In The Crease

The Goalinator Hockey, The Lesser Sports, Music, Women, and Cars. That about covers it all, right?

Rants and raves by The Goalinator

Curse of the Sabers

Published: 2/10/2008 7:35:15 PM

I don't know how many of you actually watch hockey, but those of you who do know that it can be an EXTREMELY dangerous sport. In the 28 years that I have played it I've broken my elbow, my nose, and even lost 4 teeth - and I was completely padded and protected!

I am definitely NOT a Buffalo Sabers fan, I grew up in Ranger country so it was only natural that I pull for the Islanders (you see, I've always been a little rebellious), but I hate to see anyone get hurt. Seriously hurt. A liitle pain is good, but life-threatening injury is NEVER good.

Case in point: Tonight's injury to Richard Zednik.

Mr. Zednik plays for the Sabers and was a victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A razor-sharp skate blade belonging to a teammate who had been up-ended came down across the side of Zednik's neck during tonight's victory over the Florida Panthers. Anyone who knows anything about anatomy knows that the juggular vein is also located along the side of one's neck. Not a good combination.

According to the news reports, Zednik is in stable condition at the hospital in Buffalo - but it doesn't make the injury any less severe or traumatic. It also seems that Buffalo may be cursed with this type of injury.

You see in a game against the St. Louis Blues on March 22, 1989, the Saber's goalie, Clint Malarchuk, was stuck by a skate in the neck. He nearly bled out right there on the ice in front of 15,000 or so attendees of the game and millions more via television.

Here's the link to the YouTube video: Clint Malarchuk Injury Search Results

If you are weak-stomached I don't recommend that you watch it, and please don't let your children see it. Its very disturbing. Ever since I saw it the first time back in 1989 I was changed. I don't step out onto the ice without thinking about it at least once. In fact I played tonight - and I paid hommage to Mr. Malarchuk as I stepped into my crease before the game. I ALWAYS have it in the back of my mind.

So when I found out about Richard Zednik tonight my first thought was "oh no, not again..." I can't imagine the horror of watching and feeling your life drain from your body because of a GAME. It just seems so pointless at that moment. Here is a guy who may be giving his LIFE for our entertainment. Its not like he was defending his country, or protecting the public, or fighting a fire. He was playing a game.

I guess I don't really have a point to all of this except to say that I was haunted today by what seems to be the curse of the Sabers. Something so bizarre that you can't imagine that you'd ever see it happen once in a lifetime - but then to see it twice within 20 years.

I just pray (yes, I know that's taboo, but I don't care) that Mr. Zednik makes a full recovery and comes back to the ice triumphantly, much like Mr. Malarchuk did. I pray for his family and friends, and most of all I pray that YOU never have to experience anything like that.

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Be Gentle...

Published: 1/22/2008 9:32:55 AM

I'm new to this whole blogging thing. I've updated websites with my thoughts and opinions before but I've usually had to censor them in some way, shape, or form. Not this time. Oh no, not at all. The AWPT has unleashed a beast!!! (crickets chirp...)

Like the description above says, I plan on covering just about everything there is to cover. Hockey - the mighty king of all sport - will be discussed, first and foremost. Then the lesser sports, like football, baseball, and the two that battle for last place in sportdom: basketball and soccer. Everything else is a game. Golf? A game. If my mom can play it then it is a game, like Solitaire or Mah Jong.

I will also cover music. I know, Off The Rack already covers music, but Dew and I have some different tastes and differing opinions on the subject. Plus, I've been around the industry a lot and for a long time- I get some insider views. Either way, it won't be the same as Off The Rack.

What else? Oh yeah, women. I'll discuss what I DON'T know about them and what confuses me most about them. That's pretty much everything about them. But they're so gosh-durn perty!

Last, but not least, I'll talk about cars from time to time. I have to. Its in my blood. My daddy was a drag racer, my mom was a drag racer (really), and I dabbled in it once or twice (does it matter it was legal or not?) So I do like to talk about them once in a while.

Anyway, Thanks for listening. I'll be back next week with something that resembles what I said I would talk about.

-Peace-

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