Obligatory NBA Post

I'm not really much of an NBA follower (I'm more of a college basketball fanatic), but I was happy to see the Celtics win the NBA Championship last night.

The Big Three are enjoying the celebration

I definitely wasn't heartbroken for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers - they've won way too many times in my basketball-watching life, and I'll admit that I'm not your biggest Kobe supporter. The Celtics, on the other hand, were a team of guys trying to win it all for the first time. I think this is why I was really rooting for them.

After the game, you could see the relief and joy on each of their faces. I was especially happy for Paul Pierce, their captain, who has been a Celtic through some pretty rough stretches.

And how can you not love Doc Rivers? He is the epitome of what I love in a coach - a defensive-minded, team-oriented, class act.

Don't worry, I'll be back in hockey-mode tomorrow. Two days and counting until the Draft!!

And thanks to everyone for spreading the Goose-love. I promise, there will be many more posts like yesterday's in the coming months - there is always time for more Paul Gaustad loving in the blogging world.

In other random news: If anyone's looking for things to watch now that baseball is the only sport on TV, So You Think You Can Dance has started again on Fox (8 p.m. tonight). It's my personal favorite TV show, so expect some commentary when I get bored this summer. If you like Dancing with the Stars, check it out (plus, cute dancer boys are always nice to look at).

Looking Back

Hockey season is over.

It hadn't really bothered me before because I was so busy. My dance recital went off with no major disasters to speak of, and my ballet class that I teach looked adorable if I do say so myself. Although today I think I'm battling what Lindy would deem "general body soreness" with the possibility of a "lower body injury."

Now that I have time on my hands, I feel like I should give these Sabre-less Stanley Cup Playoffs the send-off they deserve. So without further ado:

The Top 10 Things I Learned During the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

10.) The Calgary Flames are the poster team for mucking and grinding. The Flames play hockey the way I love watching it be played - physical, gritty, and with a little bit of an edge. I've decided that I would give my right leg (and that's my good dancing leg) for the Captain to beat all Captains (sorry, Pommer), Jarome Iginla. He exhibits all that I love about hockey - toughness, scoring prowess, ability to fight when called for, and true heart.

Pretty and gritty - what more could a girl want?

9.) I love watching the Ottawa Senators FAIL. As a Sabres fan, nothing in these playoffs was sweeter than watching the Sens get swept by the Penguins in the first round.

8.) For his own safety and sanity, Brian Campbell should sign in the Eastern Conference next year. Preferably with a team like Florida or some other place where hockey is second to NASCAR in popularity, so he can see how good he had it here. Seriously, though, Soupy looked down right intimidated by the physical style of teams like Calgary, and it showed in his poor performances and untimely giveaways.

7.) I miss Danny and Marty 1000 times more than Chris Drury. I think we all still bear the scars of being stabbed in the back by Chris Drury. While I wanted to see Danny and Marty succeed despite hating their team, I was glad to see the Rangers and their overpaid "intangible" leader exit in the second round.

6.) Ryan Malone is ridiculously attractive.

And his playing isn't too shabby, either

5.) The Sabres NEED Brooks Orpik. I know he's too expensive for a stay-at-home defenseman, but it's nice to dream. Watching this Buffalo native's hard-nosed blueline play this postseason has really opened my eyes to the kind of shot-blocking, gritty defense the Sabres have been missing since Jay McKee left.

4.) I miss Colby Armstrong on the Penguins. If you haven't picked up on this, today must be your first day reading this blog, so welcome! My name is Katie, and I am a recovering Army addict. Watching the Penguins get so far was the next best thing to having the Sabres in the playoffs, but it felt incomplete without Army along for the ride.

3.) Sidney Crosby isn't really a robot after all. Sure, he always seems to say the right things and never show any emotion whatsoever beyond what the NHL tells him to show. However, the Finals brought out the human side to the young man with the "Chops." Whether it was the clips of him lighting up at seeing Colby again as an analyst, or his ultimate disappointment with losing it all after coming so close, Sid became more "real" to me this postseason. His final interview was just heartbreaking, and made him seem like the vulnerable little boy that I think he really is.

I learned even superstars like Sid and Geno need snuggles

2.) Nothing compares to Sabres hockey. Yes, the playoffs were exciting. Yes, some players captured my attention and a little piece of my heart. However, my team is still my team, and a postseason without them helped solidify that feeling. Jarome Iginla is a great captain, but he's not Jason Pominville. Marc-Andre Fleury is a quirky, awesome goalie, but he's not nearly as quirky or as awesome as Ryan Miller. For as good as Sid and Malkin are, they're not Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek. And Ryan Malone, I'm sorry, as attractive and tough as you are, you will NEVER take Goose's spot in my heart.

