Terrific Times Two!

My little buddy Jordan Hershberg turned two last week, and since I couldn't make his "official" birthday party because of a hockey game, I headed over to Pasadena for a visit to help him celebrate. His parents, Micah and Allison, are wonderful friends I don't see nearly often enough. And Jordan is just too much fun for words. He knows how to say "Aunt Meg" and it just melts my heart every time!



I also got to see his little brother Jeremy, who has grown up SO MUCH since my last visit. The last time I saw Jeremy he was just a few weeks old, and now he's kicking up a storm in his bouncy seat and having a great time checking out the world with those big blue eyes!





Now that Jordan is two, he can do so many things it's amazing! Sliding down the stairs with Mommy is a favorite activity.



And he's already a tremendous photographer. He even knows how to say "Cheese!"



But his favorite things in the world are books and music. His birthday theme this year is Curious George, so I found a card that combined the two. It not only had a pop-up monkey face on the front, it made monkey noises when the card was opened!





That kept him busy for a while, which made Mommy and Daddy very happy. They weren't even the least bit bothered by the noise!



Opening presents, on the other hand, requires a bit of help. Especially the way Aunt Meg wraps them, which Jordan told me was too tight. But he loved the Curious George books and toys inside!

If he's already doing so much at two, I can't even imagine what another year will hold. Happy Birthday Jordan!

Kings vs Blue Jackets: That's More Like It!

For most normal people, Monday is their least favorite day of the week. You're back at work, coming down from the fun of the weekend, and life pretty much sucks. It's a good thing my Kings aren't like most normal people. In their world, Monday is the perfect day of the week to change your luck and come away with a big win.

The game can be summarized this way - everything went right for us, and wrong for our opponents, the Columbus Blue Jackets. We got off to a ripping start in the first period, ending it with a 4-0 lead. The Jackets took a bunch of penalties throughout the game, which we turned into power play goals. And their big gun Rick Nash left the game with a lower body injury and didn't finish the game. In the end, the Kings cruised to an easy 6-0 win.

Here are a few highlights of a simply terrific Monday night:

• Drew scored his 13th goal of the season!!!! And he's now tied for 2nd in points among all NHL defencemen. Sounds like a Norris Trophy Candidate to me!

Hey E, whaddaya say we systematically score a bunch of goals tonight? You down, Simmer?

• Kings newcomer Fredrik Modin scored his 2nd goal tonight. We like you Freddie! Can I call you Freddie? Either way, you can stay.
  

• Our goalie Jonathan Quick earned another shut-out.

• Greener and Stolly continue their bromance, and I once again missed the perfect shot to document it by a split second.

"Face time, beh-bay!!!"

• I was informed by 4 tweets and 1 text message from Canada that Nadine and I were on TV once again. Much love to our favorite Fox camerman Rusty, who is likely responsible. Although according to my friend Moni, I wasn't cheering enthusiastically enough.

• And since I already have hotties from Columbus on my All-Star Hot List, I got to hang with the best warm-up play-by-play commentary crew ever!
  

Now the Kings are back on the road for two games in Chicago and Dallas before returning to Staples Center for a high noon start Sunday against our dreaded foes, the Nashville Predators. Until then, I'll have the radio on.

GO KINGS GO!

Condors Skate-a-thon: Why Hockey People Are Special

I haven't been a hockey fan that long, but in the time I have I can honestly say I've met some of the most incredible people in my life through this sport. Hockey people just take care of each other, support one another, and rally together when they need each other the most. No where was this more evident than at the California Condors Skate-a-thon today.

The Condors are an incredibly special group of guys, and not because they all have developmental challenges. The thing that made them so special is how open, accepting and happy they all are. Several kids came up to me to say hello and shake my hand. They give hugs and pats on the back with more regularity than most people make eye contact with you. And they smiled all day long. By the time yesterday was over, my face hurt more than my legs, because I hadn't stopped smiling all day long.

I was also tremendously impressed with the West Valley Wolves, all of whom came out AND helped raise money.

Their teammate Kyle Woo is the kid I mentioned in my first blog post about this event. This was his idea, and being a small part of helping it come to fruition was absolutely the best part of my weekend. And special thanks to which ever one of the Wolves it was who made sure I didn't wipe out completely when I ran into him!

