It's official

Pier-Olivier Pelletier is still the cutest goalie in the universe.Check out his Bakersfield Condors profile here.

What no one knows is that he is also my desktop photo. D'oh! I guess you know now. I am insanely loyal to my ex-goalies, especially those that smell like candy necklaces.

Go goalie! Go Goalie! Go goalie!

Former Mooseheads goaltender, perhaps the softest, tenderiest tender that ever tendered (soooo pretty) Pier-Olivier Pelletier has signed a contract with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL. They also signed Patrick Prokop.

The Condors are an affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks also have Q goaltenders Timo Pielmeier (St. John's and Shawinigan) and Marco Cousineau (Baie Comeau and Drummondville) in their system.

Here is the press release (and a picture. oh-la-la):

BAKERSFIELD Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors, official ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, have signed D Patrik Prokop (PROH-kahp) and G Pier-Olivier Pelletier (PEE-air OH-lihv-EE-ay PEHL-tee-ay).

A 2005 second-round draft pick by the Phoenix Coyotes, Pelletier, 22, played for Waterloo of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) in 2008-09. In 11 games, Pelletier posted a record of 7-3-1. His 2.20 goals-against average was tied for second in the league and his .937 save percentage was best in the league.

"I've heard good things about the organization," said Pelletier. "It looks like Bakersfield has a nice rink and it's a good city. I used to play AAA juniors with Alexandre Monahan, Mathieu Aubin and Stephane Goulet, who have already signed with the Condors. I've been to a couple of NHL camps, but I'm excited to start playing at the professional level."

A 6-foot, 2-inch, 192-pound native of St. Louis, Quebec, Pelletier spent his entire junior career in the QMJHL, starring for Drummondville and Halifax. In his final two seasons in the QMJHL, Pelletier went a combined 53-33-5 with a 3.15 goals-against average and .892 save percentage.

In 2007, Pelletier led Drummondville to the quarterfinals of the QMJHL playoffs, posting a record of 7-5-0 with a 3.37 goals-against average and .893 save percentage.

Pelletier also brings international experience to the Condors. He served as the back-up to Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price on the Canadian National Team at the 2005 U-18 World Championships in Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Pelletier has also seen time at NHL Training Camps with Phoenix and Detroit.

I just have one question: How are Yeti and Pier supposed to battle for my love now?

Did somebody here order a pizza?

Wednesday has come and gone, so while my lazy ass started this blog post yesterday, it is not getting online until today...because life is not all about blogging and cooing at young hockey players.

The CHL has named its top 10 as well as its players of the week....and the Q is totally representing.

The CHL top 10 are:
1. Windsor Spitfires (48-6-0-1)
2. Calgary Hitmen (48-7-3-1)
3. Vancouver Giants (46-5-0-3)
4. Shawinigan Cataractes (42-11-2-0)
5. Drummondville Voltigeurs (43-9-0-3)
6. Quebec Remparts (41-10-0-3)
7. Saskatoon Blades (41-13-3-1)
8. Brampton Battalion (36-14-1-1)
9. Belleville Bulls (35-15-2-2)
10. Brandon Wheat Kings (38-15-3-1)

The CHL pizza delivery boy (bow-chicka-wow-wow) of the week is Drummondville's Yannick Riendeau, while the security guard is Moncton goaltender Nicola Riopel. Why are Riendeau and Riopel dressed up as a pizza delivery boy and security guard, respectively, you ask? Sexy games!!! Oh, don't act like you have never seen one of 'those' movies!

Riopel won three games with one shutout posting a goals-against-average of 0.67 and a save percentage of .975. Riopel started his week on Thursday at home to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies where he made 21 saves in the 6-1 win. His best game of the week was on Saturday when the Wildcats hosted the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Riopel earned second star of the game honours with his fifth shutout of the season turning aside all 23 shots fired his way. Riopel was sensational to finish the week on Sunday on the road in Saint John where he was recognized as first star of the game for making 33 saves to beat the Sea Dogs 3-1.

Moose Stuffing:
Sometimes you learn the most delightful things from game programs. One of those things being that Matt Boland's proudest hockey acheivement was having once won an Academic player of the month award. That is just too fucking cute. Then he told us his nickname is Goose, I presume because he is from Gander Nfld and not because he swallows his food without chewing. He is trying to make me want to sit in his lap and mess up his fauxhawk. Stop charming me Boland *side eye*. What are you up to? Nothing good I am sure!

Jan Stransky was January's player of the month for his 6 goals and 2 assists (+2) in 7 games played. Alexis Piette was awarded academic player of the month.

Mark Yetman has started wandering around the ice during breaks in play because he suddenly thinks that he is other goalies. Pffff the other goalies look up, silly fool!!! Look up (oh hello!), or don't look up (pout)... all that matters is that we don't do anything that messes with his 'game'. It has been decent lately, and sometimes it gets downright sexy. Do we give credit to the boy or his beastly *rawr* new beard? We call this goaltender February- March Yeti. Yeah... this is the guy everyone fell in love with at the end of last season. Don't get too attached... it is just a spring fling. Moose fans will use him up and spit him out. They are the cruelest to their tender little netminders.


CIS stuffing:
Former Moosehead Colby Pridham has been playing with the Saint Mary's Huskies hockey team this year.... you know, when he is not wandering around the concourse of the Metro centre longing for his glory days as a Moose. There was an article in the Chronicle Herald earlier this week, and it praised all things Colby Pridham.

But it’s Pridham — who has scored six goals and 22 points but skates against the opponent’s top players — whom SMU head coach Trevor Stienburg says is as valuable to his team as anyone.

"The thing about Colby is that he plays well on both sides of the puck," Stienburg said.

"He has some speed and he’s a very versatile player for us. We can put him in a lot of different positions; we can put him on the point during the power play. He’s a good centreman who understands the game well. He can play in any situation and that’s something not a lot of guys can do."

According to Pridham... "The two-way role is my game and I don’t think that’ll change. Playing both ends of the rink is what I do. I’m not the guy who’s going to be the leading scorer. I think it’s important for myself and the team to take care both ends of the rink. We have lots of guys who can put the puck in the net. I’ll just try to keep them out."

In other AUS news, former Saint John Seadog/Lewiston MAINEiacs goaltender Travis Fullerton's shutout run with the UNB Varsity reds lasted a total of 292 minutes and 39 seconds. How orgasmic is that? It came to an end at the hands of StFX's Will Colbert. In 12 games played Fullerton has a 7:3:0:3* record with a 1.78 GAA and a 0.913 Save %. Those stats are too hot for words...let's just bask in them for a quick second * bask*. After a slow start to the season it is always nice to see a goalie pick it up and reaffirm my faith in him. When it comes to my goalie-loves I hate to make mistakes and choose the wrong boy.

On that note may I also point out that Pier-Olivier Pelletier is leading the OUA with a 1.97 GAA and 0.939 save % in 9 games and a 6:1:0:1 record. Waterloo are the 9th ranked team in the CIS.
I mean, sure he has played less games then all of the other goalies, and stats do not tell you everything about a game, but still, you have got to give him props for this season... and you DO have to awknowledge when stats are totally squeeworthy.


