12/15/09 - Tampa Bay at Nashville: W 4-7

While we might have taken 20 minutes to really get warmed up, we more than made up for it with the next 20 minutes. OH. MY. WORD.

For tonight's recap, I'm reverting back to last season's format for once because I had so many random things to say during the game. Looking back on what I jotted down, there was only one way to present it to all of you.

So, here, for old time's sake are my Observations:

Best quote ever, as relayed to me by a friend upon seeing that there is, in fact, absolutely NO WAY Martin St. Louis is 5'9': "Aw, I did not know that St. Louis was the Blueliner of the Game."

Tampa Bay has a million and one unpronounceable player last names. Except for my new favorite last name: Smaby; as in, smaby I will, smaby I won't. Seriously, this joke never got old as the night wore on. And don't think I won't use it again at some point.

The Jerred Smithson cross checking call really should have been a coincidental based on the fact Ryan Malone cross checked him into the ice first.

It's about time we get scoring from every line. This is awesome.

Why did Pekka Rinne use a TV timeout in the second period to scratch his junk? Did he honestly think no one would see that? Just wondering.... Oh, the things you see sitting right behind the goalie.

I absolutely love goals scored that are so soon after the last goal was announced that Paul McCann doesn't even get all the words out before the horn goes off again. No matter if it happens at home or on the road, those are my favorite.

I can't believe it's taken so long to say this but: Shea FREAKING Weber. If there's ever a fight I enjoy watching, it's a Shea Weber fight. The boy is quiet scary, which is pretty much the worst kind. I don't want to meet him in a dark alley, like, ever.

Speaking of fights, Kevin Klein owned the second fight of the night. Stephane Veilleux didn't even stand a chance.

Tonight's band, The Boomers, ultimately consisted of a father and his two buddies, with his teenage son thrown in because they needed a keyboard player. I'm not kidding when I say the kid was studying for his exams during the game. **Slight correction: The Boomers are a family band as I thought (though I failed to mention the mom as well) BUT the kid on the keyboards wasn't thrown in last minute for good measure. He's been with the band since its inception. Which, when you think about it, is pretty cool. I don't know how many 16 year old boys actually enjoy hanging out with their dads and his friends. My apologies to Jessica for the slight error.** And oddly enough, the band isn't nearly as loud as one would assume if you're sitting right next to the bandstage.

If you ask me, Movember was not, in of itself, sexy. BUT I do enjoy a good Justin Timberlake "Sexyback" reference and the in-game Movember video, spotlighting the various mustachioed players was pretty great.

Holy FREAKING crap. That Smithson-Malone fight was sad. I don't even care that Smithson got two for roughing. Jerred was all about playing dirty and I loved it. Ryan Malone seemed to have it out for Smithson all night after that cross check in the first period that SHOULD have been called but wasn't.

Ladies and gentlemen, the snare drum Gnash hits during games is deceptively loud when used right next to your eardrum. Trust me, I know.

Okay, I am so over Ryan Malone. I am glad we don't play Tampa Bay more than once a season.

Martin Erat is on a tear. And I lurvvvve it. I hope he starts to get some recognition for stepping up his game because it would be well deserved at this point.


This game had it all. Scoring from every line, three fights, goals galore. etc. Last night's game against Columbus (though I did not see it) and tonight's victory should give the team a good boost of confidence before heading out on their Canadian road trip. This is also exactly the kind of a game that needed to be played in front of a home crowd, with football season drawing to a close. Even though the game is won through dedication and tenacity on the ice, there is something to be said for good crowd support.

I'm going to enjoy watching them on the road over the next week but I'm already looking forward to heading back down to the arena on December 26th.

It's games like tonight that make me fall in love with hockey all over again.