Monday, October 31, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from Geno and Sid!

The Penguins are "off" until their next game on Thursday and what a better way to start it all off than with a Halloween party?!!

THANKS to Evgeni Malkin being super Twitter-saavy (@Malkin71_), we can all enjoy a couple pictures from the team's Halloween party last night.

I know Sid is a gladiator, but what about Geno? Pimp, 70's porn star ... I can't really tell for sure what he's going for. Regardless, I'm loving the chest hair which he no doubt took from his wig (very clever!)!!
Yes, this IS really Geno's official Twitter account (it's verified ) and YES, that really is him and Sid (confirmed by Geno himself - "Geno and sid))))")!! THIS is the stuff I live for as a die-hard fan (as I'm sure alot of other fans do), so I'm posting it to share with all of you to enjoy too in case you didn't catch them last night.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Pens nation!!!













And I threw one in for "good measure." The MLF posted this on the FB page today (which I was led to by Twitter this morning):
Happy Halloween! In celebration, check out Mario posing as James Bond for an event back in 2003!

Friday, October 28, 2011

It's A[nother] Boy!!

Shortly after I posted news on the Howard's new baby son, HftL reader KZ commented that Lecavalier just had his second son recently as well!!  THANKS, KZ!!!


WELCOME TO THE [HOCKEY] WORLD, Gabriel Lecavalier!!!

Last Tuesday, October 18, 2011, Vinny Lecavalier's wife, Caroline, gave birth to the couple's second child -- a baby boy they named Gabriel Vincent who weighed in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces.  Older sister, Victoria, celebrated her first birthday this past May.

Lacavalier who scored a goal in the first game he played in against the New York Islanders after Gabriel's birth, returned home with a stick for his son.
“I’m going to write on it that it’s his first game,” Lecavalier told the St. Petersburg Times, “and I scored.”
TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, CLICK HERE!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO Vinny, Caroline, and Victoria!!

It's A Boy!!

THANK YOU, Diane B, for sharing the link and happy news!!


WELCOME TO THE [HOCKEY] WORLD, James Russell Howard, IV!!!

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard and his wife, Rachel, welcomed a baby boy into this world - the couple's first.
"I've been talking to him while he's in my wife's belly and everything like that, so to finally see him face-to-face and see his blue eyes and the expressions he already has, it's pretty special," Howard said.
Father and son watched the Wings-Blue Jackets game and, said Howard, "The little guy saw himself on television for the first time."

And Friday, the little guy will see his dad on television for the first time, when the Wings host San Jose.
TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, CLICK HERE!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO Jimmy and Rachel Howard!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Crosby and Neal Pictures of the Week

Hockey season really motivates me!  Can you tell??!!!

And since I haven't been too much on the ball these past several weeks, some of the pics are older -- the ones toward the end of the post (like the home-opener-kind of old!)!!  But they are all really worth posting (you'll see!) -- I meant to have a few of the ones I took, but I haven't "spiffied" them up yet (of course - not too good with pictures either -- in my mind, at least I know I have them!)!! 

I also have a few from those of you who were nice enough to send me some of your own -- so hopefully I can be ready and have them up next time (I really appreciate you guys emailing to share with me ESPECIALLY GOOD PICS!)!! ; D

Anyway ... ENJOY, LADIES!!!

My Sid <3

Sid and Geno practice celebrating a goal
(its been a while!)

Sid and Geno BRO-HUG
(I'm tellin's ya ... it's a secret BRO-MANCE!)!!

Sid and Geno
(after the BRO-HUG!)

Sid IN A SNAZZY SUIT for introductions before the home-opener
(almost nothing better!)!!

Sid and Geno during introductions at the home-opener
(I will always believe, in my own mind, that THIS is a secret BRO-MANCE!)

MY NEALY <3 (I DO realize that his nickname is really "Nealer;" however, "Nealy" is MY NICKNAME for him!!! ; )

How adorable is he?!!!(that's rhetroical, ladies) ; P
AND THAT SMILE -- ughhhhhhhh!!!

A Nealy Sandwich -- why, yes please!!(now I'm just amusing myself!)
 
Again, ADORABLE!!
(my descriptive word(s) for him is "adorably sexy" -- and my buddy Christy says there IS such a thing!)
 
 Neal skating at team practice the morning of the home-opener

This one IS from my own personal collection - I made it my FB profile pic!
(it's either training camp OR the "Town Hall Meeting")

Sunday, October 23, 2011

It's [Beefcake] Calendar Time, Ladies!!

That's right -- it's that time of year again!!!  The Penguins gave away their annual calendar last night to all the fans in attendance at the game.   And, yes, they've outdone themselves once again ... my only complaint is that THERE'S NO NEALY!!! :*(

However, the rest of you who have other Penguin favorites in the calendar will be quite pleased (and I still have my Sid who is looking quite scrumptious, I might add!)!!  And, again, this year they're marketing to the females as I said to my husband that I don't think he wants a calendar with a close-up of Tanger's or Staalsy's face hung in his cubicle!!! They all look really attractive!LOL ; P

I give you the 2011-12 Penguins [Beefcake] calendar -- ENJOY, LADIES!!!

