Disgruntled Sports Musings

Things I don't like that I've noticed during the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs:
1. That Habs fans feel the need to boo the opposing side's best players. Happened to Ovechkin in the first round and now it's happening to Sidney Crosby and (to a lesser degree) Evgeni Malkin. I'm all for chirping opposing players but every time Crosby or Ovechkin touched the puck in le centre bell it was accompanied by a large chorus of boos. What makes this booing so pathetic is that it's happening not because Crosby has been a particular thorn in the Habs side (because he really hasn't) or because he hassled them to the press (god forbid) or because he made a dirty hit that took one of the Habs players out but just because he's Sidney Crosby. What's even worse is that one can be sure that every single one of those booing assholes were cheering and weeping like little girls when Crosby scored that OT goal on February 28th, 2010 in Vancouver. Lame sauce.

2. You know what else is lame sauce, the fact that Habs fans sing that Olé Olé Olé song at all points in a game. We hear it when: the Habs are down but just scored a goal, when the game is tied and then if the Habs are winning. The ONLY appropriate time to hear that song is when a team is running away with the lead or at the end of a match when your team is winning.

3. NHL conspiracy theories. Detroit lost because they were outplayed and out of gas. They took stupid penalties and although there were plenty of phantom and missed calls every team is a victim of these things. Trust me, I'm a Vancouver fan, we love to make up bullshit conspiracy theories as an excuse for our team's poor play.

4. Inconsistent officiating. Referees are human and so, much to the chagrin of fans everywhere, they make mistakes. What I don't understand is when you call a penalty, say slashing (especially the much-used slashing the hands), and then 10 minutes later it happens, in front of you and you don't call it. Or, when a blatant infraction happens 3 feet away from the referee but because they missed a call on the opposing team earlier in the game it goes uncalled. Also, when a play is an infraction for a notorious player, like Burrows or Byfuglien, but not for players of good reputation, like Toews or Bergeron.

5. Towel Power in cities other than Vancouver. Find another way to get your fans engaged and Get off our jock. (note: If your city participates in this but the towels aren't white then I guess you're off the hook).

6. That the Chicago Blackhawks arrived in Vancouver for Game 6 with their bags already packed for San Jose. Hawks fans will call it practical planning and to be sure it is but for a team that claims not to be looking ahead and to be taking things one-game-at-a-time as Captain Jonathan Toews has asserted many times in this and the Nashville series this move reeks of arrogance. This makes the possibility of extending the series to it's maximum all the more sweet for the Canucks and their fans.

7. Press scrums with players. Conferences with NHL coaches can usually produce some smirk-inducing quotes and occasional glimmers of insight but interviews with players are about as mundane and cliché-filled as they come. That's maybe why I like Cabbie on the Street-his interviews are usually a little more revealing and the players seem a lot more relaxed and willing to show some personality.

photo via emptynetters.

Clean and Clear

Stylehog.com's Best Cleansers

The Ball of Boring

Gisele (in Alexander Wang) & Tom are here simply because they're so hot

MIA in Alexander Wang (for the GAP but really this isn't going to be in any GAP stores)

The Met Gala was last night and for a crowd that was filled with fashion's biggest names (and many of Hollywood's as well) the outfits were Yawn-inducing. Sure, there were plenty of very pretty red carpet worthy picks but they all seemed tired and done before. Anne Hathaway in a glittery, nude ballgown that I could have sworn I'd seen her in 100 times before, Gwen Stefani in a gauzy white backless column dress with black bustier peeking through that was feminine but with the right amount of rocker "edgy" and Melissa George in a ruffled mustard dress that hinted at the glamour Diane Kruger and Michelle Williams displayed in dresses of that same hue at the Golden Globes this year and Oscars years ago. Even perennial favourtes failed to inspire Kruger, with her freshly signed Calvin Klein contract, was in a conservative, body-hugging all-white Costa creation and Marion Cotillard in bejeweled, old-Hollywood Dior both brought their regular brand of sophisticated fashion but no risks were taken and thus no rewards to be had.

