system at Notre Dame and knows the NFL offense well. It would be a nice pick, actually, for both the 49ers and the Raiders, as both could use some insurance at the QB position.
Posted by semmler22 at 9:13 PM 0 comments
Labels: 49ers, nfl draft, oakland raiders
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
49ers NFL Draft Preview
Who really knows how any NFL Draft will end up? It's such a commotion on Draft Day that there is really no way to predict who is going where. I mean, Michael Crabtree ended up with the 49ers last year and no one thought that was possible. It just takes one or two teams to go a different way with their picks, and another team gets rich.
For the 49ers, there are too many ways this team can go, and they are not giving out information on who they have their eye on and what position they would really like filled. Plus, ex-GM Scot McCloughan has left the team, and interim Trent Baalke is forced to take over.
The 49ers hold the 13th and 17th picks, and for me, there are two positions that the 49ers must draft somewhere between April 22-24, an OL and a CB/S. Good news for the 49ers, this year's Draft is full of them.
Let's start with the Offensive Tackles. Russell Okung, Brian Bulaga, and Trent Williams are the big boys for this position. Although I would love to see Trent Williams, who sports a 6'5" 310 pound frame, fall to the 49ers, I don't think we are going to see that. But I will say that the #4 best OT, Anthony Davis, will be there if the 49ers want him. It depends for the 49ers, are they going to go with the best available player? Or with the position that they need most?
Anthony Davis is a junior OT out of Rutgers. He is 6'6" 325 pounds, but questions about his weight and love of the game is what has buried him so far down the Draft Board. Do the 49ers need someone like that? No, but if he turns out to show no problems at all, then a 6'6" 325 pound frame could bolster that 49ers offensive line, most definitely.
Again, this is all depending on if these players are still there come the 49ers turn at #13, but S Earl Thomas out of Texas is projected to go #14 to the Seahawks. I don't see how the 49ers can pass up on as promising a Safety as Thomas. But the 49ers sole goal is to get an OL, and if a worthy one is there, they will go with that.
If the 49ers plan on going with the best available player at #13, you will probably see Jason Pierre-Paul go, assuming he is still there. I think he will, but again, you never know. Todd McShay has him going to the Jaguars at #10 but all other experts have him going somewhere above that. Pierre-Paul is the DE out of South Florida.
But if you're looking for the sleeper pick, I have one for you. After having Michael Crabtree fall in their laps last year, the 49ers will be looking for that same thing in Jimmy Clausen. Clausen can go anywhere from 7-17 in the Draft. If the 49ers want him, he will have to hurdle some teams.
First up, what will the Browns do at #7? They picked up Jake Delhomme during the offseason and traded away Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. Is Jake Delhomme their QB? Or will they give another Notre Dame QB a try? The Browns would be fools to pass up Clausen here, but if they are set on Delhomme as their QB, who is scheduled to make $7M this season, then Clausen will fall at least till #8.
The #8 pick belongs to the Raiders. With Jamarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski fighting it out for the QB position, I doubt they take a QB here, even one that makes as much sense as Clausen. The Raiders have far other priorities they need to fill instead of a QB, and the OL is one of them. I just don't see it happening here.
But if Clausen gets past the Raiders at #8, and possibly the Bils at #9 (no telling if Trent Edwards is their man), I see the 49ers having a legitimate shot at him. Every other team between the Raiders and 49ers already have solid starting QB's. The 49ers don't even need to draft Clausen at #13 because every team between them and their next pick at #17 already has a starting QB as well. So if they don't draft him at #13, don't panic.
Will the 49ers do it? I'm not sure. But there is a logic to be believe that Clausen will be there if they want him. It is a matter of Clausen getting past the #7,8, and 9 picks, which I predict he will. What's better? Todd McShay realizes this as well and has Clausen going to the 49ers as the #17 pick.
My Predictions: 49ers
#13- There is some who beleive that CJ Spiller would be drafted here. I see the best OL available for this spot. To me, it's going to be between OT Anthony Davis and OG Mike Iupati from Idaho. The 49ers need help at OG. My pick: Mike Iupati
#17- If Jimmy Clausen is there, then it's Clausen. If not, look for CB Joe Haden from Florida to sneak down, or even DE Jason Pierre-Paul. My Pick: Jimmy Clausen
Posted by semmler22 at 2:40 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sharks Get Huge Win in OT
How nerve-racking was that? Knowing that the Sharks were down 2-1 in the series, knowing that rarely do teams come back from a 3-1 deficit, and knowing how well Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson was playing, how could you not?
The San Jose Sharks beat the Avalanche in overtime in Game 4 last night, evening the series and heading back to the Bay Area with a sigh of relief. Joe Pavelski scored top shelf on the goalie Anderson in overtime, the only puck that had got past Anderson since the first minute of the 1st period.
Seeing how well the Sharks have played in these last three games, it is about time they come out with a win, and this one is a big one.