In other AUS/ Former Mooseheads news:
Garrett Peters (SMU) has 3 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in 27 games.
Bryce Swan (StFX) has 13 goals and 9 assists for 22 points in 25 games.
Ryan Seymour (UNB) has 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points in 20 games.

Logan MacMillan (Halifax Mooseheads/ Rimouski Oceanic) has been interviewed for inside the Q.

...and just as a bonus - Peter-James Corsi, who plays for the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL, has 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 28 games. You wanna know about Hiller too? Check it out yourself you damn hobo. I mean, shouldn't the Ryan Hiller dick sucking committee/local newspapers be covering that stuff? I do the vast majority of my cooing at French boys, Newfies and that delightful new undergrad I work with... he smells good and has the fluffiest hair.

* I am well aware that it doesn't add up.... which is why I fixed it to add the Shootout losses.

I could hug a goalie

From the University of Waterloo Warriors homepage:

Re. a game against the Laurier Golden Hawks (Jan 22rd) in which the Warriors won 3-0 (yeah, second shutout)

At times it appeared the Warriors were sitting back trying to protect their lead, which may have led to a Laurier comeback if not for the acrobatic goaltending of Pier Pelletier (QC). Pelletier had his third strong performance since joining the Warriors and brought his save percentage up to a ridiculous .986.

Re. the game against Western on Jan 23th, a 4-3 loss

The Warriors got off to a slow start in this one and found themselves playing much of the first period in their own end. Western could have easily gone taken control of the game in the first if not for Pier Pelletier (St. Loius-du-Ha!Ha!, QUE), who once again wowed the crowd with his acrobatics between the pipes.

Now that is a goalie I can get behind: he looks good, he smells good, and his cheeks turn the cutest shade of pink when he blushes because you embarrassed him (or scared him, because you are a creepy MOFO) .

Dear haters,

From the University of Waterloo Warriors home page:

Friday night also marked the first regular season game of new goaltender Pier Pelletier. Pelletier spent the previous four seasons playing in the QMJHL for the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Halifax Mooseheads. In 2005, the Phoenix Coyotes made him their second round selection, 59th overall, in the NHL entry draft.

Though Pelletier wasn’t tested much in the game, he turned away all 15 shots he faced to record his first career OUA win and shut-out. His ability to play the puck will undoubtedly cause problems for the Warriors opposition.

With little time to celebrate Friday night’s win, the Warriors were back at it on Saturday playing host to the RMC Paladins. Pelletier once again got the call for the Warriors as he looked to keep his career starting shut-out streak intact. He was finally beaten for a goal in this one, but it wasn’t until late in the third period with the Warrior win already in hand.

Ohhh snap. This was for everybody that bitched, and bitched, and bitched about the goaltending last year, and this year, and every year since what seems like the beginning of time. Shut the fuck up and give these kids a break will ya?

PS. Cooooooooooo

When something 'POPS' up on your site meter, you fuckin' well run with it.

Ugh. You know that when people search things in google and end up on this page - I know what they searched and how they got here. Some people get here because they searched " dog fucking" ... which means that maybe I should never use the words fuck and Sea Dogs in the same sentence ever again.

Some people search things like "Stefan Dumaresque called up to Mooseheads" or "Chad Earle Victoriaville" and " Pier-Olivier Pelletier Waterloo" to which I respond "holy shit, what the fuck" and then I myself do a search in an attempt to find legitimate proof. If I don't find something right away, I tend to let it go.

Why do I quit so easily? - because these searches are always like a prophecy. Nostradamus has nothing on my sitemeter. Stefan Dumaresque WAS called up to the Mooseheads, Chad Earle WAS claimed off waivers by Victoriaville and Pier-Olivier Pelletier IS now with Waterloo (the team which was abandoned by Ryan Mior in October).

I searched the web, I went to the Warriors home page. - NOTHING. What is the point of my "google alerts" when I do not check my e-mail all day? What is the point of my "google alerts" if some news slips past it? Why did this not appear in my inbox 2 months ago?

Well fuck me with the butt end of a goalie stick - because there he is - U Waterloo Warriors hockey. Wuest beat me to it, probably because he is an actual reporter and I am at work, writing about insect olfactory systems... ahem totally.

According to The Record.com:

The Warriors picked up four-year Quebec Major Junior Hockey League veteran goalie Pier-Olivier Pelletier for the winter term.

The 21-year-old puckstopper is a former second-round draft pick of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. Freshman goaltender Aaron Barton decided to leave the Warriors as a result.

Which totally reminds me... have I said coooo lately? Yeah, coooo P-O, big-bad mutherfuckin' cooooooo *pigeon mating dance ensues*. I swear to God that if I got my hands on something, like an old sock of his perhaps, I would encase it like Snow White in a glass box, it would be that precious. I would collect cells from it, clone them (I can totally do that) and make myself some tall, beautiful, French goalie children. I would marry that sock and... OK wait... this is getting creepy.

Do you need a hug?

Pier-Olivier Pelletier has been released from the Augusta Lynx training camp after goaltender Riku Helenius, Tampa's 2006 15th overall selection, was sent down from the Norfolk Admirals. If he is too manly to cry he need not worry, for I shall be shedding tears for him. Does this mean he is now available to do my taxes?

Monday updates, now with a side of stuffing

The QMJHL has released its players of the week and the Offensive player of the week award goes to Jordan Caron of the Rimouski Oceanic while the Defensive player of the week was Captain Alex of the Saint John Sea Dogs. Good things happened when Captain Alex rejoined the Sea Dogs line-up. They started winning. According to the QMJHL website

The blueliner managed a goal and two assists while posting a +3 rating in two Saint John wins. Moreover, he was a physical presence in both games, distributing five bodychecks. Finally, the Sea Dogs were perfect with a man down as opponents failed to register a goal in seventeen power-play opportunities.

Also rans include that little Maxime Gougeon fellow (Rimouski Oceanic), Gabriel Lemieux (Cataractes) and Sea Dogs goaltender Robert Mayer.

The Sportsnet CHL hot/not list puts the Quebec Remparts in the Hot list (so hot that even J Roy has the second highest GAA in the league next to Moncton's Nicola Riopel) and their Russian import Dmitri Kugryshev is the hot player of the week. The cold team are the still winless Val d'Or Foreurs and this week's cold player is last week's hottie (and QMJHL offensive player for last week) Angelo Esposito of the Montreal Junior, who was held off the point cards (and my dance card) all week even against the super-poopy Halifax Mooseheads (I still love you my sweet Moose). He just stands there and occasionally skates in circles. I don't think Angelo even tries...he has a bad case of the "2007-2008 Mooseheads syndrome". Me, Me, Me.

It is fun picking on NHL first round draft picks that are not on my team (It turns out that I am as mean as the old men on the boards, therefor I receive only the privilege of thinking about biting my left one)

___________________________________
The Augusta Lynx have made their first round of cuts and my darling P-O Pelletier is NOT amongst the cuts. Whew. While his name is not listed on the current roster (which includes only players from the last pre-season game), according to an article on Our Sports Central:

...the team released forwards Matt Hartman and Igor Karlov, as well as defensemen Jim Jensen and Josh Peterson from their training camp roster today. These moves follow a previous round of cuts from Saturday, in which the club released goaltender Sean Hershman, defensemen Arthur Fritch and Mark Hammersmith, and forwards Jimmy Russo, Ryan Stern and Jamie Thompson.