If there were ever a time to go out on a limb and wear something that might never be able to be worn out in public on any other occasion save for potentially losing one's mind (but in a good way) this is it! Where was the texture, the trends, the interest?! Gisele had all this but I wasn't crazy about the look still (but she and Tom are at the top simply because I love them so much). Some wore couture but not enough...or maybe it's just that couture wasn't as outlandish this year? Some took it to the extreme-I'm looking at you Rosario Dawson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who looked like a massacre in purple ruffle gone wrong and a black tie-dyed denim trash bag respectively. Many tried too hard: Kristen Stewart looking monstrous and upset in what I think was Chanel, Blake Lively's skin looking like an oompa-loompa, January Jones-there are no words and Emmy Rossum's desperate look-at-me eyes but most just seemed like they weren't trying at all. It was like the majority of the crowd got dressed on automatic while in the dark and the results were boring. boring. BORING.

So, here's who didn't bore me to near tears or make me want to scratch my eyes out:

Tom Ford in what I can only assume is Tom Ford (love the blush dinner jacket)

Jamie Bochert in Rodarte (scary looking face-lovely dress)

Hilary Rhoda in Prabal Gurung

Amber Valleta in RM by Roland Mouret (conservative choice but it's so lovely I forgive the lack of interest)

Karolina Kurkova in Altuzarra

Naomi Watts in Lanvin

Coco Rocha in Zac Posen

Chloe Sevigny in Proenza Schouler

Thanks Fashionology for the pics

Cinderella & Sidney

After last night's 2-1 victory, the Habs pulled off what everyone thought would be impossible and eliminated many people's Stanley Cup favorite's, Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals. Next, they take on Ovechkin's rival Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Can Halak frustrate Crosby, Malkin, Staal, et al? Crosby and Halak (the Hab's stellar goaltender and biggest reason why they are in this position) are hands down the current Conn Smythe favorites. Round 2 of the NHL playoffs starts tonight in San Jose, so, let's see break it down:

The West:
San Jose v Detroit: Thanks to some bad bounces and some great goaltending from Craig Anderson the Sharks barely got past the upstart Colorado Avalanche. They're in tough with a team that has been red hot since the Olympic break. The Wings had a hard fought series against the Coyotes and as most expected they prevailed. Unfortunately for the Sharks and whoever makes it through to the conference finals the Wings are going to win this one too (in 6 or 7). The Wings might be a little tired and sore from playing a series that took them to the limit -with an average age of 31.8 these men aren't exactly spring chicken's anymore and they've played into June for 2 straight years- but they are just too resilient and have a bounty of experience all of which they can draw on to win. The Sharks, well, they're the Sharks. To even consider getting past Detroit the Sharks need Thorton to show up and Nabokov's going to have to best Howard. On a side note this series will start tonight and then resume on Sunday because the Eagles are playing in SJ.

Chicago v Vancouver: Oh good god. Why did this match-up have to happen in the 2nd round, again?! I wanted this to be the conference final, but I guess better early than never, right? As a person who picked the Hawks to win the cup but who is also a lifelong Canucks fan (yes, we have a bad rep but not all of us are riot-happy douche bags-tyvm) I'm sort of inbetween a rock and a hard place here-it's what I imagine it's like when choosing between one's own children. I'll try to be as objective as possible.
After looking more than a little shaky at times against Nashville the Hawks finally committed to their changed game plan and disposed of their worthy opponents. Neimi had two shutouts in the series. In these games he faced 23 and 33 shots respectively and has a better saver percentage and goals against than Luongo but Lu made the key saves when he needed too and usually in highlight reel fashion (except in game 3) , so, I'm going to say that in goal the teams are even. Mr Mullet, Patrick Kane played very well throughout the series and after a slow start Hossa and Toews picked it up. Campbell's back and Byfuglien will be up front crashing into Luongo. The Hawks took a lot more penalties in this series than they normally do-I expect this trend to continue in Vancouver as there is a lot more animosity between these two teams. I think Game 6 a year ago will be a big motivating factor for the Canucks and especially Luongo. He's starting to get his confidence back and I expect him to be a lot stronger in this series than against LA-same thing for the PK. Seabrook and Keith will be playing against the twins and Samuelsson this will definitely slow the line down but it won't stop them. This means that Kesler, Burrows and Raymond have got to step it up. Steve Bernier and Alex Edler had a great series against LA-they'll need to continue they're fine play. These teams are very evenly matched. The difference right now is really in special teams (Hawks PK is 3rd, Vancouver's is last: Vancouver's PP is tied for 5th, Hawks are 11th) and on defense. The Canucks are really going to start feeling the loss of Willie Mitchell in this series. If the D (I'm looking at you Bieksa-don't even get me started on Alberts or whoever they're planning on throwing in there) doesn't play a tough and above all Smart series the Hawks will make them pay. This matchup should provide some highly entertaining games and, in the end, I see the winner going on to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