But the big story was Dan Boyle. 48 hours after his blunder in Game 3, which after further video review was not his blunder at all, Boyle scored in the first minute of the 1st period to put the Sharks up 1-0. Sweet relief for Boyle who was visibly down on himself for the past 48 hours. Also, sweet relief for the Sharks as they went 0-6 on the power play in Game 3, but scored on the power play in the first minute.
Boyle's goal would fuel the Sharks for the rest of the period as they were no doubt the better team in the 1st period. They were playing like they had played during the games before, except this time they got some points for their effort. The Sharks were scrappy on defense, they got to every puck, and the Avs had no chance on any of their shots taken on Evgeni Nabokov.
The 2nd period was a different story. The Avs came out firing on all cylinders and the Sharks were put on the defensive. Avalanche center Paul Stastny scored on the power play at 3:27 and the game was tied.
The Sharks looked tired walking into the dressing room after the 2nd period and to top it off, Anderson looked like he was at the top of his game yet again. But it felt like equal momentum for both sides as they went into the 3rd period.
Dany Heatley, who sat out Game 3, was visibly tired and not 100% throughout the game, and it showed in the 3rd period. Anderson for the Avs continued to stop everything in sight and the Avs were quicker than the Sharks who seemed to be praying for the dressing room down the stretch of the 3rd.
The game went to overtime and after brilliant saves by both goaltenders throughout the first half of the period, Pavelski finally scored on a lightning fast wrister that sailed top-shelf on Anderson giving the Sharks the win.
You can argue that the Sharks got away with one here, but after all this team has been through in this series, the Sharks will take whatever they can get. In my opinion, the Avs won 2 of the 3 periods, with the overtime period going to the Sharks. Anderson played the way he has played since the start of Game 3 and grabbed 43 saves, some standing on his head. Nabby grabbed 33 saves as well and he continues to be reliable in these playoffs for the Sharks.
This win was much needed for the Sharks and now they return back to San Jose with the home-ice advantage and will be welcomed with open arms in the HP Pavilion.
A couple things need to happen for the Sharks. Heatley needs to get healthy. Even though he played no part on the power play last night, he is a key part to the success of the Sharks getting the puck in the back of the net. Had they had him on the ice in Game 3, we'd be talking about a 3-1 lead for the Sharks. Also, where is Patrick Marleau and the rest of the Canadian National Team's 1st line? They've disappeared. Maybe the rest of the Sharks team is good enough to pull them through, but the 1st line is supposed to be the cornerstone of this team, and they have not shown up in this series.
Game 5 in San Jose at the HP Pavilion on Thursday, 7:30p.m.
Posted by semmler22 at 10:04 PM 0 comments
The Giants Have 2 Predicaments...
The San Francisco Giants are coming off a 2-game losing streak for the first time this season, both in late-inning fashion. But up until then, the Giants were and are playing very good baseball. They are hitting surprisingly well and 4 of the 5 pitchers in their rotation have pitched near lights out. But, as far as I'm concerned, there are 2 problems that this team will face in the coming future, and Giants management will have to find which side of the spectrum gives them the better chance to win.
Sanchez or Uribe
The first problem is more of a predicament. Freddy Sanchez is the team's starting 2nd baseman, or at least that is what he was expected to be when they obtained him last season and what he was expected to be when he comes back from injury. But when is that? Reports say early-May, but other reports say end of May possibly early-June. Sanchez has missed Spring Training as well as the first 13 games of the season, and he will most certainly need to get back into real baseball shape in order to get back onto the field. To be safe, I would predict an early-June return for Sanchez.
Meanwhile, the Giants aren't missing him much, which is where the predicament for the Giants comes in. Juan UUUUU-Ribe has taken the 2010 season by storm after getting a 1 yr./$3.25 million contract in the offseason. This has turned out to be a great move for the Giants as Uribe is no doubt the team's best hitter this season, including clutch hit after clutch hit. Through the first 13 games, Uribe is batting .348 with 16 hits (tied for the team lead) and has 11 RBI's, which almost doubles Pablo Sandoval's RBI total, who is in 2nd place on the team.
So what happens when Sanchez comes back? There the predicament lies. There's no room for Sanchez. Edgar Renteria is having a fantastic start to his season, so you can't move Uribe to shortstop. Sandoval and Aubrey Huff are really the only legitimate power-threats next to Uribe, so they aren't going anywhere. So where do you put him? How about the trading block?
Sure, Sanchez is an ex-batting champ, but his recent injuries have done nothing to justify his 2 yr./$12 million deal that he signed with the Giants last season. Plus, who knows how he will come back from this injury. Trading Sanchez would only work if the Giants re-signed Uribe, and also pending Uribe continues on this tear. Bottom line is there is nowhere to put Sanchez other than the bench, and who wants a $12 million player on their bench? The Giants will have to figure out something quick, but the worst thing to do would be to put their best hitter (Uribe) on the bench just get their money's worth for Sanchez. It will cost them games, and the Giants will need every win this year if they hope to contend for a division title.
No doubt, the Giants will have some thinking to do in the coming months regarding this issue, but it will make this predicament even harder to decide upon if Uribe continue to swing the bat like he has. It will boost their win total, though.
