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|Yonex EZONE Ai 100 Scores
We were excited to get our hands on the Yonex EZONE Ai 100, the replacement for the EZONE Xi 100, and we quickly found a comfortable response paired with easy access to depth and pace on our groundstrokes. Yonex has introduced a new Isometric System in the EZONE Ai 100 to help maximize the sweetspot, and it seems to work. We found this racquet to be versatile and maneuverable at the net, and we could block back big shots or add slice, touch or pace to any volley. If we had to pick an area where this racquet didn't meet our expectations, it would have to be on serve, but our testers were able to adapt quickly and still serve well. The stability was a standout feature for our playtesters when they were hitting offensive shots from all areas of the court. Overall, it was great to see such a positive response from our diverse team, and we think both offensive ball attackers and more consistent counter punchers will find a good match with the EZONE Ai 100 thanks to its blend of power, spin and control.
With effortless access to pace and depth paired with accuracy, the EZONE Ai 100 quickly got high marks from our playtesters when it came to groundstrokes. Chris found this racquet to be powerful, and precise. He elaborated, "I hit the EZONE Ai 100 racquet with a couple of different co-poly strings. I found the firm and controlled response of a co-poly to perfectly complement the power and comfortable feel of the racquet. I felt confident taking a big cut at the ball, and I liked the spin and directional control I was getting. The Ai 100 felt very maneuverable, and I liked the way I could get it quickly through contact on my backhand. I was able to add some additional topspin to my backhand, a shot I usually hit pretty flat, thanks to the fast and maneuverable feel of this racquet. I found it easy to get this racquet around the ball to create a sharp angle, and I liked pulling my opponent off court. On my slice the racquet felt a tad light, but I was still getting some nice spin and lots of control."
Being a big Yonex fan, Brittany was very excited to hit with this racquet, especially since her racquet of choice, the Yonex VCORE 100 S, has been discontinued. She said, "The EZONE Ai 100 had the feel that I enjoy from the very first shot, as well as a very large and forgiving sweetspot that is more toward the center of the racquet. There was a perfect amount of power and spin when for my groundstrokes. Additionally, I found pairing the racquet with a poly (my favorite was Volkl Cyclone Pink) helped even out the power with more control. I was very confident playing with this racquet and felt it complemented my game style completely. While the swingweight was a little higher than the previous version, I found that it increased the stability while only taking away slightly from the maneuverability."
"This racquet was so amazing from the baseline," began Mike, who instantly found the EZONE Ai 100 to be his new favorite racquet on groundstrokes. "It felt natural and solid, and I was able to be really consistent on both forehands and backhands. My forehand was my favorite shot; I could hit through the ball without worrying about it going long or out. I strung it up with some Volkl Cyclone, which gave me a lot more bite on the ball. This is a really nice racquet from the baseline and easy on the arm as well. I just might have to switch to it."
Tiffani has always felt in sync with 100 square inch racquets from Yonex, and she realized quickly that the EZONE Ai 100 suited her counterpunching style very well. She offered, "I've enjoyed several 100 square inch Yonex racquets from the RDS 003 to now. This one is no different. I find there is easy power and spin, as well as good comfort. I felt like I could direct the ball where I wanted it to go. In the past I've preferred the feel of the RDS and VCORE racquets to that of the EZONE series. I like the feel of this newer version better, and I think I have better control with it. My only struggles were on the backhand slice, where I felt a little hot and cold, and I felt some vibrations on shots that hit too high on the stringbed."
The maneuverability and stability of the EZONE Ai 100 had all of our playtesters feeling confident at net. Brittany was gelling with this new Yonex on her volleys, and she found it easy to do whatever she needed to finish a point aggressively. She said, "This racquet was a blast to play with up at net. The racquet was stable enough for me to easily return any ball hit at me with pace and depth. I loved being able to place my volleys deep behind my opponent to win the point. Additionally, the feel was excellent, and I was able to angle the ball off the court with ease."
Finding all-around comfort and a solid feel at the net was Mike. He raved about the precision, saying, "I was able to really focus on placing the ball wherever I wanted. Volleys have never been so easy. The racquet felt great, and the faster the ball came at me the more solid and flexible the racquet felt. I was able to win a lot of free points at net. Overall, it was just awesome at net."
Although she doesn't always charge the net when trying to win the point, the EZONE Ai 100 had everything Tiffani looks for when volleying. She said, "I could maneuver it easily, and there was a forgiving, powerful response off the stringbed. In typical fashion, I kept it simple when up at net, but I felt comfortable going forward nonetheless."
Chris said, "I was fending volleys off my body well, and I appreciated the maneuverability during quick exchanges. Shots hit near the frame never felt overly jarring, and I always had a very good idea of the direction and depth on my volleys. I was getting some nice spin, and I found it easy to come under the ball to add some slice to help get a volley away or drop it extra short. There was also ample power to help me snap a high volley away or dispatch an overhead. While I usually prefer heavier racquets, I found myself volleying very well with this one."
The EZONE Ai 100 wasn't spectacular on serves, but it got the job done. Mike continued to vibe with this racquet, and he was excited that he could still hit his big flat first serves. He said, "Serving down the T was the serve I liked hitting the most, and I was hitting it very consistently. My spin serve felt good, too. My second serve was a lot more consistent, and the racquet felt soft and buttery on my arm. The EZONE Ai 100 offered great feel and a nice amount of power."
Tiffani was not disappointed on serves, but she wasn't raving about anything in particular. She explained, "To be fair, it's rare that I'm blown away by any racquet when serving because my serve lacks punch in general. I got some decent pace from the EZONE Ai 100 without any extra effort, and spin was there when I wanted it. This wasn't a game changer for me, so I stuck to my usual spin-it-in routine."
Chris also had somewhat slight praise when it came to serving with the EZONE Ai 100. He said, "I was still getting lots of pace and spin on the ball, just not the heaviness I find with my regular racquet. My slice serve was moving well, and I was getting lots of spin. I could swing the ball away from the receiver or into his/her body to help set up the point. I also liked that I could easily add a little spin to my faster serves to help keep them on target. Again, I was hitting better than expected and really enjoying this racquet despite it not being my preferred spec."
The EZONE Ai 100 has a higher swingweight than the racquet Brittany usually uses, so it took her a little while to find her groove. She said, "It took a tiny bit of extra work for me to get the racquet up over my head, but once I did I was rewarded with a solid, consistent serve. I usually get tired after awhile when I use racquets with a higher swingweight, but since it was only a small change I was able to serve all the way through my matches without any issues. I appreciated the spin when hitting second serves."
The maneuverability, large sweetspot and stability of the EZONE Ai 100 made this racquet a dream for our playtesters on returns. They really enjoyed taking big cuts and starting the point off aggressively. Tiffani started off by explaining how the higher swingweight of this racquet worked to her advantage. She said, "Not too long ago I was enjoying racquets that had swingweights below 315. Now I'm finding that I can be more effective with racquets that have swingweights above 320. This is most apparent on my service returns, where the extra swingweight has translated into some improved stability. I could get the EZONE Ai 100 around most of the time without any issues, and I was able to smack a good return with some power. I was being more offensive with my returns with this racquet."
For Chris, this was simply an excellent racquet to return with. He offered, "I could easily get this racquet into position and then take a good rip at the ball. I found all the control I needed to swing aggressively without worrying about my returns flying long. When a strong serve came in I was able to maneuver the racquet in time to block the return back. I also liked how I could hit a low and short slice return to force my opponent into a tough shot. The feel from the racquet was great. I was finding that elusive blend of comfort and touch. It wasn't so dampened that I couldn't feel the ball on the strings, yet it was dampened enough to not feel harsh when hitting outside of the sweetspot."
The stability of the EZONE Ai 100 was really a standout feature on returns for Brittany. She explained, "No matter what serve was hit at me I was able to be consistently aggressive with my return, and I loved taking a big cut at a second serve from inside the baseline. I won a lot of free points by being able to redirect the ball back and having it land wherever I wanted, whether it was a deep backhand on the deuce side or an angled inside out forehand on the ad side."
"I could step into my shots and not be afraid of striking the ball," explained Mike. "I could attack as soon as the point started. The racquet was very maneuverable as well, so returning off both wings was easy and generating racquet head speed was a breeze. The arm-friendly response and good power were the highlights on returns."
Chris - "I liked the spin, control, maneuverability and comfort. There was also easy access to pace and depth. Lastly, the feel was very good. The racquet was comfortable, yet I never felt too disconnected from the contact."
Brittany - "I really liked the access to power and spin, as well as the feel."
Mike - "I liked the solid feel, power and maneuverability -- pretty much everything about the racquet."
Tiffani - "I like the balance of power and control. I also thought there was good feel."
Chris - "None."
Brittany - "If you twisted my arm, I would say that the Ai 100 is not as maneuverable as I would have liked."
Mike - "Nothing! The racquet felt so great that I might switch to it."
Tiffani - "To be nit picky, it was a little jarring up high in the stringbed (just north of the sweetspot), and my backhand slice wasn't where I wanted it to be."
Chris - "This racquet had better feel for me compared to the VCORE Xi 100. I liked the VCORE 100 S, but I felt the Xi update increased the comfort but took away too much feel. This one has both comfort and feel. For me, it is the best of the bunch. Outside of Yonex, I'd say it's similar to the Volkl V1 Pro because they both offer great comfort, feel, maneuverability and easy access to pace. For something similar in power but with a firmer response, the Head Graphene Instinct MP and Dunlop Biomimetic M3.0 are other options. Lastly, the Donnay Formula 100 would likely be on my demo list, as it is right in there with the others I've mentioned."
Brittany - "I found two major differences between the EZONE Ai 100 and the previous Xi version. The first is the increased swingweight. The Ai 100 has a swingweight in the high 320s, which makes the racquet more stable and slightly less maneuverable. The second difference would be their head shapes. The head shape of the Ai 100 is less extreme, which lowers the sweetspot closer to the middle of the racquet, which I prefer."
Tiffani - "This is very similar to several Yonex racquets with 100 square inch headsizes. With the easy power and spin, along with a pretty easy swing, I'm reminded of the previous VCORE 100 S, the VCORE Xi 100 and the EZONE Xi 100. Nuances in feel are what make them unique. If you like previous Yonex racquets around this spec, I think you'll like this one, too. This is my favorite of the last few iterations of the 100."
Mike - "This was the favorite racquet I've playtested by far. Everything about this racquet felt great. Good power, very arm friendly, and the cosmetics look cool -- overall just great. I definitely prefer this over any other racquet."
(Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores)
|Chris' Scores
|Brittany's Scores
|Mike's Scores
|Tiffani's Scores
Chris: 5.0 all-court player currently using the Wilson Six.One 95S. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand.
Brittany: Open level player with a semi-western forehand and a two-handed backhand. She currently plays with the Yonex V-Core 100S.
Mike: 5.0 baseliner with a semi-western forehand and two-handed backhand. His current racquet of choice is a customized Prince Triple Threat Warrior.
Tiffiani: 4.0 level baseliner with a semiwestern grip on the forehand and hits a two-handed backhand. Currently playing with the Donnay Formula 100.
Review date: February 2014. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.
All content copyright 2014 Tennis Warehouse.