The East:
Bruins v Flyers: Bruising series, expect a ton of hitting and after-the-whistle scrums. Marc Savard better keep his head up at all times because Matt Cooke is 5'11", 205 lbs while Chris Pronger is 6'6"& 220 lbs and was named by his peers to be the dirtiest player in the NHL. Bruins definitely have the advantage here in goal. Simon Gangne and Jeff Carter will be sorely missed by Philly; Gange's out for at least 2 more weeks and I'll be shocked and awed if Carter is back for this series at all. I want the Flyers to win but it won't be easy and unless they find a way to fill those two giant offensive holes it'll be the Bruins that prevail.

Penguins v Canadiens: As I stated before, this is a contest between the hottest goaltender in the NHL playoffs and the offensive powerhouse that is Sidney Crosby (current points leader and co-owner of this year's Rocket Richard trophy). After their game 1 loss to Ottawa it was obvious that Crosby decided to put his team on his back and almost singlehandedly win the series. Malkin's looking strong and Pascal Dupuis has been playing really well. The Pens will have to show a lot of patience. Aside from solving Jaroslav Halak , a man who stopped Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom & Green and who consistently faced over 40 shots per game and turned in a 53 save performance to force a Game 7, they'll have stop Mike Cammalleri and face down the pressure of being the overwhelming favorite. Montreal will have confidence and a lot of momentum coming in off the Washington series. I love a good Cinderella story and nothing would please me more than for the Habs to pull off another surprise but Crosby's not Ovechkin-he actually shows up when it counts.

Winter Boots

It's not even summer yet and I'm already looking at boots for Winter 2010. These are from Nicole Richie's House of Harlow 1960 F/W 2010 collection.

Game 1

So, yes, the first game does not a playoff series make but with all but one Game 1 out of the way let's take a look at what's going now that it's all begun.

Starting in the East:
Ottawa v. Pittsburgh: The Pens haven't been the same since the return from the Olympic break. Malkin has struggled with injuries this year but he seemed to pick it up in Game 1. The Sens need to play a complete game every game, keep their foot on the gas and leave it all out there every night because I can't shake the feeling that the Pens are about to shift into another gear-playoff gear. Ottawa fans should be wary. However, the switch better go on tonight or the Pens won't be defending their title for long.
Buffalo v. Boston: Otherwise known as 'there will be blood'. Chara is giant. Every time I see him that's the first thing I think. This was a crazy, ugly, hard, gritty game. I give the Sabres the edge because of Miller (though Rask's obviously no slouch) and the reappearance of Vanek along with Ruff's defensive coaching style. If Game 1 was any indication this is going to be a bruising series (I think it's also going 7 games) and the victor might be worse for wear after it's all said and done.

