What the H*LL Was That?

I’m speechless.

I’m not really sure what I just watched.

Was last night’s game a bad dream?

Was it a split squad game and the regular season starts Sunday?

I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.  I’m hoping this was some sort of …hiccup, but I feel odd even typing that.

Truly, I don’t know where to begin.  Maybe that’s a good thing, having to wait until Sunday’s game.  By then I might be back inside my body with a more down-to-earth evaluation.  Because I’m lost right now.  Like I just saw a bad accident.  Like I was inone.  Like Raitis Ivanans.

Sutter has 10 games in my book.  Both of them, Darryl and his brother.  Go 5-4 over the next 9, or it’s wholesale changes: Coach and GM.  Don’t wait to make coaching and GM changes next year.  This is a rebuilding year.

The team “that came a bad call away from winning the Cup…” has been completely torn down around it’s now aging frame, and rebuilt with cast off hopes-and-dreams role players.

The lineup is filled with “20+ goal guys.”  But, the problem is twofold, Darryl:

1. they only score 12-14 a year, and

2. there’s only 2 guys remotely capable of scoring more, Bourque and Iginla.

But, what’s left of my heart goes out to season ticket holders.  They must have walked out of the ScotiaBank/TimHorton’s/Rona Saddlebowl feeling like they just grabbed the short stick.   That sick empty feeling that comes directly after the realization that the hero is not going to win.  Reality.  Like when your last token in the slot machine comes up 7 -7- nadda.  No ringing bells, just the sound of other machines paying off.  But not yours.  And it’s back to the room with your warm watered down free Bloody Mary and no money.  And only 2 more smokes in your pack.  And one of them’s broken.

(Ok, so they game (used loosely) was in Edmonton.) (what do you want for free.)

Sheesh.   That was such a bad game…i feel empty.

Maybe I can sneak something from the buffet if no-one is looking.

But again, pity the poor, poor season ticket holders.  Iwatched for free, on a hacked feed on the Internet with a Mandarin overdub.  Theyshelled out cash.  Upfront. And parked. And walked.  And bought  $9 Beer.  Not one , but two.  In Canadian currency.  Better believe their tickets  for upcoming games can be found on a roll, on a hanger screwed to the side of the vanity, next to the toilet. 

‘Cause that’s what they’re good for.

That was horrible.  Top to bottom. except for…cripes I’m sick of saying it…Kiprusoff.    BTW, nice pass in your own end, to the wrong team, Ollie.

And some of our best talent is in the press box because we don’t want them to get injured so we can trade them.  For junk.   Oh, but wait, we can’tengage a trade that helps …because…that’s right…we’re over the cap limit.  “Tell ’em what he’s won ,Johnny! ”  Good golly, my heads spinning right now.  When does this ride end?

We saw it coming.  During the off-season.  We brought back two guys we dumped.

And  We “hoped” that Kotalik would have a rebound year.

Read that last sentence again.

This was our strategy.   No further questions, your Honor. 

Please let this game be an anomaly.

9 more games I’ll give this team.  5-5 after 10, or I’m out.  for the rest of the year.  Ownership be warned.  I wont be the only one headed to the turnstile.  I have been a long time , die-hard fan through thick and thin.   Through some very bad years.  We all have.  But we’ve been scratching our heads for three years now.  And now our fingers are clenched in a fist.  10 games. 5-5 or heads role. That’s it.  Cause this team, or whatever I watched in red last night, wins 20 games this year. Tops.

Poor, poor season-ticket holders.