Wonder NO MORE!

Sorry, Ladies, but it was confirmed today that Pittsburgh Penguins center, Evgeni Malkin, does have a girlfriend and is the "Oksana" we've heard so much speculation about and I previously posted about (with pictures from their summer vacation).

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had the following small blurb in an article and caption underneath Malkin's picture today in reference to tickets for family / friends to attend the games in Sweden:

Malkin still has a group coming, including his girlfriend, Oksana, a friend who doubles as his Russian agent and workout pals from St. Petersburg.

[PPG caption underneath the picture in this post] Evgeni Malkin, of Russia, has requested tickets to the game in Sweden for a group of people coming to cheer him on, including his girlfriend.

WOW!!

Ladies, here's our "Boys Men of Winter" -- another year older, another year wiser, AND

another year SEXIER (get a load of Malkin's "come hither" look!)!!!

We are SO LUCKY, Ladies (now wipe that drool off your face!)!!

I'm looking into it, but I believe this is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's season preview insert (if any of my Pittsburgh ladies can confirm this, I'd appreciate it)!!

Really Cool Crosby Fanfic Blog

After reading a few comments from my other Pens blog, I came across a few of you who have blogs of your own. One in particular is a really awesome Fanfic blog dedicated to fanfiction featuring Sidney Crosby.

I'm not a reader, ladies, but this is definitely worth a read if you're in need of getting away from your boring, stressful, everyday life and want to fantisize about Sidney (who doesn't?!!)!!! These fan fiction creations will definitely cause little butteflies in your stomach (the GOOD kind)!!

Take a gander - you WON'T be sorry (I wasn't)!! THANKS to Lauren for her great literary works of art (Definitely "HftL-approved")!!

BTW - AWESOME photoshops, Lauren!!

Heart & Soul

PICS: Practice at the Iceoplex on Friday

I was lucky enough to take off work last Friday and attend the Penguins afternoon practice at the Iceoplex with my husband and our friends. Definitely A LOT of "Eye Candy" goin' on here, Ladies!! ENJOY!!

"Eye Candy" Video: Godard vs.Koci

At the suggestion of my contributing writer, Kena, I'm posting this video from YouTube of the fight from the Penguins first pre-season game at the Mellon Arena against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It features our "Eye Candy of the Week" Eric Godard getting the best of David Koci after he hit Gonchar into the boards causing the shoulder dislocation that's keeping him out of the lineup indefinitely. This is what Elizabeth and I got to see first-hand last Saturday. Good stuff (thanks, Kena)!!

Hotties of the Western Conference: Daniel Carcillo (Phoenix Coyotes)

He looks like a doll, so you'd never expect him to be an enforcer [VIDEO] who also has a hat trick (against the Stars, boo, just kidding) in his rookie season. I mean, he doesn't even look like he knows what fighting is let alone racking up a league high in penalty minutes.

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: At 23, with a couple years of AHL experience and some in the NHL, he's actually one of the more “seasoned” Coyotes [Read About It Here] except for the veterans. His coach loves him and says, “he plays hard all the time and loves to compete,” and “All in all, he's had a tremendous year.” There's no doubt he has tremendous potential to be an excellent and productive agitator/enforcer (he's been described as a cross between Sean Avery and Darcy Tucker) with a league high 324 penalty minutes while putting 109 shots on goal. Oh, and that hat trick, so he's productive on the scoring side too.

THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: 5'11” 203lbs. Dark brown wavy hair & brown eyes. When I see him, my brain sort of superimposes “dashing French pirate” over his visage. He looks to me like he's a real blast to hang out with. I really don't know anything about him, other than he looks cute, and he REALLY impressed me with his hockey skills in that Stars game. [VIDEO] He's not obnoxious about starting fights, but does he ever finish them. And that has it's own kind of appeal. [I AGREE COMPLETELY]

While I personally am not a huge fan of dark eyes/hair. I will be the first to admit that if you have to have it, he does do it better than most. And he's just a kick-ass hockey player. What more really needs to be said? [I want to take him home like a little lost puppy; although that fight pic makes him look like a mean pitbull!!]