The club's total training camp roster now stands at 23.

The team is still expecting other players to come down from the AHL, and according to one source, possibly another goaltender.

_____________________________________
RIP Alexei Cherepanov

The Graduates

Former Gatineau Olympiques goaltender Ryan Mior is now trying his hand with the Florida Panthers/ Rochester Americans affiliate the Bossier-Shreveport Mugbugs, stopping 10 of 10 in his first game.

Of course, there are conflicting reports that say Ryan was with the University of Waterloo as of Sept 30...and even played a game with Waterloo on Oct 5th, but clearly that is not that way that my meow meow meow meow rolls.

So yeah, ultimately, WTF-up Ryan? Also, I have offered to let you throw me up against a wall and you still have not decided whether or not you want to do that. I am waiting. You can and will be usurped by all the other Newfie goalies waiting in the wings.


Pier-Olivier Pelletier played his first pre-season game with the Tampa Bay Lightning ECHL affiliate Augusta Lynx and allowed 3 goals on 9 shots in ~ 30 minutes of play*.

Dude, do you want my tough love? No, you do not! It involves way too much hair smelling and facial caressing. You CAN play better than that. YES you can! I am your one woman pep squad here...and like, 1000x cooler and smarter than the "Lady Lynx". You know this to be true because have any of the "Lady Lynx" made you blush yet? - Hell no. Did I make you blush? - Hell yes. DO BETTER. Also - coooooooo.

Not that some of the other goalies trying out for the Lynx are faring much better. Martin allowed 3 in 12 and Bucchino allowed 1 in 6 the following game. I have no idea what is currently going on but I hope he has not been cut yet.


*thanks stats man

When the team gets it all wrong.

No, I am not talking about the Mooseheads either. First the UNB V-reds have my secret lover Travis Fullerton listed as being only 5 ft tall. That is shorter than me!!! As if I would EVER get my lovin'-on with a fellow so short. I don't do midgets (I am looking at you Gougeon) .

Now the Augusta lynx have my sweet P-O Pelletier listed as being born in 1984. That would make him *gasp* 24. That is ancient. All of my boyfriends must be at least *mumbles mumbles mumbles* years younger than me. 24 - that is just unacceptable.

I am so glad I can talk about Pier again. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Have I said coooo lately? Cooooooo *pigeon dances*. I hope you know to expect updates about the Augusta Lynx on my blog now. For example- here is P-O in practice. Yes, he is sticking with number 35 for now. Oh, he poke-checked. I think I just got pregnant.

P.S. Why can't I buy a P-O Pelletier Mooseheads game-worn jersey?

I heart you - hooray for you

Pier-Olivier Pelletier is back on da ice. According to a recent blog post by Wuest, Pelletier has landed a gig with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL. Ohhhh Augusta Georgia. I don't think I will be making it down there anytime soon.

Tonights game was horrible, but sweet Pier always has this way of kickstarting my happy feelings. I am sooooooo happy for Pier. Soooo happy. No you don't get my levels of happy! They are indescribable. We did not have a love/hate relationship. It was a love, and more obsessively scary kind of love relationship. He smells so pretty.

If he signed with the Augusta Lynx yesterday why did I not see this in my 'the hockey news' updates that I check on a daily basis while obsessively looking for his name?

COOOOOOOOO my sweet Pier. Congrats on not having to be an accountant or a firefighter.

_______________________________________

EDIT: there it is - more news of signings - hooray *hugs*.

I totes told Pier to go back and work with Marco Marciano and it totes worked. He picked up on my mental vibes. Some goalie coaches don't have cooties. According to an article by Jonathan Habashi in the Drummondville L'Express:

"(This is a google translation) Pelletier, who spent last season in the uniform of the Halifax Mooseheads, just agree with the Augusta Lynx, in the Hockey League's east coast. The 21-year netminder wanted to train one last time in the company of Marciano before taking the path of Georgia, where he will participate in training camp Lynx.

Marciano, who left the Voltigeurs during the summer to join the coaching staff of the Canadian senior women's team, was able to reconnect with some of his former protected.

"It was the first time I saw guys. I have not seen everybody, because we were busy on the ice, but I had the opportunity to speak with Guy Boucher, Antoine Tardif, Nathan Dunnet and a few others. It is always "fun" to review guys, especially after a bit. I will try to find some time to come and see the guys play in Drummond this season, "said Marciano."

Arg Arg Arg some more

More news from Wuest.

As reported in Metro Halifax today, Bryce Swan is getting a look from the Detroit Red Wings as a free-agent tryout. But what's to become of Pier-Olivier Pelletier?

Pelletier was close to earning a contract with the Red Wings as a free-agent tryout last fall, but the Red Wings decided to send him back to junior for another year. He was immediately shipped from Drummondville to Halifax to play for the Mooseheads, where his season flopped.

By mid-February, backup Mark Yetman had taken over, and Pelletier found himself on the bench for the entire playoff run while Yetman sparkled.

Needless to say, Pelletier doesn't appear to have any NHL takers this season, and that might mean starting at an American Hockey League camp and working his way up.

See this is exactly what I was talking about. Does Wuest read my blog? HaHa sucker - I am so useless no one should be reading my tripe.

Oohhhh poor P-O!!! Cooooooooo. I have sooooo missed coooooing at you. I do adore you so! Your situation sucks more than life itself. Being my pretty pretty cooo liebe is the only thing you have to live for...that and your actual life. Do carry on!

I sooooo have a rant. I do! I just can't formulate it right now. It involves me using my mad 'looking up stats skills' and I rant on about how someone else is neigh but a douche with the worlds most boring 'game', but it is supper time and I have to eat.

I am soooo going to edit this post later.

Sticking with goalie talk

I have so much to say about everything - like Gatineau being out of the Memorial cup in three games, but it hurts too much to talk about it. Love and loss is one of the most painful things. Just ask Gatineau captain J-P Chabot about the pain - he was crying, I was not. I have almost gone numb when it comes to hockey this season, every round I pick a new lover, about a week later they dump my ass. I have gone through 7 hockey lovers between the QMJHL and the NHL so far this playoff season. Do you see why I have gone numb?

If you need Memorial cup coverage you can check out the official Memorial cup webpage. The QMJHL website has also covered Gatineau's downfall in the Memorial cup tournament. I will stick with NJ draft pick Matt Halischuk and the Rangers for now (lover #8, Detroit Red Wings will be lover #9 by default). I also find Ranger's goaltender Josh Unice wonderfully spriggin - his little nose and pouty upper lip look cute peeking out from behind his helmet. Am I charmed by his mommasboyness? It is not a good feature for real boyfriends, but it is so sweet when imaginary boyfriends are mommasboys.

