The Kings winning like this is both exciting and confusing for their fans.
This past week, and even long before that, Mike Richards has shown us the versatility of the thumbs up emoji. So for you suckers who are wasting time, using more than just one emoji, here’s a quick review of the many ways that it can be used:
As a congratulations
To send your girlfriend birthday wishes
To express satisfaction with the success of a fellow countryman (female category)
To display contentment during an especially enjoyable experience
To express satisfaction with the success of a fellow countryman (male category)
In review of a positive dining experience
To express satisfaction with the success of a fellow countryman (male category) … again
As a hashtag?
For more vacation pics, I guess
OK, we get it buddy, you went to Hawaii
As a sick burn
When finally getting to an LA landmark, after two and a half years
In support of your favorite baseball team
Oh, come on man
You may remember that journalist and ice cream expert, Mark Spector has had run-ins with Kings bloggers in the past.
Good lord. Nice delete. RT SportsnetSpec: In L.A., can't wait for Game 6 of Blues-Kings on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/utxvc9cfni
— PumperNicholl (@PumperNicholl) May 9, 2013
@PumperNicholl It's the best game because we're seeing a few goals. Just want to se the red light now and again
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 7, 2013
But this week he had a run-in with a blogger from a real hockey town.
Guessing this was a multi-account Twitter fail. pic.twitter.com/3Gi1h02Xa6
— mc79hockey (@mc79hockey) February 28, 2014
@mc79hockey Yes. Apologies. Anyhow, if you now what the best questions are, please, join us at the rink and ask them. — Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) February 28, 2014
Just to clarify, Mark Spector took exception with @mc79hockey‘s tweet, harkening back to Spec’s run-in with Oilers coach, Dallas Eakins (is it just me, or does this guy seem to have a lot of run-ins?). He was so excited to fire off his witty retort that he didn’t realize he was logged into the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s twitter account.
THE PHWA GAVE MARK SPECTOR ACCESS TO THEIR TWITTER ACCOUNT
This bit of information led to an interesting discovery by our own Pumpernicholl.
. @mc79hockey wait, so @SportsnetSpec runs @ThePHWA Twitter account? I’ll just leave this here… pic.twitter.com/BiFdJBvUoB
— PumperNicholl (@PumperNicholl) February 28, 2014
It takes a big man to anonymously support his own opinion. This should all be a lesson that anytime you dig a little bit into what Spec is saying, he usually looks pretty silly.
@mayorNHL You never know what you might get when you ask a question in there, Mayor. You should try it some time. :)
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 10, 2013
So apparently, Mark Spector has one retort chambered at all times: “If you think it’s so easy, why don’t you come ask the questions.”
I'm just saying, if you are that bad at your job, you should probably stop suggesting that other people try to do it.
— Jack Wilson (@JACKaWILSON) February 28, 2014
Yup, pretty much.
Even after the Olympics, I’m sure Teemu Selanne has plenty left in the tank to finish out the season.
This week, here is DFZ’s reaction to the Ryan Miller trade… juxtaposed with that of rational bloggers everywhere…
I for one welcome our St. Louis overlords.
— DucksFanZone (@DucksFanZone) March 1, 2014
Through 40 games player each, Halak's 5v5 Sv% is 92.3%, Miller's is 92.2%.
— Extra Skater (@ExtraSkater) March 1, 2014
Such a one sided deal.
— DucksFanZone (@DucksFanZone) March 1, 2014
Ryan Miller career stats vs. teams in the Central Division: 11-20-3 3.04 GAA .900 SV%
— PumperNicholl (@PumperNicholl) March 1, 2014
St Louis was my western team this year if the Ducks get eliminated…but I can't help but be irritated at this deal.
— DucksFanZone (@DucksFanZone) March 1, 2014
Halak career save percentage: .917. Miller career save percentage: .916. Hmmmm.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) February 28, 2014
I'm not sure there's a ton of difference between Miller and Halak. I don't know that I'd give up a ton to find out.
— mc79hockey (@mc79hockey) February 28, 2014
Halak and Miller are basically equal to me and give any team an equal chance to win.
— Patrick Kearns (@PatrickKearns) February 28, 2014
Was really really hoping the Sharks would be the ones to make the bad Ryan Miller trade, but I guess the Blues will do.
— Robert P. (@RobertJFTC) March 1, 2014
We’ll cover a couple other players’ use of the Olympic break later, but we all know Dustin Penner must have had the most fun, so let’s just checkout his first.
He was hanging out at the Newport Beach Sharkeez, to the surprise of nobody.
He made some very timely movie references.
He made a trip to South Beach
It must have been nice to flee the dreary winter of Newport Beach, in favor of the warmth of Miami.
That’s exactly how you should look when returning from a few days partying in Miami. Nice work big guy. You are a modern day Will Smith.
He watched some of his fellow Ducks in the Olympic semifinal game, and made the same joke as everybody else.
He wore a very tiny shirt.
He rested up for the playoff run. Can you imagine how much more likable the Ducks would be if we swapped out Perry and Getzlaf for those two?
The only thing less surprising than Dustin Penner hanging out at the Newport Sharkeez is Dustin Penner at an EDM show.
And of course, he worked on his honey-do list.
Kings:
The clear winner is Jarret Stoll (via Erin Andrew’s Instagram account):
Oh you’re on the beach with your beautiful, famous, super successful girlfriend? Cool. He also gets bonus points for being there with former(and beloved) Kings player, Brad Richardson:
and Robyn Regehr(whose wife was tagged in this post):
In what world does Erin Andrews vacation with Robyn Regehr?
Ducks:
We have a tie for the Ducks’ best:
Nick Bonino, who took his girlfriend segwaying …
Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day! I know I will hanging out with this beautiful lady! pic.twitter.com/rcTzzy9crw
— Nick Bonino (@NickBonino) February 14, 2014
and Matt Beleskey, who spent his break with his dog and his dip.
“@SoCalDuckBunny: @Matt_Beleskey Almost as good as Karl!” Not even … pic.twitter.com/Os86fLbbb3
— Matt Beleskey (@Matt_Beleskey) February 3, 2014
Can't beat Turks and Caicos @PCaripan pic.twitter.com/FgaWnLnt0i
— Matt Frattin (@Matt_Frattin) February 18, 2014
Kings: Jeff Carter via LA Kings Insider:
On his Olympic experience: It was a lot of fun. I had a great experience to go over and play with guys – with and against – of that caliber. It was a real good experience for me, and obviously the end result was pretty nice, too.
That was from an article titled “Jeff Carter OPENS UP About Winning Gold.”
Ducks: Bruce Boudreau via the LA Times:
On Teemu Selanne’s return from the Olympics: “I said, ‘You played great, and you’re going to get an opportunity to play great here. Hopefully, it can continue. Hopefully, you’re not too tired,’ ”
No Bruce, I’m sure the 42 year old guy isn’t too tired after helping carry Team Finland to a bronze medal.
Nice little tease of a song from the beautiful Dances With Wolves score.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) March 3, 2014
Kings:
All of a sudden, all Robyn Regehr is a scoring machine. See:
Ducks:
That short-handed goal was Andrew Cogliano’s, career high, 19th goal of the season. This is one of those times when none of us should care if a performance is sustainable. These kind of seasons are just fun to watch.
MTL puts Davis Drewiske on waivers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 2, 2014
He has his name on the Cup.
He used his day with it in a pretty awesome way.
And he was a guest DJ on KCRW, where he proved that not all hockey players have horrible taste in music.