one small detail that stood out to me about this latest episode that i haven’t seen anyone else talking about yet is that when the commentators are calling colin “inspiring” and the “man of the match,” they are celebrating him not for actually scoring the goals himself, but for providing the crucial assists to make both of them happen. and i really love that because for me it’s the absolute perfect wrap to his character arc across all three seasons!

like, we know that colin’s job on this team has never been to score goals. in fact i’m pretty sure we’ve never heard about a single goal that he has scored. colin is and always has been a team player, not a star—and we’ve seen that crop up over and over. notably, we’ve seen the fact that he’s not entirely at peace with that crop up over and over: see the way he was affected by nate’s entire holidy-inn-painting monologue, being benched to make room for zava, etc.—like, this is the thing he’s sensitive about! this is where all of his insecurities come from!

but at the SAME TIME it’s also tied very intimately with all his struggles re: hiding his sexuality— “colin’s a chameleon,” etc. it’s fascinating because there’s SO much tension there between colin 1. feeling bad about the fact that he never stands out on the pitch the way some of his teammates do, because of who he is on the team, and 2. feeling like he CAN’T stand out, ever, because of Who He Is As A Person. etc. it’s like. he’s filling this role in the background. he’s afraid he’s not doing it well enough. he’s afraid that what and who he is isn’t good enough and isn’t worthy of recognition. he wishes he were someone different. trying to be someone different in the locker room is clearly making him so unhappy and stressed out. it is All Connected and my thoughts have been doing laps around it at an ever-increasing rate since i watched episode 2.07 ‘headspace’ if not before!

and all of this is why it’s so incredible to me that in the end, colin’s big moment comes from making assists and not goals! because on the one hand i understand the fandom desire for the colin post-coming out glowup that we all knew was coming—to see him, like, ~prove everybody wrong about him~ and inspire people by suddenly becoming a standout player and scoring goals left and right, even though that never used to be his role on the team before. and don’t get me wrong, i was 100% on board that train, and would have loved it for him if that was how it went down in the end, also. i think he should get to score here and there! as a treat! especially now that richmond are playing total football and there’s been so much emphasis placed on how it’s not just jamie/dani/occasionally sam who are making all the goals anymore!

but i don’t know! especially after the events of the last few episodes, there’s something very special to me about getting to see a colin who, rather than becoming someone entirely new in the moments right after coming out, just feels free to become, and be at peace with, the best version of the same self he’s always been. he’s still a team player first and foremost, but now that he’s not as weighed down by the need to chameleon/hide/pretend to be someone he’s not, he’s so much better at it. and everyone sees this! he gets to be celebrated for his contributions within the role he’s always played! he (and everybody else!) finally recognizes the value that he adds to the team just by being himself—fully himself! it resolves all the tension and insecurity that we’ve seen him struggling with this whole time, on every level. and so this moment was genuinely the perfect ending for his journey in my opinion—i’m so so happy that we were tall enough to join him on the ride here, and so excited to see what he does going forward these last few episodes now that some of that pressure is off him <3

The Aftermath.

09_03_21

I’ve been in a awkward emotional phase.  I would have to call it a phase, because it is temporary feelings and will pass.  Not sure where these emotions fall under.  I think I am at the end where I am content with how everything happened.  I am content with where my life is.  Maybe everything happened for me to self reflect and make changes about myself.  I am unsure.  It’s been a hell of a road and what is irritating the most is when I actually took time to myself.  Everyone has not been accepting of that.  I am surprised at how hurtful, focusing on yourself can be to others.  But when you are faking and being there for everyone but yourself, its okay then, no one is ‘hurt.’

I  wrote my goals on a board and two of them have happened already.  I am shocked that writing things out adds sparkle to manifesting what you desire.  I booked a commercial from a self tape!  And I am going to see H.E.R. in concert!  Listen, yall, when I met her at the BET Awards I said I would see her again, just didn’t know exactly how that would happen.  Dang, this is the first time I felt happy inside.  Like no faking the emotions inside.  I feel the joy within first before it appears.  Damn, 32 years and I feel happy.  Like real life happy.  And I am not scared to feel peace and happiness.  In the process of it, I have been isolating myself, I can hear my therapist now.  But it’s sort of working.  I only give limited energy to everyone.  Meaning that I speak to my friends half the day and the rest I go radio silence.  I can only manage so much.  I feel like once I have established my own balance then I can take on as much as I can, but I don’t miss that life anymore.  I love being there for myself.  I think it will make me a better human.  I am currently working on getting a Tesla, I am apprehensive and will settle for a Honda/Kia.  Maybe an Audi A4.  I am targeting for my birthday.  My credit score is almost where it needs to be at this time, just need to remove a few more zeros.  I actually got my nails done and enjoyed it.  I felt great about myself.  It’s strange honestly.  I really do put others before me.  I have neglected myself and through this growth, I am handing myself the power to do me.  And at this point if folks don’t like it, they can leave.

I post about forgiving and carefully shared the reason for that.  I forgave the person that hurt me physically and emotionally two months after the incident.  My friends don’t know, only my sister.  She thought it was too early but she also stated if you are ready than you are.  I wrote on the paper “I forgive you.” to release myself from pain.  To release myself of potential bitterness.  Understand if you don’t forgive you live in misery.  I refuse to succumb to that.  That’s not even who I am.  That crazy part about it, is I forgave her but I have never forgave my ex.  And I ponder the thoughts that I was really in love with S.A. on a universal connection.  But she didn’t feel the same.  I could be wrong, I can’t speak on her thoughts of emotions.  I had to stop myself from projecting outer emotions that were false by my subconscious.  I think this is why I am so content.  Sometimes I miss her to be honest, because she is a great person, but than I remember the attack and getting bite.  Sometimes I wish we could meet and have a conversation to close the chapter but than I’d be scared.  Parts of me wants to drop the restraining order and the possible case, but then I’d failed everyone including myself.  I mean having this on your record isn’t grand to be honest.  And when I wished her the best I meant it.  For her to have a prosperous life, even though she wished karma on me.  I think I have until November to decide.  Although what good would it do.  I drop everything and then what?!  I mean my life is going great, but I don’t want to regret it.  I’d again putting myself last and her first.  I’d be suffering while she lives her life like it never happened.  And that’s what makes me stop in my tracks for the victims.

I kind of want to write a letter to H.E.R. about her music assisting with getting me through such a crazy time in my life.  I feel like having the restraining order still keeps me trapped somehow.  I mean I’d have to testify in court about it. all over again and I think I am at a point in my life where I am happy and don’t want to go back to the dark times.  My heart still wants to be with her.  And it sucks.  After everything, it’s just that.  But I could never trust again.  The tweets of flirting changed me indefinitely.  I never had trust issues until now.  That’s how trusting and vulnerable I am in relationships and with the person I am with.  I am almost a damn fool.  Unless, she can truly apologize about all of that.  I mean I think the part that hurts is I came to her place of residence highly upset and I get attacked for my emotions, but she comes to my house upset and I welcome her in, even though I am upset.  I had no reason to put hands on her at all.  I would never put hands on someone I love.  NEVER!  I will never understand that.  But we will see what happens in the future.  I mean it’s kind of not a lot of time either, because I don’t want to carry this into 2022.  I’d feel bad if she went to jail, but also her actions are what caused her own repercussions.  I am taking back the power of her statement saying EVERYTHING was my fault, because it wasn’t.  I had the right to feel the way that I did.  Even the police had no issues with that, but once things become physical, they consider that violence.  But I pray one day we can have a conversation and she apologizes.  I do deserve it.  But maybe when we go back to court for charges she’ll rethink it then.  Who knows I can’t speak on someone else’s life.  But I do wish her the best.

Sid/Geno #22 💋

a kiss … in a rush of adrenaline

Geno thinks about it for the first time after their first Cup win. 

It’s the wrong place to think about it, maybe–they’re all high on everything, haven’t been sober in days, and Geno’s happier than maybe he’s ever been. This is what he came here to do, why he hid in that Finland bathroom, why he ran to a country without knowing the language or anything more than hockey–this. To hold the Cup. 

And then he looks at Sid, incandescent with his happiness as Flower tilts beer from the Cup into his mouth, boyish and handsome and Sid licks some beer from his mouth, tongue pink, and–something shifts in Geno, something irrevocable. A knowledge that can’t be changed or moved, as he looks at Sid. 

Oh, Geno thinks then, for the first but not the last time. What will it be like, to have Sid next to him, but only in some of the ways Geno wants? 

It doesn’t matter then. It’s just a thing Geno thinks about, usually when Sid’s either being particularly annoying or particularly cute. When either he chafes, passed over again and again for Sid’s brighter flame, or when Sid does something that makes him ache for wanting, drawn in always to that flame. 

It’s easier, in some guilty parts of Geno, during the concussion. When it’s–not Geno’s team, because the Penguins are Sid’s team to their bones, and Geno will fight tooth and nail to make sure that stays true, but Geno’s the one holding them in trust. Geno’s the one leading them for now, the one the camera’s on. The one people are talking about. It’s–Geno hadn’t thought he wanted that, not really. But it makes him think. 

And–and Sid’s not there all the time, on the ice and in the locker room and on the bus, yakking on and smiling so fondly and dragging Geno into watching game tape and listening to every single call up who sets foot in the lockerr room, to every fan, and just being so Sidney that Geno’s fists sometimes clench to keep from just–being reckless. Geno still goes to see SId, of course, but it’s not all the time. Not the constant reminder of what he can’t have. 

