True Grit

The Stars-Ducks game last night was the only game in the league, and it was seriously entertaining. When NHL Network analyst, Jamie McLennan, said that the Stars and Ducks “don’t have much of a history,” and I was like

 

The Ducks are the closest thing we have to a rivalry, so I don’t know what McLennan was getting at with that statement. Stars-Ducks games almost always bring hostility, and last night’s matchup was no different.

The first period was particularly gritty. We saw:

• Brad Staubitz being a dick on two separate occasions, both of which led to Stars goals. That spear, though, was an especially dickish thing to do. Since it happened early enough in the game, it was basically a one-game suspension, so he got what he deserved.
• Corey Perry and Stephane Robidas jawing at each other and ultimately fighting. I didn’t realize it at the time, but their scuffle stemmed from Robi knocking Perry into the boards and injuring him last season. And Perry is also a douche, so I’m sure that had something to do with it as well.
• Sheldon Souray and Jamie Benn going at it. Souray seemed angry during the game, leading me to believe that he harbors some extreme resentment toward the Stars for not re-signing him. Anaheim is doing so well that he really shouldn’t be that angry, but I could feel the resentment from him.

Overall, this was a huge win for the Stars. Finally, they’ve beaten a real opponent. This wasn’t a hapless Avs team; nope, it was the Pacific division leaders. They played a great game last night, and it’s starting to seem like Glen Gulutzan actually knows what he’s doing.

Just some other game notes:

• Jamie Benn’s goal was sick. His shot is severely underrated by the rest of the league, even though he showed it off at the All-Star Game a year ago. It’s like the Loui Eriksson of shots.
• Loui Eriksson looked so relieved when he scored that goal (a sick one at that). He’s seemed off at times, and I know he knows it. Scoring that goal should give him a good boost of confidence.
• Kari Lehtonen continues to be stellar. God, where would we be without him?
• Trevor freakin’ Daley. Ugh, he had SUCH a good game. He scored the opening goal, he made key defensive plays (ex. the amazing play on Palmieri), and he was just overall amazing.

My Three Stars of the Game:

1. Trevor Daley
2. Jamie Benn
3. Brad Staubitz

 

 

 

Lovin’ Some Loui

Great article on NHL.com about Loui Eriksson today.  What’s so great about it is the fact that I learned more about Loui’s as a person and his background.  I mean, he’s always so quiet, and we just don’t learn much about him.

Until now.

Loui’s dad’s name is Bo, and Papa Eriksson taught Loui some great lessons:

“My dad always told me you start with small goals and then listen to other people who know more about the game than you do, work as hard as you can at the things that will make you a complete player and then have confidence that your drive will take you to your dreams,” the 24-year-old winger from Goteborg, Sweden said. “Yeah, I was real skinny, but I was confident I had the skills to some day play in the NHL.”

And did I sense some snark in there?  Ow, ow, Loui, you studmuffin.

Here’s the sweetest quote that came out of it:

“This year, I came into camp with more confidence after last season. But then, I’ve got more responsibility, too. Her name is Elle. My wife, Micaela, gave birth to our first child just before training camp. Now, I’m not only working for my wife and myself, but Elle as well.”

Awwwwwwwwww!  And I absolutely LOVE the name, Elle.   Elle Eriksson is one of the sweetest names I’ve ever heard. 

I hearted Loui before, and now I heart him even more.  He is our Swedish stud.  God, I love him!

You can read the full article here.

Loui Will Be a Star For 6 More Years…At Least

I’m just gonna take this moment to let out a huge Woo-Hoo! that Loui’s re-signed for six years.

All together now: WOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Ahem, all better now. 🙂  Anyhoo, Loui’s contract is six years and $25.5 million, which is $4.25 a year.  Not bad, GM Joe!

The news about Loui made this day a good one since I just about cried when I found out Chicago didn’t get the Olympics. 😦  I’m over that now, obviously.

Maybe this’ll give Loui extra motivation, and he’ll do extra well this year. 😀

Loui Eriksson rocks. 😉

2009-2010 Soundtrack to the Stars

I thought it would be fun to compile a list of songs for the new season since it’s just days away.  So without further ado, here’s my idea of the 09-10 Stars Soundtrack.  (Feel free to tell me any that I might have forgotten down in the comments.)

1. “Believe”- The Bravery; There’s gotta be something about this song since we did shockingly well in the 2008 playoffs with this as the theme song.

2.”Back in Black”- AC/DC; The Stars have black jerseys, and they’re back…so I really hope you understand why this song is on here. 😛

3. “Redemption Song”- Bob Marley;  If any team needs serious redemption, it’s the Stars.

4. “Rock n Roll Part 2”- Gary Glitter;  Well it’s the goal song, so it’s gotta be on here, right?

5. “Nothing Else Matters”- Metallica; It was this slogan that was used in’99 when they won their first (and so far, only) Stanley Cup.

6. “Gives You Hell”- All-American Rejects; This one’s for you, Sean Avery.

7. “Nobody’s Perfect”- Hannah Montana; Remember Stars, “Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days.”  Because sometimes, everyone needs a confidence boost in the form of Hannah Montana. 🙂

8. “Viva la Vida”- Coldplay; No one really knows what the heck this song’s really about, but it reminds me of the Stars.

9. “Know Your Enemy”- Green Day; It’s very hockey, don’t you think?

10. “Lost?”- Coldplay; To sum it up, the story of the entire 08-09 season.

11. “Stand”- Rascal Flatts; Every playlist needs a little country, and this is an  inspirational song that fits the bill.

12. “Louie, Louie”- The Kingsmen; Loui Eriksson’s theme song.

13 “Change”- Taylor Swift; Once again, a very inspirational song.  They used it in the Olympics, so why shouldn’t we use it here?

14. “Dallas Stars Fight Song”- Pantera; It’s our special song. 🙂

15. “We Will Rock You”- Queen; Finally, to wrap up the soundtrack, I’ve chosen the song that’s a staple in every sport.

Go Stars!

Here's some happy B-Rad. 🙂