OCTOBER - COOKEY

NOVEMBER - LETANG

DECEMBER - ADAMS

JANUARY - ORPIK

FEBRUARY - KUNITZ

MARCH - CROSBY

APRIL - MALKIN

MAY - STAAL

JUNE - DUPUIS

JULY - KENNEDY

AUGUST - MICHALEK

SEPTEMBER - MARTIN

OCTOBER 2012 - FLEURY

Monday, October 17, 2011

Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Patrick Kaleta (Buffalo Sabres)


HOCKEY FACTOR:
Patrick Kaleta started out playing both minor (Hamburg Hawks and West Seneca Wings) and high school hockey (St. Francis High School - Athol Springs, NY).  It was during high school that he was discovered by the Peterborough Petes of the OHL with whom he played for four seasons (2002-03 - 2005-06).

He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 6th round (176th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and has been with the organization since (signing a contract back in June 2006).  From 2006-07 through 2007-08, Kaleta split his time between Buffalo's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and the Sabres until the 2008-09 season when he remained on the Sabres NHL roster.

Patrick earned his first point during his first NHL game on February 22, 2007 against the Ottawa Senators.
 
Kaleta is only the fourth Buffalo-area resident to play for the hometown Sabres in the regular season (Scott Thomas, Randy Burridge, and Tim Kennedy), but of the four, he is the one who has spent the most time and played the most games with Buffalo.

He's small for a hockey player (at 5'11), but he does pack a punch and usually is placed on the Sabres fourth line with other enforcers (he's more of an agitator, but won't hesitate to drop the gloves when necessary); as for the style of hockey Kaleta plays, The Hockey News has called him "an agitating energy winger" and says the following about him:
Works very hard. Likes to antagonize the opposition and is also an occasional combatant. Provides energy and grit to any lineup. Has a decent two-way game.
Patrick played in his 200th NHL career game last season on March 1, 2011 against the New York Rangers.


HOTTIE FACTOR:
Kaleta is another American-born player; he grew up in Angola, NY (a suburb of Buffalo).

His favorite hockey player growing up was Mike Peca who also played for the Buffalo Sabres and wore #27 which is the number Kaleta wore during his time in OHL and AHL.

He is greatly involved in charity work and founded the HITS Foundation (Helping Individuals To Smile) which provides financial, facility and program support for underprivileged children and adults to offer opportunities in activities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.  From Buffalo BusinessFirst:
“I’ve always enjoyed being out in the community and helping people,” he said recently while getting ready to tee off at his foundation’s second annual golf outing Aug. 22. “If there is any way I can help someone, I love to do it.”

Friday, October 14, 2011

Hockey Announcements (Baby and Engagement)

We have both a hockey birth and engagement rolled into one ... WELL, it's not for ONE player, but I'm grouping the "announcements" into one post ... anyway, MOVING ON --

THANKS to loyal follower, Debbie, for bringing it to my attention that this article mentions Brooks Orpik's  fiancée ... so we now know that our elite defenseman is engaged (to Erin Lilly) - not sure when it happened or the date of the wedding, but be sure I'll have details / news if I come across them!!


CONGRATULATIONS TO BROOKS AND ERIN!!!
 

Also (THANKS to another loyal follower, Laura!), Hal Gil and his wife welcomed their third child into the world on Wednesday; a baby boy that I believe is named Talon (haven't confirmed that).

CONGRATULATIONS TO HAL AND THE GILL FAMILY!!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Sid's BACK IN BLACK, Baby!!!

Ladies, Sid is FINALLY Cleared for "Full Contact!"  Um, YEAH (that "full contact" thing -- makes me think naughty thoughts), but ANYWAY ...

Sid confirmed that he has been cleared for "full contact," but that its limited to practices for now ... SO EXCITING (it won't be long before we'll see him playing again!)!!!
"I'm cleared for full contact," Crosby said. "It's a good step in the right direction. We'll see how it goes in the next little bit."

WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

So ARE ANY OF YOU CELEBRATING??? My friend and I are going for a Chinese lunch buffet ; P IF YOU'RE CELEBRATING, BE SURE TO EMAIL ME ... I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU'RE ALL CELEBRATING SID'S "RETURN!"


OK ... before I posted the update, O-M-G (I'm listening to my iPhone and it's on shuffle) and "Holding Out for a Hero" came up ... HOW APPROPRIATE IS THAT??!!!!!!!!!!!  So now I have to include the lyrics in this post ... ENJOY (can you tell I am?!)!!

BACK IN BLACK, BABY (black helmet)
like everyone else on the ice!!!

**************
Where have all good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soonAnd he’s gotta be larger than life

Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There’s someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life

Up Where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I would swear that there’s someone somewhere
Watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like a fire in my blood

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong
And he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life

2012 Penguins & Paws Calendar

This season the Penguins will once again be offering their "Penguins & Paws" calendar featuring members of the Pittsburgh Penguins with pets or various animals from the shelter.