And then–then Geno gets back from Russia, where he learned what it meant to be Captain, to have a team that was his, and Sid’s there, in the locker room Geno’s first day back, and he yanks Geno into a hug, and Geno can feel his smile on his neck. Geno leans into Sid’s embrace, holding him tight so he can have this much, and he thinks it again, for real. 

So that summer, when his agent comes to him, asking about the contract extension–Geno thinks about what it felt like, to have his own team. Thinks about standing on his own. Thinks about eight years in a locker room with a man he’s in love with and can’t have. Thinks about what might happen, if that love turns to resentment. 

And he says no. 

Sid doesn’t talk to him for two months, once the Pens trade him. 

Geno’s not surprised, exactly. Geno hadn’t told him for exactly this reason–because he’d wanted as long as he could have with Sid unsullied, Sid’s offseason texts about everything from the fish he’d caught to pictures of his dog to thoughts about the penalty kill. Sid’s ridiculously awkward selfies, and the way he sucked at emoji responses to Geno’s pictures. But Geno does not have any illusions about Sidney Crosby. He knew what to expect. 

Still, Geno had expected a few weeks, maybe. Everyone knows Sid sulks. Geno’s been sulked at, more than once. Oh, Sid says all the right things to the media– “For sure, I’m sad to see Geno go, but he’s going to make a huge splash in Dallas. I can’t wait to see what he does–as long as it’s not beat us,” and shit like that. But the chatty texts cut off on a dime a few days before Geno heard about the trade, and Geno knows what that meant. 

He gives Sid a few weeks, but then he starts to get annoyed. What, did Sid expect him to stay in his shadow for the rest of his career? To always be in second place? Sid wasn’t usually selfish, but that was. 

But he texts Sid a few times, angrily, and gets nothing back; and then he goes to Dallas. 

It’s–he’s been to Dallas before, he’s played there, but it’s still different. There’s so much more space here, and it’s warm, and there’s none of the steel that seems to run through Pittsburgh’s bones. Instead there’s oil and cows and it all feels newer, somehow. 

The guys are good, though–training camp is what it is, as usual, and if none of them are the Pens–none of them are Sid–it’s still good. They’re a good group, and clearly ready to make something of themselves. And Gonch is there, which, as always, makes it easier. Still, it’s…weird. Different locker room, different traditions. The way some of the guys look at him, like he knows the answers–he’s used to being a vet on the team now, to wearing a letter, but it’s different, here. Where’s he’s expected to change things. 

“You’ll get us there,” Benn–Jamie, not Jordie tells him, a little drunk and big-eyed. Geno had been worried about him; rumor was he was going to be captain before Geno came, but he’s been nothing but solid. A good kid, Geno thinks, though he isn’t that much older, solid and dependable and the sort to care more about his team than scoring–the kind of person, Geno thinks despite himself, who Sid would like. 

He stops thinking that. He’s been trying not to think about Sid as much. It hasn’t worked–he still looks to him on the power play, still looks at his phone and wonders how the Pens camp is doing, who’s wearing the A in his stead, if Sid is spending long evenings with whoever that is–but he’s trying. He came to Dallas for a fresh start. He’s going to get it. 

“Right, Geno?” Jamie asks, and Geno blinks. 

“Hm?” 

“The playoffs,” Jamie tells him, eyes big and bright and yearning. “Right? This year’s our year.” 

“Yes, our year,” Geno agrees, though he’s maybe not sure, and toasts Jamie. 

They play the Pens early in the season. Geno doesn’t have time to nod to some of the guys before they get on the ice, but then–then he’s across a faceoff dot from Sid, and in some ways it’s like practice almost every day for years, the two of them. And in some ways–Sid would always be smiling then. Now he’s set, his game face on, the one that means nothing’s going to throw him out. 

“Guess we finally see who better,” Geno throws at him, right before the puck drops–just to break him. To see him feel something, god. 

It’s a miscalculation. Geno knows it the moment he sees Sid set his jaw at that, the way it lights a fire in his eyes. Sid wins the faceoff, and then he’s down the ice. 

Dallas loses. No one’s surprised, really–the Stars are still rebuilding, and the bones are there, but they aren’t quite there yet. Sid’s on fire the way he always is after someone challenged him, but Geno gets a goal and an assist too, sneaking it around Flower in a way that gets him sworn at in French. In the end it’s not that weird–Geno’s played long enough that he’s played against people he considers friends. A whole team of them is a little different, but. It is what it is. 

They get off the ice clearly bummed but not distraught, and head to the locker room, where Geno has infinite media about what it feels like to play against his old team, against Sid. “Is always fun to play Sid,” Geno tells them. “He win this time, but maybe not next.” He doesn’t think it’s fitting, here and now, to say what he’s always said–that Sid’s the best player in the world, and there’s nothing Geno’s loved more than keeping up. 

“Yeah, sure,” Demers puts in, when the media’s done. “You say it’s fun. Tell me that when you can check him.” 

“What that mean?” Geno asks, raising an eyebrow. 

Demers looks at Jamie, who shrugs. “Um, you just. Don’t check him very hard,” he says. Geno’s been getting shit about this for years, he knows how the handle it–it’s not like, maybe, in his heart of hearts, it might not be true. 

Anyway, “Think I have enough checking,” he says, because he was definitely not imagining how hard Tanger was gunning for him. He’s more than a little pissed about that, actually; they’re supposed to be friends. 

He gets changed quickly, then goes to the visitor’s locker room, to say hi to the people who are still his friends. 

What he’s not expecting, when he opens the door, is to be met with a glaring Sidney surrounded by a cadre of French Canadians–one smiling (Flower), one glaring (Tanger) and one looking vaguely exasperated (Duper). “Yes, hi Geno, good game,” Flower says in a rush. “Now, take him. Fix him.” He shoves Sid out of the door. 

Sid must not have been expecting it, because he stumbles, and Flower’s slammed the door shut before he can catch it. 

“Asshole!” Sid mutters. Geno raises his eyebrows. 

“Is so bad, talk to me?” he asks. 

Sid lifts his head, and–god, it’s still…He’s still so Sid, even with his media face on, all eyes and lips and cheekbones and a ridiculous sort of beard. “You want to talk?” he asks, coolly. 

They aren’t going to do this here. “Come,” Geno says, and ushers them to a nearby office. Sid goes like a cat might–making it clear he’s only going because it’s his idea. Then Geno closes the door and leans against it. 

Sid stands in the middle of the room, his media face still on. Geno thinks he’s going to have to talk first–Geno tends to be more impatient than Sid, and he has plenty to say–but then Sid tilts his chin up just a little. 

“If you weren’t happy with the way the team was going, you could have talked to me,” he starts, stiff, formal. “Or to Kuni. I know we haven’t won in a few years, but–” 

“Not about winning,” Geno snaps at him. Does Sid think so little of him? And if he really cared this much about winning, would he really have gone to Dallas? 

Sid swallows. “Well. If you were having problems with anyone on the team–” 

“Sid, you know I’m not.” 

“Then if you were dissatisfied with my leadership, we could have discussed–” 

“Of course not!” Geno interrupts. God, he wants to just–shake Sid. For being so Sid. 

“Or with your minutes, we could have–” 

“Not about how long I play–” 

“Then what the fuck?” Sid snaps back, his cheeks flushed, and Geno can breathe again. This is Sid, his Sid–not the media version, the Sid who was easygoing until he wasn’t and who would fight with Geno for hours about stupid shit and who, Geno was beginning to realize, he would never not love. “If it wasn’t any of that, why did you want to leave?” 

“You really think I’m want to play behind you forever?” Geno demands, incredulous. Does Sid not get it? “Always be–Sidney Crosby, and also Evgeni Malkin. All fame on you.” 

“That’s all–media bullshit!” Sid retorts. “You’re the best player out there and you know it, why does it matter what they say?” 

“Easy for you to say!” Geno yells, and pushes away the part of him that always thrills to have Sid praise him like that, like it’s obvious. “Maybe I’m want someone, sometime, to say, oh yes, Geno Malkin, he great too!” 

“You never cared before!” Sid’s hands are clenched into fists. “You–you always said you didn’t care about that, you just wanted to play, for us to play together.” He takes a breath, and Geno can see it, beneath the anger–the hurt. The confusion. Fuck, he hates that. Wants, instinctively, to do whatever he has to to fix it. “Was that a lie?” Sid asks, half accusing, half–something else. “Were you always going to leave m–us?” 

“Not a lie! I’m think I stay, but my contract up, and–” What’s Geno supposed to say? But I realized I couldn’t stay forever and be in love with you and watch you never know? “And I’m think things over, and decide,” he finishes. 

“You could have talked to me about it,” Sid informs him snippily, but he’s winding down. Sid can keep a grudge forever, but he doesn’t seem to want to keep this one. “I–Mario told me, and I told him he was lying, because you’d have told me if you were thinking about going somewhere else.”  

Geno winces. “I’m…I can’t say, not to you.” 

“Why not?” Sid asks, honestly confused, and Geno–it’s another thing Geno can’t say, that Sid would have talked him into staying, because Sid could probably talk him into anything short of throwing a game if he smiled at him, if he asked. “I thought–I mean, weren’t we–aren’t we–friends?” 