Also, ummm he has really great eyebrows. You know I had to mention it eventually, what with my eyebrow fetish and all. You can oogle Josh, his pixie nose, his pouty upper lip and his awesome eyebrows at this photo gallery. Unfortunately, you cannot judge his 'game' by looking at photos. I bet he totally takes eyebrow grooming tips from teammate Steve Mason, who has such rawkin' brows that he is a chairperson in my eyebrow club. Mase is adorable with his helmet on and with the crunchy-crunchy faces that he makes. Also - hello! He is the grown-up version of baby Steve Mason - who is a deadringer for my immaculate conception baby, the baby fathered by the essence of Pelletier, Bernier and Fullerton.

What are the odds of a team having two goalies with RAWKIN' eyebrows? Is it a Kitchener conspiracy?

Ugh as I type this Kitchener have lost in OT and are 1-2 for the round robin. I suck at picking lovers. Poor Unice, the puck went off his head, and the Bulls got a goal on the rebound when he was still discombobulated.

GOALIES in the QMJHL:
Ryan Mior
I had been wondering where Olympique's goaltender Ryan Mior would be playing University hockey next year. I was out facebook stalking (not stalking Mior - but someone else) when I came across Mior's profile which had him listed on the University of Ottawa Network. It would make sense for him to be there for his post QMJHL career since he is currently living in the region and probably already enrolled in classes there. However, he may not have actually been admitted to a University team yet. An article from canwest news services states "Ryan Mior, who set QMJHL records for games played by a goaltender and shutouts, is also finished playing junior hockey, perhaps moving on to university hockey." Key word -PERHAPS. Leaving me with nothing but speculation is no fun for me.

Antoine Tardif
According to L'Express, Antoine has had a successful surgery on his ankle. Doctors had originally speculated that he would have to stay off of the ankle for 6 weeks but when they went in for arthroscopic examination they determined that the source of his pain was due to one of his torn ligaments slipping between the ankle joints. Antoine should be back on his feet within the week. At least I think this is what they are saying - the article is in French and my French skills are shifty. What I do know is that my kisses did his ankle well. Now that I get a closer look at Antoine's brows they don't look that great in the center - he needs some grooming. He is out of the club.

Drummondville : Pelletier, Gougeon, Tardif and the goalie coach that rocks.
There is an interview with Drummondville goalie coach Marco Marciano in the Drummondville edition of L'Express. Marco worked with Gougeon and Pelletier last season, with Gougeon, Dupont and Dunnett this season, and will be helping Tardif and Dunnett along next season. Marco is proud of Gougeon's play in the finals and thinks that 'the Gouge' should do well despite being a toy goalie.

However, he is confused about why P-O's season went so wrong, and does not understand how it happened that Pier fell so far as to allow Yetman to steal the number one job in nets for Halifax come playoff time. When I say "fell so far" I mean, "not given a legitimate chance to play again" once Yeti was able to win a game (something he did not do, nor was he really given the chance to do, between Dec 27 and Feb 24). Which reminds me - we treated our 'tenders like shit!!!

Marco essentially said that you have to push P-O, as was done at the beginning of the 2006-07 season when Pier had a slow start coming off of injury, but once he is pumped up he will play excellently. After training camps with Detroit last year, and before coming to Halifax, P-O was apparently rocking it and Marco saw him as a potential AHL goalie for last season. He wishes P-O the best of luck for a future pro- career in the upcoming season. Me too P-O, me too. Coo.

Marco seems good, what with the fact that he is involved with Hockey Canada's development program - and he stresses the ability to handle the puck. You can read an older interview with him at the QMJHL website. He has worked with MAF, Houle, and my very own sweet sensitive Jonathan Bernier (in baby form).

Maybe P-O should go back to train with Marco this summer. He should also check in with a sports psychologist since it worked wonders for Mior. Trust me, it wasn't you P-O, it was 'us'. Lewiston's goaltending coach is also big on having a psychologist around to help out.

I don't talk about this a lot, but it was P-O's eyebrows themselves that inspired the eyebrow club - they are thick but they have the best arch. In fact, he is the silent co-owner of the club. He also inspires my weakness for pixie noses and pouty upper lips. Do I need more clubs?

_____________________________________

Alexander goaltending (where Travis Fullerton teaches and Jake Allen learns) has training videos available on you tube. Cute, Fully is teaching me his basic Fully tricks. Hmmmm but no Fully scuddle - shame.

Someone really was screwed

Halifax fans have been waiting for answers about why our team imploded in the QMJHL semifinals and we have been waiting for someone to 'finally' step up and be accountable for this team. The team held its press conference on Wednesday, unfortunately neither the owner nor coach could attend, thus leaving GM Marcel Patenaude to field all questions. His answers didn't help to clarify who was responsible for the team's situation and ultimate downfall, but it did clarify that this bunch of grown-ups could not control a bunch of kids (even though that is their job). They figure that better utilization of a sports psychologist for future seasons is something the organization should consider.

But here is the kicker for me. I have read quotes from Patenaude in the Metro. When I ask "who was screwed?" I expect a goalie to raise his hand. I shouldn't have expected more from this team; the goaltending situation has been mismanaged for the greater part of a year. Apparently they were going to play P-O (the boy who should have been the starter for the playoffs) for game 4, but owner Bobby Smith made them change their minds. They did not want Yeti to feel like the blame for losing game three was solely on him (we lost 6-1, Yeti had a 0.83 save %). At what point during that 4th game did they decide that loyalty was still more important than winning, was it after Yeti let in one goal at 15 seconds, how about after allowing two goals on 6 shots in 4 minutes, what about 3 goals on 12 shots in 14 minutes. How hard-headed can these coaches, owners and GM be? I thought that once the game started, all decisions were in the hands of coach Russell, so if he originally wanted to run with P-O, why did he leave Yeti in nets? This is especially perplexing considering that P-O looked so slick when he took over between the pipes at the end of game 3.

I am just going to pull a chunk from the Metro and post it here:

**** On the decision to start Pier-Olivier Pelletier in goal in Game 4, before reversing the decision and going back to Mark Yetman.

“That decision was made by Bobby.”

Follow-up: Can you explain that?

“We felt that maybe a goalie change would be the appropriate move and Bobby felt the night before Mike Keenan took off (Miikka) Kiprusoff (in the NHL and in Calgary) and he felt no we’re not going with that. Mark Yetman brought us to the end of the season and he should be the goalie who finishes the season and he should be the goalie that finishes the season.”

Follow-up: “So you and Cam told Pelletier he was in the next day?”

“Yes.”

Follow-up: “And then Bobby stepped in?”

“Yes. When I mentioned it to Bobby, I’ll take part of the blame (for) not informing Bobby of the situation. Pelletier was very upset but we made him understand that maybe we were wrong and that Yetman deserved to play because he brought us there.”

Follow-up: So you and Cam were 100 per cent that Pelletier was going in?

“One hundred per cent. For us, it was more a situation of respect for Pelletier, to give him a chance to finish his career, and it happened, unfortunately, Bobby felt, and I think, he felt that Yetman should finish the season. He started (the playoffs), he was the key guy, and he felt it wasn’t appropriate to take him off and put the blame on him that we lost Game 3.”

Follow-up: How did Pelletier react?

“Pelletier was upset and we talked with him and we discussed it with him.”