The cost is $20 each and proceeds will benefit the Pittsburgh Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center.

They are currently taking pre-orders!! And WHY PRE-ORDER??
  • all of those who pre-order will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win an autographed Pittsburgh Penguins item and a FREE calendar, so ...
RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW!!
For more information (and / or to pre-order)
visit the Pittsburgh Animal Rescue League webpage
OR CONTACT ANN YEAGER AT:
412-345-1346
ayeager@animalrescue.org

And JUST IN CASE you need a little incentive to donate, here are a few pics from the 2010 calendar and some HftL LINKS!!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Fleury In the Buff?!

We could've been looking at Marc-Andre Fleury's "buff" goalie bod, ladies!!  NO, I'm not kidding.

I'm not sure how many of you HAVEN'T heard this news already because it's been the talk of the internet for the past few days, but its definitely HftL-news-worthy, so I figured I'd post it JUST IN CASE ...

Did you know that Fleury was approached by ESPN to be in "The Body Issue?"  YES - THAT "Body Issue!"

Don't get me wrong, I like Fleury ... he's a cutie with that huge smile of his and his sense of humor is quite charming / attractive, but I'm not so sure he's "Body Issue" material (and he said it himself ... in not so many words, but ...).  According to the video interview (with CBC) that was posted by 96.1 Kiss FM's "The Morning Freak Show," it was Fleury's decision not to do it and that the Penguins organization wanted him to most likely for the publicity (that's a little hard to believe, but you never know -- I highly doubt MAF would make that stuff up!)!

Q: Which of your teammates is the best candidate to pose nude for ESPN Magazine?
Fleury: No, actually, they asked me this summer, but I declined ... I guess they're looking for goalies ...

Q: Did Mario shut you down?
Fleury: The Penguins wanted me to do it, I guess to promote the team .. That's not me. I'm not the big, buff guy with the big muscles.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Why, Mr. Kesler, Don't You Look ... NAKED?!!!

[UPDATE #2 - MARK MADDEN WEIGHS IN, 10/06/2011]According to "Double-M," the photo is very homoerotic ("not that that's a bad thing") ...

[UPDATE - PHOTOSHOP CHALLENGE?]
EVEN Puck Daddy himself can't deny what a perfect specimen Kesler is (I'd say someone had pizza last night for dinner!)!!  He also includes a link to the source (Pass it to Bulis) of all the PHOTOSHOP FUN YOU COULD WANT TO HAVE WITH THIS PICTURE (well, unless you're female --- and then I could think of some other photoshop fun there could be --- and if any of you ladies want to "give that a spin," I'd consider posting a few of them for all the rest of us to enjoy - FIRST EVER HftL PHOTOSHOP CHALLENGE, ANYONE?!)!! ; P


There is NO EDITING needed for this picture (unlike previously)!!

I think I can speak for most hockey-loving [MALE-loving] females out there (if I can even form a coherent sentence right now!) .... I LOVE YOU, ESPN (this is a brilliant concept!)!!!

KUDOS to Mr. Kesler for having the, ummmmmmmm, NERVE to pose for this (GOD BLESS 'IM -- showin' off what his mama gave 'im like that -- maybe I should say GOD BLESS MRS. KESLER [mom and WIFE!] for ALLOWING HIM to show us so we all know most of what she does!!)!!!  If you would like a sneak peep, I mean PEEK, of the pictures featured in the most recent ESPN's "The Body Issue," CLICK HERE!!

I apologize for the unfinished look of this post, but I'M AT WORK right now (and there was only so much I could do with this picture!) - LOL!!!!  Also (this is actually really funny because this really did catch me off-guard and this post is so unlike me because it's so THROWN-TOGETHER!) -- supposedly these photos were "leaked," but seeing as how I linked to them from ESPN, I highly doubt they were leaked (or were so on purpose) ... THIS ISSUE HITS STORES THIS COMING FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7TH!!!

GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN!!! ; D

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

ESPN's Third Annual "Body Issue"

I touched on this last week when I used it to write a "sorry it's been so long" post, but I just want to give you a few more [important] details!

ESPN The Magazine is set to release it's third annual "Body Issue."  It'll hit the stands this coming Friday, October 7th, so mark your calendars ladies!!

In addition to Ryan Kesler (note the correct spelling!), the LA Kings will be featured in an interview where ESPN "turns the tables" and the writer will be naked while interviewing the players (I haven't seen anything on which Kings took part, but we don't have to wait much longer to find out!). And, as mentioned in the last post, US Women's Olympic hockey player Julie Chu will also be featured in the magazine.

So those of you who are planning to purchase a copy (or will receive a copy in the mail) and are willing to share a half-clad Mr. Kesler with the rest us, please email me and I will gladly post for everyone else to see while giving credit, of course -- we would all appreciate it tremendously!!