Wellemeyer or Bumgarner?
The only thing wrong with the Giants pitching staff so far is its #5 starter Todd Wellemeyer who has been the only "if" in the Giants rotation this season. Wellemeyer signed a minor-league contract with the team in the offseason and won the #5 spot in the rotation in Spring Training over young phenom Madison Bumgarner. But with the struggles so far this season for Wellemeyer, when is a good time to try something new? Maybe call-up Bumgarner.
Sure, Bumgarner is only 20 years old and needs to get some routine starts under his belt in AAA this season, but he pitched surprisingly well in however many starts he had last season in the Majors. Plus, whatever he brings to the table is better than what Wellemeyer has brought so far. Unless Wellemeyer's start to the season is just a fluke, there is no doubt someone like Bumgarner, or even Kevin Pucetas, will get called up to replace him for a few starts.
The Giants, of course, will wait this one out and see how Wellemeyer does in his next several starts, but if he continues to be the only hole in a very solid rotation, something needs to change. It is not right for the other 4 starters to go out and have solid outings, but when its Wellemeyer's turn its an automatic 4-5 runs given up. And with the Giants offense, although good so far, that is hard to come back from.
The only thing holding the Giants from pulling the trigger in the foreseeable future is Bumgarner's first 3 outings in AAA-Fresno this season. In 3 starts, he is 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA, and only made it through the 4th inning once.
So expect to see Wellemeyer for a little while longer as long as Bumgarner is pitching like that in AAA, but know that it has got to be on the minds of Giants management to replace Wellemeyer sooner than later if this keeps up. If Wellemeyer continues to be the only hole in that pretty rotation, then expect Bumgarner sooner, no matter how he is pitching in AAA.
Posted by semmler22 at 1:02 PM 0 comments
Labels: bumgarner, sanchez, sf giants, uribe, wellemeyer
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sharks Give Avs 2-1 Lead
Still trying to pick your jaw up after watching that game last night? Yeah me too. The San Jose Sharks lost last night in overtime after The Play We Shall Not Speak Of occurred just 51 seconds into overtime.
It was an absolute heartbreaker for the Sharks who were in absolute control of the game from the start of the 2nd period on, and yet no "W."
The news of Dany Heatley sitting out the game had already put the Sharks behind the 8-ball, and wow could they have used his powerplay skills last night. The final tally of the Sharks on the powerplay was 0-6. But the Heater absence was negated, at least a little, with the loss of Avalanche Milan Hejduk who left the game after colliding with his teammate at center ice in the 1st period.
Still, the Sharks played well, in fact, they played great, they just could not find the back of the net, not once, which happens to be the most important part (And by back of the net, I mean the opposing team's net). The Sharks outshot the Avs 51-17, and 43-8 from the 2nd period on. There is no way to relate those stats to the final score.
It was an absolute grudge match that pinned Evgeni Nabokov against Craig Anderson, with Anderson playing the role of a brick wall in front of the net. There wasn't much Nabby could do. He had a couple of huge saves early, and given the opportunity, probably would have been just as hot as Anderson.
Craig Anderson, win or lose, was terrific. It was a performance in net that not many will forget, and could potentially mark this series and maybe his career. He stopped 51 shots, which is unheard of given that these are his first playoffs. The only way to describe his play last night was that he was in the zone. And the Sharks ran into another hot goalie.
How do the Sharks move on from this? They just do. They have to. They need to go back to the fact that they are playing very good hockey right now. They are aggressive, quick, playing solid defense, and getting shots to the net. Getting the puck in the net like they did in Game 2 was not going to happen last night. Anderson was too good, and the Sharks didn't capitalize on the opportunities in front of the net when they needed to, and that may have been the result of no Heater.
If the Sharks score in overtime and win the game, then there is huge momentum going into Game 4 knowing that they just played excellent hockey for the past 2 games. Up until 51 seconds into overtime, they did. In fact, they ARE playing great hockey, but somehow the series is 2-1 in favor of the #8 seeded Avalanche, and the Sharks will have to try to find someway to put The Play We Shall Not Speak Of out of their minds. Someway.
Posted by semmler22 at 9:08 PM 0 comments
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Avalanche Take an Early Bite Out of the Sharks
I could have sworn I was watching a Ducks/Sharks game from the first round of the 2009 NHL Playoffs last night. That's how it felt. The San Jose Sharks lost last night to the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 when Avalanche winger Chris Stewart scored off of Rob Blake's skate with a little less than 50 seconds left in the game.
Is this 2009 and before all over again? Probably not, at least I'm not going to say that out loud. Bottom line was the Avalanche defense came to play last night, and the Sharks offense couldn't put the puck in the net. That's it, don't overthink it. In the playoffs, every team brings it every night. That is why it is called the 2nd season. Teams like the Avalanche, who many predicted would not be in this position, have nothing to lose, so they play their hearts out. The Sharks were a victim of that last night.
