The World Equestrian Games (WEG) ended today. Watching Lamaze's third round in the show jumping event was awful. He was pegged to win, and wound up in third. At least Hickstead, his horse, was named best horse... which was obvious, Hickstead works so hard and is a little crazy, and he seems to never get tired. I wish I could have gone. Lexington is not that far. But unfortunately the tickets were much more expensive than I had originally thought (and I thought they were pretty expensive in the first place). I guess that just means that I'll have to travel the world to see them once I'm rich and successful, hmm? Now to figure skating... the World Championships are going to be in Japan on October 31st! Yayayayayay. I wasnt able to catch the end of the Colts game (I was in a car with no good reception on the drive back to college), but I heard it was pretty dull...
I am absolutely crushed. Completely devastated. All you football fans here on this thread know the feeling. That crushed, defeated feeling you get when your team is on a losing streak, is cut down, is injured, et cetera. You all know that depressed, crushed feeling you get when all your high hopes are taken away. That's how I feel. Injuries across the board, barebones D, O line not much better, Rodgers getting a concussion, just barely winning easy games.... It's absolutely awful. I love my team to death--I bleed green and gold, I would die for this team, I live and die by the Packers, and seeing our season falling apart is absolutely awful. Not only are we a Super Bowl caliber team, these guys deserve to go to a Super Bowl and win. I'm clinging on to this desperate hope that everything will get better and we can bounce back like we did last year, but I keep feeling down. I'm cheering for my boys harder than ever, and I'm proud of them no matter what. They've done as well as they could up to this point. I'm just praying our season can be saved.
I hope your team makes it out of that rut Gigi... My team (DC United from Major League Soccer in the US) never did and now we probably have a league record for most losses in a season with only two games left to go... Le sigh...
And the result was in our favor. Board meeting to determine new owners occurring as i write this post.
Hicks and Gillett have blocked the deal, gaining an injunction in a Texan court. So the US equivalent of the county court has screwed over a bigger and better institution. Sod the fact that a football club might go down the pan, this is a challenge against the greatest legal system on the planet. And how ****ing dare the Americans do something like that? Not even my club and I'm hopping mad.
Without question, tonight's performance was the worst of the season for my favourite NHL team. They were in Pittsburgh, facing one of the most talented teams in the league, a Penguins team desperate for their first win of the season. Star forward Philthy Phil Kessel was benched for the third period, star goalie J.S. Giguere was given a night off in favour of our backup who struggled in the preseason. At one point, the team went nearly 15 minutes without recording a single shot on goal. And yet, the undefeated Toronto Maple Leafs managed to take advantage of a struggling goaltender, and put together a fairly solid defensive effort, preserving a 4-3 lead to open the season 3-0. A game like this would have surely been a loss last season, but the team was able to hold it together against a strong offensive push from the Penguins in the third. I am enjoying this season far more than last season
I'm really hoping so, too. However, the Viqueens are sucking horribly, which makes me laugh. And also, Brett Favre got nailed in the crotch during practice with a football. Cracked me up.
I couldn't believe the nerve of these muppets. I was shocked and in feeling a deep sense of disgust about their actions and am not saddened to see them go. At least now we can look forward to a new start, debt free. In all of this the best moment for me was the aftermath in which Hicks described the eventual sale as "a very valuable asset that was swindled away from me in an epic swindle." Epic swindle indeed. On a side note, my heart goes out to Dundee who recently went into administration.
Huge win tonight for the undefeated Toronto Maple Leafs. They had so many chances to quit tonight, but they put it together and scored on the powerplay when they needed it most. But now the ugly part of the game, which I can't leave alone. I've defended Sean Avery before- not sure if it was on this board, but to friends and family I've made the argument that he's only hated because he happens to be the best and serving an unpopular role. Whether it had happened against the Leafs or not, what he did tonight is indefensible. Slashing a player's leg from behind away from the play after the whistle sounds is frankly disgusting. This league sometimes has a serious problem with discipline, and I will be the first to admit the NHL is the most violent major North American professional sports league, but that isn't a part of the game. I just hope it's longer than a game or two, because what Avery did is a great way to end a player's career. Now that I've dealt with that garbage, here's some thoughts on the actual hockey-related events that happened in MSG tonight: Giguere had a weak game overall, but turned it on in the second half of the third. He made up for the soft goals against by picking the team up when they needed him. That's why he's on this team. Phil Kessel is back after a subpar game against Pittsburgh. MacArthur managed yet another goal. This team is getting it done offensively, even if it isn't always pretty. Of course, a couple of the goals tonight were gorgeous. Unfortunately, Rangers superstar Marian Gaborik was injured tonight. I hope it isn't severe, I'm a fan of his and despite constantly battling injuries he's one of the most exciting players in the league. 4-0. Still doesn't look real. I'm enjoying every minute of the streak, and I'll get to enjoy it all weekend as the Leafs get a little break until Monday, when they welcome the New York Islanders. It's going to be interesting seeing them play against a team they should beat. A team they'll actually be favoured against
Huddersfield Town 2-0 Southampton In a match notable for the referee being incapable of counting to 2 (as in, that booking takes him up to two, so he has to be sent off... or not) but managing to get so far as 11 (as in, he's indicated HOW MUCH injury time?), Town defeated title rivals Southampton with a passionate, determined performance. Goals from Anthony Pilkington and Joey Gudjonsson were the difference. In the first half, Town were awesome. Only goalkeeper Kelvin Davis stopped Town sticking in half a dozen as the side in blue and white threatened to run riot. In the second, Southampton had plenty of the ball but couldn't create any chances. Antony Kay and captain fantastic Peter Clarke dominated the Saints strikers all afternoon. Comedy provided by an incompetent referee. Who booked the wrong player in the first half (Dean Hammond was booked instead of Danny Butterfield), booked the same player twice in the second (Rui Fonte, who incidentally has the worst hair I've ever seen on a central defender and looks like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as being Portuguese and living up to every Portuguese player ever by being a whinging, diving twat), gave 11 minutes of injury time after a linesman got injured and even managed to fall over. Superb.