It was also very special to have some representatives from the Kings come out and support the event. Current player Rich Clune, color commentator Daryl Evans, Fox Sports game announcer Jim Fox, and Kings Vice-President of Hockey Operations and Hall of Famer Luc Robitalle all represented the Kings well. They all made sure every kid had signed photos before they left.





I have to say, Daryl is my absolute favorite, and kids just LOVE him. He just radiates fun an positivity, and by then end of the afternoon he had some kids doing sprint drills on one side of the ice and loving every minute of it!



And I know it's wrong to have a "favorite" among the Condors, but Will Poulos is just the greatest!



Will has cerebral palsy, and got started skating playing roller hockey as part of his therapy to help control his ability to walk. Hockey has been good for Will, because he walks pretty normally, talks up a storm, and is a world class flirt! So my girlfriends and I just had to get a photo with him!



Will is also a Anaheim Ducks fan, but I forgive him that fact because he's a cool kid. When I asked him why he liked the Ducks, he said because they won a Stanley Cup in 2007. So I made him promise me he would root for the Kings when they win a Cup. Now I have to pass that challenge on the the Kings and make them deliver!

OK, so we all had a lot of fun, but this is a fundraiser, right? SHOW ME THE MONEY! I spoke with Ethan Rill, the coach of the Condors, to confirm the total amount that was raised since I couldn't clearly hear all the announcements made out on the ice (raffles, etc.). He said their goal was $10,000, which would cover airfare for 10 kids and their parents to attend the Jim Gregory Special Needs Hockey Tournament. We not only met that goal, we blew it out of the water! The event raised $21,000 - enough to send the kids to the tournament and have money left over to help support the ongoing administration costs of the program.

While I don't have a way to thank ALL the special people involved in this wonderful event, I have to say a special thanks to my friends who came out and made it such as fantastic day for the Condors AND me. Jen and Brianna Wells, their parents, Chelsea Alexander, Roger Oliver, Glenda Barillas, and of course the one and only Nadine Donat - I love you all, and can't wait to skate with you again soon!

And the biggest thanks to Ethan Rill and the Condors, for proving that hockey IS for everyone!

Kings vs Habs: Hopefully This Isn't A Trend

It's hard to believe tonight was my first game back at Staples Center in 3 weeks. A lot has changed in that time, and all for the good.



Prior to tonight's game, the Kings sat in 6th position in the league standings, assured of a play-off spot and contending for home ice advantage in the first round of the play-offs. I paid the deposit to secure my play-off seats. We grabbed two veteran players at the trade deadline on March 3rd, so this game was also the official "Welcome to the Kings" party for forwards Jeff Halpern and Fredrik Modin. And our proud Olympians return to home ice, including gold medal winner and Kings golden boy Drew Doughty.

The only black mark on the past two weeks was our loss Thursday night to the Nashville Predators - a tough to play team that has been like kryptonite for our guys this year. We came close in the end but just couldn't get it done. So it was time to finally get everyone back home, in a regular game day schedule, and get everyone back to their old selves.

Or maybe not. Things started off bad, with the sizable Montreal contingent cheering "Go Habs Go" during the Kings opening promotional video, followed by a Habs goal on the first shift only 22 seconds in. OK boys, time to wake up! These guys do not need to be any happier than they already are!



It took the rest of the period, but Kings magic man Anze Kopitar tied it with his 30th goal at 18:16. And Rich Clune, recalled from Manchester, made his physical presence known by scrapping with the Habs Ryan O'Bryne, who at 6' 5" looked at least a head taller than Cluner. I like his spunk - he can stay!

Things didn't get any better in the 2nd, when Kings goalie Jon Quick got beat by a clean shot from Dominic Moore. We looked dead on arrival from that point on - just no energy at all, and the Habs never looked back. In the 3rd, they scored on the opening shift AGAIN (it took 36 seconds this time), and even though Kings newcomer Fredrik Modin scored in the 3rd to make it 3-2, the Habs had all the momentum. After Quick got pulled, the Habs finished it with an empty netter to defeat the Kings 4-2. The loss dropped the Kings one spot to 7th place in the league, and 5th in the conference - still solid play-off position, but no home ice.

