h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Tonite at 7pm pacific time in North America, The Phoenix Coyotes play the mighty Ducks. BE THERE?

I must change the time. Gestures wildly, looks serene.
The time of the game is now 7:30 est, 10:30 pacific time. The Dogs at the Pond in Anaheim, Calif. Thank you.

Man, oh man, is it a tough year to be in the Pacific Division. The Ducks finally found scoring from someone other than Selanne and Kariya. The Coyotes were supposed to be in turmoil, and thus they were supposed to suck, but instead they conveniently forget how to lose. The Sharks managed to sign all their unsigned free agents, and now they're on a roll. The Kings had their best draft in eons, and managed to add some young weapons to an already exciting set of scorers. And the Stars... well, they're still the Stars, now two-time defending conference champions. I think that whoever manages to climb to the top of that heap should be awarded the Stanley Cup by default, just for surviving what has to be the toughest division ever seen in any sport in modern times.

Oh... by the way... if you want some advertising for this place, you might try visiting this page here: http://www.h2g2.com/A270325

Colonel Sellers, you do get around, don't you? The Ducks will always be in an unenviable postition until they start to win consistently. I don't think Kariya has the moxy to lead the team any farther than were they are right now. The Coyotes will always have me to support them, no matter what. I am not a fair weather fan by any means. Gretzky and Co. company just better keep the team together, because what is assembled now is a Cup winner. The Kings, Star, and Sharks I will leave blank. The Kings and Sharks because I could go either way with them, and The Stars.....well if you can't say anyting nice...... Thanks again for you suggestions.

That's not to say I *like* all those teams. But you have to admit, no matter what else you think of them, they are all pretty damned good. Hell, I invaded the Pond this season and pissed off the locals.

As for fair weather fans, I'm definitely not one. We've had a lot of lean years in LA since the close of the Gretzky era, but I've stayed with them throughout. Right now, I think we've got all the pieces, except one. That one, obviously, is goaltending. Storr can play better than he has been of late, but top-level guy would go a long way towards a Stanley Cup. Hell, even getting past the first round would be a novelty. Look around the rest of the division, and you see the Kings defintely overmatched at goalie... Belfour, Vernon, Hebert... and what's up with Burke? Hasn't he always been, like, a career backup? Who lit a fire under his rectal opening? Gretzky wants to resign Khabibulin, but it looks to me like they can do without.

Since I monitor the Coyotes almost every move, I can do better than just guess. Burke is hitting a hot streak, finally he was tired of being a career backup. He stated in a recent article in THN that he wanted to make managments and the coaches job more difficult when the 'Bulin Wall goes back up. Seems to me like the Coyotes can definatley enjoy the "tension" between the pipes. Hope full Nik and Sean can spur each other on and be the best No. 1's out there.
Yes, I have to admit that the Pacific is living up to it's potential. It has the toughtest teams to beat. Colorado seems in a division all by itself, but Vancouver finally is playing above .500 hockey. I don't think Chicago is going much of anywhere this season. But Ednomton will shake some rafters.
The east is another deal. Since I mostly concentrate on the West, I look at the numbers. So that says Ottowa, and for the most part the Leafs and perhaps Washington (my old fave team, but when the lost Iafrate, Ridley, among others I just lost interest--that went to the Jets and thier exciting new goalie--Khabibulin and thier new winger Tkachuk, back in the day---followed them all the way to the desert to now).
But worry not for the close of the Gretzky era. A new age is coming. I'm busy looking for the seat belts for this ride. Off my soap box.

That's what I get for speaking too soon. Maybe I should criticize our goaltending before every game... Storr made 33 saves as the team got outshot 34-16 on the road at the home of the defending Stanley Cup champions. They're also the team that has scored nearly as many as LA. The result.. 2-1 Kings. He can definitely play when he wants to... if he would only do so more consistently...

For the Burke thing, that's pretty much what we'd been hoping for here in LA all along. It's always been a heated competition for that number one goal slot between Storr and Fiset, but neither one has stepped up to take the job from the other. And then when you factor in all the injuries... and go figure, Fiset is hurt again already this season.

Well, Colonel, I would like to say that I hope that Storr does well. But I won't. As you may know Your Kings play my Coyotes this Tuesday night. Be There? But I will wish the Kings luck, they should need it. Hopefully for all involved, both players and fans, it will not be the Dogs third tie in a row. I hate ties. Don't own a single one. Well, the clip-on (but it is safely buried under tons of old socks).

Well, Colonel, I would like to say that I hope that Storr does well. But I won't. As you may know Your Kings play my Coyotes this Tuesday night. Be There? But I will wish the Kings luck, they should need it. Hopefully for all involved, both players and fans, it will not be the Dogs third tie in a row. I hate ties. Don't own a single one. Well, the clip-on (but it is safely buried under tons of old socks). See the new conversation blurb under the Corner.

Well, Colonel, I would like to say that I hope that Storr does well. But I won't. As you may know Your Kings play my Coyotes this Tuesday night. Be There? But I will wish the Kings luck, they should need it. Hopefully for all involved, both players and fans, it will not be the Dogs third tie in a row. I hate ties. Don't own a single one. Well, the clip-on (but it is safely buried under tons of old socks). See the new conversation blurb under the Corner.