Philadelphia v. New Jersey: I'm going to be honest, out of all the teams in the post-season I've seen the least of these two. The Flyers, despite the question mark in goal, are always dangerous and they've owned the Devils this year but it's the Devils. Brodeur might be getting older and may have lost his Olympic starting job this season but he's still "Martin Brodeur" and the Devils have plenty of offensive weapons with which to frustrate the Flyers...total toss up.
Washington v. Montreal: The Habs are another team that can ill-afford to take their foot off the gas. They played an incredible game last night-a remarkable team effort. Can they do this four times against the Caps? Sure. But they can't stop Ovi, Semin, Backstrom and Green (not to mention the secondary scoring) forever. The Caps have major defensive issues, more than any other team. In the post-season teams need to be well-rounded, they need solid defense to last-the caps rely on their offense and puck possession skills too much and their defensemen like to take too many defensive risks in the hopes of offensive glory. This worked well in the regular season but the playoffs are a different beast. A team that can play stifling, smart defense and has enough offensive weapons to keep pace will beat them. I think they'll get by Montreal (even though the Habs would make an awesome Cinderella story) but I highly doubt they'll be hoisting the Cup. Also, Ovi might be hurt and that cannot be a good thing.

The West:
Colorado v. San Jose: I feel like the Avs are an unknown quantity. They're young, inexperienced, looked spent closing out the season but found life enough to deal the always under-achieving Sharks a Game 1 blow. The Sharks are a one-line wonder (with the addition of a goaltender that has the ability to get hot and steal a few games in Nabokov). It's a hell of a line, but this strategy hasn't worked for them in the past and it won't work now. Neither of these teams is getting past the second round.
Phoenix v. Detroit: Part of me wants to say that the NHL is conspiring to make the Coyotes team this year's Cinderella story but Bryzgalov has been unreal and frustrating (if you aren't a Coyote fan), so, I have to give credit to Phoenix. having said this, they're playing Detroit. Aside from starting a rookie goaltender (but rookie goalies do sometimes end up a Conn Smythe winner, so...) this is a well-oiled, experienced team who is finally healthy and knows how to win. Hell, even if the series were 3-0 in favour of the Coyotes I STILL wouldn't guarantee a series win. I doubt Babcock, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, et al are even shaken. Expect a much-improved penalty kill and a tightening up on the defensive end as a whole and a series win by the Wings.
Vancouver v. Los Angeles: At 1am I was still a little drunk, eyes closed and falling asleep in bed before OT began-by 1 minute in I was sitting bolt upright staring intently at my computer screen. Quick was tested often and rose to the challenge-he was by far LA's best player. The Canucks played a solid defensive game and aside from a terrible hit (Alberts, you're Out) that put them down a man for 5 minutes and cost them a goal they played a smart game with few mistakes. The Sedins, for the time being, are living up to expectation. Adding the ability to score off the rush to their grinding, cycling game was exactly what the playoff doctor ordered and is obviously a large reason as to why Hank won the Art Ross and is a contender for the Hart. Samuelsson has been a marvelous addition-he had such a hot hand during the second half of the season before getting injured-it's great to see he's in fine form. Edler was the best player on the ice for the 'Nucks (the hit on Doughty was spectacular) and Lu made a key goal-line save in OT. It won't be easy and it won't be a sweep but Vancouver's going to win this. LA is too young right now and they need a little something more up-front, it'll happen for them just not this season.
Chicago v. Nashville: The only Game 1 yet to be played. The Hawks are my pick to win it all this year-despite the Hossa curse. Shea Weber and company are hungry for their first ever post-season series win. The Preds are a defensively solid team but shutting down Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews is one thing, shutting down Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp as well is something else. Add to this the fact that the Hawks forth line have been the ones scoring the timely goals to finish off the season and the solid puck-controlling (yet, like Vancouver, depleted) defensive corps who with Keith, Hjarmalsson and Byfuglien can jump up into the rush and the Hawks are a formidable foe. This team can adjust faster than any other team in the NHL, in a seven game series this is crucial. Their one weakness is in goal-which is where the Preds one over-riding advantage lies. Still, the Preds are a team with one (injured-but likely to play in Game 1) 30 goal scorer and one 20 goal scorer this season-it's all good to hold the Hawks off the board but to win you have to put a few pucks in the back of the net too. Niemi has had flashes of brilliance coming down the stretch-we'll see if he can make the key saves his team will need.