“Yes, of course,” Geno says, too fast. They’re friends before anything. “Yes, but. Have to make choice on my own.” 

“But why?” Sid demands again, because he’s like a dog with a bone, and then there’s a knock on the door and it pulls open to reveal Tanger and Kuni there, looking, if Geno knows them right, like Tanger was going to burst in and Kuni was holding him back a little. 

“Bus is leaving, Sid,” Kuni says. Tanger’s mostly growling at Geno. “You ready?” 

“Yeah, for sure. I’ll just–” Sid waves a hand, like that means anything. “It was–good seeing you, Geno.” He pauses, then something like a smile cracks over his face, bright and like a knife into Geno’s heart. “Better beating you.” 

“Not next time!” Geno throws back, as Sid leaves. Kuni nods to Geno and heads out, but Geno grabs Tanger’s arm before he can go. 

“What wrong with you?” He demands. “You mad I’m trade too?” 

Tanger throws off Geno’s arm with the sort of look in his eyes he gets before a fight on the ice. “I get not wanting to be in Sid’s shadow,” he shoots back, his accent thick enough that it takes all of Geno’s concentration to understand the English. “But you didn’t have to be cruel about it. Not to Sid.” 

“What? I’m not–” 

Tanger shoves him out of his way–hard enough that Geno might have pushed back, if he’d been expecting it. “He’d just gotten back, and now he’s been fucking miserable and it’s your fault,” he snaps, and then he’s stalking out of the room before Geno can follow him, if Geno even had an idea of what to say. 

They don’t talk again for two weeks, and even then, it’s because Geno’s been complaining to Gonch about the lingering weirdness in the room–he knows what it feels like when a team is 100% behind their captain, and it’s not Dallas, not right now. He just can’t get it there–there’s no real problem in the room, it’s not that, it’s just not what he knows it can be. What it should be. 

“I’ve worn a letter for years,” he tells Gonch on a groan. “I should know how to do this.” 

Gonch just raises his eyebrows at him. “You wore an A,” he says. “It’s different.” 

“Are you saying I don’t know how to lead?” Geno demands. He knows how to fucking lead, that’s not the problem. 

“I’m saying,” Gonch says, in the tone that means his patience is wearing thin, “That you’ve always had Sid’s authority as a crutch, and you’ve never had to do it on your own. And that I’m not the person I should be asking about this.” 

Geno glares, but–he has a point. And, guiltily, maybe Geno’s been waiting for this–for a good reason to talk to Sid. To hear his voice again. 

So he calls, that night, when he knows Sid will be eating dinner. “Hello?” Sid answers, sounding wary. 

“Hi, Sid.” he says. “Good time?” 

“Yeah.” He hears movement, like Sid’s getting up. “How are things?” 

Geno is not equipped to do small talk in English over the phone. “Sid,” He whines, and Sid snorts. Geno grins to himself, smug. 

“You called me,” Sid points out. More noise–is he sitting down? Geno can picture him, sitting in his living room, probably in his old sweats and one of his t-shirts that are far too small on him now in ways that made it hard for Geno to look at him, sometimes. “What’s up?” 

Sid’s being aggressively normal, so Geno is too. “I’m…want advice,” he admits. He can almost hear Sid’s smugness down the line. “Shut up.” 

“I didn’t say anything.” 

“Yes, you think, very loud.” 

“What do you need advice on?” Sid asks, instead of replying to that. “If it’s your defense, I can’t–” 

Geno doesn’t like asking for help, but it’s Sid. If there’s anyone other than his mom he can ask…He takes a breath. “I’m–how you make sure you win room?” he asks. “I’m…it’s not there. Don’t know how to get it, to where we–where Pens are. With you.” 

“You’ll get there. it’s only been a few months.” 

Geno rolls his eyes at the floor. “Is not the same. You know–everyone on Pens ready to kill for you, if you say.” 

“That’s not–” 

“We all ready,” Geno interrupts him. He doesn’t want to deal with Sid’s humility, not right now. “How you get there?” 

Sid sucks in a breath, then pauses for long enough that Geno prompts him, “Sid?” 

“Yeah, sorry. I’m thinking.” There’s a weird note to his voice. “Some of it really is time. It wasn’t like this, in the beginning.” 

“Sid.” 

Sid chuckles, probably at Geno’s tone. “Yeah, fine. So I think what works best is to make sure you make it personal with everyone–they need to know you, trust you even if they don’t like you–” 

Once he gets started, of course, Geno’s stuck there forever, because Sid on a role can’t be stopped. but it’s–maybe this was a bad idea, because Geno had known Sid was a good leader but he hadn’t really conceived of how much thought Sid put into it, and it’s just a lot, and it’s not helping Geno’s plan of moving on. 

It also–and this part is a little annoying, in a general ‘Sid shouldn’t be good at everything’ sort of way–works. Geno can sense it, can see the room coming together. Can see the thing they could build. 

And it breaks the seal, too. Sid starts texting him again, little things that Geno encourages by sending pictures back. It’s not helping him move on, but it’s not like he could ever not want to have Sid in his life, not really. And he thinks he could survive like this, with his team and Sid on his phone, far enough away that the yearning isn’t omnipresent. 

Then–there’s Sochi. 

The less said about Sochi, the better.

Jamie comes back covered in glory, grinning and showing his medal around. Geno comes back glowering, and unable to put a fucking puck in the net. 

Geno’s storming around his house one day after practice, unable to sit still and unable to work out either. What’s the point? He’s just–he couldn’t win for Russia, couldn’t do his job, how is he supposed to here? 

The doorbell rings. He strongly considers just letting it ring–who could be here? Who could want to see him? –but then it rings again, and he goes to the door, to yell at whoever’s there if nothing else. 

He’s not expecting Sid. But Sid is what he gets, standing on his doorstep in a baseball cap, looking like he’d just wandered over for a beer like he’d do in Pittsburgh. “Sid?” Geno asks, his throat dry. 

“Hey, can I come in?” 

Geno steps aside. Sid comes in, looking around the house curiously as Geno leads the way to the living room. 

“You still have those? I thought you’d ditch them,” he says, nodding to his statues. 

“Why I get rid?” Geno asks, sitting down on the couch. “Are best statues.” 

“They’re awful.” 

“You awful,” Geno retorts, then. “Sid, what are you doing here?” 

Sid just looks at him, long and hard. He’s taken a seat on the couch next to Geno, and he’s so–solid and handsome and Geno remembers seeing him with the gold medal in his hand, alight like he was the sun. “We’re playing tomorrow,” he says, slowly. Like Geno should have remembered. Which maybe he should have, but what would it matter. He wasn’t going to be of use anyway. “Jamie asked me to come by.” Geno snorts. “He’s worried,” Sid adds. 

“Why? He finally get team, like he want first.” 

“Geno,” Sid tells him, scolding. Geno scowls. maybe it’s unfair, but he thinks he gets to be. “He’s worried. So is Gonch. So am I.” 

“Why? I play like shit, you win.” 

“I don’t want to win if you’re like this,” Sid retorts. “I want to beat you at your best.” Geno almost smiles, despite himself. 

But then– “I fuck up, Sid,” he mutters, looking down at his hands. “In Sochi. It—” 

“Yeah, you didn’t win,” Sid agrees, matter of fact. “You didn’t win a lot of times. What’s different about this time?” 

“I don’t know!” Geno’s getting louder, he can’t help it. Does Sid think he’s doing this on purpose? “I just–it not working. We losing again, and I’m not help, and–” 

“You wanted a team,” Sid interrupts. He’s leaning over, elbows braced on his knees; he’s looking at Geno like what he’s saying is obvious, like Geno should know it. Should be able to do it. Can do it. “This is what it means to be captain. It doesn’t matter how you’re feeling. You’re a leader.” His chin lifts up, and Geno thinks of–of Sid at the worst of the concussion, when he’d drag himself to the rink to watch. When he clearly wanted to play more than anything, and still fist bumped everyone on their way out. Every time they lost and Sid stood in front of the media, the team, Geno, and told them what they had to hear, before he went home and dealt with it himself. “So lead.” 

They win. A part of Geno feels a little bad about it, because Sid helped more than a little, but more of him is just–he got a goal, and more than that, he played well. It was good. 

He’s still riding on that when he goes to the guest locker room. Tanger glares at him less this time, when he comes in; or only the grumpy post-loss glare. Geno takes it as a good sign. 

Sid’s still getting changed, buttoning up his shirt as he talks to Duper, and he’s got his face on like he’s talking over the game and Geno thinks of how he’d lookeed over the faceoff dot today when Geno had won the faceoff, and how he looks now, and how he looked last night telling Geno exactly what he needed to hear, and he won, finally, again, and–

“I’m steal,” he announces to Duper, and tugs Sid away. 

“Fuck off, what?” Sid demands, clearly pissy from the loss. “G, I–” 

Geno opens the nearest door he can find, herds Sid in, closes the door, and kisses him. 

It clearly takes Sid entirely by surprise. It takes Geno a little by surprise, the recklessness joy of it. Sid goes still beneath Geno, and Geno probably should be worried but he can’t be, right now. Instead, he pulls back, beaming. He won, and now he knows what Sid’s lips felt like, and Sid hasn’t punched him. He’s doing well. 

“What?” Sid asks. His hand come up to touch his lips. 

