YES WE CAN!!!

never ever have i loved pittsburgh more than i do right now! i swear the whole city today was sleep-deprived; people were walking into their various downtown office buildings this morning like a mass of zombies. why? because every one of us stayed up last night to watch game 5 of the stanley cup finals!

now, here's my confession: i've only been a hockey fan for seven weeks, since friday, april 11th. that was game 2 of the stanley cup playoffs in the round one penguins/senators series. i didn't even want to watch the game that night, but carson did, so i watched it with him. and by the end of the first period, i was hooked! and yes, pun intended.

i had no idea that hockey was so fantastic! all this time -- for thirty one years -- i'd been convinced that a girl from the south like me had no business with the cold weather sports. and then i learned to snowboard. and then i discovered the true magnificence that is the NHL! you're SUPPOSED to check the guy with the puck! and there are fights and black eyes and bloody noses and sticks in faces! and a penalty box! and power plays! and man, can those boys skate! and really, hockey is totally hot. there's something about the sound of a good check against the boards that makes me all swoony.

also, of course, i have seventh-grade-girl-caliber crushes on like all the pens, but especially max talbot and marian hossa. although, after last night's game, i'm about ready to bear marc-andre fleury's children.

never have i been more emotionally invested in a sports event than i was in last night's game. that includes a lifetime obsession with notre dame football. those fifty minutes of overtime play took years from my life, but that sweet sweet petr sykora goal made it all worthwhile!

holy crap! game six tomorrow back at home! LET'S GO PENS!!!