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Jason Strudwick
December 23 2011 04:47PM
Last week as I was hanging up my shoulder pads my partner, Kurt Davis, asked me how long I had been wearing them and why I even bothered. He commented on there hardly being any protection on the chest or back and how the shoulder caps are very small.
After his comments I took a look around at the other shoulder pads in the room. My shoulder pads looked like a dress shirt with bottle caps when compared to the robocop like pads worn by everyone else. Does this newer style of equipment make it safer for the person wearing them but more dangerous for everyone else?
You bet it does.
Concussions are everywhere. It is time to take the armor off of Robocop.
I suggest taking all plastic off of equipment above the waist. Only soft padding for elbow and shoulder pads. Helmets would stay the same but I would no longer allow visors.
These measures would reduce head injuries in two different ways. The first is obvious: contact wouldn't start with a hard surface. Not having the plastic on the pads, even if it is covered by an inch of padding could save some trauma.
The less obvious result of no plastic is the hitters wouldn't feel so invincible. Right now when a player delivers a check they don't feel much of it. They can go in with reckless abandon. If they had less protection they wouldn't go in quite as hard because they would feel some of the blow as well.
I think that visors are a good piece of equipment but it contributes to the "invincible" mentality. Even in the short time I have been in Sweden wearing a visor I find myself being more aggressive in the way I play physically. I have been leading more with my shoulder and (indirectly) my face to get hits, something I never did without a visor.
If we all were suddenly forced to trade in our trucks and SUVs for a Le Car I am pretty sure we would all be alot more cautious on the road. With less protection from airbags and the sheer size of a truck around us we would feel alot more vulnerable. This is the same reaction all hockey players would have with the change of equipment.
Taking the equipment back to where it was at 20 years ago would create more shoulder injuries, of that I am sure. But when there is an average of one player per team sitting out with concussion issues I think it would be a reasonable trade off. Shoulder injuries average around four weeks to heal. Ask Sidney Crosby if he would trade that timeline for the one he is currently on.
It is time to address the equipment issue and gearing down Robocop is the place I think we should start.
One of my favorite parts of playing in Europe is experiencing other cultures traditions. Last week we went to a Swedish Christmas dinner. It was great. There were thirty different varieties of pickled herring! I am not sure I like it that much but the Swedes love it!
I hope everyone has a great Christmas and that it snows in Edmonton for you all. Who doesn't want a White Christmas?
As we say here in the old country: God Jul!
December 23 2011, 04:52PM
Swedish meatballs .. love'em!
December 23 2011, 04:57PM
Some really good ideas there. Not sure I totally agree on the visors though. Eye injuries are often career ending, and affect your quality of life after the game too. The soft equipment would be a great place to start.
December 23 2011, 04:59PM
Iv been saying this for 2 years now. The NHL wants to get rid of concussions make the shoulder and elbow pads small so when you hit someone you feel it to. Also another way for people to stop getting concussions is to keep your head up. All I see are skilled players trying to weave through 2 guys with their head up their butt. If the NHL gets rid of hitting and fighting because of this sudden spurr of concussions Im never watching hockey again. Im so sick of the pussification of the game.
Strudy your 2 articles on concussions have been spot on. Thanks again for another good read.
December 23 2011, 05:06PM
This is one of Cherry's hobby-horses isn't it?
I agree with Farmer... the shoulder pads could go... but visors are here to stay and I suspect they will be mandatory within the next decade.
I think the underlying argument surrounds the trade off between protection and the accidental effects of psychological changes - ie. I feel invincible in this Land Rover!
It's hard to draw the line regarding most harm caused... but I think visors fall shy of it... but i'd be open to hearing counterarguments...
anyway... Merry Swedish Christmas to the Strudwicks... may you all curl up together and enjoy the 5hour version of Bergman's christmas-themed masterpiece "Fanny and Alexander"
December 23 2011, 05:21PM
Aren't presents given out by a ram or something in Sweden? I will have to ask my grandma, but I'm pretty sure it's either a ram or some sort of troll. #SomewhatRelatedGrammaTalk #NationHashtags
December 23 2011, 05:24PM
This idea finally seems to be gathering some momentum. Old school shoulder and elbow pads would be a good start, followed by a tad larger playing surface. Push the boards back 2 ft.
December 23 2011, 05:27PM
I agree shoulder pad armor has to go, but in order to make players more responsible for their actions, the instigator penalty has to go. As it is now, players can run around like jerks, and feel invincible without having to drop the gloves on a regular basis.
I remember the good old days when if you put one of ours in the hospital, we put one of yours in the morgue.
God I miss those days.
Removing the armor would help but losing an eye or eyesight is not an option. I hear the old guys like Cherry talking about taking out the red line and going back to clutch and grab and maybe thats what the good old boys who run the NHL will do.If you can show me how the no red line as caused even one concussion i would like to see it.As i see it the majority of concussions are either boarding or charging at players in vulnerable positions.The players are aware of the change in rules but they have been taught to play this way since bantam so it is tough to change.Give it two or three years and you will see a big drop off in concussions
December 23 2011, 06:33PM
I agree with everything Strudwick is saying except for the visor. Mandatory visors are long overdue in the NHL in my opinion.
If I was appointed supreme ruler of hockey, I would also enlarge the size of the ice to international standard.
A well deserved Weiserhood slow clap for Jason. http://youtu.be/TAryFIuRxmQ
December 23 2011, 07:47PM
But Scott Stevens built a hall of fame career giving head shots with his cast iron shoulder pads. Can't knock that.
The hard plastic from the shoulder pads should either be removed and replaced with the softer padding.
They could also add soft padding around the hard plastic to absorb some of the impact.
When it comes to helmets, I'm sure they could add more padding. However, to me the bigger issue is how the helmet is worn.
Most players aren't wearing their helmets properly, they leave too large a gap between their chin and the chinstrap. Their helmets go flying off upon impact. If you don't wear a bike helmet properly, it's not effective and same thing with a seatbelt.
Lo and behold one day I go to NHL.com and on the front page you see Crosby and Pronger. Both guys out with concussions both with the chinstraps hanging way down.
That is behaviour that needs to be correct, the whole debate over large ice rinks is frivolous and cost wise a complete non-starter.
haha that was gold for the old dress shirt bottlecap reference, I am already planning next Halloween around that!
Very true on how gear changes your mindset and your game. Growing up the only thing new I ever got hockey wise was a stick. Everything else was hand me downs or from swap meets. It was kinda good because I never had to break in a new pair of skates, but the crappy part was that I had to put in 2 or 3 years with them before they fit!
Your story reminded me of my Pee Wee years, back then hitting was I think just starting at Pee Wee (mid 80's) and I was smaller than mostly everyone. That years swap meet netted me a jumbo sized pair of shin pads that stuck out from my legs almost like goalie pads, and I finally graduated from a yellow stained pair of Cooper shoulderpads with the black plastic caps, to a newer CCM pair of shoulderpads with huge felt lining and a large clear plastic cap.
Man I was invincible out there! And I scored mega goals by simply rushing the defenceman when they were winding up, taking the shot off my shinpads, and boom breakaway after breakaway!
It was all good and I had a great year until we had the final end of the year tournament in St. Albert. I remember looking around the arena and how it felt and knowing that Mark Messier had played there and almost thinking that he was watching us as we played. I was giving to give it my all!
I was in the corner in our zone when I saw one of their defenceman receive the puck and start to wind up for a shot. This guy was teeing off on us all game and he was the biggest guy on the ice for both teams, so I thought that it would be perfect to lay him out and get a breakaway and score.
So I started charging towards him to take it off the shins and instead of doing my glide and then goalie pose to take it off the shins like I normally did, I put my head down and planted my shoulder right into his leg just as he was getting the shot away.
Turns out instead of wiping him out, all of his weight was on that leg that I hit, and I literally bounced off of his leg and went straight back in the air and landed on my ass!
I scrambled up to go get the puck and amazingly buddy was still standing on his skates! It was then that I noticed that his damn shin pads were bigger than mine..
I also noticed that my shoulder was sticking up and I couldn't see over it for some reason. I tried adjusting my "huge" pads but then I noticed that it was actually my shoulder that was sticking up.
I remember Dad telling Mom the good news and then the bad news.
The good news is that we won the tournament.
" Oh, that's Wonderful! "
The bad news is that our son broke his shoulder and needs to go to the hospital.
haha good times! But yeah, that's my gear story.
a little pee on like me they wont listen, let alone not having the channels to contact them''perhaps you do?
I'm new to the nation, haven't figured how to create a singular post so I replied to the meatballs, not crazy about them but they are OK
December 23 2011, 08:06PM
About time someone spoke up about all the robo cops out there! I like the part about hitting without having pain or fear, so true.
Conspiracy theorist in me says: This is also why goals in games are down, the guys are too bulked up!
Once again, Mr Strudwick, an old school article posted by an old school individual who has been there & done that. Totally agree with you even on the visor point. If there is nothing between you and a stick in the eye, you tend to be a lot less aggressive in all aspects of your game, there by actually making it safer for those around you playing.
Totally agree with the earlier post by David S. refering to the Wiserhood slow round of applause for you.
December 23 2011, 09:57PM
Sure, get the smaller gear, but keep the visors.
December 24 2011, 01:22AM
Tack så mycket, och god jul till dig ocksa!
I absolutely agree, Jason. It's nice to read your perspective on this.
The Robocop equipment is a good demonstration of the Law of Unintended Consequences, whereby in trying to give more protection to players, it has possibly caused more harm to them.
There's an economist in the US who studies health and safety and he is convinced that if we pulled the airbags out of our vehicles and replaced it with a spike in the middle of the steering wheel, we would reduce traffic fatalities. Along these, lines, it may be time for hockey players of the world to go back to bottle caps on the shoulders.
@Jason Strudwick
What about helmets, Jason? What's your view on how little they have evolved in the last 30 years? Do you think that they could be improved, like what has happened with NFL helmets over the same period?
December 24 2011, 11:17AM
If we were to make the ice surface a little larger (not as big as the Euro ice surface), this would give the players a little longer to make plays and avoid hits.
Changing the equipment will help, but ask any player about the differences between the European game as compared to the NHL, and they all say there is no time or space in the new NHL.
The only wayi to create some time and space is to make the ice surface a little larger. It's easier for a NHL player to adjust to the European game as a result of the larger ice surface......not so Jason?
This is the most effective way to slow the game down a little, create more offense, and reduce high speed collisions.
December 24 2011, 12:01PM
Strudwick's "no visor" stance has merit. MacTavish tried a helmet for a year, he found he got more sticks to the face with a helmet on, so he switched back.
More shoulder injuries to reduce concussions sounds like a fair trade off, especially because the guy delivering the hit now has to take some risk of injury.
Point me to a petition about softer shoulder pads in the NHL and I'll sign it. I worry that the NHLPA might resist the change though.
We were talk about this at work the other day. There are hardly any should injuries anymore, broken collar bones or other parts of the shoulder. Not like it use to be. Remember Tim Kerr? Removal of the hard cap on shoulders and elbows must be a player safety priority.
December 24 2011, 01:32PM
I totally agree with Jason on the shoulder and elbow pads. The concussion thing has gotten out of control.
On the visor, I would rather see the NHL go to full cages like college hockey, with mouth guards like football players where. The full cage by locking under the chin holds the helmet in place, helps absorb impact and would reduce eye injuries that current visors do not.
When it comes to hitting, football is more violent then hockey and they protect there chins for a reason...
December 24 2011, 03:55PM
Avoid the lutefisk Struddles.
December 24 2011, 06:28PM
I think most of you are entirely missing Struddy's point Re: visors.
The "Mary Poppins effect" is gathering merit among researchers around the world
"But I've noticed when I haven't worn a helmet that drivers give me more space. I was quite surprised."
Full cages in the NHL? Worst idea... ever. College players are the most reckless hockey players I have ever seen. Sticks and hands ALWAYS high.
MLB is one of the only major-league sports where they've put player safety ahead of technology. They don't allow aluminum or composite bats because the speed the balls come off are just too great. It's time the NHL does something similar and bans equipment that is used as much as a weapon as it is protection.
You can even see the results of this in rec hockey. I play in a league without checking and you know still know the difference when you're battling in the corners with someone who wears the hardcap elbow pads.
Personally, I'd ban the composite sticks too at the pro levels. Make 'em all use wood. If it was good enough for those guys who set the vast majority of the records, it should be good enough for the best players on the planet today. Nothing worse than seeing a stick blow-up on a routine hockey play and losing the extra few miles an hour that the whip creates might save a few broken bones as well.