“I’m win,” Geno tells him, feeling smug. 

“Yeah, I know.” Sid’s cute when he’s sulky, Geno’s always thought. “But, G–what was that?” 

Geno is happy, and he’s been holding this in so long, and–Sid’s looking at him with his big eyes and touching his lips and looks confused, not mad. “I’m not tell you about contract because you talk me out of it,” he says. “I’m know that if you ask me to stay, I stay, and I can’t stay, not with how much I want you.” 

“G–” 

“Because I’m want you, so much, for so long, and I know if I stay, I say something, or I start to–or it turns bad, because I’m jealous, or because I’m think I only stay for you, and so I’m go, and–” 

“G–” 

“And I’m happy here,” Geno keeps going. He should have known he wasn’t going to stop once he started. “But, if I’m think I move to get over you, it not working, and you–” 

“Geno,” Sid interrupts, just enough of the captain in his voice that, instinctively, Geno shuts up. Sid blinks at him again, still tracing his lips with his fingers. Lips Geno has kissed. Geno has to resist the urge to touch his own lips, to remember. “I didn’t–I didn’t know. I didn’t think.” 

“I know.” Geno does. “I–” 

“Shut up,” Sid cuts him off again. “I didn’t think, but–I never thought I was going to play without you. And then you weren’t there, and I had to learn…” He shakes his head, but there’s a light in his eyes Geno knows. That’s Sid making a play, that’s Sid before he does something insane and wonderful and scores. “Maybe I couldn’t have let myself think about that,” Sid goes on, thoughtful, “Not when–I was your captain, it wouldn’t have been okay.” 

Like Sid would have ever tried to pull rank on him. But Geno has spent years knowing Sid’s play, and going with it, and now is not the time to scoff at that. “You not my captain now,” he points out. 

“No,” Sid agrees, and he still doesn’t look happy to say it, but he doesn’t just look sulky either, as he takes a step forward. Closer to Geno. “I’m not.” 

Geno looks at him, smiling up at Geno, and it’s–it’s like that first time, that Cup win sparkling through their veins. That first time he fell in love with Sid. 

It’s probably stupid. They live halfway across a country from each other; their schedules will never match up; they’re going to have to play against each other. But–maybe Geno doesn’t need Sid. But he wants him. And they might not be on the same team anymore, but together they’ll always be unstoppable. 

“Going to kiss you again,” Geno warns, and Sid rolls his eyes, and kisses him first. 

A big-name XI the Big Six want to shift this summer

Either Manchester United keeper guards the goal of a side packed full of players Spurs would probably be happy to see the back of. Henderson/De Gea Aurier     Laporte     Alderweireld     Maitland-Niles Sissoko     Xhaka Shaqiri    Lingard     Lamela Abraham GK: A Manchester United goalkeeper Take your pick: De Gea or Henderson? Because United can’t keep both happy again this season. Last term was seen as each keeper’s audition for the long-term role. Neither aced it which leaves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a choice to make. With De Gea’s status and track record, and Henderson’s ambition and ego, extending their trial periods into the new season simply is not an option. The signing of Tom Heaton suggests Solskjaer recognises that. Heaton has returned to Old Trafford to serve as first-choice stand-in. So United will have to at least try to move on one of their senior stoppers. De Gea’s salary complicates the issue. As does the fact that there is not much of a market for goalkeepers this summer. Spurs might need one if Hugo Lloris moves on with only a year remaining on his contract. Otherwise, most clubs have other priorities. It’s a conundrum for Solskjaer, but one he must solve before the window closes. No winner in De Gea v Henderson battle at Man Utd RB: Serge Aurier The Ivory Coast defender has outstayed his welcome at Spurs. Aurier has shown glimpses of quality, especially going forward, but he remains untrustworthy at the back. Ideally, Spurs would like to return Aurier to PSG and the player would be chuffed to go back too. “I’ve never hidden my desire to go back to PSG one day. It’s my boyhood club and I’m still a PSG supporter,” he said in May when reflecting on the “end of a cycle” at Spurs. But PSG are wary of giving Aurier a second chance after all the grief he caused off the field before he left the Parc des Princes in 2017. “I wanted a new life because PSG didn’t respect my true worth,” he said at the time, dousing his bridges in petrol while juggling flamethrowers. CB: Aymeric Laporte Pep could have a problem with Laporte. The Spain defender deserves to be a starting centre-back at the highest level but as it stands, Ruben Dias and John Stones are his first-choice partnership. Which wasn’t the plan when City signed Dias. The Portugal defender was bought to play alongside Laporte but injuries, a loss of form and Stones’ incredible resurgence saw Dias excel alongside the England centre-back, leaving Laporte out in the cold. As City have found, any club battling on four fronts needs at least three top-class centre-backs. But with Nathan Ake also in their ranks, there were reports that Guardiola would be willing to cash in on Laporte. The player would fancy a return to Spain too, apparently. But with the top clubs in La Liga trying to raise cash rather than spend it, Laporte may have to knuckle down at City. CB: Toby Alderwiereld Spurs are chasing a couple of centre-backs, partly with Alderweireld’s exit in mind. The Belgium defender certainly doesn’t subscribe to the theory that you should never go back… According to The Athletic, there is a desire to return to Royal Antwerp where he left aged 15, and two years ago he said going back to Ajax was “100 per cent in my head”. Both clubs would be keen on a reunion if the figures are agreeable. But with two years left on a £100,000-a-week contract at Spurs that seems fanciful. LB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles The Arsenal utility man would be fuming to find himself at left-back… “I’m a midfielder by trade, either central or on the wing… I’m not a defender,” he said in 2019. The England international doubled down on that stance earlier this year: “I want to play in the centre of the pitch because I feel comfortable there and there’s a lot of things I can bring by playing in the middle.” But we’re short of a left-back and having played there in the past for Arsenal and England, Maitland-Niles will have to embrace his versatility. As he likely will to get a decent move this summer. CM: Moussa Sissoko    Tottenham have an abundance of midfielders, but they are looking for more, despite the pressing need to strengthen their defence and forward line. Sissoko is one of the players Spurs are keen to shift. The France midfielder remains very much in the thinking of Didier Deschamps but does not cross Nuno’s mind, apparently. Where next? Napoli have been mentioned but there is no clamour for a player who has been in and out of favour throughout his Spurs career. CM: Granit Xhaka The path for Xhaka seems clearer. Roma want the Switzerland star and Arsenal are only too happy to sell – as long as they get a reasonable fee. Xhaka’s performances at the European Championship will certainly strengthen the Gunners’ standpoint. Arsenal reportedly wanted around £17million, with Roma’s opening bid was around half that figure. If Xhaka can reproduce his Switzerland form on a consistent basis with a fresh start in Italy, then a compromise between the two valuations would represent fantastic value for Roma. Granit counters: Five Xhaka successors Arsenal must consider AM: Jesse Lingard We regret to inform you that Manchester United are at it again… Despite it being crystal clear that Lingard doesn’t feature in Solskjaer’s thinking, it is claimed that some at Old Trafford are considering offering the England attacker a new deal to ‘protect his value’. Did Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones die for nothing? West Ham want Lingard back and Atletico Madrid are apparently interested, which we’d like to see. But neither club are willing to cough up £30million. Unless United compromise then Lingard will go free next year. Surely he wouldn’t be daft enough to sign a new deal when he can pick his contract in a year? LW: Erik Lamela The Spurs winger should really have left Spurs the second his Rabona found the bottom corner of Arsenal’s net in the north London derby. Just run off the pitch, out of the Emirates and off into the sunset. But, typically for Lamela, he followed that moment of genius with a needless red card as Spurs succumbed to defeat. It is that infuriating inconsistency why the Argentinian has struggled to nail down a first XI place at Tottenham. He’s been there eight years; it’s not happening. Handily, Fiorentina are apparently willing to offer the 29-year-old a return to Italy. La Viola have had eventful summer...

RW: Xherdan Shaqiri Even when Liverpool’s forward line needed either freshening up or a kick up the arse, Shaqiri was generally ignored last season. Of the five Premier League starts he was begrudgingly handed, Liverpool failed to score in four. Shaqiri, like Xhaka, was far more influential at Euro 2020 with Switzerland. Three goals and an assist in five games suited Liverpool as they look to claw their money back on the winger signed from Stoke for £13million in 2018. Lazio’s opening bid of around £10.2million was knocked back, but it seems likely there will be a compromise by the time Shaqiri returns to training at the back end of next week. CF: Tammy Abraham Thomas Tuchel could not have made it any clearer that he doesn’t rate the Chelsea centre-forward. He didn’t appear to particularly rate any of the Chelsea centre-forwards, hence why the Blues are going hard for Erling Haaland. It helps that Roman Abramovich lusts after the Borussia Dortmund striker too, and the best time to ask for anything as a coach is when you’ve just delivered the Champions League. Chelsea, apparently, have tried to chuck Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi into their Haaland offer as makeweights but Dortmund, understandably, have turned their noses up at a bit of cash and their former manager’s deadwood. Abraham will have options in England too, with West Ham linked most heavily, but Chelsea may have to reduce their valuation on a striker they clearly don’t want. Read the full article