The bottom line - every game is critical, and no one gets an "off night." No one. And here are a few more thoughts I'd like to share with Coach Murray:

• This is our 2nd loss in a row where we pulled the goalie while only 1 goal down. Maybe let's try scoring with 5 guys and avoid those heart-breaking empty-netters, shall we? Losing by one goal just sounds so much more encouraging than losing by two.

• PLEASE stop putting Randy Jones in on the power play. Until he can prove he can hold down the blue line better, at least.

• Still not sure about putting new guy Halpern centering 2 rookies on the 4th line. I know he's a tenured guy, but he's still learning our systems, and I think Clune and Parse need a little more direction out there.

Now let's talk hot men. Had former King Michael Cammalleri been in the line-up, I would have had to give him a shout-out on Nadine's behalf, since she loves the short guys, and Cammy is 5' 9" IN skates. Luckily, there we other perfectly nice choices, since I am not a Cammalleri fan.

My official "Opposing Hottie of the Night" is #44 - Defenceman Roman Hamrlik.



I don't think any explanation is really required here, do you?

Although I also have to give an honorable mention to #20 - Defenceman Ryan O'Bryne, who at 6'5" makes me wish Kevin Westgarth was being recalled from Manchester. A girl can dream, right?



And last but certainly not least, BIG UPS to Nadine and her hubby John for working the information table for the California Condors before the game!



The Condors actually got to go meet the players before the game. My Kings are super guys! Even more excited to see more of these great kids at the big Skate-a-Thon tomorrow!

In Training: Helping the Condors Fly

One of the goals of my "In Training" project was finding ways to get more activity into my life every day, and not just in a gym. The Kings 5K race was a fun start, but the event I'm doing this weekend combines my quest for activity with the passion I have for ice hockey in a very unique way.

For the past several months, Nadine has been telling me about a very special hockey team she has gotten involved with coaching - the California Condors. I've been intending to get out and watch a practice so I could see what it's about, because she simply lights up talking about the kids she works with. I just haven't had the time.

So when she mentioned a fund raising event this weekend, and I wanted to help. She sent me some excellent information about the team, including this letter from one of the kids that helps coach the Condors. This fundraiser was his idea, and I was so moved by Kyle's letter, I'm going to print it here and let him tell you the story.

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My name is Kyle Woo. I play hockey for the West Valley Wolves hockey club. For the last two years, I have been skating with and coaching the California Condors.

The Condors is a special needs hockey team for children and young adults. All of the players have developmental disabilities. We are organizing a fundraiser so that the Condors can play in the preeminent special needs tournament, the Special Hockey International Jim Gregory Friendship Tournament in Ontario, Canada April 15-17.

The Condors are an amazing team. I have learned so much about hockey and life by watching the Condors practice and play. Their commitment and work ethic and love of the game of hockey is truly inspiring. I am very lucky to be able to play for the Wolves club and pursue all of my hockey goals. It is different for the players on the Condors. Below is an excerpt from the Special Hockey International website:

"Can I drive your car when I turn 16?"
"I want to be a teacher when I grow up"
"When I get to the NHL, I want to play for the Leafs"

This is the world of most young kids growing up. It's natural and for most kids these things are all possible. But what if you're developmentally challenged. You have autism, or downs syndrome, or Aspergers, or some other developmental challenge...you ask those same questions, you have those same dreams. But when the time comes you might have other questions.

"Why can't I get a driver's license?"
"Why can't I go to work?"
"Why can't I play on my brother's team?"

Then you realize you are in a different world. And you are always looking in. You live in this world but you're not always really a part of it. That's where Special Hockey comes in.

I have attached a lot of information about our fund raising event. Please take the time to read about this very special team.

****************************************************

Needless to say, I was beyond moved. So I'm strapping on the skates and bringing my checkbook. Here are the basic details if you or someone you know would like to join me and help this amazing group of skaters. Please contact me if there are any details I forgot that would help you.

