Movitation

Not sure what this is motivation for (not taking so many pictures every game in such an obvious way? What fun is that?), but here you go. Congrats on making it 22, boys.

Annnnd, I just discovered I have "cheese" as one of the labels I can choose on here. Now I have to do some research and figure out what I was thinking...

yes, I still exist

In honor of Joey Mac's birthday, here's a motivator I posted last season. Happy Birthday, Joey.

Pregame: Wings vs Hawks

It's my birthday today, which means I get to post whatever I want and you have to deal with it. Luckily, I want to post about Red Wings, so it's not that bad.

You know who should really score a goal for me tonight? This guy. I think it's time for him to rack up another one.

Also, although I want to Newfie Stomp, I wouldn't say no to one from this fella. (edit: after writing this I found out Miller was a healthy scratch. Bump this to whenever he plays next)

And you know what would be awesome tomorrow? A trip to Arby's. Hear that, Hobo?

Although I'm not pleased with the circumstances that have led to the current McCallup, it will be fun to see his ridiculous helmet again.

Speaking of goalies...

However...

I wish this one was a little clearer. Or that I had an awesome fight picture to put up instead.

And finally, this one isn't mine but it's just pure awesome.

Pledges and Motivation

In case you haven't heard, tonight is the final night for TPL's pledge drive for H2H2. This is your last chance to make an outrageous wager in the name of helping out the kids! Plus, for every $5 you donate, you get another entry to win one of the fabulous prizes being offered up, what more inspiration do you need? How about these pictures?

Kindl looks really worried in this one. Not sure why, but he does...

Rig looks very preoccupied. I think he's trying to figure out what to do without Raffy around to direct him.

And if those pictures don't inspire you, how about the prizes you could win? Here's just one of the many:

I'd post pictures of the donated bacon, but alas, I have none.

Pregame: Wings vs Blackhawks

This first one isn't meant as a criticism, it's just what I came up with when I saw the picture. No hating of the guys in red and white allowed here (feel free to hate on anyone who adds black and yellow to that mix).

Now that Kindl has scored, it's time Rusty got one...

I wouldn't mind if Abby got one either.

Finally, I just like this picture, that's all.

Pregame: Wings vs Blues

So it's been a while since I've done a real pregame post and I decided some catch-up work was needed. First off, we have the traditional "I caught you making a face" motivator...

I was wondering if anyone else noticed during his brief time with us that Thomas McCollum has a moose holding a gun on the back of his helmet. Am I the only one who noticed?

And one last motivator, picture by me and caption by Jenn of HockeyBlogette.

Get your rest

So, with all the injuries right now, some of the team has been asked to step up more than they otherwise would have this season. In light of this, they might need a little more rest in between games... I'm fully in support of this:

...just be ready come game time, ok?

Raffy and BizNasty Return to the Joe

I have been counting down the days until Raffy was slated to come back...ok, not really since I wasn't sure of an exact date, but I have been waiting very impatiently for this day to come ever since it was announced that he was having knee issues. I have annoyed the people sitting around me with comments like "Raffy would have kept that onsides" or "UGH! Brian Rafalski you are not" and the most common one "I miss Raffy..." generally followed by an exaggerated frown thrown at my brother who proceeds to mock me. I know, it's kinda pathetic, but c'mon, that man is the king of keeping the puck in at the blue line and you all know it.

Ok, enough of that, time for pictures... I kinda stole this idea from someone else (don't know who) but in that one it was Raf expressing this opinion about Hank. Anyways, pretty sure that's not what's going on, but when do I ever fact check?

Not the direction I meant to take that picture, but I couldn't help it... anyways, here's a few more.

This one doesn't need explaining, it's pretty obvious when it was taken...

And one last one...

I know I mentioned BizNasty coming back to the Joe too, but I really don't want a picture of him in a Speedo on here, so we're just gonna leave him out, ok? Good.

Instead, how about a view of what happens after Pav decides to get in a fight?

Stuey's fight didn't seem to leave the same path of destruction...

Don't take that as a sign that I'm asking you to fight tonight, Abby, you can wait until I'm there to see it if you want...

That's Not What I Designed!

We need a better first period than we had on Thursday. Everyone knows this and if they didn't, I'm sure some other blog informed them of that fact before they got to mine. What those blogs don't have is a visual representation of what Babcock was thinking when he saw the plays on the ice...

Not to bash Helmer, he played hard on Thursday, but pictures like this make me laugh...

And, finally, instead of loss eye candy, here's what could be loosely interpreted as motivational eye candy. Look at the skates if you're not sure I'm right about who it is...

Wings vs Yotes

This is a bit of a rush job (when isn't it here?) so I'll get straight to it...

Mostly for hbff Natalie of The Scrappy Octopus, but partially because I recently read an article about how Aaron Downey made the Griffs do yoga because he believes his 10+ years of practicing it have kept him relatively injury-free, we have the following:

And, because it amuses me greatly, there's this...

Heading out for a physics test and the game :)

Mule's Back...

...get it?

The Wings fanbase breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was announced that Mule will be back today after that lame blow to the head... Seriously, who would want to hurt this guy?

Clearly he's just a big, stubborn softy, right?

Oops, sorry Mule...

...riiiight. Whatever that means...

