2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round 2

Damn it, the Sharks made it to the next round. As you can see, I am not very good with predictions and analysis. But hey, why not do it again for the next round. Here goes:

West

(1) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings

Though I dislike both teams, this one is easy. I hate San Jose way more. Detroit in six.

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks

This is rematch of last year's series. Chicago won last year, this year will be the same. Plus, it would just be damn funny to see Hossa make it to the finals...just to lose, again. Luongo will be great, but not good enough. Chicago wins this in six.

East

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens

I think this one will be close. If Halak can hold off the crazy offense of Washington, he should be able to do the same with Crosby, Malkin, and friends. But then again, Ovechkin is no Crosby. I think these teams match up well. Edge to Crosby, Pittsburgh in six.

(6) Boston Bruins vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers

I am just going to flip a coin and guess on this one. Boston in five.

My "Highlight Reel" Goal - Part II

I scored an awesome goal this morning. Unfortunately, there is no video evidence of this. You will just have to take my word for it as I try to describe it for the two people who sometimes read my goofy blog. Oh, and this is really for me, so I can remember how awesome I was.

Let me set up the situation, because the next five to ten mintues should have been nationally televised. I was on the bench and watched one of our guys (Eric) get an interference penalty as he bumped into opposing player along the boards. The other guy tried to rough up Eric, this lead to another one of our guys (Han) to push that same opposing player. Long paragraph short, we got two penalties against.

Actually, it gets better. Han got a ten minute for 'arguing with ref'. Actually, he was trying to figure why we got two penalties and the other team got nothing...as the other player pushed Eric's head down and tried to sit on him. That is what lead Han to defend Eric. Oh, Eric is like my size...the other guy about a foot taller. Han was eventually ejected from the game, the ref does not like him very much.

Okay, so I am out there to kill the 5-on-3 penalty kill. Gary took the face of and I was basically on defense with Guy. Yeah, me...playing defense...short-handed by two men. What were they thinking? Face off was to the left of our goalie, Phil. I think Gary lost the draw as the puck went to the point. I really do not know what happened, but I somehow ended up in the right point to take the defenseman.

He fumbles the puck, I steal the puck and flick it down the ice. I had a half step on everyone and rushed down the right wing. Now, I am a left-handed shot, so I protected the puck on the outside. Saw a stick reach in from my left and I did that "get that stick out of my way" thing with my left arm, as I cut across the crease. I pretty much do this move every game because it looks so damn cool, usually without any success.

So, I cut across the crease and the guy hauls me down as I get off the first shot. Ref signals for a penalty. The puck hits the goalie's pads, rebounds and hits my skate. By this time, I am mid fall. The puck pops up in the air after hitting my skate. Now, I am on my back, one foot next to the goalie, the other leg under the other player. I see the puck floating in the air and I bat it in the goal...in mid air. We are talking textbook hand-eye coordination, here, folks. Let me tell you, it was fucking awesome! A 5-on-3 short-handed goal!

The penalty that I drew was cancelled, because I scored. I celebrated with a fist pump and high fives from my teammates. Too bad it was roller, if it would have been ice, I would have celebrated like Theoren Fleury. This was only the first period and the goal put us up 2-1, so no real need to 'celebrate'. Good thing too, because eventually lost the game 5-2, they are the better team, top of the league. But, I scored a highlight reel goal, I only wish there was video to back up my total awesomeness. I really think I would have made it to TSN, and/or HNiC on CBC. Okay, it barely would have made it on YouTube.

UPDATE: The awesomeness was similar to this awesomeness.

Cool Commercial and How They Did It

2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Stanley Cup Playoffs start today. The Flames failed to make the playoffs. Anyway, here is the current bracket and my picks:

West

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

Avalanche in...I do not care how many games. Why? Because I simply hate San Jose.

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (7) Nashville Predators

Chicago will be too much to handle for the Predators. Five games

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

I went to the Kings vs Oilers game, Johnathan Quick faced 15 shots and let in 3. On the other side the Kings got 55 shots on Oiler goalie, Devan Dybnuk. This one could be close, but I give Luongo the edge in goal tending. Vancouver in six, just to make it interesting.

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

Detroit is always dangerous. I think Phoenix coach has the experience to make an upset. Phoenix in six games.

East

(1) Washington Captials vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens

Uh, Ovechkin? Washington in five.

(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers barley made it in the playoffs. Brodeur is Brodeur. New Jersey in six.

(3) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) Boston Bruins

This is the best goal tending match up of the first round. Last year's Vezina Trophy winner, Tim Thomas against his Team USA teammate, Olympic Tournament MVP, and possibly this year's Vezina winner, Ryan Miller. This one is close. Buffalo in seven.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Ottawa Senators

Do these guys always play each other in the first round? Crosby and Malkin will be too much for the Senators. But it will be a tough battle. Pittsburgh in six.

Hot Wheels DeLorean

I totally forgot to mention this here. The gold version of the Hot Wheels DeLorean is out in stores, now. This is the second of three planned colours of the DeLorean for the 2010 Hot Wheels Basic Car Line. The first one is, of course, silver.

More Mods to the DeLorean

I need a spare key for my car. One key is not enough, in case I lose it (not likely) or emergency. I called up DMC Headquarters in Humble, Texas and actually talked to the Vice President of DeLorean Motor Company. How awesome is that? Yeah, pretty awesome!

Anyway, I forgot to mention that I put reflective vinyl in the bumper letters. Wait, what am I talking about? Well, here is a picture of a DeLorean bumper, not mine.


Notice that the letters are recessed. There is a stainless steel letter kit that is available.

Looks great, right? Yeah, I thought so, too. But I am too cheap to spend the $50-75 to get it. Ah, but I did have some 3M reflective vinyl laying around. Here is what I came up with. First, let me show you what it looks like in the dark.


Now, photo taken with flash to simulate headlights shining at it. The vinyl reflects light directly back to the source. If you were to drive behind me at night, and you have your lights on, you would see this.



I know, way cool. I also wrapped one of my bikes with this stuff. This is unique to my car, as far as I know...heck, I had to measure each letter and hand cut the vinyl. I did post this mod in a DMC forum, so others may get inspired by my creation.

This weekend I fixed a droopy seat. A torn rubber backing resulted in the seat bottom sagging and leaving me, the driver, very low in the car. Also, the side cushions kinda pinched the sides of my thighs and butt. My simple ghetto fix was to shove two pieces of wood underneath the seat to elevate it. A better fix? Ratchet straps normally used to secure cargo, like on trucks. Anyway, I strapped them in and raised the seat cushion up to its intended height...which was about 3-4 inches.

That is about it for now, more mods to come...and again, it will involve LED lights!