Sharks fans should be bummed about this, though. After all, the Sharks are the #1 seed playing a team that could not be a more better match-up for them. The Sharks are stronger, bigger, quicker, and more experienced. Then how come they lost so convincingly last night? Sure, the Sharks lost by just one goal, all be it a goal that was scored with 50 seconds left. But the Sharks were a Ryan Clowe "excuse me" goal away from being shut-out.
Credit Evgeni Nabokov with continuing his hot play and stopping 28 shots. But credit Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson even more for stopping all of the weak shots sent his way by the Sharks' offense. The Sharks couldn't get a good opportunity at the goal, and when they did, they couldn't execute it.
The Sharks had 26 shots on net and that is unacceptable for a team that boasts Heatley-Marleau-Thornton. Where were they? They got shots to the net with 8 shots altogether, but none went in, and that seems to be what counts.
Maybe this was a case of a little playoff jitters, or maybe it wasn't, but the the Sharks played last night like they belonged there, when in fact the scoreboard would say otherwise. The Sharks need to play like they are not the #1 seed, because in the playoffs it doesn't matter. As the Sharks franchise knows all too well.
The only thing you can say is tomorrow is another day. I'm not going to call the game on Friday a "must-win," but it would be highly advised.
Posted by semmler22 at 10:33 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
This Is Sharks Playoff Territory
What makes this season different? Another #1 seed, another trip to the playoffs, and yet this team is not a favorite by any means to win the Stanley Cup.
With their playoff track-record, who would pick them to win it all? Year after year, we see this team go into the playoffs and come out with nothing. Last year was a new low, even for a franchise that has had as little success as the Sharks in the playoffs.
But this year will be different, right? At least, that's what we have told ourselves for the last 5 seasons. What makes this year different, then?
For one, the Sharks parted ways with 11 guys from last year's team and replaced them with a nice mix of young players and veterans with experience in the game. Torrey Mitchell, Jamie McGinn, Manny Malhotra, and Scott Nichol will all play key roles in these playoffs to help out the front-line guys.
Two, usually the Sharks are crawling into the playoffs with injuries or end-of-season bad play. This year, there are no injuries to speak of and they went 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. Joe Thornton scared us for awhile with his injury, but I think that was more of a lengthy rest that Coach Todd McLellan used for him. Marc-Edouard Vlasic is one that is key to the success of the defense, but he is back from his injury and back to his normal defensive self.
Three, Evgeni Nabokov usually struggles in the last few games of the season and brings that with him into the playoffs. But this year, some could argue that Nabby is playing his best since before the Olympic break. Nabby is who determines how far the Sharks will go in the playoffs. If he can take his play from the final games of the regular season and use it in the playoffs, the Sharks may have something.
Four, the Sharks offense is usually fire in the regular season, but tends to slow down in the playoffs. The Sharks addressed that to the fullest extent during the offseason, picking up scorer Dany Heatley in a deal. If that won't fix the problem, nothing will. Plus, Joe Pavelski is peaking at just the right time for the Sharks.
So what makes you think the Sharks won't make a run for the Stanley Cup? Nothing. But if you look closer, things have changed in San Jose. The pieces are there for the first time in a long time for the Sharks to win the Stanley Cup. It is just up to the them to put it all together.
Posted by semmler22 at 5:35 PM 2 comments
Labels: hockey, nhl playoffs, sj sharks
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text:
GDB XXV: Coping with Kopitar
Jason Gregor
November 25 2009 01:14PM
If the Oilers can keep Anze Kopitar from lighting the lamp they will have a good chance the win. Kopitar leads the NHL in scoring, with 14 goals and 33 points, but when he scores a goal the King's chance of winning is exceptional.
The Kings are 47-23-8 when Kopitar scores, including 8-2 this season. Kopitar is big, strong, highly skilled and he skates exceptionally well, but it will be interesting to see how he plays without Ryan Smyth.
Smyth's style complimented Kopitar and he opened up a lot of ice for the Slovenian, but his new left-winger Alexander Frolov doesn't play the same way. Frolov has more natural skill than Smyth, but he is very inconsistent.
Terry Murray benched Frolov for one game after eight unproductive games, and Frolov responded with eight points in his next six, and now he has one goal in his last eight games. He has played two games with Kopitar and has a goal, but it will be interesting to see how productive Kopitar is with Frolov instead of Smyth.
Talking with the media and management of the Kings, Smyth is responsible for a lot of Kopitar's success. Oiler fans are well aware of Smyth's consistent work ethic, and that, combined with Kopitar's improved conditioning has Kopitar off to such a great start.
I asked Pat Quinn on which defensemen he plans on playing against the Kings top line of Kopitar, Frolov and Justin Williams, and it sounds like he will rotate between Steve Staios/Sheldon Souray and Ladislav Smid/Lubomir Visnovsky.
Quinn is very comfortable with the play of Smid and he was happy with how Smid matched up against Rick Nash earlier this year. While Staios and Souray are a more physical pairing and should be able to negate the size of that line, Quinn and Tom Renney will give Smid and Visnovsky some time against them as well.
