Let's Go Mavs!

So, this is totally not Bulldog-related, but really, nothing's going on. We haven't played any games, no one defected mid-season, and no one is playing in the WJCs.

Yesterday, I drove down to Mankato. My favorite part about driving to Mankato is, if you ever want to find Jesus, you can find him on the way to Mankato. Like on the HUGE billboard on 22 that says JESUS. So, it's a great stretch of road to drive if you're feeling a spiritual void in your life.

I made it down to Mankato in not quite record time, because 169 is irritatingly not a freeway, so there were stupid stop signs that periodically slowed my progress. Then some poor direction on the part of my mother got me going the wrong way, so it took me awhile to get to my mini-family reunion. This mini-reunion did not include any RWD staffers or affiliates other than my mom, as those folks are not tUMD fans. Though Duluth is the site of the RWD Ancestral Home, Mankato holds more RWD relatives than any other city in the universe. We watched some football, ate some cookies, and complained about various ailments. The cookies were the highlight of the afternoon, by far!

Because of a happy coincidence, I was able to attend the Mavs vs. Yale game with LGM and two of her friends. It was my first visit to Revolving Name Civic Center, and I certainly had a good time. The Mavs won 4-1 over the Faux-Dogs from the Ivy League. Yale's only goal came on a power play after Jason Wiley took his second penalty in a row. Wiley had as many goals as he did penalties, and if certain Bulldogs players could do that, we'd NEVER LOSE A GAME. Andy Sackrison, an alumnus of St. Louis Park High School (along with such luminaries as Erik Rasmussen and RWD), was named the third star of the game for his assist and excellent defensive play. Jon Kallinski scored a goal and could have scored another one, as the puck was seriously just LAYING THERE WAITING FOR HIM but he couldn't get a stick on it, for some reason or another. He had to leave immediately after the game to finish shooting scenes for Scooby Doo 2, in which he plays one of the principal characters. GUESS WHICH ONE?! Hot RJ did not factor on the scoreboard, but he was extremely hot. I couldn't see Juttz from where we were sitting, which is awesome. I did see his twin brothers AND I saw the inspiration to cougars everywhere, Juttz's wife.

And then, there was the highlight of the night:

It appears to be a green pepper with feet, rocking out with an acoustic guitar. Amazing.

I Am Lazy

So what? There's nothing to write about, and I missed a bunch of games because of work. BUT, that will not be occurring anymore, because I HAVE A NEW JOB that DOESN'T REQUIRE WORKING LATE WEEKEND NIGHTS. GLORY HALLELUJAH.

I would like to direct your attention to tUMD and tMN Wild fan JDogHooey's new blog, Wild View from Section 216. JDog is (so he says) a regular RWD reader, which is more rare than a giant panda thriving in its natural habitat, so naturally I've added him to the links page.

I should have a post forthcoming this weekend, as I am going to Mankato on Sunday to take in the Mavs vs. somebody (I don't even know) with LGM.

Santa, Baby

Santa baby, a game-worn jersey under the tree, Curry's
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, a power play that clicks at 30 percent
I'll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the Bulldog fans that would be pissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'd check off my Christmas list

Santa baby, I want to sweep the Gophers, home and away
Been an angel all year
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa honey, one thing I really do need, a trophy
Want to win the whole league
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with good fore- and back-checks
60 minutes of work
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations like one more Hobey
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring
Nation'l championship
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight!

The Joke's On Me

tUMD 3, "Don't Call Us a Lesser Team, Bitch!" 5

note from RWD: I've been working and studying non-stop this whole freaking weekend, so that's why the recap was so late. Not just because the game was not good.

So, anyway, Friday night, all tDogs rushed back to their dorms/apartments/rental houses of doom to check this site to see what I had said about the game. Because, of course, a bunch of college hockey players have nothing better to do with their time than read the barely coherent ramblings of a crusty old hag. "Hah!" they cried. "Hah! She thought that was major crap? She thought that was poor defense? Well, we'll show her!"

And thus we had Saturday's game.

THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year's Total: 3
Points Until We Surpass Last Year's Total: 7

My Guys:
Matt McKnight: 11!
MacGregor Sharp: 9!
Michael Gergen: 7! (Off notice! I should call people out more often!)
Mike Curry: 2

Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 5!
Cody Danberg: 2
Kyle Schmidt: 2
Rob Bordson: 1
Mike Montgomery: 1
Chad Huttel: 1
Evan Oberg: 0

On Notice:
Points
Evan Oberg
Jay Cascalenda
Matt Greer
Alex Stalock
Travis Gawryletz
Trent Palm
Drew Akins
Cody Danberg
Mike Curry

Goals only
Justin Fontaine
Jordan Fulton
Josh Meyers
MacGregor Sharp

A Game That Will Die In Obscurity

tUMD 3, Mythical Creatures 3

It's Pearl Harbor Day today, hooray! Um, I mean, respectful silence!

I am tired, so this is going to be a short recap. I missed the first period, which is fine, whatever. I missed a shorty, which is sad, but I saw 2 power play goals, which is akin to seeing a complete solar eclipse AND Halley's comet simultaneously.

The bad part is, we played like major crap in our own end, and gave away a win when UAA scored with the extra attacker and 1:40 to go.

Play to win tomorrow, guys. 3 points this weekend.

THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year's Total: 3
Points Until We Surpass Last Year's Total: 7!

My Guys:
Matt McKnight: 10! (Taking over the lead!)
MacGregor Sharp: 8
Michael Gergen: 6
Mike Curry: 2

Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 4
Cody Danberg: 2
Kyle Schmidt: 2
Rob Bordson: 1
Mike Montgomery: 1
Chad Huttel: 1
Evan Oberg: 0

On Notice:
Points
Evan Oberg
Jay Cascalenda
Matt Greer
Alex Stalock
Michael Gergen (uncool! Get it going, Gergzilla!)
Travis Gawryletz

Goals only
Trent Palm
Justin Fontaine
Cody Danberg
Jordan Fulton
Josh Meyers

Blog-Whoring

Don't worry, I love you guys the most.

But I'm writing for Wild Puck Banter now, and you should read it.

THB

My post about the MTU-UMTC game is up over at tTech Hockey Blog, where I am banned from using tsmall t.

Unrelated

I know this has nothing to do with tDogs or college hockey in general, but:

AWWW YEAH BABY!!!!!! ILLINOIS IS GOING TO THE ROSE BOWL!!!!!!

Slip-Slidin' Away

tUMD 1, Game-Stealers 2

Extrapolating from the season so far, you would think the Bulldogs would have swept this weekend, and so technically, the Mavs accomplished what's known as "stealing a game." I know people like to say "This is the WCHA, anything can happen, blah blah blah," but the bottom line is, we SUCK against Mankato. We suck so much we've even scored on ourselves! So, whatevs, I'm not that broken up. I mean, I hate losing, and I so wanted to subtract from the numbers and take more people off notice and all that, but I'm hoping maybe this was a learning experience, and we play Anchorage hard.

LGM's predictions from The Gauntlet are as follows:
At least one short handed goal (check!) from my boy Kalinski (nope! From My Guy Matt McKnight!)
Also expect to see at least 3 goals from Berge (one goal, GWG tonight)
For the fans, be ready for a rockin' good time at the Alltel Center (DA did not tell me about any rocking that occurred, and we didn't exactly play well, so I doubt that many 'Dogs fans had a good time)
Conclusion: LGM is not the best prognosticator.

I wasn't at the game, of course, I was scoping out the competition at the MTU-UMTC game. Watching it was just as good as watching tUMD, because Tech plays essentially the same game we do... especially the FREAKING POWER PLAY.

I have to say, I was EMBARRASSED by the crappiness of our roads today. I mean, it was a bit of snow, but not that much, and NOTHING was plowed. We had hardy travelers from the UP in town, we should have shown them we, too, know how to handle a snowfall. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

I'm tired. Look for my recap of the Tech game on tTech Hockey Blog later, probably tomorrow.

THE NUMBERS
Wins Until We Surpass Last Year's Total: 3
Points Until We Surpass Last Year's Total: 8

My Guys:
MacGregor Sharp: 8
Matt McKnight: 8! (Supremely awesome shorty!)
Michael Gergen: 6
Mike Curry: 2

Freshmen:
Justin Fontaine: 4
Cody Danberg: 2
Kyle Schmidt: 2
Rob Bordson: 1
Mike Montgomery: 1
Chad Huttel: 1
Evan Oberg: 0

On Notice:
Points
Evan Oberg
Jay Cascalenda
Matt Greer
Alex Stalock

Goals only
Travis Gawryletz
Trent Palm
Justin Fontaine
Cody Danberg
Jordan Fulton
Josh Meyers (really?)