Simply, "Thank you!"

Hey there, ladies!

I just wanted to create a special post to let you all know how much I appreciate your responses, comments, and compliments I've received over the past few days!!

I am tickled that my little blog is gaining popularity and a few fans along the way! I can't tell you how much I enjoy blogging (not only on this blog, but my main Pens blog, The Steel City Sports Fan (Penguins Edition)) and how much more of a treat it is to know there are actually people reading it!! I am a HUGE Pens fan (I LOVE them even MORE than I LOVE the Steelers and football, in general) which is why I started my original Pens blog, but the more I posted on that blog, the more I had a side of me that I just couldn't ignore any longer -- and there's NO WAY that my male readers would ever want to read how HOT Sidney Crosby is (nor did I want to ruin the credibility I gained over the few months my blog had been up; because ladies, there ARE girls out there that truly enjoy hockey and can talk hockey with the best of them which is something I wanted to continue to represent; however, no matter how hard we try, there's always that part of us that finds the players attractive!)!! And so I created this blog and made them completely independent of each other -- to satisfy myself and spare the male fans (and I KNEW there had to be other ladies out there who felt the same way I did and you know what -- there are and as far as I can tell from your responses, you're enjoying what I'm offering on this blog).

Well, I don't want to blubber on (this is actually MUCH longer than I originally intended it to be) - I just wanted to send a simple "thank you" your way for all of your support. As long as I continue to enjoy blogging, I will continue to try and entertain the fans!

Your fellow Lady,

Stephanie

"Eye Candy" of the Week: Eric Godard

After yesterday's post, I did receive a couple of suggestions which I am so thankful for!! All I can say is that I've been "inspired" and it definitely got my "Eye Candy" juices flowing to allow me to broaden my horizons.

This week's "Eye Candy" is Pittsburgh Penguins forward, Eric Godard (thanks to the suggestion from HftL reader, Elizabeth C., who was lucky enough to meet him after the Penguins first practice at the Mellon Arena)!

There's a story behind this picture (which I think is really great on it's own), but the story makes it that much better!

How cool is that?! That definitely makes Godard even HOTTER (to take the time with a fan and then take the picture knowing there wasn't anyone around to take it -- how sweet)!! Elizabeth tells me he's really nice.

Did I mention he's an enforcer? Yes - that's part of our new physical presence (as I mentioned in my SCSF blog, he was already sporting a black eye at the first pre-season game on Saturday!) - nothing's sexier than a guy who drops the gloves, ladies (wouldn't you agree?)! I think Elizabeth agrees with me since she enjoyed watching Godard's fight during last Saturday's game. The second picture shows him exchanging blows with one of the nastiest fighters on ice - Brashear - so I would also say that Godard has a "set", if you catch my drift!

OK, Elizabeth, I'm SOLD and there's only one thing left to say - YUM!!

I didn't have anyone to take a pic of me and him so he did the "stick out your arm thing" with the camera (he had to lean back because he's 6'4" and I'm 5'1"!

Lack of Updates - SORRY, Ladies!!

I know, I know!!

I haven't posted any "Eye Candy" or "UNSUNG Hotties." I just haven't been motivated lately [by any player other than my sweet little Sidney]!!

I want you to know that I continue to do my research though!! *wink, wink* And hope to God none of you are going through any withdrawal symptoms (you know--sweats, daydreams, inability to focus on anything other than hockey players - the list goes ON)!

And THANKS to Kena for continuing to do "Hotties of the Western Conference" or else there wouldn't be any posts (OR blog!) here at all!

Hopefully, after the start of the regular season, I'll have plenty to add here (I guess I didn't realize just how "hung up" I was on Sid [and Ruutu -- maybe I'm still "mourning the loss"!!]).

In the meantime, if any of you have good ideas for either "Eye Candy" or "UNSUNG Hottie," please let me know and I'll be happy to post them here!! Just e-mail me.