New Look Sabres: GM 13 - ARI - 9-2-2

Is this a trap game? I’ll admit I’m not familiar with the concept. Arizona has been on the edge of competitive since… always? Yeah they had that conference final appearance but we’re all kinda conditioned to think they’re bad. It’s the teams that you think you should beat but have a high likelihood to surprise you that constitute trap games, right? The Yotes had a rough start but have managed to off the likes of Nashville and the Rangers to arrive in Buffalo 6 and 4. Like the Buffalo Sabres everyone is still wondering if they might actually be good. Another thing these two teams have in common is a man named Phil Housley. After bouncing around a little bit following his firing from the Sabres Head Coach position in the Spring he finds himself the assistant Coach of the Arizona Coyotes. They are certainly trying to recapture his coaching talent from his time with the Nashville Predators where he benefited a lot from a stacked defense. When Lance Lysowski, the last good hockey writer at the Buffalo News, asked Housley if he would make any changes to his time as Sabres bench boss he responded: “Those are things I’ll keep to myself”. If there’s anything Phil Housley is good at its dodging the meat of a question, eh? All kidding aside that is the best possible answer to that question. What is he going to do, activate all the suburban hockey dads and roast one of the talented player’s compete level? I think it’s safe to say he’s done with Buffalo and really doesn’t want to be pressed into any talk about it. I put the feelers for what Sabres fans feel about Phil Housley on twitter. In the most unsurprising chain of events since missing the playoffs most of y’all responded with “tHe DaY hE gOt FiReD!” There were a couple interesting responses I’ll throw in at the end of this postgame. For now let’s dive into the Sabres Episode XIII: the Return of Housley!

The Sabres came out crisp as the Autumn air in the first period. They outshot and out-chanced a Yotes side that was up to the task. Arizona made the first mistake however when Lawson Crouse got called for tripping Evan Rodrigues. The powerplay has been a canary-in-the-coal-mine for the Sabres in the early going this season. If it’s firing bangers in the first period you can tell it will be a good game for us. The games the PP wasn’t exactly spinning well were the not so pretty games a la New York, LA, Detroit and Anaheim. Mind you they won half those games. I had hardly vocalized this thought when Jack Eichel gets kicked out of the faceoff circle and proceeds to score immediately thereafter with that classic slapper. It’s Eichel’s 23rd birthday and evidently he had not scored on his birthday yet in his career on this team. There it is, Happy Birthday, bud. The game evened up a bit down the gut of the period while the Sabres still got the prettier chances. It would be another pretty goal from the increasingly nice Marcus Johansson Jeff Skinner duo. They shut down some quality O-zone time for the Yotes and went off on the rush down ice. Skinner gave the puck to Johansson who didn’t skate too far before returning it to Skinner to tap it in. They did a little crisscross in the middle there and it was just so pretty. They were out to 2-0 lead, but again the Coyotes were not missing their chances either. In spite of being boxed out over and over again by Jack Eichel and Jake McCabe, old friend Phil Kessel got his looks. Victor Hinostroza seemed to be breathing down Hutton’s neck whenever he was in the zone. This Arizona side has allowed the fewest goals in the league so far, you have to be careful with them when they do get their chances. Before the first ended Carter Hutton let in a Conor Garland tight-angle shot that was less than stellar. It was hard to see how it went in from most angles but one at ice-level showed a big 3-hole. It was 2-1 through 20 minutes of play.

The home team came out hot in the second period as well. There was a push of play in the first ten minutes where the Sabres hemmed Arizona in their zone for 1:40 continuous minutes! It got uproarious cheering from the home crowd and to be frank it sent a shiver up my spine. You watch that kind of multi-minute dominance and you almost don’t recognize the squad in front of you. They were winning quick puck battles and nailing very tight passes. They looked like they were on a powerplay, but they were roasting wolf meat 5 on 5 in that stretch! Its that kind of peak “play connected” competitiveness and actualization of real skill that makes me believe this hot start is for real. In that glorious stretch I felt this squad was really and truly back from the darkness. I think they’re for real and I feel more confident than I ever have after that stretch. Unfortunately there is somehow always a reason to be a disappointed Sabres fan and we found it as Buffalo was not rewarded for the frightfully good first half of the period. Arizona pushed back, reclaimed the edge in shots and eventually got a fluke equalizer off Hutton’s ass. It was tied at 2 going into the third period and I’d like to share Rob Ray’s joy in saying this was the most fun Sabres game yet this season but I just can’t. The third period was vintage Sabres. When I use that phrase I’m referring to the 2010s Sabres. They had no lead but decided to more or less retreat into a defensive shell. They had let the expected goals darling of this young NHL season back into the game and in the third they let them take over. Every player wearing Blue and Gold on that sheet of ice saw their corsi percentage implode and had it not been for Carter Hutton standing on his head at times there would have been no loser point as solace. Evan Rodrigues started the game out hungry. By the third period he disappeared. Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen simultaneously decided to forget two respective lifetimes of hockey training and could not pass a puck without a turnover for the life of them. Now one might say the Sabres began playing for overtime. One word answer there pals: unacceptable. Regulation wins are the currency of dynasties and I don’t care how good the Sabres have looked in extra hockey so far this season. Stop with that garbage.

Arizona earned their overtime point having shelled Buffalo with shots at a 2-1 rate in the third. In overtime they registered the only official shot on goal. Apart from an Olofsson ringer of the crossbar this was the worst overtime period I’ve seen from this new Sabres squad. As with the regulation portion of the night if Victor Hinostroza or Phil Kessel converted any of their chances this would be a darker story. At one point even Hutton caught the turtle bug and turned over the puck in the corner almost gifting the Yotes an overtime winner. It was a jaw dropping overtime in more bad ways than good ones. It went to the shootout and all it took was Nick Schmaltz outmaneuvering Hutton to sink one to seal the visitor’s victory. This one ended 3-2 Coyotes and looked like a microcosm of the Sabres play through its now completed first month of the season: gloriously fun and evidently more cohesive as a team but very much still bearing the toothless mistrust of themselves and propensity to fail to complete games. They end October 9-2-2 and I think that record is very telling. They’ll will have to sit on this surrender until Friday when they travel to Washington to take on the Capitals. I think the last third period plus of this game earned them every little bit of the nagging sensation this outcome will weigh on them in those intermittent days.

So back to the Housley memories: he got some applause when the video tribute came on the jumbotron and I don’t necessarily hate that. BUT, and this is a big but, most of us Sabres fans simply will not remember him fondly, at least for his coaching tenure. One @alexa_mallare replied with her photo of the Fire Housley sign her and her family made and put up in the 300 level for a few glorious minutes at Fan Appreciation Night last season. According to her Rasmus Ristolainen caught sight of it during warmups and got a chuckle out of it. Alexa says the team staff held Housley in the tunnel while they were forced to take it down. Heroes! Heroes, I tell you! Those last few months of the season were so catatonic someone had to show signs of life and it ended up having to be us fans. @depressedbflos replied with the Rob Ray quotes that got dug up and promptly reburied before the Housley firing. Evidently Ray was not treated right as a rookie by Housley during their playing careers and Ray still holds it against him. The quotes were from a 2003 Buffalo News piece that someone rediscovered as Housley dug his own grave that Spring. I think that was the moment that I personally realized he was done. When you’re so reviled by the fanbase you got signs going up, 15-year-old quotes coming out AND the team is losing at a record clip its over. Unfortunately Housleyisms like throwing Sobotka out there in the dying minutes of a 2-2 tie aren’t lost on Ralph Krueger. However I think we can all agree this new guy is a whole lot better at… well… everything? Everything right?

The one guy who replied a positive gif of the former coach made sure to qualify afterward that he did not endorse the coaching acumen of Housley. What a crazy time we lived through, eh? This has been the roast of Phil Housley. Thank you for coming, please like, comment and share this blog on your way out. Should we be concerned about this current team? Eh, yes in certain places. Do I think they’ll win at this clip in November: no. Do I think they’ll win more games than they lose: yes. I really feel as though 9-2-2 is something to believe in. This club is really something new. I believe it and you should too. They’ve got two games left this weekend and then it’s off to Sweden. I choose to believe, and risk being hurt. I suggest you do too. What fun would this be if we all played it safe?

Thanks for Reading.

