I SAW GOOSE!!

So I realize that I haven't written a lot lately. But I felt the need to tell you all about one of the greatest moments-slash-missed opportunities ever.

A little while ago I was working [at a popular, unnamed supermarket] on a Saturday, which equates shitty day. Super busy, people being asses, etc. So I was having a crappy day and my supervisor came over to me and asked if I cared to go home a little early [5-10 min] and I told him I absolutely would love it. So a lady came on to take over my shift and I went up front to request some days off. As I was standing at the podium, I saw, with my very own eyes, my GOOSE!! YES, PAUL GAUSTAD!!! He was standing with his cart, flipping through a magazine. Apparently he was waiting for his [girl?]friend to get some ginger ale. I proceeded to stare at him for a bit, until he looked up and we made eye contact, then I looked down and I'm sure my face turned a billion shades of red.

Just then his [girl?]friend came over to him and they got in line. Here's the kicker-- THEY GOT IN THE LINE I WAS JUST WORKING AT ALL DAY!!!! Had I not left early, I would have checked him out [wait, what??]!!! I was so pissed. The ONE day I get to leave just a little early, I missed the greatest opportunity to talk to Goose.

Story of my life. However, my dad pointed out later that at least I got to see him at all. Which is true, but I wasn't in the glass-half-full mood at that time.  I mean, I have been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. I had the speech all prepared- I would ask him how he became Superman, thank him for being the most reliable person to put on a jersey all year, explain my great love for him, how he is the namesake for my blog, you know all the basics.

I haven't seen him since that day. I knew when I started working at this store I'd prolly see a lot of the guys because of where it's located [I have had the opportunity to see Lydman and Pominville]. Apparently I've JUST missed Numminen and Vanek on a few occasions.

But honestly, I was surprised Goose was there. It's a well-known fact that him and Miller live downtown [or at least in the city I mean]. This particular store is out in the 'burbs. I wonder if maybe his [girl?]friend lives nearby? I donno. Again, another question I would have asked him given the opportunity.

[Although, truth be told, I'm sure I would have completely clammed right up and not said a single word to him. It would have been amazingly awkward I'm sure of it.]

Ah, Goose. Someday my friend, someday.

No, not my Goose!

He's out for a couple of weeks!! This, the day after ESPN wrote that he's, "the feisty tower of strength who oozes character." They cursed him...

And the worst part of this? That the injury occurred in the last shift of the 5-0 win against Toronto. C'mon Goose! Don't do this to us!

Royzie, I'm trying here man...

Good God, I swear if Florida makes the playoffs by 1 point and we don't, I'm totally blaming Roy. He bought and gift-wrapped a point for them when he gave them the puck in front of poor Millsey and they cranked it home in the dying minutes of the 3rd. I know that's completely and utterly ridiculous to blame an entire year on Fat Boy, but I don't feel bad.

Now, before you judge me, understand that I love My Boys. They're all like my children... I love every single one of them, but get pissed off when they act stupid (unless your TimBits, then I LOVE when you get drunk and fall off bar stools in public places where we can all see). Fat Boy has been like my red-haired step-child all year long. I want to love him, but sometimes I really, really wanna slap him upside his head and ask why he CONSISTENTLY thinks it's a good idea to:

A) play the half-wall on the PP and always throw it through the box right when they collapse it so they can then proceed to take it on Millsey for a scoring chance,

B) skate sooooo close to the blue line that all's it takes is a gentle flap of a butterfly's wing to send the puck in the wrong direction to make our boys tag up, and

C) try to do a fancy move and get the puck robbed, then fall down and cry about it while your teammates flip into defense mode and man-up.

Derek, I want to love you. I really do. You do enough really, really sweet things to make up for the bone-headed stuff. I loved it when you dove and flipped the puck out of the zone during the PK, and c'mon let's be honest about your shootout goal-did you mean to have it slip off your stick into the 5-hole? Cuz I'd like to think so, and if so, it was SWEET. If not, just lie to me and I'll never know.

On another note, TV did not get a hat trick for his 25th. However, he did get one goal, so that's pretty good. And also, I just want to say that I love him and TimBits playing on the same line. They compliment each other perfectly. Like Goose and Ellis used to... until Lindy split them up (have you noticed since then Goose has scored like TimBits at 4am after a night on the ChipStrip and Ellis has been left empty-handed like TimBits' wingman Fat Boy on said night?)

When it's all said and done we got shit done and got 2 points. It's just too bad Florida got 1 too. Oh well, call it a night boys and get ready for Tampa on Weds.