Again, THANKS, Kena - you're a blog saver!!

Hotties of the Western Conference: Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche - if he comes back from retirement, again)

Even if you don't like redheads, or the Colorado Avalanche (which I do not) or the Philadelphia Fliers (he's played for both). You have to like Forsberg. No, not just because he's Swedish. And not just because he's hot. You have to like him because even though he is one of the most injury prone players I can think of. He always comes to play. He has the amazing ability to galvanize his teammates to play above their ability.

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: Since he was already retired last year, before his inopportune comeback last year. I don't know if he'll be back this year or not. Currently he is not listed on the Aves. Roster, but beings as he's kind of an “odd duck” I for one am not counting him out till the proverbial fat lady sings. As I said above. What I like most about him. Is the fact that he plays like a madman. At least he has every time I've seen him (which I admit, is not often). He's a lifetime statistical leader. The only players in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to average more points-per-game are Wayne Gretzky (1.84), Mario Lemieux (1.61), Mark Messier (1.25), Mike Bossy (1.24), Jari Kurri (1.17) and Gil Perreault (1.14). He is in 16th place on the all-time playoff scoring list with 171 points, one behind Mario Lemieux (172) for 15th place.

THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: If you skimmed over the pictures accompanying this post. GO BACK and look at them again, especially the eyes. He just has the most amazing cold level stare. Other stats are 6'0” 205lbs. Strawberry blondish (at least that's how I classify it) hair, with AMAZING SILVER blue eyes (which are made even more awesome by the fact that he rarely blinks). Intensity, got it. Aggression (in his play at least), yup. All the qualities you could possibly want. Personally I can't get over the eyes. I don't know much about his off-ice personality, but like I said before. He's kind of different.

Although I'm not sure that he'll even play again this year. I wanted to share him with all of you east coast ladies before he was buried in Sweden again. Enjoy.

I'm So Jealous!

I'm so jealous of this girl!! However, she's just 15 so I can't be too mad at her - it's cute! Just read the way Pittsburgh Tribune-Review explains how "the hug" came about -

After Crosby spent about 25 minutes in the Bradford's home, the group headed outside to take a group picture on the porch. But the fans had one last request before Crosby left.

"Aubri wants a hug, Sidney," someone blurted.

So Crosby turned around and gave Aubri Covol, a 15-year old from Plum Borough, a hug to cap the visit.

"I was in disbelief, lost for words," Covol said. "I never would have dreamt it. I go to all the games to see him play, but I never would have dreamt being 10 feet away from him."

What a sweetheart!! My question for that girl is, "did he smell good?" That's what comes to mind when I look at this picture and would probably be the only thing I would want to know about their meeting!

So Aubri, if you happen to read my blog, please e-mail me to let me know if Sidney smelled good / what he smelled like!!! I would be so grateful!

How HOT is Sid?!!

I'm sorry -- I realize that I already dedicated a few posts on this kid, but MY GOD, how hot is he?! I've been trying to come up with other guys for the "Eye Candy" and "Unsung Hottie" posts, but I just can't seem to because I compare them all to Sid!!

Just when I think he can't get any sexier --

BAM!

He hits me with more sexy!

Dear Lord, how does one person possess so many great qualities? He's basically the perfect man: beautiful, sexy, intelligent, talented, sweet, athletic ... do I need to go on? OK - so he has a few zits here and there every-so-often, but who doesn't?! Yet, even his zits are cute -- it makes you aware that he's human too -- almost like he doesn't want you to feel inferior, "See, I'm not so intimidating; I have zits too."

Thank Goodness you don't go blind when you get married!!

Hotties of the Western Conference: Brad Winchester (St. Louis Blues)

Here is guy who is an "unsung hottie" and "eye candy" all in the same package (which I don't think anyone who has a pair of X-chromosomes wouldn't want to unwrap!!)! He is also the owner of (in my opinion at least) one of the all time most AWESOME names in history. The sad part is, I had never really paid much attention to what he looked like when he played for the Stars. But as I later found out, I was REALLY missing the boat.

