smokinandjokin

HUGE win. You just knew Miller would come back strong. Don Cherry said he deserved all three stars. Our offense stole one game, and our goalie stole another. By the way, there was some big-time hitting going on in that game. Everyone on both teams was paying the price to play the puck. Giving up that 2-0 lead to Philly could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. The Sabres slept with a smile dreaming about a sweep, and then woke up and the series was 2-2. Not only was it a lesson learned on how hard it is to win on the road, but also that a 2-0 lead can be fleeting. Hopefully Ruff keeps that fresh in their minds, and also makes note of Montreal taking the first two in Raleigh and proceeding to lose four straight to the Katrinas, including three at home. I don't think there's any doubt Ottawa had the better of the action in the first two games...There is some serious work yet to be done to finish them off. A win by Buffalo in Game 3, the odds say should just about do it, but if Ottawa wins, this thing becomes a long dogfight. And of course commenting on the hit, no problem here. Connolly actually saw him at the last second and crouched a little bit, putting his head right in the crunch zone. He may have been better off not seeing him at all and taking that shoulder/arm right in the chest. Please don't complain about shotty refereeing and cheap hits. Chara got away with a few, but for the most part, it was the Sabres' own idiocy that got them sent to the box. Big hits and borderline 'cheap' hits are going to happen both ways. Seeing the same players for six straight games, you're not exactly making buddies out there. The cheapest hit of the night may have been McKee reaching out to go knee-on-knee with the Sens player.

Country music < Ryan Leaf

...at about 335

I did know gold was at its highest levels in 25+ years, but since I don't dabble in the gold market, it never really impacted my day-to-day life before. Well, like an idiot, I bought my girlfriend one of these bracelets. I bought her a gold charm last year for her birthday. Very nice gold, ran me about $70. Whatever. So this year, her birthday comes around, and she has a brand new niece, so she said she wants a charm with her niece's name on it. I order it, go in and pay (expecting about $70) and the guy rings me up for $125!!! He had a chart ready showing the increase in the price of gold, he said he got it lamenated and has it under the counter because some people blow a gasket in there! I had about $100 on me and was going to pay cash, but the unexpected price jump forced me to throw down my credit card. So I paid and left the jewlers, and then did what anyone in their right mind would do at 4:30pm on a Friday with $100 in their pocket: HAPPY HOUR (which extended right through the hockey game and beyond!!!)

"I wrote a script once, and I pitched it to a movie studio. The guy said he liked it, but he thought I needed to re-write it. I said, 'Fu@k that, I'll just make a copy.'" -The great Mitch Hedberg

Subconciously, that is probably my major reason for hating this midget. Josie, wow Somehow, these magicians are always able to pull off the most amazing trick of all- Making a supermodel's sense of taste and judgement disappear.

Coles on Elmwood Ave is never a bad play if you have a big crew just looking to get sauced. Nice bar with decent food, and always some bunnies running around in there. Coles

Does anyone else not care about this guy and his stunts? I will not be tuning in to watch this moron hold his breath for nine minutes. There's a hockey game on. But since it is on live TV (supposedly), is half the appeal the possibility that he drowns himself to death (even though we know he won't?) This clown has been encased in water at Lincoln Center in NYC for 8 or 9 days. He's receiving oxygen and nutrients through a tube. I bet he has some serious shrinkage. Maybe this stooge will actually do a magic trick when he finally gets out of there. Drowned Alive

Good call Bart, I agree with all of the above. The Packers as an organization need to do what's best for them to win a Super Bowl. They hold all the cards, and yet Favre is the one 'holding them hostage' with his indecision. I remember watching Jimbo throwing picks like a madman his last season in Buffalo...It was tough to watch. While it was sad to see him go, it was time to move on. As a Packer fan, I would hate to watch a Favre's skills deteriorate through another season of 25+ INTs. At the same time, Favre has every right to take his time and make a decision, so long as the organization is going to allow it. If they let him waver, he's going to waver and take all the time in the world. He's earned his place in NFL lore- and it's his right to 'drink every drop.' There's something to be said for bowing out gracefully, but there's also something to be said for playing until you absolutely don't have it in you anymore. Once he retires, he's not coming back, so he might as well make darned sure he's gotten every ounce out of his body that he could. Young and Aikman are not fair comparisons either. Both had serious head injuries on multiple occasions, and both stepped right into TV analyst roles. Maybe Favre has no interest in TV commentary. Maybe the guy just wants to play football.

