puckloo39

Um, well... I don't recall much about the weekend (besides breakfast) which didn't involve alcohol, so... yeah. 

We were very, very happy with our Wings and their shut out performance vs. the struggling Preds.  I was not suprised to see them show up huge, as they generally do in my presence.  I should be going to every game, clearly?  So, we made our way through a crowd of happy Red Wings fan -- there were MANY in attendance, as usual.  Back to the hotel bar & grill which we love so much. 

We actually have a certain booth we favor at the Hilton sports bar, with views of multiple TVs so we can ask for games to be shown.  It even has an electrical outlet so we can charge phones.  Home, sweet home!

The after-celebration included artisan pizza (Hilton makes the best!) and multiple RLD martinis (raspberry lemon drops, FTW!).  It was Sunday so we kind of forgot they close at midnight, not 2AM.  The server, Andrew, cashed us out and abandoned us... but not before we balked at the bill, saying -- no way we drank that much!!  Uh, yes, we did.     The lovely bar manager brought us both a martini for the 'road' and closed up after he kicked us out.  He knew we were staying just a few floors up in the hotel, or he otherwise wouldn't have done so, I am sure.

Speaking of kicking:  multiple martinis do not lend themselves to Michael Jackson moves in the hotel hallway.  I was going for ice, trailed by Kristi (aaheeeheee!!  shimon!!) and heard a thud behind me.  Draw your own conclusions about what might have transpired.  One should not attempt certain moves while fueled with that much vodka, that's all. 

I do not have pictures.  Son of a dammit!!  LOL~

Good. Toots brings the energy.  Patty could hardly walk when I saw him in Nashville, so I was beyond surprised when he played last game.  Perhaps that was a bad idea??

Wings will prevail tonight... I just know it! 

Mick's about the cutest thing ever.  He was very sweet and chatted with us nicely in the hotel grill, where Kristi and I were having lunch.  He said he had to catch a cab, but then went over to the other side of the room where Kenny Holland was sitting at the bar, and proceeded to sit there for at least another hour.  Pesky cab!!   LOL!

I forgive him his fib, he didn't know we were not crazy ladies and that we meant him no harm.  He's still adorable.  I asked him the next day to sign my jersey and he was so nice.

Here are my autographs from this trip.  Sammy's for you, Karen.  AND I cornered the ever elusive, haunted Pasha.  I forced him to sign.  It was tough.  Mickey's lovely legible signature is my favorite.

I don't blame him. 

I refrained from throwing my shoe at Mule in Nashville this past weekend.  Heaven knows, I have not been not happy with him.    

He actually DID look like he cared, I have to say.  He was good out there, it's like the overachieving Abby/Z/Datsyuk line made him sit up and take notice?  Something... whatever, I will take it, let's see if he can continue and be consistent in this upswing.  Mouth-guards all stayed in place, but he had a nice little snarl going on out there at times.  I also came close to trading Franzen to the Preds fan next to me at the game, for Legwand (their current bag o' pucks).  I decided to keep the lazy Swede I know.  Hopefully, that was the right decision. 

By the way, I ran into Abby and Z in the hotel elevator (separate occasions) over the weekend in Nashville.  We have named Z/Abby/Dats the "Elevator Line" and think they should be doomed to ride the glass elevators with us forever, or until they stop scoring.  LOL~

Well, OK.  I don't see Kristi here on LGW much anymore... so I will tell you. 

Sunday morning, game day, we get on the elevator in the lovely Hilton Hotel across the street from the Nashville arena -- we stay there, since the Wings do, also.  Lots of potential access!).  We were headed outside to wait on the corner, where the Wings walk across the street to practice.  Fans stand there to ask for pics or autographs as the guys go back and forth from the hotel.  That's where all the pics I have with players were taken - by Kristi, obviously.     

I have some great ones of her, but will ask if she wants to post them.  I can, if she wants me to.

Anyway... the elevator doors open.  And there's Hank...all dressed in his nice suit and looking very fine, indeed.   As the doors begin to close, he lunges for the door to stop it from shutting.  I think, "He's going to make a break for it!  Get away from the crazy Wing nuts!!"    But... no.  He noticed that Kristi dropped her phone on the floor just outside the elevator doors.  She didn't even notice.  And I was too busy looking at Hank. 

He handed it to her, saying I think you dropped this.  She thanked him sweetly, and we proceeded to tell him that we all love them, no matter what.  We believe in them and will always be behind them.  He smiled, and said thank you, and then said "We REALLY need two points tonight..."  with this sort of wistful voice.  Awww.... we told him not to worry, that we KNEW they would win.  We have total faith in them.  He exited the elevator and off he went to practice with the rest of the boys.  When we saw him later on (when I got a pic with him), Kristi reminded him that she wouldn't be able to take the picture, if he hadn't rescued her phone that morning!  He laughed and said, "That's right!!"   That's why he's smiling in the pic with me.  Sweet!

We ran into Abby the day before, in the SAME elevator.  He was dressed in baggy shorts and a plain t-shirt, ball cap, scruffy.  He studiously ignored us.  LOL~  Stealth Kristi snapped his pic.  Ignoring us.  ROTFL!! 

We have dubbed the Zata/Pasha/Abby line the "Elevator Line," in honor of our encounters with 2/3 of the line on the Hilton elevator. They played magnificently, as you all noticed.  We think they should be doomed to ride that elevator with us in perpetuity.  Or at least as long as they want to keep winning. 

By the way, I think I already said this... but photos don't do Henrik Zetterberg justice at all.  He is gorgeous in person. 

NIce!  You look so happy!  And Jimmy tossed the shutout for you.  How much better can it get?

Oh, it was better.  Besides the shutout and toooo much fun and meeting the boyz and pictures and autographs and fun with Kristi -- I met Mickey Redmond and got a picture and autograph.  My weekend was made before the game even was played, 'cause I got to visit with Mick.  What a doll he is!!!

Do you all want to see pics from Nashville weekend game, I got pics of several players.  I am in the pictures, sorry.  But you can crop me out!

Pictures don't actually do Hank justice.  He's very handsome in person, nice eyes and a very sweet smile.

My Flip! 

Handsome Jimmy!

I just saw Bert in Nashville, with the team (so was Helm).  They looked great... both skated the morning skate with the team.  I won't be surprised to see Bert back next week.  Helm, probably not.  But I doubt either of them would risk permanent injury or risk being a liability for the team by coming back too soon.

It will be a shame if the Wings don't make the post-season... almost inconceivable.  Yes, I do think that word means what I think it means.

If that happens, it's not like the Wings didn't try and didn't know it could happen.  They're doing their best with the situation.  That I believe... not sure more bodies or different ones (for too much money) would have made that big a difference in Year One of our Lidstrom-less existence. 

Yes, I know all of you.  I feel like I won something precious. 

The person below me has trust issues.

Just to nip all the dreams of signing him in the bud, Selanne has already said he will never play for another team. It's Anaheim or retirement.

Good for him.  And Anaheim.  Class act, I tell ya.

I have always had a huge hockey-crush on this man.  I hope Teemu plays forever, or until he just doesn't want to anymore.  He's a class act, through and through. 

Your mother sounds wonderful.  I know she has an amazing son (that's you, baby).   Blessings and good wishes, and a bit of cash, on the way, dear. 

((hugs)) to Danielle and little Dean. 

If Babs sat Tootoo on purpose, I wish I knew his reasoning.  He has more heart on a given shift than most of the more veteran Wings.