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: In this area, he really doesn't shine too brightly. Most of his success was during the lockout when he tied for team leader in goals scored for the Oilers (and most importantly he scored a playoff goal against the Red Wings. He played 41 games for the Stars last year and has signed on with the Blues for the 08/09 season (of course, not I HAVE to keep some track of how the Blues are doing).

THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: At 6'5" 215 lbs. he's perfect in that respect (I like 'em tall). If you let the red hair turn you off, you'll really be missing a cutie. He has pretty, soft, blue eyes and he's kinda shy so he does this "long blink thing" that turns me inside out. OK, simply put, he's adorable; and he blushes - just darling. He's what I call "shy-sexy." But he can fight and he's good at it (103 penalty minutes in one of his college season in Wisconsin). So, of course, that just makes him even hotter.

For as gorgeous as he is on TV, I have been told that he's MUCH better looking in person by my friend (and fellow Steve Ott admirer), Myra, who lives in Dallas. Unfortunately, I have (so far) been unable to confirm this, so if anyone happens to get the opportunity to check him out, let me know if my hypothesis is correct.

RUMOR: Geno Back with Ex-Fiancee, Oksana

SORRY, Ladies [in love with Malkin]!!

I found this from the "Evgeni Malkin's Girlfriend" message board yesterday and figured it was a post that is more suitable for this blog rather than my Pens blog!!

Here's a little backhistory (from what I could gather from the posts on the message board). Malkin had a girlfriend (Oksana Kondakova, 26) who he broke up with before coming to Pittsburgh for his NHL rookie season. She was married (but separated and getting a divorce to be with Geno) and they [her and Geno] were supposedly "engaged." Then I come to find out that part of the recent interview with Malkin that I posted on my Pens blog translates into his not only mentioning a vacation in Maldives, but vacationing in Maldives with his girlfriend (supposedly he got back together with Oksana)!!! I can't confirm any of this, of course, but the picture is pretty convincing (take it for what it's worth)!!

Here is the pic recently posted (I'm assuming this is Malkin with his girlfriend, Oksana, vacationing in Maldives)!


And while we're on the subject, I might as well post the other pictures I found on this message board - it appears that Malkin's a little player (and these girls are sleezy) - shy MY ASS!!

Hotties of the Western Conference: Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche)

This one really tests my ability to analytical and impartial for two reasons:

1. I don't like the Avalanche
2. I don't find the guy but moderately attractive (just hang with me and you'll see why I decided to offer him up as an example of WC Hotness).

I have been informed on several boards that I am clueless when it comes to the EXTREME hotness of Joe Sakic. I've never sampled any of my female friends (they wouldn't comment on a hockey player anyway), but I have seen him mentioned innumerable times and in various locations on the internet as hot. Soooo, in the interest of being fair to all of you out there and giving you fair and unbiased representation of the "hot guys in the west," I invite your comments. Sell me on the idea that Joe Sakic is REALLY HOT!

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: He is the undisputed leader of the Colorado Avalanche. Having been their Captain during every season of their existence. He's a scoring machine and has been one of the most productive forwards in the game, having scored 50 goals in a season on two separate occasions and earning at least 100 points in a season, six different seasons. He's appeared in 13 All-Star Games, so if you're one of those folks who judges how hot a guy is by how good of a player he is (I have to admit it's a goodly portion of the equation for me in most cases), then Sakic is for you. [that's Peter Forsberg with Sakic in the picture to the left]

THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: He's 5' 11" 195 lbs. [this is where you have to help me a little. I'm obviously missing something really important here] with dark, wavy hair and dark eyes. I don't know that much about his personality, except for the fact that pretty much EVERYONE who plays for the Avs (and most of their fans) would follow him unconditionally through the bowels of hell while whole-heartedly believing that they're going to get a Stanley Cup down there no matter how bad the team is STINKING. And that has to count for something, doesn't it?!