As for the picture above I have this to ask: It's all good to let games flow and players play but how is something like this (though unintentional) NOT a penalty? It's called high-sticking, it wasn't on a follow-through shot, and it was never so obvious as it is here-I mean Sedin is about 1/2 inch away from loosing his eye. (Not to mention the non-call on Lidstrom getting clipped in the lip in the Det v. Phoe game).

Covet by Jessica Biffi

The Wild West

Well, it looks like the Canucks are destined to get the ultimate 1st round challenge in the Detroit Red Wings. If they get past this opponent the chances of going past the second round are excellent but first things first...

edit: It looks like I spoke too soon. Phoenix gets the Wings and it'll be Canucks v Kings (a matchup that ESPN has decided will be the upset in the West).

Chain Smoking

We all know that smoking kills, but this mantra doesn't apply to robots (obviously).
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's smoking robot has twenty Teflon mouths puffing two packs and hour to analyze the compounds contained in all ciggie brands.

photo courtesy of gizmodo.

All Hail

The Best Stems (and bod) in the business!

Fashion Flyby

A few images that have caught my eye over the last little while, enjoy!
Claude Simonon as a young Elvis in Vogue Homme International.

Architectural footwear.

Daria in V64.

Baptiste Giabiconi as David Bowie for L'Officiel Hommes China

Atelier Versace 2010

Versace has always been favored by starlets striving to look slick and sexy on the red carpet. These two dresses from the 2010 couture collection are stunners.
The rest of the Atelier Versace collection as modeled by Kasia Struss...

Regular folk

So, after an interview (for the April 2010 cover story) with Gisele Bundchen, Joan Julia Buck-Vogue contributing editor-didn't have to worry about grabbing a cab on a dark, cold and rainy winter's evening. No, Tom Brady drove her back to her hotel.

Crazy About Conan

The rumors are TRUE! Conan's going on tour! YAY!
Mostly dates in the US but there are 3 Canadian dates-get tickets here.

My Best Dressed: Oscars 2009

Maggie G in Dries van Noten.

Despite the fact that I didn't want her to win-she did have the Best Speech of the night. One can't help but have a little bit of a girlcrush on Sandra Bullock-who also bucked the trend of strapless (with a pouffy or ruffles bottom half) and looked gorgeous in Marchesa. Hair and makeup were also on point.

I am so pleased the Hollywood chose honesty over hype this year. The Hurt Locker deserved best picture and Kathryn Bigelow deserved best director. The show, however, lacked some fun and panache. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were pretty funny but I missed Hugh Jackman. The way the show began was boring (bringing out the best actor nominees was dull) and the show should have started at 8pm instead of 830. Also, too many long vinegnettes and long introductions/montages that no one cares about-horror movies, explaining certain categories, showing a montage of scenes for best supporting actor/actress instead of one key scene...it all made the show drag.

Rachel McAdams in Ellie Saab couture

Meryl Streep in Chris March. She doesn't normally get it right but this simple and elegant tuxedo front dress was spot on and the terrific Ms Streep looked radiant.

After getting in right in red Valentino two years ago and getting it horribly wrong in some ugly wannabe prom outfit last year Miley Cyrus was a golden girl this year in Jenny Packham. One of the only strapless, with voluminous bottom dresses I actually liked. hair and makeup were elegant as well.

The Oscars What were you thinking award?! SJP, Zoe Saldana & Charlize Theron (really, swirly roses on your boobs, really?!)
The Oscars It could have been great award, except for: Cameron Diaz: lipstick, Tina Fey: hair, Carey Mulligan: the length of the front of the dress-should have been either shorter or longer.

thanks style.com for the photos

Lust

I want these boots. Actually, I want the entire Burberry Fall/Winter 2010 collection, especially these boots and the multitude of over-size collared, military-inspired jackets.
Too bad I don't have thousands of GBPs lying around to shop their pre-order selections, yes, that's right you can (for a limited time only) get Burberry Fall/Winter 2010 pieces straight off the runway.

