C'est la Vie

Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" might not be an appropriate theme song for this weekend's home-and-home between the Flyers and the Habs, but that one phrase from the lyrics sort of sums up my feelings lately.

Tonight's game at the Bell Centre appears to be a face-off between two teams playing craptacular hockey, since the guys over at Four Habs Fans seem as thrilled with their team as Kristin, Ryan and I with ours. Whereas the F-bomb has become a new middle name for some Flyers, there's speculation that certain Habs' first names may be legally changed to it.

Honestly, I'm so unimpressed and uninspired by the play lately that I may - gasp! - skip any association to tonight's game, particularly since I'll be present for tomorrow's battle at the Wachovia Center.

Astounding, I know. I'll make a decision as the day progresses and what plans my girls make for tonight.


Dear Coach and Guys,

I hope you packed your earplugs to filter out the booing tonight. I only say this because you've turned into ADHD poster children.

Just when you guys flirt heavily and woo us with your B+ or A- game, Count Craptacula steps in, puts a spell on you, and we - the fans - are in our prom dress waiting for you to get over you bug-eating ways and return from the dark side. (How's that for full acknowledgement of the Halloween colors, hmm?)

The lack of focus and consistency have been problematic all season long, and I do mean all season. Now, though, it's tag-teamed with poor passing and a "whatever" attitude, the stereotypical, histronic thirteen year old Valley girl version. Figurative shoulder shrugs happen every time I blink and some of you are unrepentant repeat offenders. (Of course, this could be an optical illusion due to the lovely jersey design, but I sincerely doubt it.)

So, I think it's fair to say that the booing concerns me because I just don't think you can handle it at this point.

That's not to say that you won't need to get used to it. With just 25 games left in the regular season, Philly fans may jump onto the booing bandwagon. You've said it yourselves in multiple interviews: There are no excuses - good or bad - for what's happened in the last five games.

I know what losing streaks feel like. Mine were in several different sports, but they all felt the same. I'll avoid the trite platitudes and cliches. They're called "trite platitudes and cliches" for a reason.

Here's what I will share:

Focus on playing a real 60 minutes of hockey each game. Lately it's been about 20 good minutes max.
Complete your passes. It's elementary, my dears.
Spend more time in their zone and less in ours. Defense and puck-clearing have to be better to accomplish this, but you're going to have to dog anyone who crosses the blue line.

Love yas, but tired of this $h1t!


Listening to: "Go Let It Out" by Oasis, "A Dios Le Pido" by Juanes