Coming off a 4-0 shutout win, there will be no lineup changes and no new lines. For one of the few times this season we will see the identical lineup in consecutive games.
Penner — Gagner — Hemsky
Jacques — Brule — Horcoff
Moreau — Potulny — Cogliano
Reddox — O'Sullivan — Stortini
Stone to return
Ryan Stone was put through the paces for an extra 20 minutes after practice today, to see where he is at. When I spoke to him after practice, he was a bit frustrated with his recovery. He is still feeling pain in his knee, and he is only doing skating drills at this point. They won't put him in one-on-one drills until the pain subsides. He ruled himself out for this weekend, and said he is looking at possibly the final three games of the upcoming six-game road trip as a possible return date.
Robert Nilsson skated and he will have another neurological test this afternoon, and if he passes that then he should be cleared to play for Friday. He said he is feeling better and his headaches have disappeared. Even if he is cleared, I think it will be hard for him to get a spot in the lineup.
Marc Pouliot skated alongside Stone and Nilsson after practice, and it looks like he is about two weeks away. If Potulny and Reddox continue to play well it will be very interesting to see what Steve Tambellini does with his roster in two weeks, when Stone, Nilsson and Pouliot are ready to go.
The Oilers are being very cautious with Nikolai Khabibulin's back, and it doesn't look like he'll be ready for this weekend's back-to-back games v. the Sharks and the Canucks. Devan Dubnyk (Doob-nick) is itching to play and I'm curious if the Oilers will give him a game or two.
Dubnyk will have to clear waivers next season, and it is doubtful that he would get through, so will the Oilers give him a game or two? And what is the point of only a few games? If he plays well, is that enough proof that they could move Deslauriers, and if DD struggles in two games is that reason enough to give up on him? I think he will get a game or two, but I don't think those games, regardless of how he plays, will be the deciding factor in what they do with him this summer.
November 25 2009, 07:42PM
comments working? My last post never came up.
November 25 2009, 07:42PM
Okay, silly question, but does anyone know of a non-flash site I can listen online on my iPhone? I'm on the road from LA - SF and am leaving the local radio coverage area.... booooooooooo for no flash on the iPhone!!
November 25 2009, 07:42PM
yay! Edit buttons FTW!
November 25 2009, 08:03PM
Wow it sure is quiet around these parts.
November 25 2009, 08:04PM
So when does the game start? This sure is a long warm-up.
November 25 2009, 08:11PM
Potulny buddddyyy
*cheers' himself*
November 25 2009, 08:14PM
Watching with the sound off - helping kid with homework - thought they must have disallowed the goal at first - took them forever to put it up in the scorebox on tv.
Now he has "What the (*&%^%&^%#$!!!!" written into his assignment.
November 25 2009, 08:15PM
Was that not Potulny's third? Even the Oilers announcer said it was his first.
November 25 2009, 08:16PM
@Shawn Cronin
Sometimes third can sound like first, especially since what's his name at Rexall sounds like Harry Carey.
November 25 2009, 08:20PM
On Sportsnet they had it listed as his first as well. Maybe they meant it's his first goal in the first period against the LA Kings off a deflection on a Souray shot. Then they are correct.
November 25 2009, 08:22PM
On Sportsnet they had it listed as his first as well. Maybe they meant it's his first goal in the first period against the LA Kings off a deflection on a Souray shot. Then they are correct.
Ah, the nuances of sports commentary.
November 25 2009, 08:22PM
@Shawn Cronin
They said it was his 3rd goal and 5th point in 9 games.
Or maybe I heard that on tsn?
November 25 2009, 08:22PM
@Shawn Cronin
They also took about 3 minutes to put the goal up on the board or whatever at the top of the screen. I think they're dipping into the eggnog and rum a little early. Well, early by normal people standards anyway.
November 25 2009, 08:31PM
They also took about 3 minutes to put the goal up on the board or whatever at the top of the screen. I think they're dipping into the eggnog and rum a little early. Well, early by normal people standards anyway.
I'm gonna blame it on MacT, Horcoff's contract and Khabibulin's age.
November 25 2009, 08:33PM
Refer post 107. My kid feels your pain.
November 25 2009, 08:33PM
They call Pronger the human rake, can Strudwick be called the Human Cape? He kind of drapes himself all over everyone
November 25 2009, 08:52PM
They call Pronger the human rake, can Strudwick be called the Human Cape? He kind of drapes himself all over everyone
November 25 2009, 08:56PM
Oh, Jarro. You can't have the Stanley Cup Champions tin from Scotiabank! You're not even a kid!
November 25 2009, 09:44PM
Damn the picture on this post is creeping me out. I can't figure out if it's photoshopped or what.
November 25 2009, 09:53PM
Thank god we have a tall goalie to, you know, cover the top corners well........
November 25 2009, 10:01PM
Well you can quickly rack that loss up to the PP. We didn't seem to be handily outworked but we had multiple chances to put that away and possibly tie that game. That last poweplay was simply horrific.
November 25 2009, 10:02PM
JDD saw that shot all the way, he should have had it.