So when Patenaude says "Mark Yetman brought us to the end of the season and he should be the goalie who finishes the season", does this mean that it wasn't only the team that quit, but that management also gave up on this team before game 4. Who was to say that game 4 was the end of the series before the game even started? I do not think the problem lies solely with the self motivation of the players when the management clearly has an attitude problem themselves.

Goodbye and Hello Goalie

Fullerton - I currently have my friends dreaming about you. A friend told me this morning that she dreamt she was calling her boyfriend but you answered the phone. She has no idea what you look like. She has never seen you play? Do CG and I discuss hockey so much that it gets into the heads of our other friends? Your season is over, your Q career done -you are now a member of the private domain. If Martin Brodeur is my bottle of wine, and Pelletier is my appletini, then you Sir are my bucket of tequila. I will forever be enthralled by the way you wiggle across the crease. Citizen Fullerton, I must let you go so that you can be a regular boy now.

P-O - You are back on my desktop. It is my only way of spending time with you before your place in my heart, and on my team, gets usurped by another goalie. Ohhhhh why do you have to go? This hurts. Why did I have to give my heart so completely and thoroughly to a goalie I knew would only be here for one season? Why did I give you my heart after one period of play? Oh yeah, that poke check. I am such a sucker for a good poke check. I am not this foolish with my real life romances – but I am so stupid when it comes to my goalie related romances (go-mances). Coo. Are you still sure that I cannot smell your fluffy pre-game hair? I wish I could talk to you just to clear the air on some team related things. However, if I were you I would run far, far away. Halifax was not kind to you…and me, well I am just plain creepy.

Ryan Mior- I am with you and your psychotic eyes all the way baby. Nuts to Gougeon and the smelly old Huskies!

Carey Price/ Martin Biron - Mmmmmmm. Let’s do battles Sirs! After tonight you will have my full attention. Pretty much everybody else will be gone.

Why do I like 20 year old goalies so much? I mean, have you seen Utica Devils aged Martin Brodeur? Even the way he is picking his ear is hot. Why do montages of goalies making save, after save, after save turn me on? Are we sure that repeated pad and toe saves with that little flick, flick, flick of the leg followed by a wiggle across the crease and a flick of the other leg is not a mating dance? Whoever says that it is not is a damn, dirty liar.

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news links:
Mooseheads on the Ropes
It's now or never
Sea Dogs go down in 4 to Huskies


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Jonathan Bernier's AHL post-season is over. The Manchester Monarchs have been swept in the first round by the Providence Bruins.

Sea Dogs vs Huskies: Game 3. Warning – very bad language within.

Sea Dogs
Do we have to talk about this? Do we really? That Sirs was not “playing the trap”! You can’t fool me, I am a NJ Devils fan. Unlike your home town folks I stuck it out. I sat through every last miserable minute of that (while simultaneously watching Washington/Philly). I can’t believe your fans were leaving during the second period. What a bunch of selfish cunts. If I lived in Saint John I would build a little nest amoung the seats in Harbour Station and never leave. I would probably get fat from the food offerings available but maybe I could work it off if you would give me some ice time. I am seriously considering building a little nest at the Metro Centre. I stick around 'till the end, win or lose. I watch the announcement of stars; I clap for the enemy when they are given stars in our barn. I am a good fan. Despite what is happening to you right now, and even though you might not believe it - YOU ARE A GOOD TEAM.

The call back of your second goal was the worst and ended up being a total motivation destroyer for you. The refs just can’t do that. They cannot go back and review a penalty from before the goal occurred. I call bullshit. It is so weird that the same thing happened in Washington except the goal was allowed. Either call the penalty when it happens or let it go. What happened to Washington with the goaltender interference was so much worse than that silly high stick before the goal that was called on your play. Fucking bullshit.

Travis
If it is any consolation, I am an abysmal failure. If I were not, I would be writing my PhD instead of writing this blog. I have forgotten how to write science. Brain freeze happens to the best of us. I hope you have not quit on yourself. Now I actually, really want to hug you in a nurturing way. Allowing 3 goals on 7 shots is hard, and I really feel for you. When I saw the third one slip by you I said “Travis this is not for you, you have to go”. I think you heard me since you just up and skated away from the net. You pulled yourself from the game. You quit. Today is a new day my rough and tumble little goalie. Don’t give up on yourself, you are good enough. I have watched you all year and I believe in you. You brought the team this far. If it were not for you the Sea Dogs would not have been second in the East and definitely would not have made it to the semi-finals of the playoffs. It is a lot of pressure, but right now you have nothing to lose. Forget about the Mayor, forget about the Sea Dogs flag flying over city hall, and forget about the fans. This is just one more hockey game, possibly your last ever QMJHL game. Go out there and play it for you.

P-O
I can’t believe you would take your girlfriend to the Metro Centre. This is where we have our dates. I mean sure I take my boyfriend but he knows about us and he is cool with that. Sir I am offended. Leave now! No wait, stay! No goalie, don’t leave me! No, go! I need my head back and you are a huge distraction! No wait, stay! I want to look at you more. No, go. No, stay. No, wait. I am just going over here to cry.

Boys in the Q- they love you and leave you. I am heartbroken.

If the Moose are going to go down I hope we go down magnificently. I hope you get at least one chance in nets before our playoff run is done and I hope you rock it. I hope you get to continue on in hockey. I hope all the best for you because I have never been more emotionally invested in a little goalie in my whole life.

It smells like the sea today. You are really missing out, the weather here is great. Just thought you might want to know that. Rain was supposed to pour (like my tears) but that is not happening. How is Gatineau? Thundershowers! Overcast, with a 60% POP. That doesn't sound too good for Yeti!

I was happy to see that your girlfriend was not blond. She has perfect porcelain skin and she looks kinda surreal and otherworldly. Somewhat elven like you. Not bad Pier, not bad at all. If you like girls that can sing it is good that you chose her. When I sing, it can only be likened to the sound of clubbing baby seals. Not that I have heard what that sounds like, but I don’t think it would sound pleasant.

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Washington vs Philly:
There are so many turnovers in this series that it is like watching the Mooseheads play the Mooseheads, but with flashier goaltending. I suppose Biron would be Yeti and HueT would be Pelletier.

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News links:

Mooseheads prepare for game 3
Moose staying loose in spite of tough task
Moose will overcome 2-0 deficit
Gatineau stars had the edge

Sea Dogs
Dogs facing elimination

Titan
Taking it to the streets - A Brad Tesink story
Titan handed out Season ending Awards

Happy 20th birthday Bobby Nadeau...here is your public humiliation.

I love how the Q constantly fucks up the details on things.

Lengthy suspensions have been handed out to Remparts players:

• Jonathan Roy gets a 7 game suspension (bring on Audette) for his attack on Bobby Nadeau and for flipping off the Chicoutimi fans.
• Maxime Lacroix gets 3 games for hittin' a bitch while he is down
• Marc-Olivier Vallerand also gets two games for looking innocent but acting like a jerk.

and Sags players:

• Sébastien Rioux is out for 6 games for the ultimate sin - leaving the penalty box and getting back into the fight to attack baby Roy.
• Antoine Roussel gets a one game suspension for instigating
• Charles-Antoine Messier gets two games

and both of the coaches were suspended too. Fines abound.