For me, it's got to be Ass Frenzy 5. Not much of a plot, but the action is second-to-none. It's a favorite of mine, I tend to watch it when I'm alone. I can never seem to make it through more than about 5-10 minutes...Then I feel depressed because I'm nervous that I'm going to go blind like grandma said.

Yeah he does love himself a bit. He should've said he would vote for Shaq!

Kobe is not Jordan, but let's not throw him completely under the bus. In game 4, the guy hit a game tying floating layup at the end of regulation and a fade away jumper at the buzzer in OT to win the game and take a 3-1 series lead. In game 6 he scored 50 points and if his team could've gotten a rebound, Tim Thomas never would've hit a three to tie the game. Kobe would've had 50, the Lakers would've upset, and everyone would've said how Kobe put the team on his back. I'm not a big Kobe fan, but let's not alter history here. Jordan was the greatest player and winner of the Nike hoops generation. But come on: Smush Parker is not Steve Kerr, Luke Walton is not Scottie Pippen, Kwame Brown is not Dennis Rodman. Jordan had vet Ron Harper in the backcourt with him, and Kukoc coming off the bench. Surround a player of Jordan's caliber with those guys and they should win. Kobe leading the Lakers' team of stiffs into the playoffs at all was quite the accomplishment. Now, that said, the Lakers did build a championship team, and Kobe was a major factor in driving that apart. He forced a trade of one of the greatest centers in league history when Shaq was still in his low-30's. Not exactly his prime, but plenty of games left. Now Kobe got what he wanted....His own team and a 1st round exit.

Positive advice? I made this statement in this thread on Friday at 12:34pm: I can see Miller stepping up his game, I don't think he'll be as jittery with the rebounds again as he was in Game 1. Emery, on the other hand, will probably play the same way all series. I see the Sabres scoring 4 goals per game without a problem.

But of course!

I know a few girls who really like the taste of love mayonnaise. I've never tried it, only supplied it!

Agreed. There's a reason the morning line favorite hasn't won since '79. I like A.P. Warrior also, especially at 15-1. His fade in the SA Derby is a concern; it looked like Bro Derek broke him. I really like Point Determined at 12/1. Very inconsistent horse, and hasn't figured everything out yet. His style can drive you mad because he never looks like he's going all out. But he's got a red hot jockey in Bejarano, and if the horse can keep his head together for 2 minutes, he's got a chance. He's out of Point Given and is a monster, so you'd think the distance shouldn't be an issue. I can't get behind Bob and John. Seems like a good horse and a decent value bet, but the 14+ second final furlong in the Wood is shockingly slow. I know that was in the slop, but your final furlong in the Derby (on a closer-biased track) better be in the low-12's or you're not winning the race. I'm sure I will run some side action with A.P.W. and P.D., both are nice value bets if they go off at those numbers.

Or, did you try turning it off and then turning it back on? Or blowing on it, like old school Nintendo?

No doubt Eleven, especially at the Derby. Finding that fringe horse to include in your Ex's and Tri's at a huge price can pay off if they can sneak into 2nd or 3rd. I was on fire one weekend at Saratoga last summer, boxing exactas with a ~5/1 and a ~14/1. They were coming in all weekend, and that makes the bars at night that much better! The only problem with the longshots at the Derby is that they do require the perfect trip and really need to save as much ground as possible. A great horse will overcome some of the obstacles like traffic, bumps, and the distance, but if a 50/1 shot goes 7-wide around the first turn, you can pretty much count him out.

Good luck plenzmd! Leaving the favorites out is never a bad move at the KD, last favorite to win was Spectacular Bid in 1979. Should be a great race to watch, with some front running early speed, tactical decisions by the favorites on the backside as to how close they stay to the front, and some longshots with a big stretch kick on a track that favors closers...Most exciting two minutes in sports!!! Don't rip your tickets early...Giacomo at 50/1 was 18th rounding the first turn last year...