subset: commoncrawl


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GDB 8.0: Oil in Columbus
October 28 2010 12:42PM
Columbus is the 4th largest city in the Amercian midwest. Named after Christopher Columbus (who owned a Starbucks downtown), it was recently ranked as the 18th best place in the USA for a woman to find a useful male.
Rascal Flatts are from Columbus, Joe Walsh and Dwight Yoakam too. Jesse Owens and Jack Nicklaus are from Columbus. The great Beverly D'angelo is from Columbus, Ohio. Entertaining hockey is also available from time to time in Columbus.
The Edmonton Oilers will be adding a couple of fillings for tonight's game. Devan Dubnyk gets the start, Jim Vandermeer draws back in (replacing Kurtis Foster who has a malady but can't find the words) and that means foot speed is a concern on the blue. MacIntyre plays instead of Zack Stortini and one imagines the club might insert Liam Reddox into the game except the three goalie system makes it impossible.
The Oilers are coming off an outstanding comeback in Calgary, and sometimes a young team will be able to use that kind of heart attack comeback as a springboard to short term success. The Oilers do seem to have some legit hockey players up front this season, from the three kids and Gagner to the older group that includes Hemsky, Penner and Horcoff.
Big Dustin seems to be getting some negative feedback for his play, but he was a man on the tying goal in Hades on Tuesday night.
Nothing about the Blue Jackets as an organization stands out. Rick Nash is a helluva player, but he seems destined to play his entire career in a town that doesn't really notice him. Sort of the midwest Shane Doan.
Can you name 6 jackets? I can name five (nice, bad, dinner, Nehru, plaid) but don't know what position they play.
After the game, the Oilers will fly (drive? take a cab? trolley?) to Chicago in order to play the Blackhawks. The CBS game would be the one to win, otherwise you're in the windy city in danger of losing all three games of the road trip. After tomorrrow's game, the team won't play until Tuesday, giving us another reason to hate the Gary Bettman scheduling system from hell.
I have a good feeling about this team, but not about any specific game. The best way to watch the current Oildrop is with an eye to small steps forward. A nice passing sequence, a rookie in the right position in the defensive zone. Wins and losses are hard to come by in today's NHL; there's no expansion team down the road to bugger senseless once every couple of weeks and the truth is the Edmonton Oilers are the soft spot on the schedule.
Look after your health, brush your teeth and be nice to people. Oiler fans want to be healthy because when this thing clicks it could be a very nice ride.
October 29 2010, 12:33PM
Over assess our own talent and overpay them to boot is something i usually relate to management . Maybe it is to much for coaching to do much to help them reach the lofty heights management thought they were capable of ? Then again , maybe they overrate coaches equally bad . Home bias or not , it's equally amazing how readily and easy Oiler nation people seem to make same call as management .
Our rookies are carrying our club to what ever success we are having which doesn't leave a lot to say about the supporting caste in a positive way . The rebuild was under way quite a while ago and the rookies have been stockpiled for quite some time . The supporting caste unfortuneately was not started until basically this season - it should have been in place for this season and subsequent ones . Poor planning at fault here .
Cogs,Brule, Reddox, Omark , and other diminutive forwards should have seen a size and toughness upgrade as only Eberle and Gagner seen as only small forwards to keep into the future . Only Horcoff, Penner and Hemsky are close to playing decent beyond the rookies . Gagner shows slight improvement . There's no defence of our weak defence - it's simply inadequate to move forward, and not much in system either .
We have plenty of talent upfront with current rookies , we need rest of season to get a defence and supporting caste that can help present young talent develop properly !
I think you were one of the few talking about "lofty hights" this summer (managment included)
I guess the light bulb finally went on for you, realizing that this team isn't that good.
I think you were one of the few talking about "lofty hights" this summer (managment included)
I guess the light bulb finally went on for you, realizing that this team isn't that good.
On the contrary! I called Oilers for 15 spot a month before season started if they intended on going with the defence they have . I expected offence to be our only saving grace , but that has not panned out as well as hoped because Gags, Brule and Cogs have not faired very well .Nor has bubble additions . I have said upper management should have been replaced before this rebuild process was instituted . What coach could possibly make this team a contender now , unless rookies can carry that heavy burden ? Is Renney , our third coach , really going to fair any better than last two have-probably not and maybe worse at this rate . We need a new vision and direction at upper end before i forsee us being a competitor again .
November 05 2010, 09:32PM


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A modern wine glass for promotional use.
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Tote up to 4 bottles of wine inside these non-woven custom tote bags that include 4 dividers that are collapsible to create an large open compartment.
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Promotional Gift set that includes a wine opener, drip ring, wine pourer and bottle stopper set in retail quality wooden box.
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16 page section with wine-related information in this custom journal with an additional 75 sheets of wine tasting filler paper.
One-step ergonomic wine opener with foil cutter is the perfect promotional gift set.