P.S. Happy Halloween everyone.

r/hockey NHL Power Rankings Week 2: Nature's Wrath Edition

/r/Hockey NHL Power Rankings Week Oct 7, 2019 - Oct 13, 2019 (30/31 Rankers Reporting)Thank YouThank you to all of the volunteers doing the power rankings. Each ranker has their own system and have their own reasonings and analyis. It truly is a lot of work.RankersSpoilerOrganizersSpoilerVisualizationThe visualization contains historical data, so you can see how your team has done over time. Hopefully, we can run this for many years in hopes that we can see the rise and fall of teams by /r/hockey opinion.It automatically updates so feel free to bookmark. You can find it hereProcessHow does this work? Throughout the course of the week rankers are able to access an app that will allow them to rank teams. At the end of the period we calculate the average ranking for every team and collate all of the analysis provided by rankers.The app then generates a post that is first proofread and then posted to /r/hockey!RankingsRanking (avg)TeamDeltaOverall RecordRecord This WeekComments1 (2.61)Colorado Avalanche34-0-02-0-0Week two same as the first 2-0 and the Avs remain unbeaten. Honestly it has been impressive. MacKinnon still seems frustrated and not quite firing 100%, so that is scary for other teams. The depth has been there though Kadri finally got rewarded and Burkovsky had two GWG, Jost got his first and the PK looked slightly better. Best news on that front is Ian Cole should be back soon and will travel on the road trip. Defensive zone giveaways are still the big weakness of this team combined with the young d-core, but we will get better, and the great passes generally out weigh the giveaways. Avs have a really hard 6 game road trip coming up with the easiest teams being a beat up Pittsburgh and Florida, neither of those are easy games. We start of with a matinee in D.C. on Monday. Calder Watch: Makar now has 5 points in 4 games with two primary assists in the win against the Coyotes on Saturday, He is still averaging about 20 min a night. Barnacle_Ed says Undefeated and boasting the likes of Mackinnon, Rantanen, and Makar, this team is all but a lock for a playoffs spot in the West.2 (2.97)Carolina Hurricanes45-1-02-1-05-1-0 to start the season, two early Norris candidates in Slavin and Hamilton, and Svechnikov coming into his own as a play maker has Canes fans ecstatic. Aho has had a slow start, lets see how the following weeks California trip goes for him, fans hope to see his production kick off.3 (3.42)Boston Bruins-14-1-02-1-0The Bruins finished up their first road trip with 6 points in 4 games which is an impressive way to start the season. The Bruins came into Vegas with a sluggish start but then turned on the offense and responded with 4 unanswered goals for a win.The Avs provided to be a very formidable opponent, handing the Bruins their first loss of the season in a wacky game with two, rightfully, overturned Bruins goals. The Bruins returned home for their season opener and put on a clinic against the Devils for Rask's first shutout of the season. The special teams are starting to get a good rhythm going and more depth is showing up on the scoreboard on a consistent basis. In the buzzsaw that is the Atlantic, the Bruins can't take the foot off the gas to fall behind other teams also high in the standings.4 (5.53)Edmonton Oilers105-0-03-0-0A blazing powerplay and penalty kill have powered the Oilers to an undefeated 5-0-0 to start their season. Real Deal Neal is scoring at a fiery pace. The wins are from some spectacular offensive performances from Klefbom, Nuge, McDavid, and Draisaitl this past week. Nurse is dominant on defense, and goaltending has been solid (though nothing spectacular). The Oilers performance is undeniably unsustainable, but comeback victories this week against Oilers, Devils, and Rangers have many believing that this team looks to make magic happen for this entire season. Let's see where this goes.5 (6.5)Buffalo Sabres34-0-12-0-1We have had a nice string of games to start the season, however these last few look quite different from the first couple. Columbus really had our number; we barely had any chances and were badly out-shot. We somehow dragged that game into OT and came away with a point, but yikes. The Florida game could have had a much higher score if not for Bobrovsky, and at times Ullmark. Its not a good sign that we need extra time every night to get the job done, given how that turned out last year after the streak. However, the only real problem I see right now is an invisible third line. That would be Vesey-Mittelstadt-Sheary/E-Rod. Don't be fooled by the flashy shootout winner, we will need to see production from all four lines if we want any chance at making the playoffs this year. Speaking of invisible,someone should tell Krueger to put a third player on with Skinner and MoJo.6 (7.87)Vegas Golden Knights-44-2-02-2-0After dropping two straight games against Boston and Arizona, Vegas bounced back really strong against Calgary and Los Angeles. Cody Eakin's return allowed Gerard Gallant to reunite the Pacioretty - Stasty - Stone line and has worked wonders for them. Marc-Andre Fluery has been fantastic on the season so far and the two rookies on the line, Cody Glass and Nic Hague, are doing pretty well for themselves.7 (8.21)St. Louis Blues23-1-12-1-0Blues are most finding ways to win, but Saturday's ugly loss to Montreal shows that we still have some work to do. Hopefully some young guys who aren't getting it done like Fabs or Sanford can pick it up before its too late for them. Also, i see u Sammy Blais and I love you8 (8.45)Washington Capitals-23-1-21-1-19 (9.55)Toronto Maple Leafs-63-2-11-2-0I think it’s safe to say this was not the week that the leafs envisioned themselves having. The week started alright with an overtime loss to the reigning Stanley cup champions. A loss is never the goal but keeping pace with the team that just won the Stanley cup was a good measuring stick for the leafs. On Thursday the leafs hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning and in short the Lightning walked all over the leafs. This was a game where nobody on the leafs played well and the score shows that (7-3 Tampa Win). I could sit here and talk about which leaf players played poorly and which ones were worse for hours but I am not going to. My suggestion to all leaf fans is to just accept that this game happened, every team gets blown out once in a while. We don’t need to be happy about it but the fact is it happened so just put it out of your mind and move on to the next one. Saturday against the red wings was a chance at a bounce back game for the leafs and they did just that with a solid 5-2 win.10 (10.05)Anaheim Ducks34-1-02-1-0We have got your nail biting hockey here. The ducks went 1-1-0 this week against the penguins and blue jackets. The ducks don’t have anyone with more than 2 goals. Ondrej Kase leads the team in points with 1+3=4 points.11 (12.29)Tampa Bay Lightning-42-2-11-1-0YIKES. Sure, the Bolts looked great against Toronto, but good god did they play down to Ottawas level. The first line was almost non-existent, and those poorly timed penalties showed up again. It's almost like Tampa plays hard against difficult opponents, then tries to coast by teams that should be easy, but we see how well that works.12 (12.53)Nashville Predators13-2-02-1-0Alright, another week down and the playoff picture is really starting to become clear... Okay, not really, but it does seem pretty clear that the offseason moves have given us a Preds team that is different than what we're used to. Defensively the team seems to be adjusting to a lineup sans Subban, and Fabbro is handling the immediate expectations nicely. Conversely, I'm going to continue deluding myself into thinking somehow the loss of Subban explains whatever our third pairing is doing on the ice. On the other side of the puck, well, as weird as it feels to say it the Preds lead the league with a 4.6 GF/G. More importantly though is the fact that no longer does a 2 or 3 goal deficit feel insurmountable; this week alone the team clawed their way back against WSH multiple times before stealing a W, and they closed a 3 goal deficit to LAK before letting in the game winner in the final minute. There's still a long season ahead, but if nothing else this team is a hell of a lot of fun to watch right now.13 (13.08)Winnipeg Jets84-3-03-1-0What a week, wins against Pittsburgh, the Wild and Hawks. all come from behind affairs, there is reason to be optimistic about this team. No one doubted their forward depth, and with Laine looking like he wants a big pay day in 2 years, it’s been tough for teams to match the skill from the Jets top 9. Helly has also shaken off whatever was ailing him against the Rangers, allowing the inexperienced d-corp to make a few mistakes and gain some confidence. Heinola has looked shaky at times but he seems to have a very high skill ceiling. Lowry hasn’t looked great, but being between Bourque and Letestu will do that to you. Also, I’d love to take a moment to shout out Anthony Betetto, kid has looked like a serviceable NHL defenseman these past couple games, almost like Chevy knows maybe a bit more about hockey than your average r/winnipegjets poster. But this could all be for not as I’m writing this before our game against the Pens and who knows what could happen. Knock on wood.14 (13.89)Pittsburgh Penguins34-2-03-1-0This team is getting 6 and 7 goals with Malkin and Bjugstad out. Not to mention Galchenyuk and Rust as well. Their offense is gonna be flat out scary in a month or two.15 (14.55)New York Rangers-52-1-00-1-0Only one game this week, and unfortunately it was an L. On the bright side, KAAPO KAKKO IS A GOD. I believe he deserves a chance on the first line with Bread and Mika. Lias also deserves to play more than 8 minutes a night. The game overall was ok but it was apparent that there was some rust (thanks schedule makers). Now we have to wait until Thursday for another game.16 (15.18)Calgary Flames42-3-11-2-1The Flames do not look great. The team just isn't clicking and can't seem to start games on time. Through 6 games, only 4 forwards have scored (insert James Neal joke here). The good news is they started last season quite slow (5-5-0) and still finished 2nd in the league, so there is hope the team can get things rolling.17 (15.63)Philadelphia Flyers12-0-11-0-118 (16.26)Montreal Canadiens-32-1-21-1-1Two hard losses to worse teams hurt morale, but they bounced back with a big win against the Blues. If they keep up the momentum from this win, they will shoot up the rankings19 (17.66)Detroit Red Wings13-2-01-2-0Detroit was outlasted by the Ducks and shut down by the Maple Leafs this week. Detroit could have potentially won both these games despite being out-ranked and they had every opportunity. This is a transition from last years mentality of “maybe” to “should be” winning games any given night. While the young studs are playing great, there is a player missing. That player between rising stars and worn-out veterans, who sets contenders apart from the rest of the league, similar to Ryan O’ Reilly before last season. That kind of player comes into the picture after a playoff window starts and Detroit hasn’t hit one quite yet. Their dominance over Montreal, who has a similar rebuild timeline as Detroit, offers assurance that things are on the right track. Detroit will be a fun team to watch succeed this year when they can put together a complete effort. Their games can be consistently determined by their own ability and effort, instead of getting lucky against a superior opponent.20 (20.34)New York Islanders-12-3-01-2-0Last year the Islanders took almost a dozen games to stop being garbage and get into the Trotz system. You'd expect that in year two this wouldn't be necessary, but Isles fans are hoping thats what this is right now. Not playing well, this team has struggled to score and goaltending hasn't been able to bail them out. Bailey and Beau are leading the way so far for the offense, with Barzal, Lee, and Eberle leaving a lot to be desired. On defense Pelech looks to be picking up where he left off, with Dobson holding his own in his first start. Have to hope that they build on the solid effort they put up vs the Panthers, and are able to start getting into a groove going forward.21 (20.74)Florida Panthers-51-2-20-1-2The Panthers had two solid games and Bob and Hoffman stole the show during the home opener. Q's system will take some time to cement itself, but it's looking good.22 (22.45)Arizona Coyotes31-2-11-0-1The Coyotes came out of the 2nd week 1-0-1, attaining 3 of 4 available points. As was the case in the first week, the Coyotes defense and goaltending combo has arguably been one of the top in the league, allowing only 1.75 goals against per game, and limiting opposition possession and high quality shots. The Coyotes main struggle comes in finding consistent offense. It was on high-display in Vegas, where the yotes scored 4 and took the victory; however, it was ellusive against Colorado on Saturday, in which, despite having possession and shot advantage, the Yotes could only pocket 2, eventually falling in OT. If the Coyotes maintain the current levels of defensive production, all they need to do is find a way to hit 3 goals in a game, and they will win the majority. PP desperately needs help as well.23 (22.47)Vancouver Canucks62-2-02-0-0I suppose I should say something I'm thankful for this year, but as a true Canucks fan I'd rather just be an entitled little egg eater and not give thanks for anything. This team is pretty good, but what I really deserve this year is a Stanley Cup win, or maybe the first overall draft pick if we miss the playoffs. Ideally, the Canucks will win both, otherwise it's time to #firebenning. Anyway, The Canucks turned around their early season slide with a very convincing win at home vs. the Kings and a less-convincing shootout win vs. the Flyers. The top line continues to be somewhat stifled, but that's okay because there are now various interesting players to watch on this team. Miller and Hughes have both come exactly as-advertised, Markstorm is tight, and Pearson appears intent on revitalizing his career. Myers is big, and while I don't know how his play will end up on statlines, he is very fun to watch.24 (23.76)Columbus Blue Jackets62-3-02-1-0A few solid performances this week vs some hot teams. Special teams still seem to be an issue, however. The youngest team in the league will continue to grow in the coming weeks and we should get a better idea of what we've got by Thanksgiving.25 (24.13)Los Angeles Kings22-3-02-2-0Sorry for missing last week fam. After getting thrashed by the Nucks, the Kings did pretty well and bounced back against the Predators. McLellan's system is continuing to be tweaked game to game- but its clear that the Kings are trying to create somewhat of a new identity early in the season.26 (25.32)Dallas Stars-31-4-11-1-1I know you may want to panic... but. don't panic. Everything is going to be fine (probably). Remember, it has been a pretty darn tough schedule.. We played good hockey on Tuesday against the Caps and, on Thursday, showed moments of strength against the Flames despite a heartbreaking shootout loss. Later in the week, the Caps were ready for a rematch and took advantage of our under-performing special teams. It was the worst we looked all week, tons of missed opportunities. The 4-1 loss was deserved. Here's the thing, though. The top 6 WILL start producing. The schedule WILL get easier. And our goalies are only gonna look better as the season progresses. If things are still looking dire by this time next week... well maybe start panicking a little.27 (26.61)San Jose Sharks-12-4-02-1-0Still not a good week for the Sharks, but a definite improvement. Having Marleau back should add some scoring depth, and hopefully Simek will be back soon to tighten up the defence and help Jones/Dell.28 (26.61)Chicago Blackhawks-60-2-10-1-1The Blackhawks have lost 3 straight, all by 1 goal. They have started strong, but failed to play a full 60+ minutes. They have an abysmal 42.91 CF% and 60 PK%. But the defense was helped by the returns of Connor Murphy and Calvin de Haan. Kirby Dach made his pro debut in Rockford on Saturday, on a conditioning stint.29 (28.26)Ottawa Senators21-3-01-1-0The Eugene Melnyk Experience Senators managed a win this week over renowned choke artists the Tampa Bay Lightning, thanks to a surprisingly solid game defensively and Namestikov showing that he was certainly worth the steep price of a 4th round pick. This was a great morale boost for our young core, but hopefully that 1 win doesn't come back to bite us later in the Lafreniere and Byfield sweepstakes at the 2020 draft. Hopefully, in true Ottawa fashion, we have a poor showing against the Mild on Monday and get this tank right back on track pronto.30 (28.68)New Jersey Devils-60-3-20-2-1Please hockey gods, tell us what do we need to do? The subreddit is seemingly calling for Hynes head just 5 games into the season, however it's hard to discern whether this is a result of the echochamber of the GDT or legitimate consensus. Here is a straw poll that was sparsely answered, but still holds value in the people that answered it are more likely to be users active outside of the GDT. Pros: not many but Cory has been a bright spot. #goals4cory2019. We also have played good teams, currently the Devils opponents combined record is 19-3-2. Like Damn. Cons: The team is gelling like oil and water. Our PP is 0 for 15, and PK is 8 for 16. We aren't even giving up an unusually high number of shots. 30.8 is T9 in the league. It feels like the wheels were put on too hastily and they fell off a few feet out of the gates and we are still trying to repair the damage. Oh, and the cherry on top is that Greene is on IR so we are down our captain.31 (30.39)Minnesota Wild-30-4-00-2-0Big brain take: With just one disastrous season at the helm, Paul Fenton was brought on to enable the tank, absorb the unified hatred of a fan base, and allow Bill Guerin to ascend and rebuild the franchise from the dumpster fire which it currently resembles. It's unfortunately going to cause Bruce Boudreau to lose his job as a result and while it's not his fault that the outgoing GM made moves that caused even Peter Chiarelli to scratch his head, this season could spiral out of control very quickly. The prospect of a complete overhaul and not "tweaking the roster" as our meddlesome owner loves to repeat is the only thing keeping me from doing my best Peter Parker with a Metro train. r/hockey NHL Power Rankings Week 2: Nature's Wrath Edition Source

