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.

A night for the books

"Tonight's game was more about the community." -Jason Pominville

We needed this. The Team needed this. The City needed this. The Community needed this.

For 2.5hrs we could try to forget about our pain and come together to find some comfort in being together and overcoming. Even if just for a few hours. So for that, I thank you Sabres. Thank you. For that little bit of time some of us were able to try to return to normalcy. It will take a long time. But we're strong and we're tough and we'll make it through this, together. That's why I feel this game was so much more than a hockey game.

-The moment of silence in the beginning was very powerful. I doubt it's ever been that quite, and hopefully it will never have to be again.

-It was crazy how on fire we came out of the gate. It's truly like they were playing for something else, something bigger.

-When I found out Paille was going to play I was hoping like hell he'd play his ass off, and he didn't disappoint.

-RJ, Neale, and Rayzor were in fine form tonight. They were full of one-liners. I love it.

-I totally thought Stafford scored that goal, but it went over the net. It was such a sweet play though! Man, he's playing wicked hockey right now...

-On San Jose's 3rd goal, Lydman gave up too fast. He was all over Boyle and then let up, and what do you know? Back of the net.

-That high stick penalty on Rivet was total BS. Thorton's own guy hit him! And I found it funny that he was pointing to the inside of his lip, saying it was bleeding and the ref totally rolled his eyes. That was awesome.

-How did 3 of our guys miss their checks on Pavelski's goal? Terrible.

OMG. Did you guys see how excited Rivet was when he scored? The entire building erupted!! The team went totally crazy. And I've never seen a bigger smile plastered on that guy's face. It was incredible. Take a look at his face in this pic. It seriously felt like... something. I can't even explain what. How much do you think that goal meant to him [even though he didn't end up scoring it, it went to Pommers]? This was his old team that dropped [traded] him this summer. The emotions were off the Richter scale. That combined with what he said early to the media about what he hoped this game could accomplish, how it wasn't about them. He wanted to give something and help somehow, and this is the only way he knows.

Several people commented on how after that tying goal with 3.9 seconds left it was the loudest the building has been since the playoffs- how it seemed like it was sort of a release for everyone, players included. And Ruff's response? "We needed a fairy tale ending." He said, "we needed to give the city something positive."

Kevin Sylvester's response- "Is there any question why the city loves that man? He knows the game meant little."