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On May 15, the American Legion Auxiliary #43 in Ferron presented the awards for the Americanism essay contest. This contest is a nationwide contest and the Ferron post receives essays from students who live in Ferron and Emery.
The theme for this year's contest is "I'm Proud to be an American..." Each winner in each division was on hand to read their essays. Naomi Fortner was the winner in the high school age division. The elementary school age winners were: Aspen Bloomer; Devin Wilson; Korwin McPherron; Shalynn Jones; Mark DeBry; and Stetson Bennett.
Each of the winners received a certificate and a monetary prize. Every essay expressed the patriotism and pride the students have for America.
Dixie Swasey, auxiliary president, said, "Hearing these essays gives us all more hope for this country's future. I am so thankful for these students and I appreciate their teachers' support. We had more than 100 entries and we are excited about the response and support we received."


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PLAN's mission is to build collective strategic action among coalition partners in order to deepen democracy and achieve greater social justice in Nevada. Since 1994, we have worked to bring together diverse and potentially competing organizations into one cohesive force for transformational change in Nevada.
Our 32 coalition member groups include the largest labor unions in the state, LGBT, conservation and women's groups, civil rights organizations, Latino organizations, Native American Tribes, and anti-poverty advocacy groups.
Our key strategies include research, political education and training, leadership development, communications, civic engagement, direct action, coalition building, and lobbying. PLANAction, an allied 501(c)(4), was formed in 2011 to do allowable candidate and elections work. PLAN holds trainings for leaders of member groups to build power by bridging differences across class, race, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and geographic region.
PLAN views cross-issue organizing, cross-constituency alliance building as the key to building power and changing business-as-usual in Nevada. It's also the only reason we have passed landmark conservation, energy, and civil rights policies at the state level.
Nevada's go-it-alone culture and historic stinginess of state lawmakers have hurt poor people and ransacked our land and water resources for decades. We want to move Nevada away from this tradition of inequality and toward shared community values that recognize that the fates of our natural environment, and the people who live here, are linked. Loving your neighbor is not some platitude, but a political and moral imperative that must be followed in order for our species, and the planet, to thrive.
Over time and within the constraints of a non-profit agency, we aim to see these policies and policy makers change for the better. In order to achieve this, we identify and develop emerging leaders, and provide them with the education and training to participate fully in governing our state, whether through grassroots mobilization, lobbying, volunteering on campaigns or by running for and winning elected office.


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"Every Wednesday when you ask, I have the same answer: Waikiki Beach." —April Charles
"Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, or a Caribbean island. Someplace hot! Tired of cold and snow." —Sandy Tango
"In Xpu-ha, Mexico, on the beach with a lovely tropical drink in my hand!" —Deb Ishikura
"On a beach in Thailand." —Kristen Kupniewski
"Hawaii with my son, a marine stationed in Kaneohe Bay who is getting married Saturday." —Sandy Wallace Lucido [Congratulations from all of us at Budget Travel!]
"Hiking in New Zealand or on a safari in Tanzania!" —Pamela Nickell
"New Zealand." —Rhoda Struhs
"Here. Bocas del Toro, Panama." —Brad Scruggs
"The Maldives." —Terri Jackson
"Just chillin' on a sandy beach in Maui, Hawaii." —David Weeks
"Dubai." —Olivia Quinn
"Headed to San Juan [Puerto Rico] in 10 days to escape the cold, snowy winter in New Hampshire." —Marie Rivera
"Somewhere in Seychelles, and being a beach bum." —@Bhe_annSy
"Three months exploring Australia, driving the Great Ocean Road, and visiting friends in Sydney, Bathurst, Brisbane, Wollongong, Melbourne, and Perth before checking out Uluru and Darwin. At least it's warm there!" —@willwrite4food2
"Right where I am, in Quito, Ecuador."—Manuela Anamaria
"Bahamas." —Danielle Henderson-Peltier
"Buenos Aires." —Reinaldo Cummings, Jr.
"It's eight degrees here. Take me to St. Augustine, Fla., where my friends are." —Carol Davison
"Bora Bora." —Sue Zeuch-Flaherty
"Right where I am: on a cruise ship, waiting to explore Belize." —Carol Fink
"After 27 days on the road and returning from Europe, right where I want to be is at home in San Diego." —@PudgysHuman
"Today we're dreaming of being in Machu Picchu!" —@CartonSmart
"Already here...Egypt!" —Maria Sifandos
"Poipu Beach on Kauai." —Vicki Newman
"Cambodia." —Hannah Stander Riederer
"Sitting poolside, enjoying a coffee and the local paper down in Key West!" —FunFun Fedigan
"Somewhere on the beach will be awesome! Maybe Cancún." —Iulia Matteson
"Roatán, in the Caribbean." —Amy L. Driver
"South Africa on a safari." —Melvin Pulgré
"Fiji." —Meti Shewaye Yilma
"Moorea." —Kimberly Pearl Lovings
"Jerusalem, Israel." —Ricardo Delgado
"In Barbados, on a beach, with a drink." —Ami Kamara
"Rio de Janeiro, Brazil." —Renata Toth
"St. Lucia." —Denise Diken
"Kenya." —Richard Ross
"Costa Rica." —Jo Ann Augeri Silva
"Right where I am...sunny and warm southern Arizona!" —Brenda Scott
"St. Croix." —Kim Young
"Beautiful Marrakech, Morocco." —Tanya Bell-Abercrombie
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text:
Securant Bank & Trust® is committed to providing the highest level of personal service for our mortgage clients. With local decision-making and a variety of mortgage options and loans tailored to meet your specific needs, Securant Bank & Trust is the right choice.
We offer a variety of mortgage loan options to suit your needs:
Learn more about our Mortgage Application Process and our Construction Loan services. Securant Bank & Trust can also assist you with Refinancing your existing home loan.
To find out how you can benefit from a Securant Bank & Trust home mortgage, please contact a mortgage lender at 1-800-980-9277.


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Bruno Trahan loves a thrill.
The Barre native has gone bungee jumping, reverse bungee jumping, paragliding, white-water rafting, scuba diving and water skiing, and he goes on a pontoon boat every chance he gets.
Anything for the thrill, the adventure, he said.
Friday afternoon, in a field off Route 17 in West Addison, Trahan had his latest adventure. Just a month shy of his 85th birthday, the Colchester resident jumped 12,000 feet from a plane.
"You are as young as you feel," he said before the jump. "I saw George (H.W.) Bush do it four years ago and I said if he can do it, by God so can I."
The retired customs officer continued: "I've done everything. There is nothing I have not done. I have always loved the thrill."
"I just love it. It scares you but that's a part of life," Trahan said of all his adventures. ''You know you are not going to die."
Friday's jump was not Trahan's first. His first was in 1990 with several of his children, followed by a second jump just two years after.
On one of those occasions, Trahan said he was having so much fun free falling that he almost forgot to pull the cord to release the parachute.
"I was enjoying it so much and then I get a tap on the shoulder and I am thinking 'What does this guy want,'" he explained. "He did it again and then went in front and pulled the cord. I would have plowed into the ground."
He added, "The free fall is wonderful."
For this latest jump Friday, Trahan was joined by his 35-year-old granddaughter, Liz McMahon, of Boston, and his niece, Diana Deller, of Naugatuck, Conn.
"As soon as I heard (the plan), I said, 'Me too, me too, me too,'" McMahon said. It was her first jump.
They were also joined at Vermont Skydiving Adventures by Mike Lynch of Naugatuck, Conn., and Kathy Arcovitch of Essex Junction.
Waiting for Trahan on steady ground, as she has for more than six decades, was his wife, Marjorie. The couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary Thursday.
"She let's me do anything," he said. "She lines up the policies in case I don't come back."
Marjorie Trahan, 88, said when they first got married he would jump from some cliffs near their home and she never stopped him.
"I said, 'don't worry, I have all the policies out,'" she said while taking photos with an iPad. "If he's happy, everyone is happy."
Around 4 p.m. Friday afternoon Trahan and McMahon — the last ones in the group to go — loaded into a small propeller plane and flew up 12,000 feet. They said it took them about 20 minutes before the plane door opened.
"You are just sitting here on the plane and the wind is blowing and all of a sudden you are shoved out and you go really fast," Trahan said.
McMahon said they got to go through a cloud, which was one of her favorite parts after the free fall.
"It was awesome," she said.
"It was awesome with a capital A," her grandfather said quickly after. "I may be back at 90 … If the good Lord allows it."