...but here is the catch - according to the Q website they say

" Quebec Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy is suspended seven games and receives a $500 fine for his assault on the opposing goaltender, Ryan Mior, as well as for the inappropriate gestures which he aimed at the crowd at the Georges-Vézina Centre during last Saturday’s game."

...but baby Roy did not attack Ryan Mior, he went after Bobby Nadeau. HELLO Q, am I the only one with this obsessive knowledge of your goalies...there are not that many to keep track of (not even if you count ALL the goalies for the Titan)...so why can't you keep track of them.

Now this reference to a hit on Mior is more like it, if you had actually identified it as being a hit on Mior:

"Shawinigan Cataractes winger Tommy Tremblay is hit with a six-game suspension for a bodycheck he administered to the opposing goaltender during last Saturday night’s game. "

While both Ryan and Bobby are 20, both are good little goalies, and both are reasonably attractive - they are not the same man. Dear Q - please remember that this is Ryan Mior and this is Bobby Nadeau. If it helps - Ryan is the heavier one with the funny Newf accent and with the little squirrel friend who plays for Gatineau, and Bobby is the French one in Chicoutimi. Is it clear yet?

But don't worry, that beatdown was just baby Roy's way of saying happy 20th birthday Bobby Nadeau. Yeah, Bobby turned 20 just this past Sunday. Why do birthdays always suck like that - "I turned 20 and for my birthday I get to sit idly by as the whole world watches me get beaten up by Patrick Roy's kid." Poor Bobby Nadeau.

I will kiss you better Mr. Nadeau. If you get traded to Halifax next year as a 20 year old I can give you those kisses and we can totally make you suck your way to oblivion. Do you want to end your Jr career on a low note - then come to Halifax - WE BREAK GOALIES.

Some other things to point out:
Olivier Roy (the good goalie with the surname of Roy who plays for the Eagles) had his very first playoff shutout this past weekend when the Eagles faced the Lewiston MAINEiacs. In all the fuss about the MAINEiacs losing 2 of 2, getting shut out, and Jonathan Bernier getting no assistance from his boys while simultaneously being stymied by his own evil moustache - I forgot about the Super Boy doing all that shutting out. This is Olivier's 5th shutout this season. He ended the season with a 2.87 GAA, the 7th best in the league, which is totally awesome for a rookie. Olivier has also just won the Raymond-Lagacé Trophy as the League’s top defensive rookie.


Saint John vs PEI - Game 1:
You are next Fully...I have so much to say about your first playoff game because you were rusty as hell in the first and second. I think I saw only one fancy save, and that was in the third - thank the Hockey Gods that you were able to pull up your socks if for no other reason than for 'looking smooth' and impressing me. They totally should have played you in the game against Halifax to prevent rust. Now scuddle over here in that cute little way that you scuddle across the crease...we have to talk. Why did Robert Mayer dye his hair back to blond leaving you and Passingham to look like the only freaks on your team with black hair? Will Passy fold too? It is time to disown Mayer from your goalie friend circle? What a traitor!!! Moose have black hair - you can join our team. However be forewarned - you might lose your power and start to suck...it always helps your confidence when we boo you as the people of Halifax often do. Junior goalies shouldn't let in soft goals, it's not like this is a development league or anything. Do you want a healthy dose of Booooooooo?

What, they don't booo you in Saint John? They treat you well even when you play poorly? They say thank you Fully, they say thank you for trying? They even thank Mayer when he loses...they thank him for trying? Passy too? Wow, Saint John are so sweet.

I will see you tonight . rowwwwrrr.

Oh and while you are in PEI tell 'big pimpin' Lafleur that he looked pretty good in the first, sharp even despite the two goals. He actually looked better than you....and did I see a little touch of goalie rage, an unpenalized slash on one of your Dogs. Ohhh Lafleur is scrappy. Then kick him for me since he is the one who ran Ryan Mior out of town.

Pier-Olivier Pelletier:
I actually wish I had something to say to you, but I have nothing because you are not playing...you are just sitting on the bench looking pretty. Sometimes I look at you on the bench and I sigh because you are pretty, but I would really prefer that you had your little mask on and that you were standing in some blue paint. Sigh.

Today my girl C.G. said that you were not the prettiest thing on the earth and that I should get over it - so I had to think about that one for a second. I thought of my boyfriend, and my ex-boyfriends; I thought of some actors, some singers, some other boys I have met in my life, and then I thought of some hockey players: Vermette, Fisher, Theodore, Brodeur, Pretty Ricky, Price, Latendresse. hmmmmm. My conclusion: yep, you are indeed the prettiest boy I have ever laid my eyes on in my whole life. Sigh. How can you live with such immense levels of pretty? Now how is that for a confidence booster!!! Thank you for letting me know you exist and for making the world a prettier place. Sigh.

Slow on Props

The QMJHL has announced its players of the month.
I will give you three pictures and you can guess which one is offensive, defensive and rookie player of the month. It feels so good to have an excuse to post pictures of goalies.

It is just over two hours until the game and I am not feeling so good.

There are a number of new news stories posted for the Sea Dogs, the Titan, and the Eagles.

Sea Dogs:

• The boys have purchased fancy new suits to match their fancy new hair. Be prepared for a good laugh.
• But should they be worried about their lack of playoff experience?....and will they be spurned on by their overtime loss to PEI at their last meeting?
• My dear God the people of Saint John are pumped for a playoff run, could they have more news about their team in the paper?

Titan:
All Perreault wants is Presidents cup championship ring to call his own.

Eagles:
...and then there is Eagles news. Will my family at home be catching an exciting game tonight? Hell yes. Then my mom will approach Jon and ask him why he has not married me yet? Mind your own damn business mom. Jon will then tell her I am a whore and I get it on with all the goalies. He would be right. This is why he almost fought with Fullerton back on Feb 1st. If I won the game worn Fullerton jersey I would be at home right now examining it for tiny residual moustache hairs.

______________________________________
Just a little note - one small thing I noticed. When P-O was playing here in October, his ring was on his left hand, then by the Devils game (Dec 16th) it was on his right hand. It was still on his right hand during the Titan game on Feb 9th (the nasty, nasty game with the goalie go-round) but by the Lewiston game (March 12) there was no ring. So which one is the marriage ring finger (I am not a normal girl I do not know this)? I am just saying, but he is only 20 - so I hope not, and yet if this was the case I would say - what kind of damn fool is this boy - he is only 20. Speculation about the personal lives of strangers is nothing but crazy-person fun.

Plus if he was supposed to marry anybody it was supposed to be Q-girl. I promised him my love with a gift of POP-Rocks. POP-Rocks are forever. I would marry P-O but fuck around with Fully and Price, and continue to receive gifts from and date Jon, all the while obsessively calling and stalking Martys #1, #2 and #3.

I have a sneaking suspicion that "Hal/Mac" never gave the lovely-beautiful Mr. Pier-Olivier Pelletier his POP-Rocks and that "Hal/Mac" probably ate those POP-Rocks himself. When I see his roomate's girlfriend and Ben MacAskill lover, the lovely Ms. A.N. who is standing me up for Saturday's game (and now I am stuck with an extra $16.00 ticket that is going to go to waste) - I will tell her to punch "Hal/Mac" in the face, and then punch herself in the face for standing me up and making me waste $16.00.