Skate-A-Thon to benefit the California Condors, a special needs hockey team, consisting of players with developmental disabilities

Valley Ice Center
8750 Van Nuys Boulevard, Panorama City, CA
818-893-1784

Sunday, March 7 from 3:30pm – 5:45pm

ADMISSION: $50 MINIMUM DONATION/PLEDGES

All proceeds will be used to partially cover tournament and travel costs for the Condors to participate in the Special Hockey International Jim Gregory Friendship Tournament in Ontario, Canada on April 13-17, 2010

And if you need special incentive to help....

SPECIAL GUESTS:
2010 NHL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE LUC ROBITAILLE
AND OTHER CURRENT LA KINGS AND KINGS ALUMNI

PIZZA AND DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED
ALL SKATERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES
LIVE AUCTION FOR AUTOGRAPHED LA KINGS ITEMS

The world is a better place because kids like Kyle Woo learn these kind of life lessons playing a great sport. And because adults like Nadine Donat volunteer their time to teach kids to skate that would never have the chance otherwise.

Something tells me I'm going to get much more out of this experience than I end up giving.

What Is The Hottest Position In Hockey? (POLL)

Since I was bored and missing hockey during the Olympic Break, I thought it would be fun to do a little review of all my "Opposing Team Hotties of the Night" from the first part of the season. So I went back through all my game blogs and listed each player by position and team name. I'm pleased to confirm I have every position covered, and they all have one thing in common - they're the hottest looking men on the ice NOT wearing Kings uniforms.

Here is MY hot list!

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Left Wing
Aaron Voros - New York Rangers
Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals
Tim Kennedy - Buffalo Sabres
Dustin Penner - Edmonton Oilers
James Neal - Dallas Stars

Center
Antoine Vermette - Columbus Blue Jackets
TJ Oshie - St. Louis Blues
Brian Boyle - New York Rangers
Patrick Marleau - San Jose Sharks
Joe Thornton - San Jose Sharks
Nicklas Backstrom - Washington Capitals
Brooks Laich - Washington Capitals
Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan O’Reilly - Colorado Avalanche
Brad Richards - Dallas Stars
Mike Richards - Philadelphia Flyers
Jeff Carter - Philadelphia Flyers

Right Wing
Rick Nash - Columbus Blue Jackets
Scottie Upshall - Phoenix Coyotes
Jordin Tootoo - Nashville Predators
Teemu Selanne - Anaheim Ducks
Patrick Eaves - Detroit Red Wings

Defencemen
Eric Brewer - St. Louis Blues
Filip Kuba - Ottawa Senators
Dan Boyle - San Jose Sharks
Mike Green - Washington Capitals
Kyle Quincey - Colorado Avalanche
Lubomir Visnovsky - Edmonton Oilers
Dan Hamhuis - Nashville Predators

Goalies
Henrik Lundquist - New York Rangers
Jose Theodore - Washington Capitals
Ryan Miller - Buffalo Sabres

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Now I need your opinion, hockey readers! Based on the players listed, which POSITION is the hottest in the group? Leave your comments below.....

The Thought Locker: Hump Day Edition

• Nothing makes me feel more naked than forgetting to wear my rings. Except maybe forgetting my watch. Not feeling those small amounts of weight where they're supposed to be every day deeply disturbs my equilibrium in ways I can't quite explain.
  

• Someone at the Department of Defense should be investigating the potential for human hair as a weapon of mass destruction. Especially my hair. The way it's been clogging drains lately, I think it could bring down a developing country if introduced into the ecosystem correctly.

• My life is like an unmade bed. Really happy things go on there, but it's also a mess.

• Saying "Thank you" goes a long way. So does "I'm sorry."

• One of my pet peeves is other people moving my laundry out of a machine to make room for theirs. But If I leave it sitting for 20 minutes after the cycle has stopped, and every other machine is full, I have no one to blame but myself. I hope the person in my building with the load of dark clothes I just moved (including the 4 horribly gaudy Christian Audigier t-shirts) feels the same way.

• When will I learn that my "weekends with no plans so I have time to catch up" never end up that way? At this rate, I'll be behind until 2012. Thankfully the world ends that year, so I'll finally be able to stop worrying about being behind.

• And while we're on the subject of time flying, can someone please tell me where February went? Apparently I blinked too long, and when I opened my eyes it was March.