November 25 2009, 10:04PM
Hey remember that one game winning streak? That was awesome.....
November 25 2009, 10:05PM
How was that only a 2 min boarding call on Handzus? Cross check in the numbers into the boards. Worse than Ovechkins tonight in my humble opinion.
Initially I didn't think it was that bad but after watching the replay that was a dangerous hit.
November 25 2009, 10:08PM
The good news is that the Hawks are doing to the Sharks what they did to us lat week. 4-0 Hawks right now including 3 shorties.
I feel bad for whoever the Sharks play next....
November 25 2009, 10:10PM
@Dan the Man
Devan Dubnyk?
November 25 2009, 10:32PM
Anyone else find it funny that when we have Pat Quinn, Tom Renney and Wayne Fleming on the coaching staff, Buchy is the guy drawing up the play during the timeout? WTF
November 26 2009, 02:07AM
Anyone else find it funny that when we have Pat Quinn, Tom Renney and Wayne Fleming on the coaching staff, Buchy is the guy drawing up the play during the timeout? WTF
I've sat behind the bench a few times this year and in those games Quinn said essentially nothing and Buchy was the guy slapping players on the back.
Buchy = positve reinforcement guy
Buchy is "middle management" of the coaching staff, he reinforces the message during the grind.
We all know Buchy traced the play not drew it.
November 26 2009, 07:48AM
@Jason Gregor
Never read it and don't really care what Burke's son does with his life.
November 26 2009, 07:49AM
I was going to say the same thing. Although from what I gather Bucky is suppose to be a pretty decent coach, so who knows.


text:
Props to Ravona for the awesome sig! Noel is the greatest and I challenge you to prove me otherwise!
MyAnimeList MyMangaList
Pure awesomeness is they build a real gundam that can move and cut/shoot people down. This is just wasting money, matarials and time.
Y20,000,000 = £150,000 approx
For that much it should have been a lot better, something like this one:
"7 meter high, 3 meter wide Gundam, For a size comparison, take a look at the humans in the lower right corner. This statue is quite famous here in Japan, and I've seen it on TV a couple times. It took some dude over ten months to build. There's a cockpit and hydraulic pistons, because the thing moves. That's right, it friggin' moves" [Quote from: kotaku.com]
Props to Ravona for the awesome sig! Noel is the greatest and I challenge you to prove me otherwise!
MyAnimeList MyMangaList
Waste of money, but then again my goverment only wastes money...
And yeah, no war with Japan, they'll blow our asses with giant mechs.
So what that you can see the dark inside of me?
"All our light that shines strong only lasts for so long"
My manga list
i would love to see the colored gundam thing move, friggin awesome. but yeah a plain statue is a waste of tax money, give it to the poor. Maybe we should send some graffiti artists to spraypaint the thing for us. lol
What is uttered from the heart alone, will win the hearts of others to your own.
I think it's kind of funny that since it's a statue of a Gundam, it has to be colored and it has to be ridable and it has to move :x
"Please double on White Day"
http://www.fanfiction.net/~redsilenthttp://redsilent.deviantart.com/This is My HeroThe IglooMy new favorite Video


text:
June 14 2012 12:42PM
It seems as though the 2009 FMNF movement has taken a crippling shot to the beans with former Head Coach Craig MacTavish returning to the Oilers as the "Senior Director of VP of the Hockey Operations and Tambellini creeping."
The heartwarming reaction from Oilers fans everywhere - jacked for the return of the guy who kept #14 warm while Jordan Eberle lifted super heavy weights as a child - can be heard all around the world.
Back in the day it was tough times in the OilersNation. The team wasn't particularly good, having failed to make the playoffs three years in a row. The General Manager at the time - Steve Tambellini - decided that MacT had lost the room and taking quick action (one of his many strengths) he let the Coach go at the end of the 2008-09 season.
This came about 2 years after most Oilers fans had decided that the silver Fox needed to go. "Yeah he took the team to G7 of the SCF sure" went the thinking at the time, "but now he is a brutal Coach. Look at how poorly he treats The Patrick O'Sullivan. It's almost as though he is incapable of getting any production whatsoever from the staggering talent that is Jesse Boulerice."
Things got so heated that we developed a working theory that the London, Ontario native was actually a parasitic host for an Alien King during that final season. Our theories were never conclusively dismissed using The Science, but complete silence on the matter from Oilers brass led us to believe we were closer to the mark than many would have you believe,
Anywhoo, the 09 departure of MacT and the strategic introduction of Pat Quinn and Tom Renney as Co-Coaches of the team was seen by many as a win over the Boys on the Bus Regime - defiantly clinging to power despite consecutive seasons of 5th, 4th and 4th in the Northwest.
OilersNation had fully turned into a MacT Bash-A-Thon and 99% of the comments were either demanding his head on a platter or vehemently agreeing with the previous comment that MacT's head should be placed on a platter. It was all we could all talk about and the uproar got so loud that we had to coin a snazzy acronym to try and calm everyone down.