I'm very worried about Manchester United. I agree that they always draw. They haven't lost yet this season, but they just don't seem like real title contenders.
Fortunately it's still early on, but yeah all the ties are getting annoying. I won't be too worried until the first loss.
Man.Utd are still third in the Premier League so it's not that bad I guess. Hoorah, Murray won the Shanghai Masters.
It took two teams to do it, but the Leafs have finally 'lost' a game this season, 2-2 to the Islanders in overtime. Unfortunately only one of the Leafs goals counted. In the game the Leafs had two goals waived off, both of which involved calls that were simply incorrect. In the first instance, the linesman ruled that the puck was touched by a high stick, and indeed it was touched above the net. Only problem is that the puck was not knocked into the net by the highstick, and therefore the standard for ruling highstick is the height of the player's shoulder. The puck was played clearly below Versteeg's shoulder, and therefore it was incorrect. The 2nd waived off goal was actually the proper ruling. Only problem is that the puck was played away from the Islander net by way of an Islander player's glove. Such a play, by the rules, is without question, discretion, or interpretation, an automatic penalty shot. This penalty shot was not awarded to the Leafs. Making matters worse, the Leafs lost one of their better contributors this season Mikhail Grabovski when he was hit at centre ice away from the play. Once again, such a play is supposed to result in an automatic penalty. This penalty was not assessed. Later, a Leafs player was clearly tripped in the Leafs defensive zone. Once again, automatic penalty, once again, no call. The Islanders were then given a powerplay, with which they 'won' the game. It is unfortunate that the winning streak was ended not by a superior, deserving team, but by incompetent officiating. I can only take solace in the fact that the vigorous Toronto media will rake this officiating crew over the coals tomorrow, and make sure the NHL cannot ignore it. Complaining about referees is old hat in sports, and this season I'm not allowing myself to get angry over poor officiating. And I'm not angry. But I am frustrated and disappointed. At least this team has not been legitimately beaten this season.
Any thoughts on Lesnar vs Velasquez for UFC 121? Personally, I feel Lesnar is learning more about MMA, but his shortcomings were on display in his last fight with Carwin. And I don't expect Velasquez to lose steam like Carwin did, but he is a lot lighter than Brock. So it should be pretty interesting.
I think Brock is too big and strong for him. Velasquez will have his best chance on the feet early on, but the longer the fight goes, and the sooner Brock takes it to the ground, the more heavily it goes in Lesnar's favour. I don't think Velasquez has as good a chance as Carwin, but he is dangerous and has some knockouts to his credit. Brock has shown himself vulnerable the few times he's had his takedowns stopped. If Velazquez can defend a take down, and catch Brock in a scramble, he has the punching power to take the win. I think Lesnar will win by TKO on the ground sometime in the 2nd. Good fight though.
Dismal news: Wayne Rooney looks set to leave Man Utd. Sorry to see him go. On form, our most effective player, but not our finest... The day of Paul Scholes' retirement will be a far sadder one than this. Sorrier still to see that Sir Alex seems to have had just about his fill with the modern way of football.
First regulation loss of the season for the Leafs tonight, 2-1 to New York. They played awful the first two periods, especially the first. A defensive lapse from Beauchemin led to the first goal against, and poor tactics cost us the 2nd one less than a minute later, as Ron Wilson decided to send out the 4th line on the first shift after the goal. Who promptly turned the puck over and gave New York an easy 2nd goal. The Leafs managed 1 goal in the third, but that was it. Not a strong effort all around, except for Gustavsson who kept the Leafs in the game and didn't surrender another goal after the Rangers' 2nd.
I read about that. But agree that it'll be sadder when Scholes retires. Edit: Aha, Rooney's signed a five year deal with Man.Utd. Woo.
I so badly would like Lesnar to lose, but I don't think it's going to happen. :/ We'll see, though... Anyone watching this season of The Ultimate Fighter? I can't wait to see the GSP/Koscheck fight.