(I need to start planning these things in advance)

Wings vs Stars pregame

It's Mikey's first game back in Dallas since the Stars decide he was obsolete. Let's show them how wrong they were, Mo.

And on to the motivation... Homer may call Mule "the grumpy" but we all know he can get a little irked himself.

And just because he's awesome...

Wings vs Avs Tonight

When the puck drops tonight, I'll be doing some kind of experiment with water to determine something about mechanics in physics lab. Lame. Before that happens, how about a little inspiration for tonight?

Not sure who that applies to tonight, but we all know what this next one means-

You what would make up for me having to miss at least part of the game? Kicking some major butt while I'm measuring the effects of whatever it is we're working on.

Also, I wouldn't mind if this guy (not armadillo) potted one tonight. You know, as a late birthday gift to himself.

Chicgao Pregame

I feel a bit out of order here, there will be a post-game post for last night, but I haven't done it yet. In fact, I hadn't even looked through my pictures until about half an hour ago... you all know what happened and you all know what's coming up today, so let's get straight to the motivation. I only made 2 again today, I'm still getting warmed up for the season (maybe some day I'll plan these in advance, probably not though)

I think this describes how we all feel about Chicago, minus the violent hatred of course...

Awesome old timey feel to the game means old timey treatment of the picture...

Not that I don't trust Pav, but can someone else drop the gloves tonight? Somehow I think Chicago will fight dirtier than Corey Perry

Alternative expectations

So, I'm sure that since the season starts tonight, lots of people out there are giving you predictions for how the season will go, how players will perform and what they expect or want to see from them on the ice. I'm taking you in a different direction. Yes, if I had to just pick one d-man for my team, it would be Nick. But what if you had to pick on Red Wing to paint a mural with, or one who makes a really great ham and swiss sandwich? Here's what I've got so far:

Which Red Wing would I pick to...

go with me if I had to walk down a dark, scary alley? Gotta be Brad Stuart.

go to a frat party and introduce me to all the bros? Abdelkader

go to a circus? Meech. Not sure why, but I think we'd have fun

help me move into a new house/coordinate everything? Draper. I hear he likes to make lists...

train me in the fine art of pick-pocketing? Of course, Pavel Datsyuk

help me pick out an old man sweater? Zetterberg

teach people how to tie their shoes? Miller (he's got enough kids to know how to do this)

help me pick out a new hairstyle? Filppula (he'd also pick out some killer new heels too)

go to a comedy festival? Ozzie

go to a baseball game? Jimmy

work on a farm? Franzen. He'd also be good for commiserating over sunburns after a long day in the field

go on a long train ride? Kronwall. No idea why, just go with me here.

go to the DIA? Kenny Holland

go to a support group meeting? Tuzzi. "Hi, my name is Todd..."

go to a zoo? Hudler. He'd have fun with the animals.

help me find a way out of a corn maze? Modano. He's tall... that's all I've got...

chase geese around a field? Helm

run/work a charity car wash? Eaves. I can see this guy starting a soap fight.

eat gross looking food with me? Salei

go apple picking? Ericsson. He could reach the tall branches.

play laser tag? Kindl

play sharks and minnows/pompom? Abby again

give me life advice? Nick

build a killer snow fort and kick some major butt in a snowball fight? Holmstrom

throw a bbq? Babcock

set up a haunted house? Cleary

watch stupid tv shows I would never admit to having seen? Ilari Filppula

shop for seasoned cheese with me? Rafalski


This isn't my most creative set, but it's something...

Game 3 motivation

Sorry I haven't done one of these in a while, but I think it's finally time again for a little motivation. I still haven't seen all of game 2, but there were some definite bits of sheer awesome and we need to keep that going.

I love the little girl's face in this first picture. And Danny Cleary doesn't look like a complete stalker or an alien...

Next, it seems we aren't the only people who are happy to see Abdelkader back in the line-up.

Finally, in what doesn't seem like a very original motivator, even hockey players get excited to see the stars out on the ice...

Last Regular Season Home Game Motivation

We need some proper inspiration after the last few games. Before we get to that, however, I have a bit of business to take care of. Stuie hits the puck at me, Amanda, and the friendly camera guy we talk to during warm-ups. Hard. It could be the "more shoot" shirt I wear, it could be that he found an open spot and practices there... or it could be that he's mad at us for whatever reason. He has shown up here, but not often enough, it would seem. This picture is for you Stuie, sorry it's not better. Be as awesome as we know you can be, and you'll show up in my post-game pics, simple as that. For my part, I promise to try to get some pics to reflect that awesomeness during warm-ups today.

Ok, now to the motivation... You all know I love the Perfect Human, especially when he isn't looking perfect.

In honor of Homer's nod from the Wings, here's one (taken by Amanda) of him. If anyone missed it, apparently Homer can't go a day without candy. I think he's thinking about it right now...

Now on to something that surprised us all- Meech is a decent fourth line forward. Seriously, he is. I realize Danny Cleary is the better player of the two and want to see him on the ice, but I had to give Meech some recognition.

As most people will tell you, without Lilja to keep him in line, Big Rig is not always the best player. As TPL Mom will tell you, Big Rig is always a very pretty player. Part one of two motivators from two of our D-men...

Part two of two- no further explanation required...

Finally, one more of Homer.