The summer of 2012 is a very different place you see. The Oilers have climbed out of the basement of the NHL to the dizzying heights of 29th place. Head Coaches are no longer summarily dismissed because the GM failed to address the holes in the lineup year after year after year after year.
So welcome back Craig MacTavish. He who was the 2009 problem is most certainly the 2012 solution and your eventual replacement of Steve Tambellini will finally take the crushing load of responsibility off of the shoulders of Kevin Lowe who has had to both secretly run the team and take the GM paychecks to get signed for far too long now.
2009 polls are hilarious.
June 14 2012, 12:49PM
YAY! It's a MS Paint masterpiece! (obligatory "fist" goes here).
June 14 2012, 12:50PM
Fans are fickle and Management makes mistakes but the Hindsight Blogger is never wrong.
June 14 2012, 12:53PM
Nation readers must have finally realized MacT was never the problem. He wasn't perfect (i.e.: handling of Penner), but he was better than others. He had a lousy team with no real leaders.
June 14 2012, 12:54PM
I think Ryan Potulny's 10 NHL games over the last two seasons justify every ounce of faith OilersNation had in him.
(Gets ready to mock Rob Schremp, realizes Rob Schremp has 63 NHL games over the last two years, crawls back under a rock.)
It made sense at the time. I'm still happy that he isn't the coach but has the power to kick Tambo in the balls.
June 14 2012, 01:10PM
Bring back Potulny and Schremp!!
June 14 2012, 01:14PM
He thinks it was bad to trade plugs like Greene and Stoll for Lubo.
Turf him.
June 14 2012, 01:14PM
I wuz feeling all warm and fuzzy, but even the most peripheral of POS references can ruin a potentially stupendous article for me. POS reference ban 4EVER!
June 14 2012, 01:16PM
I was in the "Promote MacTavish Now F*ckers" camp, so points to Menacer!
MacT..........waaaay better TSN analyst than Crawford. Talk about hawkee? Any POS can do that. Just ask Healy & Pierre. Mac T - new driver for the Boys on the Bus.
I really have to start screwin' around more with MS Paint. It appears there's hours of fun to be had.
Also, Wanye your articles are the only thing keeping me going over these long summers of wandering in the desert.*
*And blocking first-posters over at POLLZ. I get a sick pleasure out of that, thinking about all the smashed keyboards. Heh heh.
June 14 2012, 02:56PM
I was one of the people that wanted MacT to get fired. I never thought he was a bad coach, in fact quite the opposite, but it appeared he had lost the room. The effort level was inconsistent. I understand that with a really young rebuilding team, but he had a lot of vets back then.
I think MacT is a smart guy that knows hockey. I am ok with the addition, but I also think there are other smart guys out there thatdo not have the same alliance, histroy with some of our underperforming vets and Klowe. I think one of the reasons you add another body to the team is a different opinion, someone who will argue their opinion when it differs from the rest of the team. I hope MacT will, but his past relationship and loyalty is a concern. While i would have preferred fresh blood, I think his intelligence will help the current team.
Man did I hate MacT back then, then came Quinn, then Renney, then?????????? And suddenly, I really don't blame him nearly as much!!!!! Losing is a funny thing
June 14 2012, 02:59PM
Man, the comments in that old FMNF article you linked to read out like an Oilersnation hall of fame.
"Travis Dakin", "Buck75", "Ender", "TheTowelBoy"
I am not a fan of the move for one simple reason - this was a chance for the Oilers to go outside of the old boys club and bring in new ideas and perspectives from a winning organization. Bringing back CrackT does not change the group think at all.
June 14 2012, 03:32PM
I really have to start screwin' around more with MS Paint. It appears there's hours of fun to be had.
Also, Wanye your articles are the only thing keeping me going over these long summers of wandering in the desert.*
*And blocking first-posters over at POLLZ. I get a sick pleasure out of that, thinking about all the smashed keyboards. Heh heh.
Well ya weren't too successful over at the POLLZ today now were ya Mr. S?
Side Note: How about an article on being in the same Pub as the one and only @ebs14 mr. @wanyegretz? I will agree with David that Wanye's articles are the only thing that keep me going.
June 14 2012, 04:14PM
I love the fact that a guy who has had very limited success (1 losing cup run apparently made him a legend) couldn't get a head coach job anywhere else in the NHL and severely underachieved with a World Championship is now considered a savior. He butchered most of the young players he had (Hemsky got better the year of the lockout playing in Europe)... I guess what i am trying to say is that it looks like Oiler fans are trying to replace Leaf Fans as the dumbest fans on the planet.
Are toby peterson and liam reddox coming back?
June 14 2012, 04:17PM
I was happy to see MacT fired then and I am not happy to see him back now. However, I think I dislike Tambellini even more.
I will hold my judgment on MacT in his current position for now. Thank god they didn't bring him back as coach. That would have been the beginning of the apocolypse.
The current poll has no good answers.