Team Canada 2010

I watched last night and though I was bitterly disappointed with the result I maintain that Team Canada 2010 is a great team, well thought out and despite the ability to debate team selection I maintain that every player on the squad deserved a position. Last night's game was exciting and Canada was by far the better team (last half of the 1st period, most of the second period-up until the last few minutes and for bursts in the 3rd). Three consecutive penalties to end the 2nd and start the third, face-off tanning, two puck mis-handlings by Brodeur in the opening half of the game and the stellar play of Ryan Miller (which was to be expected and could have been overcome had it not been for the three things mentioned above) were the differences.

The expectation heaped on all of the Canadian athletes at this Olympics is silly and stupid. The viewing public and media should concentrate on the task ahead not just the gold medal-we are distracting our own athletes. This is a great team that Stevie Y put together but so are all the rest of the teams. This tournament is not the NHL and the media and our collective hockey obsession has raised our expectations such that we can't even face reality. Having said this though, the performance by the team has been spotty-they don't seem to be able to keep sustained pressure, Crosby/Nash have yet to get on a roll (I mean one shootout goal after he failed on the first and one regular goal aren't going to cut it Crosby), Martin has looked a little shaky (still good but not hot and we need a hot goaltender to win).

I've loved the way Toews has played this whole tournament. He's so plucky and has been creating a bevy of chances-I look to him to get rewarded soon for his play. I like him on every line Babcock puts him on. I also like the Staal/Getzlaf/Perry line though all three of them took dumbass penalties last night (how terrible do you think Perry felt after Kessler out-hustled him on the empty netter) they're intensity is great but they have to play a far more disciplined game. Scott Niedermayer really stepped up last night and Drew Doughty played well after a lackluster first two games (Weber has been good too but needs to shoot the puck more). Also, enough with the complaining about Babcock's line juggling-you knew this was going to happen-it's his style and some of our best offensive chances came from his unorthodox line pairings-it also happens that the 3rd American goal seemed to come at the expense of a sloppy line change due to siad juggling but I digress.

The men's hockey team has quite the hill to climb. Good luck against Germany I (and just about the entire nation) fully expect you to go through to the quarter-finals where Russia awaits you. Adversity is good-it will make the gold taste that much sweeter. Play 60 minutes of smart, solid hockey like we all know you are capable of and nothing and no one will stop you.

Competition

At Torino I saw this kid and was like, who the hell does this ginger think he is. The answer? Shaun White. After watching him ride and hearing him speak all that skepticism melted away and I couldn't help but love him. Watching him win gold yesterday was something special. He didn't need to even do his 2nd run-he'd already won but instead he lay down a double McTwist (you could hear him telling the guys at the top he wanted to do it) and some giant airs-much to the delight of the crowd and scored a 48.4. It's crazy to watching someone so dominant. He isn't competing against the other boarders, he's competing against himself. The only way he'll loose in the pipe is if he fails himself and falls and even then that doesn't guarantee someone else victory.

Super bowl Musings

I am so happy for the New Orleans Saints and the city of New Orleans. They played an incredible game, made some really ballsy calls, kept the ball out of Peyton Manning's hands for 3/4 of the game and came up huge on Sunday night. Congratulations!

Also, for a man who has been considered a lock on the Hall of Fame pretty much since his introduction into the NFL Peyton Manning is 9-9 in the playoffs with the same percentage in Super bowls (1 for 2). This may be kicking a man when he's down (and not to down play his truly incredible regular season stats) but where is he when it counts? Also, suck it Caldwell-this game doesn't reward those who don't play with guts.

Thanks for the picture!

I've mused on this topic before but hearing this on the French channel was perfectly acceptable. Boy, licensing is a funny thing.