By the way, in today's Kentucky Oaks (all female horses) I have to go with the 5/1 Bushfire. Clearly, Firebush would've been classic, but I still like it! I'm sure this horse will be the favorite of the redheaded ladies in the crowd today!

I demand a recount!!! Round 2 (Conference Semi-Final) Matchups: Eastern Conference 1 Ottawa vs 4 Buffalo Buffalo 6 2 Carolina vs 3 New Jersey Jersey 6 Western Conference 5 San Jose vs 8 Edmonton San Jose 7 6 Anaheim vs 7 Colorado Colorado 5

From what I've seen of him (two races) he was thundering down the lane both times. Lawyer Ron is a class horse, and Steppenwolfer has lost to him three times. However, if any of those races was 1 1/4 miles, instead of 7F or 1 1/8, Steppen would've had him. The front runners have been good in the Derby preps, but they have been able to get to the lead uncontested and have a clean trip. With 20 horses, you will have to battle to get the lead, and with the class in the race, Brother Derek, Ron, and Barbaro aren't going to let an early speed horse run away with it. Obviously luck plays a huge part, but if the Wolfer can settle in at about 6th or 7th, he will be there at the end. He seems as primed as any horse I've seen to run the 1 1/4. Might not win, but if you throw him in your trifecta and he grabs 3rd, at 30/1 he will add some coin. Quotes from an article and his trainer:

I have been following the 3YO's quite closely, even since last year. There is definitely a lot of talent in this year's race, more so than in the previous years. Should the top 6-7 horses in the Derby all run in the Preakness and Belmont, I do not see a triple crown happening. It would take a big time horse (with some big-time luck) to beat the other 5-6 top horses three straight times. You're right plenzmd, Baffert will send Sinister Minister to the front no matter what. Sweetnorthernsaint will be there also. I see Lawyer Ron and Brother Derek rating off the pace, with Derek probably making his move sooner rather than later. I could see Bob and John in the mix but he doesn't have the last 1/4 mile, IMO. It's a tough race to handicap. Brother Derek is definitely the class of the race- he was superb against top competition when he won the Santa Anita Derby. His jockey shook the reins at him at the top of the stretch, and boom he was gone! Never whipped once and he won driving away. Lawyer Ron (won six straight) and Barbaro (undefeated lifetime) are not far behind. My major play will probably be a trifecta bet, boxing four horses: Brother Derek (3/1) and Lawyer Ron (4/1) for speed, Point Determined (12/1) as a stalker, and Steppenwolfer (30/1) as a closer. If Steppenwolfer can settle in, he has a huge closing kick. The trouble might be staying close enough early on, but that's why I'd throw him in a trifecta- even if he's buried, I think he could still get up and steal 3rd. He could be serious value if he goes off at 30/1. There I just jinxed him. On the side, A.P. Warrior has the pedigree to go the distance and could be a value bet at 15/1.

Sabres 2-0 in their history against the Sens in playoffs...Both were Round 1 victories- A game 7 OT winner from Derek Plante in '97 and a 4-0 sweep by the 7th seeded Sabres in '99. I like the Sabres chances against a familiar opponent. I have no doubt if Miller is solid the Sabres can score 4+ on Emery and get some wins. I will hold off on any prediction at this time, but the winner will take it in 6 or 7 games. If the Sabres do lose the series, and Ottawa's defense is a major reason why, hopefully Darcy and Tommy G throw some cash out there for Chara, who will be a free agent after the season. He will command some bucks, but the Sabres have the cap room, and could possibly be one primetime defensman away from winning the conference and the Cup. We have revenue from (at minimum) five extra home games...Reinvest Tommy, reinvest!!!!

Havalat and Heatley are under investigation for a potential sexaul assault on Dora the Explorer, and their status for the series is in doubt. Apparently they were dumb enough to film themselves in the act earlier this week when Dora was in town for rehearsals. The video is circulating the internet under the following title (sorry if the link doesn't work) Dora the Whore-a Live! Dora's Butt Pirate Adventure