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March 8 celebrity birthdays
These people of the present and past were born on this date:
Jazz saxophonist George Coleman is 78.
Actress Sue Ane Langdon ("Bachelor Father," "Arnie") is 77.
Author and former major league pitcher Jim Bouton ("Ball Four") is 74.
Former major league baseball player Dick Allen is 71.
Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager is 69.
Musician-actor Micky Dolenz of the Monkees is 68.
Bassist Randy Meisner (The Eagles, Poco) is 67.
Singer Peggy March is 65.
Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice is 60.
Singer and TV personality Cheryl Baker is 59.
Actor John Kapelos ("The Breakfast Club," "Legally Blonde") is 57.
Singer Gary Numan is 55.
TV journalist Lester Holt is 54.
Actor Aidan Quinn ("Legends of the Fall," "Jonah Hex") is 54.
Guitarist Jimmy Dormire of Confederate Railroad is 53.
Actress Camryn Mannheim ("Ghost Whisperer," "Harry's Law") is 52.
Hockey Hall of Famer Larry Murphy is 52.
Fashion journalist Kate Betts is 49.
Former NBA point guard Kenny Smith, now a TV basketball analyst, is 48.
Singer Shawn Mullins is 45.
Former NFL kicker Jason Elam is 43.
Singer Van Hunt is 43.
Actress Andrea Parker ("Desperate Housewives," "The Pretender") is 43.
Actor Boris Kodjoe ("Resident Evil: Afterlife," "Madea's Family Reunion") is 40.
Actress Christiane Paul ("Knockin' on Heaven's Door," "In July") is 39.
Singer Gaz Coombes (Supergrass) is 37.
Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. ("Scooby-Doo" movies, "I Know What You Did Last Summer) is 37.
Former NFL wide receiver Hines Ward is 37.
Actor James Van Der Beek ("Dawson's Creek," "Mercy") is 36.
Singer Kameelah Williams of 702 is 35.
Actor Nick Zano ("90210," "What I Like About You") is 35.
Singer Tom Chaplin of Keane is 34.
Guitarist Andy Ross of OK Go is 34.
Singer and TV personality Charli Robinson is 33.
Tattoo artist and reality TV personality Kat Von D ("L.A. Ink") is 31.
Actress Jessica Collins ("Rubicon," "The Nine") is 30.
Actress Nora Jane Noone ("The Magdalene Sisters," "Speed Dating") is 29.
Former NBA guard Sasha VujaÄić is 29.
Singer Elly Jackson of La Roux is 25.
Singer Kristinia DeBarge is 23.
Pro tennis player Petra Kvitová is 23.
Actor Devon Werkheiser ("Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide," "Greek") is 22.
Birthdays of the past:
1841 Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court justice; died 1935.
1902 Louise Beavers, actress; died 1962
1910 Claire Trevor, actress and philanthropist; died 2000.
1921 Alan Hale, Jr., actor; died 1990.
1922 Cyd Charisse, actress and dancer; died 2008.
1922 Carl Furillo, Dodger outfielder; died 1989.
1943 Lynn Redgrave, actress; died 2010.
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Pray for Eric,
February 01, 2012
Please pray for Eric- I do not know where Eric is nor how he is... it has been 4 years. I hope and pray he is alright. I moved away and lost touch with him. Please pray for his health and happiness. Pray God will watch over and protect him. Please pray that our Heavenly Father will take care of his needs. May God grant us the grace to meet again... I pray for Good News about Eric- Thank You.


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January 21st, 2013
Great River Health Systems will offer a health-career workshop from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, for high-school students and displaced workers to help them decide whether health care is a possible career choice.
There are more than 100 types of health-care careers. The workshop will include a brief tour of Great River Medical Center, discussions with a nurse, physical therapist, radio-logic technologist and respiratory therapist, and a visit to a career area of interest.
To register or receive more information, please call Great River Corporate Education at 319-768-4070, or toll-free, 866-297-9516, between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You also may register online at www.GreatRiverMedical.org under the Classes and Events tab.


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Original Penguin Quest Sneaker
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 289559
The search for the perfect stylish sneaker is over! The Quest sneaker from Original Penguin features a linen and suede upper with a cool pop of color and is the perfect mix of trend and comfort for your casual style.
- Linen and suede upper
- 6 eyelet lace-up
- Round cap toe
- Padded collar
- Canvas lining
- Removable contoured cushion insole
- Molded rubber wraparound midsole
- Herringbone tread rubber sole
- Imported
- View more Men's Original Penguin Shoes
By: modernman
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
August 18, 2013
Proper Penguin
"This is my 2nd pair of Original Penguin brand shoes. The fit is perfect and snug, and for a fashion sneaker, the comfort is distinct compared to other high fashion brands. As always, Penguin styles and colors are quite unique (and I am also a proud consumer of Penguin apparel). The price at DSW is right, and with coupons/discounts/reward points, the deal's are even better."
By: Geo4Lux
Location: Dallas, TX
August 15, 2013
"You know that saying , "It's all in the details" , well that must be they're motto over there at Penguin Central ! They cover every part of the shoe, inside and out, with details only the wearer would know about. The Italians aren't the only ones who know how to design shoes!!"
Click anywhere to close this.


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Hot wings should be part of any well balanced diet plan
I can't stand hot wings. I guess it's because I have an aversion to chicken skin.
OT: anyone who lives in Austin, TX – this cracked me up today. Please don't move to Austin.ReplyCancel
Like Eric Cartman, I only like the skin.ReplyCancel
I agree, the hotter the better!ReplyCancel
Wings are the best. Dipped in ranch. Sorry @aemish I like um real spicy and it cools it down.ReplyCancel
I love hot wings! But at 100 calories plus PER WING I wouldn't say they fit into a diet plan, technically speaking. I'm pretty sure that was my entire diet in my twenties, though, that with beer and whiskey for washing down purposes. Get it, young peoples!ReplyCancel
**some one is a buzzkillingtonReplyCancel
If it's me, you should just spray me with a garden hose, that's what me and Harrison Ford do!ReplyCancel
Love Cajun garlic with all the heat they can put on those bitches, then wash it all down with Corona. And for good measure throw in a shot or two of tequila.ReplyCancel
Buzzkillington=te cruz for her dismemberment comment. I'm kidding TECruz. :^)ReplyCancel
Just spray her with a hose!ReplyCancel
The bleu cheese is for cooling the burn! Ranch is heresy! 😉
@Michael H and @Bflogurl: born and raised in the 716, here. Anchor Bar for 21st birthday. 🙂ReplyCancel
Yes. Yes, they should.ReplyCancel
@Michael H, that one doesn't ring a bell! I do remember the Commander Tom show!
@Jo Smith: AGREE!ReplyCancel
A must!!! Haven't had my weekly fix of wings for a month and am dying here!!!! When in western New York, you just gotta have'em and love'em, screw the calorie count!ReplyCancel
Only boneless.ReplyCancel
Uh, @Runs You have not purchased your wings at the right restaurant darlin'.ReplyCancel
SORRY! Meant @VEEBEEReplyCancel
I bought a big, steaming bunch from Costco, I was gonna eat as many as I could. Everything was fantastic, cider, super hot – then I began to closely examine the plump wings in mouth watering expectation, when I noticed the tiny, chicken *hairs*, poking though the hot sauce. I tried mind over matter, but each wing, I picked up, it had hairs. Then I began to notice these hairs on most wings, at every restaurant.
Needless to say I don't eat wings anymore. Drumsticks, maybe.
Don't get me on how I got turned off beef jerky, my friends hate me for it.
This might be blasphemy, but when I am home (actually, visiting my mom in Rochester), my first meal is always wings from Dinosaur BBQ. Not traditional, but they are always the fattest wings ever.
And thanks to this thread, I stopped a safeway just now and picked up some frozen wings, marie's bleu cheese, and some frank's red hot sauce…
I'm not having them because of stomach problems, that's why I miss my weekly fix, but found a hole in the wall where I love them, they are called "the coach's recipe".ReplyCancel
But tell me, what other places should I try?ReplyCancel
Hahaha! Just saw your correction! And agree! Veebee, you need to find the right place.ReplyCancel
Wouldn't you like to know…
Ok, ok, I'm not gonna be that mean to you: I have no idea who Jess is, definitely not me.ReplyCancel
ROC my neck of the woodsReplyCancel


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Lowe's is putting up their trees. Gerten's (my local garden center) is about 1/4 set up for Christmas.
Lowe's is putting up their trees. Gerten's (my local garden center) is about 1/4 set up for Christmas.
I love Outdoor Christmas Lights!!
Went to Walmart this weekend for food stuffs. The are putting out all of their Christmas stuff! YES!!!
A Very Merry Christmas to all!
No Christmas stuff yet in my Walmart as of a few days ago. I have to go there toorrow, so I will double check!
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
WAL-MART by us just has some boxes of lights (probably leftover from last year) out on the very back shelves of the seasonal stuff. Hey...it's a START!!
I love Outdoor Christmas Lights!!
A few stores have Christmas stuff already, but, apart from that, very few. :(
Still, though, can't wait to put mine up!
Walmart now has limited stuff out. CVS has some stuff out as well. I fell in love with their 42 inch nutcracker for $39. It was gorgious and huge. Would love to add it to my nutcracker collection - but too much $$$. They also had a Christmas candle that smelled like almond sugar cookies!
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
PoundLand in Thetford has an entire row dedicated to Christmas stuff...
... I am going in there next weekend, with £30. Each item costs £1, and I am getting nothing but christmas stuff!
Pretty much every store around here is now in the early to middle stages of displaying Christmas inventory. WOOHOO!!
I love Outdoor Christmas Lights!!
Went to Big W yesterday and they have some Christmas stuff out! Awesome.


text:
Nina Rinalda Glitter Pump
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # dsw12prod3920258
Get the picture perfect look you want at your next special occasion with the Nina Rinalda. This stunning platform pump has a glamorous silhouette that will add a touch of femininity to your evening ensemble.
- Satin upper
- Almond toe
- 1" fine glitter covered platform, 4¾" covered heel
- Leather sole
- Imported
By: Lulu1982
Location: San Francisco
December 01, 2012
"beautiful beautiful beautiful shoes! I love it! it looks so great with a lavender-color pair of skinny jeans. Its pricing is just fantastic!"
By: daisyt1993
Location: Elgin
October 29, 2012
Nina Rinalda Glitter Pump
"I love this shoes!! They are more pretty when you see them in person then when you see the picture. I love the height of the heel and the platform. They are so comfortable. I really recomenmend any one to buy them."
By: GmorningSunshine
Location: New York
October 21, 2012
I didn't love it as much as I hoped
"I really like the color of it, but I'm not that much of a fan of toe cleavage"
By: Cynamin
Location: Florida
September 14, 2012
Gorgeous Shoes!
"I went to DSW and wasn't planning on buying anything but spotted these and I loved them. They are so much prettier in person and when wearing them. Perfect for a date night. The heel is high so if wearing them for a long night or dancing might make your feet hurt but it's SO worth it!"
Click anywhere to close this.