1.) I really LOVE hockey. Even without the Sabres, the playoffs were still fun to watch because it's hockey. It's the most physically daunting postseason in sports, and it's great to watch these men put their bodies and their hearts on the line for one goal. How long until next season starts again?

It's Getting Hot in Here...And Other Random Thoughts

I think this pleasantly unusual Buffalo heat wave has melted all of my brain cells. Then again, when has this blog ever been about intelligent thought?

I think my last post pretty much sums up how I feel about the Stanley Cup Finals. I was so sad for Flower and his unfortunate tush-push that landed the third Detroit goal in the net. I also felt so bad for Sid - I always harp on him to show emotion, but his postgame interview was just heartbreaking. Between the red-rimmed eyes and the cracking voice that made him sound even more like a little kid, I could barely take it. My protective instinct kicked in again, and I just wanted to shoo all the reporters away and snuggle him.

However, I couldn't totally hate the fact that the Red Wings won. I liked that a European captain finally lifted the Cup, so maybe that stupid prejudice can stop (probably not, though...). I also liked seeing them with all of their little kids; it made the Robo-Wings seem much more warm and fuzzy. Also, congrats to Henrik Zetterberg on winning the Conn Smythe Trophy; he truly deserved it.

A caption would only ruin the greatness that is this picture.

In lieu of signing Goose, Darcy thinks he can win me over by having a draft day party. Yes, Darcy, I am easily distracted by free parking, food, and the promise of Sabre autographs, but DO NOT think this will hold me over for long. If Goose is there, expect me to be practicing my PR skills and starting negotiations for you. Don't tempt me.

Goose is contemplating the 25-year deal I'm sure Darcy is planning for him.

Speaking of Goose, I wonder which of our lovely boys will be there? I can assume Kaleta because he lives a hop, skip, and a jump away, but who else remains a mystery. Hopefully I'll run into some of you there, fellow bloggers!

This weekend is my dance studio's recital, so I will be on hiatus until Monday while I dance my feet off and hope my first year as a teacher goes off without a hitch. This also gives me time to plan how I will begin life as an offseason blogger. Hope everyone enjoys the warm weather in Buffalo - because we know it's short-lived!

Weekend Recap

Now that was a great weekend!

On Saturday night, the Buffalo Bandits won the NLL Championship game 14-13 over the Portland LumberJax. Now, I've been to a few Bandits games in my life, and those fans are some of the CRAZIEST I've ever seen - in the best possible way. There has been much debate about whether this counts as a "major" championship in Buffalo. I know that I would rather have a Super Bowl or Stanley Cup win, but this is a still a Buffalo championship in a profession sports league, and I, for one, am very proud to be a card-carrying member of the Johnny Tavares fan club today. My two best friends are season ticket holders, and both of them have been so intensely into the NLL season that I've actually decided to go along with them for next year. So congratulations, members of "Banditland" - can't wait to join your ranks next season!

I think I'm in love with Mark Steenhuis and his magical orange shoes

And now for some hockey...

Yes, it was sad watching Derek Roy and his fellow Canadians get ousted by Ovie and the Russians in OT at the IIHF World Championships, but that was all forgotten because of this:

My Second Favorite Team is headed to the Stanley Cup Finals!!

Now I did not get to see the game in its entirety yesterday, but I would like to offer some specific congratulations:

Dear Ryan Malone:

Congratulations to my favorite Pens Mucker and Grinder on your two goals! I love when hard workers get rewarded on the big stage like that. And also, thank you for being SO good looking - it makes me miss Goose and Pommers slightly less:Dear Jordan Staal:

Another goal! Even though I still want to feed you chocolate chip cookies and cocoa after what happened to your grandpa, I would rather you go out and keep winning for him. The cookie offer still stands, though...

Dear Max Talbot:

Thank you for this photo.

Mascot appreciation is good sports karma - keep it up.

Dear Sidney Crosby:

PROTECT THE CHOPS! I don't care how ugly they are, they are winners and so are you. You know I love you (for reasons I still do not understand), and these pictures make me love you even more:

Sometimes I forget just how young you are, and then your face lights up like a Christmas tree, and I remember you're pretty much a little kid hanging with the big boys.

But you're also a very smart Captain, who knows what to do with a trophy that isn't the BIG ONE:

> > >>

Tonight's Game: Wings at Stars 8 p.m. I'm kind of pulling for the Stars now, even though I said Wings in 7.

And on a completely unrelated note, my dance studio won big at our competition this weekend, with my tap team coming only 4 points shy of a perfect score! So it was a very good weekend.

Also, Happy 15th Birthday to my little sister, Amy (who I'm sure you will be hearing about a lot over here)!!