Thursday, March 5, 2009

It's A Girl!!


During the game, Dan Potash announced that Sergei and his wife Ksenia are proud parents to a new baby girl named Victoria (7 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 inches long).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GONCHARS!!

Gonchar Out of Tonight's Lineup -- Expecting Baby Any Day Now!!

[UPDATE]
Its been reported that Ksenia went into labor today.

The Penguins announced on their webpage today that Gonchar has returned home to be with his wife, Ksenia, in Pittsburgh. The couple are expecting the birth of their second child any day now.

We'll keep you posted, ladies!



At the urging of several readers, I've decided to include a disclaimer for the photo in this post (HftL does not want to be accused of not showing concern for our readers!)!!

WARNING: You may lose all brain fuction and/or the ability to breathe while viewing this photograph.

Those beautiful full lips!

YES - I know I used this photo for the last reason I gave for loving Sidney (his beautiful eyes), but this picture really features both of these assets really well - don't you think?!)!!

Look at them - soft, sexy, bee-stung, OH-SO KISSABLE lips!!



Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Western Conference Hottie: Patrik Berglund (St. Louis Blues)

OK ladies, you knew I couldn't stay away from the blond guys forever, so I'm sorry but your just going to have to indulge me. I was watching the horribleness that was the Stars v Blues the other day (well a tragedy for Stars fans, anyway) and he scored the 2nd of STL's 3 goals of the night. Being somewhat unfamiliar with the Blues, I got WAY more than I expected when the camera panned in on him. I could only muster a gape mouth stare.

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: A first round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, in 2006, they liked him enough to keep him and it looks like it might be paying off. He's 2nd in points on the Blues. And yes, before you say it I know it's the blues. But you know, they started out pretty well this season, and are suffering the loss of their Captain (not unlike a certain team I have a personal soft spot for.) Actually he's the chief producer of points, right after Brad Boyes who has played 7 more games than he has. So who's gonna gripe. Plus he's keeping awfully good company. He's posted a plus-or-even game in 48 of the 56 games he has played in. Has points in 27 of his 56 games and notched 10 multi-point games this season, 9 two-point games and 1-three- point game. (and remember, this is his first year in the NHL!) He's also responsible for notching the Blues' 10,000th franchise goal on Nov. 1, 2008 vs. Pittsburgh. (On second thought should I really mention that fact on a predominately Penguins blog.) [laughs,] (remember, the pens won so you can't lynch me,) [more laughs].

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: Since I already gave it away in the very first sentence of this post, he's my usual "type" of 6'4" 189 lbs. of blond, blue eyed Swede. [yes, Stephanie had to ask me several times what my name was after the sight of him nearly made me faint] [she still doesn't answer to her name]!! Quite honestly, I can't find out much of anything about him other than what he looks like. If you're liked the pictures, you'll probably want to take a VERY close look (and listen if you have the same weakness for Swedish accents that I do) to these 2 videos. (1.) He's the 2nd interview in this VIDEO. (2.) He's also the 2nd interview in this VIDEO. You can fast forward to about 2:28 unless David Perron is your type of thing. He's not really mine, but he doesn't bark, either. Since I can't read Swedish, this area is rather thin on details. However, in my travels on the internet, I did come up with one pretty good quote. "And when I started this year, I was not good at all. But I have to credit our coaches -- all four of them -- for really helping me get better in that area of the game. They got me into the right position on the ice, got me to get my stick down and be facing the way of the puck, toward it. I wanted to work on it, but they really deserve the credit. But I'd be enjoying this a lot more if we were winning more games." Sounds like a promising personality to me.

But for the most part (since this HftL, after all) my goodness, set back and take a look at all the pretty!!! MEOW!!!! [I definitely have to second the Me-OW!!! You guys all know my type is far from blond, but Berglund is a real hottie who just couldn't be ignored -- good choice, Kena!]!!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Chris Kunitz (Pittsburgh Penguins)

I thought I'd use this week's EC Eye Candy to introduce you all to (and learn more about) our newest Penguins player, Chris Kunitz who I've learned by listening to Steigy and Errey that he's married and he and his wife, Maureen, are expecting their first child in April (they were married in 2008).

HOCKEY FACTOR:
  • born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
  • plays left wing, shoots left
  • played NCAA hockey in college for Ferris State University (beginning in 1999)
  • named to CCHA First All-Star Team in 2002 and 2003
  • was CCHA Player of the Year in 2003
  • named to NCAA West First All-American Team in 2003
  • helped the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup Championship in 2007
  • represented Team Canada in 2008 at the World Ice Hockey Championships
HOTNESS FACTOR:

Kunitz is a real cutie. He's 6'0 (although I think that may be stretching it a bit since he appears somewhat shorter to me in a few pics) and weighs 193 pounds. He isn't much of a fighter, but he does finish alot of his checks (148 hits in 62 games with the Ducks!) and isn't afraid to defend a teammate when he needs to which will be good if he ends up playing on the top line with Crosby. He does have one fight this season against Sean Avery and, according to the voters at hockeyfights.com, it ended in a "draw" (I think it looks more like Kunitz gets a few more punches in than Avery, but you'll have to see for yourself - visit the site).

He's a fan of baseball and his favorite team is the Detroit Tigers.

"No, not relax - we play hard, 20 minutes more ..."

The latest Malkin interview thanks to Dan Potash ("I said two questions and I'll be honest, just two questions")!!

Gotta LOVE Malkin - he's been steppin' it up the last few games (especially with Sid out which is usually when he likes taking care of business!)!! What a cutie-pie (and that "A" he's sportin' -- VERY SEXY!)!!!

ENJOY (thanks 71Crush!)!!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Hockey 101 with HftL: More Minor Penalties

We're finishing up minor penalties and their signals this week with slashing and spearing.





SLASHING (MINOR)
When a player hits an opposing player with the stick or swings the stick at an opposing player. The ref's official signal for this is pictured to the left (one chop with the non-whistle hand across the straightened forearm of the other hand).




SPEARING (MINOR)
When a player "stabs" an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried in one or both hands. The ref's official signal for this is pictured to the right (a single jabbing motion with both hands together, thrust forward from in front of the chest, then dropping hands to the side).