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Rob Penney's Munster regained second spot in the PRO12 with a comfortable 14-3 win over Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday.
Rob Penney's Munster regained second spot in the PRO12 with a comfortable 14-3 win over Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday.
In a scrappy first half, Mat Berquist's penalty gave Benetton an early 3-0 advantage but Keith Earls' try late in the period took the Irish province 7-3 ahead at the break.
James Downey touched down in the second period to seal the victory for the home side and give them their 14th Pro12 success of the campaign.
By contrast, the defeat leaves Treviso down in 11th position in the table with just three wins all season.
Even without their Ireland stars, who were rested following their Six Nations excursions, Rob Penney's men were expected to comfortably dispatch the Italian outfit.
However, they were met with stern resistance and it was the visitors that opened the scoring through a Berquist three-pointer.
Although the hosts proceeded to control much of the next half-an-hour, missed penalties from JJ Hanrahan prevented them from getting on the board.
Treviso's fly-half was then awry from the tee before Munster finally registered a score after 37 minutes when Earls scampered over.
The Irish team started the second period on the front foot and the pressure exerted on the Benetton forward pack resulted in a yellow card for Giovanni Maistri.
Penney's side took advantage of their opposition being down to 14-men when the ball was spread wide to Downey who touched down.
Munster then went in search of two further tries to secure the bonus-point but their own lack of composure and Treviso's battling qualities saw them frustrated.
The scorers:
For Munster:
Tries: Earls, Downey
Cons: Hanrahan 2
For Treviso:
Pen: Berquist
Yellow: Maistri
The teams:
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 Paddy Butler, 7 Sean Dougall, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Billy Holland, 3 John Ryan, 2 Damien Varley (capt), 1 James Cronin.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Gerry Hurley, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Simon Zebo.
Treviso: 15 Angelo Esposito, 14 Christian Loamanu, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Mat Berquist, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Marco Filippucci, 6 Manoa Vosawai, 5 Valerio Bernabò, 4 Antonio Pavanello (capt), 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Giovanni Maistri, 1 Alberto De Marchi.
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Matteo Muccignat, 18 Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Corniel Van Zyl, 21 Luke McLean, 22 Tobias Botes, 23 James Ambrosini.
Referee: Leighton Hodges
Assistant Referees: Nigel Correll, David Connolly
TMO: Dermot Moloney


text:
Women in labor often go for walks down hospital corridors because the movement is supposed to help their uterus contract and their cervix dilate. The purpose of bedrest is to do the opposite: to reduce your normal daily activity so that your uterus will be less likely to contract and there will be less pressure on your cervix. Bedrest is something many women are prescribed when their doctors feel it will promote the health of their pregnancies. It is often recommended for preterm labor contractions; multiple gestation (carrying twins, triplets, etc.); placenta previa; cervical incompetence; interuterine growth retardation (IUGR); and a variety of conditions that can make a pregnancy more challenging.
To what extent you need to curtail your activities depends on what your doctor thinks is called for by your condition and your baby's. Bedrest may mean an extra hour a day in bed or full time bedrest with no bathroom privileges. You may be on it for a brief period of time, or an extended one. You might be allowed to go to work or you may be advised to work in your home. You may or may not be able to do household chores and errands. You may be able to stand and walk around quite a bit, or not at all. Your doctor will recommend positions and locations to rest in, and any pillows or other aids to your rest that might be helpful. Your doctor will also let you know just how restrictive your bedrest routine will be.
If you are put on extended bedrest, you should get a referral from your doctor for a good physical therapist. Extended bedrest can cause muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, backaches, joint pain, dizziness, or insomnia. Physical therapy or a customized exercise plan designed by a physical therapist can soothe and strengthen those muscles, improve your circulation, and increase your joint flexibility. Your doctor might also recommend a massage therapist to reduce muscle pain, spasms, and inflammation if you suffer from any of these as your pregnancy progresses.
Once your baby is born, your bedrest is not quite over. You will need a longer time to recuperate in order to regain muscle strength and recover from both having a baby and being bed bound. But you'll also have in your arms the best pay off in the world for all that resting: your baby.
For more information:


text: Having a birthday is really great. Please join us as we celebrate! On the 22nd of June, It's an Open House in the afternoon. See the guest of honor between 2 and 4 o'clock, There's plenty of time for laughter and talk. At the Ferron City Hall; it's easy to find, Please write it down if it's not in your mind. Come reminisce the moments and years, As we offer good wishes and mutual cheers. If you know Thelma Jensen as we surely do, You'll know how she loves to spend time with you. This lady is mighty special we're sure you'll agree, Hurrah for our Mom, she is finally EIGHTY!


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Hackers claiming loyalty to the Syrian government hijacked the Corps' recruiting website Sept. 2, redirecting visitors to a page calling the president a traitor.
The Marine Corps says it's taking precautions to prevent future cyber attacks like the one that made international news Sept. 2 when hackers allegedly supporting the Syrian government compromised an official recruiting website.
The attack targeted Marines.com, a website featuring videos, photos and other promotional materials designed to inform prospective Marines about the service. Hackers claiming to be affiliated with the Syrian Electronic Army corrupted the site's URL, causing it to redirect visitors to another website featuring photos of anonymous U.S. troops holding posterboard signs bearing messages protesting military intervention in Syria.
A message on that site, addressed to "US Marines," called President Obama "a traitor who wants to put your lives in danger to rescue Al Qaeda insurgents" and encouraged troops to refuse orders.
A Marine Corps spokesman, Capt. Tyler Balzer, would not confirm the attackers were Syrian but said "indications seem to point to that."
Balzer said the cyber attack affected Marines.com for only a few hours and was repaired as soon as it was discovered. The website's content was not attacked, he said.
"It is also important to note that Marines.com is used solely as a recruiting tool and does not contain any sensitive or personally identifiable information that would be at risk in the event of an actual hack," Balzer said via email.
No websites with a .mil suffix, including the Marine Corps' official page, Marines.mil, were attacked or breached in the hack.
"There are a number of robust protocols in place to protect Marine networks, and those have been entirely successful thus far," he said. "Steps have been taken to deter this type of redirect in the future."
He declined to elaborate and would not discuss how the attackers successfully redirected the site, saying only that the Marine Corps continues to refine and update security practices to keep would-be hackers at bay.
The attack on Marines.com follows a slew of successful attacks on civilian media targets, including Thomson Reuters and The New York Times, whose site was crashed and made unavailable twice in two weeks. Earlier this year, a bogus news item posted on The Associated Press Twitter feed claimed that Obama was injured in an attack on the White House. It caused a temporary drop in the stock market.
On Sept. 5, the FBI sent out an advisory about the Syrian Electronic Army, advising heightened awareness and security protocols in light of the hacks.
Defense Department officials declined to discuss whether they've experienced a heightened volume of cyber threats or increased precautions.
Cybersecurity experts have called the Syrian Electronic Army attacks unsophisticated, pointing out that the hackers have failed to do any lasting damage. But one retired military officer said no one should take their threats lightly. A former chief of modeling and simulation at U.S. Cyber Command, Marc Jamison, said the Syrians' capabilities should concern defense officials.
"If they're able to take down one of the number-one news outlets in the United States, what does that mean?" he said. "They have redundancies. They're not new to this game."
Asked how much damage might the hackers be capable of, Jamison said, "That's the million-dollar question."


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text:
I decided to watch FMA solely because of the theme song 's awesomeness and the really great fight scenes in the theme song. Then I watched the whole anime and although the fights were okay, they were a little too complicated and Ed and Al were always way too slow compared to the homunculi especially after seeing them easily match the homunculi speed in the song. And also on Naruto's 1st season they had these scenes in the Op where Naruto showed some great skills when figthing this really fat, big ninja. I really wanted to see that too and when it never happened I was disappointed
Anyway do you guys think it is better for the OP of the anime to have better and less possible to happen fights than would appear on the actual anime?
If so vote + if not, still vote and tell which anime specifically you might dislike the fact that the anime's OP has better fights than the actual anime. And if you think it should be that way say so.
Also if you think that the fights they use in anime Openings should be used in the anime vote for it and discuss it.


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This week at VERSUS we welcome back electro-rock brigade American Royalty, fresh off a chain of shows nationwide including a massive performance @ the OC Pacific Festival. The last time these guys played the party it was so packed in the Central that steam was billowing out of the front entrance. Joining support will be Dance Right resident HOFF (aka Mobroder), Evanomics (formerly Robot Love), OC live duo FifiNasty, and DJ Cordova. Gonna be a hot one kids, so make sure you come early and get those $5 Redbull vodkas in your blood because we're gonna get live and loud.
► RSVP Closes at 7:30p day of the event
► Free before 11pm
► $5 after 11pm
@ The Central: Social Aide & Pleasure Club
1348 14th Street Santa Monica, CA 90404
► Thursday September 15th
► 9:30pm-2:00am
► 21+
► $5 Red Bull Vodkas til 12
Rush (HOFF BLEND) by Mobroder


text: Not if you look at Naruto's track record. He has defeated enemy after enemy that on paper is stronger than he is. He is known for never giving up and that is what makes him come out as the winner every single time. If you never accept defeat and keep fighting then you haven't lost. And even though Madara is in his own rank, Naruto don't care and Naruto knows that the only way to end the war is the kill Madara and Kabuto, but if he doesn't do it his own way, then it's simply no reason to do it. That is just how Naruto is.