Little things

Apparently the Moose got their playoff hair 'did' today. Mohawks again?

I think the Sea Dogs got their dos too...and they went blond. I told them not to go blond. Boys never listen to me. There is a Canada AM video which was filmed this morning, in which enforcer Brett Gallant appears with the Sea Dog's #1 fan Kathryn. Brett had blond hair.

David Connell has posted new pics from the Saint John vs PEI and Moncton games and so I finally got a good look at Fully's new helmet. Why the new non-Sea Dog themed helmet? Does Fully have secret post playoff plans that we all don't know about? Also, why get a new helmet now, 3 games prior to the end of the season and with only the playoffs remaining in his QMJHL career. Fully is definitely hiding something from me. The helmet has the Fullerton family crest on the front. It turns out that the name Fullerton is Scottish, not Irish as I had originally thought (it also explains the man in the kilt on the side of the helmet). The weird thing about the family crest is that it actually looks like it has three angry seal heads on it (what the hell are those things) which would make it perfectly appropriate for a Sea Dog.

This is why I love Fully. My love for him grew out of this kind of save, and really has nothing to do with how very fucking sexy-dirty he looks, or the fact that Scotsmen...


Awards night:
PEI Rocket had their awards night. Player of the year went to netminder M-A Gelinas.

Moncton also had their awards night last night

The Eagles had their awards ceremony 1000 years ago (aka March 11), but I am posting this now due to its association with all other Awards nights.

Sea Dogs have their Awards night tonight. ohhh the suspense.


Q-girl has problems:
It has only been 2.5 days since my last game and I am having the DTs. I don't know how I will survive the summer. I also said this last summer, yet somehow I survived. I told myself I was not going to do this to myself this year. I skipped pre-season games and the home opener. Then I saw the engineering students heading to game 2 and I started jonesing for hockey. I cracked like all addicts do and went to that game, better late than never. I have not turned back.

I will miss P-O. He had me totally wrapped around his blocker from the very first time I saw him play. I am very loyal to my netminders, so if you got me...you really got me. I am like a motherfucking leech. I hate that he is not our number one going into the playoffs. I think he fucked up just to hurt me. Either that or we broke him during the Lewiston game (Feb 6) and nobody noticed but me (you have to look in the eyes - he looked miserable by the end of that game).

Oh well, he got a pretty picture of himself in his Mooseheads gear that his parents can put up in the den (his hair is so fluffy here and he looks kind of evil-dangerous-sexy, which is not his usual look). This year with the Moose was just not the best way to round out a very promising hockey career. I want to speak with him, ask what went wrong, and let him spill his guts to me while I feed him freshly baked cookies. Smart hos before selfish bros and all that - however, maybe there is no story to tell. Or maybe, I don't really want to ever meet him because in real life he is really a total ass and not as sweet and misunderstood as I imagine. I often give boys more credit than they deserve. He is, after all, a boy jock, while I am like Tina Fey if she was younger and a scientist...and never the two shall cross paths for fear of apocalyptic levels of awkwardness.

Now he can run back to St. Louis-Du-Ha!-Ha! and be a volunteer firefighter or an accountant (or both) and waste his life; maybe knock up some dumb blond and have 2 babies by the time he is 23. Not that I want this for him, I really wish him much more success in his hockey future, if he actually has a future in hockey. I want him to be able to share the 'tall glass of French prettiness' that is Pier-Olivier Pelletier with the world. I also hope he has the common sense to refrain from making babies until he is at least 28, but he is a hockey player and I find that many of them make foolish decisions, like getting married and having babies before they are 22. Married at 22, divorced dad by 30 - who would want you now? Oh wait, are we talking about Brodeur now? I would love to... but the 4 kids thing really kills the romance.
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NHL News:
Poor Vesku. Now that I see that, I think nobody has the right to bitch about what P-O does or doesn't do ever again. I will be a little puck Vesa can carry around in his man-purse for good luck. At least the leafs won. No wait: is that good or bad? ...and Colaiacovo got hurt AGAIN. He is more delicate than me - and I can hurt myself eating bread.

I don't hate the leafs. I am just bitter because of the years of love I gave to them and yet got nothing in return. As a fan I know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. I dumped the leafs a few years ago because they could not give me what I really wanted in a hockey team. Loyalty to a team is a foolish concept, especially when the team changes so much over the run of 10 years. I already know that the NJ Devils may not be my boys within 5 years of Marty's departure. I hate Oilers fans who are still holding on to the glory days of Gretzky. Those days are long gone boys, pack up and move on. I don't let oilers fans pet my dog.

Captain Rick Nash is adorable.

Somebody or something broke Rick DiPietro. Stupid all-stars game.

Sober Monday updates

'Tis Monday and 'tis St. Patrick's day, and I am a sober Irish Cape Bretoner who is refraining from using bad curse words, and trying not to objectify boys. You will not find a single double-entendre in my blog today. OK, well maybe just a couple, but they were not on purpose. I went back and read my post and thought, well that could be interpreted as dirty. I refuse to change how I write - you are the one with the dirty mind.

The Q has once again announced its players of the week:

Offensive Player of the week:
Patrick Bernier - Shawinigan Cataractes

How appropriate that we give props to a boy named Patrick on St. Patrick's day. Every time I turn around lately there is a boy named Bernier in my face (Yes, he is the younger brother of Steve Bernier of Sharks/ Buffalo fame). In two games against Val d'Or and Drummondville (what a challenging week for the Cataractes) Bernier registered 2 goals and four assists and had a +5 rating. Good for him.

Also rans:

Mathieu Perreault - Acadie-Bathurst
Michael Dubuc - Rouyn-Noranda
Stefano Giliati - Lewiston

Defensive Player of the week:
Alex Grant - Saint John Sea Dogs
Congratulations to this NS boy and Captain of the Sea Dogs.

Dear Alex, As the captain, if I give you orders will you have to demand the appropriate action by your underlings? Your goalies?

Alex came to town and told his Dogs to spank our asses. Spankings accomplished. The Dogs had three games this week: PEI, Moncton and Halifax with two wins and an overtime loss. During this span Captain Alex (argggg Matey) had a +6 rating. I tried to find Grant in my latest set of pics and it appears as if all my pics are Mayer, fuzzy Fully, Charland (Why do I like # 22's so much - what? Don't look at me like that. I like him for his brains), Sauvé and Després. I do, however, have a clear picture of Captain Alex's backside.

I have an overwhelming urge to force feed cookies to Keven Guérette-Charland. He is adorable. I will sit him down with Simon Després and give them both cookies and milk. I mean look at Simon - adorable, or at least as adorable as a 6'3, 210lb, 16 year old boy can be. Give this boy cookies now. If you do not feel the same way then there is something wrong with you.

Also rans:
Nicolas Champion - Acadie Bathurst Titan
Maxime Renaud - Acadie Bathurst Titan
Bobby Nadeau - Chicoutimi Sagueneens

In the Sportsnet hot or not list:

Michael Frolik of the Rimouski Oceanic was named the cold player of the week. Did you know Frolik is the name of a brand of German dog food - well it is. Since I have been told this, every time I hear his name I think of dogs. The Moncton Wildcats were named the cold team - how many losses was it going to take for Sportsnet to figure that out.