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Funny, sweet and self-deprecating -- exactly what we needed in the wake of the disaster that was "Batman v Superman." Made kids everywhere cry as they watched Superman give up his powers for a normal life with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). There are different edits of this movie, and we frankly can't keep them straight. But the sight of a powerless Clark getting beat up in a diner made Superman as sympathetic as he's ever been. Has the standard origin movie problem of "too much story, not enough time." And the standard DC Extended Universe problem of "We gotta have a nonsensical CGI battle at the end." But despite those caveats it's an enormous delight, and a big step forward for the DCEU. One of the best of the franchise because it's really just a political thriller. The Penguin emerges from the sewer and runs for mayor of Gotham! It's great stuff, especially as we continue to watch the rise of Trump in our world. A happy balance of serious and ridiculous, manages to find exactly the right tone for this weird religious fantasy and a cast led by Keanu Reeves . They all seem to get it. This is the gold standard of Superman movies, and was the best superhero movie bar none for many, many years. John Williams' score soars, and so does the believable and compelling romance between Superman and Lois Lane. The film convincingly blended camp (in the form of Gene Hackman 's wonderful Lex Luthor), an epic origin story that actually felt epic, and funny lines. The scene in which Supes and Lois fly together is one of the most beautiful metaphors for new love ever captured on film.

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Shed Some Weight With These Helpful Tips!

The goal to improve your fitness is a great one! Getting fit probably seems like a monumental undertaking, especially if you are starting from zero, but it is possible if you have the right information. The below tips can assist you in achieving your fitness goals. When you follow the advice below, you will look great and feel better too. When considering an exercise regimen it is good to think unconventionally. It isn't required that you go to a gym to get fit, because there are so many other different types of activities you can do. The best way to stay motivated to get fit is to find a plan that you enjoy, so make sure to do that. If you exercise while watching TV, you can keep your momentum going longer. You can walk all the way through, or do sets of simple exercises like jumping jacks or sit-ups on commercial breaks. Try doing small weight training while sitting on the couch. There is always time to squeeze in exercise. Investing in a personal trainer is a great way to improve your fitness goals. Not only will a personal trainer have a professional insight to share, but they will give you the motivation to stick with an exercise routine. A personal trainer will ensure you see results, although they are not for everyone. Wear clothes that are comfortable when you're working out. Do not care about what others think of you, just put on clothes that you feel comfortable in. Make sure what you are wearing is easy to move around in. When you wear comfortable clothing, you can concentrate on your fitness rather than on your attire. Always use your fingers to check out the quality of the pads on a bench before choosing which one to spend time working out on. If you are feeling the wood through the padding when you sit, choose another machine. If you can feel the support structure you may sustain bruising or other injury. This tip brought to you by tennis players will help you build strength in your forearms. On a flat area, put a big sheet of newspaper. Crumple the whole newspaper for 30 seconds, using your stronger hand. Do this twice and then do it with the other hand. Go back to your dominant hand and do it twice more. Don't forget to stretch your muscles out between each set. Make sure to stretch for about 20 or 30 seconds. According to research, those men who stretch between sets increase their strength by about 20%. Stretching will also lessen the chance you have of getting injured. Donkey raises can help you build your calf muscles. This exercise is very effective. If a partner is sitting on your back, then all you have to do is raising your calves. Being fit makes you feel good and contributes to better health. This can be a real challenge if it's been a long time since you exercised, but a little help will help you a great deal. With the tips you have just read, you can start working toward your goal of being in great shape.