CLARITY AND/OR ADMISSION - THE REBUILD HAS FAILED . Their results bear out failure ! Semantics - rebuild sounds better than failure is all . Back to MacT. to try and revive it properly this time ? I think this move is an admission that Lowe and Tams have failed to deliver on rebuild . Was this a positive move to go to second stage to start over i ask ? Would have preferred MacT. take over , and name others to fill the voids left by Lowe and Tams.
June 14 2012, 05:33PM
Oh Madjam... I'd vote for you for prom king!
Can you please regail us with tales of how RNH is too small and not skilled enough to be a 1st line centre?
June 14 2012, 06:06PM
What's next Kevin Prendergast back as Senior Manager of Scouting Performance?
Man, the comments in that old FMNF article you linked to read out like an Oilersnation hall of fame.
"Travis Dakin", "Buck75", "Ender", "TheTowelBoy"
What the h3ll happened to Ender? He get married or something?
June 14 2012, 06:24PM
What the h3ll happened to Ender? He get married or something?
Is it sad that I also find myself wondering what ever happened to a commentor on a hockey blog?
June 14 2012, 07:20PM
Wanye, good sir, you forgot lolly-pops in your picture....WTF!!!?
June 14 2012, 09:05PM
Maybe Katz was seeing the future when he texted Stauffer and said "Mac-T isn't going anywhere".
June 14 2012, 09:06PM
What the h3ll happened to Ender? He get married or something?
I expect he'll be back for the next photoshop contest.
*crawls back under rock
June 15 2012, 01:10AM
The alien-king inside MacT will lead us to Stanley.
June 15 2012, 06:25AM
alain vignault...even after narrowly escaping the executioner was retained by the Canucks...it's why MacT is here instead of the wet coast...to replace our GM... sooner rather than later...I'd wager by the beginning of training camp...I thought that MacT was brilliant through the '06 run and he really became victimized by our GM and his very own brand of absolute incompetence...plus the rakes' exit...ST is on his way out imo and there will never be a time when this franchise wins another Cup and some feckless opportunistic wag says the team has ST's fingerprints all over it ala Dale Tallon and the Hawks Cup win did...i also wonder where the Ender ended up...
June 15 2012, 09:38AM
I typed Ender and Oilers into the Google machine and it pulled up an article from almost a year ago.
Has it been that long? Is he OK?
Should we hold a memorial service?
June 15 2012, 01:02PM
there's little else we or you can do Wanye...
put up the `Ender Beacon` in the night sky...
he`ll find his cape ...and he will come
Where the god damn is Ryan Smyth's contract?!!??
I typed Ender and Oilers into the Google machine and it pulled up an article from almost a year ago.
Has it been that long? Is he OK?
Should we hold a memorial service?
as MUCH as I would like on held in my honor, it probably not as your bioware imaginition has simulated..... ender enters the battlefield....wipes sweat with a #3 Al Hamiltion golf towel & loads his shot gun.....
If only life was THAT interesting.
*smoke bomb*, closes trunk on '88 topaz...~
I am secure in my belief that the madness that IS Katz fanboy on the bus infatuation is nothing more than a front for all the booze companies he must own through an offshore entity.
"MacTs not going anywhere"............. for long.
This destiny was already written...we just didnt pick up on the code. The dark knight strikes again.
FWIW..... I do enjoy the dichotomy that is Oiler fan and alcoholic indulgence. Celebrate the (rare) wins in Wanyeesque fashion (epic) and mute the (frequent) sorrows in wanyeesque fashion (epic).
Alls well in Etown!


text:
Canucks Even Strength Scoring Chance Totals 2011-12
Cam Charron
April 10 2012 09:40PM
Hi, remember how after every game, we'd post a game recap that would include a list of the scoring chance differential of every player? Well, throughout the year, we'd been counting them up, and we finally have some full numbers to share with you tonight.
Here is a table featuring the Vancouver Canucks scoring chance totals, + and -, for 2011-12 at even strength:
Naturally, there are many, many ways we can interpret this data. Time on ice rate, difficulty of minutes, we'll probably be having some fun with this stuff in the coming days and presenting it in a number of different fashions.
Again, as we post in every game recap, a scoring chance is counted any time a team directs a shot cleanly on-net from within home-plate. Shots on goal and misses are counted, but blocked shots are not (unless the player who blocks the shot is "acting like a goaltender"). Generally speaking, we are more generous with the boundaries of home-plate if there is dangerous puck movement immediately preceding the scoring chance, or if the scoring chance is screened.
The "home-plate" is loosely defined by the image above.
Wow. Chris Tanev as well as Higgins jump out at me looking at this. Higgins was such an amazing pickup, and you can only expect Tanev to get even better.
Canucks look good for years to come.
excellent work! So valuable. It would be great to see totals in 10 ten game splits still trying to figure out the crash in poss from game 34 to 55? Are we a top possession team as the first 34 or the much lower team in the second half ...not counting daniel's games ... maybe after playoffs? What do you think any explanation seeing that it is basically the same roster and that the poss drop occurred before trade deadline?
Also, wish we had them from last year would be a great comparison. God Edler had a horrific season..are top D? I feel he missed ehrhoff... great work