The Hot player of the week is perpetual pain in our side Jordan Clendenning of the Screaming Eagles, like, when is Clandenning not hot. He is the Mooseheads public enemy #1... and of course the hot team is the very team which ditched their captain Clendenning in October, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Sportsnet are slow on the draw with this one too. The Titan have been hot as hell (unlike Bathurst itself) for about 2 months.

Facts Facts Facts:

Playoff pairings:

Halifax vs Victoriaville
Saint John vs PEI
Acadie Bathurst vs St. John's
Cape Breton vs Lewiston

Rouyn-Noranda vs Val d'Or
Baie Comeau vs Rimouski
Gatineau vs Shawinigan
Quebec vs Chicoutimi

It turns out that flea ridden huskies of Rouyn-Noranda are the first place team in the Q this year with 97 points and a 0.671 win %

Points race final five:

Mathieu Perreault - Bat - 65 GP- 114
Squirrels Giroux - Gat - 55 GP - 106
Francis Pare - Chi - 69 - GP - 102
Jakub Voracek - Hal - 53 GP -101
Dean Ouellet - Cap - 70 GP - 97

Goalies top 5 (GAA):

Bobby Nadeau - Chi - 2.63
Jonathan Bernier - Lew - 2.73
Ryan Mior - Gat - 2.77
Marco Cousineau - Bac - 2.81
Peter Delmas - Lew - 2.84

mmmm a Carey Price interview is on TV right now.

Goalies top 6 (save%):

Timo Pielmeier - St. John's - 0.911
Kevin Desfosses - Que - 0.910
Nicola Riopel - Mon - 0.910
Raffaele D'Orso - VdO - 0.908
Jonathan Bernier - Lew - 0.908
Travis Fullerton -Saint John - 0.905

Jonathan Bernier (Yes, he is the younger brother of Vancouver draft pick Marc-André Bernier) makes both lists. My Mom is so right about Jon. But I still want to take Fullerton home so my mother can look at him once and say "no, I don't like that boy at all". Then I'll sneak him back into my room just to spite her. Notice how I made this list 6 goalies long just so I could fit Fully in there. He is so wonderfully dirty looking. He is the polar opposite of Jon - and to think he used to be Jon's back-up in Lewy. There are 3 days left before the close of the Sea Dogs Jersey auction. The things I could do with a game-worn Fullerton jersey. Oh goalie jersey covered in 10-15 lbs of Fullerton sweat and old water that dribbled out of Travis's mouth and ran down his face. I bet it smells disgusting - how very sick of me to want it. If I win it can I get Fully to deliver it? I will pay for his travel expenses. Can we make him wear it so that I can then peel it off of him? Does he go to bed at night crying because he does not want to be thought of as just another piece of meat?

I am still disappointed that I have been stood up. Oh how I could have used a good Fullying. Honestly, I have been dying to see him play again. I thought about it everyday. I have two thoughts in my brain at any given moment, and two thoughts alone: 1) Fullerton, 2) Pelletier. When I was not thinking about if I will ever see P-O play again, I was thinking about Fully coming to town.

He was wearing a new helmet in warm ups, but I did not get a good picture. This is his third helmet this year. He never wears his 'new' helmet from earlier this season, the one that is styled so that the NB flag is superimposed over his name.

Then we have Nicola...Nicola is on a bad team but has such a good save % - I need to give Nicola more theoretical kisses than I do because to play for a team that is eliminated from the playoffs but still be in the top 5 in save % is pretty damn amazing.

Halifax vs Saint John:

I talked to the Sauve ladies (three ladies in Sauve Jerseys)…they were fun…but what is the point of being at the game and not watching the game. Get thee to thine seats Sauve ladies.

People had best stop hurting my puppy. This is two games in a week where puppy has been hit and required a trainer to come onto the ice and tend to him. Puppy has the weirdest eyes in the whole of the QMJHL. His weird eyes fascinate me.

We are so proud - he has won the Mooseheads best Sportsmanship award. Good puppy. I have given my puppy the name “Spanish inquisition”. Do you like your new name puppy? We will have to get you some jerseys with your new name on the back for the playoffs. I do however suspect that other teams are beginning to 'expect you', what with the number of hits you have been taking lately.

Now that I have sobered up I wish I had been paying more attention to the game. Specific details are blurry. Poor P-O has the shittiest luck. I think half the goals against him this year have been bounces off of our defenseman's skates. I was thinking this after that nasty game in Lewiston where we lost 6-1. I was thinking, are other teams actually looking to deflect pucks off of our defenseman's skates. It is still happening. The other teams are starting to look very smart. I loved loved loved P-O's diving save on DiDo's shot. I knew there was a reason why he is my number one netminder. Stupid Sparling and his 5 on 3 goal. If I go home to Sydney this summer I will hunt him down and slap him for P-O.

Our PP was excellent. I know the dogs do not have the best PK, but they have been steadily improving their PK over the past couple of weeks. Our PP however feels weak as hell, so to get three goals on 6 PPs is pretty darn good for us. Is the moral to keep Voracek off the point or to leave Voracek, Bods and Marchand off of the PP altogether, and keep Bods on for the PK only. Stars shmars. However, we still managed to give up a short handed goal on the PP. Why do we keep doing that? Defense people - defense is always important. Help a goalie out once in a while. Your job is not just to stand in front of the net and act like a deflecting post for goals to go into our net. May I point out that the Dogs were also 50% on their PP. At least we only gave them four power-play opportunities. It is so hard for a girl who loves effective, stay-at-home defensemen, and loves the NJ Devils to also love the Mooseheads. You kill me sometimes Moose, you really do.

I hate the local media coverage of the game here, and here. It comes across as if winning that final game did not really matter. Don't you want to be the best team possible, the team that takes the east championship by 4 points, and not the team that takes the championship by default. DEFAULT. We are the default team - and the attitude portrayed by the media is that the team and organization thinks this is perfectly acceptable. We strive for nothing. We accept wins to lesser teams that we barely earn, we readily accept losses on games we should have won. Good for the Moose - kings by default. Some things about this organization are so frustrating that it is unbelievable. The powerhouse 'money' team that was built to win is tied for first in the East with the worst team in the division two years running; the little up-start team (full of 16 and 17 year olds) with all the heart that wasn't supposed to be this good. It is hard to not love the Sea Dogs. It is also hard to not love the Eagles. It is very easy to hate the Mooseheads. We are the most reviled team in the East. Do we ever wonder why?

I hate to have ended this on a negative note, but I needed to get that off of my chest. The attitude of the team as its portrayed by the media is bad. The attitude of the media is bad....and if I am any indication of what a Moose-fan is, then the attitude of a Moose-fan is bad....and I am one of the more positive fans from what I can tell. However, I think so many things I do not dare say. I still love my goalies, my Steve Lund, my Whitey and a multitude of assorted unnamed players though.

See all y'all Friday.

Kisses
Q-girl

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QMJHL Smarty pants award: An interview with Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll of the Shawinigan Cataractes

Q playoff schedule revealed