Basic Tips On Essential Elements In Canada

Canada scores eight goals in rout of Belarus at U18 Worlds Tonight at 7PM ET / 4PM PT on TSN2 NBA Playoffs: Round 1 - Game 4: Rockets vs Timberwolves Tonight at 8PM ET / 5PM PT on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5 NBA Playoffs: Round 1 - Game 4: Thunder vs Jazz Tonight at 10:30PM ET / 7:30PM PT on TSN1 and TSN3 Tue 5AM ET / 2AM PT on TSN2 Canada scores eight goals in rout of Belarus at U18 Worlds MAGNITOGORSK, Russia — Serron Noel had two goals and an assist as Canada cruised past Belarus 8-3 Friday at the world under-18 hockey championship. Jack McBain also had a three-point game with a goal and two assists for Canada, which has opened the tournament with two regulation wins. Canada defeated defending champion United States 6-4 on Thursday. Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and an assist while Raphael Lavoie, Jared McIssac, Liam Foudy and Ty Dellandrea also scored as Canada spread out the offence. "We want to be a four-line hockey club, we want everybody to contribute and everybody to feel (they're of) value to our group," head coach Don Hay said. "I think we're doing that. "Everybody has a real good spirit within our group, and we're growing — and I like that the best." Canada’s head coach Don Hay on the distribution of goals and offence across the team in game two, and what the positives are that he’s seeing in Team Canada to-date Ilya Usov, Alexei Protas and Viktor Masilevich had the goals for Belarus, which was playing its first game of the tournament. Colten Ellis stopped 24 shots for Canada. Belarus goaltender Nikita Tolopilo was pulled after Canada scored on its first three shots. Danil Veremeichik stopped 20 of 25 shots in relief. Canada next plays Sunday against Switzerland.

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What You Didn't Know About Vitamins And Minerals

Were you healthy as a child? Do you remember what you were eating and drinking? Do you have as good of a diet today? It's a sad fact that most adults don't eat as well as they did when they were kids. Check out the following tips to help you start feeling your best. Vitamins can help you get more from your workouts. When you add minerals and vitamins to your diet, your body will recover faster, build muscle faster and burn more fat. Vitamins and minerals must be synthesized to be utilized by the body. For example, calcium makes it harder for you to absorb iron. When you take an iron supplement, you should avoid calcium supplements, antacids, and dairy products for half an hour before or after. Any supplement which includes oil must be ingested with a meal. Vitamins like A, E and K are ones that are best absorbed with food. They work best if the food you are eating them with contains fat. Milk and the sun are great ways to get vitamin D. If you don't go in the sun much or don't drink much milk, think about a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is vital for bone protection and prevents them from becoming brittle. If you want to have strong and abundant red blood cells, you must get enough iron. Red blood cells are what carry oxygen around your body. Due to menstruation, women need iron supplements in higher doses than men. Iron deficiency often causes exhaustion and breathing problems. Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2 is found in many dairy products, green beans, popcorn, asparagus, and bananas. Deficiencies can cause cracked lips and low hemoglobin counts. Patients who get enough riboflavin may face a decreased risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer, anemia, and cataracts. Eating healthy is important, but not everyone can afford to do it. Minerals and vitamins are a great way to ensure your body is getting what it needs. They are also budget friendly for the most part. If you have reached menopause, prenatal vitamins are not a good idea. This type of vitamin supplement can encourage hair and nail growth. This is usually safe, but not wise for women that have already been through menopause since it contains more iron than they need. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Supplements are a good choice if you don't get enough of this vitamin. This potent vitamin help prevent and treat colds, gum disease, acne, stomach ulcers, and skin infections. There have been studies that show increased amounts can benefit those with ADHD, Alzheimer's, and dementia. An adult who would like to take a children's gummy vitamin, should take more than one. This is because an adult would need more than the recommended child dose, so one will surely not be enough. However, don't take too many. That is not good, either. Fruits and vegetables are good for you. However, opt for fresh instead of canned versions of your favorite foods. You can add to the benefits of a healthy meal by taking vitamin and mineral orally in capsule or powder form. In the current difficult economic climate, people often neglect their bodies eating from dollar menus and other low quality sources of food which deprive it of the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive. Try grabbing some essential vitamin supplements to boost your defenses against colds and to help your body to boost fat burning. Now that you are living on your own, you must take responsibility for maintaining your health. You learned some great information here, and you should continue to learn more. When you know more about how to remain healthy, it will be an easier undertaking for you!

Kyrie Irving has Redefined Isolation Basketball

Since his rookie year in 2011, no basketball player has been more feared, or successful, one-on-one than Kyrie Irving.

Irving's bag of tricks is bottomless. He gets where he wants, when he wants, with a level of precision, speed, and timing that's borderline unnecessary, slashing through defenses like a chainsaw through butter, much like he did in a masterful Game 4 performance against the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals where he scored 42 points in leading Cleveland to a win. Sometimes, it's over the top, sure, but he also leaves zero doubt that he got the job done. "I've always talked about he has no offensive weaknesses," said Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Ty Lue. "He finishes with his left, floaters with his left, floaters with his right, step-backs, threes, off the dribble stuff. So, offensively he has the complete package. That's why he's so hard to stop." In LeBron James' shadow, Irving quietly slapped together the best campaign of his career this season, averaging 25.2 points with shooting splits that nearly qualified for the 50/40/90 club. Even more impressive than the efficiency is the degree of difficulty at which he gets his. James is an obvious focal point for opposing teams, but so much of what makes Irving—as an individual weapon—special isn't dependent on who's around.

All that is due to an iso game that may be unlike any the NBA's ever seen. The percentage of Irving's baskets that are unassisted hasn't changed from year to year. It was 68.9 percent as a rookie and 69.6 percent in his sixth season. In between, it hasn't fluctuated more than two percent in either direction.

Watch his early years and it's remarkable how Irving at 21 looks like Irving at 25. The infamous side-step was already in his repertoire, alongside the endlessly sleek half-spin moves and violent jab steps that momentarily Medusa defenders on a nightly basis.

According to Synergy Sports, his percentile ranking in isolation situations each season since he entered the league are: 95th, 94th, 68th, 95th, 80th, 95th. This is freaking ridiculous. What singular trait, in the entire sport, has been more consistent than this? It's uncanny and unstoppable; arguably the most devastating self-reliant force basketball currently knows.

Photo by Brian Spurlock - USA TODAY Sports

In his second season, only six players isolated more than Irving's 399 times. Only LeBron James was more efficient than Irving's 1.02 points per possession. By year four, nobody was better. Irving's adjusted field goal percentage—which accounts for the three-point line—was 52.3 percent in iso-situations. Among all players who logged at least 150 possessions, the next highest was Chris Paul's 47.3 percent. "He was born to play one-on-one. That's what he do," LeBron James said. "I think what he's improved more upon is the feel of the game, taking the time and score and possessions and things of that nature, and grown as a point guard and grown as a leader. But the kid was born to play one-on-one. You have these great one-on-one players in our league history, and he's up there." In recent years, hot potato systems have prevailed above stagnation. Smart, timely passing isn't as popular as the never-ending obsession with three pointers, but it's widely viewed on the same level—or near it—as a critical ingredient for pro-efficiency offense. There are dozens of reasons why ball movement is beneficial (equal opportunity makes everyone happy!), but the most transparent occurs when side-to-side distribution forces a half-court defense to rotate multiple times inside a 24-second shot clock, increasing the chance one link in the chain makes a mistake and surrenders an open shot or clears a driving/passing lane. The Cavaliers have gone against the grain a bit since LeBron returned three years ago. They ranked 20th in assist rate and 26th in passes per game this season. That's fine because James' mere presence disallows inefficiency. But for as awesome as LeBron might be, Irving is the reason they play this way. He's the 25-year-old savior for however many "Hero Ball" fundamentalists are still out there. Contemporary NBA parlance frowns at that phrase, but scorers who don't need a screen and can fill it up from anywhere on the court will always be useful. Most possessions that end in isolation are predictable, but they're not when Irving has the ball. While the defense is forced to respect his four teammates, everyone else knows when Irving wants to score, and nothing can be done to stop him. Get too close and he'll blow past for a layup, floater, or mid-range shot (the latter being another quality in his game that's demonized by modern basketball observers, but Irving's accuracy from this area more than justifies his high volume). Provide too much cushion and he'll hop back for an open three.

Photo by Kelley L Cox - USA TODAY Sports

Irving's handles are hypnotic. There are no combinations he can't pull off in any situation, whether it's a behind-the-back, between-the-legs crossover or a semi-hesitation inside out that turns his defender into a toll booth operator. An absurd 35 percent of all of Irving's shots (496 of them!) came after he took at least seven dribbles this season. He shot 42.5 percent beyond the arc and 50.8 percent inside it. Irving's game was validated on the sport's biggest stage last year. He isolated 10 times in a 41-point Game 5 in the NBA Finals against the Warriors. When Lue called for J.R. Smith to set a ball screen that forced a switch and isolated Steph Curry on Irving Island, he side-stepped from the right wing and nailed one of the most meaningful shots in league history.

99 percent of players in the NBA couldn't sustain this degree of individual excellence, but Irving's iso-game was more reliable than any set play ever could be. To this day, no defense has a good answer for him.

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