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text:
Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions
A mixed number is a combination of a whole number and a fraction. For example, if you have two whole apples and one half apple, you could describe this as 2 + 1/2 apples, or 21/2 apples.
Writing Mixed Numbers as Fractions
This mixed number can also be expressed as a fraction. Each whole apple contains two half apples. Your two whole apples are also four half apples. Four half apples plus one half apple is five half apples. So you have 5/2 apples.
To put this another way: to turn a mixed number into a fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator (the bottom part), and add the result to the numerator (the top part).
21/2 = ?
Another Example
Let's try another example:
52/3 = ?
Proper and Improper Fractions
A fraction in which the numerator is smaller than the denominator, like 1/3 or 2/5 is called a proper fraction. A fraction in which the numerator is larger than or equal to the denominator, like 5/2, 17/3, or 6/6 is called an improper fraction. (To put it another way, a fraction with a value less than 1 is a proper fraction. A fraction with a value greater than or equal to 1 is an improper fraction.)
As we have shown above, mixed numbers can be written as improper fractions. Similarly, improper fractions can be written as mixed numbers.
Writing Improper Fractions as Mixed Numbers
To write an improper fraction as a mixed number, divide the numerator (top part) by the denominator (bottom part). The quotient is the whole number, and the remainder is the numerator.
How would you express 17/4 as a mixed number?
Two More Examples
Let's try another couple of examples:
14/9 = ?
If there is no remainder, just take the quotient as the whole number:
20/5 = ?
For more fun and practice with mixed numbers and improper fractions, see the Fraction Cafe!


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The gang turns into 8-bit, anime and classic black-and-white versions of itself.
(low-resolutionmusical tones play)
(1980s video game sound effects)
Good news, multiplayers.
After a lifetime of toil,
I'm on the verge of solvingall the mysteries of science.
So we can leave early?Certainly not.
(frustrated grunting)
Not until I demonstratethis new microscope lens
made from the debrisof that diamondium comet.
Hey, Professor.
Yes, Bender.Aah!Boo!
(Bender chuckles)
Okay, too bad, good-bye.
You're not through
with this level.
I have another lens.
Byte my eight-bit metal ass.
(whispering):That's byte with a "Y."
Whatever yousay, mon.
Due to the lens' remarkablequark lattice structure,
it should be capableof unthinkable magnification.
Come, follow me to the lab.
(musical tones play)
Hey, I'm gonna try that.
So long, meatbags.
(musical tones play)
Son of a...
Let me just insert lensin microscope.
There, now, for the first time,we may be able to see
the infinitesimal fabricof matter itself,
laying bare the mostfundamental laws
of the universe.
(whispering):Hey, Fry, I know somethingyou could lay bare.
Leela, shh, I'm trying tolisten to a physics lecture.
Now, to examine some matter.
Any old matter will do.
HERMES:Mon, that'ssome cheap-ass matter.
What the hell is it?
Oh, it's just a log I found
in a holein the bottom of the sea.
Now, to penetrateits deepest mysteries.
Hey, Fry...Leela, no means no.
Oh, my, there's a frogon a bump on this log
that I found in a holein the bottom of the sea.
And that's the ultimatesecret of the universe?
Apparently so.
Wait, there's a snail
on the tail of the frogon the bump
on this log that I found ina hole in the bottom of the sea.
Dear Liza.
The snail itself is composed
of cells, molecules, atoms.
Pfft, those thingsdon't rhyme.
Things only rhyme below tento the minus five angstroms,
you dope.
Now, ions and pions,muons and gluons,
neutrinos, gravitinos...
We're closing in on the verysmallest particles of matter.
we greet you in peace.
Kajiggaru desu!
All attempts to communicatewith the aliens have failed.
I fear our only optionis thrilling space battle.
BOTH:Power friends, go!
MECHANICAL VOICE:Launch all missiles!
Launch all missiles!
We were defeated in battle.
BENDER:Oh, no!
They're forming Gigatron!
(monkey squeals)
Defeat is ours.If we can't communicate
with these bone jelly ghosts,we're doomed!
Professor, I have analyzedthe aliens' movements
with this movement analyzer.
That device was a giftfrom my ancestors. Go on.
It seems their movementsare a form of language.
Rather than speaking J--
MONOTONE VOICE: English.
AMY: ...like us,they speak by dancing.
Of course! Having nomouths or ears,
they could only communicatethrough motions.
Or perhaps by odors.
That is how you communicate.
(all laughing)
Then our only hopeto talk to them
is by doing a peace dance.
But it will have to be smootherand more fluid
than any movement mankindis capable of!
What if we hirea buttered geisha?
Another one of yourill-timed jokes, Fry?


