The hula hoop is an ancient invention - no modern company and no single inventor can claim that they invented the first hula hoop. The Greeks used hooping as a form of exercise. Wham-O has become the most successful manufacturer of hula hoops in modern times. They trademarked the name Hula Hoop ® and start manufacturing the toy out of the new plastic Marlex in 1958.
Twenty million Wham-O hula hoops sold for $1.98 in the first six months.
I'll tell ya the biggest thing the Jackets have in common with the hula hoop... and that is both go in circles. Unfortuantely for us, the Jackets go round and round the circle of suck, and judging by yet another late game collapse, there is no off ramp in sight.
1. The Jackets had this game. The regulation win was theirs. The Preds were on the ropes. They were beaten. In fact, I had already chalked up the two points (by now, I should know better). What a great way to start off the 5 game home stand right? Wrong! 2 goals in the last 1:36... Game winner just 1:45 into OT. I would say unbelieveable but at this stage, there is nothing unbelievable when it comes to this squad. That was a complete team collapse. Nobody escapes blame, not even Ikea Ice Girls. I mean, how many late game collapses is that now? If there is a way to lose this team will find it.
2. I haven't see it yet but apparently Arniel went bananas in the post game presser. I'm not gonna lie, I LOVE IT! I was at the game and haven't had a chance to watch it back -- but "seeing it live" I did not see that Pahlsson cross check. What I saw were a bunch of players scrumming it up. How Pahlsson got singled out of that mess is beyond me and I don't blame Arniel for being pissed off. I like to see that raw emotion once in a while. It's refreshing. Everyone in union blue should be flat out pissed about the way this season has unfolded and they need to channel it into their next game against Bruins on Saturday.
3. Derek Dorsett is playing out of his mind right now. What a friggan "goal scorers goal" against Rinne. Not sure what Bouillon was thinkin dropping them with DD but it was nice to see him get an easy fight for once. He's typically the one taking on guys out of his weight class.
4. Not even Sanford could save them in this game. Still he had some very good saves - just couldn't make that big one at the end. In his 11 starts Sanford is 5-3-3 with 2.24 GAA and .917 Save%. Contrast that to Mason, who in his 16 starts is 3-12-1 with a 3.63 GAA and .875 Save%.
5. Danice Kevin with "Live Long & Prospal" on his belly. Hmmmmm, wonder where he got that one from?
6. It's times like these we need to ask ourselves one question - what would Craig Patrick do?
EXTRA SHOTS:
Buddy made a good point, what is Pahlsson doing out in OT? Are we trying to win this game or defend it to death? Enjoyed game ops again - in particular liked the Def Leppard "Photograph" commercial break vid and Buckcherry "Lit Up" to pump the crowd up at the end rocked. Unfortunately it seemed to have more of an affect on the Preds than the Jackets as they lit up our scoreboard soon after. Brassard looked pretty good - some nice passes, 3 shots and worked hard out there. Johansen hitting a wall. CBJ with a GREAT first period. I'd give the advantage to the Preds in the 2nd and 3rd but not by much. Toronto didn't screw us on the Carter goal. Clitsome had a fantastic open ice hit. Loved watching the "sled hockey" in the 1st intermission - great job out there players! With a league worse 8-16-4 record good for 20 points, the Fail for Nail (who has 46p in 23g) is still very much alive and kicking. But the boys have some serious competition with the likes of Anaheim (21pts), Carolina (22 pts) and NYI (24 pts) stomping on the basement door. Bright side - the team is 5-3-2 in their past 10. I have yet to see a home win live - granted they've only won 5 of 14 at the Nat.
Finally, and this was a first for me. Post game, I witnessed the Blue Hair Guy getting scalped. Some dude litterally walked by BHG at the bar, grabbed the wig off his head, and then ran out and jumped into a car waiting for him outside. I'm not sure if BHG knew whether to laugh or cry?
I laughed. It's all we can do at this stage!
-LTL