text:
Asking the Right Questions - The imprecise and unattainable
Kent Wilson
April 17 2012 09:59AM
"Not many people have grace."
"Well, you know, grace is a tough one. I like to think I have a little grace. Not as much as Jackie O...."
"You can't have a little grace. You either have grace or you don't."
"Okay, fine. I have no grace."
"And you can't acquire grace."
"Well, I have no intention of getting grace."
"Grace isn't something you can pick up at the market."
"Alright, alright, look, I don't have grace, I don't want grace, I don't even say grace, okay?"
- Seinfeld
Previously we discussed how asking the wrong questions is the first misstep management of lackluster teams can take in the off-season, with a particular focus on being skeptical of small outbursts of success amidst a general sea of mediocrity. This time around, I want to look at how fans and decision makers can get wrapped up in psychoanalyzing their players or agonizing over fuzzy, non-specific but apparently plausible factors.
In his year end press conference, Brian Burke noted he wanted the Leafs to get bigger and tougher going forward. Tyler Dellow has noted Steve Tambellini's singular and bizarre fascination with the term poise. In Calgary, the implicit, operating assumption for the last three or four years has been the players are good enough to win on the ice, but they need more ______ (fill in the blank with whatever term you care to use. Leadership, will to win, cohesion, consistency of effort, grace etc.).
Although looking for toughness or poise or leadership sounds desirable (and their lack makes for a plausible explanation for failures), the problem with those concepts is their subjectivity and imprecision. During such press conferences, I always wait for someone in crowd to start asking for specifics when GM's start throwing out the ol' "we need our men to be decidedly more manly" quotes. For example:
"How much bigger and tougher do you need to get? Is that in parallel with other qualities (speed, intelligence), or in favor to?"
"Do you expect a magnitude increase in toughness? How will you measure that?"
"Do you expect more toughness to lead to less goals against? Or more goals for? Both? How much do you expect this increased truculence to improve your team's goal differential? Why?"
"How much do you expect to pay for this increase in muscle? How do you determine that this is an efficient use of resources?"
Of course, such questions would be mostly facetious. While concepts like toughness/leadership/poise are easy to visualize as useful, tangible factors, they can't actually be identified or quantified in any meaningful sense. As such, they also can't be applied in any sort of rigorous analysis in terms of how "generally accepted positive quality X" affects goal differential (ie; wins) - except in the most rudimentary way (they probably help somehow).
The problem is that the relationship between stuff like leadership and poise to success is indirect, assumed and impossible to measure. Which isn't to say wanting good guys in the room or lots of poise (however you want to describe that) is necessarily bad, it's just that managers who make grand, conventionally valued but ill-defined qualities their primary objective can end up chasing ghosts and gossip.
It's that type of thinking that leads you to trade a third round pick for an overpaid Steve Staios at the deadline or sign a doddering, gin-soaked Nikolai Khabibulin for $2 million too much and two years too long. The idea that reputation and attitude in the room trumps on-ice performance or talent level is what so often leads to bad bets or gross inefficiency.
If you're a manager or fan of a bad team, your club probably has fundamental deficiencies in terms of talent in various places on the roster that lead to either too many goals against or not enough goals for (or both). Decision makers would be well advised to concentrate on shoring up those areas by asking questions of a players performance.
For instance -
"Does a player drive shots on net? Who dos he play with? Against? Does he produce on the PP? Is he a good bet to sustain that performance?"
Rather than -
"Is he good guy? Has he ever been on a cup winning team? Can he punch other players in the face?"
The former set of questions will get you closer to a players measurable value to the team. The latter are pale proxies of his abilities and value based on crude assumptions. The former should therefore always be considered before the latter in questions of player acquisition and retention.
April 17 2012, 10:10AM
using either: "Does a player drive shots on net? Who dos he play with? Against? Does he produce on the PP? Is he a good bet to sustain that performance?" or "Is he good guy? Has he ever been on a cup winning team? Can he punch other players in the face?" as measuring tools would have kept Stajan from receiving his extension...
which begs the question about just what the Flames are using, doesn't it?
good post, liking the series.
April 17 2012, 10:48AM
"...sign a doddering, gin-soaked Nikolai Khabibulin for $2 million too much and two years too long."
I'd bet a 2nd round pick it wasn't gin but your point is well taken. Nice read.
April 17 2012, 11:28AM
This is the typical manager trap. Qualitative attributes are easy for managers to spew, since they require no effort by either the managers nor the workers to justify.
I'm always amazed that Flames fans (but I guess sports fans in general) fall for this drivel whenever their team starts lacking.
April 17 2012, 11:49AM
"Is he good guy? Has he ever been on a cup winning team? Can he punch other players in the face?"
These are the questions that us hockey fans should ask, not managers. Especially, and my favorite..."Can he punch other players in the face?" I love that. I found myself doing that a lot this past year, asking "why can't he just punch him in the face!!!"
Too funny Kent.
I remember reading about scouts who had interviewd both Turgeon and Shanahan before their draft year (1987) and one scout in particular said that when he sat across the kitchen table from Turgeon it was like the kid had no idea why he was there. He was almost waiting for the scout to ask him something and then tell him how to answer. Shanahan wasn't as flashy a prospect but scouts got the impression that "there was more there" in the player.
I think that advanced stats are beginning to illustrate what the better old-school scouts have been able to determine through observation and subconcious evaluation. A good scout may have watched a player and been impressed by his play without having quantifiable values to suggest that the play and puck went the right way when this player was on the ice and so on.
For instance, a good manager can be one that hires the right people because they are an excellent judge of character and can determine through the interview not only a candidate who is qualified but is also has the drive and work ethic to be a good employee.
In Tambellini's case he has said that this is what he has done with his scouting staff and even involving the owner, Katz, in the process when it came to their impressions of either Hall or Seguin.
So while I agree that, in the Oilers' case, poise is a near impossibility to quantify, I don't think that it is entirely a red herring for a management group to consider.
I will also agree that as fans we tend to put more stock into these things than sometimes they merit. An example from my personal experience would be the Hall/Seguin debate. I was firmly in the Seguin camp due to position and his playing on an inferior team and posting equal numbers. Until I saw a photo from the combine where Seguin had a tattoo of his own last name on the back of his bicep. That signalled to me that he may be a more selfish player, one that might not have the same depth of character and humility that most teams should look for in a franchise player. It was entirely superficial and based upon my own prejudice (not against tattoos, but against habits that celebrate oneself), yet in the end it may turn out to be prescient based on some media reports about Seguin's work habits in his first few years.
As for Burke's comments, I care as much about Brian Burke's opinions as he does of mine.
I don't disagree that Kent's analysis is fair but I would point out two caveats:
1. These are public statements and, as such, I think managers know they will be subject to scrutiny. While I don't doubt that many decisions made by managers will involve discussions with all of the terms listed (see caveat number 2 below) if managers made public disclosure of the more precise analysis it would be subject to both easy scrutiny and demonstration of its falseness. I can prove easily how much possession or save percentage a player had, I can't prove how tough he is.
2. Almost all of the data a GM has is historical. Almost every decision a GM has to make is a predictive one. While the historical data must be utilized, a large part of a GM's job is a guess at whether the historical trends are going to apply to this player or not. Otherwise, assuming all teams spent the same amount of money, all the teams would be perfectly statistical equals to each other. I would allow for GM's (or other talent evaluator's) in making that bet to incorporate some analysis of the non-tangibles Kent listed.
So, if a GM who has watched thousands of hockey players is looking to make a bet on two players that have similar objective measures indicating expected future performance, I think if he bets on the one that he thinks is tougher or has more heart being the one that will match or exceed that expected performance, that is what he gets paid to decide.
I think that many GMs put far more emphasis on these facets, as Kent suggests in his article.
April 17 2012, 01:28PM
Most places worth their salt use behavioural-descriptive interviews to determine the suitability of a candidate (basically, ask the interviewee to bring up past examples of what they did in situations).
In regards to Seguin, dude got 7 points in 13 playoff games last year. We might never know with Hall :)
re: Seguin, he was also suspended from play after being late a second time for practice. The interesting thing was his own roommate "neglected" to wake him up after his alarm didn't go off.
There's something else going on there.
The kid is talented, certainly, and I would love for the Oilers to have him, but I have seen a lot of character in Hall and they are fairly close in points despite the fact that one plays on a vastly inferior team and a different position altogether.
I'm not opening the Hall/Seguin debate again, I just wanted to use that example of relying on personal bias and perception as a fan to inform on a pair of choices (neither of which were mine to make).
@Kent Wilson (sorry for the formatting, the reply link isn't connecting for me)
So then based on the Willis/Cult of Hockey article, Kent, do you think there is any background information that a scouting department can gather by interviewing past coaches, former teammates, and such? Particularly if these are people who no longer have a vested interest in the performance of that player and so might be less inclined to manufacture a favourable answer.
After all of the stats and quantifiables are taken into account, how is a scouting staff to determine a preferable candidate between two identical options? Imagine this scenario, in extremis obviously, but nevertheless, a GM has a choice at the draft table between one of two twins both of whom have identical stats and play the same position. I don't know that anyone would feel comfortable having to fall back on the coin flip method, so what is there left to act as a determining factor?
In a more realistic approach, barring another set of Sedins in the near future, looking at the Hall/Seguin debate their points were nearly identical, they were about the same size and aside from positions and playoff success there was little to differentiate them. Leaving out the draft-by-position factor because that can vary depending on the team (the Bruins admitted that they would prefer to draft a winger that year, while the Oiler's rebuild was in obvious need of a centre) the playoff performances and unmeasurables of Hall having been a catalyst in his team's comeback from a 3-0 game deficit seemed to be a determining factor.
I understand that if the CHL kept more advanced statistics (TOI, even, would be a good place to start) the call might be easier to make, but I wonder what a manager can do if, after exhausting all other avenues of interview and analysis, there is almost no significant separation between two draft candidates.
On a final note, I agree with the article, and I believe one of your points, in that an interview to "gain insight into the character of a player" is a flawed instrument. I think of the story about Pavel Datsyuk's pre-draft interview and his body language (shy) probably turning off a lot of scouts and GMs.
April 17 2012, 04:25PM
Please. You're speculating.
One team is in the playoffs and does quite well.
One team doesn't.
Guess which is which.
Please. You're speculating.
One team is in the playoffs and does quite well.
One team doesn't.
Guess which is which.
And you are going to credit that to Seguin? Had the Leafs retained that pick and drafted Seguin, do you think he would have taken that team into the post season?
I admit, I'm speculating about Seguin's character. That was the whole point of the story, to say that we, as fans, often extrapolate from limited and circumstantial evidence. Media often do the same thing, except in their case they have business model that encourages it. Us fans do it out of amateur (as in, for the love of it) desire.
So uh Rex, when are they going to make you an official contributor at the network?
Hard to admit (considering your team preferences), but I do enjoy your informed and well articulated arguments/responses.
Just one question: how does an Oiler's fan know just as much if not more about my team than I do? Other than the fact that I spend my life toiling away at school in the library rather than learning what's going on in the "real" world.
In regards to the so-called character decisions... when it comes to making a call between two potential draftees that are, on paper at least, identical, it seems like a moot point who gets chosen. There's no measurable way to decide the better of the two, no crystal ball to see who will be more successful, and much like in the Datsyuk example, if GM's/scouts rely too heavily on impressions you can make a poor call anyway (ie. it can likely go either way; essentially it is a coin flip regardless of how one may like to convince themselves it's not). I guess in that situation you can factor in team needs and pick based on position.
Thus I conclude that the Oiler's positively made the wrong decision in drafting Hall! Well, maybe Hall will be better. Or is it Seguin? Seguin definitely has the greater truculence factor. I'm feeling like an NHL GM...
Thanks Sobueno,
I'd love to be a contributor but I'm not sure that Vintage's blood pressure could handle it. ;-)
Thank you for the compliment about my info about the Flames, though. I try to have some background information on the topic before spouting off about it. I've been paying some close attention to the team for about six years now in part because I wanted to see if Sutter could actually maneuver them closer to the cup. Then later, when he hired Keenan I was pretty sure that things were going to come unraveled and kept an eye on the team to see what would happen. So a large part of it could be said to be fueled by schadenfreude, but also I liked the tone of the articles on FN and after reading for two years decided it was time to weigh in a little.
And I would hardly call the sports world a "real world". More like a juvenile abstraction fueled by vicarious sentiments. The library is probably a far more productive place to be.
My dilemma example there was essentially asking Kent if there was a method he would propose to help break that deadlock, or if there were a set of statistical data that he might prioritize to try and end the stalemate. Kind of like the breakdown that the NHL goes to in the event of a tie (wins, wins against opponent, goal differential, etc).
If the Oilers had selected Seguin then Hall would have won a cup and the Oilers be two deep at centre. They didn't and now they have are still two deep at centre (though Gagner is not as talented as either Nugent-Hopkins or Seguin) and have a winger who is perhaps a season removed from becoming the team's captain. That draft year, with two exceptional franchise forwards so close together, was a rare thing.
April 18 2012, 12:41AM
I'd love to be a contributor but I'm not sure that Vintage's blood pressure could handle it. ;-)
It's always nice having you around Rex. You're one of the few Oilers fans that don't refer to me with four letter fun words... and I always enjoy your comments around here.
Great Article Kent.. I wish the fans who comment on locker room issues or problems behind the scenes would read this article!
Thanks, I've really enjoyed much of the dialogue we've all had this past season. Seriously, if you ever need a temporary hack to crank out a contribution and make you regular writers look that much smarter you know who to ask.
Four letter fun words? I don't know any of those.
You and I may disagree, but I respect the emotion you bring to your arguments. And Kent and I, I think, would probably agree on some overall conclusions, although we disagree on the different paths taken to get there.


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Product DescriptionThe solar-powered PostLite is designed with a 360° light-diffusing polycarbonate lens and convex interior reflector for maximum light output. Installs in minutes with no wires! Six preinstalled colored LEDs and convenient toggles built into the circuit board let you change between red, green, white, yellow, amber, and blue with the flip of a switch. No LED swapping is necessary. Rechargeable, replaceable batteries are included and concealed securely under the circuit board. Each solar PostLite comes with 3 adaptors for fitting 1-5/8", 1-7/8", and 2-3/8" O.D. posts. Can also be mounted on flat surfaces. Sold in pairs. 10-lumen output per light. Comes with a two-year warranty.
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76872 Dock Edge (131.3KB)
76872 Dock Edge (131.3KB)